Chapter 536: The Twenty-Fourth Day of the Winter Month of the Gengyin Year

Following the guidance of the young Taoist priest, Ji Li walked from the noisy front mountain to the back.

The population was becoming less and less, and there were temples that he could not name all around.

However, as the number of tourists decreased, the number of people who looked like Taoist priests increased.

Seeing the young Taoist priest leading outsiders here, many busy Taoist priests looked sideways, but no one came forward to talk.

Passing by the residence of the Taoist priests, the young Taoist priest continued to walk to the back without stopping.

After passing through the courtyards of all sizes, there was no other figure here except the two of them.

The surrounding environment was extremely quiet, the air was very fresh, and many natural smells and natural sounds made people feel particularly comfortable.

Ji Li secretly pondered the Grand Master who wanted to see him. He thought that this person had a very high seniority in Zhenjing Taoist Temple.

He knew nothing about this person. What did the other party want to see him for?

"How did this Grand Master know that I was in Zhenjing Taoist Temple?"

Although the probability of encountering danger in the real world is very low, this is a quiet place, so there should be no big problem.

Ji Li, who had not spoken all the way, asked a question at this time for safety.

The little Taoist priest in front paused, slowly turned around and bowed to Ji Li before explaining:

"The Grand Master is now a hundred years old. Although he entered Taoism in middle age, he has the best qualifications and the oldest generation.

He is well versed in Taoist scriptures and profound in Taoism. He has not seen outsiders for decades. He invited you today, which must have a deep meaning."

When the little Taoist priest talked about this Grand Master, his eyes were full of reverence.

Although he did not directly answer Ji Li's question, he obviously gave an answer.

For such a Taoist elder, it was normal for him to know that Ji Li was visiting.

However, Ji Li did not feel anything after hearing this, but instead became suspicious of this Grand Master.

Practicing Taoism and Buddhism is to cultivate the mind. Even if one lives longer, one cannot become a god.

There are no gods and Buddhas in this world, only ghosts that grow from the dark.

If this so-called Grand Master really has this ability, he is either related to ghosts or someone is pointing him out.

Ji Li naturally preferred the latter.

After all, it was the Butterfly Woman who secretly instructed him to come to the Zhenjing Taoist Temple.

It seems that this Grand Master has a close relationship with the Butterfly Woman.

However, Ji Li did not say these words, he just continued to follow the little Taoist priest around.

After walking for about twenty minutes, the two stopped in front of a secluded and independent small house.

After the little Taoist priest bowed deeply to Ji Li, he made a gesture of invitation and said calmly:

"The Grand Master is waiting for you in the house."

This house is also located in the Zhenjing Taoist Temple, but it is much simpler, just like an ordinary country house.

The interior of the courtyard is very clean, and the fallen leaves on the ground have been swept away, leaving a piece of compacted yellow soil.

The independent tile house has closed doors and windows, standing in the middle of the courtyard, and it looks particularly empty.

Ji Li subconsciously observed the layout near the house, pushed open the gate and walked in.

The little Taoist priest stayed outside the courtyard, obviously it was inconvenient to enter but had to wait outside.

Since this is in a Taoist temple, there is no need to worry about attacks from ghosts, let alone attacks from living people.

Ji Li walked quickly and without any fear, just moving forward.

When he approached the door, he smelled an inexplicable fragrance, but without thinking much, he pushed the door open.

The evening sun shone into the house with Ji Li, and some furnishings in the main hall came into view.

Some portraits of immortals were placed on the main wall, simple and quaint tables and chairs were placed in front, and there was no dust on the ground.

This house is very clean.

When Ji Li stepped into the room, footsteps sounded from the inner room. He looked up and saw a middle-aged man.

This middle-aged man in plain Taoist clothes walked briskly and calmly to the main hall, smiling and waving at Ji Li.

He sat on the chair in the main hall first, picked up the teapot and poured two cups of tea, nodded and said:

"Donor Ji, please sit down."

Ji Li did not sigh at the strange appearance of the other party, and slowly sat on the right side of the middle-aged man, without picking up the cup of tea.

This middle-aged man who looked as young as about fifty years old in both appearance and body movements could only be the Grand Master.

The house was not big, and Ji Li could feel that there were only the two of them here.

Although this centenarian was in good shape and young in appearance, the breath of time emanating from him was not inconsistent.

The pair of eyes with peace in the plainness would never be so real without the repeated washing of time.

However, there was a strong black mole on the right eyebrow of the Grand Master, which seemed to indicate that he was not as worldly as he seemed.

While drinking tea, the Grand Master looked at Ji Li with the eyes of an elder, and never spoke.

Ji Li looked at the sunlight outside the door, took out the cigarette box from his arms, and asked tentatively.

After seeing the Grand Master smiling and saying he was casual, he finally lit a cigarette to relieve the fatigue of the whole day.

"What's your name, Taoist priest?"

"Chen Shu."

The name he gave was not a Taoist name, but a lay name.

After thinking about it secretly, Ji Li asked directly:

"Taoist priest Chen asked Ji to come here, is there something you want to say?"

Taoist priest Chen put down his tea bowl, folded his hands on his knees, looked forward, and said calmly:

"I was invited to tell you a story from the past."

Ji Li glanced at him, with some surprise in his eyes, and couldn't help asking:

"Is it about you, or about the woman wearing a butterfly mask?"

Master Chen smiled kindly, turned his head and nodded to Ji Li, then shook his head:

"We are all in the story."

Ji Li frowned, he guessed that this Master Chen should have a close relationship with the butterfly woman.

However, he was invited by the butterfly woman to tell Ji Li a story, which was far beyond his expectations.

The sun covered the floor of the main hall, and an ant struggled to climb over the threshold and entered the house, moving quickly along the cracks in the bricks on the ground.

It came to the feet of Master Chen Shu, raised its head and sniffed, and then its body became stiff and fell beside the shoes.

No one saw this scene.

But Chen Shu's eyes slowly moved to the sun, making his black eyes become bright.

His voice was very steady, and there was no ups and downs when he spoke, but there was a magic that pulled people into the past.

"The twenty-fourth day of the winter month of the Gengyin year is the Lower Yuan Festival.

The day when the Water God relieves disasters, prays for blessings, wards off disasters, relieves suffering and apologizes for sins.

Burn incense and offer silver, stick incense sticks in the ground, spread the fields to worship the spirits, and save lonely souls.

The Lower Yuan Festival now has no such folk customs. Speaking of it, it was fifty years ago."

Taoist Master Chen Shu had a trace of nostalgia between his eyebrows. He turned his head calmly and looked at Ji Li, and continued to tell the story.

Fifty years ago, Chen Shu, who had not yet entered Taoism, met Miaojiang, who had not yet put on the butterfly mask.