I am the old, fiery-faced man from the senior department.

Nian responded weakly, releasing her grip on Bai Zhou's cheek. But then she felt it wasn't good to have made his face red, so she raised her hand and gently rubbed it.

"Sister Nian, this Huangliang Qingjiu is smooth and refreshing on the palate. Its sour, sweet, bitter, astringent, and spicy flavors are in harmony, making it a wonderful taste that you must try."

He poured her a glass of wine and handed it to her, then turned his attention to describing the taste of the wine during the day.

"Mmm... Oh! It really tastes good!"

To calm his troubled mind, Nian picked up the cup and took a small sip. He then found the taste wonderful and drank it all in one go.

"Xiaobai, how about we buy a few bottles and take them with us on the road?"

"it is good."

After finishing the two jugs of wine, they paid the bill under the astonished gaze of the waiter, and then left the restaurant with the three jugs of wine, disappearing without a trace.

—————■■—————

[Jiannan Road - Shuzhou - Qingcheng]

Shi Huaguo is the abbot of the Taoist temple on this mountain.

He is also the only Taoist practitioner in this temple.

In the past, he would simply meditate and cultivate himself quietly, rarely descending the mountain or engaging in worldly affairs.

Because the temple grounds are planted with various fruits and vegetables and housed animals, the residents are able to be self-sufficient in their daily lives.

As for taking on disciples, teaching, and expanding the temple, these were all like the moon in the water or a flower in a mirror to him—empty titles.

Well... it's not that I'm unwilling, but that I can't.

Master Shi could not afford either the ever-increasing daily expenses after taking on disciples or the expensive materials needed to expand the temple.

This Taoist robe was left to him by his retired master after he succeeded to the position of abbot. He has worn it ever since, and every time it gets torn, he sews it up and wears it for another three years.

The root of all this was a piece of advice his master left him before he traveled the world, which forced him to stay in the temple. Even when he went down the mountain, he had to rush there and back, unable to experience any of the mortal world.

Now, right now, today!

Looking at the two people in front of him, and the glittering gold of the suitcase, Shi Huaguo suddenly understood.

The causes of the past lead to the effects of today; all spiritual practice and all suffering will be rewarded!

"May you two lay devotees enjoy boundless blessings. You have come from afar, what do you need?"

"Master, I apologize for disturbing you."

Bai Zhou bowed to the black and white bear in front of him and then explained his purpose.

"I have long heard that your esteemed temple possesses a painting titled 'Sudden Storm,' which contains profound secrets, allowing one to witness the wind and rain within its pages. I, Bai, have come here because of its reputation; I wonder if I may have the honor of seeing it today?"

"We have a small amount of money here to offer as incense offerings. We would be grateful if the Taoist priest would grant our request."

"That painting..."

So they really came for that painting.

Shi Huaguo did not answer immediately.

He glanced at the two lay Buddhists.

The young man at the head of the group was far superior to ordinary people and wealthy families, both in terms of the luxurious fabrics he wore and his extravagant spending.

The woman sitting behind him was dressed in white, which seemed to be exactly the same as the young man's, and her race was also somewhat similar to his.

Before entering, he vaguely heard the young man call her "elder sister," so they must be siblings.

A brother and sister of noble birth...

Hmm... It's somewhat similar to the instructions my master left behind.

Master Shi recalled once again the words his master had left him before he passed away.

“My disciple, you should study that painting, ‘Sudden Storm,’ often. It will greatly benefit your cultivation. However, you can only use it for cultivation for twenty years. After twenty years, a distinguished guest from the south will come to collect the painting. At that time, you can then give the painting to him.”

As for money and worldly possessions... you don't need to be angry or obsessed with them. Once the guests arrive, everything will be as you wish.

“Master, I have been practicing asceticism since childhood, and money is not something I desire. I know that the things for cultivation are meant for those who are destined to receive them, and I will not force anyone to keep them. But you must tell me what that guest looked like?”

Thunder rises from the north, and the sun rises from the west.

"Clouds follow the dragon's path, and organs originate from the five internal organs."

The master stroked his white beard, left behind a short poem, and then rode away on a crane.

He has pondered these words deeply ever since.

He roughly knew that thunder started from the north; it meant thunder was coming from the north.

But the sun rises from the west... How can the sun rise from the west?

I don't understand, I don't get it...

Although some people have come now, none of the things Master mentioned have appeared.

No, there should be one that matches.

Shi Huaguo's gaze lingered on the amber-like jade and the pine-and-bamboo-shaped horns of the creature in broad daylight.

This shape and form... could it be a dragon?!

Shi Huaguo had the privilege of seeing the head of the largest family in Shuzhou once.

That time, their old clan chief had passed away, and they specially came to ask their master to perform a ritual for them. As the master's personal disciple, he naturally went along.

At that time, he was still young and was engrossed in cultivating Taoist arts. Neither the amusing antics of the beautiful girls in the great clan nor the various gorgeous objects he had never seen before could arouse his interest.

After the new clan leader followed his master in unleashing the earth-shattering thunder magic, he never forgot that great clan.

Later, he asked his master, who told him that the great clan was "Dragon," the most elite clan in the entire Great Yan Dynasty, and that the techniques they possessed were also the best.

He could no longer clearly remember the chieftain's face, but Shi Huaguo still remembered his distinctive features.

Like a forest with two horns, like a snake with a long tail.

These characteristics are consistent with those of the two lay Buddhists in front of me.

“The painting is indeed in the temple, and you may certainly appreciate it if you wish. However, I have some doubts that I would like to resolve with you. If you are willing to answer my questions, I would not only appreciate the painting, but I would also gladly give it to you as a gift.”

"Oh? Is what you say true, Taoist priest?"

A promise is a promise.

“That’s wonderful. Daoist, please feel free to ask me any questions you may have. I will answer them to the best of my knowledge.”

The other party did not answer the question about the important matter, and Bai Zhou was not in a hurry.

He was determined to get his hands on the painting, and before he did, he would act according to proper etiquette.

"May I ask if you, sir, have come from the north?"

"My sister and I came from the Central Plains. We stayed in the city a few days ago and have been traveling eastward to this place today."

"Distinguished guests from the south...heading eastward..."

Shi Huaguo remained silent in thought.

Thunder begins in the north, the sun rises in the west...

If it is a dragon, it should know thunder magic, so if it travels south, the thunder will start from the north.

But does the sun rise from the west?

Could it be referring to a person as well?

What is the sun? ... It resembles the shape of the sun, hence the name "sun".

The sun creates all things, and remains unchanged throughout history.

How can an ordinary person become the sun?

Shi Huaguo looked up at Bai Zhou and scrutinized him carefully once more.

Handsome appearance is merely a superficial appearance; no matter how good or beautiful one is, after death one is nothing more than a skeleton in a tomb. Surely the sun wouldn't point to that either.

So it must be referring to his character?

"May I ask you, layman, have you lived a life of integrity and uprightness?"

"My heart and actions are as clear as a mirror, and all my deeds are for the sake of justice."

"..."

What an arrogant and boastful answer!

Upon hearing Bai Zhou's words, Shi Huaguo was greatly surprised.

The words were clearly absurd and rude, but when they came out of the other person's mouth, they sounded exactly like it...

Why didn't that girl try to persuade your brother... wait, why are you nodding in empathy?

No, no, no! That's definitely not the answer!

Shi Huaguo calmed down and continued to ponder the possible true meaning hidden in those few words.

sun……

Besides character... what else could it be?

Does it mean that the power of magic is as great as the vast sun?

Does it mean someone with profound knowledge who can act as the sun to enlighten all beings?

Or does it refer to a noble and lofty soul, whose brilliance shines as brightly as the sun?

and many more……

Shi Huaguo seemed to have thought of something.

"soul……"

One can verify the truth by observing its soul.

Shi Huaguo continued to speak.

"Layman, I have a question that I cannot answer, and I need your help."

"Please speak, Taoist priest."