Opposite to the Qiushan Manor, Northwest of the City of the Six
Crafts, there was a Daoist Temple.
This temple came into existence during the former dynasty, but when
the old Temple Master died, all the Daoists of that temple left. The
years passed with no prayers or incense offered, and its name faded
slowly. The young might not have even heard of the name.
All was gloomy until the new Temple Master arrived.
On the third day of the third month, it was the birthday of the Jade
Emperor of Heaven.
Visitors surrounded Zixia Daoist Temple on this auspicious day.
Practically half of the entire population in the city had gathered there.
Inside the temple, everyone held three incense sticks. On the
outside, hawkers who received news were selling various foods and
fresh fruits for those who had come to pray.
Had it been two months ago, nobody would have imagined that this
nearly abandoned temple would rise again similar to a wilted tree
whose life had been restored, welcoming so many audiences and
visitors. There was even no need to refurnish. At most, it was solely
changing some old tiles from the roof that was leaking water when it
rained and removing all the dead plants scattered around the place.
However, to the local citizens, the smoke of joss sticks was as thick
as ever, and incense filled every corner of the temple. It seemed as
though it grew holier compared to before. The mountains need not be so high, as long as Immortals reside in
it; the waters need not be so deep, as long as dragons live within it.
All this had happened only because of the arrival of the new Temple
Master.
Madam Zhang was holding tightly to an oil lamp she had just put on
the altar, before proceeding to make her way with great difficulty
through the crowd of people. All for the sake of placing her incense
within the pot in the centre of the courtyard and praying for the safety
of her family.
Although the people were many, she never thought of retreating.
Instead, she blamed herself for coming late, and perhaps the gods
above were displeased with her behaviour. She told herself that after
she placed the joss sticks, she would ask for prosperity, and
convince that little Daoist with the best of her ability to have the
Temple Master himself read her fortune.
After an hour, finally managing to place her joss sticks, she
expressed her gratitude to the gods and offered her tribute. At this
time of the day, the sun was already high up in the sky. The Zhang
woman's makeup ruined by the steamy air within the temple was
starting to fall apart. Boisterous noises continued to surround her,
shoulders brushing against one another. A lot of people were similar
to her—they never intended to back out, all the more they
experienced excitement, feeling as though they were accomplishing
a holy achievement.
She lived in the East of the city with her husband who owned two
shops. Her situation was arguably pleasant; moreover, she shared a
good relationship with her husband. Alas, they were unfortunate as
they only bore a son when they were both in their middle ages. They
treated their son like an invaluable piece of treasure, but who could
have guessed that two months later, their son had a fever and
almost passed away. Both husband and wife visited every single
temple and burned innumerable joss sticks, yet it was futile. Soon they heard of the peerless, unrivalled physician that became the new
Temple Master of Zixia Daoist Temple. Even prayers from citizens
who went to the temple came true. She was desperate and did not
care which doctor she invested her money in, so she had rushed to
his doorstep to ask for help. In the end, he saved her son, and from
that day onwards, the money she would usually donate to the Jade
Buddha Temple, she now gave to the Zixia Daoist Temple.
The City of the Six Crafts was not vast, so news of the Zhang
family's son spread far and wide. An increasing number of people
came to Zixia Daoist Temple, and within a single night, it became
well-known, rivalling the Jade Buddha Temple in terms of popularity
and became the most famous temple in the city.
She took out a cloth to wipe her sweat. It wasn't easy to squeeze
into the temple, but she was told that the Temple Master would not
be reading fortunes today; instead, he would be in the courtyard
relaying the lore of Daoism. The woman was illiterate, but due to her
trust in the Temple Master, she still decided to attend his speech.
A she went into the courtyard, she was shocked.
It was practically filled with people, some were even standing
outside. Yet they weren't creating a ruckus, only few mutterings here
and there were heard, but their voices were hushed.
From a distance, she could finally see the Temple Master Cui.
He was sitting underneath an eave and on top of a stage, his eyes
smiling as he watched the crowd of people gathered there. Madam
Zhang was stunned. She remembered the Buddha statues in the
temple—his eyes shared the same look as those statues. The same
look of kindness and gentleness.
Temple Master Cui's complexion looked paler in comparison to the
last time she saw him. It could also be because he was sitting outside in the open, and it was the doing of the sunlight.
Madam Zhang often came to offer prayers and once, she overheard
that Master Daoist Cui's health was not actually in its optimal state.
However, no one knew the reason behind it. Madam Zhang, as a
married woman, had decided not to pry.
Even though there was some distance between them, nobody was
interrupting his words. So Temple Master Cui was heard clearly
throughout the hall by everyone.
He did not sound sickly, just patient and gentle.
Similar to a cup that was neither too cold nor too hot and that could
hold the tea inside of it just right, allowing its fragrance to fill the
room.
When he was here, it was as if God himself was here.
"The topic today is about causality." Madam Zhang heard Temple
Master Cui say.
Everyone gasped lightly, showing a look of concern on their faces.
Temple Master Cui continued to smile as he spoke. "Most people
might think that only Buddhists speak of causality, but Daoists like us
also speak of causality. The book 'Treaties of the Response of Dao'
speaks of Dao. It conveys the meaning that regardless of a blessing
or curse, it is never fate or destiny. It is solely related to you and your
conduct. The kindness you show shall come back to you."
It didn't matter whether she knew what he was saying at all. She had
never so much touched a book. Usually, the most she'd do was go to
taverns to listen to storytellers speaking of life in the Jianghu. But the
talk of moral principles of the world gave her a headache. However, right now, it was unknown whether it was due to many
people listening together, or owing to the fact that Temple Master Cui
was speaking in deep volumes with laymen terms, she not only
understood what he was saying, but she also did not feel it was
irritating. Instead, she felt enlightenment in her heart.
"Let us use Madam Zhang as an example."
Hearing her surname, she immediately paid attention. Initially, she
thought that someone else shared the same surname as her, but as
she looked up, Temple Master Cui was looking at her, as well as the
entire courtyard of people.
Her ears grew red. She had never been put in a position where she
was the centre of attention; she didn't even know where to put her
hands and feet.
"A while ago, Madam Zhang's son was plagued by a serious
disease. It was practically incurable. I believe everyone has heard of
it. If not for her usual kind deeds, accumulating merit for the Zhang
family, how would a terrible incident like that end so well?"
Madam Zhang had never expected Temple Master Cui to praise her
so. She could not help but blush madly. Even when she spoke, her
voice stammered, "My husband and I only followed our hearts. We
do not deserve such praise from the Temple Master! When my son
was ill, it was all thanks to Temple Master's brilliant skills. The
entirety of the Zhang family, from top to bottom, will be forever
grateful!"
Temple Master Cui's smile deepened, "Such a brilliant example of
'follow your heart', you speak of it as if it was so simple, and yet how
many people in this world can achieve that? If we should discuss this
fact at length, wasn't it because I also received the guidance of
numerous tutors, that I have come to the Zixia Daoist Temple in the
end?" Everyone agreed with him, once more, impressing Madam Zhang.
From doubt, she found envy.
Madam Zhang's face was red all over. In all the years she had lived,
this was the first time someone had praised her for her kindness,
and the one who complimented her was a famed Daoist from a
famed temple. She could not wait to return home and share the story
with her husband. She decided in her heart that the next time she
would visit Zixia Daoist Temple, she would offer more fragrant oil
money.
In the corner of her eye, Madam Zhang suddenly felt a prick of pain.
She assumed it was some gold or silver item that was reflecting the
sunlight.
As she gathered her focus, she realized it was something flying
across her view, like a bird flapping its wings.
Madam Zhang who could not help but blink, saw a grey shadow
lunging itself at Temple Master Cui, a long sword in its hands giving
the impression of wanting to kill Temple Master Cui with a single
strike!
The sword was only half an inch away from his heart. Even if the
people standing around him acted quickly, they would not be in time
to save him. Nevertheless, it all happened so fast. Nearly no one
was able to react.
Attacked by the wind of the sword, Temple Master Cui could not help
leaning backwards, but his actions were of little help to thwart the
assassin. In less than a second, the sword would pierce his heart
and turn him from a live man to a corpse.
Madam Zhan could not see any hope for Temple Master Cui. She
was so terrified that she promptly shrieked!