Mountain Master Tang was pacing outside the study and was startled when he saw two people appear out of thin air, but quickly composed himself.
He steadied himself, approached Qin Liuxi, and frowned, saying, "What’s with your complexion looking so bad?"
"Spent so spiritual power," Qin Liuxi said. "I’ve brought Mr. Yan back, let’s find another place to talk."
Mountain Master Tang was visibly delighted.
The group moved to another courtyard, where it was cooler. Qin Liuxi explained everything, and Mountain Master Tang was puzzled, "Qi Juren, do I know such a person?"
Whether you know them or not, it’s no longer important.
Qin Liuxi opened yin eyes for him and then released Yan Qishan from the Soul Nourishing Bottle. When Mountain Master Tang saw the soul of his old friend, tears fell uncontrollably.
Agreed to compile a book together, why did you go ahead of ?
Mountain Master Tang expressed his grievances and resentnt to his old friend, but mostly he felt pain and reluctance. Even though they were both past fifty and had one foot in the Ghost Gate, when truly separated by life and death, the journey of human and ghost diverges, how can it not hurt?
Yan Qishan looked at him, smiling, "Old Tang, I’m dead."
Mountain Master Tang cried again, what’s so funny about that? You old rascal, can’t keep your promise.
He rambled on about sothing, while Yan Qishan just smiled, as if recalling sothing, and ntioned the manuscript.
"Rest assured, even though you’re gone, I’ll continue compiling it so everyone rembers you, you old rascal." Mountain Master Tang wiped another tear.
An hour later.
Qin Liuxi sent Yan Qishan off. With the rit Golden Light given by the Marquis of Wind, and being a virtuous Great Scholar who taught and cultivated people with countless rits, he would reincarnate well in the future.
After sending Yan Qishan away, Mountain Master Tang felt a sense of loss and said to Qin Liuxi, "I’ll personally go to the Daoist Temple in a couple of days to light a long-burning lamp for him."
"Hmm."
With the matter settled, Qin Liuxi did not linger at the Tang family or return ho, but went to Feichang Dao, diving into the Daoist Room for ditation until the next day, when Qing Yuan’s ssage ca saying soone from South County asked to invite the statue, requesting Qin Liuxi to host.
Nian Youwei had just taken office and was quite busy, unable to co personally, but sent his trusted Steward Zhong Ling to handle the matter as a gesture of importance.
Qin Liuxi glanced at Zhong Ling and knew why Nian Youwei would recruit him as a steward; he was loyal, smart, adaptive, and perceptive, more than sufficient for the role of steward.
Zhong Ling, having already heard from his master about the efficacy of Qingping Temple, especially Qin Liuxi, the Junior Temple Master, whose Taoism was profound, was very respectful towards Qin Liuxi, offering a generous amount of incense oil with sincerity during the invitation.
With Qin Liuxi hosting, the invitation went smoothly, and the statue wrapped in red silk was placed onto the carriage heading towards South County.
On this trip, Qin Liuxi brought Teng Zhao and Sanyuan along, as in the City God Temple, an enlightennt and worship ceremony was needed.
On the way to South County, Qin Liuxi kept ditating and practicing, which inspired the younger ones watching to be eager and determined, thinking ditation was simple and excitedly joining in.
So, Steward Zhong, who initially wanted a spiritual connection with these young Taoists, seeing them deeply absorbed in practice, quietly retracted his thoughts until they reached South County.
Nian Youwei personally greeted Qin Liuxi and the group at the city gate.
"Lord Nian." Qin Liuxi perford a Taoist ceremony.
Nian Youwei returned the gesture with a smile, "Junior Temple Master has traveled far, I apologize for not greeting you sooner."
Qin Liuxi chuckled, "Now that Lord has taken office, you’ve mastered the formal tone."
"Apologies, apologies," Nian Youwei said. "Now that we’re acquainted, can we speak more freely?"
Qin Liuxi nodded, "As you wish, Lord Nian."
"Alright, it’s getting dark now, the enlightennt for the statue must wait until tomorrow, so I’ve prepared a banquet to wash away the dust for the Junior Temple Master, this way please." Nian Youwei invited her onto the carriage heading towards the county governnt.
Nian Youwei arranged for Qin Liuxi and the group to stay at the county governnt, partly to show closeness and importance, and partly wanting his own child to et Qin Liuxi and receive so auspicious words.
Qin Liuxi did not reject his gesture; the child was young and she did not perform face reading but gifted an amulet to be worn closely, gently brushed the child’s hair, and offered a blessing, "Blessings to the Infinite."
This made Nian Youwei extrely pleased.
After so socializing and exchanging of toasts, Qin Liuxi asked him, why suddenly decide to revitalize the City God Temple here?
Nian Youwei placed the teacup down, deliberately lowering his voice, "I might sound unbelievable saying this..."
"Hmm?" Qin Liuxi smiled, "If you’re talking about the officialdom, I might not be familiar, but if it’s about sothing unbelievable and strange, as a Mystic Sect Taoist, I’ve witnessed many things."
Nian Youwei gave an awkward smile, "That’s true, it’s actually just because of a dream."
Qin Liuxi raised an eyebrow, a dream?
"Recently, I had a dream where a voice told to rebuild the City God Temple, bring back the statue, and it would ensure peace and prosperity for the land."
"You believed it?"
Nian Youwei bitterly smiled, "Actually, if not for your previous enlightennt at Qingping Temple and Brother Lei’s matter, I wouldn’t have taken it seriously, but after many experiences... You might say believe or not, but now I’m a believer of Qingping Temple, and our family also worships the Grandmaster’s small statue. Moreover, I dreamt the sa dream three consecutive days, at the sa hour, with the exact words. Can I dare not believe?"
Qin Liuxi gently tapped the table.
"Upon taking office, I learned there are no thriving temples or monasteries around South County, Pu Guang Temple’s incense is decent but it’s a Buddhist Temple, and the nunnery is mostly visited by won; there’s no Daoist Temple. Since entrusted by the divine, rebuilding the City God Temple and inviting the deity back provides the people a faith, which I think is also a form of solace and is good."
Nian Youwei sipped his tea and continued, "I’ve found a temple priest. If the City God Temple’s incense prospers, each year we could donate incense money, like Qingping Temple does, performing good deeds, protecting the people and land. If the dream truly brings the peace and prosperity, it won’t be in vain as an achievent for my service for my hotown as a local official."
Qin Liuxi nodded, smiling, "Lord Nian is very generous. Temple and monastery matters can be supported, but cannot be overly promoted. As an official, to protect the people and achieve results, one needs to be pragmatic and practical, not overly reliant on divine worship, as success is rely aided by heaven while human endeavors are crucial. Over-promoting temples may not be beneficial for the nation and people."
Nian Youwei was quite shocked and stood to bow, "Junior Temple Master truly is benevolent with a heart for the world, we admire."
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