The Doctor of the City goes down the mountain

Chapter 2552: Family, Country, and the World
This year, at the end of spring and the beginning of summer, the peach blossoms outside the Taoist temple had faded, and were replaced by lush greenery throughout the courtyard.

Sixteen-year-old Lin Dong was sweeping fallen leaves in the yard with a broom. His figure stretched out in the morning light, appearing exceptionally calm and focused.

At this moment, the crisp sound of horse hooves broke the tranquility of the Taoist temple, and a woman in gorgeous palace dress was seen riding a white horse slowly approaching.

She is the most beautiful woman in this fantasy world, the current Princess Haoyue.

Her eyebrows are as dark as distant mountains, her eyes are as clear as autumn water, and her temperament is noble yet gentle.

Princess Haoyue's trip was to pray for the prosperity of the country and the well-being of the people.

When Lin Dong first saw Princess Haoyue, his heart couldn't help but tremble slightly.

He had never seen such a beautiful and noble woman. She seemed like a fairy walking out of a painting, making people dare not look directly at her.

But out of courtesy, he still went forward to greet her and led the princess into the Taoist temple to pray for blessings.

After the blessing ceremony, Princess Haoyue was not in a hurry to leave. Instead, she showed great interest in Lin Dong, the young Taoist priest.

She asked about Taoist teachings and methods of cultivation, and Lin Dong patiently answered her one by one. His erudition and humility made the princess fall in love with him even more.

As time went by, the interactions between the two became more and more frequent, from being strangers at first to knowing each other later.

Everything seems to happen so naturally.

There is a saying that goes, if life could just be like the first time we met...

There is another saying, "love at first sight".

They both seemed to fall in love with each other at first sight.

Luo Xue, as Lin Dong's master, saw it all, but her heart was full of doubts and speculations.

"Could it be that the test of this second life is Lin Dong's peach blossom calamity?"

She thought about it secretly, but did not intervene. She just watched it all happen quietly as a bystander.

However, Princess Haoyue had deep worries in her heart.

That day, she and Lin Dong sat side by side on the stone steps of the Taoist temple.

She sighed, looked into the distance, and whispered: "Brother Lin Dong, do you know that our country is facing an unprecedented crisis. The monarch is weak, foreign races are invading, and corrupt officials are rampant in the court. They only know how to seek peace, and are willing to sacrifice the interests of the people, pay tribute to foreign races with beauties, jewels, and even cede land..."

Lin Dong was puzzled as he listened to the princess' words.

He has no memory of his past life, and only three years of memory in this life. His life is very blank. Apart from practicing and Taoism, he has no idea what home and country are.

He knows nothing about family, country and the world.

"Brother Lin Dong, it would be great if one day we could stop being bullied by foreign races and become strong enough to take back the territories, jewels and everything we once ceded." Young Master Haoyue leaned on Lin Dong's shoulder and murmured to himself.

Lin Dong just listened quietly without interrupting.

What does the country’s strength have to do with him?

He was just a little Taoist priest who had never left the Taoist temple deep in the mountains.

Home, country and the world are too far away for him.

Young Master Haoyue stayed in the Taoist temple for a month.

A gentle breeze blows from the mountains, bringing with it the tenderness of early summer and a subtle hint of sadness.

Princess Haoyue stood in front of the cottage where she was temporarily staying, her gaze passing through the layers of green to the distant horizon, complex emotions flickering in her eyes.

A month of life in the mountains was as short and beautiful as a dream, but the shackles of reality eventually broke this tranquility.

"Brother Lin Dong, this month is the happiest month of my life." Her voice was soft but with a barely noticeable tremor, "But today, I...I'm leaving."

When Princess Haoyue said this, she slowly turned around and looked at Lin Dong who had always been by her side. Lin Dong, this little Taoist priest in the mountains, had given her unprecedented warmth and peace during these days.

When Lin Dong heard this, his heart suddenly tightened, as if a huge rock was pressing on his chest, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.

He suppressed his reluctance and tried hard to force a smile, wanting to use it to see Princess Haoyue off, but he found that the corners of his mouth were stiff and an unspeakable bitterness filled his heart.

Just then, a burst of hurried horse hooves sounds came from afar, breaking the tranquility of the mountains.

A team of armored cavalry came like a black torrent. Leading them was the second prince of the dynasty, Haoyue's elder brother. He had a stern face and his eyes were full of worry and determination.

The second prince dismounted and walked straight to Princess Haoyue, his eyes filled with both love and helplessness. "Sister, it's getting late, we should leave."

His voice was deep and powerful, revealing an unquestionable firmness.

Princess Haoyue nodded slightly, with a flash of determination and reluctance in her eyes. She took one last deep look at Lin Dong, as if she wanted to engrave his figure in her heart forever.

Then she turned around and walked slowly towards the horses with the second prince.

Just as he was about to mount his horse, the second prince stopped, turned around, and looked through the crowd at Lin Dong.

A complex light flashed in his eyes, and finally turned into a heavy sigh.

"Little Taoist priest, I need to tell you something today. This year is the year for me to pay tribute to the foreign tribes, and this year, the Khan of the foreign tribes proposed an unprecedented condition - that my sister should go to marry. My father, for the sake of the overall situation, had to agree. One year from now, it will be the day when Haoyue gets married."

These words were like a bolt from the blue, making Lin Dong's face turn pale as paper in an instant.

He stood there in a daze, feeling mixed emotions: sorrow for Princess Haoyue's fate and anger at himself for being powerless.

It was not until the figures of Princess Haoyue and the Second Prince gradually faded away and disappeared at the end of the mountain road that Lin Dong woke up from his dream.

After Princess Haoyue left, Lin Dong was like a walking corpse who had lost his soul. He sat alone in front of the cottage, looking at the empty valley, with unprecedented determination and faith surging in his heart.

He finally understood that in this turbulent era, without a strong country to back him up, personal happiness and peace would be illusory.

As night fell and the stars shone brightly, Lin Dong looked up at the starry sky and a strong idea emerged in his mind.

He stood up and looked into the distance with a determined gaze.

He wants to join the army!

Use his own strength to protect this land and the purest emotions and beliefs in his heart.

That day, he packed up everything and came to his master Luo Xue.

Then, he knocked his head heavily to the ground.

"I'm sorry, Master, I may not be able to accompany you, nor can I complete the test you mentioned. I have to leave the Taoist temple." Lin Dong said firmly.

Luo Xue sighed and didn't speak for a long time.

Lin Dong felt extremely bitter, thinking that it was his own actions that disappointed his master.
I guess now the master no longer considers herself as her apprentice.

The Taoist priest has been tempted by worldly desires. The Taoist priest wants to leave the Taoist temple and stop practicing Taoism. Is he still worthy of being the master's apprentice?

However, at this moment, Luo Xue spoke:

"People out there are evil. Take good care of yourself. There is some dry food made by the chef in the kitchen. Take it with you on your journey."

"If you get tired outside, come back. I'll be here, waiting for you."

Lin Dong's heart trembled, and a warm current flowed through him.

It turned out that the master never blamed her.

Just like that, Lin Dong took everything and set off for the border...

(End of this chapter)