The cart rental took its cut and sent an honest-looking driver to take Lu Zheng and Uncle Li out of the city.
Though he’d seen them often, this was Lu Zheng’s first time riding an ancient donkey cart.
It was… quite bumpy…
But since it was for passengers, the cart was enclosed with wooden panels, windows on both sides, a cloth curtain in front, and thick straw mats inside.
Despite the rough roads, they were still roads, and with the mats, Lu Zheng found the ride bearable for his backside.
The driver sat outside the curtain, urging the donkey with “Giddy-up, giddy-up,” exiting the east gate and heading along the official road to Shaotong Mountain.
Lu Zheng had bought some meat and steamed buns, and they ate simply on the cart. By mid-afternoon, they reached the foot of Shaotong Mountain.
By the roadside, there was a tea stall with a few scattered customers eating.
“Young Master Lu, White Cloud Temple is just up the mountainside. I’ll wait here.”
“Alright.”
The path ahead was a mountain trail, impassable for the cart.
Lu Zheng and Uncle Li climbed, passing a few pilgrims coming down, dressed plainly, likely common folk.
“You said White Cloud Temple has good incense offerings? But I don’t see any gentry or wealthy visitors.”
“Young Master, it’s neither the first nor fifteenth, nor a festival. Unless something’s happened, who comes to burn incense?”
“Oh, makes sense.”
The rich were few, and they wouldn’t rotate daily visits to burn incense or draw lots, that’d show too much insecurity.
Soon, they rounded a mountain bend and saw White Cloud Temple’s archway, its three characters elegantly inscribed, set against nearby green trees and blue sky, exuding an immortal charm.
They’d arrived.
Passing the stone steps, the temple’s entrance had statues of a green dragon and white tiger, Taoist guardian beasts. A welcoming Taoist stood at the gate.
Seeing Lu Zheng in a silk robe, followed by a tidy old servant, and clearly a stranger, the Taoist’s eyes lit up. He stood straighter, saluted with a palm, and bowed, “Infinite Heavenly Venerable, greetings to the young master!”
“Greetings, Taoist.” Lu Zheng returned the gesture, “I’m new to Tonglin County. Hearing of White Cloud Temple’s profound virtue and effective talismans, I’ve come to pay respects, burn incense, and seek the Heavenly Venerable’s protection.”
“Young Master is thoughtful, please!”
Ordinary folk usually just paid respects, burned incense, dropped a few wen into the merit box for peace, or got a cheap peace talisman during festivals.
But Lu Zheng’s attire suggested he wasn’t here for a quick visit.
Didn’t he say? Effective talismans!
Big business!
Noticing the time past noon, when few visited, the Taoist gestured and led Lu Zheng inside.
Through the main gate, the Spiritual Official Hall was straight ahead. Lu Zheng bowed respectfully.
After passing the Wealth God Hall and Wen Chang Hall on the left, the Taoist guided him to the main hall.
The Three Pure Ones Hall.
Under the Taoist’s guidance, Lu Zheng burned incense and bowed outside, then entered to kowtow three times before the statues.
Then, under the gaze of a black-bearded Taoist, he placed three one-guan banknotes into the merit box.
“Infinite Heavenly Venerable!”
The black-bearded Taoist saluted, “I am Mingzhang, master of White Cloud Temple.”
This was the temple master?
Lu Zheng observed closely. The man wore a clean blue Taoist robe, hair pinned with a wooden clasp, black beard and hair, ruddy complexion, and bright eyes.
“Greetings, Master Mingzhang. I’m Lu Zheng, settled in Tonglin County half a month ago.”
“Master Lu, your distinguished presence is rare indeed.”
“You’re too kind.”
They exchanged courtesies, and Mingzhang invited Lu Zheng to a side room for tea.
After, Mingzhang made occasional small talk. Lu Zheng didn’t flaunt his modern knowledge or quote the *Tao Te Ching* to impress, but casually steered the conversation to cultivation and strange events.
“Speaking of which, I recently met a reclusive master in the mundane world who helped me avoid disaster,” Lu Zheng mentioned the old beggar.
“Locking qi to sense breath, striking based on recognition, that old beggar is indeed an extraordinary person.”
Lu Zheng’s eyes flickered, grasping the beggar’s skill.
The cup had memorised Lu Zheng’s qi, perhaps Uncle Li’s and Aunt Liu’s too, and would attack anyone else approaching.
An automatic defense system!
Modern systems recognised fingerprints, voices, pupils, or shapes, but qi? What was that?
Realising he’d given the cup to Constable Liu, Lu Zheng knew it likely had only one use and was now useless.
“After that, I’ve grown interested in qi cultivation,” Lu Zheng smiled, “Does the master think I have the aptitude for it?”
“Young Master, with your noble aura and wealthy life, why seek the elusive path of immortality? Cultivation is arduous and tedious. Why choose hardship over ease?”
Lu Zheng’s eyes flickered.
His words were a test to see if White Cloud Temple had cultivation methods.
But Mingzhang deftly deflected, sidestepping the probe.
Did they not have it, or were they unwilling to teach?
Was his aptitude lacking, or his donation too small?
Lu Zheng couldn’t outtalk this sly fox, so he asked directly, “Does White Cloud Temple have cultivation methods?”
Mingzhang smiled faintly, “Our temple, descended from Jizhou’s White Cloud Temple, has its own heritage.”
“Then…”
“Young Master, since you’ve met a master, you have your own destiny. When the time comes, you’ll soar like a dragon, whether in scholarship or the Tao.”
Tch, what a sharp retort.
Of course, a temple’s heritage was its treasure, not to be shared lightly.
This suggested a world with demons and spirits, and for White Cloud Temple to stand in a county, it likely had real ability.
“Young Master’s visit shows fate with our temple. I offer you this peace talisman to carry, protecting you from evil.”
Here it was, the return for his three-guan donation.
Mingzhang produced a yellow paper talisman, folded it into a small square before Lu Zheng, and handed it over.
“Thank you, Master!”
They chatted a bit more, then Lu Zheng took his leave. Mingzhang saw him off, and the welcoming Taoist escorted him out.
Lu Zheng probed intentionally, and the Taoist, eager to inform, soon clarified the temple’s services and fees.
Drawing lots: 100 wen. Interpreting lots: one guan.
Peace talismans: three types, 20 wen, one guan, or ten guan.
They also offered house feng shui consultations and ritual blessings, with varying prices.
Indeed, even mystics needed to eat.
