Chapter 8: Landing at Qingyang Temple

The Human World

"Mingyue, get two doses of medicine for the old gentleman."

The old Taoist priest called out, then quickly wrote out a prescription on paper with his brush.

The young Taoist priest hurried over, retrieved the medicine according to the prescription, crushed it with a mortar and pestle, then wrapped it in lotus leaves. All the while, he had to attend to other patients. After all that bustling, a layer of sweat formed on his forehead.

The old man stood awkwardly by, watching the young Taoist priest busy himself. His hands trembled slightly as he took the medicine wrapped in lotus leaves. He walked up to Taoist Jixin, hesitating as if to speak. After Taoist Jixin finished attending to another patient, the old man opened his palm and whispered, "Living immortal, have mercy. This old man comes from the north. I just found a place to stay, and my child only found work at the ferry crossing yesterday. The wages won't be paid until next month, and I only have these few coins..."

Taoist Jixin finished writing another prescription, handed it to Mingyue for dispensing, and then looked up at the old man, sighing softly. "Old gentleman, this is enough for the medicine. Don't worry about the consultation fee; it's not too late to bring it when your family is more comfortable. We'll put it on account for now."

After Taoist Jixin finished noting it in his thick ledger, the old man left, his face full of gratitude.

Qin Sang sat at the back, watching the master and disciple busy themselves, his thoughts drifting. Before he knew it, dusk had fallen, and only the two people who had helped him up the mountain remained in front of him.

They had seen over a dozen patients in a row, with a good half of them coming from the north. Most of them had their consultation fees put on account, and some couldn't even afford the medicine. Throughout the afternoon, apart from a couple who came for a protective talisman to ward off evil and an old woman seeking divination, not a single person came to offer incense. The old Taoist priest didn't make much money, yet neither he nor his disciple showed the slightest sign of impatience, which deeply moved Qin Sang.

"Young man, lift your leg."

After the previous patient was seen, Qin Sang leaned on his staff and went forward, lifting his injured leg as instructed by the old Taoist priest.

Qin Sang watched the old Taoist priest finish writing the prescription, instruct on dispensing the medicine, and then record it in the ledger. His voice betrayed his fatigue. Qin Sang's heart stirred, and he softly said, "Taoist priest, I've heard that refugees from the north are arriving continuously. Surely more and more people will come to you for medical help in the future. With just you and the young Taoist priest here, and needing to collect herbs from the mountain, I'm afraid you might be overwhelmed..."

Before he could finish, Qin Sang's peripheral vision caught the young Taoist priest's eyes light up, looking at his master with eager expectation.

Taoist Jixin didn't even lift his head, interrupting Qin Sang. "Young man, you've seen the situation in the temple just now. Most of the believers who come here are poor. This humble Taoist priest is willing but unable. I can't earn enough incense money in a year to support another Taoist priest, let alone pay you a monthly salary."

The young Taoist priest Mingyue's eyes dimmed, and he pouted.

Qin Sang hadn't expected the old Taoist priest to be so direct, but he wasn't one to give up easily. He chuckled awkwardly, "To be honest, Taoist priest, I do indeed wish to find a place to stay. Unfortunately, I injured my leg by accident, and it's hard to find work. It was only after seeing the two of you so busy that I had this idea. I don't ask for a monthly salary, only a place to live, sheltered from the elements, and enough food to eat."

Taoist Jixin looked up at Qin Sang, stroking his long beard. "Young man, you are in the prime of your life. Why settle for life in the mountains? It would be better to find honest work at the ferry crossing, start a family, and build a career. That is the proper path."

Seeing that Taoist Jixin's tone had softened, Qin Sang quickly pressed his advantage. "Taoist priest, with all due respect, I studied with a tutor in my village for a few years. I can read and write, and I'm capable of drawing. I could help you transcribe records, grind herbs, and once my leg is healed, I could accompany you to collect herbs on the mountain. If you don't mind, please allow me to stay for a month as a trial. If I truly prove useless, it won't be too late to send me away then..."

Taoist Jixin was indeed swayed. He squinted his eyes, scrutinizing Qin Sang for a long time. "Very well. I am but a poor, old Taoist priest. I don't fear that you would seek anything from me."

Saying this, Taoist Jixin picked up his brush and pulled out a piece of yellow paper.

"Write a couple of characters for me to see."

Qin Sang took the brush, transcribed a few characters, and then nervously watched Taoist Jixin.

In his previous life, he couldn't use a brush, but fortunately, Qin Sanwa (the body he inhabited) had learned. However, the handwriting was still quite poor; it was legible but barely held together, and he even failed to write two of the characters.

Nevertheless, Qin Sang realized that this world was similar to ancient times in his previous life, where literacy was rare. In this context, he could be considered a highly skilled individual.

Seeing Taoist Jixin holding the yellow paper without speaking, Qin Sang quickly added, "From a young age, I've always been eager to learn. Unfortunately, due to changes in my family, I only had a few years of schooling. If you would be so kind as to take me in, I promise to diligently study and practice."

"Acceptable."

Taoist Jixin nodded. "The Taoist temple is filled with Taoist scriptures and medical texts. If you are willing, young man, you can read the scriptures with Mingyue in the evenings. Also, the conditions here are simple, and the food isn't very rich. Can you endure that?"

"Taoist priest, please just call me Qin Sang," Qin Sang quickly said. "I also come from a poor family and can endure hardship. Please rest assured, I will strictly abide by the rules and regulations and will not cause you any trouble."

Taoist Jixin shook his head. "You haven't entered monastic life, so there's no need to be overly constrained. However, there is one rule: you must not bring women into the temple to engage in improper conduct. Outside the temple, this humble Taoist priest will not restrict you, but if you cause trouble or create a disturbance through your misdeeds, it will have nothing to do with me. Consider this a warning now, so don't blame me later for being unfeeling."

Having finally secured a place to stay, Qin Sang readily agreed. "I will obey your instructions, Taoist priest."

"Young Master Qin, several rooms here are unoccupied. You can choose one. I'll go make dinner now and bring your bedding and Taoist robes to you tonight."

After taking Qin Sang in, Taoist Jixin waived the consultation fee and had Mingyue take Qin Sang to the back to choose a living space. Bedding and Taoist robes were provided, and Qin Sang would eat with them from then on, with Mingyue in charge of cooking.

"Junior Brother Mingyue, we're both working under the Taoist priest. I'm a few years older than you, so you can just call me Senior Brother. 'Young Master' sounds too formal."

Qin Sang drew Mingyue closer to establish rapport. "I'll go help you with the fire in a bit. First, tell me, which room do you and the Taoist priest live in?"

Mingyue had lived with the old Taoist priest and never had many friends. Suddenly having a Senior Brother made him feel close to someone. He pointed to a room with a cheerful smile and said in a clear voice, "Senior Brother, Master and I live there!"

Qin Sang followed his gaze and saw that Mingyue was pointing to the row of rooms behind the Green Goat Hall.

The entire Green Goat Temple had four courtyards. Behind the Green Goat Hall were three more rows of rooms, with six rooms in each row. A stone-stepped path ran down the middle to the back of the temple, with three rooms on each side.

The rooms were built of stone, and their frameworks were intact, but their roofs were severely damaged.

Taoist Jixin and Mingyue lived in the three rooms at the leftmost end of the first row.

Mingyue pointed to the other three rooms and said, "These rooms all have bamboo beds. If a lay devotee wants to stay overnight, or if a patient can't make it down the mountain in time, they can stay here. Patients sometimes don't have to pay, while lay devotees pay one coin per night, without food."

Qin Sang followed behind Mingyue, listening to his explanations.

Upon reaching the last row of rooms, Qin Sang suddenly heard the murmur of flowing water and walked towards it. The Green Goat Temple originally had no back wall; beyond it was a vast bamboo forest. Deep within the bamboo grove, spring water flowed down from the mountaintop, forming a small stream that meandered through the woods. The sound of the spring water, the chirping of birds, and the buzzing of insects created a truly tranquil environment.

Qin Sang instantly fell in love with it.