""I received the invitation early this morning, tonight Mr. Yuwen from Duke Ying Mansion will come to visit the old master."
Is it the Mr. Yuwen who wrote the letter?
Li Guanyi’s heart filled with joy, and he nodded, saying, "I’m going out for a walk and will be back soon."
He stepped outside, discerned the direction, mounted his horse, and rode off. Zu Wenyuan had told him that he would reside in a Taoist Temple, located in the east of the Capital City. If Li Guanyi wished to find him, this was the place to look. Riding his horse there, he could not rush the animal, taking in the scenery of Jiangzhou City. Upon reaching the eastern part of the city, Li Guanyi dismounted and walked slowly.
He was not far from the Taoist Temple when he caught the scent of a strong medicinal fragrance.
Inside the Taoist Temple, many pharmacists were treating the common folk.
Most Taoists were skilled in medicine and provided free treatments for the nearby residents. Li Guanyi tied his horse outside the temple, announced his identity, and was soon approached by a young Taoist who said, "The Sacrificial Wine Master is currently working on the formation for the grand sacrifice and doesn’t have time to receive you just now. You, young master, can enjoy the scenery inside the temple."
Li Guanyi nodded his head and thanked him.
The young Taoist hesitated, then added, "You should be careful, especially of monks."
"They’ve been here before, and there were some unpleasant incidents with the senior brothers."
Li Guanyi asked, "Monks?"
The young Taoist indignantly said, "Yes, they keep saying that this place originally belonged to their Buddhist Sect and want us to give up the space for them. Because during the grand sacrifices, the Emperor has decreed that non-clerics cannot lay hands on monks and Taoists, as it would be considered disrespectful, the constables can’t do anything to them."
"Don’t worry about them, just enjoy the scenery here."
Li Guanyi expressed his thanks and walked alone, feeling peaceful at heart.
Buddhist-Taoist conflict, huh?
It is said that about a decade ago, the Regent King demolished many temples, and now, after more than ten years, the current Emperor has begun to endorse Buddhism and Taoism again.
I wonder how many auspicious omens have been presented from all over.
So, the monks are planning to come back and fight for their territory?
Li Guanyi felt that, although Chen Country appeared prosperous, it was actually rife with one problem after another.
Martial matters, nobility, the Royal Family, the imperial household, and now the Buddhist-Taoist issue.
He cast away these thoughts, exhaled deeply, and emptied his mind. Feeling much more relaxed, he was enjoying the scenery when he suddenly sensed that the Green Bird had appeared on his shoulder. The Green Bird seemed to have detected something, exuding immense joy as it circled around Li Guanyi, wings fluttering, and its chirping clear and melodious. It seemed to be searching for someone, prompting Li Guanyi to follow its lead instinctively.
The Green Bird suddenly sped up, and Li Guanyi hurried after it, rounding the corner of a pavilion.
He saw an elderly man with white hair, his eyes tightly closed, divining someone’s fate, sitting across from a young man and a young woman.
The young woman was gentle and beautiful, graceful and dignified.
The young man was different, standing with his hands behind his back, wearing a jade belt around his waist, his brocade clothing adorned with heavy peony embroidery of golden threads, exuding natural elegance.
He had a pair of Phoenix Eyes, brows flying up at the temples, and a red birthmark between his eyebrows, his expression lively.
A Phoenix soared on his shoulder.
The red Phoenix and Li Guanyi’s Green Bird met each other, appearing delighted, emitting clear chirps.
The Phoenix and Green Bird sang together, intertwining in the air.
Without realizing it, Li Guanyi’s gaze followed, just as the young man on the other side seemed to sense something as well. Their eyes met, and it seemed as though they only had eyes for each other at that moment.
The young man on the other side frowned slightly but smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.
Changsun Wu Gou asked, "What’s the matter, Erlang?"
The young man replied, "I just felt like looking over there."
The Red Dragon also rose into the air, chasing after the Phoenix and Green Bird.
Li Guanyi thought for a moment and walked over. The Taoist was frowning as he laid out the divination. He was an elderly Taoist of the temple, born blind and now seventy years old. He had no special abilities and earned a modest living telling fortunes. Today, however, he struggled to unravel the complex fate before him, unable to discern it clearly.
But as Li Guanyi approached, the old Taoist’s counting rod fell to the ground, and the answer suddenly revealed itself.
The old Taoist breathed a sigh of relief and politely said, "The young master’s Fate Grid has been calculated."
"It is a very auspicious fate indeed."
With sightless eyes, the old Taoist stroked the counting rod; within the spring day, Phoenix and Green Bird sang in harmony. The blind old man placed his hands on his knees, unaware that two young men now stood before him—one spirited, the other as calm as a mountain. The sightless elder lightly laid two counting rods on the table, and pushed them towards the two young men.
Li Guanyi and the young man stood shoulder to shoulder.
The spring was optimal; the Emperor of Chen Country was still preparing for the grand sacred ceremony, the Great Emperor of Central State burned with indignation, and the king of the Turkic coveted the Central Plains.
Numerous lords vied for the world as a congress of dragons.
Inside the Taoist Temple.
The blind fortune-teller of seventy years gave this reply:
"Bearing the forms of Dragon and Phoenix."
"A representation of the sun and the sky."