When Ye Qin came out of the Taoist temple, he saw vast mountains with criss-crossing branches and thick green leaves, like layers of green clouds hanging down.
The places where the two Taoist temples came were both in remote and uninhabited places deep in the mountains and forests. I don’t know if it was a coincidence or other reasons.
But think about it, if it appeared in a busy city and a Taoist temple suddenly appeared out of thin air, the world might be in chaos.
If someone bumps into me, will they think it's a miracle or something strange?
Just as Ye Qin's thoughts were diverging, he vaguely heard movement not far away, like a whimper or a dull sound like something being slapped.
Following the sound, I saw silver light not far away, shimmering, like a special silver belt interspersed in it.
After bypassing these trees that block the sky and the sun, the view gradually broadens, and I can see the waves splashing and surging in the middle of the river, making the roar of thousands of troops rolling and boiling.
Ye Qin followed the trend and looked at the river in front of him. He seemed to feel a sense of familiarity. It was wider than what he had seen before, and the water surface seemed deeper.
He was planning to visualize the river before, but he didn't expect that the mottled power of time would pull this place, using the Taoist temple as a medium, to enter this mysterious state.
Therefore, the scenery he saw should be related to each other, just like it was before at Zuo Ci's tomb.
Surrounded by mountains, the river lies here like a long curved ring. The water and sky are the same color, which makes people feel relaxed and happy.
The previous river was no different from what we had seen before, but the surging momentum was a little deeper, and it looked very spectacular and majestic.
Looking around, Ye Qin did not see the village monument, and the village had not yet been formed. It seemed that the place was very remote, without any trace of human habitation.
"I don't know what era I am in now."
Ye Qin planned to continue exploring, but God was not in his favor.
A drop of cold rain fell on his body. He raised his eyes and saw that the sky had turned gloomy at some point.
In the blink of an eye, the originally clear sky was suddenly covered with dark clouds. A large black cloud was entrenched in a corner of the sky and rapidly expanded its territory toward the surrounding area.
Black clouds quickly occupied the entire sky at a speed visible to the naked eye, and the originally calm and transparent river water became darker at some point.
Rumble.
There was a muffled sound of thunder not far away, which was inexplicably depressing and breathless. The clouds and mist were thick, and there seemed to be shadows walking through them.
The river water became turbulent and slightly turbid, as if a huge thing turned over in it and moved back between the cliffs, with the wind and lightning stirring up the rolling waves.
"boom!"
The waves hit the rocks nearby, and the waves were violent, with the attitude of crushing everything.
It was just a few drops of rain at first, but soon it became bigger and bigger. It was like there was a hole in the sky, and water kept pouring down from it, like a waterfall flying thousands of feet.
Even the surface of the river was hit with a lot of waves, and countless ripples spread out. They were not as calm as when they first saw them, but were menacing, like a dragon roaring.
The weather didn't affect Ye Qin, but he didn't like the feeling of being rained on. Just when Ye Qin was thinking about finding a place to take shelter from the rain.
I vaguely heard singing coming from the river.
…
Ye Qin looked towards the river, his dark green snake eyes narrowed slightly, with a bit of exploration and curiosity.
A small black dot loomed in the river and soon drifted towards Ye Qin's location.
It was a small boat with a black roof, and an old man wearing a raincoat was seen rocking an oar in the wind and rain. It was strange to say that the rain was getting heavier and the river flow was becoming turbulent.
Several times, Ye Qin saw huge waves rolling up from the river and hitting the boat. The boat was swaying, as if it would be capsized and engulfed in the next second, but it was still intact.
Countless white snow rolled up out of thin air, and even the edge of the awning seemed to be sprinkled with countless snowflakes.
I don’t know if the boat is chasing the waves of the river, or if the waves are pushing the tide.
The awning looks like it is swaying, but in fact it has been standing on the river, like a flat boat.
"There are strong winds and waves on the river. Why is this boat so stable?"
Ye Qin felt doubtful in his heart, but saw the boat floating towards his location.
The black-topped boat docked at the riverside, and the old man in coir raincoat accurately landed on Ye Qin. He raised his head slightly, revealing a weather-beaten face.
The wrinkles are densely covered, like ravines, all traces of time. He is very kind and kind, making people feel close to him.
"Have friends come from afar."
"It's stormy and stormy, why not get on the boat to take shelter."
The old man spoke with a familiar tone, as if the person in front of him was not a snake, but an old friend whom he had not seen for a long time.
Ye Qin was slightly surprised. He did not detect any fluctuations in spiritual power in the old man's body, and the aura was very normal, no different from ordinary people.
But the old man saw that he had no fear at all, and even invited him, as if he was sure that Ye Qin could understand what he said.
Normally, when ordinary people see a big snake, they should be afraid of it. Why would they take the initiative to talk to it?
The old man's reaction was somewhat unexpected.
However, Ye Qin's surprised expression only fleeted.
He thought of Zuo Ci. Zuo Ci had also been having a good conversation with him back then.
This is just one of the fragments of the mottled years, and it is not a true journey through time and space. Therefore, no matter how bizarre things happen in it, it is understandable.
If nothing unexpected happened, he guessed that the old man, like Zuo Ci, could understand what he said. After all, the connection here was directly through spiritual power.
Ye Qin nodded and thanked, "Thank you very much."
The old man had a kind face, a smile appeared on his lips, and shouted, "Sit tight!"
After Ye Qin got on the boat, he discovered that there was still a pot of wine warming in the awning boat. A small fire was burning in the stove, and the crackling sound of firewood could be heard.
In a trance, Ye Qin had some kind of illusion that everything was ready and seemed to be waiting for his arrival.
It was stormy outside, but inside the boat seemed like a world of its own, quiet and peaceful.
The continuous rain curtain is like a broken bead, blocking the line of sight. It seems that everything is in the hazy rain and fog.
Ye Qin was in the boat, and the aroma of wine was floating around. He couldn't tell what kind of wine it was, but the aroma was deep and mellow, and it was mixed with a bit of spicy feeling.
The old man seemed to have sensed Ye Qin's doubts, and he held the wood pulp and said: "This is the wine I brewed in my spare time. If you don't mind it, please try it."
After saying that, he poured a glass for Ye Qin and placed it in front of him.
Ye Qin raised his head and nodded the snake letter into the wine glass. The aroma of the wine was strong, sliding down the snake's cavity, and all kinds of tastes came to his heart in an instant.
It was a bit sweet at first, then the spiciness hit your throat.
That feeling cannot be described in words. It is like the human world, mixed with unspeakable ups and downs. Only those who have experienced it can understand it.
For a time, many pictures appeared in Ye Qin's mind, including memory fragments from his previous life, and the time when he had just traveled through time and was reborn in this life.
All these things are intertwined together, which is really disappointing.
Looking back on the past, he had experienced so much without realizing it, and now it feels like it just happened yesterday.
Perhaps he was so absorbed in his thoughts that Ye Qin didn't even pay attention to the old man's shouts.
After a while, Ye Qin sighed quietly.
"Old man, this wine of yours is really extraordinary. It has a lingering aftertaste just like the years. It reminds me of my past self."
The old man laughed loudly, "Actually, my wine itself is ordinary. Only extraordinary people can taste it differently. But then again, everyone's experience is different, so what they taste will naturally be different."
His words seemed to be a pun, with a different meaning.
Only extraordinary people can taste different flavors. Could it be referring to their own identity?
Ye Qin wanted to ask the old man, but saw that his eyes were already cast into the distance, as if the words just came out casually.
He could feel the swaying of the boat's hull, and the waves of the river pushing the boat farther and farther away. The wood pulp in the old man's hand seemed to be a decoration.
After all, the river is turbulent and cannot be reversed by human power, but the old man obviously doesn't care about this. He paddles swayingly with a contented look on his face. It can be said that he is enjoying it.
Rather than saying that he was holding the oars for the ferry, it was better to say that the river was pushing the awning boat forward. Everything went as it should, implicitly revealing the harmony of all things.
Ye Qin became more and more curious about the old man's origin.
Previously, Zuo Ci at least had relevant information and traces to follow, but the old man's appearance was like a mystery, as if he had known he would come for a long time.
The wind and rain were like darkness, and a small boat crossed the river and arrived gracefully. It didn't look like a coincidence.
However, Ye Qin did not detect any evil intentions in the old man, so he got on the boat with confidence.
Probably because Ye Qin's gaze was too obvious, the old man also noticed it and asked with a smile: "Why are you looking at me like this?"
Ye Qin also met the other party's gaze calmly. The old man's eyes were not cloudy like those of ordinary elderly people. Instead, they were clear and translucent, with a vague smoothness that made people feel wise and clear.
"I wonder who my father-in-law is?"
The old man touched his beard and said with a smile: "I am just a ferryman. I make a living by watching the sunset and the rising of the moon, and carrying many people across the rivers, lakes and seas."
His expression was a bit vicissitudes of life, as if he had seen through the world. However, he was well-versed in the world but not worldly. He had a free and easy way of seeing through everything.
Ye Qin didn't feel any special power fluctuations in the old man. Logically speaking, it was really unreasonable.
Judging from the old man's words and deeds, he didn't look like an ordinary ferryman.
But Ye Qin didn't break the casserole and ask the truth. The meeting was destined, so why bother to get to the bottom of it.
Just like the old man didn't ask where he came from, maybe the old man was really just a ferryman, but he was just a passerby.
The two parties formed a short-term fate because of the heavy rain.
Sometimes the answer isn't that important.
Bang!
Suddenly, a huge wind wave came and slammed into the Upeng boat. At this moment, the boat was like a sunken island in the sea, and was in danger of being capsized at any time.
Ye Qin even felt a lot of cold water splashing on him.
"Plop——"
Along with the dull movement, something seemed to fall.
"Oops!"
The old man exclaimed, as if something had happened.
Ye Qin hurriedly asked: "What happened?"
I saw the old man holding a wood pulp, but the other hand was empty. It turned out that a wood pulp accidentally fell in the huge river tide just now.
The old man looked annoyed and disappointed, which made Ye Qin feel very confused.
"It's just a piece of wood pulp that fell. Why is the old man doing this?"
The old man shook his head, "Not only the wood pulp, but also the sword I always carried with me fell into the river. This sword has been with me for many years and has a lot of feelings for me."
It can be seen that this should be the old man's favorite thing, otherwise he would not show such a look.
It's just that the river is deep, and waves are coming one after another. It's unknown where the things that fall in it will be swept away. It's impossible to find them.
Ye Qingang wanted to say something to comfort him.
The old man quickly lost his expression, found a small carving knife, and made a mark on the Wupeng boat.
Looking at his actions, Ye Qin was even more confused, not knowing what he wanted to do.
The old man smiled, his expression full of mystery, "You will know later."
It was difficult to sail the boat with a single oar, so the old man simply put down the wood pulp and let the boat float in the river. He sat opposite Ye Qin and drank happily, which was a bit casual.
The clear wine stirred in the glass.
The aroma of wine is unbridled, surrounding the boat, watching the ebb and flow of the tide, and listening to the waves crashing from time to time, which is a unique experience.
The raindrops beat on the awning, as if in time with the beat, making people unable to help but sing a song.
The old man's white beard was fluttering in the river wind. His eyes fell on the river, which was overflowing, and his expression was a bit unpredictable.
"What do you think is eternal in this world?"
The old man's tone was plain and straightforward. It seemed like it was just a casual question, but it was gripping.
Ye Qin couldn't help but fell into deep thought. Everything in the world was in constant motion and change.
Just like the sun sets and rises, it means that one day has passed and it is a new beginning. No matter how much you remember, you can't go back to yesterday.
Similarly, as time goes by, things will also change accordingly. Take the most vivid example.
Just like the river he saw before, it is completely different from the river he sees now. One represents the future and the other represents the past.
Although they are the same thing, there are different changes on both sides.
In the long river of time, nothing can remain unchanged, time will eventually dilute everything.
Ye Qin pondered for a moment and replied: "Looking at the past and present, there are very few things that last forever. The sun sets and the moon rises, flowers bloom and fall, the tide rises and falls, and things rise and fall. They are always changing."
The old man did not immediately refute Ye Qin's point of view, but asked: "So you think there are no eternal things in this world?"
Ye Qin hesitated for a moment, then nodded, "That's right."
The old man once again showed a meaningful look, "Maybe everything in the world is changing, but there is always something that remains unchanged, and there are always a few special things that will become eternity for a moment."
This cannot be said to be right or wrong. Ye Qin did not express his opinion immediately.
The old man continued: "Look at the river carrying the waves and rushing away. Many people disappeared with the passing river water without a trace."
"Although they no longer exist in the world, the things they left behind are remembered by future generations. In a way, they are eternal."
Ye Qin looked at the surging waves outside. The white waves were like fragments of time, rising and falling in the long river. His expression was a little dazed, as if he was wandering in the long river of time at this moment.
"Having said that, this statement is somewhat one-sided."
Just like Ye Qin, although he has now entered the monastic life and his life span has been extended, he does not dare to boast that Haikou will last forever.
The world is changing rapidly, everything is changing rapidly.
Inanimate objects will appear in the world with another look after being washed in the long river of time.
However, living objects cannot escape the principles of birth, old age, illness and death, and the reincarnation of all things.
Everything in the world is constantly changing, so what can really be eternal?
The old man smiled and said nothing. The air suddenly fell into silence, and the silent silence spread.
Only a slight crashing sound was heard as the waves continued to hit the boat.
After a while, the old man replied: "It's not one-sided. I only said this after seeing it, and there is such an existence in front of you and me."
What the old man said was so confusing that Ye Qin was a little confused as to why he didn't see it if there really was such a thing.
"Why didn't I see it?"
The old man glanced at Ye Qin, with a faint smile in his eyes, "If you think about it carefully, this thing is far away in the horizon, but very close at hand."
He didn't say it clearly, but once again kept it secret.
I don’t know when, the rain gradually stopped, and a ray of sunshine broke through the thick clouds and fell on the river, suddenly shining brightly.
Even the old awning boat was covered with a faint light, like golden fallen leaves, floating in the boundless river.
No one knows where its end point will be. It seems to be wandering aimlessly. Maybe there will be a day to stop, maybe there will never be a time to stop.
The old man leaned out and glanced at the sky, "Ah, the rain has stopped."
The river returned to its previous calmness, flowing quietly between the mountains and rivers. It seemed that the previous rapidity and turbulence, as well as the stormy waves, were all Ye Qin's illusions.
The mountains on the shore are still the same, but they seem to have become more green after the rain. A bit of water mist has appeared faintly, shrouding the surroundings, and even the scenery has become a little blurry.
It is like a fairyland on earth, with a sense of beauty that is isolated from the world. It seems that they have taken a boat and arrived at the place where the water and the sky meet.
The blue sky and the blue river are faintly connected in a line. At first glance, it looks like a blue jade inlaid between the sky and the earth.
Ye Qin echoed: "Yes, the rain has stopped."
At this time, the fire on the small stove had burned out, the last faint flame was extinguished, and the wine had bottomed out.
Unconsciously, the boat also swayed and docked on the shore, but it was not the place where Ye Qin first landed.
I originally thought it would take a long time for it to dock, but I didn't expect it to dock so quickly.
The mountains on both sides of the strait are continuous, which is very different from the original scene. Unknowingly, the boat has weighed more than 10,000, and the green mountains seem to be unchanged, but in fact they have changed rapidly.
It felt like seconds passed, and it felt like a century.
After the boat docked, I saw the old man starting to take off his raincoat.
Looking at the old man's movements, Ye Qin asked strangely: "Why is this?"
The old man replied seriously: "Get the sword."
Ye Qin was a little stunned and subconsciously blurted out, "But didn't your sword fall into the river? How can you salvage it?"
The old man pointed to the mark previously engraved on the ship. He was confident and seemed to have everything under control. "With this mark as evidence, we can naturally salvage it."
The old man is obviously a smart man, and it can be seen from the conversation that he is even a very wise man. How could he make such a stupid move? It is really inconsistent with the image he has shown before.
His sword fell into the river. Although it was marked at the time, it was only relative to that time. Now that the ship's hull is constantly moving and it has docked, how can it be found along the previous marks?
Both are not at the same point in time.
If the ship is stationary and the sword sinks to the bottom of the water, then it is possible to carve a mark on the ship where the sword fell and follow the mark into the water to look for the sword.
However, when the sword sank to the bottom of the water, it either stopped moving or was swept away by the river tide. However, the ship kept moving. The distance between the two was destined to become farther and farther, becoming a parallel line that could not intersect.
According to the old man's intelligence, he should be able to understand such a simple truth.
After all, Ye Qin had already caught a glimpse of the old man's extraordinary qualities just from the conversation in the Wu Peng Chuan.
However, before Ye Qin could stop him, he only heard a "plop" sound. The old man had jumped into the water, causing huge waves and the boat swayed slightly.
Looking at the ripples on the water, Ye Qin was really helpless. He couldn't understand why the old man who seemed to be an extraordinary wise man could do such a funny thing.
Unable to help, Ye Qin laughed out loud on the shore, teasing the old man for not being wise enough.
The old man was destined to be unable to find this sword.
After a moment, the old man came out of the water to take a breath. Although he was old, he was as strong and strong as a big white fish, rolling continuously in the river.
Seeing that the old man had nothing in his hands, Ye Qin expected it. He smiled and said, "Old man, old man, you can't find it."
The old man smiled but didn't answer, and plunged in again.
After a while, bubbles floated on the river surface, and the old man emerged again, but this time, he had a rusty iron sword in his hand!
The sword body was stained with rust and had covered up its original color. It was all corroded by the river water and was pitted. It seemed that it had been lying at the bottom of the river for a long time without ever thinking that it would see the light of day again.
"Look, haven't you found it?"
Ye Qin looked a little stunned. The sword was stained with rust. It looked like the kind that had sunk at the bottom of the river for a long time. It was obviously not the old man's sword that fell into the water before.
I didn’t expect that the old man was quite stubborn. Isn’t this self-deception?
Ye Qin shook his head helplessly and sighed: "It's useless to find the sword. The sword is no longer the original sword."
The old man stroked his beard and laughed, pointed at Ye Qin, then pointed at his chest, and replied: "In fact, the sword is not lost. Isn't it stuck in your heart?"
(End of chapter)
