PDLP Chapter 135 A Small Taoist Temple and Small People
Chapter 135 A Small Taoist Temple and Small People
The eighth day of the first lunar month.
Before dawn, a thin layer of morning mist shrouded the mountains of Luxian County.
At Qingfeng Temple, the old Taoist priest Zhang Shouqing got up earlier than usual.
He dressed in the dark, without turning on the light, afraid of disturbing his apprentice next door.
As people get older, they sleep less, and it's even harder to fall asleep when they have something on their mind.
He tossed and turned all night, his dreams filled with scenes from decades ago. His master stood on the mountain path, turned back and smiled at him, saying, "Shouqing, guard the Taoist temple well, and I'll buy you braised pork hock when I come back."
I woke up to find my pillow damp.
The old Taoist priest sat on the edge of the bed, staring out the window, lost in thought for a long time.
"well……"
With a soft sigh, the old Taoist priest put on his robe, got out of bed, and went to the kitchen.
When the flames in the stove leaped up, the sky was just beginning to lighten with the first hint of dawn.
The old Taoist priest added water to the pot and scooped rice from the vat, moving very gently and making as little noise as possible.
soon.
The orange flames of the firewood in the stove licked the bottom of the pot, where millet porridge bubbled and steamed, the aroma of rice mixed with the scent of firewood filling the small kitchen.
The old Taoist priest squatted in front of the stove, using fire tongs to add a piece of chopped firewood.
The firelight flickered on his wrinkled face.
Just then, footsteps sounded behind them.
The old Taoist priest did not turn around:
"Jun'er, have you packed everything?"
"Um."
Li Jun responded.
He changed out of his faded cotton robe and into a dark gray fleece-lined windbreaker, black work pants, and a pair of non-slip, durable high-top hiking boots.
He specially went down the mountain to buy this yesterday.
Down jackets are too bulky and make it inconvenient to move around.
This outfit is lightweight, warm, and dirt-resistant.
At this moment, the old Taoist priest turned around, glanced at the statue, and nodded.
"That's a nice outfit; you look energetic."
He paused, then added:
"It looks much better than you wearing that tattered Taoist robe."
Li Jun smiled but didn't reply.
He walked to the stove, took the fire tongs from his master, and stirred the nearly burnt firewood in the stove.
"Master, the porridge is almost ready. You can go and rest; I'll serve it."
The old Taoist priest didn't move.
He squatted there, staring at the fire in the stove, as if in a daze.
Li Jun didn't urge him.
The kitchen fell silent, with only the soft crackling of the firewood.
a long time.
"Jun'er."
The old Taoist priest finally spoke, his voice slow.
"It's cold in Kunlun, unlike our Luxian."
"When you get there, wear as many layers as you need to, don't try to be brave."
"Um."
"Altitude sickness is no joke. Even though you're young and in good health, you still need to take it easy."
"it is good."
"Also, regarding the relocation of the graves, just do as the gentlemen say. Don't make decisions on your own; they're in this business."
"Understood, Master."
The old Taoist priest paused.
"besides……"
He turned his head and looked at Li Jun, his eyes showing an expression that Li Jun hadn't seen in many years.
"When you bring back your advisor's clothes... be careful on the way."
"He's been wandering outside for decades, this time... we have to make sure he can come home safely."
Li Jun's nose suddenly felt a little sore.
He nodded vigorously.
"Master, don't worry."
"I will definitely bring the advisor back safely."
The old Taoist priest stared at him for a few seconds.
Then he looked away and stood up, supporting himself on his knees.
"Alright, serve the porridge. It won't taste good when it's cold."
Breakfast was simple.
Millet porridge, pickled radish, and two boiled eggs.
The master and apprentice sat facing each other, eating quietly.
The sky gradually brightened.
The chirping of tits came from outside the courtyard, clear and melodious.
Li Jun finished the last mouthful of porridge and put down the bowl.
"Master, Jin Hao should be arriving soon."
The old Taoist priest nodded without saying a word.
He got up, slowly walked to the courtyard gate, stood in front of the faded wooden door, and looked towards the mountain path.
After cleaning up the dishes, Li Jun went back to her room and brought out a black hiking backpack.
There wasn't much in the bag.
A few changes of clothes, a thermos, and a first-aid kit.
There is also a sword for suppressing evil wrapped in old cloth.
The sword was short, just long enough to fit into the mesh pocket on the side of the backpack, with only a section of the hilt wrapped with black rope showing.
After packing up, Li Jun slung his bag over his shoulder and walked to the gate of the courtyard.
The master and apprentice stood side by side inside the gate, gazing at the mountain path.
The sound of a car engine could be heard in the distance, growing louder as it approached, before stopping at the foot of the mountain.
Soon, Jin Hao appeared on the mountain path, waving from afar: "Master Zhang! Happy New Year!"
"Hey, Happy New Year." The old Taoist priest replied, and as Jin Hao approached, he couldn't help but remind him, "Little Hao, it's a long way to Kunlun this time, so please keep an eye on things for him."
Jin Hao quickly patted his chest and said, "Master Dao, you can rest assured! I will definitely take good care of Brother Dao!"
"You too, be careful," the old Taoist priest said.
Jin Hao nodded vigorously.
Li Jun walked to Jin Hao's side and glanced back.
The small Taoist temple has mottled green tiles, and the Spring Festival couplets on the door are still brand new, glowing red in the morning light.
The master stood by the door, his Taoist robe faded from washing, gazing at him.
"Master," Li Jun said.
The old Taoist priest looked at him.
"Please go back inside," Li Jun smiled. "I'll be back in a few days."
After saying that, he turned around and walked down the mountain.
Jin Hao followed.
After walking a few steps, Li Jun suddenly turned back and waved to his master, "You're really fast! Master, please go back inside! It's windy outside!"
The old Taoist priest stood by the door, staring blankly at his apprentice.
Then, he slowly raised his hand and waved.
He opened his mouth as if to say something, but nothing came out.
I just stood there, watching those two figures walk further and further away, becoming smaller and smaller, along the winding stone steps.
The figure gradually disappeared into the morning mist.
The mountain road was empty of air.
Only the sound of the wind passing through the pine forest could be heard.
The old Taoist priest was still standing there.
He suddenly felt that he had seen this scene somewhere before.
long long ago.
It was a morning like this.
They stood at the door like that.
The master stood on the mountain path and waved to him.
"Shouqing, guard the Taoist temple well."
"When Master comes back, I'll buy you braised pork knuckle."
Those were the most beautiful words he had ever heard.
Then he waited a day, a month, a year, ten years, twenty years...
All that arrived were a few relics sent back by Master Qingwei.
The old Taoist priest slowly withdrew his hand.
He noticed his hands were shaking.
Then he raised his hand and wiped his face.
It's wet.
"well……"
He sighed softly, his voice a little hoarse.
"As you get older, tears... become less and less valuable."
He turned around and didn't go back into the house.
He simply squatted down slowly and brushed the dust off the bluestone by the door with his hand.
Then, he slowly sat down.
The stone surface was cold.
He has sat here for many years.
Wait for that person to come back.
They waited for decades, but it never came.
Now, he's sitting here again.
Waiting for the apprentice to return.
and also……
The person the apprentice went to pick up.
The old Taoist priest leaned against the door frame, gazing at the end of the mountain path.
The morning mist gradually dissipated.
The sun peeked over the eastern mountains, bathing the entire Taoist temple in a pale gold hue.
He squinted.
Suddenly, I realized that in all these decades, the mornings in Luxian County have never been as warm as they are today.
……
Down the mountain.
Jin Hao started the engine, and the car slowly began to move.
The wheels rolled over the gravel, making a soft, crunching sound.
In the passenger seat, Li Jun turned his head to look back.
The Spring Festival couplets on the lintel of Qingfeng Temple fluttered gently in the wind.
The master's figure was small.
Then, he saw his master slowly bend down and reach out to pat the dust off the bluestone at the doorway.
Dust rose in the morning light, like fine gold dust.
The master sat down.
He sat on the blue stone, leaning against the mottled door frame, gazing at the mountain path.
Looking in the direction of the car.
Li Jun's vision suddenly blurred.
He quickly turned his head away, looking at the withered grass and rocks rushing past the window.