After chatting for a while, Luo Beichen left. Song Hao also went to sleep.
The next morning, Luo Feiying came to check on Song Hao. Song Hao was still joking and laughing with her, acting as if nothing had happened the night before. Seeing this, Luo Feiying felt somewhat relieved.
While having breakfast, Luo Feiying said, "Uncle, I have to leave for a while. Let Song Hao stay here with you."
Luo Beichen nodded and said, "Alright, you may go."
Luo Feiying glanced at Song Hao, hesitated for a moment, and said, "As we agreed before, you should stay here and not leave easily, otherwise there will be trouble." Since her plan to use against Song Hao had failed, Luo Feiying wanted to keep Song Hao here and make further plans.
Song Hao said, "Thank you! This place is beautiful with clear waters and lush mountains. Don't worry, I will accompany you to farm and grow vegetables here."
"It's good that you know my good intentions!" Luo Feiying said with a somewhat unnatural expression.
In truth, Luo Feiying was also puzzled. Why didn't the tried-and-tested needles work on Song Hao? Was Song Hao truly so powerful that he could break through his meridians and acupoints on his own? She had witnessed her uncle Luo Beichen's needles firsthand; no matter how strong-willed a person was, even a master of internal martial arts would obediently submit to Luo Beichen's needles. Was it that her uncle considered Song Hao her boyfriend and didn't want to overdo it, intentionally letting Song Hao off the hook?
Luo Feiying glanced at Luo Beichen suspiciously. Luo Beichen focused on eating, occasionally urging Song Hao to take some food, ignoring Luo Feiying.
"This kid is quite popular!" Luo Feiying understood a bit about it and sighed inwardly. If she weren't so eager to find out the whereabouts of the Heavenly Saint Acupuncture Bronze Man, she wouldn't have wanted to push Song Hao too far.
After breakfast, Luo Feiying gave Song Hao a few more instructions and then left the house. Luo Beichen escorted her to the car.
"Uncle, please don't let Song Hao leave here on his own, otherwise he will be in danger. He got into trouble outside, and I brought him here so that he could avoid it." Luo Feiying had no choice but to reveal part of the truth at this point.
Luo Beichen said, "You can go without worry. I guarantee Song Hao will be safe and sound with me."
"Okay!" Luo Feiying responded, glanced at Song Hao who was looking at her through the window inside the house, waved her hand, and drove away with mixed feelings.
After seeing Luo Feiying off, Luo Beichen returned to the house and said to Song Hao, "Although Ying'er is alert, you've gotten yourself into trouble in the martial arts world. I can't guarantee that your whereabouts weren't exposed when you came here. Besides, I'm not entirely at ease with that younger brother from the Demon Needle Sect. He might come looking for trouble in the future. Let's pack up and leave now to hide in the mountains."
Upon hearing this, Song Hao quickly replied, "This junior doesn't want to trouble you, senior. I'll go home myself."
Luo Beichen said, “You misunderstood me. I don’t mean for you to hide in the mountains like a wild man. Rather, it’s for you to stay temporarily at a friend’s place. There is a ‘Shangqing Temple’ in the mountains about ten miles from here. The abbot is a Taoist priest known as Master Xiao, called Yuling Zhenren, whose secular name is Xiao Boran. He leads dozens of disciples there to live in seclusion, cultivating and comprehending the Tao. This man is a true master of the secular world, especially skilled in medicine. He is also knowledgeable in ancient and modern times, has a wide range of knowledge, and is proficient in both literature and martial arts. He is the person I admire most in my life, and it is also one of the reasons why I live in seclusion here.”
Upon hearing this, Song Hao exclaimed with delight, "It is truly an honor to be able to meet such a sage!"
Luo Beichen said, "However, your current identity is special, so it's best not to reveal it for now. Just say you are a distant relative of mine named Song Xin, who enjoys reading ancient books, and you're staying at his place temporarily to borrow them. His temple has a vast collection of books, including many medical classics. You can take this opportunity to increase your knowledge and not waste your time in this escape. The main thing is that Shangqing Temple is the safest place; no one can find it. Even if trouble comes your way, Old Daoist Xiao will take care of it for you. With my connections, you can stay for a year or two without any problem. I also donated a large sum of money to the temple back then."
"That would be perfect!" Song Hao exclaimed with delight.
Chapter 53 Shangqing Temple (2)
Luo Beichen then tidied up, locked the door, and led Song Hao out of the village and into the mountains ahead.
On the way, Luo Beichen instructed again: "When you get there, you should speak less. Some of the Taoists in the temple, including Master Xiao's disciples, are often out and about and know some things about the martial arts world. Don't let them know who you are to avoid any unexpected incidents. Of course, Master Xiao is someone I trust, and he will protect you even if something unexpected happens, but it's best if nothing unexpected happens."
Song Hao replied, "I understand! Please rest assured, senior."
"Also," Luo Beichen hesitated for a moment before saying, "Although I have a very good relationship with this Old Daoist Xiao, and I respect and trust him, in our past interactions, I've discovered some aspects of him that I can't fathom—he's quite unfathomable. This person seems to have a special background in the martial arts world, and he's had close personal relationships with several mysterious figures. Besides being the abbot of Shangqing Temple, he probably has other identities. So you should be careful where you stay. Don't see things you shouldn't see, and don't ask questions you shouldn't ask. Of course, this is just my guess. I only sent you to him last night after much deliberation, because it's the safest place for you. No matter what happens, you can get his protection. Regardless of Old Daoist Xiao's special background, he's definitely an upright person."
Upon hearing this, Song Hao felt bewildered again, never expecting that after all this wandering, he would still end up in such a complicated place.
Upon seeing this, Luo Beichen smiled reassuringly and said, "Don't worry, I had another reason for sending you to Shangqing Temple. You are a special child, and you are also a student of medicine. If that old Taoist priest Xiao takes a liking to you and accepts you as his disciple, that would be a great fortune for you. This idea came to me because I often heard that old Taoist priest Xiao lamented that there was no one in the world who could pass on his true teachings. If you become master and disciple, all the complicated matters can be resolved. Perhaps this is just wishful thinking on my part, but at least if you stay at old Taoist priest Xiao's Shangqing Temple, no one will come knocking on your door. At least the people from the Demon Needle Sect will not dare to step into Shangqing Temple."
"At the same time, I also think this is an opportunity for you," Luo Beichen continued. "You can seize the right opportunity to explain your current situation to Master Xiao, and he will point you in a good direction and help you solve all your troubles. This mainly depends on how far your relationship has developed and how much you trust him. One thing I can guarantee is that no matter how things change, he will not harm you, otherwise I wouldn't have gone to such lengths to send you to him. At the very least, you can stay with him quietly for a year or two and then leave."
"Senior, why do you value me so much?" Song Hao asked, bewildered.
"Because you broke through my needle technique! Although I didn't use my full strength to completely control you, I still couldn't control you within four needles, and you were able to break through your meridians and acupoints on your own. Just for that, Old Daoist Xiao will treat you differently. However, I'll tell him about this later when I have the chance. For now, we need to see how things develop between you and him. Although I can't figure out Old Daoist Xiao, he's definitely a good person. Introducing you to him is also out of respect for his unparalleled skills. To put it bluntly, I want to bring him a good disciple. It all depends on whether you two have the fate and good fortune to have it. Song Hao, don't blame me for bringing you into this unexpected situation. This is for your own good, and I hope this trip can bring you a turning point in your life. In the end, if nothing changes, I will bring you out safely." Luo Beichen said earnestly.
"Alright, senior! I thank you for your kindness! I'm at a loss now, so I'll go to Shangqing Temple. If I'm lucky enough to meet a righteous master who can guide me and solve my current troubles, that would be my good fortune. If not, I'll just consider it a chance to study diligently in seclusion there; it will still benefit me. Even if there's danger, it's fate, and I can't blame anyone. That bronze statue forced me into the martial world and dragged me into trouble; it was destined that I would have such twists and turns in my life," Song Hao said with emotion.
Upon hearing this, Luo Beichen nodded and said, "I was right about you. To be able to view all this with such an open mind is something that most young people cannot handle."
As they talked, they followed the mountain path. Before they knew it, they arrived at the foot of a large mountain. Halfway up the mountain, the outline of a Taoist temple came into view. Built against the mountainside, it was half-hidden among the pines and cypresses. With its red walls and green tiles, and its ridged eaves, it was not large in scale, but it was simple and solemn. It was a secluded place for lazy people to escape the world.
They climbed a stone staircase and arrived at the gate of Shangqing Temple. A young Taoist priest was sweeping fallen leaves in front of the gate. Seeing Luo Beichen and Song Hao approach, he quickly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Greetings, Layman Luo!"
Luo Beichen bowed slightly and said with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Wuchen, you're very diligent! Is your master here?"
Wuchen replied, "Master has gone to the back mountain to cultivate, and will be back soon. Please wait in the living room, Layman Luo."
Na Wuchen then led Luo Beichen and Song Hao into Shangqing Temple, through a courtyard paved with bluestone, and to a main hall. Luo Beichen, being naturally outgoing, greeted the two cleaning Taoist priests and pulled Song Hao to sit down beside him.
A Taoist priest brought out tea, and Luo Beichen gestured for Song Hao to drink it.
“This place is good, isn’t it? It’s peaceful and quiet, a place to enjoy a life of leisure,” Luo Beichen said.
"Not bad! It's a good place for self-cultivation," Song Hao nodded in agreement.
"Actually, if one can live such a leisurely and peaceful life, it is a great blessing. Life is unpredictable, and no matter how busy we are, we will eventually die. It is better to live such a simple and down-to-earth life," Luo Beichen said with emotion.
“The environment is created by the mind! The law is formed by the intention! It also depends on one’s own attitude towards life. Even if the mountains are high and the temples are far away, if worldly desires are not extinguished, it is no different from the bustling city.” Song Hao said with a smile.
Song Hao's words caused the two Taoist priests who were cleaning to glance at him, each showing a slight look of surprise.
Luo Beichen laughed and said, "That's true. With a calm mind, one can find peace anywhere in the world! Why seek a secluded place to sit in the deep mountains?"
"Well said! When one's mind and character are cultivated to this level, one reaches the realm of a wandering immortal!" A loud voice rang out from the hall.
As soon as the words were spoken, a group of Taoist priests escorted an elderly Taoist priest into the room. The priest was truly a white-haired man with a youthful face, exuding an air of otherworldly grace. He wore a black Taoist robe with flowing sleeves, held a whisk in his hand, and had piercing, sharp eyes that seemed to see right through people's thoughts.
"Brother Luo, how have you been?" the Taoist priest said, bowing respectfully. It was the proper etiquette of the martial world.
"It's alright! It's alright!" Luo Beichen stood up and greeted him with a smile.
"What a fine old Taoist! He truly has the aura of an immortal!" Song Hao thought to himself, and stood up as well.
"Let me introduce you. This is a distant relative of mine named Song Xin. He loves reading. He heard that you, Master Xiao, have a rich collection of books here, so he asked me to come to your temple to borrow some for a while. I'm afraid he'll be staying for some time. I wonder if that's convenient for him?" Luo Beichen said with a smile.