Green Mountain-Chapter 573 - 433: City God Temple

The carriage wobbled as it headed towards Meihua Ferry Crossing, the wooden wheels clattering over the cobblestones.

As it emerged from the alley, Fuyou Street was exceptionally lively.

Over a dozen servants of the Chen family stood on the street holding bamboo baskets, distributing Xibing and benefits to passersby.

The Xibing were from the old shop Zhengxin House, stuffed with red dates, peanuts, longans, and lotus seeds.

The benefits were five coins wrapped in red paper, available to anyone who saw them. Some people repeatedly passed by Fuyou Street pretending to receive the benefits, but the Chen family’s servants did not get angry, handing them out each time. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Even if they went back and forth two hundred times, it would only amount to one tael of silver, and the Chen family wasn’t short of it.

Chen Ji sat in the carriage, lifting the curtain to look outside, and heard pedestrians curiously ask, "What grand event is happening with the Chen family?"

The Chen family’s servant replied with a wide smile, "Today is the day my Chen family is presenting gifts to the Qi family for the marriage arrangement. Since the southern geese haven’t returned north, our family decided to use two golden geese as a small betrothal gift."

Pedestrians were stunned: "Wow, pure gold geese? May I ask, which son of the Chen family is marrying which miss from the Qi family?"

"Chen Ji of the Chen family, Qi Zhaoning of the Qi family!"

"Congratulations, congratulations, may you have a long and happy marriage, and many children soon!"

While saying auspicious words, the pedestrians received the benefits.

They took out the copper coins and discarded the red paper, covering the street in red, lending an air of universal joy and celebration. Meanwhile, Chen Ji sat silently in the carriage, becoming a mere observer.

Xiao Man, holding a Little Black Cat, sat opposite him, also lifting the curtain to quietly look outside, "Young master, with the Chen family making such a spectacle of the betrothal, isn’t it known to everyone in the city that you’re about to get married? Then you..."

Xiao Man lowered his voice, "When do you plan to leave? Now you’ve mourned for a year, the wedding must be postponed until a year later. But if you don’t rescue the Commandery Princess before the wedding, wouldn’t you still have to marry Third Miss Qi?"

Chen Ji calmly replied, "A year is enough."

As the Crown Prince said, Renshou Palace is no different from the Six Livestock Farm; it is not about gratitude or revenge. If you want something, it depends on whether you can offer an item of equal value in exchange.

Xiao Man cautiously asked in a whisper, "If you leave, then what about Third Miss Qi..."

Chen Ji looked out the window.

No matter what kind of person Qi Zhaoning is, no matter if he cares about this person or not, leaving without a word would ultimately hurt her deeply.

But Chen Ji was never a soft-hearted person nor a kind one, if someone had to be hurt, he would choose the one who would make him feel the least guilty.

Just then, through the gap in the curtain, Chen Ji saw a familiar figure standing among the pedestrians, coldly watching his carriage.

The person wore a bamboo hat with the brim pulled down, and straw sandals on their feet, always looking ready for a fight.

As fierce as the winds from the north of the Jing Dynasty, sweeping across the plains of Longhua State, flying past the mountains and rivers of Fengsheng State.

Si Caogui.

The person returned to the Imperial Capital, presumably having heard about his situation. This time, it was likely more than just a simple loyalty test.

Chen Ji pondered for a moment; whatever is meant to come will come, whatever needs to be resolved must be resolved.

He lifted the carriage curtain and instructed the driver in a low voice, "Don’t go to Meihua Ferry Crossing, go to Chongnan City God Temple instead."

...

...

The Imperial Capital has a total of four City God Temples, divided into East, West, South, and North.

Each City God Temple is different, and they also have different City Gods enshrined.

The North City God Temple is not far from Anding Gate, with the City God being the previous dynasty’s military general Li Xian.

The West City God Temple is further west from Fuyou Street, enshrining the Han dynasty’s Great General Huo Guang.

The South City God Temple is by the side of Tianqiao, enshrining Zhang Bian, a founding general of the Ning Dynasty.

The East City God Temple, also known as Chongnan City God Temple, enshrines Chao Yunzi, the sixth generation Heavenly Master of the Huangshan Dao Court.

Over three hundred years, the Dao Court and the Buddhist Sect have debated scripture, and nine out of ten times they’ve lost, being suppressed by the Buddhist Sect’s "Laozi’s Transformation of the Barbarians" for over three hundred years.

The Dao Court has lost all its properties in the Capital Territory, only holding on with these four City God Temples, with even the faithful dwindling, leaving their doors desolate.

Thanks to the non-conforming Taoist Zhang Li of the Huangshan Dao Court, who captivated the youth with the folk tale "Four Dreams of Bianliang", some incense and offerings were gradually restored.

Now the "Four Dreams of Bianliang" had spread to the Southern Imperial Music Bureau in Jinling, also becoming popular.

The carriage stopped steadily in front of the City God Temple, and Chen Ji jumped off to see a wooden sign standing before the temple, grandly inscribed with "The Place where Patriarch Chao Yunzi Transmitted the Dao to Li Changge."

The pious men and women came and went at the entrance, all there to admire Li Changge’s teacher, Chao Yunzi.

Chen Ji was taken aback for a moment before recalling that there seemed to be such a thing in the "Four Dreams of Bianliang."

Li Changge had wandered for twelve years in the bustling capital, and after parting from the Commandery Princess, left the capital in desolation. Passing by a City God Temple, he encountered Chao Yunzi, who was traveling the world, transmitting teachings, and practicing Taoism.

He walked into the City God Temple, where the incense burner with the bronze cauldron thrived, and white smoke rose.

He saw that Zhang Li’s big Qing Niu was not tied up but stood by the cauldron, the white smoke pouring like a waterfall, occasionally inhaled by the Qing Niu.

The pious men and women gathered around the Qing Niu in wonder, and Chen Ji squinted slightly, Mountain Lord Sect’s Scripture?

No, that wasn’t it.

He recalled the entire encounter with Zhang Li, indeed never having felt a sensation of apprehension... Whether this spiritual creature Qing Niu could also cultivate, or if this big Qing Niu simply liked the scent of smoke, remained unknown.

At this moment, a voice came from the distant hall: "Create auspicious bonds upon the opening of the heavens, on this fortunate day when all creatures thrive. It is no small matter to draw this lot; proceed with loyal and righteous deeds, and imperial declarations shall follow. Ah, young lady, you indeed are a person of deep fortune..."

Chen Ji looked up, his gaze passing over the bronze cauldron, and saw Zhang Li setting up a table outside the hall, explaining the divination to people.

The young woman across the table listened, dumbfounded: "Daoist, what do you mean?"

Zhang Li smiled mysteriously: "Drawing this lot brings success in fame, blessings in fortune. Lawsuits are justified, illnesses healed. Mulberries and hemp are ripe, marriages fulfilled. Pregnancy leads to childbirth, travelers return home. This is an exceptionally auspicious lot!"

The young woman exclaimed in delight: "Really? I want to meet Li Changge."

"Ah... this..." Zhang Li was speechless, his gaze wandering until it passed through the smoke from the bronze cauldron and landed on Chen Ji.

His eyes lit up: "Look, isn’t Li Changge coming right there?"

The woman turned her head, visibly displeased: "What Li Changge, Li Changge is way more handsome than him."

Chen Ji circled around the bronze cauldron, smiling at the woman: "You’re quite right, this Taoist speaks nonsense, don’t believe him."

He pulled Zhang Li up from beside the table: "Daoist, let’s go to the back and settle some accounts properly."

Zhang Li was dragged towards the back hall, feeling guilty: "What’s there to settle properly..."

In the backyard, Chen Ji stopped walking, released his grip, and stared squarely at Zhang Li: "Daoist, have you recently written any new tales?"

Zhang Li hurriedly replied: "No, no, I’ve been busy looking for the person who leaked the Mountain Lord Sect’s Scripture from my Dao Court."

Chen Ji smiled subtly: "Do you really think I was drunk yesterday? Prince Fu’s horse passed by causing a ruckus, with the crowd bustling, and you were diligently writing away; surely, you weren’t jotting down the Taoist Scripture."

Zhang Li’s eyes rolled: "You, little brat, must be seeking something? Last time, I saved you and Xiao Man with that little monk; I don’t owe you a favor."

Xiao Man, holding the little black cat beside her, retorted: "No, it is I who owe the Daoist a favor, but you still owe my master a favor."

Zhang Li lamented loudly: "What use do I have for your favor!"

Xiao Man pouted: "Don’t speak too hastily, I’m quite capable."

Zhang Li found a step to sit on, looking up at Chen Ji: "Alright, what is it? Consider it repaying your favor."

Chen Ji pondered for a moment: "I need to attend to some matters; Xiao Man and Rochusaga must find refuge in the City God Temple for a few days."

Zhang Li stroked his chin: "Facing difficulties? What kind of trouble would make you entrust these two to the Dao Court?"

Chen Ji shook his head: "There’s no need for the Daoist to inquire further, just say whether you can or can’t."

Zhang Li deliberated for a long time: "It’s possible, but one favor can only cover one person. If you want both to stay at the City God Temple, you must agree to something for me."

Xiao Man, filled with anger, snapped: "You Taoist, how come you’re so calculative with favors? Master, don’t mind him; what trouble are you facing, let us accompany you..."

Chen Ji turned his head, looking at her calmly: "Don’t be reckless."

Xiao Man sulked and stayed quiet.

Chen Ji turned back to Zhang Li: "Not only this matter. If I come through unscathed in a few days, I will take them away. But if something happens to me, I’d trouble the Dao Court to send Xiao Man to Guyuan Dragon Gate Inn, where I’ll reconnect with her."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Man realized the gravity of the situation.

The Dragon Gate Inn is the passage out of the Ning Dynasty; unless the matter was extremely significant, her master would never choose this escape route.

Chen Ji continued: "As a condition, whatever Daoist writes about me in the next story is acceptable, and if I’m unharmed, I can aid the Dao Court in another scripture debate with the Buddhist Sect."

"Is that a promise!" Zhang Li calculated as he sat on the stone steps: "Is the court planning to send another sea capture notice? Otherwise, why would you escape to Guyuan, that godforsaken place? This is no trivial matter, crossing Taihang Mountain and Taiyuan Prefecture, with numerous checkpoints along the way..."

Chen Ji said solemnly: "What does the Daoist want?"

Zhang Li laughed freely: "Talking with a smart person saves trouble."

He pulled out the Wordless Heavenly Scripture from his bosom and drew the writing brush used as a hairpin from his bun: "You will write the name Li Changge on the book cover, how about it?"

In the front courtyard was the noise of devout believers, while the backyard grew silent.

Chen Ji looked at the Wordless Heavenly Scripture, writing the name was definitely not that simple.

At this moment, Zhang Li was extraordinarily serious, akin to the day he bet with Jin Zhu... It seemed the other party was wagering.

Yet, with Zhang Li as an apprentice of Huangshan Dao Court, he clearly didn’t need to press the officials’ door; what was he betting on?

Zhang Li fixed his gaze on Chen Ji: "What is it, afraid to write? Then this little girl’s life must not be of great importance."

Chen Ji smiled, taking the brush: "There’s no need for the Daoist to provoke me."

Just as he was about to write, Zhang Li suddenly said: "Wouldn’t want to take advantage of you, writing the name has its benefits, and I can give you another divination."

"What kind of divination?"

Zhang Li smiled back: "That depends on what you want to know."

Chen Ji contemplated: "I need to find someone, Daoist, help me divine whether he is still in the Imperial Capital and where I should search."

Zhang Li asked: "What is his surname?"

Chen Ji confidently answered: "Wang."

Zhang Li pinched his thumb against his knuckle: "Still here, look for him in the Outer City."

"Thank you," Chen Ji said no more, lifting the brush, and diligently wrote three words, Li Changge, on the blue book cover of the Wordless Heavenly Scripture.