Chapter 364: Visiting the Divine at Qingxiao Temple

“Daoist priest, I seem to have been poisoned.”

“Rice wine soup can indeed cause 'poisoning.'”

“What? Why didn’t you say so last time?”

“You should sleep.”

Song You bent down and effortlessly picked up the little girl. She went limp in his grasp, her limbs dangling naturally while her tail curled up to preserve her modesty. She obediently allowed the Daoist to tuck her into his pouch.

From inside, she poked her head out, glancing around curiously.

As the swallow had said, Qingxiao Temple wasn’t far. By twilight, the group had arrived.

Ahead was a round hill surrounded by farmlands. At this time of year, the fields weren’t planted with crops but were flooded for irrigation, forming glistening paddies that stretched across the landscape. The crimson glow of the evening sky was perfectly reflected in the water, creating a breathtaking rural scene.

“How beautiful...” A sigh of admiration came from behind.

When Song You turned to look, the maid smiled at him and said, “Before we came to Changjing, we often saw scenery like this. It wasn’t the same, of course, but it was equally beautiful. Sadly, after arriving in Changjing, it felt like we were trapped. It’s been so long since we’ve seen anything like this.”

“You’re free now,” Song You said, continuing forward.

“Let’s hope this freedom lasts,” the maid said with a smile, swinging her legs playfully.

Song You turned his gaze away and continued walking.

A narrow path cut through the flooded fields, leading straight to the hill. As they passed along it—one person, one horse, and the carriage trailing behind—the waters on either side reflected the sky in its entirety, the red clouds giving the impression that they were walking on the heavens themselves.

The carriage had to stop at the foot of the hill. The mistress and maid descended and joined the Daoist in climbing the hill on foot.

The Daoist temple wasn’t large. Its mountain gate was weathered and aged, bearing the marks of time.

At the top of the gate were two words: Qingxiao Temple.

On either side were a pair of couplets, the familiar phrases of Daoist tradition:

When heavenly rain falls, it doesn’t nourish grass without roots; The Dao’s wide path saves only those who have the will.

Song You paused at the gate to examine the inscriptions closely.

Having been away from the mountains for over six years, during which he had visited numerous Daoist temples, he had encountered this couplet several times. However, each iteration was written in a different style, some older, some more recent, lending each its own distinct charm.

The main gate was open, welcoming visitors.

With his pouch slung over his shoulder, Song You stepped inside.

The temple was indeed small, and he had barely entered when he encountered a young Daoist priest. The priest, upon seeing him—and the two strikingly beautiful women following behind—paused in surprise.

“Fellow Daoist...?” the young priest began.

“My name is Song You, from Yizhou,” Song You replied with a smile. “I had the fortune of meeting Daoist Master Muyunzi of Qingxiao Temple during my travels and am passing through to pay a visit.”

A small head poked out from Song You’s pouch—a calico cat staring blankly at the young priest.

“You know my master?” the priest asked, confused.

“Two or three months ago, outside the capital in Peach Blossom Village, my companion here was invited by the authorities to assist in subduing a demon. During that time, I had the pleasure of meeting your master,” Song You explained. “Daoist Master Muyunzi is a man of profound cultivation and great virtue. I’ve even heard of his reputation in other places.”

The young Daoist was momentarily stunned, clearly taken aback by this revelation.

At that moment, a swallow silently glided in, landing lightly on the roof tiles above the Daoist’s position.

“It’s you...”

The young Daoist finally understood and quickly snapped out of his daze. With a hint of fluster, he respectfully cupped his hands in salute. “Please wait a moment, Daoist Spiritual Master. I’ll fetch my master right away.”

“There’s no need for such formality,” Song You said with a gentle smile. “I’ve come to visit Daoist Master Muyunzi out of admiration, to settle a past connection—and perhaps to ask for a meal and a place to stay.”

“Of course, of course...”

The young Daoist, clearly at a loss for what to do, hurriedly scurried off.

“You sure have impressive connections,” the maid’s playful voice called out from behind.

“Mind your manners,” came the soft reprimand of her mistress.

Song You chose to ignore the exchange and instead began to observe the small temple.

The main courtyard lay before him, with the principal hall directly ahead. Inside, the typical Daoist deities were enshrined, though regional customs and the temple’s focus seemed to influence the specific arrangement.

To the left stood a separate temple, nearly as large as the main hall, dedicated to the thunder gods led by Duke of Thunder Zhou, indicating that this temple primarily venerated the legitimated gods of the Thunder Division. On the right was a much smaller shrine, about half a person’s height, dedicated to the local God of Prosperity and Virtue.

Song You walked a few steps toward the separate temple on the left and glanced inside.

The temple bore a new couplet, freshly written:

Harbor malice in your heart, and no amount of incense will bring benefit; Live upright and righteous, and there’s no need to bow before me.

The statues inside depicted the deities of the Thunder Division. Originally, there should have been ten statues, including the Duke of Thunder Fu. Now, with Duke of Thunder Fu having been vanquished, only nine remained.

The central statue was taller than the others, newly crafted. It depicted a deity sitting majestically on the altar, glaring down with intense authority and an unmistakable air of dominance. Who else could it be but Duke of Thunder Zhou?

Song You raised his head and met the gaze of the imposing statue.

It seemed that since Duke of Thunder Zhou’s promotion to chief officer of the Thunder Division, this temple had commissioned a new statue to reflect his elevated status.

The couplet above the entrance was likely updated for the same reason.

As Song You was observing the temple, Daoist Master Muyunzi arrived, accompanied by two disciples, to greet him.

“I wasn’t aware of your arrival. Forgive me for not coming to welcome you sooner,” Muyunzi said.

“Not at all, not at all,” Song You replied, quickly turning his gaze away and bowing in return, showing utmost respect. “It is I who should apologize for the impromptu visit.”

“Your esteemed presence brings radiance and honor to this humble temple.”

“I don’t deserve such high praise,” Song You replied. “I’ve long admired your virtue and cultivation, Daoist Master Muyunzi, and since my travels brought me nearby, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to pay you a visit. If it’s convenient, I would be grateful for a meal and a place to stay for the night, and to pay my respects to the deities of your temple. If it’s not convenient, I still felt it necessary to meet you in person.”

“Of course, it’s convenient! Though the rooms and meals in our temple are quite plain, I hope you won’t find them lacking.”

“My name is Song You. I have no Daoist title for now,” Song You said. “You are senior to me in age and cultivation, so I should address you as my elder. Us Daoists are easygoing; just call me ‘fellow Daoist.’”

“I am Muyunzi.”

“I’ve brought my little companion along,” Song You added, gesturing to the small head poking out of his pouch. “And my swallow. Also, these two friends behind me, who go by...”

He turned toward the two women behind him.

“Greetings, I’m Wanjiang,” Miss Wanjiang said with a gentle bow.

“Greetings, I’m San San...” the maid followed.

“Please, all of you, come inside,” Muyunzi said, inviting them into the main hall. He quickly instructed his two disciples to prepare a meal, while he stayed behind to host the guests.

Facing Song You, however, he seemed unsure of what to say.

“Four years ago, when I traveled from Jingzhou to Angzhou en route to the capital, I passed through Donghe County,” Song You began. “I heard then that there was a renowned temple here, known for its spiritual efficacy. Unfortunately, it rained continuously for days, and I was in a hurry to meet someone in Changjing, so I couldn’t visit at the time. I’ve only now managed to come.”

“You’re traveling the world, I take it?” Muyunzi asked.

“That’s right.”

“And where are you headed now?”

“Southward,” Song You replied.

Song You and Daoist Master Muyunzi engaged in casual conversation.

Miss Wanjiang sat quietly nearby, attentively listening with a faint smile on her face, giving the impression of complete focus. Her maid, however, stood behind her, lowering her gaze to exchange glances with the small cat poking its head out of Song You’s pouch.

The calico cat appeared completely dazed, staring blankly back at the maid.

As night fell, the temple lit its lanterns, and dinner was served. The guests spent the night in the rooms Daoist Master Muyunzi had arranged for them.

The next morning, visitors began to arrive at the temple.

After breakfast, Song You sat at the temple gate, flipping through a divine register.

The Heavenly Palace was home to numerous deities, with roles spanning civil and martial duties across many departments. Additionally, there were independent pantheons overseeing various domains. Even the largest temples in the world couldn’t possibly enshrine all the gods.

Temples in different regions and of different traditions typically selected deities to enshrine based on local needs. However, no matter how minor a deity might seem, there was bound to be at least one temple somewhere with their image.

Generally, every temple was expected to enshrine the primary deities of the Heavenly Palace—this was a formality.

Beyond that, depending on local beliefs and the temple’s main focus, they would enshrine additional gods. These might be placed alongside the main deities or, as in Qingxiao Temple, given a dedicated shrine, such as the one for the Thunder Division’s legitimate gods.

These deities were the primary ones worshipped in the temples and shrines.

They were also the proper Daoist deities connected to orthodox Daoist traditions. When needed, temples with genuine Daoist lineage and the ability to summon deities could establish contact with them and request their presence.

But what about all the other deities?

For that, there was the

Divine Register

, a comprehensive catalog of deities.

It recorded all the deities of the Heavenly Palace, large and small, with their titles and divine duties. Under the directives of Daoist ancestral temples and the Sacrificial Department of the Ministry of Rites, which oversees religious ceremonies, it was updated regularly.

If worshippers could not find the deity they wished to pray to in the temple, they could consult the

Divine Register

, locate the deity, turn to the corresponding page, set up an altar, and perform the same ritual there.

Song You slowly turned the pages, examining each entry.

The register included illustrations of some deities, while others were represented only by their names, brief biographies, and descriptions of their divine responsibilities.

As the morning progressed, more and more worshippers arrived at the temple.

Most visitors headed to the left shrine to worship the Thunder God. Some also stopped by the main hall to pay their respects to the primary deities out of reverence, though they clearly didn’t linger long.

The scent of incense wafted into Song You’s nose as he continued to read.

The sincere prayers of the worshippers seemed to transform into soft murmurs, blending with the scent of incense as both drifted toward Song You.

“Thunder God, you’ve manifested...”

“I’m traveling to Jingzhou for business. Please, Thunder God, keep me safe from demons along the way...”

“Great Emperor Chijin, please bless my child with a speedy recovery...”

Many appeared to be fulfilling past vows, while others prayed for safety or recovery from illness.

In this era, worshippers were quite deliberate in choosing which deities to honor. Likely because the gods were real, people knew precisely which deity governed which domain. If a matter fell under a particular god’s purview, they would specifically seek that god.

Consequently, many deities—or the temples themselves—began adding divine responsibilities to the gods’ roles, whether genuinely theirs or not, in order to attract more worshippers and offerings.

But what if no relevant deity could be found?

Most people would then turn to worship the primary deities.

For example, Qingxiao Temple didn’t have a deity specifically responsible for illnesses. It only had gods overseeing blessings and misfortunes. So, those seeking health and healing turned to the central figure, the Great Emperor Chijin.

Song You maintained a calm expression as he continued flipping through the

Divine Register

.

“Immortal Elder He: Surname He, given name Fa, courtesy name Xinlai. Originally a celestial star of the northern heavens, he descended to earth and rose to the rank of Prime Minister of Great Yan. Throughout his career, he was upright, frugal, and compassionate, caring for the people as his children and aiding the world.

“After completing his virtuous life, he ascended to the celestial ranks, becoming the Immortal Elder of Northern Prosperity, overseeing human fortune.”

So, this was the legendary Prime Minister He.

The notion of a celestial star descending to save the world and ascending back to the heavens after death was, of course, fabrication—meant to fool the people. However, the fact that Minister He had been deified was true.

But why was he called “Immortal Elder?”

It wasn’t because he was an immortal rather than a god, but rather because he lacked any specific divine authority or duties. His role

of overseeing human fortune was more of a ceremonial designation—essentially meaningless and offering little benefit to those who worshipped him.

Rustle...

Song You turned another page in the

Divine Register

.

Meanwhile, more and more people were gathering in the courtyard near the Thunder God shrine. The crowd had grown so dense that it was becoming packed, and yet worshippers continued to arrive in a steady stream. This unusual activity inevitably drew Song You’s attention.