202: A green lamp, the four elements are empty

A hidden ancient temple in the divine mountains, with the faint tolling of a millennium-old bell. Claiming to have seen through all the mundane world, a single green lamp, and all is emptiness.

Han Shui Temple, located over one hundred and fifty li from Tianqi, is an ancient Buddhist temple covered in ice and snow. The ancient path slopes upwards like a white jade silk ribbon, with folded plum blossoms and ice crystals, revealing a touch of red glow. The snow-covered deep mountains are thus adorned with a unique scenery.

In front of the mountain gate.

Several monks stood with their hands clasped together, their expressions solemn and dignified.

The carriage stopped, and Xie Weilou and Yan Ruyi stepped out. A gust of cold wind swept over, like thorns scratching, with a biting chill.

Yan Quanzhen stood in front, giving Xie Weilou and Yan Ruyi a faint glance, but said nothing more.

She temporarily couldn't understand why the Emperor would let Xie Weilou come here, but that wasn't a problem she needed to consider at the moment.

Yan Quanzhen stepped forward and asked the monks, "Masters, when will my mother emerge from seclusion?"

She had no deep impression of her mother, as the latter began cultivating in seclusion after giving birth to her.

Initially, she didn't quite understand, but the Emperor had told her that her mother had suffered some kind of backlash after giving birth to her, damaging her Dao foundation, and thus had no choice but to enter seclusion.

Later, following Second Master in cultivation, she learned much about her mother and gradually came to understand her.

A middle-aged monk softly said, "Your Royal Highness, please follow us to Han Shui Cliff. Yuanfei should appear very soon."

"Thank you, Masters."

Yan Quanzhen nodded gently.

She looked at the iron cavalry she had brought, "You all stay here."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

The iron cavalry saluted with serious expressions.

Yan Quanzhen then followed the monks forward.

Xie Weilou walked behind, his hands tucked into his sleeves, a lazy expression on his face.

"......"

Yan Ruyi smiled faintly and followed suit, though a hint of solemnity lingered deep in her eyes. She feared something significant might happen at Han Shui Temple today.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but glance at Xie Weilou.

According to the information she had gathered, Xie Weilou was suspected of being protected by experts from the Tianquan Division. However, if the Emperor had his own plans for letting him come here, would he still allow those Tianquan Division experts to follow?

Originally, she thought the Emperor had only sent Xie Weilou here to sow discord, but upon arriving at Han Shui Temple, she sensed something was amiss. As for what exactly, she couldn't yet figure it out.

Xie Weilou stopped. When Yan Ruyi came beside him, he slowly spoke, "Does Your Highness have any discoveries?"

Not only Yan Ruyi felt something was amiss, but he also sensed something was wrong at the moment. The Emperor's purpose in sending him here might involve sowing discord, but there must be other objectives as well.

Mere discord would not be worth such elaborate planning from an Emperor.

Yan Ruyi shook her head and transmitted her voice, "I haven't discovered anything, but I just feel something is off. It's best to be careful. I feel something big might happen here."

Xie Weilou mused, "Does Your Highness know much about Han Shui Temple?"

Yan Ruyi showed a thoughtful expression, "Han Shui Temple is not simple. Legend has it that a ruthless figure from Great Xia once came here and then mysteriously disappeared. Some say he converted to Buddhism after arriving at Han Shui Temple and never left again, while others say he was ambushed and ultimately perished there!"

"A ruthless figure?"

Xie Weilou looked at Yan Ruyi in confusion.

Yan Ruyi said, "I don't know much either. I only know that ruthless figure was famous because of a demonic saber..."

Xie Weilou didn't ask further.

After walking for a while.

They were still halfway up the mountain. What appeared before them was an incense burner and two stone tablets. Incense burned in the burner, awaiting devout believers, and the stone tablets stood, bearing a couplet.

The upper couplet read: "Evening drums and morning bells, awaken the seekers of fame and fortune in the world."

The lower couplet read: "Sutra chants and Buddha's names, call back those lost in the sea of suffering's dream."

The monks paused here briefly and did not continue forward. They seemed like guides, wishing visitors to burn a stick of incense here. Of course, the incense had to be provided by the temple, and the money for the incense had to be paid by the visitors!

Xie Weilou looked at the couplet on the stone tablet and smiled faintly, "When people come to a Buddhist place, they all have wishes. If they don't get what they want, they burn incense and worship Buddha, praying for Buddha to grant them something. To put it plainly, they seek greed, hatred, delusion, and desire. But in a Buddhist place, it's about emptiness, letting go. Buddha tells people to let go, yet people insist on demanding things, which goes against Buddha. Naturally, Buddha cannot give you anything."

"......"

Upon hearing this, everyone present was stunned. It made sense!

Some people burn incense and worship Buddha to seek wealth, marriage, or peace.

Some people practice with green lamps and ancient Buddhas to abandon distracting thoughts, discard the past, and calm their minds.

However, if Buddha tells you to let go, not to demand, and you do the opposite, forcing Him to give you everything, isn't that misguided?

If you are content with your lot, you can walk calmly regardless of whether the path ahead holds flowers or thorns. If your mind is free of distractions, why do you need to always be accompanied by a green lamp?

Look at the layout of Buddhist temples, which Buddha statue in which hall is not glittering with gold? Not holy Buddha light, but cast from gold and silver.

Buddha tells you to let go, not to demand, to abandon greed, hatred, and delusion. But when you come to burn incense and worship Buddha, you burn the incense prepared by the temple, and you pay your own money. It's clear that Buddha also collects money!

On one hand, he tells you to give up; on the other hand, he asks you to pay. On one hand, he speaks of emptiness; on the other hand, he collects your incense money.

"Watch your words!"

Yan Ruyi reacted quickly and reminded Xie Weilou. Some things are better left unsaid, even if understood.

"......"

Yan Quanzhen, on the other hand, glanced at Xie Weilou. For the first time, she felt that what this fellow said was very true.

Because...

She cultivated the Daoist arts!

The middle-aged monk, upon hearing this, did not blame him. A gentle smile appeared on his face, "Someone else came here once and said similar words. That person is the current abbot of Han Shui Temple. This humble monk is very curious, Young Master's words are similar to the abbot's. What do you seek by coming to Han Shui Temple?"

Whether it's Buddha or Daoist Ancestor, they are ultimately lofty existences, unseen and untouchable, only existing in the heart. But these people, they are believers on the path, they have flesh and blood, and they also need to survive.

Therefore, Buddhism then had incense offerings.

When people burn incense and worship Buddha, Buddha certainly cannot answer, but when people spend money, they can buy peace of mind. It seems this account is balanced!

Xie Weilou took out a few copper coins, picked up a stick of incense from the side, lit it, and said with a faint smile, "What people seek is nothing more than those few things. If everything were the same, wouldn't Buddha find it very boring?"

"......"

Everyone gazed at Xie Weilou, a strange look in their eyes. Was what This Young Master sought different from the others?

It certainly made them curious.

Yan Quanzhen and Yan Ruyi stared at Xie Weilou, wanting to know what he sought.

Xie Weilou inserted the incense into the incense burner and said seriously, "I pray to Buddha to grant me peace and prosperity, great wealth, and to marry one hundred and eighty beautiful concubines."

Yan Quanzhen: "......"

Yan Ruyi: "......"

The monks: "......"

You said it would be different? In the end, it's still following the crowd?

Xie Weilou looked at everyone, "This Young Master calls this following my heart, spending a little money to get important things done!"

Just a few copper coins, and you want Buddha to do great things for you? What are you thinking?