"Donglin Temple?"
Liu Zian was stunned for a moment and looked suspicious:
"How can this shabby temple that deceives women into offering incense have such a rare sword technique? Is the unreliable abbot of Donglin Temple pretending to be a pig and eating the tiger?"
The old swordsmith looked into the distance, squinted and said:
"The legacy of Donglin Temple's mythical qigong practitioners has indeed ended, but..."
The old man paused, shook his index finger towards Liu Zian, and twitched the corner of his mouth slightly:
"You still don't allow other people's ancestors to be too generous? During the Southern and Northern Dynasties, the status of this temple was even higher than that of Yuqing Pavilion Zaoshan, one of the Three Qing Dynasties in Jiangnan Province today and the most deeply involved in the world."
Liu Zian was speechless for a moment, looking sideways in the direction of Dagushan and frowning slightly.
It seemed that he was reflecting on whether he spoke too loudly with the Shandao master before. What if he was really a peerless master? It seems that the more I think about it, the more likely it is. What’s wrong with the master being lustful and greedy for money? If he has no shortcomings, can he still be called a master?
Seeing the embarrassment and fear on Liu Zian's face, the old swordsmith saw through it and shook his head:
"Don't worry, although Donglin Temple is still popular, there are no orthodox Qi practitioners anymore, and it has become an ordinary famous temple in the south of the Yangtze River.
"No one absorbs the human fragrance that has been accumulated in the Lotus Sect's ancestral court for many years, but it makes a bunch of passing monks greedy.
"If you offend someone, there is no need to be afraid."
Liu Zian let out a breath, turned around, and asked curiously: "How did the old gentleman know about this without leaving home for so many years?"
"Last time, I chatted for a while with the pretty mute girl who passed by to deliver a message. She told me that this little girl is honest with others, but it's a pity that she is mute."
Liu Zian nodded, then asked persistently:
"How did the old gentleman get this rare sword art? I heard from Boss Li in the afternoon that the sword art prepared by the Wei Palace for Wei Shaoxuan is probably related to the 'Emperor Wen' in the hands of the imperial court. "
Liu Zian looked thoughtful:
"You said before that every time a tripod sword is born, a sword formula is born. This thing is so rare. Wei Shaoxuan is not very cautious about us. He probably also thinks that it is difficult for us to find the sword formula.
"I didn't expect that the old gentleman would have everything here. It's so unexpected. It's just...God help me."
Liu Zian looked at the calm old swordsmith with a complicated expression.
If he hadn't been suppressed by Ouyang Lianghan recently, and he was so angry that it made people wonder whether he was destined to be a son of fate, he would have almost thought that he was the son of destiny. The wind was going smoothly, and he just dozed off. Someone handed me a pillow.
Wait, maybe it's because I've been feeling aggrieved for a long time, and things turn around?
"My master's sect had some connection with Donglin Temple."
The old swordsmith spoke vaguely, as if he didn't want to mention it further. He suddenly took out a thin book with a gray and black cover from his arms and threw it to Liu Zian.
The latter quickly took it with both hands, as if he had found a treasure. He opened the old book page and saw that it was full of Sanskrit, which seemed to be an unknown Buddhist scripture.
"This is the sword technique of Donglin Buddhist Temple...Thank you, old man!" Liu Zian's eyes were burning and he murmured softly.
The old swordsmith looked on with cold eyes, raised his head and took a sip of wine, his face wrinkled and red, as if he was slightly drunk, and he gave a secret:
“Sword Art was born with the Cauldron Sword, so the first person to hold the sword is very important.
"The reason why those with strong Qi who are close to the aura of the Cauldron Sword can directly obtain the Master of the Cauldron Sword after reaching the most basic and most malleable ninth-grade cultivation conditions, without the assistance of sword techniques.
"Because people with strong Qi are born with the way of the tripod sword corresponding to a certain mouth, it is as if they know it from birth and can learn it by themselves without a teacher. Later, they can even create sword techniques on their own.
"So most of the sword techniques circulated in the world were created by the first sword holder of the Kou Kou Ding Sword. They are left to future generations. They can also be regarded as a glimmer of opportunity given by God to people who are not very powerful to become sword holders.
"The tripods all come from mythology and have the same origin. There is naturally some mysterious connection between the tripod swords. The new tripod sword has not yet been born with sword techniques. In addition to those with strong energy, they can also use the sword techniques of other tripod swords to obtain their Acknowledging the master and being promoted to sword holder Juemai is considered a new path."
Liu Zian couldn't hide the joy on his face, nodded heavily, put the Sanskrit sword formula in his hand into his arms, and saluted the old swordsmith:
"The kindness of the old man to rebuild me will be unforgettable."
The old swordsmith raised his head and drank alone. Liu Zian thought that the old man didn't want to pay attention to his disgusting words, but he didn't expect that the next second, the old man suddenly put down the wine bottle and said for no reason:
"That stab in the back was really good. Even if you don't end up with him in the end, Liu Ziwen's feeling of life being worse than death, oh, you really won't die with your eyes in peace, I love watching it the most."
Liu Zian's face was startled, as if he didn't expect why he suddenly mentioned this matter.
He was silent for a while without replying. His eyelids drooped and he stared at the ground and said:
"What else does the old gentleman like to see? Let me see if I can do my best."
"What else do you want to see?"
The turbid wine leaked from the corner of his mouth and became wet on his white beard. He put the wine jar down and the old swordsmith muttered something and chuckled silently.
Liu Zian didn't pay attention. He turned around and glanced at the silent sword furnace room, and then looked up at the half-smile on the old swordsmith's lips.
Taking advantage of his good mood, he asked in a low voice:
"Old sir, you haven't told me its real name yet..."
"What are you in a hurry for?"
The old swordsmith turned around and asked, "Can't wait any longer? I will tell you on the 15th."
Liu Zian nodded helplessly.
The old swordsmith turned around and walked to the edge of the lawn, seemingly ignoring him and driving away the guests.
Liu Zian stood there, still not leaving, hesitating for a moment and asked:
"Does the old gentleman know the whereabouts of other sword techniques?"
The old swordsmith curled his lips and said, "Look for it yourself."
Liu Zian smiled and frowned in confusion:
"The old gentleman once said that the sword holder's bottleneck must be broken by sword tactics, and the sword tactics are born with the tripod sword, and the tripod sword is cast by tripod rong. I have always been curious about a question, which comes from mythology." How many mouths does Ding have?"
The old swordsmith asked back: "How many grades do qi practitioners have?"
Liu Zian was solemn for a moment, nodded slowly, and then asked seriously:
"In this world, is there still a tripod that has not yet been forged into a tripod sword? Doesn't that mean that there are still sword techniques that have not yet appeared? Then... which one did the old gentleman forge?"
The old swordsmith shook his head and didn't answer. He sighed:
"That's why it's called the Mythical Endless Vein. At the end, it's a dead end."
"But it is extremely lethal!"
Liu Zian whispered to himself, turned around, and suddenly said a number:
"seven?"
The old swordsmith said coldly:
"So what about seven? So what about eight? Even if it is a dead end, can you really reach the end of the sword wielder's veins? It is all unfounded to worry before you hold the sword."
Liu Zian's face turned slightly stiff, and he nodded without saying a word.
The two of them turned their heads in tacit understanding and looked down the mountain from the lawn halfway up the mountain. Most of the lights in Longcheng County on the other side had been extinguished, and only a few scattered lights were on, like stars in the sky, drowsy.
"It's getting late, so I'm going to leave first. The old gentleman can rest early."
Liu Zian bowed and said goodbye.
The old swordsmith looked sideways at Liu Zian and asked surprisingly proactively:
"The day after tomorrow will be fifteen, Liu Zian. I see that your spiritual energy has not fluctuated yet. Do you have time to...promote to the ninth level?"
Liu Zian smiled and said nothing.
The old swordsmith put the wine jar down from his mouth and asked with great interest: "Which path of spiritual Qi refining technique is it?"
Liu Zian touched the sword secret in his arms and smiled apologetically:
"On the 15th, I'll give the old gentleman a surprise."
After he saluted, he left directly.
The old swordsmith looked at Liu Zian's back, his cloudy eyes thoughtful.
…
Liu Zian left the lawn halfway up the mountain and walked down the mountain.
On the mountain road, he tilted his head slightly and glanced sideways in the direction of the Dragon Head Platform where some kind of ceremony had been held.
"If your reputation is ruined... you will pay it back tenfold..."
The faint murmur of the sickly young man was blown away by the mountain wind.
Looking back, Liu Zian's face returned to calmness, and he was about to return to the Liu family mansion to re-develop the plan, but at this moment, a familiar figure appeared in his sight.
"Third brother? Why are you here?"
Liu Zian looked at it curiously.
Liu Zilin was still wearing a white mourning robe and had not changed yet. However, these days, the injuries caused by being punished by a young county magistrate had completely recovered, and he seemed to be much more energetic.
Liu Zilin came forward, scratched his head, and choked with sobs: "Second brother, I..."
"Are you going to pay homage to your eldest brother again?"
Liu Zian turned his head and asked, pointing to a dark place on the mountain.
Liu Zilin's eyes suddenly turned red again. He lowered his head and sobbed for a while, then raised his head and said to Liu Zian who was looking at him silently:
"Second brother, eldest brother is the best to me. No matter what mistakes I made in the past, he never scolded me, he only taught me... Why did he die at the hands of that despicable villain? Second brother, I figured it out in front of eldest brother's grave these days. There are many things. I was really too naive and ignorant before..."
Liu Zian sighed, put his arm around the third brother's arm, patted his shoulder, and said seriously:
"A man, why are you crying? If there is a blood feud, we will avenge it, not the mother-in-law or the mother-in-law. Do you understand?"
"Yes, second brother!"
Liu Zilin clenched his fists, veins appeared on his forehead, and glared down the mountain in the direction of Luming Street in Longcheng County.
In front of Liu Zian, he slapped his chest with hatred on his face:
"If you don't take revenge for this, I swear I won't be a human being! If I let you dance around for another day, I, Liu Zilin, will definitely pay with my own hands and blood!"
Liu Zian calmly glanced in the direction of the dark Liu Ziwen Cemetery tomb, nodded slightly, and praised:
"This is my son of the Liu family!"
Immediately, Liu Zian took Liu Zilin to Liu Ziwen's tomb and paid homage.
The two brothers went down the mountain together. On the way, Liu Zilin said seriously:
"Second brother, as long as you take revenge, I will listen to you!"
Liu Zian nodded, glanced at his third brother who seemed to be much more stable, and suddenly asked:
"I asked you to lead people to keep an eye on me. How is the situation?"
Liu Zilin nodded heavily, his face showed a ferocious look, his eyes were bloodshot and he said:
"Don't worry, second brother. Liu Fu and I are keeping an eye on him. No one can escape. There will be no accidents there for the time being. Second brother, don't worry and go do big things! Everyone is waiting for the 15th day, and we will have a good time with second brother to shake things up! Yes! Revenge with hatred, revenge with hatred!"
"That's good."
Liu Zian smiled.
Liu Zilin also smiled.
…
"Yawn - yawn -! Ahem."
Ouyang Rong sneezed twice, immediately tightened his thin cardigan, and rubbed his slightly stuffed nose with two fingers.
No one is around to take care of me. I have been eating and drinking casually these past few days, and I actually caught a cold.
I have to admit, the old feudal lord-like life with maids warming the bed was indeed a bit depraved.
Someone's thoughts were mixed and he was thinking for no reason.
This is a second-floor room filled with the scent of sandalwood in a courtyard on the southeast side of Donglin Temple.
It was pitch dark in front of the bed, which had a slightly hard board.
Ouyang Rong suddenly stood up and slightly pushed open the carved window with both hands.
"Chichichichichi——"
The summer bugs chirped louder in his ears.
"At the third watch, Xiufa Xiudu and the others should all be asleep. It's time to go. Ouyang Lianghan, if it's past fifteen, the junior sister might be back.
"Stop whining. Wasn't it very fast when you pulled it out of Meiluyuan yesterday? Why is it that the closer you get to the underground palace, the harder it is for you to lift your feet?"
In the darkness, Ouyang Rong lowered his head and muttered a few words to himself, then turned around suddenly, picked up the baggage he had prepared, walked downstairs with gentle hands, and opened the door of Sanhuiyuan.
Yesterday, he went up the mountain and entered the temple in a low-key manner. After meeting Master Shandao, who loved to enlighten everyone, he quietly moved back to Sanhui Yuan where he was bedridden to recuperate.
It can be regarded as where it starts and where it ends.
Ouyang Rong closed the courtyard door, placed the key gently on the ground in front of the door, turned around, and left without looking back.
At this moment, the bright moon is high in the sky, it is dark and quiet, and the Beitian Almshouse of Donglin Temple is also dark.
Ouyang Rong walked all the way around the monks who were on duty lighting lanterns, walked into the backyard of the almshouse, climbed over the stone fence, and came to the dark dry well.
It was still the old method, hanging on a rope and slowly sliding from the well mouth into the underground palace below.
There was a soft "bang", and the sound slowly echoed in the claustrophobic underground palace.
It was Ouyang Rong's toes that reached down and stepped on the edge of the lotus pedestal.
After successfully landing, Ouyang Rong rubbed his red palms and looked around.
The Jataka mural of the Erawan Buddha, the central lotus pedestal, and the moonlight falling from the well mouth.
"Everything is the same..." he whispered sadly.
In the Pure Land Palace, not far from the central lotus pedestal, a dark figure suddenly stood up and approached Ouyang Rong.
Ouyang Rong looked unsurprised and turned his head silently.
"I don't know the master" Xiuzhen slowly walked out of the darkness, one step away from the moonlight falling at the mouth of the well.
The crazy monk who was woken up probably thought that his junior brothers had brought food, but when he saw Ouyang Rong standing in the moonlight, his withered face was slightly stunned, and he paused with his palm halfway out to receive the food.
When Ouyang Rong saw this, he immediately lowered his head and began to fumble around with his body and baggage. After a moment, a look of apology appeared in his eyes and he whispered:
"Sorry, I forgot to bring you something to eat... Speaking of which, during the day I went to find the mute woman and the old Taoist priest. Maybe they were discharged from the hospital and couldn't find anyone. I think we are the only ones left here now. Old friend."
Xiuzhen looked up at the mouth of the well, and then at Ouyang Rong. With a surprised expression on his face, he made the old gesture of pointing one finger to the sky and the other to the ground, and said in a serious tone:
"Amitabha, donor, this is the Lotus Pure Land, and above it is the Infinite Hell! Come here quickly, don't stand there, you are too close to the Infinite Hell!"
Ouyang Rong paused with one of his hands reaching for something. For a moment, he slowly raised his head and looked at Master Xiuzhen.
While his eyes were calm, there was a hint of fatigue.
He tried his best to smile and nodded:
"The master is right. I should have listened to the master's words a long time ago. I was stupid before. I foolishly climbed up that night and misunderstood the master."
Xiuzhen saluted happily:
"Amitabha, there is no end to the sea of suffering. When you turn around, you will reach the shore again. The benefactor has the root of wisdom."
After saying that, the haggard monk, who had been hiding in the Pure Land for a long time, happily took out the things in his arms, as if he had something delicious to share with people who share his wisdom.
Ouyang Rong smiled and didn't look at him much. His eyes slowly turned to the lotus pedestal in the center of the underground palace...
(End of chapter)
