Zhongli gave Chen Yun one day to pack his luggage.
Perhaps considering that he will be training elsewhere for the next year.
Chen Yun thought about it and decided to say goodbye to several of his older brothers in the workshop.
He came first to the Meditation Hall.
Fortunately, Brother Ning led the new Master He who was cutting and washing vegetables.
Chen Yun went forward to greet, "Brother Ning, how have you been recently?"
"Oh, Brother Chen, why are you here?" Brother Ning quickly stopped cutting meat and wiped his hands on a towel. He smiled broadly and pointed outside with his finger, saying, "The kitchen is dirty and disorganized, let's go outside to talk."
"Okay."
Chen Yun nodded and went outside with Brother Ning to the dining hall.
The two sat down at the table. He looked at Brother Ning and asked, "The kitchen has hired new disciples, Brother Ning, are you also going to take a trip down the mountain soon?"
"Yes." Brother Ning could not help but sigh: "Our group of familiar brothers, almost all are leaving, starting from Master Zhang Qian, followed by Master Tang, Master Li Si, Master Ding and so on, all of them have left the mountain. Oh, right, at the Red Works Shop over there, Yu Lü also left the mountain. As for Wang Si Yann, it is said that he will also complete his five-year term in half a year. It's really enviable that Brother Chen has joined the ancestral master's door. I'm sorry that I and others are not destined for such good fortune."
Yes.
Familiar faces in the Doctrine Hall are becoming fewer and fewer.
Chen Yun could not help but feel a bit of sorrow, departure is always sorrowful.
He asked casually, "After you go down the mountain, what do you plan to make a living?"
Brother Ning laughed loudly, "With my culinary skills, I can always make a living wherever I go. Don't worry, Brother Chen. Moreover, over the years, I have saved a lot of money. After I find Green Peony, we will... cough cough... Yeah, we have secretly decided to get married and will get married after we go down the mountain."
Chen Yun looked over with slight surprise and laughed, "Everyone has been eyeing the two brothers at the Red Works Shop for a long time, and none of them have had the chance to get together. Who would have thought that Brother Ning, you've sneaked in and managed to win over Brother Yu."
"Hey hey," Brother Ning said with a cheerful mood, "She and I are from the same hometown, so we're quite close. Alas, both of us lost our families to the wars. It seems that even if we get married, there won't be any relatives to witness it."
As he spoke, he changed the topic: "I've secretly decided to marry Green Peony, but Wang Si Yan is not an unloved person. Green Peony secretly told me that Wang Si Yan seems to be quite fond of you, Brother Chen."
"Ahahahaha!"
Chen Yun coughed a few times, then said with a dry laugh, "I don't have much contact with her. What's there to talk about in terms of liking or not liking?"
Yeah, actually, he had known that Wang Si Yan had some kind of interest in himself long ago.
However, as Chen Yun said, he didn't have much contact with Wang Si Yan, and the reason why she might have an interest in him is that she knows he joined the door of Zhongli Quan.
Practitioners of the way are not forbidden from marriage.
The only few sects of the Daoist religion require true "renunciation of the world."
For instance, the Quanzhen Sect's monks not only cannot marry or have sexual relations, but are also forbidden to eat meat, which is similar to the Buddhist rules.
From the historical development of Taoism, it has been a very secular religion until the rise of the Quanzhen Sect.
Taoist practitioners often practice cultivation and asking questions while also healing the world, helping the needy and alleviating poverty.
In addition, there is no prohibition on marriage and having children.
The taboo against marriage originated during the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties period, during the controversy between Buddhism and Taoism. This was due to the mutual borrowing of doctrines and theories between the two religions.
However, at that time, it was just a rule of thumb, and it did not have a significant impact.
The Quanzhen sect, which accepted this strict rule of thumb, completed the construction of its theoretical system during the Tang and Song dynasties. By the Yuan Dynasty, it reached its peak with the favor of the ruling class.
The doctrine hall where Chen Yun was located was not even considered a Taoist sect; it could only be described as a Taoist school. Naturally, there were no prohibitions against marriage and wedding.
In fact, Zhongli Quan always encouraged the official disciples, long workers and other regular disciples to get married.
Marriage and childbirth are the norm of human society. If the immortals are valuing life, how could they possibly prohibit procreation?
They chatted for a little while.
Considering that Brother Ning had work to attend to, Chen Yun didn't disturb him for too long.
Before ending the chat, he proactively handed over more than a dozen charms drawn by him to the other party, "Brother Ning, I might be out for a year or two. When you go down the mountain, I won't be able to come and see you off. Therefore, I specially made some charms. I hope they can keep you safe."
Brother Ning took the charms and said with gratitude, "Thank you, Brother Chen. Green Peony and I plan to buy some farmland and settle down near Chang'an. When you come to Chang'an in the future, you can visit us and catch up."
Chen Yun said, "Very well."
Saying goodbye to Brother Ning.
He instinctively walked towards the Red Works Shop.
However, before he could reach the Red Works Shop, he sighed in the end and turned back to the inner courtyard.
In a certain sense, Chen Yun knew that he and Wang Si Yan were similar in character, both understood what they wanted.
Wang Si Yan wanted to marry a "great man."
He himself wanted to achieve enlightenment and immortality, and didn't have much time and energy to focus on matters of the heart.
Because he understood what he wanted, Chen Yun felt that if he couldn't give Wang Si Yan what she wanted, it would be better not to disturb her.
Unexpectedly, she came to find him herself.
…
It wasn't long after dinner, and the evening glow was still hanging in the sky.
When Chen Yun left the Meditation Hall, a shout from Wang Si Yan echoed behind him.
"Brother Chen, please wait."
Chen Yun turned his head to see Wang Si Yan hurrying towards him.
Wang Si Yan looked very beautiful tonight.
He could only think of half a poem to describe:
"Eyes like water cut, waist like a tied rope, a piece of black sand wraps cold jade."
"Elegant as a fairy, looking back, all makeup and powders are mundane."
This half poem roughly means: She looks at her clear-eyed, slender figure, and exquisite appearance. Especially in a piece of blue cotton Taoke, more appear to be unique charm. She is like the fairy goddess Gusheshan in myth, different from ordinary women with makeup and powders.
Indeed, Wang Si Yan is truly beautiful and exquisite beyond the ordinary.
At least for seventeen years that Chen Yun has been in this world, among all the women he has seen, only He Xiangu wins completely, and other women are not as beautiful as Wang Si Yan.
His thoughts whirled, and Chen Yun put away his admiration, acting as if he knew nothing, replying, "Master Wang, what is it that you wanted to say by calling me back?"
Wang Si Yan's face was flushed, and she spoke softly, "Can I go out for a walk with you outside the observatory?"
Chen Yun wanted to refuse, but he thought about how every time his clothing was too small or torn, Wang Si Yan would not hesitate to quickly sew and alter it and send it over. It was really hard for him to refuse.
"All right, let's go out for a while."
He walked shoulder to shoulder with Wang Si Yan.
The two walked in silence along the way.
Until they reached a large locust tree near the foot of the mountain where Zhao Gongming and Guan Yu often played chess at night.
Wang Si Yan suddenly stopped in her steps, "Brother Chen, I heard that you will be leaving the Doctrine Hall for a long time recently?"
Chen Yun looked over and blinked, "Told by Brother Ning?"
"No," Wang Si Yan shook her head, "It's not that. Recently, I met the Ancestor, who passed on a technique of eating air to me. He also told me that you are going to the Qingcheng Mountain for a year and a half or so, so... I came to look for you."
"Hmm?"
Chen Yun looked at Wang Si Yan with some surprise. He really didn't expect the person who revealed the news to be his mentor.
He knew that his mentor always had a purpose in what he did.
Particularly, he passed on the technique of eating air to Wang Si Yan and then revealed his whereabouts. Clearly, there must be some meaning to it.
Chen Yun pretended to know nothing and smiled, "So you are here to bid farewell to me, right?"
"Yes... no," Wang Si Yan's expression seemed a bit torn, her two fair and delicate hands twisting together, constantly playing with her fingers, "I... I..."
Chen Yun thought, "Oh no," this woman wants to confess her love to me. How should I refuse when the moment comes?
If he were to reject her directly, it might seem too hurtful to her feelings.
However, he cannot have too much contact with her.
Chen Yun only wants to pursue immortality, how could he possibly have anything with her?
Seeing her about to speak, he suddenly thought of a plan and quickly changed the topic, "Master Wang, I am very grateful for the nearly year's time. Every time my clothes got small or torn, you were able to modify and sew them up promptly. I am the oldest son at home, and I have always envied others having an older sister. You are so kind to me, it feels like you're an older sister to me. If you are willing, let's make a blood brotherhood; from now on, I will call you my elder sister, how about that?"
"Ah?" Wang Si Yan was stunned.
Originally, she learned that Chen Yun was going to stay at Qingcheng Mountain for a year, thinking of confessing her love tonight.
But she never expected that Chen Yun would do this unexpected move, blocking her words.
Chen Yun pretended to be very sad, "Do you think Master Wang doesn't have the fortune to be your younger brother?"
Wang Si Yan managed to smile and say, "No, Brother Chen wanting to form a sworn brotherhood with me is my fortune."
Chen Yun continued, "Since it's like that, let's just do it right here and right now. We will become sworn brothers and sisters by adoption."
With the words to this point, Wang Si Yan could not say any more and could only resign herself and say, "All right."
Then, to " nip the affection in the bud," Chen Yun immediately pulled Wang Si Yan to become sworn brothers and sisters.
...
The next day, early in the morning.
In the inner courtyard, Zhongli Quan looked at Chen Yun with a helpless expression and shook his head, "Chongyong, it took me so much effort to find a virtuous and noble woman for you to marry. Why won't you accept it?"
Chen Yun respectfully replied, "Disciple wishes to focus solely on seeking the way to immortality and has no heart for romantic matters."
"To practice cultivation, one must first cultivate themselves. Some things you have not experienced may become a stumbling block in your future path of cultivation," Zhongli Quan said with a faint meaning, "Master, I am afraid it will be difficult for you to cross this threshold."
To be honest, Chen Yun really didn't understand what this meant.
But he still said, "My heart has no distractions, only a simple desire for seeking the way."
"You may not have any distractions now, but that doesn't mean you won't in the future," Zhongli Quan said, shifting the topic. "Since you have no interest in women, then I will take you to find a good cave for deep cultivation for a year."
As soon as Zhongli Quan finished speaking, Chen Yun felt a sudden ripple in the air in front of him, and the scenery became blurry all at once.
When his vision recovered, he saw himself in a mountain with lush greenery and evergreen trees all year round, with towering peaks surrounding it like city walls. His mentor was standing by his side.
Chen Yun looked puzzled and said, "Mentor, where is this place?"
Zhongli Quan smiled and said, "This place is Qingcheng Mountain. I used the Big Nourishment Technique just now to bring you here."
He paused for a moment and blinked his eyes playfully for the first time, "This is the ancestral temple of Taoist Zhang Daozu, so we had better pay him a visit since we have come here."
Ah?
Yes, this is Qingcheng Mountain.
This Qingcheng Mountain is over 340,000 li away from Zhongnan Mountain in this world.
Master Zhongli Quan used the Grand Teleportation technique to arrive here in an instant?
This amazed Chen Yun at the same time, and he also became interested in this Grand Teleportation technique.
He was thinking about it.
Zhongli Quan looked up, his voice firm and full of strength, and spoke to the top of the mountain without much volume, "Zhongli Quan with his disciple Chen Chongyong, comes to Qingcheng Mountain to pay respects to Zhang Tianshi!"
As soon as Zhongli Quan finished speaking, the pure qi of the top of the mountain began to rise and converge, forming a bright cloud that looked like an open door to immortality!
(Chapter Completed)
