Chapter 232: A Visit to Xuanlei Temple

Daoist temples were often built on mountains, partly to distance themselves from worldly distractions in pursuit of natural law and harmony between heaven and man, as well as to appreciate the natural scenery. Another reason was to honor the deities and receive offerings.

Some believed that building at higher altitudes brought them closer to the heavenly gods, while others thought that constructing slightly higher helped attract more followers and gather incense offerings.

Jingyu County’s Xuanlei Temple was no exception.

In the flat lands of Hezhou, where Pu Commandery was even flatter, Xuanlei Temple was built atop a small hill outside the city, only about two li from the county city.

A long stone stairway led from the foot of the hill straight to the temple gate, flanked by evergreens.

Song You, accompanied by the calico cat and the swordsman, stopped at the foot of the stairs, looking up at the temple. Because the path below was earthen, it became muddy in the rain, with visitors scraping off excess mud from their shoes here before heading up. The bottom steps were caked thick with hardened mud, and as they moved higher, the mud thinned, revealing patches of the original blue stone.

Song You, in no hurry, took a circle around the hill before finally ascending, step by step.

It was evident that the temple thrived with incense offerings, and on regular days, many common folk would come to burn incense and make offerings. However, in these turbulent times, with chaos caused by demons and human unrest alike, no one dared to walk the roads outside the city at night.

It was now dusk, and the last group of worshippers had long since descended the mountain and returned home. The temple doors were already closed, so naturally, there were no other visitors.

Only two people and a cat made their way up the mountain alone.

Knock knock knock!

The swordsman stepped forward and knocked firmly on the large door. Footsteps quickly approached from inside.

“Who is it?” A young Daoist attendant opened the door, glancing at the swordsman outside. His eyes narrowed slightly. “Sir, are you here to offer an incense this late?”

The swordsman didn’t reply, only glancing back.

Following his gaze, the young Daoist attendant noticed the young Daoist slowly approaching with a calico cat at his side.

“And you are...?”

Song You offered a slight smile and a polite greeting. “I’m Song You of Hidden Dragon Temple in Lingquan County, Yizhou. I am traveling the world and happened upon Jingyu. I’ve come to visit—would you mind informing your master?”

“You’ve come to visit...” The young Daoist attendant repeated with a strange look, as if to say Daoist visitors from afar were rare in these troubled times. He paused but didn’t comment further, closing the door before hurrying inside.

Moments later, the booming sound of the welcoming bell echoed from within the temple.

Dong

...

When the mountain gate opened again, both doors were drawn wide.

Inside stood a group of middle-aged Daoists, led by an elderly Daoist with a snowy beard and an immortal's aura.

“A distinguished guest has arrived. Forgive us for not greeting you sooner,” the elder, known as Daoist Master Yongyang, said, smiling warmly as he gently waved his whisk. He had white hair but a youthful face, exuding an air of kindness.

The other Daoists bowed as well, murmuring words of respect.

This scene reminded Song You of the time back in Yidu when he took Lady Calico to visit the Daoist priests at Fuqing Temple on Qingcheng Mountain. He couldn’t help but lower his head to exchange a glance with the cat at his feet, only to find that she, too, had looked up at him.

Whether she was also recalling that moment or simply feeling uneasy in an unfamiliar place and instinctively looking to someone familiar for reassurance, he couldn't tell.

With a nod, Song You returned their gesture and spoke. “We intrude unexpectedly—hopefully, our visit isn’t inconvenient?”

“Not at all! Please, come in, come in!”

“Then we’ll accept your kindness.”

The Daoists led Song You and his companions into the temple.

Walking calmly, Song You took in the surroundings, followed closely by Lady Calico and the swordsman.

Daoist Master Yongyang was welcoming and attentive, maintaining a warm smile. The other Daoists wore similar smiles, though their eyes frequently darted toward the swordsman, casting each other puzzled glances now and then.

Song You remained composed, unfazed by these looks, and the swordsman appeared unbothered as well.

The temple was quite spacious, with multiple courtyards.

Upon entering, they were greeted by a large incense burner, its incense still faintly smoldering from the day, casting a haze of smoke over the temple. The scent of incense was strong and distinct—each region had subtle variations in its incense ingredients, and Song You, with his keen interest, found collecting these differences to be part of his expanding knowledge.

Nearby was the temple hall devoted to the deities.

Song You gave it a casual glance—

The temple housed even more deities than the Leiqing Temple had, though, like that temple, the primary figure worshiped here besides the Celestial Emperor was the Thunder Division’s chief officer, Duke of Thunder Fu. The other statues seemed to lack the same radiance.

Daoist Master Yongyang did not lead him to perform any rituals for the deities first. Instead, he guided him through a side door into an inner courtyard.

Inside, there was yet another courtyard and more halls.

In the center of the yard stood two towering guardian statues, each over three zhangs tall and mounted on stone pedestals. One statue held a stone whip; the other grasped a large spear. Both wore fierce, watchful expressions, their gazes fixed on the group as they entered, so that Song You and the swordsman barely reached their knees as they passed between them.

Further within, a separate hall was devoted solely to Duke of Thunder Fu.

“This way, please!”

This year, Hezhou was impoverished. In Jingyu County, the administrative center of the prefecture, most of the townspeople were gaunt and sallow. However, the Daoists in the temple all appeared to be rosy-cheeked and glowing with health.

Nothing particularly unusual caught his eye.

They were unlike the master of Leiqing Temple he encountered before entering Hezhou, whose improper cultivation methods and deep involvement with dark arts related to ghosts and corpses made it easy for Song You to immediately sense the aura of sinister ghostly resentment surrounding him. However, none of the Daoist priests at Xuanlei Temple exhibited such an aura.

This Daoist Master Yongyang indeed possessed considerable skill.

The swordsman beside Song You was noticeably on guard. Song You offered him a reassuring smile to help him relax, then continued following the group of Daoists toward a grand hall.

“The Hidden Dragon Temple in Lingquan County of Yizhou—I seem to recall hearing about it before. The name sounds familiar, though my memory has grown faint with age,” Daoist Master Yongyang, walking ahead, remarked with a smile. “Still, judging by your skills, it must be a notable Grotto-Heaven or Blissful Land.”

“It’s modest in reputation and can’t quite compare to your revered establishment here,” Song You replied.

“Oh, fellow Daoist, don’t be so humble,” Daoist Master Yongyang said cheerfully, waving his horsetail whisk. “In my youth, I even made a trip to Yizhou and visited Qingcheng Mountain.”

“Qingcheng Mountain is well-known,” Song You said sincerely. “But as for magic and cultivation, I’d wager even the top few temples on the mountain might not rival your esteemed skills, Immortal Yongyang.”

“Oh, goodness, not at all!” Daoist Master Yongyang immediately responded, his tone brimming with modesty.

“The local folk were merely suffering from the unrest caused by demons. Desperate for any means of relief, they happened to witness me vanquish a few minor spirits and, in gratitude, dubbed me an ‘immortal.’ I truly don’t deserve such a title. Though I’ve tried to correct them on occasion, the townsfolk refuse to change it,” he said with an air of reluctant acceptance.

“Of course, that’s how it goes,” Song You nodded, appearing in full agreement.

Daoist Master Yongyang promptly turned to the others and said, “Prepare the best wine and finest food for today’s honored guest!”

“Yes,” a few disciples and Daoist attendants quickly exited to make preparations.

“This way, please!” Daoist Master Yongyang then addressed Song You. “Although I remain here in the temple, I have long since heard of your accomplishments, fellow Daoist.”

“Oh?” Song You looked at him with evident interest.

“I’ve heard several accounts,” Daoist Master Yongyang continued with a friendly smile as he led Song You over the threshold, “of a divine immortal master surnamed Song from Yizhou, whose presence alone quelled unruly demons, no matter their strength. From what I gathered, every place you pass through returns to peace. I suspected you might arrive in Jingyu, and today, it seems my suspicions were confirmed.”

“You have quite the foresight,” Song You remarked, then added, “Though, did you expect me precisely today?”

“I haven’t quite that level of foresight,” Daoist Master Yongyang chuckled.

Upon entering, the interior revealed a spacious hall with sitting mats and low tables on both sides and above, likely used for Daoist teachings and discussions.

Daoist Master Yongyang took the highest seat, inviting Song You and the swordsman to his left, while several middle-aged Daoists seated themselves nearby—a gesture of formality reserved for esteemed guests.

Song You conversed lightly with him while discreetly observing.

The demeanor of Daoist Master Yongyang was skillfully balanced—humble and respectful toward Song You, likely because he had heard of Song You’s feats and knew that many formidable demons had been decisively eliminated by this Daoist.

Folk legends, prone to exaggeration, had made these stories even more grandiose, with some even claiming he could summon celestial soldiers with a single talisman.

However, Immortal Yongyang maintained a slight air of composure, possibly due to his genuinely high level of cultivation, the adulation he received from the local people, or perhaps uncertainty about whether Song You could see through his true level of cultivation skills. Thus, he adopted a middle-ground attitude.

Observing Daoist Master Yongyang’s crafted persona, Song You found it revealing of his character. The image he projected at this moment was that of a highly cultivated Daoist master—not quite an immortal, but someone with profound cultivation skills who had helplessly been elevated to the status of an immortal by the public's praise. Exactly how advanced his abilities were was left for Song You to discern on his own.

Song You lifted the teacup, taking a sip. A gleam flashed in his eyes as he noted the tea’s fragrance and subtle bitterness. The tea was chrysanthemum tea, with a refreshing fragrance and a hint of the flower's natural bitterness, leaving a lingering aftertaste. He drank it in one gulp, set down the teacup, and looked around.

The atmosphere was clear and bright, with everything vividly revealed.

Both Daoist Master Yongyang in the upper seat, with his white hair and beard, and the middle-aged Daoist priest beside him were surrounded by a faint aura of sinister ghostly resentment, chaotic and impure. This aura, lingering around them, made their previously ethereal, kindly, or ordinary appearances seem somewhat strange.

Only now did Song You discern that the Daoist Master Yongyang before him was, in fact, another wooden decoy—crafted with a cultivation level well above that of the Leiqing Temple owner he’d previously encountered.

He withdrew his gaze as a young Daoist attendant poured another cup of tea.

“Fellow Daoist,” Daoist Master Yongyang began, continuing his subtle praise, “you’ve journeyed through Huzhou purely to vanquish demons. I truly admire such resolve.”

Then, with a shake of his head and a sigh, he added, “I originally wished to go out and exorcize demons. Putting aside how many I can eliminate, I just want to do my part and bring some peace to the people of Hezhou. However, age has caught up with me, and despite my intentions, I am truly powerless now.”

“Exorcizing demons is not my endeavor alone,” Song You replied modestly, glancing at the swordsman beside him.

“On our journey, we've encountered many skilled masters with a deep sense of duty, traveling far and wide to rid the land of evil. Quite a few came from reputable temples with genuine legacies in the southern prefectures, following divine edicts to cleanse the northern lands.

“There are also cultivators like you who, though they do not travel around, still guard their area. If any nearby townspeople are troubled by demons and come seeking help, they will descend the mountain to deal with it. Isn't that also a way of protecting the peace of the region?”

Daoist Master Yongyang raised a brow, intrigued. “But surely there are few such temples in Huzhou?”

“Huzhou's demons run rampant,” Song You replied, shaking his head. “Many temples that once offered such protection were destroyed. However, when we reached the border of Angzhou and Huzhou, we did find a Daoist temple called Leiqing Temple. Its master also frequently descends the mountain to assist the locals.”

After saying this, Song You cast a subtle glance at the others.

“Leiqing Temple?” Daoist Master Yongyang feigned contemplation, though some of his followers showed signs of recognition, their expressions betraying an awareness of the place.

Without missing a beat, the swordsman added with a clear, unwavering tone, “As we entered Huzhou from Angzhou, the Leiqing Temple master was assisting a good-hearted family in Zhijiang County, troubled by a demon. The Leiqing Temple master has earned renown across hundreds of li for aiding the people.

“I believe he once mentioned having come to Jingyu to seek the Dao—is it possible that he studied his cultivation and spells here under you?”

“...”

Daoist Master Yongyang’s expression grew uncertain.

Daoist Master Yongyang displayed a thoughtful expression, as he fell into deep thought. He finally replied with some difficulty, “Since founding this temple, I’ve taught many disciples. Some remained by my side, while others pursued their own paths and left. Over the years, many have come and gone, and I no longer keep track. Based on what you’ve mentioned, I cannot immediately recall.”

Hearing this, Song You had a fair sense of what was happening and felt that further questioning was unnecessary.

After all, this was not ancient times; there were few with true cultivation skills these days. In Daoist circles, dealings should be straightforward and to the point.

It was just like the folk tales where, if there were any conflicts among Daoist cultivators in a certain region or prefecture, they would openly criticize each other. If they had to duel with spells, they would either cast them on the spot, countering each other's moves, or go directly to confront one another and showcase their skills. The outcome would be quick and clear.

Song You turned to the temple master and, with a smile, remarked, “There is one matter I’m not sure if I should bring up...”

“Please, speak freely.”

“Since we came here sincerely to visit, why do you only greet us with a mere decoy?”

“...” Daoist Master Yongyang’s heart skipped a beat, but he kept his composure and laughed heartily. “Indeed, you have remarkable insight, able to discern my decoy at first glance! Using this form to receive guests is indeed discourteous.”

He then stood up, gave a formal bow, and explained, “My true self is currently in seclusion and unable to host personally. However, with such an honored guest visiting, how could I not receive you? Hence, I had to resort to this measure. I had thought I might conceal it, but you truly possess eyes of keen insight. I hope you can pardon the impoliteness.”

“And where is your true self?” Song You inquired with a polite smile.

“Of course, within this temple.”

“As I suspected,” Song You said, setting down his teacup.

The swordsman beside him immediately understood and spoke up, “I’ve heard that you have numerous guardians, who are silent and fierce, immune to blades and arrows, and each highly skilled. As a man of the

jianghu

as well, I was hoping for the chance to see them myself. But why is it that, after walking around the entire temple today, I’ve seen none?”

“My true self is in seclusion, so naturally, the guardians remain at their posts. They cannot easily leave,” the temple master replied.

“Haha...” The swordsman laughed heartily, setting down his cup as well, and reached for his sword. “Could it be that you fear we might see through the fact that your guardians are actually human puppets refined from living people?”

At these words, a visible shift passed through the expressions of everyone present in the hall.