My Lady Always Lacks Ambition

Chapter 1330 - 1243: Awaiting Your Return (2)

And after four years of governing the country, Emperor Kangning has finally gained the support of the people.

The common people, as long as they are well-fed, warmly clothed, and living in peace, aren’t really concerned about who becomes the emperor. Since Emperor Kangning is a good emperor, they naturally love and respect him.

A propitious snow fell.

Another end-of-year has arrived.

The golden roof of Qingping Temple was covered with a layer of snow, the gold shimmering through it. Under the sunlight, it sparkled with golden light. The incense mist drifted over the small square in front, making Qingping Temple resemble an Immortal Palace.

The first day of the twelfth lunar month is the day to commemorate Buqiu True Monarch, and there are more devotees coming to burn incense than on ordinary days. In front of the Heroic Monument at the mountain gate, the incense offerings are abundant, with crowds of people standing around.

The devotees cannot imagine how these cultivators fought great battles against demons, but each of them has personally experienced the despair that felt like the end of the world. No, that was indeed the end of the world.

It is because they have lived through despair that they can cherish the fortune of surviving the ordeal.

And it is this fortune that these cultivators have given them.

They should be honored for it.

It’s not about faith; it’s simply a matter of saying thank you.

It turns out that the monks and Daoists they used to see suddenly came forth to exorcise demons, and that was why the Daoist temples and monasteries were empty at that time, as they went to purify the demons!

These people are just like those warriors who protect their family and country, trudging forward under heavy burdens to bring them peace.

The devotees of Qingping Temple are unending.

Qing Yuan watched as Yu Changkong came to say farewell, and said with a smile: "When you leave, the female devotees will be heartbroken and linger around the academy. But that’s good too. If you don’t pass down your knowledge, it would truly be wasted. Running an academy and educating people is also a great virtue."

Yu Changkong, in a plain long robe, replied with a gentle smile: "You have all emerged from seclusion. My staying would be of little use, so it’s better for me to do other things."

After Qin Liuxi passed away, Qingping Temple’s people were deeply depleted in Primordial Qi, mostly in seclusion for cultivation. However, Qingping Temple did not close, keeping it running continuously with incense offerings was Yu Changkong’s way of guarding, just as he promised Qin Liuxi.

But he fulfilled his promise, yet she did not return.

Now that Qing Yuan has emerged, Yu Changkong considers his work complete and withdraws, but he does not go far. He establishes an academy on the mountain next to Qingping Temple, named Taiping Academy, accepting only scholars and above, to educate them.

Yu Changkong said to Qing Yuan: "The academy will have a course on Taoism, and if possible, I would like to invite you, Daoist Qingyuan, or a disciple from the temple to give lectures every ten days. I will also invite other accomplished Taoists to give lectures."

Qing Yuan was briefly stunned and asked: "Are you intending to spread Taoism?"

"Taoist philosophy should be learned by every student." Yu Changkong said with a smile: "Laozi and Zhuangzi are both from the Taoist School, and their ideology of natural Taoism, maintaining balance between masculinity and femininity, rigid and flexible strategies in politics, economy, governance, and military are lessons all students should understand."

Qing Yuan said: "Your actions might provoke discontent from the Confucian School."

Yu Changkong said: "I found the academy; it’s not for others to judge. I’m not solely advocating Taoist philosophy, as the so-called Hundred Schools of Thought. Those who enter my academy, if dissatisfied with the teaching, can naturally choose to leave."

What he teaches has always been the Way of Qin Liuxi!

Qing Yuan sighed and, being naturally rebellious, said: "Taiping Academy is not far. If you don’t mind, I will certainly accept your invitation."

Yu Changkong bowed to him, exchanged a few pleasantries, and took his leave.

Behind him, Qing Yuan said: "I heard there is a life-sized statue of the True Monarch in the Debate Academy of your academy?"

Yu Changkong paused, turned around, and said: "Faith and wishing power are wonderful things. What if it’s the Wenchang people’s faith in auspicious energy? Although she isn’t here... perhaps she will need it? It’s the least I can do."

He made a vow with the Golden Auspicious Qi and Vow Power of the literati, hoping for Angelica dahurica.

Qing Yuan watched him leave, shaking his head slightly, returning to the Daoist School where he saw Little Ginseng squatting at the door with his chin resting on his hands, asking: "The temple master hasn’t returned?"

Little Ginseng said: "Almost, perhaps."

Qing Yuan also squatted beside him, saying: "This time, you must have returned disappointed, right?"

Little Ginseng looked forlorn and disheartened: "Probably, yes."

The Underworld.

The two little yin soldiers guarding Ghost Gate huddled together, complaining.

"The Great Evil God didn’t come, yet a smaller one came. What is this? To our Underworld, to the Ghost Gate, they’re like nothing. They come and go as they please."

"Let it be; they only come once on the first day of the twelfth lunar month, take a glance and leave."

The two ghosts paused, and said: "Three years. Karma Fire Hell has been closed for three years since the Karmic Fire was extinguished. Those who should have gone to Karma Fire Hell were sent to the boiling oil cauldron instead. Do you think it will remain closed indefinitely?"