txolops 010. Sun Qiong's Opera Zen Temple
010. Sun Qiong's Opera Zen Temple
When Sun Qiong arrived near the Guanyin Temple, it was already evening.
With the supernatural power of flying through the clouds, the journey that would take several months for the pilgrims was only half a day for Sun Qiong.
"However, compared to the Somersault Cloud that travels 108,000 li, riding the clouds is indeed a bit slower."
Despite saying that, Sun Qiong wasn't particularly envious of Wukong's somersault cloud.
The Somersault Cloud isn't a supernatural power at all; it's more like a magical artifact.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have been unable to escape from the Buddha's palm.
"Unless there is a somersault cloud that cannot be controlled by others."
Sun Qiong shook her head, not holding out much hope.
Soon, the Six-Eared Macaque descended from the clouds and stepped onto solid ground.
This is now the Guanyin Zen Temple.
However, Sun Qiong did not rush in. Instead, she stopped outside the mountain gate and carefully examined the area.
After practicing the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts, Sun Qiong gained new insights into the Qi of heaven and earth.
The auspicious light and mist enveloping the Guanyin Temple were truly magnificent, with countless colorful clouds obscuring the view and thousands of vibrant red mists swirling around it.
At first glance, it is truly extraordinary.
Although praying to gods and Buddhas is of little use, one still needs faith and aspirations, even among all the gods and Buddhas in the world.
To avoid attracting the attention of Guanyin Bodhisattva, Sun Qiong decided to abandon the idea of taking action inside the Guanyin Temple and instead find an opportunity to lure the people inside out.
Having already made up his mind, Sun Qiong transformed himself into a wandering monk, tucked the Ruyi Qiankun Bag into his waistband, held a beautiful jade in his palm, put on a fake kasaya, and headed towards the Guanyin Temple.
This acquired spiritual treasure, the fake kasaya, although it has the word "fake" added to the front.
But in terms of appearance alone, this thing is exactly the same as the cassock that Tang Sanzang wore, which came from the Buddha.
Wearing this thing, Sun Qiong felt like she was radiating an aura of Zen that drew attention.
Turning their gaze to the temple, although this place was in Xiniuhezhou, there were quite a few people there.
At the foot of the mountain lies a small village, bustling with people coming and going.
Sun Qiong stepped forward, took out a bowl, and entered the village.
The villagers weren't surprised to see Sun Qiong; instead, they greeted him with their hands clasped together.
"Where does the abbot come from?"
"From the Great Tang Dynasty in the East."
Sun Qiong turned around and replied to the voice coming from behind her.
The newcomer was an elderly man over forty years old, followed by several burly servants who stared at Sun Qiong with hostile eyes.
Seeing Sun Qiong turn around, the old man looked him up and down, recognizing him as a completely unfamiliar monk, before smiling and saying:
"Is the abbot going to Guanyin Temple?"
"Just as you said, I have long admired the Guanyin Temple and was planning to visit it."
Upon hearing this, the old man looked up at the sky, then laughed and said:
"It's getting late, and the temple must be closed. Why don't you stay at my house for the night, and tomorrow morning we can visit the Guanyin Temple together? What do you say?"
Sun Qiong did not reject this suggestion.
The old man clearly had a close relationship with the temple above, and the reason he was being stopped was probably because of the robe he was wearing.
"I dare not refuse the invitation from the elder."
Sun Qiong followed the old man into the small village.
During their conversation, Sun Qiong learned that the old man's surname was Li, that he was quite respected in the area, and that he was a major pilgrim of the Guanyin Temple.
Through his words, Sun Qiong gained a new understanding of the Guanyin Temple.
Guanyin Temple, the only temple in this area of several hundred years, has a history of several hundred years.
The earliest inhabitants were people who fled from the east and mingled with the local monks.
Because no one was in charge of the area, and these people were all fierce, they actually managed to build a temple in this place.
As time has passed, Guanyin Temple has not only not disappeared with the passing of a generation, but has become even stronger.
"Venerable Sun Qiong, how does this Guanyin Temple compare to your Great Tang Dynasty?"
"Our Great Tang Dynasty has its own unique customs and traditions, and this place is also quite special. How can it be compared to this?"
Sun Qiong shook her head.
He had only been in this world for a short time and had never been to the Tang Dynasty, so he had no idea what the Tang Dynasty in this world was like.
However, no matter what, Guanyin Temple is far inferior to the Tang Dynasty.
How can the moon reflected in water be compared to the moon in the sky?
"In that case, Master, please rest here for the night. After breakfast tomorrow, you can come with me."
After saying this, several servants led Sun Qiong into the manor.
After dinner, Sun Qiong returned to her room and glanced around.
A group of servants were walking around the house.
It's obvious without even thinking that they're monitoring Sun Qiong.
Not to mention...
"The sleeping pills in dinner weren't strong enough."
Sun Qiong clutched her stomach.
With the Eight or Nine Arcane Arts within him, this level of sleeping potion is completely useless.
However, he probably knew why he was being targeted.
The fake robe draped over his body was too conspicuous, and he was alone.
The original intention was to seduce the old academy master, but it ended up attracting an unexpected person.
But the plan remains unchanged, and the things to be done next are also unchanged.
Soon, a thud was heard from inside the room; someone had fallen onto the bed.
The servants guarding the door were immediately overjoyed and rushed into the room where the master of the house was:
"Sir, that man has fainted."
"Alright! Alright! Don't touch it, all of you. Such a fine robe shouldn't be touched by your dirty hands. I'll do it myself."
Master Li laughed heartily.
He stood up, took a knife from a servant, and led the remaining servants toward Sun Qiong's room.
Standing before the young monk, Master Li impatiently reached out and grabbed the cassock.
Even in his eyes, this was a truly unique item.
He even conceived the idea of keeping this robe for himself.
Stab it!
The instant my palm touched the robe, a sharp pain, accompanied by flashes of golden light, exploded before my eyes.
"what!"
With a scream, Master Li was sent flying backward and crashed heavily to the ground.
The servants were shocked and quickly helped the old master up.
But Master Li pushed the crowd aside, his face showing fanaticism:
"A divine object! It must be a divine object."
A robe that can automatically protect itself is unheard of.
But now that he has seen it for himself, Master Li is even more unwilling to give up the cassock.
And so, the group of people busied themselves in the room all night, but still couldn't do anything about the monk lying on the bed.
"What should we do?"
The servants looked at Master Li.
At this moment, after experiencing ecstasy, scratching his head in frustration, and then raging incompetence, Master Li stepped over the mess and took a deep breath:
"There's no other way, we can only turn to that old codger at the Guanyin Temple."
Looking at the cassock, Master Li's face was filled with reluctance.
But they can't kill Sun Qiong now, and once he wakes up and tries to escape, they probably won't be able to stop him.
Since that's the case, it's better to offer the robe to that old man upstairs and exchange it for something else.
Furthermore, this monk should have other valuable items on him; the jade alone would be enough to buy the entire Li Family Village.
"That old thing has lived for over two hundred years, so he has quite a few tricks up his sleeve."
Master Li shook his head, gesturing for his servants to follow him up the mountain.
Soon, Master Li arrived at the manor with all the martial monks from the temple.
The monks gathered together and made way for each other.
An old monk, supported by a young boy, walked step by step into the room.
Upon seeing this robe, the old monk's face, as bark as a century-old tree, was filled with ecstatic joy.
He pushed the two boys away with all his might, dragged himself to the bedside, and shakily reached out his hand to gently press it on the robe.
"Beautiful robe, beautiful robe."
"A thousand ingenious pearls fall, ten thousand rare Buddhist treasures are gathered. Dragon whiskers are spread with colorful brocade, and the four sides of the robe are edged with brocade."
As soon as the poem was finished, the old monk reached out and grabbed it, and suddenly a strong wind arose, and everyone in the room covered their faces and eyes.
When the wind subsided, everyone lowered their arms and saw an old monk wearing a kasaya, his hands clasped together, looking like a god or Buddha.
However, the unconscious monk on the bed had disappeared.