At this time, Lu Huaming and Gu Hualing had also arrived at the gate of Jinshan Temple. The two seemed to get along quite well and were chatting in low voices.
Seeing Shen Luo coming, Gu Hualing immediately stopped talking and walked aside.
"What are you two fellow Taoists whispering about?" A hint of mockery flashed across Shen Luo's face.
Gu Hualing's pretty face blushed slightly and she glared at Shen Luo.
"Ahem! There's no way we were whispering. I was just talking to Fellow Daoist Gu about the things to pay attention to when going to Chang'an. Brother Shen, how is your health recovering?" Lu Huaming coughed awkwardly and changed the subject.
"He's basically fine now. He will be fine after a few days of seclusion and recuperation after returning to Chang'an." Shen Luo said without continuing to tease the two.
Just as the three were chatting, Zen Master Haishi, Zener, and Elder Zheshi walked out of Jinshan Temple.
Zener walked in the front, his appearance had completely changed. He was wearing a bright red cassock, a five-Buddha crown on his head, and holding a golden staff. He was completely different from his previous shabby appearance in a gray robe.
"I'm sorry to have kept you three donors waiting for a long time." Zener bowed with one hand.
"Master Chaner looks like the reincarnation of a golden cicada." Lu Huaming returned the salute and said with a smile.
"Although I am not used to this outfit, the Buddhist beads said that since I have become the reincarnation of the golden cicada, I should pay attention to my appearance. I think there is some truth in it, so I have to dress like this." Zener said seriously.
"As the saying goes, Buddha relies on gold attire. If you don't dress yourself elegantly, no one will believe you. Jin Chanzi also had a set of gorgeous cassock and a nine-ring staff given by Guanyin Bodhisattva. They were much more luxurious than what you have." said the Buddhist beads.
"Three donors, Zen'er has hardly ever been out of the house. This time when he goes to Chang'an, I've asked Junior Brother Zheshi to accompany him. I'd like to ask you to take care of him along the way." Zen Master Haishi stepped forward and said.
"Master, rest assured, we will definitely keep Master Chaner safe." Lu Huaming promised, patting his chest.
He then waved his hand and summoned a flying boat. Several people boarded the boat. The flying boat soared into the sky and turned into a beam of white light as it flew away in the direction of Chang'an City.
…
Noon of the second day.
In the city of Chang'an, a horse-drawn carriage slowly moved towards the Tang Dynasty government office.
On the left side of the carriage, Lu Huaming, wearing a bamboo hat and holding a bamboo whip in his hand, was in no hurry to drive the carriage. He just drove slowly through the streets.
Inside the sedan, Shen Luo and Gu Hualing sat opposite each other, one with his eyes closed, the other with his head down, thinking about something.
In the middle of the carriage, there were two monks sitting cross-legged. One of them was a tall, middle-aged monk with a sickly face, who was none other than the elder Zheshi, the abbot of Jinshan Temple. The other was a young novice monk in a moon-white monk robe, who was none other than Chaner.
The two of them returned to Chang'an with Lu Huaming on a flying boat, and were invited to represent Jinshan Temple to participate in the Water and Land Dharma Assembly.
At this moment, Chaner was holding the string of purple wooden Buddhist beads in his hand, and his fingertips were slowly moving them. Although he was chanting scriptures, he still seemed a little uneasy.
"Zen'er, you can only meditate if your mind is calm. If your mind is not calm, even if you recite scriptures, it will be useless for your practice." Elder Zheshi noticed his abnormality and spoke.
"Venerable Zheshi, although I have been in the temple for a long time, I have never participated in a water and land ceremony. I can't help feeling a little nervous, fearing that I can neither save people nor ghosts." Upon hearing this, Zener stopped chanting, slowly put down the Buddhist beads in his hand, and said.