Mythology

Chapter 474 Chang'an, the Capital of Immortality (Part 2)

The official road was bustling with carriages and horses, and the air was filled with the damp, earthy smell.

The small puddles formed by last night's rainwater in the ruts were broken by passing horse-drawn carriages, and the splashing water droplets shimmered silver in the morning light.

Lu Dongbin carried a tattered scabbard on his back, concealing his eyes that opened occasionally, and his Taoist robe was deliberately soaked in blood to prevent hunger.

Aside from their eerie appearance, he was quite satisfied with the two Yin treasures.

Especially after refining the flesh and blood sword sheath, as long as the yin energy is sufficient, it can nurture flying swords without limit, and it also has storage space.

The coffin containing Yang He has been placed inside the Blood and Flesh Sword Sheath, so it won't get in the way when walking.

"We'll be in Chang'an soon."

Lu Dongbin could already see the outline of the city wall from afar.

He shook his head slightly. The yin energy in Chang'an was not strong, nor was there any resentment. On the contrary, it was shrouded in smoke because of the strong incense burning.

The Tang Dynasty has only been established for a short time, but it is already said to be a golden age.

Lu Dongbin glanced around and realized he stood out from the crowd, almost everyone beaming with smiles.

If Yang He hadn't reminded him, Lü Dongbin wouldn't have found it strange, but now the more he looked at it, the more awkward it seemed. How could everything go smoothly?
"This world... definitely has problems; it's all show and no substance."

Along his journey, aside from his cultivation, Lü Dongbin observed the conditions of the people near Chang'an and discovered something along the way.

He had visited once decades ago, when evil spirits had not yet disappeared from the area.

But the population is not much different from what it is today.

Logically, with the protection of the local earth god, the people should be living in peace and prosperity, and with people constantly moving in, the population should be booming.

Lü Dongbin also noticed that every household was always missing one or two people.

Most of them are young adults, and the reasons given are either for forced labor or accidental disappearance. Ordinary people seem to have gotten used to it.

Lu Dongbin calculated with his fingers, but found it all to be elusive and confusing.

"Ugh."

"Even if I achieve the Void Return Realm, I will still have to walk on thin ice. In the eyes of immortals and Buddhas, I am probably not even as good as a yellow dog on the roadside."

Lü Dongbin frowned slightly and paused as he passed the tea stall.

His gaze swept across the tea stall, where he saw a dozen or so simply dressed monks resting, their movements, even the way they raised their cups, were perfectly synchronized.

Lu Dongbin brushed his right hand across the sword sheath and saw with his divine sense that although the seven old monks' outermost robes were tattered and covered with various patches, their inner linings were made of luxurious silk.

"Heh, are monks also divided into different classes?"

The five young monks not only lacked fine clothes, but also had many scars on their bodies.

Since seating was limited, they could only squat to the side with their teacups in their hands, take a few sips, and then immediately have to chant scriptures and meditate.

"Would you like to rest, Taoist priest? We have some excellent green tea."

The stall owner approached and greeted Lü Dongbin.

"Yes, one cup, please."

Remembering what Yang He had said, Lü Dongbin, as if possessed, agreed.

For someone of his cultivation level, the remaining dozen or so miles to Chang'an would only take a moment, and he could even reach it in just two or three breaths by flying on his sword.

"Here comes a bowl of green tea!!"

The vendors were a husband and wife, who skillfully brewed tea for Lü Dongbin.

Lü Dongbin's Taoist attire attracted the attention of the other tea drinkers. After the founding of the Tang Dynasty, Buddhism flourished, and Taoism had fallen into obscurity.

Taoist priests with even a little bit of cultivation all live in seclusion.

Lu Dongbin was unremarkable in appearance and dressed in tattered clothes. He had only a scabbard on his back but no sword. It was clear at a glance that he was a down-on-his-luck Taoist priest.

He chose a corner spot, deliberately avoiding the monks.

The tea drinkers were talking in hushed tones, mostly gossip about Chang'an, repeatedly mentioning the curfew that had just been implemented not long ago.

"A curfew? If there are no evil spirits, why stay indoors at night?"

Lu Dongbin was puzzled. He looked at the monks for a few moments and then looked away. They were all ordinary mortals, only their yang fire was a little dim.

He took out his wine gourd and sipped a few cups, unaware that it was getting late.

Upon seeing this, the couple at the tea stall quickly packed up their utensils. The woman nudged the middle-aged man, who cautiously rubbed his hands as he walked to the monk's table.

“Master Shangming, a curfew is about to be imposed in Chang’an. My wife and I must hurry back to the village.”

The old monk paused, his prayer beads faltering, and his eyelids twitched almost imperceptibly.

He put down his teacup, the bottom of which made a crisp sound as it tapped on the wooden table. "Amitabha, your concerns are understandable."

After Master Shangming finished speaking, he continued chanting the sutra, and the other monks did not dare to get up.

The middle-aged man hesitated for a long time, then said, "Master Shangming, the tea fee is waived..."

Before he could finish speaking, the woman suddenly tugged at his sleeve: "Thirty-six coins, Master. We're just a small business, we can't earn more than a few copper coins."

She dug her fingernails into her husband's wrist, unwilling to give up the money for tea.

Master Shangming showed a hint of impatience, but he quickly composed himself and then turned to signal the novice monk beside him to pay the bill.

pat.

The sound of the copper coin falling on the table was particularly dull.

With the help of the novice monks, Master Shangming rose to his feet, looked around, and said, “Let’s go together. I remember you are from Shuou Village. We can pass by Qifu Temple on the outskirts of the city.”

As the old monk spoke, Lü Dongbin saw his withered fingers trace the rim of the teacup.

The subtle movements he made clearly indicated nervousness mixed with a hint of anticipation; something was definitely wrong with this so-called temple for praying for blessings.

"Speaking of which, how many Buddhist temples in Chang'an are actually in good condition?"

The couple agreed without much hesitation. They would occasionally visit Qifu Temple to offer incense and had complete trust in Master Shangming.

Even some tea drinkers were preparing to follow the monks' procession.

Master Shangming's eyes swept over the crowd, seemingly to confirm the number, and then he couldn't help but smile as he walked step by step into the rain.

Lu Dongbin followed behind without making a sound, and the group walked along the side road of the main road.

In the past, he was unwilling to get involved in worldly troubles, even if the monks showed malice. After all, there were too many such matters to deal with, and it was easy to get caught up in the karma of the mortal world.

However, since it involves immortals and Buddhas, it is indeed necessary to take a look.

Lu Dongbin recalled the corpse he encountered when he entered the temple alone. What kind of dramatic changes was Chang'an going through, and what was going on with the missing persons?

Before long, Qifu Temple slowly appeared in the night.

The sky was completely dark, with dark clouds overhead, devoid of any starlight or moonlight. The occasional flashes of thunder only added to the eerie and terrifying atmosphere of the temple.

Qifu Temple is not grand; apart from the main hall, there is only one newly built side hall.

The lotus pattern painted with gold powder on the vermilion gate is exceptionally exquisite, and the three characters "Qifu Temple" engraved on the plaque were personally inscribed by the Minister of Revenue.

Lü Dongbin was secretly astonished; there were at least three or four hundred temples in Chang'an.

Qifu Temple is unremarkable inside, lacking any historical significance, yet the cost of building just two halls is estimated to be five thousand taels of silver.

They even colluded with high-ranking officials in the imperial court. It's hard to imagine how much public wealth temples like Huasheng Temple, Hongfu Temple, and Daci'en Temple had amassed.

What exactly is Li Shimin up to?

"The Tang Dynasty's national fortune has only just begun to rise, so why are there already signs of decline? Clearly, this golden age could have lasted for more than a hundred years."

Lü Dongbin was utterly shocked, having only a slight understanding of divination techniques.

But just from the surface, it is clear that the Tang Dynasty is about to run out of time. What was Li Shimin, whom I chose to assist, doing?
While Lü Dongbin was still in a daze, the rain began to pour down.

The strong wind carried a chill, and everyone inevitably felt weak.

Master Shangming turned around at the right moment, put his hands together and said, “The road is slippery on a rainy night. Why don’t you all rest in the temple for the night and then we can talk about it later?”

“Master Shangming, we…”

"Those who have come here with me are all pilgrims of this temple. I cannot stand by and watch you catch a cold. Amitabha."

After Master Shangming finished speaking, everyone thanked him repeatedly without daring to refuse.

"I will prepare some clean clothes for you later, I hope you won't mind." In the darkness, Master Shangming's face was sometimes in the light and sometimes out of the shadows. The crowd showed almost devout joy, while the novice monk could not hide his fear.

Just then, a figure emerged from the rain and arrived at the temple gate.

Lü Dongbin didn't stand on ceremony, saying, "This humble Taoist would like to ask for lodging for the night."

Master Shangming was unusually wary of Lü Dongbin's sudden appearance, but he did not refuse and nodded, saying, "Huiming, take the Daoist to the west wing, and arrange for the other benefactors to stay in the east wing."

"Taoist Master, please come with me."

Huiming's clothes were tattered, and his skin was covered with burn marks.

Lü Dongbin gave Master Shangming a deep look, and then followed Huiming through the corridor, where they were seated in different locations from the others.

The west wing is next to the main hall, and the east wing is next to the newly built side hall.

He noticed that the main hall enshrined the Medicine Buddha.

The side hall houses the Bodhisattva Akasagarbha.

The two Buddha statues were carved with lifelike detail. The side hall reeked of quicklime. The Bodhisattva Akasagarbha must have been recently brought in; the Buddha statues hadn't opened their eyes yet. Wait...

Lu Dongbin was taken aback. Why hadn't the Medicine Buddha opened his eyes? It was common sense that anyone who accepted incense offerings had to open their eyes.

He entered the room without making a sound, and Huiming lit the candle.

"Master, please rest."

Huiming dared not look directly into Lü Dongbin's sharp eyes. "The abbot told you, Daoist, to leave early tomorrow morning to avoid disturbing the Buddha and Bodhisattvas. Also, do not leave your room at night. There is a rule in the temple that one person cannot see the Buddha."

"No one sees the Buddha."

Lu Dongbin repeated the question several times, then asked with a half-smile, "How long have you been in the temple, little master?"

Huiming intended to leave, but found that Lü Dongbin's figure seemed to possess a demonic quality, and unconsciously answered, "Three, three years..."

How long has Qifu Temple been built?

"It will also take three years."

Lu Dongbin said "Oh," and quietly made a hand seal with his right hand. "Qifu Temple has been open for three years. Why are you still a novice monk, little master?"

"Master, the senior monks in the temple are all assigned by the Great Ci'en Temple. I... it takes me ten years of cultivation to become a mere monk."

Huiming's face was filled with terror, and for some reason, she couldn't hide her feelings at all.

Lu Dongbin looked out the window and saw that Master Shangming was already leading the monks in chanting sutras in the main hall.

The novice monks also arrived one after another.

Lu Dongbin seized the key question and asked, "Where is the Buddha statue also from the Great Ci'en Temple?"

"I...I don't know, I don't know."

When Huiming mentioned the Buddha statue, he became agitated and so frightened that he lost his voice.

Lu Dongbin secretly canceled the spell, touched Huiming's forehead with his index finger to blur his memory, and let the novice monk leave the room.

His expression was unpredictable, though his divine sense could not detect any flaws.

But the temple itself definitely has problems.

"Understanding the current predicament in Chang'an will make it easier to enter the city tomorrow. Alas, the body of the senior may very well be in a temple."

Lü Dongbin originally intended to retrieve the body, but seeing the people who had been protected, he couldn't bear to leave it outside and so he let the body remain.

As night deepened, the sound of rain grew heavier.

The chanting at Qifu Temple finally stopped, and the entire temple fell into silence.

Lu Dongbin sat cross-legged on the bed, and while waiting, he habitually used his Yin energy to temper the two Yin treasures. Nourishing treasures requires constant effort day and night.

suddenly.

Lü Dongbin felt an overwhelming drowsiness wash over him.

At first, he didn't pay attention, but soon alarm bells rang in his mind. As a cultivator in the Returning Void Realm, he had long since transcended the mortal body, so why would he feel sleepy for no reason?
"It's a trap."

Lu Dongbin bit his tongue, but his consciousness remained trapped in a state similar to lucid dreaming. He heard rustling sounds in his ears, like sticky liquid wriggling on a stone slab.

The sound came from the main hall, and soon the dripping became a continuous sound.

Even more chillingly, the noise was approaching the side rooms along the corridor.

"Photography!"

With his eyes tightly closed, Lü Dongbin gave a soft shout. A flying sword emerged from the flesh-and-blood scabbard and pierced his temple. The intense pain forcibly dispelled his drowsiness, and he couldn't help but bleed from his seven orifices.

He opened his eyes, only to find that all the noise was an illusion.

The culprit was the Buddha statue in the main hall.

The Buddha statue still did not open its eyes, but a crack pierced through the eye area, as if something inside was peeking out.

Lu Dongbin stared intently at the crack, where he saw a large number of heads clustered inside the Buddha statue.

The faces of the heads are indistinct, but they all seem... to be alive?

"What kind of evil spirit is this?!"

Lü Dongbin's shout was incredibly loud in the darkness, but no one responded.

He took out a talisman and stuck it between his eyebrows. Through the crack, his divine sense saw a scene that made his scalp tingle.

The Buddha statue was hollow, and inside were piled hundreds of corpses, all of which looked the same and whose limbs were twisted and stuck together.

Lü Dongbin recognized at a glance that the corpse was exactly the same as the one in the valley temple earlier.

This is the "Tang Monk's flesh" that Yang He mentioned by chance!

The side hall was also brightly lit, and the Buddha statue had its eyes opened by cracks. However, the corpse inside could only be accommodated for one-third of the space, so the newly built side hall was never opened, clearly because it was missing a corpse.

Boom~~

Dong~~~
Someone rang the bell, and the people in the teahouse all headed towards the side hall.

Lü Dongbin understood that they would soon become nourishment for the Buddha statue.

"I... have to take action."

His drowsiness intensified, and since the Medicine Buddha in the main hall was there to prevent Lü Dongbin from entering, he was deliberately placed in the west wing.

boom.

Lü Dongbin fell to the ground, his eyelids growing heavier and heavier.

On the verge of losing consciousness.

Lu Dongbin's drowsiness vanished, and his divine sense noticed that there was another person in the room.

Yang He stood at the window, gazing silently at Chang'an City.

"Senior, the common people are innocent; how can they be sacrificed for praying to gods and Buddhas..."

What puzzled Lü Dongbin was that Yang He did not pay attention to Qifu Temple, but instead kept looking at Chang'an with a serious expression.

"senior!"

"Lü Dongbin, do you know why there is a curfew in Chang'an?"

Lü Dongbin's mouth gaped slightly, not understanding why Yang He would ask about something completely unrelated.

Yang He smiled but didn't say anything.

In the eyes of the spiritual visionary, Chang'an was shrouded in a curtain of rain.

Precisely.

The rain was all bright red blood, and corpses fell from the sky.

They were densely packed, far more numerous than Yang He had seen in the Heavenly Peach Garden.

That's right.

The curfew was imposed in Chang'an because, at midnight, under the influence of some taboo, countless corpses of Jin Chanzi fell to the ground.

The corpse was torn and bleeding, yet it emitted a captivating fragrance.

(End of this chapter)