The street in the town was too crowded, our car couldn't move forward, so we had to park by the side of the road. Everyone got out of the car and followed Han Jin together.
Our large crowd stood out, as Wu Jinuan and others wore Tang suits. I, Han Jin, Xiang Ke and the small Taoist all wore Taoist robes.
Adding Mao You San leading several people from the lowest ranks of society, it also counted as having some peculiar attire.
It attracted the attention of passersby, who looked at us with curiosity and whispered among themselves.
Han Jin had no reaction to all of this, he just kept walking forward until he reached a very thick and sturdy soapbean tree, then he stopped.
This is considered the center of the town, with a small square and many fitness equipment.
"This counts as a landmark in the place where my son mentioned," Han Jin pointed to the soapbean tree.
The black-brown soap bean swayed under the breeze and emitted a pungent odor.
"The place seems to be a different world, which is normal. Back then, those crooked and evil ways were so terrified by us that if it wasn't for them leading us into that place, not even a spark would have been left. They dare not continue to occupy this place. These past few days, the iron-skinned carriage has made me feel physically uncomfortable. I need a good night's rest to rejuvenate and gather strength. Tomorrow, we'll go up the mountain straight to smash that cave temple!" Han Jin spoke each word resolutely.
Mao San You kept looking around, seemingly lost in thought.
Wu Jinuan spoke in a deep tone: "Then we'll find a place to stay now."
He was signaling to the two scholars to look for a hotel in town when two people hurriedly walked over from the other end of the road.
The two people's Taoist robes were somewhat strange. Not only were the colors different from what I was used to, but there were also patterns, clouds, birds, and even the head and tail of a horse on them.
At this point, Xiang Ke nodded slightly and said, "It seems that there is a temple here. I'm not sure if it's Yuntian Mountain, Juqu Mountain, or under the jurisdiction of Gu Qiang City."
I don't see it that way.
The form of the Taoist robes they wear indicates that they are not the kind of temples we are familiar with.
Moreover, Han Jin provided a lot of information, that the monks in this place were practicing Daoist arts while raising some things.
On some level, they might be similar to the 'auspicious horse spirit mediums' like Chang Xin, and they have a tradition of eclectic Taoist arts.
It's because when the four regulations mountain was defeated, the remaining Taoists gained their confidence, and they didn't leave. Instead, they set up a temple right there and continued to rest and recuperate?
Han Jin didn't say anything. He just silently watched the two people approach, his face becoming increasingly gloomy.
Soon, the two Taoists reached in front of us.
Without exception, both of them were very thin, with slender eyelids, but tall.
They first made a friendly bow and said, "Gentlemen, where are you from? Master? Please stay at my Yuanxian Daoist Monastery."
If a temple occupies a place, it must have many external disciples. With so many of us, we've certainly attracted the attention of the local townspeople. If the temple has no reaction, that's rather strange.
"Xian Dong Mountain, Lei Ping Daoist Temple, come to ascend the road to immortality." Wu Jinuan was naturally at ease and returned the gesture. He said.
He's as cunning as can be. No matter how things were back then or how they are today, the best course of action is to hide the identity of the Four Regulations Mountain for now and talk later.
The two Taoists' faces suddenly showed a trace of respect and understanding.
"The news of Tian Shou's demise on Xian Dong Mountain was spread to Shengjing, Heishui, Jianglin and other places. It is also known that a new Lei Ping Daoist Temple has been built on the ruins of Tian Shou in Xian Dong Mountain. A new Daoist site named "Ascend the Immortal" has been established, gathering Taoist masters from various places. This shows that the south is prosperous."
"Gentlemen, you should rest at my Yuanxian Daoist Temple. Let us show our hospitality." The two Taoists invited once again.
Their gaze has already swept over all of us, especially lingering longer on Han Jin's body, but there was nothing unusual about it.
Our group of scholars, they can deceive Wu Jinuan and others, but they cannot deceive Mao San You!
"Please," Han Jin said, his tone was very calm.
The two Taoists' faces immediately lit up, then they led the way forward.
" They don't recognize Han Deputy Director." Wu Jinuan leaned over to my side and whispered.
"It's been so many years; the Four Regulations Mountain has passed down for two or three generations. It's also possible that this temple was not rebuilt by the remnants of that group of defeated soldiers and generals from back then. Of course, we should still be careful and vigilant." Wu Jinuan was very serious.
The people in front are walking faster, and the wind is blowing from above downward. We are at the lower wind mouth, so the sound can't be heard in front.
Moreover, after Wu Jinuan and I finished speaking, he was afraid that Han Jin didn't hear it, so he went over to explain it twice.
As for Mao San You, he has a higher level of strength, so Wu Jinuan didn't go up to explain it.
This town is quite large, with thousands of households at the very least. The difference between the north and south sides of the town is significant.
About ten to fifteen minutes later, we arrived at the entrance of a temple.
It's called a temple, but the structure of this temple is different from the other temples I've seen. The front gate is a pavilion, inscribed with "Yuanxian Daoist Temple." Passing through the pavilion, there is first a stone-paved road, with some houses built on both sides. Inside the houses, there are no other things; only vertical stone slabs.
After passing through two small arch bridges, there were square ponds on both sides that sloped vertically downward. There were colorful carp swimming around, and a few old turtles lying on the stone slabs around the pond edges. As the sun set at an angle, their turtle shells shone with a dark green hue.
After passing a cleared area, we arrived at a grand hall. The character on the hanging signboard above the hall read "Jiuding" (Nine Cauldrons).
Inside the hall, there was a statue standing upright. However, a red cloth covered it, making it impossible to see the interior.
Moreover, a elderly Taoist was standing next to the statue. He was not very old, at most about sixty-five years old.
The old Taoist was dressed similarly to the two others, in a bright green robe with many decorations.
In a normal Daoist temple, this green color usually represents the lowest level of Taoist disciples.
The two leading Taoists approached and explained our origins to the old Daoist, one word at a time.
The old Taoist nodded slightly, looking very pleased.
"Greetings from Xian Dong Mountain, it's an honor for our small temple to welcome you. Hu Jiang, Hu Li, go and arrange the rooms, and prepare more food for us. We will be very grateful," he entrusted the two Taoists.
Soon, the two Taoists left, and only the old Daoist and us were left in the Jiuding Hall.
At this moment, Han Jin suddenly waved his hand, and the red cloth covering the statue was instantly lifted, fluttering to the ground.
The exposed statue made me involuntarily shrink my pupils, and Wu Jinluan and the others took a deep breath.
What is this supposed to be, a normal statue of a Taoist deity?
At a glance, the statue seemed to be a face, both beautiful and handsome, looking like a graceful woman as well as a handsome man.
This is not a clay statue, but a carefully carved stone statue that has been painted with varnish.
In fact, this is acceptable. It's just that the male-female statue has a tail behind it, spread out like a fan!
Humans have human likenesses, and ghosts have ghost likenesses. This is not a Daoist statue; it's a spirit monster!
The old Daoist's face slightly changed. Han Jin suddenly said, "I forgot to mention that I come from Four Regulations Mountain. Do you know me?"
His words were cold, with a hint of killing aura!
