Ch24 - Taoist Temple

From plane to train, from train to car… After more than ten hours of bumpy road, the exhausted Ling Xi stood in the deep mountains on the outskirts of a prefecture-level city subordinate to N city, looking at the stone steps to the structure reaching over the clouds, and took a deep breath.

“Do I really have to climb all the way up?” He was dumbstruck. 

The crew member behind him spread his hands: “There is no elevator here.”

At the start of filming, “Jian Jue Tianxia” chose to film the content of episodes 11 to 50 first in order to meet An Ruifeng’s schedule. The filming took place in another Film City in the south. An Ruifeng and the other sect members were supposed to join the crew after five days to shoot the protagonist’s happy life in the sect at the start of the drama.

Originally, the director wanted to shoot straightforwardly in Film City, but the screenwriter disagreed. He claimed that the sect’s residence was not simple and unadorned enough, and lacked a historical sense of settlement. In the end, he used his own connections to find a Taoist temple that had been around for hundreds of years in the mountains around N city. When the local government learned that a famous director and actor were coming to film, they couldn’t wait to roll out the red carpet. After all, if the drama was successful, it could boost local tourism! They dispatched people to the Taoist temple in turn, and eventually persuaded the Taoist temple host to agree to lend the temple for a month.

Location filming required setting up photography tracks, installing lighting, and other miscellaneous preparations. The director had dispatched a crew of workers to arrange everything ahead of time. Wu Youpeng used his old face and worked on the director for a long time before ultimately convincing him to allow Ling Xi to accompany the pioneer team to the mountain to “familiarize with the environment”. 

The director reminded: “The area has enchanting scenery, but the signal is terrible. There is no network connection. You’re letting Ling Xi join ahead of schedule, but can he handle it?”

Wu Youpeng was ecstatic: “That is fantastic. He can self-cultivate.”

Wu Youpeng had intended to accompany Ling Xi up the mountain. After all, he had unilaterally cut off contact between Ling Xi and An Ruifeng. In his heart, he felt a twinge of guilt. However, as soon as he stepped off the plane, he received a call from the agency. His superior continually told him that he needed to return to B city right away since he had an important task for him to complete.

Wu Youpeng hurriedly took a flight back after sending Ling Xi to the rendezvous spot, leaving Ling Xi alone with a cell phone that had no coverage at all and climbing the mountain with the others in desperation.

What disgusted Ling Xi the most was Zhu Linlin’s lunacy in actually joining the group ahead of time…

The Taoist temple was located at the top of the mountain. Ling Xi peered until his neck was sore before catching sight of the Taoist temple’s shadow on the mountainside. According to the staff in his group, there were 888 stairs from the mountain’s base to the Taoist temple. Ling Xi calculated that if the 20th step was one-story high, then it was more than 40 floors high…

Ling Xi’s legs began to tremble halfway up, and the top of his head began to emit smoke. Looking to the left, the staff carrying dozens of kilograms of photographic equipment were walking quickly, talking and laughing; looking to the right, Zhu Linlin, who was in high heels, had light steps and was chatting with her agent; looking back, the villagers he had hired to help him carry his luggage at the foot of the mountain were smoking while collecting wild vegetables; and looking forward, the four short legs of the “Little Ancestor” canine actor, who had also arrived early, went fast.

Ling Xi was about to cry. 

After a few paces, the small ancestor abruptly came to a halt, drilled beneath everyone’s feet, and dashed to Ling Xi, peering at him with bright black grape-like eyes. Ling Xi had always been fond of dogs, so he knelt down to stroke its head. It dashed forward and leaped into Ling Xi’s arms.

Ling Xi: “… Are you tired and want me to hold you?”

The little ancestor’s trainer came over, held its paw, and poured some water on it. “It hasn’t even put out its tongue yet, it’s not tired. It just wants you to hold it.”

Ling Xi: “… What a brat.” 

Alas! He hugged the dog, but who would hug him?

Ling Xi was ready to scream by the time he reached the last few steps and crawled to the top on all fours. Outside the temple, an old Taoist priest stood in line with six young Taoist priests at the entryway to express his heartfelt welcome to these guests from afar.

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

The staff had been up the mountain many times before, and the temple priests were well acquainted with them, so this time the team leader of the staff presented them to the actors who had joined the group ahead of time.

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Ling Xi was the next to be introduced. No one was aware of the scandal involving Ling Xi and Zhu Linlin in the Taoist temple, although some had heard Ling Xi’s debut song “Heart has Ling Xi”. Two little Taoists stared at him with bright eyes. They’d probably find a way to sneak over and ask for an autograph after a while.

The temple was led by the old Taoist monk. He had been living in seclusion for many years and had an unusually detached demeanor. Instead of shaking hands with them, he flicked the horsetail whisk, a courtesy gesture commonly performed by Taoist priests. They swiftly followed suit.

The small ancestor and his trainer were the last to be introduced. The old Taoist reached into his large sleeve for a treat and fed it to the dog, allowing him to lick his hand. 

After the introductions were through, the old priest inspected the crowd with sharp eyes, his expression serious. He pondered for a long time and asked: “Why don’t I see An Ruifeng?”

The staff explained hurriedly that because An Ruifeng had a hectic schedule, he would be joining the group with the main unit in a few days. The old priest didn’t say anything after hearing this explanation. He gave them a frigid nod and said that someone would tell them where to set up the equipment and where to rest.

The old Taoist bowed and turned to depart after stating this. He walked away quickly, giving Ling Xi the impression that his back was full of rage.

In hushed tones, Ling Xi inquired of a staff member: “Did our presence here to film upset their peaceful cultivation? Otherwise, why is the elderly Taoist so dissatisfied?” 

“That is not the reason he is dissatisfied.”

“So, what’s the reason?”

“Our team had already spoken with him several times, and the price had reached xx, but he still refused to lend the Taoist temple. Later, when he learned that An Ruifeng was one of the stars who would be appearing in the drama, he consented.” The staff member sneered: “A young priest who follows him closely told me that the Taoist leader is cute and watches An Ruifeng’s shows!”

Ling Xi’s heart gave birth to a foolish sense of pride and joy. Look, his family’s An Ruifeng had fans even in such a remote mountainous area! 

It was the first time Ling Xi had heard An Ruifeng’s name mentioned by someone else since the unforgettable farewell a month ago. Previously, he could only repeat these three words in his head over and over. They hadn’t seen each other in a long time, yet that soft kiss lingered. It appeared that if he turned his head slightly, those lips would leave an imprint on his lips.

When something reaches its limit, it can only go in the other direction. The more Wu Youpeng prevented him from contacting An Ruifeng, the more Ling Xi thought about him. Every night, he laid in bed replaying what had transpired that day in his thoughts over and over again, making An Ruifeng’s silhouette more and more distinct.

He didn’t sigh once before going to bed, yet he still had to wash the linens the next morning.

Today, Wu Youpeng agreed to return the phone to him. He was packed and tossed here before he could be happy. There was no difference in bringing a mobile phone or an air conditioner remote control in this deep mountain and old woodland… 

Forget it. He had to wait another week. Once An Ruifeng joined the group, he would tell him all the things he hadn’t said in a month.

They went up the mountain at a late hour. After some deliberation, they decided to move their belongings inside the house and rest before beginning to arrange their belongings early the next morning. The Taoist temple on the mountainside covered a big area and had five courtyards. The first two courtyards were enshrines dedicated to all Taoist monks, the third was a dedicated lecture hall, and the fifth housed the firewood room and sundries. The fourth courtyard served as a place for people to rest.

Knowing they were coming, a young Taoist had prepared a few double rooms for them to stay in. However, as an unexpected arrival to the party, Ling Xi found himself in a difficult predicament—there was no room to sleep…

When the crew noticed this situation, they were busy whispering with the Taoist priests, and after a few minutes, Ling Xi followed one of the young priests and turned to the other side of the courtyard. 

In the afterglow of the sun, the door silently opened, revealing a vast sideroom to Ling Xi. It was a spacious room that was twice as wide as ordinary double rooms. It appeared to have been freshly cleaned, and there was still dust in the air. In addition to the same wardrobe and round table as the other rooms, the most unique feature of this room was a big five-meter-long bed under the window…

Ling Xi was exhausted to the point of being paralyzed after climbing the mountain. When he saw the bed, he dropped his bags and shot like an arrow for it, rolling numerous somersaults on it.

The enormous bed board was hard, the pillows were small, and the quilt was as thin as a bed sheet, yet none of this could dampen Ling Xi’s enthusiasm when he saw the bed.

At this point, he could fall asleep as long as he was provided a bed board. 

He even thought contentedly before retiring to bed: Well, at least the bed is king size.

… …

He had slept for three hours, and when he awoke, the sky was full of stars. With a clear head and a pleasant mood, he stretched out and took out his cell phone to call Wu Youpeng to let him know he was safe and sound, but he couldn’t make the call no matter where he went.

He was walking about the yard with his cell phone hunting for a signal when he ran into Zhu Linlin, who was also holding a cell phone. They smiled at each other and turned their heads aside. 

Ling Xi tried to ignore her but then observed her hand holding a cell phone and hurriedly asked, “Did you make a call just now?”

“Yeah,” Zhu Linlin replied. “Do you also want to call?”

“Yes. How did you do it?”

Zhu Linlin sneered and pointed above his head with her index finger. 

Ling Xi gazed at the massive tree that could cover the sun and gulped: “But I can’t climb up such a tall tree…”

“Don’t be silly! It’s far too tall. I wasn’t pointing at the tree!” Zhu Linlin crossed her arms across her chest: “You have to ascend to the top of the mountain to get a signal!”

They climbed 888 stairs that afternoon just walking from the mountain’s base to the mountainside Taoist temple. Ling Xi reflected on his loser self as he remembered Zhu Linlin’s swift and light strides in high heels. After a fierce ideological struggle, he opted not to call Wu Youpeng…

After all, unlike Zhu Linlin, who had evolved to the top of the pyramid, his superpowers had not yet been awakened. 

Ling Xi shrank his neck and returned to his spacious room after walking around the yard. The mountains were quiet at night, and there were no entertainment options. For guests’ convenience, a Taoist scripture was placed in front of the window sill. Ling Xi stared at it for a while, fighting with his eyelids. He rolled around on the enormous bed. The room and bed were terribly big. Ling Xi was not afraid of the silence; he was afraid of loneliness.

When a person is lonely, their mind is filled with a confusion of thoughts.

He thought of the script in the suitcase, the staff who had stepped on the mountain ahead of time, the quiet Taoist temple, the unsmiling old Taoist priest who was actually a fan of An Ruifeng… It seemed natural for An Ruifeng’s gorgeous face to appear in Ling Xi’s head, followed by his gentle and mint-flavored kiss.

Ling Xi let out a “aroo” and rolled on the bed again, unsure whether his face was flushed from heat or embarrassment. This is a place for cultivating Taoists! Don’t think about messy things here! 

Wu Youpeng had returned Ling Xi’s phone without deleting any of An Ruifeng’s text messages from the previous month. Every day, he sent text messages that were neither long nor short. There was no mention of what occurred backstage that day, but there was clearly loving concern. They were nothing short of caring. Ling Xi read all of the texts from beginning to end and felt that it was insufficient, so he read them all over again. This time, he checked the date and silently imitated his own response in his heart, recalling what happened on the day the text message was received.

If it hadn’t been for Mama Wu’s decision to disable all of his communication gadgets this month, maybe, maybe….

He held his mobile phone foolishly for a while before slowly typing a text message to An Ruifeng. However, the text message was inadvertently converted into a lengthy letter.

Ling Xi: Hi! Long time no see. I’m sorry. Mama Wu has been particularly stern with me during the last month. He instructed me to focus my efforts on preparing for the trip, so I haven’t been able to contact you. How are you doing? The movie should be finished, right? Is the injury on your arm better? For a few months, refrain from using force. I got to the mountain ahead of schedule. The Taoist temple has a very beautiful environment and the air is great. The little ancestor (the dog who has more scenes than I do) likes it as well. By the way, the dog ears and tail you requested have already been delivered to my house. I forgot to bring them with me. You can pick them up at my house after the filming is over. I feel as if I haven’t spoken to you in a long time. I really miss hearing your voice. 

After typing the text, he also attached an image of the room’s king size bed.

Obviously, sending the text message failed.

The “sending” progress bar refused to move after reaching 20%. A red exclamation mark was displayed on the screen. He deliberated and decided to remove the photo and try again.

The progress bar reached 45% this time. The size of the message appeared to have an effect on the sending scenario. 

As a result, he decided to curtail the text message content.

Ling Xi: Mama Wu confiscated my cell phone a month ago, so I couldn’t reach you. Your movie should be finished, right? Is the injury on your arm better? I’ve arrived at the mountain. The Taoist temple has a beautiful environment. The dog ears and tail you requested have been delivered to my house. You can get them later. I really miss hearing your voice.

This time, the progress bar had reached 74%. The message was still not short enough.

Ling Xi: I’m waiting for you at the Taoist Temple. I really miss hearing your voice. 

It had reached 88% this time, and victory was in sight.

Ling Xi gritted his teeth and shortened the text message to just two words. This time, the progress bar hit 99% but for some reason it fell short at the last second. Ling Xi hopped around the room, even stretching out the window to make the progress bar go further.

He was so angry that he tossed his phone on the bed and tried to smother it with a pillow, but he still failed to send the text message.

By the time the clock struck twelve o’clock, all of this tossing and turning had come to an end. Ling Xi could only sleep even if he wasn’t reconciled. He closed his eyes, resentful, and counted sheep. While counting the chubby white sheep bleating in front of his eyes, they transformed into An Ruifeng’s visage. 

One An Ruifeng, two An Ruifeng, three An Ruifeng…

Ling Xi eventually fell asleep in this manner, unaware that his head was hitting the “retry” button on the phone under the pillow.

The mobile phone conscientiously sent the last message to An Ruifeng repeatedly. Before shutting down, it ultimately lived up to expectations by sending Ling Xi’s super simplified text message till the very last second.

— Miss you.