Chapter 1: The Haunted Yōlin (Part 1)

  Two people walked into the north gate of the main hall of Xiangyang Temple, and saw a floor-standing incense burner standing in front of the red wall at the entrance of the main hall. Inside was inserted a pillar of more than one meter high peaceful incense, the smoke rose straight up like blue clouds, faintly fragrant, refreshing the heart.

  After entering the temple gate, they found that there were many artifacts here. Zhang Shanyi squatted down to take a closer look, and these artifacts turned out to be all related to the original Yangyang Temple. He gently stroked the stone carvings, and suddenly had a feeling of familiarity as if he had seen them in his dreams. Reading the inscriptions on the stele made him feel even more intimate. Although he knew this was an illusion that people often have, the feeling was still very wonderful. As he looked at it, he suddenly discovered something unusual and asked Ding Lingshu:

  "Brother Ding, since this Yangguang ancient temple was built in the Ming dynasty, how could it have so many praises from Qing Taizu?"

  Ding Lingxiu instinctively wanted to reach for a cigarette, but immediately restrained himself and said slowly:

  "In the years before Emperor Taizu of Qing, Nurhaci, entered the pass, during a return journey from a military campaign, scouts unexpectedly discovered the Xiangyang Ancient Temple by the lake. Although the Manchu people believed in Shamanism, they did not reject the Buddhist culture revered by the Han people, and Nurhaci was no exception. He visited the temple with two generals, where the old abbot warmly welcomed them. Nurhaci became so engrossed in conversation that he stayed overnight at the temple, chatting with the old abbot through the night, which suddenly opened his mind and inspired him to unify the country and establish the Qing dynasty.

  Ding Lingshu looked at these artifacts with deep meaning and continued, 'The four characters "Double Peaks and Green Water" on the door plaque earlier were written by Emperor Taizu himself after he unified the country.'"

  "Really? How did you know so much, Brother Ding?" Zhang Shanyi asked in surprise.

  "The entrance to the underworld here is the closest one to my hometown, and my father used to come here often when he was alive, so I've always heard him mention it." Ding Lingxiu looked up, lost in thought.

  The two continued to move deeper into the temple, and the number of pilgrims increased. The Xiangyang Temple is one of the most prosperous temples in the three eastern provinces. However, Ding Lingxiu found that this place was clearly different from the humble folk temple his father, Ding Lin, had described. After being rebuilt in 1994, the temple became magnificent and grandiose, with a majestic atmosphere, especially the ancient pines transplanted in the courtyard, and the large-scale, majestic scripture hall built at the northernmost end, its flying eaves high and curved like wings about to take flight. The decorations inside the hall shone brightly, giving people a sense of solemnity and reverence.

  "Brother Ding, they say that the temple is small but its reputation is great. Who would have thought that in such a prosperous temple, there would actually be a gate leading to the underworld?" Zhang Shanyi sighed.

  "Don't talk nonsense, although Buddhism and Taoism are different, isn't what you said a bit inappropriate?"

  Ding Lingxiu's face was stern with a pious criticism, he suddenly felt that the Zhang Shanyi in front of him had become somewhat abnormal since he finished performing magic with that girl earlier. Although normally Zhang Shanyi would occasionally reveal a bit of childishness like a 17 or 18-year-old kid, most of the time he was still very mature. But now, without even thinking, he spoke such arrogant words, how could a dignified Dragon and Tiger Mountain Taoist forget even such simple etiquette?

  "Alas... I am guilty."

  Zhang Shanyi hastily covered his mouth, also astonished at why he had suddenly become so outspoken, vaguely feeling that he had lost something and became somewhat restless, the whole person was very irritable and uneasy, and his words and deeds were completely casual...

  What's gone missing after all?

  Zhang Shanyi was at his wit's end.

  The two came to the northernmost scripture building, the first floor of the scripture building was magnificent and solemn, with five golden Buddha statues standing inside. The front of the scripture building is connected to the back of the Mahavira Hall of Xiangyang Temple, its style is comparable to the palace. The eaves corridor below are all stone structures. The two walked around to the right side of the scripture building and entered the guest hall.

  Not long after, an old monk with a kasaya, kind eyebrows and a benevolent gaze walked in.

  "Two gentlemen have waited for a long time, I suppose this donor is the young master of the Ding family, Ding Lin's son?"

  Ding Lingxiu hastily stood up and returned the courtesy, his face full of sincerity as he said:

  "Yes, I am Ding Lingxiu, the 49th generation descendant of the Ding family. I have met with the Abbot before. My two friends and I came uninvited, and we hope the Abbot will forgive us."

  Ding Lingxiu hadn't even had time to introduce Zhang Shanyi when Zhang Shanyi suddenly bowed and said in a loud voice:

  "Boundless Heaven Venerable, I am Zhang Shanyi, a Taoist from Dragon Tiger Mountain, with the Daoist name of Tianluanzi. I have met the Abbot."

  The abbot returned a courtesy, smiled slightly, and instructed a small servant monk beside him:

  "Honored guests have arrived, quickly prepare some simple food and tidy up two side rooms."

  "Abbot is too polite, we two have something on our minds, so let's not disturb you, Abbot, let's talk business." Ding Lingxiu replied with a smile.

  The master nodded and motioned for them to sit down, then looked at the little monk:

  "Alright, Fu Jue, go and brew a pot of tea for our two esteemed guests."

  "Yes, Master."

  Ding Lingxiu sat beside the abbot, and they exchanged a few words about Ding Lingxiu's father, Ding Lin. From the abbot's mouth, Ding Lingxiu learned that the Ding family had a very deep connection with Xiangyang Temple, and when Xiangyang Temple was rebuilt in 1994, Ding Lin also provided a large amount of start-up capital for the rebuilding work under an alias. Afterwards, he came to Xiangyang Temple many times to burn incense and worship Buddha, and had a close relationship with the old abbot. It wasn't until then that Ding Lingxiu understood why the old abbot would personally receive him and be so enthusiastic when he arrived, it turned out that they had a certain relationship with his father.

  The two exchanged a few pleasantries before getting down to business. Just as they were about to discuss the matter of the gates of hell, Zhang Shanyi suddenly interrupted them, leaving them both stunned:

  "Abbot, I think you are also a high-ranking monk who has attained the Tao. I have always had doubts about Buddhism and Taoism in my heart, Master, can you enlighten me?"

  Ding Lingxiu was shocked, someone elbowed him and thought that the two were chatting happily and were about to discuss the main topic, what are you interrupting for?

  Ding Lingxiu furrowed her brow, both angry and perplexed.

  Zhang Shanyi didn't respond, staring solemnly at Fangzhang.

  The abbot of Xiangyang Temple remained expressionless, smiling slowly and saying:

  "Amitabha Buddha, Zhang Zhenren is invited to speak."

  Zhang Shanyi thought for a moment and said:

  "Square inch, is Buddha's great way great?"

  Ding Lingxiu's eyes widened as she nearly dropped her teacup, staring blankly at the two of them.

  The abbot smiled and said with a hint of joy:

  "Everything has equal nature, no big or small."

  Ding Ling let out a sigh of relief and took a light sip of the tea in her cup.

  Unexpectedly, Zhang Shanyi continued to ask:

  "Is the monk taller than the Taoist?"

  Ding Lingxiu glared at Zhang Shanyi and thought to himself: "What's wrong with this guy? Why is he deliberately trying to pick a fight?"

  The abbot's face remained calm:

  "Sincerity is the Way; there is no high or low."

  Ding Lingxiu thought that Zhang Shanyi would have nothing more to say after this, but unexpectedly he asked again:

  "The Taoist school relies on the principle that one gives rise to two, two gives rise to four, and four gives rise to infinity; it also relies on the principles of humanity following the earth, the earth following heaven, heaven following the Tao, and the Tao following nature, in order to attain unity with heaven and humanity. What about the Buddhist school? On what principle does it rely?"

  Ding Lingxiu put down his teacup, he really couldn't listen anymore.

  The abbot replied:

  "Buddhism relies on nature and emptiness of nature, relies on causality and emptiness of causality as the principle. Seeing that the world is empty, suffering, and impermanent, knowing that all phenomena have no self, realizing non-arising and non-perishing as enlightenment."

  Ding Lingxiu had already become extremely disgusted with these misty and mysterious things, and had been suppressing his craving for smoke all along. At this moment, he was like a thorn in the back, staring at Zhang Shanyi with hatred, about to erupt.

  Zhang Shanyi didn't even look at him and continued to ask on his own:

  "Master, since Buddhism is so profound, yet people are still deluded and unaware, can you think of a way to awaken those bewildered people?"

  If previous conversations could be considered academic discussions, this sentence is already heavily loaded with gunpowder.

  Ding Lingxiu thought that Fangzhang would give a tactful answer, but unexpectedly this time Fangzhang Dashi also didn't mince words, his words were astonishing:

  "We all understand it when we see it, but none of us live by it; such is the state of all living beings, you and I included."

  Zhang Shanyi faced his opponent's rebuke and burst out laughing:

  "Haha, Master indeed has a deep understanding of the subtleties. I admire you, however, when I was at Mount Longhu, the incense and fire on the mountain were flourishing, with many visiting guests. Why is it that compared to this Xiangyang Temple, it seems somewhat quiet?"

  As soon as this was said, Zhang Shanyi had almost become unreasonable and quarrelsome, but unexpectedly the abbot remained calm and courteous, saying:

  "The temple is quiet and peaceful, soothing the heart and inspiring emotions. But unfortunately, the forest sparrows chirp loudly."

  Before he had even finished speaking, Zhang Shanyi's face immediately turned bright red and he bowed his head.

  Ding Lingxiu saw that it was Zhang Shanyi who had come down from the stage in defeat, and his heart, which had been hanging in suspense, also came back down. He hastily came over to mediate:

  "Abbot, I beg your pardon. My friend is sincere in seeking guidance and has no intention of offending."

  The master of Fangzhang smiled and did not answer, turning the Buddhist beads in his hand. After a while, he said:

  "It's not that Zhang Zhenren was being rude, but rather that Zhang Zhenren had encountered bad luck and lost his cultivation, which caused his mind to become greatly disturbed and his true nature to be overturned."

  Zhang Shanyi immediately stood up and lost his composure upon hearing this sentence.

  Because he himself was very clear that at this moment he was completely in the state before he had cultivated, arrogant and proud, showing off his skills.

  The abbot saw Zhang Shanyi's complexion change greatly and slowly said:

  "Zhang Zhenren needn't move your true energy, you can see through the clues."