Volume 2: Ren Ping Sheng Chapter 107: Winter Thunder

  (I'm too excited, the first alliance of Chat Room is finally born, crazy and touching... Hmm, monthly votes exceeded 500, three updates tomorrow to serve you, and probably three updates the day after tomorrow as well. Let's celebrate as the leader of this alliance for now!)

  Jinshan Temple, Dawn Monk...

  As for Jinshan Temple, Chen Jianchen had heard of it after entering Suzhou City. It is an ancient temple built on the lower reaches of the Suzhou River, nestled in a bay, surrounded by mountains and water, covering hundreds of hectares, extremely grand, and one of the Ten Scenic Spots of Suzhou. Despite being a Buddhist temple, Jinshan Temple was not affected by the imperial court's anti-Buddhist actions over the years, but instead became even more prosperous, suggesting that there must be something unique about it.

  Chen Jianchen suddenly thought that the Taoist school has three major factions: Mount Tai, Kunlun, and Shu Mountain. Shouldn't Buddhism also have its own? Could it be this Jinshan Temple?

  But to get back to the point, what's the story behind Zhengming Emperor organizing this Dharma meeting and specially inviting many monks from India? The roots of Buddhism are deep and far-reaching, but in the end, they all originated from India. However, after the Jinshan Temple lineage entered Central Plains, after many years of preaching, there should have been many changes, whether in form or content...

  This encounter with Monk Fajiao, Chen Jianchen immediately knew that his method was profound, but he didn't know how deep it was. His acquaintance with Qingyun Daochang made him understand many concepts and common sense related to Taoism, but as for Buddhism, he didn't know much.

  Or go to Jinshan Temple?

  Judging from the attitude of Monk Huiyuan just now, the other party did not have any malicious intentions and even left a message to invite himself over for a chat.

  The thought was spinning in his mind, Chen Jianchen had returned to the inn where Wang Fu was staying, but saw that the Huangfu family's carriage was still parked in its original location and hadn't left.

  "Hello, you're back."

  Chefu Ma Liu saw him and hastily inquired after his well-being.

  Then Xiaojie walked out of the carriage and said, "Sir, the young lady wants to see you."

  Chen Jianchen nodded, lifted the curtain of the carriage, and stepped inside. He saw that Jiao Na was sitting quietly with her head down, not moving at all. After ordering Ma Liu to drive the carriage out of the city, Chen Jianchen fell silent, sat down against the cushion, and closed his eyes slightly to rest.

  In the bustling streets, he and Chen's confrontation was invisible but substantial. Although it was just a probing attack, it had already caused great damage to Chen Jianchen's spirit, and he needed to rest for two or three days to recover.

  A moment of inexpressible silence...

  "Sir, why don't you scold me?"

  After who knows how long, Joana finally mustered up the courage and asked aloud.

  Chen Jianchen snorted: "Is scolding you of any use?"

  "Sir, didn't you already know my and Father's true identities?"

  "Not bad."

  At this point, there is no need for any disguise anymore.

  Jianna's whole body shook, she lifted her head and looked at Chen Jianchen with a hint of curiosity: "Why isn't that gentleman afraid?"

  Chen Jianchen laughed: "A scholar should be upright, bright and clear-headed, able to understand reason, communicate emotions, and distinguish right from wrong. Therefore, in my eyes, whether it's a human or a demon, they're all the same. The only difference lies in the thought of good and evil."

  He said this with an air of openness and innocence, as if he were stating a universal truth that would resonate loudly.

  Wow!

  The girl opposite, Juan, suddenly burst out crying and flung herself into Chen Jianchen's arms. Tears flowed profusely, instantly soaking Chen Jianchen's clothes.

  She cried so loudly that Little Chrysanthemum, who was sitting outside, heard the commotion and thought the master was beating the young lady. This master is really cruel, if he really laid hands on her, wouldn't he have beaten her to a pulp?

  However, Xiaojie had previously received Jiana's orders and was not allowed to enter the carriage no matter what happened. Miss always got her way, so she didn't dare disobey and could only hold back.

  Looking at the crying Jiona, Chen Jianchen let out a sigh: This fox spirit is actually just a mischievous child, after causing trouble she extremely yearns for a solid and warm dependence...... Or perhaps, her previous problem of driving away eight masters was not that she didn't love learning, but that it was too boring.

  People often do all sorts of unreasonable things when they are bored, let alone a fox spirit. Causing chaos and turmoil, making the family restless, perhaps just looking for some entertainment.

  "Alright, Princess Huangfu, if you keep crying like this and are seen by Officer Huangfu, he'll think I've bullied you."

  Jiona still had her head down and said: "You bullied me!"

  Chen Jianchen was taken aback and couldn't help but laugh. He said, "If you keep crying like that, your eyes will swell up like two peaches, and that would be ugly."

  As expected, this sentence was effective. Joana's crying suddenly stopped, and she looked up to see that Chen Jianchen's chest was wet with her own tears, and she couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed, her face slightly red.

  Chen Jianchen shook his head and sighed, muttering: "No wonder those gentlemen before all resigned on their own initiative. It's not easy being Miss's teacher, having to teach and also be a nanny."

  Jonna rarely showed a hint of embarrassment and said, "Where is it?"

  Chen Jianchen smiled slightly, but didn't want to dwell on this topic any further. He changed the subject and asked: "Miss Huangfu, you've been living in the mortal world for many years now, haven't you?"

  Jianna's eyes widened and she suddenly became alert: "What are you asking these for?"

  "Just wanted to understand."

  Jianna said: "But I still don't understand you, that night, you broke my spell...hmm, Mr. bookworm, how did you have such skills?"

  Chen Jianchen said with a proud smile, "You underestimate the scholars of the world. The Master said, 'I cultivate my grand and upright qi.' Scholars only need to have a firm mind, strong will, and they can resist all evil influences. What can petty tricks do to me?"

  Regarding the existence of "Sanli Zhen Zhang", it is a secret that he keeps to himself, like a treasure chest. Generally, he doesn't want to share it with others, nor does he see the need to do so. It's worth noting that in the Tian Tong dynasty, scholars' claims about cultivating positive energy are more convincing - even if for many years, people have only heard of it but never seen it.

  Righteousness?

  Jiao Na was taken aback, and she had heard her father mention this concept before. Huangfu Wai had mentioned the idea of "zheng qi" when he was teaching Chun Chun. However, at that time, Jiao Na didn't think much of it, thinking it was just a vague and intangible existence, a virtual concept similar to "conscience", which couldn't be seen or touched, let alone having any actual power. But the manifestation on Chen Jian's body was completely different, able to transform his qi into a sword, with a powerful and majestic sword aura, quite formidable.

  Is Mr. lying?

  This is the true orthodox transformation!

  In an instant, Jiao Na had already made up her mind: the recent events had suddenly disrupted her originally dull life, especially the monk she met on the street before, who gave her a feeling of being suffocated. Jiao Na didn't need to doubt that if Chen Jianchen hadn't appeared in time, she would have been taken by the monk for sure.

  Exorcising demons and eliminating evil spirits is originally the duty of monks and Taoist priests, just like how cats are born to catch mice.

  Jianna used to think that she had achieved great things in her cultivation, condensing the golden elixir and being able to transform into a spirit. She thought that from then on, everything would be easy and carefree. But today, after sneaking out to play, she suddenly realized that there were still greater heavens beyond her own, and people more powerful than herself. In front of true masters who had attained the Tao, she was weak and helpless.

  No wonder Dad never wanted me to go out...

  It wasn't until today that Joana suddenly realized her father's good intentions and began to understand why she had to read books by herself.

  Reading can enlighten one's mind and inspire wisdom!

  I thought that being useless in everything was a characteristic of scholars, but it turns out to be a case of generalizing from the particular. Take the master, for example: his every move, his words and actions, are completely different from those of ordinary scholars and literati; he has a unique air of confidence and grandeur about him.

  Is this the real reason he can condense his aura?

  At that moment, Jiao Na had a hundred thoughts, but there were still many things she didn't understand. She didn't care anymore, anyway Chen Jianchen saved her life today, which proved that he didn't have malicious intentions; as for everything else, she would report back to her father tonight and let him make the decision.

  The horse carriage was galloping, Chen Jianchen had left the compartment and gone outside, while Xiang Xiaojie went in to attend to Miss.

  Xiao Ju immediately asked angrily, "Miss, did the master really hit you?" She looked around and didn't see the ruler, suddenly thinking that Chen Jianchen might have used his hand to hit her, which was unacceptable.

  But Joana calmly replied: "The master didn't hit me!"

  Xiao Ju stared blankly: "Why was that girl crying so loudly just now?"

  Joanna pouted: "I like to cry, so I'll just cry."

  Xiao Ju cried and laughed at the same time, only then remembering that her own young lady's temper was as unpredictable as the weather in March.

  Sitting outside, Chen Jianchen didn't hold a book to read, but instead chatted idly with Ma Liu. In the course of their conversation, Ma Liu mentioned that he had inquired about the reason why Li Da Guanren posted the notice, and it turned out that recently his family had invited a Taoist priest with great magical powers into their home. This Taoist priest's origins were unknown, but he was said to be the Heavenly Master from Mount Longhu, called "Zhang Tian Shi", who could summon wind and rain, turn beans into soldiers, and vanquish demons and evil spirits with just one sword strike.

  "What? Zhang Tian Shi?"

  Chen Jianchen was taken aback, and after a moment's thought, he suddenly remembered that there was such a Zhang Tian Shi in Jiangzhou. At that time, Wu Wencai had invited him to perform magic to deal with Chen Jianchen himself. Later, his magic was broken, the action failed, and he packed up his belongings and fled overnight, disappearing without a trace.

  At that time, a wooden plaque with a yaksha pattern left at the scene was still placed in Chen Jianchen's bookcase.

  Is there any connection between Zhang Tianshi and this Zhang Tianshi?

  Things won't be so coincidental...

  Rumble!

  It was as if a thunderbolt had struck on a clear day, a deafening crash that shook the earth and mountains, leaving everyone stunned and pale.

  Chen Jianchen suddenly raised his head and saw that the originally clear sky had suddenly turned dark with thick clouds gathering from all directions, covering the sky and falling down, as if it was about to press down on people's hearts, giving off a suffocating feeling that made one want to go mad.

  A thunderstorm in cold winter is indeed a rare occurrence!