Unbelievable…
Where did you get the idea that I’m fond of this sort of thing?
Don’t tarnish my reputation out of nowhere!
Lu Zheng’s eyes lit up with curiosity as he asked, “What happened at Jiming Temple? What kind of incident?”
Yuanjing explained, “According to the people of Pingtan County, about ten days ago, every night, a shimmering golden temple would appear on the ruins of Jiming Temple, as if forged from pure gold, grand and majestic. The temple emits thousands of golden rays, illuminating miles around.”
He continued, “Those who get close can hear continuous Buddhist chants, as if countless monks are reciting scriptures inside. Listeners feel a sense of reverence and inner peace, sitting down to chant along, only to fall asleep until dawn. But starting the next day, they gradually feel exhausted, dazed, sleeping eight or nine hours a day, waking up disoriented and weak.”
“Good grief, that sounds eerie!” Lu Zheng said, astonished. “Is it their spirit being drained, or their yang energy sucked away?”
“No idea, probably both,” Yuanjing replied. “The matter’s caused quite a stir, affecting hundreds of people. Apparently, Pingtan County’s yamen has reported it to Yizhou’s Anomaly Suppression Bureau. Some families of the affected have come to our temple to burn incense, asking us to exorcise evil and pray for their kin. I’ve also heard a few wealthy households have offered rewards for resolving this, so I’m heading to Pingtan County to check out Jiming Temple.”
“Are you going?” Yuanjing asked with a smile. “It’s likely a ghost related to Buddhism. If it’s not too strong, we might handle it before the Anomaly Suppression Bureau steps in.”
Before Lu Zheng could respond, Guangyue spoke up, “A ghost tied to Buddhism? Then this monk cannot stand idly by.”
He turned to Lu Zheng. “Will Brother Lu go?”
“Sigh,” Lu Zheng let out a breath.
With Yuanjing, a Taoist with over a century of cultivation, Guangyue, a monk with around 150 years, and the Anomaly Suppression Bureau possibly on their way, if he arrived late, he’d miss out on any fortune entirely!
“Lu Lang,” Liu Qingyan called softly.
“Lu Lang, don’t mind us sisters. Go if you want, just stay safe. We’ll wait for you at home,” Shen Ying said.
The two women thought Lu Zheng was hesitating out of concern for their worries, which warmed their hearts even more. But they wouldn’t stop him from gaining experience; otherwise, wouldn’t that prove Guangyue’s judgment right?
Besides, with Yuanjing and Guangyue by his side, plus the Anomaly Suppression Bureau coming, how could a mere incident at Jiming Temple harm Lu Zheng?
“Hm?” Lu Zheng blinked, sensing something off.
Never mind…
“Go, of course I’ll go,” Lu Zheng nodded. “When do we leave?”
Guangyue’s eyes widened, while Yuanjing smiled without a word.
Lu Zheng nodded again, standing tall. “I need to grab some things from home first. I’ll head out now; meet me at the west gate of the county.”
…
Half an hour later, at the west gate of the county.
Lu Zheng, carrying his sword case, arrived at the gate and saw Yuanjing and Guangyue by the roadside, debating scriptures animatedly, seemingly getting along well.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Senior Brother. Let’s go,” Lu Zheng called from a distance.
The next moment, the three unleashed their abilities, moving like lightning, vanishing in the blink of an eye. Onlookers at the gate gasped, then nodded knowingly, “Truly masters!”
…
On the way, Lu Zheng asked, “Senior Brother, what do you know about Jiming Temple? Were they formidable before? How did the temple fall into ruin?”
Yuanjing rubbed his chin, thinking as he spoke. “Jiming Temple… let me think… it was abandoned about a dozen years ago, maybe twelve years?”
“I remember once going with Master to Pingtan County. A wealthy family was relocating and hired both us and Jiming Temple for rituals, one Taoist, one Buddhist. I went along to see the world.”
“I couldn’t tell if they were formidable, but their abbot was very respectful before Master.”
“Later, I focused on cultivation up the mountain, rarely coming down. By the time I heard of Jiming Temple again, it was already abandoned,” Yuanjing said. “They say the temple was left spotless, bedding neat, stoves clean, as if the monks had left on their own.”
“No one investigated?” Lu Zheng asked.
“Why bother when it’s not your concern? The monks were gone; who would care?” Yuanjing shrugged. “But it was odd, so no one went near Jiming Temple afterward. For over a decade, it’s been in ruins, overgrown with weeds. Some travelers rested there at night without issue.”
“So this incident at Jiming Temple came out of nowhere?” Lu Zheng asked.
Yuanjing nodded. “Quite sudden, and rather brazen, so I’m curious too.”
Lu Zheng looked at Guangyue, who seemed deep in thought. “Master, anything to say?”
Guangyue shook his head. “Nothing to say. Whatever dares to occupy a temple and do evil, conjuring false Buddhist light, should be dealt with. No need for words.”
Lu Zheng: “…”
…
They traveled in silence, reaching Pingtan County by nightfall.
The trio entered the city, found a noodle shop, and Lu Zheng treated them to a bowl of plain noodles each, taking a moment to rest.
“Are you gentlemen here for Jiming Temple?” The shopkeeper, eyeing the monk, Taoist, and scholar, could tell they weren’t ordinary.
“You know about Jiming Temple too?” Lu Zheng asked curiously.
“Of course, how could I not? It’s been a big deal these past few days,” the shopkeeper said with a sigh. “At first, people thought it was the Buddha manifesting, but by the third day, things started going wrong.
Luckily, the temple’s light doesn’t reach the county, or half the town might’ve been affected unknowingly. Master, I don’t mean Buddhist light is bad, but that temple’s light is clearly no good.”
“Amitabha!” Guangyue chanted, signaling no offense taken.
“I heard some local gentry have put up rewards for skilled people to handle it,” the shopkeeper said cautiously, eyeing them. “Otherwise, that temple’s light keeps growing stronger. It might reach the county eventually.”
“Hm?” Lu Zheng’s eyes flashed. “The temple’s light is growing stronger?”
“Exactly. It used to cover two miles, now it’s nearly three. Young men who went to investigate saw the light and ran back, or they’d have been caught too.”
Lu Zheng frowned. “This thing is still getting stronger?”
“Let’s go see,” Guangyue said, finishing his last bite of noodles and setting down his chopsticks.
Lu Zheng and Yuanjing finished their noodles too. Lu Zheng left some copper coins, and the trio passed through the city, exiting from the west gate toward Jiming Temple.
