Chapter 45: The Fiery-Tempered Old Monk
Mount Maotai’s fame stems from its abundance of Taoist monasteries and Buddhist temples.
Among them, the most renowned and considered the leaders of both sects are Wufang Monastery and Duyun Temple.
These two institutions attract the strongest incense offerings and the largest number of devotees, while also occupying Mount Maotai’s two finest peaks: Heaven-Reaching Peak and Cloud-Soaring Peak.
Why are these the finest peaks? Suisui explained that they happen to be focal points where Spiritual Qi converges before dispersing to other peaks, forming a natural Spirit Gathering Array.
Of course, this is a rudimentary Spirit Gathering Array with limited effectiveness. Otherwise, Mount Maotai would never have been claimed by sects like Wufang Monastery and Duyun Temple.
“So, you’re saying Duyun Temple is also a cultivation sect, but they cultivate Buddhism?” Chen Hao asked.
Having recently arrived at Mount Maotai, Chen Hao was still curious about the cultivation world, which he had never encountered before.
However, Chen Hao merely showed curiosity, not astonishment. Having seen the Divine Capital and befriended the daughter of a Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox, what was a cultivation sect to him? They’re not even as impressive as my daughter!
“Exactly!”
“Those bald monks are far more stubborn than this humble Daoist. Big Sis, if you’re going, you must be extremely careful!”
Daoist Wufang harbored deep disdain for the monks of Duyun Temple, stemming not only from the rivalry between their sects but also from fundamental ideological differences. The cultivation of Daoism and Buddhism fostered deeply ingrained prejudices—the so-called “sectarian biases.”
“Alright, we understand. We’re not going to cause trouble. What’s there to fear!”
“Mmm-hmm!”
“If they don’t know what’s good for them, this young lady will teach them a lesson they won’t soon forget!”
Suisui, her body having recently grown taller, stood with her hands on her hips, radiating an impressive aura.
After bidding farewell to Daoist Wufang, Chen Hao led Suisui toward Cloud-Soaring Peak.
(A Daoist with a smartphone? Adding each other on WeChat made future communication a breeze. In this technological age, who needs telepathy?)
Cloud-Soaring Peak stood relatively close to Heaven-Reaching Peak in a straight line, visible from the summit of Heaven-Reaching Peak.
However, reaching Cloud-Soaring Peak from Heaven-Reaching Peak required a long, winding mountain trail that first descended and then ascended. By Chen Hao’s pace, the journey took nearly two hours.
“So tired! I’m getting old, my stamina can’t keep up anymore!”
Chen Hao wiped the sweat from his forehead, finally reaching the summit of Cloud-Soaring Peak, panting heavily.
Suisui naturally patted Chen Hao’s back with concern, feeling absolutely no fatigue herself. She had climbed the mountain in one breath without even breaking a sweat.
Duyun Temple, with its majestic mountain gate, featured incense burners outside that burned continuously, drawing a steady stream of worshippers and tourists alike, rivaling Wufang Monastery in popularity.
What’s that? You’re asking if Duyun Temple has so-called VIP services?
Didn’t you see that person wearing monastic robes but sporting long hair? That’s a lay disciple of Duyun Temple. As for how much they paid—that’s a trade secret… no, wait—it’s boundless merit!
Unlike the refined and otherworldly atmosphere of Wufang Monastery, Duyun Temple felt more grounded in the mundane world, likely due to the overwhelming number of incense-burning visitors.
Chen Hao led Suisui into Duyun Temple. In contrast to the serene, otherworldly Daoist atmosphere of Wufang Monastery, here Buddhist solemnity prevailed, with the occasional chanting of scriptures and recitation of mantras filling the air.
They arrived at Mahavira Hall, the temple’s grandest structure, just as the Abbot was delivering a Dharma discourse on the scriptures.
Leading the way was an old monk in magnificent robes, his face etched with age but his spirit brimming with vigor. Clearly a man of deep cultivation, his voice boomed like a bronze bell, utterly captivating the faithful.
The Abbot’s Dharma name: Fayun!
“Oh—”
“Mmm-hmm!”
“So that’s how it is! Now it makes sense!”
“Papa, do you understand what the old monk is saying?”
Chen Hao nodded along periodically, feigning comprehension, which piqued Suisui’s curiosity.
“Ah? Not really,” Chen Hao replied solemnly. “I’m just showing some respect, you know? It would be rude not to pay attention when he’s speaking so earnestly.”
In truth, Chen Hao knew next to nothing about Buddhist teachings. To put it plainly, he had no real interest in either Buddhism or Daoism, viewing it all as a mere performance for the occasion.
Moreover, after touring Duyun Temple earlier, he found it remarkably similar to any other ordinary temple. The only real difference lay in the occasional extravagantly decorated building, likely reserved as VIP suites, much like those at Wufang Monastery.
“Giggle!”
Chen Hao’s teasing made Suisui burst into cheerful laughter.
As fate would have it, this was precisely the moment Old Monk Fayun paused in his sermon, and the crisp, clear laughter echoed through the solemn hall, sounding utterly out of place.
“Who dares disturb the tranquility of this sacred place?”
Old Monk Fayun’s voice reverberated through every corner of Mahavira Hall, carrying an extraordinary aura of authority that compelled ordinary people to instinctively kneel in worship.
“Hmm…”
“This old monk’s cultivation seems a bit stronger than that little bull’s (referring specifically to Daoist Wufang, the Daoist, the ‘Bull-Nosed One’), but still not worth my time.”
Suisui stared at Old Monk Fayun for a moment, then adopted an indifferent expression and said bluntly, “He’s not even a match for me.”
“Huh? Demonic energy?”
“Audacious fiend! How dare you trespass upon this sacred Buddhist ground! Utterly impudent! This old monk will force you to reveal your true form!”
Old Monk Fayun, with his keen senses, detected the faint demonic energy emanating from Suisui—a reaction identical to Daoist Wufang’s. He immediately sought to subdue her.
Unlike Daoist Wufang, who used demon subjugation to enhance Wufang Monastery’s reputation—a form of self-promotion—Old Monk Fayun brooked no tolerance for even a speck of dust. Any demon who dared trespass upon Duyun Temple must face divine retribution.
“This is the same old routine. Can’t you come up with something fresh?” Suisui pouted, watching Old Monk Fayun charge toward her with imposing fervor. She found the whole display rather tedious.
“Insolence!”
“Prajñāpāramitāhṛdayasūtra! Purple-Gold Alms Bowl, go!”
Sensing only faint demonic energy emanating from Suisui, Old Monk Fayun assumed she was merely a minor demon who had accidentally wandered into Duyun Temple. He chanted an incantation and released his Purple-Gold Alms Bowl, intending to trap her inside.
Activated by the incantation, the bowl soared into the air, its opening emitting a golden beam that enveloped Suisui.
The ordinary people in the main hall stared wide-eyed, mistaking the scene for a movie shoot with dazzling special effects.
“My darling daughter, are you alright?” Chen Hao, now accustomed to such extraordinary events, remained relatively calm as he whispered his concern.
“Don’t worry, Papa! It’s nothing~” Suisui flashed Chen Hao an “OK” sign, signaling that this Purple-Gold Alms Bowl was no more threatening than a bathroom heater—in fact, she often found it too cold when showering in winter and was considering calling a repair technician to fix it.
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