White Bone Monkey King

Returning to the Five Zang Taoist Temple, Jin An first went to the Sanqing Hall to offer incense to the Sanqing Patriarch and the Five Zang Taoist Patriarch;

Then he went to Liuding Liujia Martial Temple and Wu Lei Emperor Temple to offer incense one by one;

Finally, we came to the Gongde Hall to offer incense to Taoist Wu Zang Taoist Master Jade Youzi.

Seeing that the Taoist temple was not only full of incense, but also well-kept. The altar tables, candlesticks, incense burners, statues and other objects were kept spotless. Even the fallen leaves under the big trees were neatly swept to a corner. How did they return before leaving? , Jin An cupped his fists and thanked: "Brother Huang is thoughtful."

In Huang Zinian's eyes, Jin An was a master of Taoism and a lifesaver. Seeing that Jin An was so polite to him, he waved his hands hurriedly: "Taoist Master Jin An is too polite. I should be the one to thank Taoist Jin An for his life-saving grace and shelter." This is what I should do."

The old Taoist priest also twisted his beard and said with a smile: "Donor Huang, don't be too humble. Not everyone can have this kind of determination and perseverance, and be able to give without expecting anything in return for 365 days."

Huang Zinian was originally a clumsy-tongued person. Although he regained his confidence as a man and got rid of his previous cowardice and stuttering, his clumsy-tongued and inarticulate personality was still there. This was also the reason why Jin An was willing to save Huang Zinian in the first place. Human nature is good, but they have gone astray temporarily. They are not inherently bad.

At this time, a woman with an oval face, a strong chin, and a green dress came over demurely, carrying a tea tray, and respectfully offered tea to Jin An and the old Taoist priest.

Neither Jin An nor the old Taoist priest took the tea immediately. The old Taoist priest looked at the woman who was as tall as a willow, with an oval face and a strong chin: "This female benefactor is very handsome. It must be the first time we meet her." ?”

The woman did not answer immediately, but glanced at Huang Zinian. The wife was at home and the husband was at home. She did not dare to answer the question without her husband speaking first in front of outsiders. Huang Zinian supported the woman with both hands and introduced with some embarrassment: "Jin'an Road." Chief, this is my wife. I met Taoist Jin An at Yuanyanggui Tower a year ago. She also saved the lives of our couple. After returning to my hometown to deal with the funeral of my parents that day, I thought of Taoist Jin An’s words, so I came to Wu Zang Taoist Temple to see Taoist Jin An. My wife has also thought about many things since she experienced the incident at the Mandarin Duck Ghost Tower. Her previous aggressive personality has changed a lot. In order to thank Taoist Jin An, she must come to Wu Zang Taoist Temple to thank him in person. Taoist Master Jin An... I couldn't bear to leave my wife alone, and seeing that her personality has changed a lot, I brought the Five Zang Taoist Temple together."

Speaking of this, Huang Zinian looked at the woman with gratitude and said, "Without my wife's help these days, I definitely wouldn't be able to take care of your Taoist temple, Master Jin'an. Thank you for having such a virtuous wife to endure hardships with me, Master Jin'an." It’s like a blessing to us and my wife.”

The more Huang Zinian talked, the more excited he became. The couple bowed to Jin An to express their gratitude, but Jin Anxu dragged his arm to help him up.

After hearing Huang Zinian's words, Jin An and the old Taoist priest were both surprised to see the woman in front of them with a willow-shaped figure and a prosperous face. They simply couldn't believe that a person's temperament and appearance could change so much.

The old Taoist priest looked at Jin An, his suspicious eyes seeming to ask Jin An: "Is this really the two-hundred-pound shrew you mentioned, little brother?"

After Jin An held up the two people in front of him with his palms, he couldn't help but sigh: "Those with kind hearts are blessed with profound blessings. It is indeed so changed that I didn't recognize it at first glance. It seems that Yuanyang Tower is not completely a ghost tower, but One that can be turned into a pair of mandarin ducks."

At this point, Jin An looked at Huang Zinian with a serious face: "As the saying goes, it is difficult for an upright official to take care of household chores. It is your husband and wife's practice and blessing that you and your husband can work together, so you and your wife do not need to thank you. I, on the contrary, have to thank you and your wife for helping the Wu Zang Taoist Temple when it was most difficult, and for taking care of the Taoist temple for more than a year without complaint. It is said that a hundred years of cultivation can cross the same boat, and a thousand years of cultivation can sleep together. Huang Zinian, Mrs. Huang can share the hardships with you, so don’t let her down in the future, and don’t be that heartless person who can only share the hardships but not the joys, or be careful that I will come to you again to hold you accountable.”

Huang Zinian scratched his head shamelessly and quickly said he didn't dare. Huang was so happy that she thanked Jin An repeatedly. When she handed over the tea again, Jin An and the old Taoist priest both laughed and took it.

"Taoist Master Jin'an, can I ask you something?" Huang, whose appearance and personality had changed drastically, lowered his head in embarrassment.

"My family said that Wu Zang Taoist Temple is different from other places. They want to stay in the Taoist temple all their lives and never leave. I also think that Wu Zang Taoist Temple is different from other Taoist temples. Anyway, I figured it out a year ago. , wherever my family’s family goes, I will follow them from now on, and will never leave my family’s family for the rest of my life... Therefore, I want to ask Taoist Master Jin’an one thing. I want to continue to stay in the temple to practice with my family’s family. You can see ?"

Mrs. Huang looked at Jin An nervously: "Don't worry, Taoist Master Jin An, I can do any rough work, sweep the floor, wash clothes and sew, feed chickens and geese, and burn firewood for cooking. I just don't know if the Five Zang Taoist Temple can take in women. I can It will not disturb the meditation practice in the temple..."

Jin An nodded and said with a smile: "I thought it was something. It's not difficult. You and your wife can live in the temple as long as you want. The Five Zang Taoism belongs to the Zhengyi Taoism, and the rules for men and women are not as strict as the Quanzhen Taoism."

Huang Zinian, who had always had a worried expression on his face, after hearing Jin An's words, quickly pulled Huang to thank him.

The old Taoist priest Nian Xu laughed and said: "The contribution of you and your wife to the Five Zang Taoist Temple can be seen by everyone in the world. My little brother is a person who repays kindness. There must be a place for you in the Five Zang Taoist Temple."

Huang Zinian and his wife became even more happy after hearing what the old Taoist said, and they thanked him profusely.

Today's Wu Zang Taoist Temple is particularly lively. Many people came here to see how young the legendary temple owner is. However, these latecomers did not see Jin An, but so many people came here one after another. It has greatly exceeded the limit of the Five Zang Taoist Temple in receiving pilgrims. Fortunately, the He family, the Xue family, and the Jia family came to the Wu Zang Taoist Temple and sent their servants to help maintain order and ease the pressure on the Taoist temple.

When the three major aristocratic families heard that Jin An had returned to Fucheng, they immediately put down what they were doing and rushed to see Jin An, their benefactor.

Today's Taoist temple is still the same as before, closed before dark and curfew, but tonight's Wu Zang Taoist Temple is very lively. The old Taoist priests who went to the kitchen to open altars, open tombs and move coffins, took charge of the cooking tonight and cooked a lot. Home-cooked food, it took four square tables to put together so many home-cooked dishes.

"Taoist Master Chen, why are there all vegetarian dishes tonight and no dish with minced meat?" Huang, who was helping at the stove, curiously asked the old Taoist priest who was drowned in the oil smoke.

After cooking more than a dozen home-cooked dishes, the old Taoist priest, who was so busy that he was sweating profusely, chuckled and said, "Because I will meet some old friends of the abbot of Bailong Temple later."

In the open space outside the kitchen, several tables have been put together. Huang Zinian, who was placing plates of home-cooked dishes on the table, also looked in the direction of the kitchen in surprise: "Master Chen, do you know the abbot of Bailong Temple?"

As soon as he said this, the old Taoist priest straightened his waist, waved a pot and spoon in his hand, and said with joy: "I am not bragging, Taoist. Taoist and my little brother are not only good friends with the abbot of Bailong Temple, but we are also friends with the government." Master Yin and General Duwei are also close friends who have been together for many years. I will make a quick calculation and I know that Master Yin and General Duwei will definitely come to Wu Zang Taoist Temple as guests tonight."

When Huang Zinian and his wife heard this, they both exclaimed and quickly asked the old Taoist priest to tell them in detail the history of Wu Zang Taoist Temple and the affairs of Jin'an. Why could they know so many prominent people in Fucheng?

Perhaps because of returning to his hometown, the old Taoist priest had been excited all day today. He did not feel tired after working all day long. Instead, he became more and more interested and began to talk vividly: "About the Five Zang Taoist Temple and Bailong Temple." The story of the abbot, Lord Fu Yin, and General Duwei has to be told from the time when the Yinyi River was cut off several times last year. The little brother and the abbot of Bailong Temple possessed paper and stabbed people together, and explored thousands of caves at night..."

Next, several exclamations came from the Taoist kitchen from time to time. Hearing the thrilling details such as the Tomb of the Dragon King, the Millennium Corpse King Tengguo, the Water Goddess, etc., Huang Zinian and his wife were frightened but couldn't help but continue to listen, listening with gusto.

…

And what is Jin An doing now?

Jin An lit incense and candles in each temple, and then lit all the lanterns. The candles and lanterns illuminated the Taoist temple brightly, and then sat down with the eldest lady of the He family, the head of the Xue family, and the new head of the Jia family who came to visit him. At the door of the coffin shop, I asked about the changes in Fucheng and Kangding in the past year.

Uncle Lin, the owner of the coffin shop, also joined their conversation.

The night curfew prohibits walking between several streets, but the door-to-door running of neighbors on the same street is not too strict.

So the table of them sat at the door of the coffin shop drinking tea and chatting, but there was no night watchman or village hero to drive them away. But even if they really saw it, they would pass by pretending not to see it. After all, not everyone would dare to show off to the three major aristocratic families.

Under the quiet and empty night, a few footsteps broke the calm of the street. Sure enough, the old Taoist priest said it was the abbot of Bailong Temple.

Not only the abbot of Bailong Temple came, but also the head of the Luohan Hall of Bailong Temple, the hot-tempered monk Kongming, and the elder of the Zhengtao dean, monk Hongzhao, also came. Both of them were together with Jin An. An old acquaintance from the Dragon King’s Tomb in Qiankudong.

Seeing the abbot of Bailong Temple, Jin'an and others immediately stood up to greet him: "Jin'an has met the abbot, the master of Kongming Hall, and the elder Hongzhao."

"Ms. He and his daughter met the abbot and several eminent monks." The eldest lady stood up and made a blessing. It can be seen that the eldest lady today has been carefully dressed. Her hair is tied into a bun and two golden peacocks are inserted. , which not only sets off the nobility but does not appear jeweled and vulgar, a string of black beads is worn on the wrist, like green leaves setting off flowers, making the wrist delicate and white. Wearing a light blue woven silk long skirt, the cuffs are slightly loose, the waist is tight, and a white woven belt girdles a plum blossom. It is in line with the beauty of the winter plum blossoms in the cold winter, but is quiet and elegant, ancient and delicate, and light blue. A long colored skirt is neither boring nor too obtrusive in winter, and a thick white velvet cloak can be worn without losing the soft beauty and cold beauty of a woman.

The abbots of Bailong Temple paid homage to the three aristocratic families one by one.

"Amitabha, I haven't seen you for a year and a half. Not only has Taoist Jin'an's mind become calmer, but he has also made great progress in practice. People always say that after three days of separation, a scholar should be treated with admiration. When it comes to Taoist Jin'an, it will be an earth-shaking change. Is Taoist An going to break through to the third realm soon?" As expected of Kua Kua Temple, the abbot of Bai Long Temple has not changed at all, but he made Jin An a little confused as soon as he came.

At this time, the sound of carriages and wheels came from the quiet streets under the night. Soon after, a carriage stopped at the entrance of Wuzang Taoist Temple, and then Mr. Fu Yin and General Duwei, who still looked good, got out of the carriage.

The two got off the carriage and saw Jin An and others sitting at the door chatting. They were all stunned for a moment. Then they clasped their fists and apologized: "I'm sorry for being late and keeping you all waiting. I have too much business during the day and I can't get away from it." As soon as you finish handling your official duties, you will come to Wu Zang Taoist Temple with General Du Wei."

Seeing that Jin An was also present, Mr. Fu Yin smiled with joy and said: "Haha, Taoist priest Jin An is really back. It has been more than a year since Taoist Jin An left and there has been no news. Not even a letter to report that he is safe has been sent. , it seems that Taoist Master Jin An deliberately does not regard us old friends as friends, and deliberately avoids everyone in the city."

Mr. Fu Yin pretended to be angry at the last sentence.

At this time, two more people got off the carriage. It was the two mourning brothers who had been hanging out with General Duwei after leaving the Dragon King's tomb.

As soon as the couple saw Jin An reunited after a long separation, they immediately cried, made fuss, and hanged themselves, screaming at the top of their lungs. They cried so hard that Jin An was as big as two heads. People who didn't know it thought someone was mourning for him. Something unexpected happened.

Today is the reunion of old friends, and they should be happy, but there are no expressions of mourning on their faces. Everyone quickly stopped the mourning brothers from continuing to hold Jin An and cry.

Jin An explained to Mr. Fu Yin: "This time I went to the Western Regions and Tubo. The area is vast and sparsely populated. It is not under the rule of Kangding. There is no post office to deliver letters. This makes Mr. Fu Yin and everyone else worried. It is indeed me. Inconsiderate.”

Of course, Mr. Fu Yin was not really blaming Jin An. When he heard that Jin An had gone to the Western Regions and Tubo, he looked serious: "Priest Jin An, was the journey peaceful? Did you find Dao Zhang Chen and Xi Jian? Long time no see. I miss the disciple who sharpened the sword very much."

When he learned that Jin'an had only found the old Taoist priest but not the sharp sword, the atmosphere became a little dull. Fortunately, Huang Zinian walked out of the Taoist temple at this time and said that Taoist Master Chen had cooked the home-cooked dishes and the banquet could begin.

Because of Jin An's return, too many people's hearts in the city were affected. From the official background of the imperial court to the private dignitaries, all eyes were focused on a Taoist temple with five internal organs. But today's Taoist temple with five internal organs is no longer a small Taoist temple. The first Taoist temple in Fucheng that flourished in Jin'an's hands.

This night, cups and cups were exchanged in the Wu Zang Taoist Temple, and the sound of laughter and laughter echoed in the night sky all night long, making this Taoist temple that had been empty for too long become lively and full of fireworks again. Everyone held a candle and talked all night, recounting each other's experiences, especially hearing about the unheard-of surprising experiences and adventures along the way to Jin'an. Everyone was so mesmerized that they were reluctant to leave. Unfortunately, they were busy with official duties and had many things to do during the day. After dealing with it, they all left with expressions of unfinished expression.

"Taoist Master Jin'an, we will meet you again tonight and tell us about your adventures in Tubo tonight." Before everyone left in the carriage, they looked back three times, which was called reluctant to leave.

Jin An agreed with a smile.

Just before General Duwei was about to leave in Master Fu Yin's carriage, Jin An called out to him: "General Duwei, why don't you see Li Que? Doesn't he like to join in such lively places?"

General Duwei shook his head: "A year ago, the Yinyi River flooded to the sky, almost causing an irreversible disaster. He was punished and transferred due to poor performance."

Jin An was startled, and then felt a little disappointed. No wonder he always felt that something was missing when he was telling the story of Zangzhi Ridge, Wuershi, Baizuren, etc. last night. It turned out that there was no big living treasure like Li Que pestering him to tell ghost stories. Shouting to hit evil.

After General Duwei exchanged a few words with Jin An, because the military camp was busy during the day, he clasped his fists, got into the carriage and left.

At this time, the sky has been brightened, and the vibrant golden light has opened up the sky and ushered in a new world. As the saying goes, the sea is vast, fish can leap into the sky, and birds can fly!