Chapter 710: The past is fading between heaven and earth, and old acquaintances come on the Yin Yang Mountain.

Chapter 710: The past is fading between heaven and earth, and old acquaintances come on the Yin Yang Mountain.
It's the mountain rain and mist ghost on the Golden Yang Road, the stone carvings and dusk on the hand-climbing rock, the first sight of the Yi Du City, the singing and dancing in the small courtyard, the upright constable opposite the slanted door, and the governor pretending to coincidentally inquire about eternal life in the tile house.
Who would have thought that the constable would follow in the footsteps of Zhou Leigong, and the governor would become a wise minister and the lord of the underworld?
Xuzhou's Liujiang, a small boat passes through a thousand-mile scroll in a few days.
When Lingbo sent the message, a trustworthy woman from the Jianghu greeted him for the first time with a bow:
"As a person of the Jianghu, I shall first give my title. My family name is Wu, and my chosen name is Erzi. I am a disciple of the Xishan Sect in Yizhou. How should I address you, Sir?"
Under the drizzling rain, Anqing is still a sight to behold. The grand gathering at Liujiang also lives up to its reputation as a bustling event in the martial arts world. The figures of those fighters, dancing and battling, still linger in his eyes, just as the encounter with Old Yanxian and Little Yanxian feels like yesterday.
When I encountered an extraordinary swordsman in the Yizhuang, and visited the legendary Shenshan in the mountains, the most memorable still is the mountains full of ginger flowers.
With a Southern painting, the night rain stops, staying at the cloud peak to seek enlightenment and immortality.
On the shores of Mirror Island Lake, Zhou Leigong and I first met. At that time, he had not yet assumed the position of Chief Official of the Thunder Department.
Outside the city walls of Changjing, it was gloomy. Yet, old friends still held onto their promises.
The lame National Teacher came to visit in person, displaying a certain air. The aging Emperor earnestly inquired about immortality, exuding a commanding presence. Atop the long mountain, apricot blossoms were picturesque, and a general returned at the East City Gate.
Who knew their fate at the time.
In the Clear and Bright season, on the top floor of the Crane Fairy Tower, a melodious ancient qin was played by a woman dressed in white, effortlessly concealing herself from the Taoist.
Looking back now, it is still amazing.
The Taoist couldn't help shaking his head and laughing.
When thinking of the turmoil in the North, the first thing that came to the Taoist's mind was the year of wind and rain in Hezhou. The most memorable thing, however, was the figure that traveled against the epidemic during the harsh winter and heavy snow in the hometown.
The snowfield melts, and the rouge-like sun rises from the borrowed mountain. In the border victory, the soldiers jubilantly drop their guns on the spot, but they do not know whether the grassland turtle city, once filled with ghost soldiers, will leave behind its ruins in a thousand years. How many of the continuous snow temples will remain? Will the rumors of Dr. Cai's epidemic treatment still circulate in the world?
The Taoist had a moment of dizziness, as if he had returned to the green tung tree forest in Yuezhou, witnessing the awe-inspiring sight of the divine bird crossing the night sky.
On that day, he learned that his master had left him.
On the Beiqin Mountain, when Doctor Cai decided to write another medical book, it was obvious that the entire world and the fate of countless people would change. The epic battle on the Yeshan Mountain in Fengzhou had become insignificant in the Taoist's memory, and instead, his experiences overseas and the prosperity in Yangdu left a deeper impression.
"The world has changed..."
"Do you have the courage to fight against this evil?"
"Why did you steal my bamboo staff?"
"The world is about to become chaotic..."
"I want to ask His Majesty, is life still precious at this moment?"
“……”
A series of scenes are connected in a line.
Memories flow through like quicksand, it is a moment in these twenty years, and also a moment in the long river of history, but now they have all turned into pictures, appearing in his mind.
A catastrophic fire, unfortunately, destroyed countless ancient Chinese parasol tree forests, the only remnants of the ancient world on earth.
Within the Danxia landform in Longzhou County, a Taoist slowly walks forward, surrounded by swirling sandstorms in front of the sulfur lake. Facing the approaching sandstorm, the Taoist calmly observes the desert camel caravan against the golden sunset. As the sun sinks in the west, the Taoist silently watches, feeling the profound historical weight and weathered atmosphere of the majestic mountains and ancient temples, still remembering the phrase whispered in the wind:
"To become a dragon or an elephant among all the Buddhas, one must first be a cow or a horse among sentient beings."
The snow on Mount Mingsha, the fire in the Earthfire Country, the dripping water forming a lake at the Flower Rock Mountain, and the melting ice caused by the touching of the ground in the Jade Country.
Is that Flame Mountain about to go out?
Back to Yidu, dream for many years.
The scenery in Yunzhou is beautiful. On top of the mountains, the true dragon breathes. The thousand mountains turn green, and the earth comes to spring. Perhaps until the end of life, the scene will still be deeply imprinted in the Taoist's mind.
"We are here to guard the Ghost City on behalf of the Daoist master. The master has gifted us the elixir of immortality in a fair exchange... Now it is only fair that we follow the example of the Daoist master, 'washing away the dust of our lives and lazily traveling the mountains and rivers, becoming the masters of the country's scenery and beauty'. Although it was just a casual comment made while boating on the river back then, it was not false."
"From then on, good news should be more, don't forget the idle person on the river."
"This action is in line with the will of heaven and the hearts of the people. All the gods above, please be aware and don't commit any heinous acts."
"I have received the decree of the Heavenly Emperor and have come to submit to you!"
"I am the True Sovereign of Fire and Sunshine!"
"I invite all the divine officials and heavenly warriors to vanquish demons and eradicate evil!"
"I have come specifically to seek the counsel of the Mirror Deity..."
"May I ask, Thunder God, are you a deity for the common people of the mortal realm or a deity for the Heavenly Palace and the Heavenly Emperor?"
“道长，你欠我们断尾一条，阳寿百年。”
“……”
山中的清晨真是安静极了，窗外的世界纹丝不动，就连飘在山间的云雾都停下了变化，道人仍旧躺在阁楼之上。
A trance came over me.
Of course, the most important thing is the cat that used to stare at me cautiously in the small temple in the mountains.
"I am the Goddess of Three Flowers."
"I am just helping the people from the foot of the mountain catch mice. And I used to have my own temple, a small one. Later, someone brought my clay statue to this big temple, but it wasn't my choice."
"Then why do you want me to follow you?"
"I don't know what loneliness is."
"I don't know what a dowry is."
"After eating your fish, am I your cat?"
"Do you eat insects?"
"Do you eat rats?"
"You're not smart."
"I am very smart."
"How do you know it's inside?"
"Sanhuan Niangniang thinks you're right."
"It's just raining..."
"I don't understand..."
"You seem to be very good at it."
"Drinking boiled water is good. Everyone drinks boiled water. Boiled water tastes round, while cold water tastes sharp."
"Eat the rabbit!"
"This mountain is going crazy!"
"It's just dust..."
"Cats are like this..."
"Three Flower Queen's lanterns are very powerful, they can burn a hole in the night."
“……”
Over the past twenty years, it has been spent in her company, and it is evident that many years to come will also be spent in her company. The chance encounter on Jinyang Road in those days must be said to be the greatest gain of this journey. There have been many fortunate events in the past twenty years, but none have exceeded this one.
Lost in thought, it was already dawn.
The cat was still lying on the desk, fast asleep.
Song You withdrew his gaze from the mountain landscape outside the window, looked at the cat again, his eyes flickering. However, he still didn't wake her up, just put the travel notes back, carefully stood up, and walked downstairs.
Take a few steps, stop again, turn around and bow your head.
A tri-colored cat, drowsy and clumsy, keeps following him, as if it has forgotten everything and only instinctively follows him.
As Dao Ren stopped and started, she realized something was wrong. She looked up and saw a sleepy face.
The cat sat down and scratched its head with its hind legs.
"Daoist..."
"Understood."
"Has San Hua been influenced by you?"
"It's the influence of the Three-Hua Empress that has touched me."
……
On that day, the sun rose higher and higher.
Yin Yang Mountain seemed a bit different from usual.
In the villages at the foot of the mountain, there were people eating while walking out of their homes. When they reached an open space, they casually looked up and saw a Taoist temple standing quietly in the mountain mist.
Someone went out to work, just stepped onto the field embankment, and looked up to meet the gaze of the Taoist temple.
This Taoist temple is a memory for some people down the mountain, and it is also a legend that some people have heard since childhood. Everyone was shocked for a while.
One person told ten people, and then those ten people told another hundred people, and the common people at the foot of the mountain were in heated discussions.
"The Taoist temple is back?"
"It has been so many years since we last saw it. So many people have been looking for it, but no one found it. How come it has reappeared?"
"Shall we go and have a look?"
"We must go and have a look!"
"Let's invite more people!"
Finally, some older people put on their clothes and shoes, and a few of them gathered together, stumbling and running up the mountain, some even brought some incense money. Younger people, however, needed more courage to follow along. As they walked, they looked up at the Taoist temple that had never appeared in their memories, excited and anxious.
Some elderly people, even if they have difficulty walking, insist on using crutches and have younger family members support them as they stumble their way up the mountain.
"This road is also here."
"It's truly magical..."
"What kind of clock is this?"
"Don't randomly knock on it!"
"It's still the same as before..."
"Was there this small pond before?"
"Who still remembers?"
"Oh, I told you that immortals are coming back. The Taoist temple I saw last time definitely wasn't a hallucination. Starting from that day, all the monsters and demons in the surrounding areas vanished without a trace. It must be because the immortals have returned for a visit. Otherwise, how could such a coincidence happen?"
“怎么没开门？”
“去敲一敲吗？”
"Who will go?"
众人在门口议论纷纷。
几乎同时，只听一声响。
"Creak..."
道观的大门缓缓打开，从中散出几分香火味道，众人定睛看去，里头是三间神殿与一个院子，院子干净，有个巨大的香炉。
The one who opened the door was a little girl, dressed in a three-colored dress. Her face was white and tender, exceptionally clean. She had bright and large eyes, full of liveliness. At first glance, she was extraordinary. However, there was no expression on her face. After opening the door, she stood inside, tilting her head and staring at them.
"Huh?"
Many villagers and ordinary people also stopped and stood outside the door, looking at her, hesitating whether or not to enter.
"It's a girl..."
"She wasn't a girl before..."
It was not until a Taoist figure walked out from inside.
The Taoist was dressed in a faded white robe, with a youthful face that seemed different from years past, yet still familiar to some older individuals.
"Ah! It's him!"
"It's the young man from before!"
"Still the same as before!"
Several villagers widened their eyes.
"Dear pilgrims and believers, please come in."
The Taoist bowed respectfully to them, his gaze sweeping over the elderly villagers one by one, some of whom could find a hint of familiarity, while others had long disappeared from memory: "After many years apart, being able to meet with you all here is truly a fortunate event."
A girl wearing three-colored clothes next to her spoke up, imitating the Taoist's words, but in a more serious tone:
"Greetings, esteemed worshippers, please enter!"
The crowd exchanged glances before stepping into the Taoist temple.
"I have seen the gentleman."
Someone bowed to Song You.
"I have seen Your Excellency."
The Taoist also returned the greeting.
"Young... gentleman, what about the former female sect leader?"
"That was my master." Song You said calmly, "My master passed away more than ten years ago."
"Dead? Aren't you immortals?"
"You misunderstand. We are just hermits in the mountains, not immortals. We also experience birth, aging, sickness, and death. We cannot live forever."
"Then where have you been all these years?"
"I've been away for a few years because of some personal matters."
"He even said he's not a deity, but the Taoist temple has been moved."
"The Taoist temple is still here, it hasn't been moved, it's just some illusions," the Taoist calmly replied, "If you go to the temple fair, you can also see these kinds of magic."
"So are you still going?"
"At least we won't go for the next few decades."
"That's good, that's good..."
“……”
"A few years ago we saw a Taoist temple in the mountains, but you came back? Did you get rid of the monsters in the mountains?"
"I did come back indeed, while the monsters were expelled by my child and a swallow." Song finished speaking and pointed at Sanhua Niangniang. "This is my child, named Sanhua Niangniang. There is still a swallow in the Taoist temple, and you will be able to see it in the future."
"Alright alright..."
"I have also taken on a disciple, who is just over a year old. We will be staying here in the future, so I kindly ask all the villagers and elders to take care of us."
"I dare not, I dare not. Nowadays, the world is so chaotic, with demons and ghosts appearing everywhere. We should seek help from immortal experts and gods."
"This is our duty."
"Sir, can you come to make offerings today?"
"Okay."
"It seems that my elderly mother has been bewitched..."
"I don't know where you live, but this afternoon, please have my servant go to the village."
"This is the preserved meat made by my old self..."
"What should we do about this?"
"A dog in our village has become a spirit!"
"Everyone, please don't rush, take your time to speak."
A new door is opened in the Taoist temple, with numerous chaotic voices.
道人神情平静，一一应付。
三花娘娘就站在旁边，目不转睛的盯着看。
今天算是道士给她的演示，从今之后，开门和接待香客的任务就是她的了，起码要等到小江寒长大，才能交接这项职务。
这是道观的经济命脉，不可疏忽。
不知过了多久，这些香客才终于离去。
三花娘娘也已做好了准备。
……
大安十年，初秋。
道观一切都已走入正轨。
一个寻常的秋日清晨，远方山水清秀，几团云雾静静地飘在山间，温度清凉。
道士在屋中睡觉。
燕子在天上乱飞。
小江寒刚刚醒来了一次，睡得脚麻了，哭得整座道观都听得见，三花娘娘把她抱起来哄了好一会儿，终于哄得不哭了，又教她站在床上用力跺脚，随即又听她哭了好一会儿，现在哭得累了，又睡着了。
三花娘娘则端了一张小板凳，坐在道观门口吃着早饭，她一手端碗一手拿筷，背靠着墙，自然弓腰，整个人缩成小小一团。
碗中一碗白米饭，几片香肠，昨天晚上剩下的剩菜，还有两根酸豇豆，有一种平淡美好的感觉。
三花娘娘吧唧吧唧。
远处风景依旧。
这样的生活，好似能过很多年。
忽然之间，一声钟响，响彻十里群山。
*"Dong..."*
三花娘娘直起身，抬起头，看向山下。
阴阳山上，有故人来。
……
The whole book is completed.
感谢大佬“读者20210228181150090”的盟主！
鞠躬露胸！