Chapter 17: Seeking Oracle in the Temple

  Arriving at the Fa Lian Temple, it was almost noon. Fortunately, it was early spring and the air was filled with the fragrance of mud and the scent of incense from the temple, which was very comfortable to smell.

  In his past life, Yun Qi didn't believe in Buddhism, but he didn't reject Buddhist culture either. As a soldier, he wasn't allowed to have any beliefs, only believing in the country and being loyal to it. However, his own mother was a devout Buddhist fan. The temple reflected in the green forest, with its apricot-yellow walls, dark grey roof ridge, and towering ancient trees, paired with the golden glazed tiles, appeared solemn yet serene.

  The Lotus Temple is very famous within the southern borders, and an old monk lives inside. It's said that he wandered the four seas and hung his sword here, and has been cultivating for a long time. The old monk's Dharma name is: Master Zhishang, who often sits in meditation in the Chan room at the back of the temple. It's heard that Master Zhishang is over 100 years old, after the previous abbot passed away, the old monk never left the Chan room again, and every day he doesn't eat or drink. If it weren't for the small monks who sweep the courtyard daily hearing the Buddhist scriptures being recited from the Chan room, they would have thought that the old monk had also passed away.

  Because of this, Master Zhi Shang's reputation spread far and wide, and people came to burn incense in droves, praying for the Bodhisattva's protection and blessings. The temple's income from incense sales also increased day by day. Seeing this, the abbot ordered that the back courtyard be closed off to visitors, fearing that they would disturb the old monk's meditation and Buddhist practice. If one day the old monk were to pass away, the expenses of the hundred or so monks in the temple would decrease, which is why he was also known as a living Buddha.

  All of this was learned by Yun Qi from Yang Wenjin's introduction. Since Yang Wenjin knew about Yun Qi's talents, she had a mysterious curiosity towards this servant, so her attitude changed from the usual, and her tone became softer and less cold.

  Circumambulating the incense case, entering the great hall, inside the hall incense smoke is swirling, an endless stream of worshippers hurry to this place, they join their hands together, raise them over their chest, forehead, and head, then press them flat on the meditation cushions. Every day is like this, resulting in those meditation cushions being pressed down in the middle. After worshipping, the most important thing is to draw a divination lot, next to which an old monk interprets the lots, according to Yang Wenqin Fa Lian Temple's lots are quite efficacious, and generally speaking people who come here to draw lots can be divided into three kinds: one is seeking marriage, among whom mostly are girls waiting for a husband, second is seeking wealth, whether local merchants or traveling businessmen will spend several silver coins to come here to divine their financial luck, if the interpretation sounds good they are also willing to offer more incense money. Third is seeking official success, some students who have just participated in the imperial examination will come here before the results are announced to calculate a hanging (divination lot), seeking peace of mind.

  Yun Qi listened to a lot, but in his heart he didn't think so. What do temples rely on to make money? It's you believers, as long as you say some good words, you can get some incense money, it's a million times profitable! So he turned his head close to Yang Wenxin's ear and whispered: "Do you believe that the sign tube is all good signs."

  "Shut up, this is a Buddhist sanctuary and you are not allowed to speak nonsense." Yang Wenjin said in a low voice.

  It was originally a good intention to remind, but it brought a pair of white eyes, and Yun Qi immediately shut up and stopped talking.

  It's finally their turn, Yun Qi didn't want to participate at first, but Yang Wenjing said: You are also a member of the Yang family, since you came, if you don't kowtow, it means disrespect to Buddha, and if Buddha blames us, it will also affect the fortune of the Yang family.

  It's not that Qīn Zǐ doesn't want to join in, the main reason is that last time it cost one silver coin for incense, and previously I secretly asked Yang Wénqī if it would be reimbursed. Who knew that clever girl would say with a straight face that this was about being devout when burning incense, so naturally I had to pay out of my own pocket. Suddenly, one-third of my salary was gone, and my heart ached.

  Anyway, the money has already been spent, Yun Qi also sincerely offered incense and kowtowed, silently reciting in his mouth: I beg the Buddha to bless me with several beautiful wives, and then bless me with a rolling fortune, and then bless...

  Next is to draw a divination slip. Drawing and interpreting the slip are free, but in reality, it's included in the one cent silver coin for burning incense, so you can't get something for nothing.

  Imitating Yang Wenchun's manner, he grasped the divination tube with both hands, closed his eyes, and shouted randomly: "Heavenly spirits, earthly spirits, hurry up and show your spirit, bless me to draw a good lot." Yang Wenguang, who was listening on the side, was speechless for a moment, and wanted to throw a big steamed bun to shut this guy's mouth. This is a Buddhist sacred place, what are you talking about Taishang Laojun? Isn't it obvious that you're here to cause trouble? But he had seen Yunqi's martial arts skills, so these words could only be kept in his heart and not spoken out loud. It was also strange to say, as the young master of the mansion, why would he be afraid of a servant.

  Bang. The long black sign that had been signed all along fell to the ground! The people around him let out a cry of surprise: Down, down, sign! And when they looked at Yun Qi's eyes again, there was a lot more sympathy in them. There were 72 signs in the tube, and only five of them were down, but Yun Qi had drawn the big prize.

  Yun Qi picked up the sign from the ground, clenched it in her hand, and didn't care about the gaze of the crowd. She followed Yang Wenxin's back, waiting to interpret the sign. The head of the sign in Yang Wenxin's hand was red, and the body was slender, indicating that this was a superior sign. The old monk took over the sign and muttered a Buddhist mantra: "Amitabha! What sign does the female donor want to interpret?"

  Yang Wenjing was also a girl waiting in the boudoir, although she hadn't yet found her ideal husband. The little lady's face turned red as she said: "I'm seeking marriage."

  The old monk smiled benevolently, flipped over the divination slip, and on it was a poem that read: "Heaven and earth change and all things are complete, self-cultivation and self-nourishment bring peace; all phenomena are wonderful and auspicious, everything goes as one wishes, thanks to the sage's virtue. The female donor has an auspicious heavenly appearance, this is the best of signs, meaning that everything relies on one's own efforts, and when encountering difficulties, there will always be noble people who come to assist, so as long as you act with a heart that is upright and good, everything will go smoothly, those who obtain this sign are benevolent people, heaven and earth have their own destined numbers, female donor, grasp it well. Amitabha! Good! Good!"

  Yang Wenjin heard all the good words, and his heart was naturally also joyful. He donated another two silver coins as incense money and stood up to let Yang Wenguan come and interpret. This young man also drew a medium-grade lot, and the old monk also said a bunch of good things. However, this young man refused to donate more incense money even if he was beaten to death. Next, it was Cui Hong's turn, who also got a red stick and asked for marriage luck. The old monk again spoke a string of good words, flattering the little girl into smiling with joy.

  With a "slap", Yun Qi threw the black fan in front of the old monk, who remained oblivious, still closing his eyes, twirling his prayer beads and reciting Buddhist scriptures.

  Yun Qi sat down and asked: "Monk, can you help me interpret this divination?"

  The old monk opened his eyes and didn't blame Yun Qi for being unreserved. He took the sign and examined it carefully, then stared at Yun Qi for half a day before slowly speaking: "Amitabha, the donor is no ordinary person!"

  Yun Qi came over with interest and asked: "What's going on?"

  "Amitabha, monks do not speak falsely. The dragon was originally dancing in the clouds, but unfortunately it is trapped in shallow water. I suppose the donor was once glorious, but for some reason, he came to this strange land, and all his glory left him. What awaits you will be a trial!"

  Yun Qi listened to the explanation, and was shocked in his heart. What a great old monk! What he said was indeed reasonable from head to toe. Even I, who am not from this world, know that it seems there is some truth to it. He then asked: "Is there any way to solve it?"

  The old monk shook his head and said: "No solution!"

  "What should I do then?"

  The old monk fell silent for a moment before speaking slowly: "Everything is subject to the will of heaven, open your heart and follow the trend, whether it's good or bad, it's all predetermined by heaven!"

  Niang Xi Pi! Yun Qi's head ached as he listened, and his good mood for the day was ruined by this broken sign. If only he had known, he wouldn't have come in even if you killed him. Yang Wen Jin saw that Yun Qi wasn't in a good mood, so she spoke up: "Yun Qi, don't take it to heart, Master just said that whether it's good or bad fortune hasn't been decided yet, you should be more optimistic."

  Yes! I'm an elite special forces soldier, what kind of danger and disaster haven't I been through? When the enemy comes, I'll fight back; when the flood comes, I'll cover myself with earth. No matter what comes, I can handle it.