We said we would experience life, fairy, how did you become real?.

Chapter 187 I. I want to go with you
Xiao Mo and Jiang Xin stayed at the Kongnian Temple.

After arriving at Kongnian Temple, Xiao Mo and Jiang Xin were settled in a relatively secluded courtyard, some distance from where ordinary monks lived.

After sending Jiang Xin to Kongnian Temple, Xiao Mo did not leave immediately, but stayed for a few days.

During the five or six days, Xiao Mo would often go to the front hall of Kongnian Temple, which is where pilgrims burn incense and worship Buddha.

Although Kongnian Temple had a very good reputation, Xiao Mo still wanted to see this premier Buddhist temple in the Western Regions with his own eyes.

What is most different from my impression of Buddhist temples is that Kongnian Temple does not have the so-called first incense offering, and it does not distinguish between different levels of worshippers.

No matter how much money you donate to this temple.

Even if you donate a thousand taels of silver, you are no different from a pilgrim who donates only one coin.

In addition, Kongnian Temple also has a dining hall.

Anyone can go in and eat; each bowl of noodles costs five coins, and no one collects the bill.

If you can't afford it, just leave. You can come back and pay it back when you're able.

Not only that.

Xiao Mo also saw a Taoist couplet on both sides of the main hall—

"If you have evil intentions, burning incense will bring you no benefit."

"If you stand upright and righteous, what harm is there in not bowing to me?"

This surprised Xiao Mo greatly. Whenever Xiao Mo walked to the front courtyard of Kongnian Temple, he would pause for a few breaths.

“I have noticed that you often gaze at this couplet in a daze.”

On the fifth day after Xiao Mo arrived at Kongnian Temple, he came to the front hall of the temple again and stared blankly at the couplet. Abbot Xu Jing walked over and asked with a smile.

"Greetings, Abbot." Xiao Mo clasped his hands in greeting and replied, "It's just that I stayed at Kongnian Temple for a few days and had some doubts in my mind."

"Oh?" Abbot Xujing said with a smile, "If the young benefactor does not mind, you may speak with this old monk."

"Then I shall dare to ask for your guidance." Xiao Mo looked at the couplet, "Firstly, why does Kongnian Temple have a Taoist couplet?"

Turning his gaze away, Xiao Mo looked at the Buddha statues in the main hall again: "Secondly, why are all the Buddha statues in the main hall made of clay?"

"Hahaha," Abbot Xujing chuckled, looking at the ink-black couplet, and said, "May I ask, young benefactor, do you find this couplet reasonable?"

Xiao Mo nodded: "That makes sense."

“If it makes sense and can persuade people to do good, then what’s wrong with hanging Taoist couplets in Buddhist temples?” Abbot Xujing said frankly.

Xiao Mo was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said, "That's true."

"As for why the Buddha statue is made of clay."

Xu Jing answered Xiao Mo's second question.

"Actually, the Buddha statues at Kongnian Temple used to be covered with gold leaf, but whenever a poor person was struggling to survive, Kongnian Temple would take off a gold leaf, cut a small piece off it, and lend it to the person."

Over time, the Buddha statues in Kongnian Temple became made of clay.

"Has no one paid for it?" Xiao Mo asked.

"Naturally there is."

Xu Jing turned around and looked at the clay statue in the main hall, her eyes filled with a sorrowful feeling of wanting to help but being powerless to do so.

"But how many people repay the gold compared to those who borrow it? Perhaps one day, when the number of people repaying the gold exceeds the number of those borrowing it, the Buddhist teachings will have some true meaning."

Xiao Mo remained silent.

Abbot Xujing looked at Xiao Mo: "Although you are young, young benefactor, your mind is no different from that of an ordinary person. Moreover, I see that you also have the potential for wisdom. I wonder if you would like to join my Kongnian Temple?"

"Thank you for your kind offer, Abbot, but I have never considered becoming a monk," Xiao Mo politely declined.

“Being a lay disciple would be fine too,” Xu Jing seemed to insist.

Xiao Mo shook his head again: "The person who taught me swordsmanship is still waiting for me to return. If I stay here, I'm afraid it will cause your temple a lot of trouble."

Xu Jing: "Is that all?"

Xiao Mo raised his head and looked in the direction of the courtyard where Jiang Xin lived: "If I am here, Jiang Xin will not be able to cultivate properly. I don't want to delay her. Moreover, I am now cultivating the Blood Fiend Qi and cannot switch to other cultivations, nor am I suitable to cultivate other cultivations. There are some things that I need to do, but I need to reach a certain level of cultivation and strength."

"Furthermore," Xiao Mo smiled, "don't be fooled by that woman from the Myriad Paths Sect's seemingly indifferent attitude; she'll be bored if I'm not around." "Amitabha."

Xu Jing puts his hands together in prayer and recites a Buddhist mantra.

"This old monk understands. Please convey my regards to the Blood Lord for me, young benefactor."

"Definitely." Xiao Mo nodded.

"When will you be leaving, benefactor?" Xu Jing asked.

"Tonight at the hour of Yin (3-5 AM)."

"Does the young benefactor Jiangxin know this?"

"I don't know." Xiao Mo shook his head. "It's better not to let her know."

It was getting dark.

That evening, after Xiao Mo and Jiang Xin finished dinner, they watched the stars for a while before going back to their room to sleep.

Not long after, Jiang Xin also went into her small room.

It was just past the hour of Yin (3-5 AM).

Xiao Mo woke up, picked up his Soul-Gathering Blade, and quietly left the room and the courtyard.

The moonlight illuminated the entire mountain forest, and the chirping of insects echoed continuously through the woods.

As you walk down the mountain, you can even hear the sound of clear spring water in the tranquil Kongnian Mountain.

But just as Xiao Mo reached the halfway point of the mountain, he seemed to sense something and looked behind a large tree.

Under the pine tree, the little girl's clear eyes met Xiao Mo's gaze.

The little girl trembled slightly like a rabbit in fright and quickly shrank behind a tree, but soon cautiously peeked out again.

Seeing that Xiao Mo was still looking in her direction, the little girl shrank her head back.

"I've seen you. Come out." Xiao Mo sighed and said.

Jiang Xin knew she had really been discovered, so she could only muster her courage and walk towards Xiao Mo while rubbing her little hands together.

"Did Abbot Xujing tell you I was leaving?" Xiao Mo asked directly.

After all, he had only told the abbot about his departure at the hour of Yin (3-5 AM).

"Mmm." The little girl, who didn't know how to lie, nodded. "Grandpa Abbot said that you should leave secretly so that I can see you one last time and not have any regrets."

"Abbot Xujing is really something," Xiao Mo shook his head helplessly.

Under normal circumstances, most people would keep a secret for others, let alone someone who is now the highest authority in Buddhism and Taoism.

But he secretly told everyone.

All I can say is that this abbot is truly quite different.

"Are you really leaving?" Jiang Xin clutched the hempen clothes, looking at Xiao Mo nervously.

"Ah."

"I...I want to go with you," Jiang Xin said, mustering her courage.

“Ah Xin, you can’t come with me. I’m going back to the Myriad Paths Sect. You have the Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart, and this is where you should be.”

Xiao Mo said earnestly.

"No one here will harm you."

"Here, you will find the best mentors to guide you."

"Here, you will practice Buddhism, embark on the Buddhist path, be admired by the world, and be protected by all the gods and Buddhas in the temple."

"But it's Xiao Mo."

Jiang Xin reached out and gently tugged at Xiao Mo's sleeve.

"Compared to all the gods and Buddhas in this temple, I would rather be with you."

(End of this chapter)