"Dong dong dong dong dong dong dong... clang clang clang clang clang clang clang..."
"Dong dong dong... clang clang clang... dong dong dong... clang clang clang..."
"Dong clang... dong clang... dong dong dong dong... dong dong clang..."
As soon as they got off the car, Xiao Feng and the others heard the sound of drums and gongs coming from Anping Temple.
The rhythm was distinct, like a celebration of a harvest in the village, with young won and wives wearing red ribbons around their waists, each holding a fan and dancing the Yangko.
"Temples are supposed to be places of tranquility, so is all this drumming and gong striking appropriate?" Zhen Jinghan frowned and said.
Xiao Feng thought for a mont and guessed, "Maybe they've been repressed for too long, and now they're finally able to vent properly, so their form of expression is a bit over the top."
As they walked and chatted, the group arrived at the foot of the temple steps. Just as they were about to go up, they heard soone shouting from behind, "Wait for us!"
Xiao Feng turned around to see Hui Wu and Hui Liu running towards them at full speed.
"Feng, everyone is here, where's Lin Jiaxuan and Sun the miracle healer?" Hui Wu greeted them.
"The miracle healer is in the car, and as for little Xuan the clumsy... do you think she'd be able to co?" Xiao Feng replied with a 'you already know the answer' tone.
Before Hui Wu could feel embarrassed, Hui Liu imdiately said, "Feng, Lin asked us to co on her behalf, let's quickly go and attend the farewell party."
Xiao Feng nodded and followed Hui Wu and Hui Liu towards the temple gate.
The mont the temple door was opened, the sound of drums and gongs beca much louder, reaching an ear-splitting level where nothing else could be heard.
Upon seeing Hui Wu and Hui Liu, Hong Ren imdiately signaled the monks to stop the drumming and said, "Everyone's here, let's start the farewell party. If you have anything to say, say it now."
Eighteen people including Hui Yi lined up, with expressions on their faces more serious than ever before.
Hong Ren stepped forward first and said, "I don't have much to say, just hope that no matter where you go, you don't forget that you were once a part of Anping Temple.
Besides, once you leave this ti… it's best not to co back."
The last part was said quietly but was still clear enough for everyone to hear.
"How could you say that, Uncle?" Hui Yi said, sowhat displeased.
Hong Ren coughed twice and explained, "What I an is that you are all destined for great things, staying cooped up in this small Anping Temple is a waste of talent.
The wide world outside has so much to offer, your journey still has a long way to go, and bigger platforms await your talents."
"So that's what you ant." Hui Yi smiled and said, "Actually, we don't have any big aspirations; we're just going out for a bit, and moreover, Jiangcheng isn't too far. A day is enough for a round trip.
Whenever we miss you, Uncle, we'll naturally co back to see you, or you can co visit us."
"Let's not see each other at all; that's probably better." Hong Ren waved his hand and said.
With that, leaving Hui Yi no chance to speak, he turned around and left.
After Hong Ren, it was the turn of his fellow brothers to step forward and speak.
With their nephews leaving, as elders, whether genuinely or just for show, they had to step up and give so advice.
However, most of what they said was just platitudes, much like telling them to eat well, dress warmly when it's cold, and use a bamboo mat when it's hot.
"Feng, did you see our popularity?" Hui Shi said happily, "Everyone is reluctant to see us go."
Xiao Feng watched the monks holding Hui Yi and the others' hands, bidding a tearful farewell, and thought that these guys were really impressive; not only did they fool Hui Yi and the others but they didn't even spare him.
In a way, this was quite similar to saying goodbye to instructors after military training.
The departure of Hui Yi and the others from the temple wasn't particularly significant, but these people wanted to hold a farewell party for it, forcefully assigning so aning to the event.
So, in essence, it was still aningless.
"Feng, you see, look, look, it's not sweat on my, but tears, tears and tears." Hui Ba sighed, "At such a scene, I also feel like tearing up."
Xiao Feng frowned slightly, were they forcing him to speak the truth?
Seeing that soone was yet again about to make him "look and see," Xiao Feng mused aloud, "Have you ever thought that they're not crying because they can't bear to see you leave.
But because you're finally leaving and they're so excited and happy that they cried tears of joy?"
"..." Hui Ba.
You're really a master of breaking the mood.
About twenty minutes later, Hong Ren stopped the incessantly chattering monks and then took steps from Hui Yi to Hui Shiba.
Hong Ren slowly paced, sincerely exclaiming, "This day... has finally arrived!"
"..." All eighteen of Hui Yi and the others' faces turned black.
This made it seem as if they were looking forward to our leaving all along?
Could it be that what Feng said was true, that the brothers who were just crying were indeed crying tears of joy?
Hong Ren's heart skipped a beat; how did he let his true thoughts slip out?
However, he was no ordinary person; realizing his verbal slip, he didn't change his expression imdiately and instead tried to make ands.
"I have always hoped for you to succeed and see a wider world, and today I finally got to witness it." Hong Ren said with a heavy tone.
Upon hearing this, Hui Yi and the others' expressions finally eased a bit.
At this mont, Hong Ren noticed Xiao Feng at the back of the crowd and walked directly towards him.
"Benefactor Xiao, you are such a good person, a truly good person!" Hong Ren grabbed Xiao Feng's hand, shaking it vigorously, his gratitude apparent.
"Master, there's no need to be so polite." Xiao Feng responded, nonchalantly, "Rest assured, I will take good care of these people."
"That's good, that's good." Hong Ren let out a long breath.
Seeing this scene, Lu Yao whispered into the little girl's ear, "Shihan, I was just thinking, if Brother Yanhuang were to ask Master Hong Ren for a million now, demanding it to let Hui Yi and the others stay,
do you think Master Hong Ren would give the money?"
"He definitely would!" The little girl nodded firmly and then said seriously, "But Lu Yao, you've changed!"
"I... I've changed?" Lu Yao looked down at her figure, puzzled, "Fat or thin?"
"It's not about weight." The little girl said solemnly, "It's your mindset that's changed. In the past, you definitely wouldn't have had such thoughts, but now you've even learned to take advantage of opportunities."
Lu Yao, a little exasperated, said, "Are you praising or criticizing ?"
"Of course, I'm praising you." The little girl giggled, "In the past, you were too kind-hearted, which could easily lead to losses. Now, I think you're much better than before."
Amidst the beating of gongs and drums, Xiao Feng led Hui Yi and the others out of the temple gate.
"We'll co back to see everyone often." Hui Yi waved his arms and shouted.
Inside, upon hearing these words, Hong Ren quickly urged, "Close the door, close the door!"
As the door closed completely, Hong Ren let out a long sigh, finally feeling a weight off his chest. At last, he'd seen this group off.
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