The Lord of Void and Real
Chapter 659

Chapter 659: Chapter 655: Returning to Chang'an Chapter 659: Chapter 655: Returning to Chang'an At this moment, Lu Huaming and Gu Hualing had also arrived at the gate of Golden Mountain Temple. The two of them seemed to get along well and were whispering together.

Seeing Shen Luo coming over, Gu Hualing immediately stopped talking and moved to one side.

“What private conversation are the two Daoist friends having?” A hint of ridicule flashed across Shen Luo's face.

Gu Hualing blushed slightly and glared at Shen Luo.

“Ahem! There's no private conversation. I was telling Daoist Gu about precautions to take when going to Chang'an. Brother Shen, how is your recovery?” Lu Huaming coughed somewhat awkwardly and changed the subject.

“I'm pretty much alright now. After returning to Chang'an, a few days of seclusion and rest should heal me completely.” Shen Luo did not continue to tease the two and replied.

While the three were chatting, Abbot Hai Shi, Chan'er and Elder Zhe Shi walked out from Golden Mountain Temple.

Chan'er was in the lead, and he seemed completely transformed. He was dressed in a big red kasaya, wearing a five Buddha crown, and holding a golden tin staff. He looked completely different from his previous plain and ragged appearance.

“I apologize for keeping the three benefactors waiting.” Chan'er gave a bow with one hand.

“Master Chan'er, you do look somewhat like the Golden Cicada Reincarnation in this outfit.” Lu Huaming returned the bow and laughed.

“Although I'm not used to this attire, the Buddha Beads told me that since I've become the Golden Cicada Reincarnation, I need to pay attention to my appearance. I think there's some truth in that, so I reluctantly dressed like this.” Chan'er said earnestly.

“As the saying goes, Buddha relies on golden adornments. If you don't dress up and look magnificent, who would believe you? The Golden Cicada of the past had a bright, dazzling kasaya and a nine-ringed tin staff gifted by the Guanyin Bodhisattva, which were far more extravagant than your current attire.” Buddha Beads said.

“Benefactors, Chan'er rarely goes out. This time as he travels to Chang'an, I have asked Junior Brother Zhe Shi to accompany him. I entrust their safety to you on their journey,” Abbot Hai Shi stepped forward and said.

“Rest assured, Master Abbot, we will surely protect Master Chan'er.” Lu Huaming thumped his chest and promised.

He then waved his hand to summon a flying boat. Everyone boarded the boat, which shot up into the sky, turned into a white light, and sped towards Chang'an, disappearing from sight.

The noon of the second day.

Inside Chang'an City, a carriage leisurely passed through the streets, heading towards the Great Tang Dynasty Government.

Sitting on the left of the carriage, Lu Huaming wore a bamboo hat, held a bamboo whip in his hand, not hurrying the carriage, leisurely weaving through the streets.

Inside the carriage, Shen Luo and Gu Hualing sat on opposite sides. One was deep in meditation, and the other was lost in thought.

In the middle of the carriage sat two monks. One, a tall but ill-looking middle-aged monk, was Elder Zhe Shi from Golden Mountain Temple. The other, a small novice monk wearing a moon-white robe, was Chan'er.

The pair had returned to Chang'an on a flying boat with Lu Huaming. They had been invited to represent Golden Mountain Temple at the Water and Land Dharma Assembly.

At this moment, Chan'er was holding a string of purple wood Buddha beads, slowly spinning them between his fingers. Although he was chanting sutras, he seemed somewhat restless.

“Chan'er, peace of mind brings serenity in meditation. If your mind is not at peace, even chanting sutras is useless to your practice.” Elder Zhe Shi, noticing his distress, spoke up.

“Elder Zhe Shi, although I have spent a long time in the temple, I have never attended a Water and Land Dharma Assembly. I can't help but feel a bit terrified, fearing that I might not be able to save people or ghosts,” Chan'er stopped chanting sutras as he spoke and slowly put down his Buddha beads.

Despite being the reincarnation of the Golden Cicada, and possessing an intuitive understanding of the Buddha Dharma since his early years, he was still very young. Also, constantly being suppressed by “Jiang Liu” led to him being somewhat introverted in nature.

“I don't ferry people, Buddha Dharma itself ferries. As long as the Great Mahayana Dharma of Buddha is in your heart, why worry about not being able to guide humans and ghosts?” Elder Zhe Shi wore a kind smile as he spoke.

“Disciple understands.” Upon hearing this, Chan'er's eyes lit up and he clasped his hands together.

Half an hour later, the carriage stopped outside the government office.

The group entered the government office. Lu Huaming led Gu Hualing to meet Cheng Yaojin first while Shen Luo brought Chan'er and Zen Master Zhe Shi to the Chongxuan Hall–the institution that managed religions in the Great Tang.

Though a sect like the Hua Sheng Temple held an exalted status in the cultivation world, the affairs they involved themselves in the mundane world were still subject to the supervision of the Great Tang Dynasty Government to varying degrees.

Chongxuan Hall was located in the northwest corner of the Great Tang Government Office. Shen Luo had never visited here before. They asked for directions along the way and finally brought the other two through layered galleries and courtyards to this place.

Compared to the bustling scene at each hall of the Great Tang Government Office, things were much quieter here at the Chongxuan Hall. There was not even a guard by the door, only two stone lions squatting to the side of the courtyard entrance.

Even before entering the courtyard of the hall, Shen Luo heard the ethereal sound of a bell tolling, which was pleasing to the mind.

Chan'er and Elder Zhe Shi simultaneously placed their hands together, reciting Buddha's name.

Upon crossing the courtyard door and entering inside, they saw three monks in Jinlan cassocks and a middle-aged man dressed in the official wear of the Great Tang under a Bodhi tree.

The middle-aged official greeted them first as they entered. After surveying the group, his gaze rested on Chan'er. He bowed and addressed them.

“Are these two the Jiang Liu Zen Master and Zhe Shi Zen Master from the Golden Mountain Temple?”

“Correct,” said Shen Luo.

“Amitabha.” Chan'er and Zen Master Zhe Shi recited the name of Buddha and returned the bow.

The monks under the Bodhi tree hearing this conversation also came over and saluted Shen Luo and the others.

“I've long heard of the name of Master Jiang Liu, and today I have finally met you. You're truly extraordinarily intelligent and worthy of being the reincarnation of the Buddha's disciple, Golden Cicada. You radiate Buddha's light, showing the great virtues and merits you possess. It's indeed gratifying,” the lead white-browed old monk said with some excitement.

“Master, you flatter me. I'm merely a little novice monk from the Golden Mountain Temple with minimal cultivation experience. Where are any substantial merits to speak of?” Chan'er turned red at these words and replied somewhat shyly.

“Who is this person…?” Shen Luo asked.

“This is Master Bao Shu from Baoxiang Temple in Beijing, and the other two are great virtuous monks from the same temple, Master Lu De and Master Lu Chen. This Water and Land Dharma Assembly will be presided over by Master Bao Shu. The monks of Baoxiang Temple are also responsible for setting up the venue. At that time, high monks from other temples will join them to perform rites to guide the unjustly dead in Chang'an city to the netherworld,” the official from the Chongxuan Hall hurriedly introduced.

“I greet you, respective monks.” Upon hearing this, Chan'er placed his hands together and bowed.

Shen Luo and Elder Zhe Shi also followed suit.

After a round of conversation, Shen Luo, having completed his task of escorting and guiding, planned to leave.

“Everyone, I still have some tasks to attend to, so I will not stay here any longer.” Shen Luo greeted Chan'er, then bowed to everyone.

“We appreciate Master Shen's escort.” Elder Zhe Shi gave his gratitude.

Chan'er revealed a slight smile towards him, placed his hands together, and bowed his head.