Chapter 237: A Fortune Worth a Thousand Gold Coins, Silently Missed
After entering the gate, Shang Lu’s first sight was the withered peach tree in the courtyard. He looked at it for a long time, as if gazing at an old friend from long ago.
He remembered that when he left back then, this peach tree was still lush and full of fruits. But upon returning now, it had turned into a dry, dead tree.
Shang Lu sighed softly, then he gazed around the temple. It was exactly as it was before… completely unchanged.
He halted his steps, thinking deeply, and suddenly an idea occurred to him.
‘If only Senior Brother and Junior Sister were still here, it would be so good.’
When Shang Lu snapped out of it, he smiled helplessly at himself, thinking how he always pondered such old, faraway things.
He raised his head, then passed through the main hall and headed toward the backyard.
His feet stopped before the pavilion.
Shang Lu clasped his hands and bowed his head, speaking respectfully, “Great Master.”
Chen Changsheng said, “Just come and sit. This is your home after all; I am the outsider here. There’s no need to be polite.” Shang Lu smiled and then entered the pavilion.
After seeing him sit down, Chen Changsheng asked, “You are the Human Emperor. Instead of staying quietly in Western Xiao, how come you’ve come to Da Xiang?”
Shang Lu breathed out gently and said, “A few years ago, master, when you passed through Western Xiao, you spoke to me about Master. Ever since I learned of it, I’ve longed to come back and see. But at that time, Western Xiao was too chaotic for me to spare time. Later, with guidance from Great Master, Western Xiao became peaceful within a few years. Only then could I find time for this trip.”
Chen Changsheng nodded and said, “Having this heart is good, but arriving so recklessly seems unwise for you. If you lose your head, the world would likely fall into chaos again.”
“‘Great Master, don’t worry. I’ve been very careful all along and revealed nothing to anyone outside.'”
Shang Lu said this one thing, but then added suddenly, “But speaking of which, on the way I met a person. His surname was Zhao; he told me his name was Zhao Xinglong. I doubt it’s his real name, but this Zhao surname probably isn’t simple. The strange part is, he didn’t appear to come for me. And also, he arrived too, though he was stopped at the gate just now.”
Chen Changsheng smiled lightly and said, “Him…”
Shang Lu asked, “Great Master, do you know who he is?”
Chen Changsheng looked at him, shook his head, and laughed, “I don’t know.”
Seeing that look on the master’s face, Shang Lu quickly understood: The Great Master likely knew but chose not to say.
That being said, this Brother Zhao probably had an important status too.
Just as they talked, Zhao Zhen walked into the backyard.
At first glance, he spotted the two people seated inside the long pavilion.
Zhao Zhen’s eyes lit up, and he strode forward confidently. Without showing courtesy, he entered the long pavilion and sat down immediately.
“‘Not bad. This is indeed a peaceful and quiet spot.'”
Zhao Zhen said this one sentence, then turned to Chen Changsheng with a grin, “May I ask, are you the abbot of this temple?”
Chen Changsheng shook his head and responded, “No. The former abbot had already passed away long ago; he merely asked me to watch over it for a while.”
Shang Lu introduced him, “This is Mr. Chen, a recluse who lives in these mountains.”
“‘So that’s why.'”
Zhao Zhen nodded and remarked, “No wonder you don’t appear to be a Daoist Priest, but more like a scholar.”
“‘Not a scholar either.'”
Chen Changsheng said this, then inquired, “But recluse, what brings you up the mountain? To ask for granted wishes? Seek blessings? Or get your fortune told?”
Zhao Zhen started to answer but hesitated briefly before replying, “Fortune-telling.”
Chen Changsheng nodded slightly and asked next, “Recluse, what kind of fortune do you wish to know?”
Zhao Zhen grew interested and teased, “How about you guess what I want to learn?”
Chen Changsheng stated, “I have told many fortunes before, but never accepted silver coins. However, for you, it would be a fortune worth a thousand gold coins.”
“‘Playing tricks to fool others.'”
Zhao Zhen sneered and said, “Though I don’t know how you identified my steps, it must just be Qingbo Marquis who sent you. Such petty tricks—put them away.”