Chapter 633: Borrowing From the Spirit Spring at Fuyun Temple

The small mountain was quite steep, covered in lush green trees. At its base stretched a long stone staircase leading directly to the temple gate.

The entire mountain

was

the temple, and the entire temple

was

the mountain. The Daoist temple was built upward along the slope, with each courtyard sitting higher than the last. At the very top stood the temple’s central hall. From a distance, one could see the layered courtyards stacked above one another, bold in layout rather than reserved, yet the greenery throughout lent it an air of elegance and serenity.

It was still early, and some worshippers were already climbing the mountain.

Song You led his horse and followed the pilgrims up the stairs. At the entrance hung a plaque bearing two bold words, “

Fuyun Temple

.”

On either side, a familiar couplet was inscribed:

Heart like drifting clouds, always free;

Intent like flowing water, moving east and west.

Song You looked up at the couplet, then stepped forward with the pilgrims—one foot inside, one foot still outside. He leaned in and peered at the Daoists within the courtyard, tapping lightly on the temple gate.

This was the outermost and largest courtyard. Only two young Daoist novices were sweeping inside. At the center stood a massive ancient tree, lush with dense summer foliage. Its green canopy offered deep shade and cast scattered, brilliant patches of sunlight on the ground. Just standing in that interplay of light and shadow, one could savor the full taste of midsummer.

Knock knock...

The young novices heard the sound and paused their sweeping, turning their heads with some confusion.

When they saw a fellow Daoist, their confusion visibly deepened, but one of them still set down his broom and approached with a polite bow.

“Peace and compassion to you, Daoist Master.”

“Greetings, fellow Daoist.”

Song You stepped back outside the gate and returned the bow with a gentle smile.

The young novice furrowed his brow slightly. Song You didn’t seem much older than himself, yet he had called him

Daoist Master

. But the other man had responded more casually with

fellow Daoist,

which was a lesser courtesy. Though he wasn’t offended, his impression did dim a little. Still, he asked politely, “You look unfamiliar, Daoist Master. May I ask who you’re here to see?”

“I am Song You from Yizhou,” he replied. “I wonder if fellow Daoist Beishan is currently at the temple?”

“The temple owner?”

The novice blinked in surprise, hearing him refer to the temple master as

fellow Daoist

. He scratched his head, unsure where this guest came from, then said, “The world’s been restless lately. Our temple owner is often out subduing demons. Just a few days ago, he was summoned by the magistrate of Tao Commandery. He’s not currently at the temple... You know our temple owner?”

“I visited him many years ago.”

“Many years ago? May I ask for your Daoist name and your master’s title? I’ll go report to the other senior masters inside.”

“This humble one doesn't have a Daoist name for now. I’m just Song You,” he said with a respectful bow. “I came here eleven years ago. When you go in to report, just say Song You. We may have even shared a meal together back then with your senior uncles or senior brothers.”

“No Daoist name?” The novice grew even more puzzled.

He referred to himself as

“this humble one

”, not

“this poor Daoist

”, wore a Daoist robe but had no Daoist title, looked young, yet claimed he had been here eleven years ago and dined with the senior Daoists of the temple. It was truly odd.

Fortunately, Fuyun Temple was one of the most respected Daoist temples in the land when it came to cultivation and tradition. The young Daoist merely gave Song You a few more curious glances and didn’t press further. Just then, the other young Daoist who had been sweeping walked over, so the first one asked him to go inside and report the visitor, while he stayed behind to host Song You.

“Daoist Master, you’ve come from far away, and you’re a guest. Please, come inside.”

“Thank you.”

Only then did the Daoist step into the temple.

Behind him, a three-colored shadow leapt over the threshold, which was taller than her, and landed lightly in the courtyard. Only then did the young Daoist notice: it was a calico cat.

The jujube-red horse followed shortly after, stepping calmly into the temple as well.

“Daoist Master, won’t your horse run around?”

“It won’t, rest assured.”

“That’s good. I was worried it might startle the worshippers.”

“It’s very well-behaved.”

As Song You answered, he looked ahead.

The temple courtyard was paved with green stone slabs, very flat and clean. It was swept thoroughly by the two young Daoists. It was midsummer, and the ancient tree hadn’t yet begun shedding leaves, so the ground was naturally tidy.

What caught Song You’s eye was this ancient tree.

At this moment, it looked full of life, lush with green leaves. Countless bird nests filled its branches, and birds chirped nonstop; it bore no trace of the dead tree it once had been.

𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

“This tree is the guardian tree of our temple,” said the young Daoist with a smile, clearly proud. “It was planted by the very first founding owner of the temple when it was first established. Did anyone mention it during your last visit?”

“No, I hadn’t heard of it.”

“Actually, this tree suffered a disaster a few years back,” the young Daoist continued cheerfully, shaking his head with a storyteller’s flair, clearly retelling something a senior had once told him. “Several years ago, for reasons unknown, perhaps just due to old age, it suddenly withered and died. Everyone in the temple was heartbroken. Just then, a Daoist master from afar happened to visit. His cultivation was extraordinary, his techniques divine. It’s said he brought the dead tree back to life...”

As he spoke, he glanced at the Daoist in front of him, his eyes sparkling. Only to find that the Daoist was already looking at him with a gentle smile on his face.

“They say that Daoist master was a wandering cultivator, traveling the world with nothing but a horse and a...”

The young Daoist suddenly froze mid-sentence. Then slowly turned his head to look at the man before him and at the calico cat beside him.

The Daoist smiled and met his gaze. The cat sat obediently at the Daoist’s feet and was very well-behaved, but with its head held high. It was also staring up at him.

“...”

Behind them came a burst of disorderly footsteps.

The young Daoist turned his head and saw that, aside from the temple owner and a few senior Daoists who had gone out to subdue demons and monsters, every Daoist in the temple with any standing had come out, all looking toward the man standing before them.

“Daoist Master Song! It's been many years!”

“Daoist Masters, I hope you’ve all been well.”

“...” The assembled Daoists met his gaze, their faces full of emotion. “Over the past decade or so, most of us have aged noticeably, yet Daoist Master Song, you haven’t changed a bit.”

“It’s only temporary. When the time comes, aging takes just a few years.”

“Master has taken two of his junior disciples out to deal with zombies in the capital of Jingzhou,” said the Daoist at the front. “They likely won’t be back for a few more days. Please, Daoist Master Song, stay at our temple for a while, and treat it as your own.”

“That sounds good.”

“Daoist Master, how long have you been waiting outside? We hope we didn’t neglect you.”

“I just arrived. This young Daoist here was very courteous, showed me around the courtyard to enjoy the shade and admire the tree. Not long after, all of you came out.”

“...”

And so, Song You stayed at Fuyun Temple.

Though Fuyun Temple didn’t have the national renown of Mount Zhen, it was even more well-known locally. In these turbulent times, the temple had become a refuge for many. People came to burn incense, seek divine protection, or request talismans for safety. When trouble with demons or monsters arose, they would call on the Daoists here for help.

Occasionally, even Daoists from Mount Zhen would visit to consult the temple’s masters, who possessed ancient lineages and powerful techniques.

By day, the temple was bustling. But by night, it was peaceful.

Song You waited there for half a month before Daoist Beishan finally returned.

As soon as he got back and heard that Song You had arrived, he immediately came to his room to see him.

“Daoist Master Song! Are you well?” Daoist Beishan hadn’t changed much from before; he was nowhere near the visible toll eleven years usually left on ordinary men.

“Greetings, fellow Daoist.”

“When we last parted, the world was still at peace. Who would’ve thought that upon our reunion, everything would be so different? I still remember us talking in the main hall back then, discussing the State Preceptor’s State Preceptor and matters of the Underworld. And now the State Preceptor is dead, and the ghost city of Fengzhou has risen... What a transformation.”

“When you put it that way... it truly is so.”

“Back when we first met, you had just descended the mountain and traveled through four prefectures. Now, having returned again, you've probably traversed the entire realm of Great Yan, haven't you?”

“I’ve made a rough circuit of it.”

“Since we parted at Fuyun Temple, it’s already been ten years like flowing water.”

“More than eleven years, actually.”

“Eleven years...” Daoist Beishan shook his head, full of sighs and emotion. Though not yet old in years, his heart already felt wearied. “Now, tales of you echo throughout the land. Even though I’ve stayed tucked away here in Jingzhou, your name rings in my ears like thunder.”

“It’s mostly hollow reputation, it won't last long.”

“Fellow Daoist, you are truly magnanimous.”

“You flatter me.”

“This is... Lady Calico?” Daoist Beishan looked down at the cat, recalling for a moment before remembering her name.

“

Meow

!” The cat raised her head and stared directly at him.

She vaguely remembered that, when they first met, it was she who encountered this Daoist first, and that he had mistaken her for a troublesome mountain spirit, even trying to trap her with the Halting Wind spell.

Of course, that was many years ago now.

“And the one on the rooftop...” Daoist Beishan raised his head again. Even with a layer of roof tiles between them, he could sense the presence of the swallow above and detect that it was no ordinary bird. “This swallow fellow Daoist has impressive cultivation, no trace of evil qi, and faintly carries a divine aura. Could it be a descendant of the Swallow Immortal of Anqing?”

“You have sharp senses and excellent insight, fellow Daoist.”

“Haha! That old Swallow Immortal of Anqing is quite something nowadays!” Daoist Beishan squinted his eyes, as perceptive as ever. He looked to Song You and said, “That elder Swallow Immortal lingered in Anqing for years, seeking the Divine Dao through incense offerings but failing to succeed. Now that he has become a proper god, his incense offerings flourish far and wide. I had been wondering how that came to be. Seems you had a hand in it.”

“I merely played a trivial role.”

“Your 'trivial role' may well have been a second life for the old Swallow Immortal!”

The two chatted idly in the room for a while. Feeling the room too cramped, they stepped out into the courtyard for a longer conversation, enjoying the evening breeze, the moonlight filtering through the trees.

They spoke of the ghost city in Fengzhou, of the State Preceptor’s quest for immortality, of the underworld and its workings, of the increasingly corrupted and restrictive celestial bureaucracy, of the great demons of the north, of Duke of Thunder Zhou, who had recently been promoted and now received more incense offerings than ever, and of the affairs of the world. They also spoke of the young emperor, who was unable to command loyalty and swayed easily by whispers.

Daoist Beishan, though secluded in one prefecture, lived freely and carefreely. By staying out of worldly affairs, he was untouched by the court's influence. Seeking neither incense nor divinity, he only valued freedom in life, and thus had no concern for what the Heavenly Palace thought.

Chatting with him was very relaxing. When night fell, it was time for another evening banquet.

It was still a meal served individually. There were roasted green moss sheets that tasted like seaweed snacks, whole lotus pods from which one could pick out the seeds and eat them like snacks, crisp and sweet tender lotus roots about the size of a finger and both stir-fried and batter-fried lotus leaves, apparently a regular delicacy at Fuyun Temple.

As usual, a fish was prepared for Lady Calico.

But unlike in the past, when Lady Calico would eat almost nothing but fish and sometimes lamb or cured meats, but never touching vegetables, now she sampled a bit of everything. When she encountered something with a unique texture, she’d eat a few extra bites. If she found something she liked, she’d eat like any normal child, nonstop.

She particularly liked the lotus seeds, crunching on them with a crisp

crunch

sound.

When the banquet was over, most of the Daoists had already gotten up to leave. Most of the food was cleared away too, leaving only wine and lotus pods. Moonlight streamed into the hall.

Only then did Song You speak directly to Daoist Beishan. “To be frank, I came this time because I have a request.”

“What is it?”

“I wish to ask you for something.”

“Something?”

Bathed in candlelight and moonlight, Daoist Beishan leaned forward from the host’s seat. His face was tinged with alcohol, a few more wrinkles than years past, and he smiled faintly. “Let me guess, you’ve come for the Four Seasons Spring, haven’t you?”

“fellow Daoist, your foresight is uncanny.”

“Let me guess again... Could this be related to the Underworld?”

“How did you know?”

“With your divine abilities and profound cultivation, what else could this temple possibly have that would make you come all this way to ask?” Beishan raised his head and drank. Wine trickled down his throat.

After draining a large mouthful, he lowered his gaze again and said to Song You, “More than ten years ago, someone once came to spy on the Four Seasons Spring. I suspected it was the work of that State Preceptor. Poor Changyuanzi, he was cunning and adept at calculations, but lacked the talent for real spellcraft, so of course he was detected by me.”

Daoist Beishan paused for a moment. “Thinking back now, that State Preceptor must’ve sought the Four Seasons Spring for the sake of Fengzhou’s Ghost City or the Underworld. I suppose he died by your hand?”

“You could say that.”

“‘Could say’?”

“He died of greed and obsession.”

“Hah!” Daoist Beishan nodded and continued, “So it seems you’ve taken up the State Preceptor’s work, and that’s why you’ve come here, to request the liquid from the Four Seasons Spring?”

“I intend to consolidate the Underworld, to gather the wandering ghosts. I’ve already obtained the Five-Elements Earths of the Five Directions, and only the Four Seasons Spring remains,” Song You replied honestly. “So I’ve come specially to visit you, fellow Daoist.”

“I did once suspect that the State Preceptor might send someone to take the Four Seasons Spring. I even wondered how he might try to obtain it, and how he knew the spring was in my possession. After his death, I thought others might come for it. The day my apprentice let something slip, I suspected it might be you, Daoist Song. Haha, sure enough, it is you.”

“What do you think, fellow Daoist?”

“Since you are an old friend, and since your cause is just, there’s no reason for me to refuse,” said Daoist Beishan. “But I must warn you, the Four Seasons Spring is not easily drawn from. It is a supreme treasure of Heaven and Earth, and such treasures are always difficult to handle. The water from the Four Seasons Spring loses its spiritual resonance quickly once removed from the pool. Even great sages of ancient times had no way to preserve it.”

“I have my own method.”

“Haha, I’ve drunk a bit too much and nearly forgot that you’re one of the rare cultivators in this world who practices the Four Seasons Rotation Method,” Beishan laughed heartily. “But even if you do cultivate the Four Seasons Rotation Method and have succeeded in it, if you can preserve the spring’s spiritual nature once removed, how much can you take?”

“I’ll try first and see.”

“Very well, take as much as you can!”

“Truly, as much as I can?”

“Take however much you’re capable of, it all depends on your skill,” Daoist Beishan was somewhat tipsy, and his words were straightforward and free of hesitation.