In a blink of an eye, it was the first day of the new year. On this day, Fang Zilan left the house early. Instead of riding a horse or driving a car, he blended in with the crowd and walked to the venue for the Taoist debate at Baiye Temple. Behind her were Mo Han, Zheng Yan, A Wan, Xiao Xuan'er and Cong Rong, all with expectant looks on their faces.
On the way, everyone saw the distinguished carriage of Master Persinoan, which was actually placed on an elephant. In addition, the attendants scattered fragrant flowers all the way, which made the crowd of onlookers sigh at the grand ostentation of this wizard from Persia.
"Such a big pomp, I'm afraid it won't look good if we lose." His sudden words were like a stone falling into the sea among the bustling crowd, without causing any waves.
However, Fang Zilan heard it and looked towards the owner of the voice, who was none other than Zhuge Yu.
"Sister Lan is well." Zhuge Yu met Fang Zilan's gaze, nodded from afar, said hello, and then disappeared into the crowd with his attendants.
"Master Zhuge is quite confident in Master Yuan." Xiao Xuan'er sighed with emotion, and Fang Zilan's expression became more solemn, "I don't think so."
Based on her understanding of Zhuge Yu, he has always made decisions before taking action, accomplishing things quietly rather than speaking harshly. This is so uncharacteristic, I'm afraid my heart may not be at peace.
Speaking of which, Li Shengxuan is really stable. After Master Yuan agreed to discuss Taoism and debate, he responded positively. He also ordered the household department to get money, and arranged the etiquette department to help with the reception and decoration. His attitude was extremely high, as if he was not at all I'm worried that Master Yuan will lose.
Thinking of this, Fang Zilan stood in the crowd and looked at the golden chariot. Now that Li Shengxuan has come to Baiye Temple in person, Master Liaoyuan, as the face of the national temple, must hold on, so he can only win but not lose.
As everyone exclaimed, Fang Zilan turned around and looked over. She saw an old monk with white eyebrows and beard walking towards him holding a Zen staff. He was solemn and exuding an air of indescribable tranquility and peace. This was Zhongling Temple. The Lantern Master.
"Master Ran Deng is a truly enlightened monk. All monsters and monsters must appear in front of him!"
"It's genuine. How can you describe a master like that?"
"Hey, don't tell me. The last time Master Ran Deng came to Beijing was when Emperor Tai'an came to the throne. I heard that he came for the big everlasting lantern in the palace. He has been in Zhongling Temple since then and has not been out of the mountain for many years."
"I heard that the former abbot of Baiye Temple never invited Master Ran Deng. Now it's really strange that he would come to Beijing for a young eminent monk like Master Yuan."
"What's weird? You didn't see even those mages from Persia coming."
…
Everyone was talking a lot, Fang Zilan heard bits and pieces in his ears and couldn't help but frown.
She had never heard Master Yuan lecture, let alone discuss Taoism and debate, so she didn't know how he got the title of a Taoist monk.
But Mo Han reminded her before that she had guessed that Master Yuan's succession as abbot of Baiye Temple was closely related to Li Shengxuan's success. Once you are tainted with power and become a bargaining chip to manipulate people's hearts, it is difficult to say how valuable the words "advanced monk" are.
"They are all ignorant young people who have never seen the world..." A sigh reached Fang Zilan's ears through the crowd, which shocked her - the voice was full of energy, and the speaker was a master.
So she turned around and walked out against the crowd. Seeing this, Zheng Yan told others not to walk around to avoid being hurt by crowds and tramples, and then hurriedly followed.
Fang Zilan walked outside the crowd and saw an old man sitting under a big tree. Most of his face was covered by messy white hair, and the remaining half was hidden in the shade of the tree, making it unclear. His clothes were in tatters, and the bamboo pole next to his hand was cracked. He obviously looked like a beggar and had no master's temperament.
However, Fang Zilan walked up to the old man respectfully, knelt down and said politely: "Old man, what do you mean by what you just said?"
The old man squinted his eyes, and a light flashed through his eyes, "Hey, you little girl is quite interesting, you can actually listen to what a bad old man like me says."
"The old man has given you too much praise." Fang Zilan waved his hand, "Please give me some advice."
"That was when Emperor Ning Shun was in power." The old man raised his face, his white hair spread out a little, revealing his clear eyes, looking at the lush green top of his head, as if he was lost in reminiscence.
The debate among the crowd had already started, but Fang Zilan didn't seem to pay attention, and just looked at the old man in front of him steadily - his eyes did not have the turbidity of an ordinary old man, but instead had the clarity of a young man.
Her intuition told her that this old man was unusual and he must know something.
"The Second Young Master Zhuge back then was really amazing and talented. Not only was his calligraphy first-class, but his eloquence was also extremely good. He never lost in debate." The old man spoke softly, and there seemed to be light in his eyes, "That's Su Heng. All the teachers were full of praise for him, and Master Yi Nian, after talking with him, once said that if this son converts, there will be successors to Zen Buddhism, and the name of Hyakuye Temple will be worthy of the name of the national temple."
"What?" A flash of shock flashed across Fang Zilan's face, "Old man, who is Master Yi Nian?"
"The former abbot of Baiye Temple, his master." The old man said and looked at the noisy crowd. Fang Zilan followed his gaze and saw Master Lioyuan standing in the center at a glance.
The white robe is pure and spotless. The red cassock was like fire, which made his features more delicate, but there was no enchanting pyrotechnics at all. Instead, he exuded an inexplicable solemnity.
"The iron-blooded men who fight on the battlefield always have today and no tomorrow. If we say that we can see through life and death in this mortal world, who else can match him?" The old man snorted coldly, his voice a little colder, "Those who only know how to face each other all day long. Can an old monk, who carves wood and clay sculptures and sits empty-handed, become an eminent monk just because he is old enough to recite sutras? It is really ridiculous."
"Old man..." Fang Zilan was interrupted by the old man as soon as he opened his mouth. "With a heart of compassion and thoughts of pity for the world, how did it end up like this? If Master Yi Nian saw it, would he regret it at the beginning? Is he tonsured?”
"Old man, you already said that Master Yuan is extremely talented and beautiful, and he is not a person who has gained fame in vain." Fang Zilan said firmly: "In this case, no matter how far he goes, I believe he can get out."
"Good girl..." The old man's eyes suddenly turned red, "I... I just feel it's a pity that such a good person has to suffer so many crimes? Girl, please watch carefully. Today's scene will be a disaster for all generations to come. Will be remembered.”
Fang Zilan stood up and looked back. The monks had a good rapport with each other. The master was like the rising sun, talking and laughing freely and writing calmly, but...
When everyone saw the words on the paper, they all whispered. The mediocre words are indeed inferior to those of other eminent monks. Although words are not the key to success in debate, words like this...
"You guys have seen Master Yuan's hands!" Someone in the crowd suddenly shouted. Fang Zilan pursed her lips into a straight line and watched as Master Yuan rolled up his sleeves for the convenience of writing, revealing the hideous scars on his arms. .
The old man looked at Master Yuan's calm face and murmured: "Have you let it go?"
Fang Zilan stood outside the crowd and heard the argument clearly. From the Buddha cutting meat to feed the eagle to holding flowers and smiling, Master Liao Yuan talked with great eloquence, every word of which was like Master Ran Deng who rarely spoke, with a look of approval and joy on his face.
Seeing that the debate was coming to an end, she turned her head and looked under the tree. The old man had left at some point, but his repeated words that seemed like babble lingered in her ears for a long time.
The old man said he was worth it.
