The Daoist Temple

After the events of that day, we first worked together to stabilize the morale of the villagers, and then to settle all matters properly.
Once everything was concluded, Grandfather, Su Ni, Fourth Martial Uncle, Chang Sheng, and I returned to the Daoist temple. First, for Chang Sheng to undergo the initiation ritual into Daoism, and second, to ask Fourth Martial Uncle to open a passage to the Yin Realm for us to search for the lifebound wood.

Fourth Martial Uncle made some quick calculations with his fingers, then observed the celestial phenomena and said, "Tomorrow, at the third watch, I will help everyone open the passage to the Yin Realm."

Grandfather nodded. After a moment of thought, he continued, "So, will we need a travel token?"

Fourth Martial Uncle shook his head, gazing into the distance, then meticulously replied, "That kind of travel token is no longer common. There is a place that issues travel permits to everyone."

Hearing Fourth Martial Uncle say this, I immediately looked up at him and quietly asked, "Fourth Martial Uncle, where is that place?"

Fourth Martial Uncle honestly shook his head, his face showing no unusual expression, "I have only heard tell of it, but in truth, I am not entirely clear where it is. One only needs to reach the Yin Realm, and all will become known."

I nodded in agreement with Fourth Martial Uncle's words. Though he possessed some capability, he was not so profound as to comprehend the heavens above and the earth below. Such a realm was truly difficult to attain, and those who achieved it could be counted on one's fingers.
Speaking of this, I recalled someone considered to be of equal talent and strength to Fourth Martial Uncle: Ye Mao Song? Had this person perhaps reached this boundless realm yet? Such thoughts were useless, so I set them aside.

Grandfather's tone was somewhat resolute as he said, "Where it is does not matter; what is important is to find a way to cure the corpse poison within Chu Ling before it recurs."

Su Ni echoed, "Indeed!"

At this moment, my heart held a taste of happiness. This flavor was so potent that I could feel it spreading through every corner of my body.

Chang Sheng smiled at me, "I truly admire you. You are indeed very fortunate to have a grandfather who loves you so much, and also..." He hesitated for a long time, but a smile still lingered on his lips.

I approached to observe Chang Sheng's eyes, then seriously asked again, "And what else...? Why did you stop?"

Chang Sheng raised an eyebrow and cast his gaze towards Su Ni, who was standing there, but said nothing, leaving me somewhat bewildered.

Fourth Martial Uncle didn't give me a chance to ask further. He waved his hand and said, "Alright, let's eat. Chang Sheng, you should also go quickly, lest that rascal question you into a daze."

Indeed, the Daoist temple's meals were somewhat hard for me to swallow, consisting only of vegetables and tofu, day in and day out, to the point of tedium. In contrast to me, Chang Sheng ate with great relish.
Seeing this, I couldn't help but feel a little curious and asked, "Are you vegetarian?"

Chang Sheng swallowed the mouthful of rice in his mouth, then replied to me, "No, it's just that my father and I have rarely eaten meat."

I was stunned for a moment, then asked again, "Your father and you don't like eating meat?"

Chang Sheng picked up a piece of tofu, put it in his mouth, and chewed with great enjoyment, then replied to me, "My father often said that those who eat simple, light meals are less prone to evil thoughts, and it also helps reduce a portion of killing. I think eating such plain meals is also very delicious."

Fourth Martial Uncle, who was eating, heard these words and burst into hearty laughter, showing satisfaction, "Truly, he possesses the demeanor of a Daoist."

I also gave an awkward smile to let it pass, for everyone has their own palate; some prefer vegetarian food, others prefer meat and fish, and some even prefer rare or medium-rare meat. Ultimately, it is all due to differing preferences.

Grandfather placed his empty rice bowl on the table, then brought a bowl of stewed bird's nest and offered it to Su Ni, tenderly saying, "Su Ni, your wound has not fully healed, and your health is still very weak. Eat some bird's nest to nourish yourself well; rest assured, I have stewed it very thoroughly."

Su Ni happily took the bowl of bird's nest with both hands, and my eyes also followed the bowl. Grandfather saw this and chided me, "Chu Ling, look at you. If you like it, I will stew some for you another day."

I gratefully took Grandfather's hand, clinging to him like a kitten unwilling to leave its owner, "Grandfather loves me the most."

Chang Sheng looked at me with eyes full of envy, for in this world, he had no relatives left. Fortunately, Fourth Martial Uncle took him under his wing. Fourth Martial Uncle, of course, would not let his disciple suffer, so he picked up a large piece of tofu and put it in his bowl.

Then he tilted his chin and said, "Chang'er, eat. After we settle matters down the mountain, I will make you some dumplings."

"Chang'er"—just these two words were enough to know that Fourth Martial Uncle truly loved his disciple. Though his temper was a bit fiery, he was very righteous. Having accepted Chang Sheng as a disciple, he would surely treat him well.

Chang Sheng's eyes reddened, his nose stung, and he picked up the piece of tofu with a touch of emotion, "Thank you, Master."

Fourth Martial Uncle, seeing his obedient disciple about to cry, put down his bowl and comforted him, "Chang'er, from now on, this Daoist temple will be your home, and we will be your family."

Chang Sheng was choked with emotion, unable to speak, and could only pout and nod, but his eyes were filled with happiness. Perhaps this was the missing piece of life that helped him mend his mundane existence, and Fourth Martial Uncle was the refreshing spring flowing through the barren desert of his heart.

As for Su Ni, she also silently watched Chang Sheng's happiness.

Speaking of Su Ni, from a young age, her parents had regarded her as a fetus carrying evil qi and abandoned her, for no one would accept their young child seeing such horrifying things. But her maternal grandmother was not like that. She raised Su Ni until she grew up, believing that she would become a good person, a kind girl.

Indeed, it was true! Su Ni now was both kind and benevolent, a little sun radiating joyful energy to everyone.

After this meal, we each retired to our rooms. The main gate of the Daoist temple slowly closed. The hurried light of the sun had long since given way to the silent night. Outside, a few raindrops pattered, as if washing away the dust of the mortal world.

I sat up from the bamboo bed, gently opening the window with both hands to observe everything around me.

The rain fell drop by drop on the small eaves. A ginkgo leaf silently detached from its branch; though it had mentally prepared itself for the journey ahead, at the moment of parting, it seemed to linger, unwilling to leave its mother—the place it once lived. It clung to time by circling a few times, then, unable to fly back to its original spot, willingly lay still on the ground.

A small, drenched bird huddled amidst a canopy of leaves, occasionally flapping its wings as if embracing its own coldness. Its eyes gazed into the distance, as if yearning for a reunion after the rain.

Worldly affairs are impermanent, and human life is fleeting. At this moment, I could only wish to live a little slower, to fully comprehend the fleeting splendor of the mortal world.