Translator: Dj22031
Editor: Dj22031
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There were other members of the Taoist Association who came to the concert, probably to listen to music or to lead a group. Seeing Xie Lingya, they came to strike up a conversation and ask him where he was from.
As soon as Mao Zhengqing introduced him as being from Baoyang Temple, the Taoist priest immediately asked out of curiosity: “Is that the Baoyang Temple where there are no mosquitoes?”
Mao Zhengqing was confused, “Why are there no mosquitoes?”
“It’s just their Baoyang Temple, the one in the city, right?” the Taoist priest said, “When a believer came to the Chenghuang Temple yesterday, he mentioned that Baoyang Temple was selling a mosquito repellent charm recently. That charm made their whole Taoist temple free of mosquitoes. Now many people are going there looking for mosquitoes.”
Mao Zhengqing suddenly realized, “It turns out that layman Xiao Xie has also studied miscellaneous talismans.”
“Then do you have any other talismans?”
“Uh, I didn’t pay attention. Is there really a mosquito repellent charm?” the Taoist priest asked curiously.
Although there were many Taoist miscellaneous talismans, this mosquito repellent talisman was studied by Wang Ziran, and it once became the signature of Wang Ziran and his Taoist temple, so it had not been spread to the outside world. This was not surprising. Many Taoist sects had their own unique skills.
For these miscellaneous talismans, regardless of inheritance issues, people’s energy was also limited, and many people would thus choose to practice other talismans. And not everyone could practice all the miscellaneous talismans to the extreme. The medicine could cure diseases, and the talismans could eliminate mosquitoes.
The effect of talismans was undoubtedly related to each person’s talent and ability. Not everyone was a genius. Those with this talent may not necessarily become Taoist priests, and those who became monks may only have faith.
Xie Lingya said generously: “Really, you are welcome to come look for mosquitoes too.”
The discussion between the two people attracted the attention of other Taoist priests. The news about the mosquito repellent charms of Baoyang Temple was being spread. Many of them didn’t know it yet, but it didn’t stop them from getting interested now.
“I’m envious that you still have such practical talismans.”
“Is there really not even a single mosquito?”
“How many square meters is the area of effect?”
The topic in the audience changed for a moment. Xie Lingya touched his body and said, “What a pity. I didn’t bring it, otherwise I would post it here to show you the effect… Oh, by the way, Taoist Master Mao, there should be talisman paper and cinnabar here, right? I can draw one on the spot for everyone to see.”
Don’t say that it was true that Xie Lingya didn’t carry a mosquito repellent charm with him. But even if he did, he would still say he didn’t.
What a great opportunity, with so many comrades present, of course he should take this opportunity to communicate more and get acquainted. By the way, he would like to tell everyone that those of us in Baoyang Temple were capable and that they were welcome to change jobs.
The Taoist priests were indeed very curious. The Mosquito Repellent Talisman seemed to be the unique skill of Baoyang Temple.
Mao Zhengqing understood Xie Lingya’s actions and wanted to have a good relationship with him. So, he was also happy to see him communicate happily with everyone, and he said that after the lecture, he could go and demonstrate: “Haha, Xiao Xie is very fast at drawing talismans. If you come, you can have a look.”
After the lecture, Xie Lingya had already exchanged WeChat accounts with several Taoist priests, and then everyone walked downstairs together. Mao Zhengqing took everyone to a quiet room. Several adjacent rooms here were used by Taoist priests for meditation, drawing talismans, etc.
There were tables, incense candles, talismans, cinnabar and other items inside, as well as wooden sofas for people to rest on. Other Taoist priests took the initiative to look at it.
Xie Lingya walked to a table, took a piece of talisman paper, dipped the pen in cinnabar, and walked to the sofa.
Everyone didn’t react for a moment and just looked at him.
The door of the quiet room was not closed, and the sounds from outside could still be heard. There were no seats. Xie Lingya immediately sat on the sofa, leaned over the coffee table and began to draw symbols. He felt uncomfortable standing.
Everyone: “??”
Wait, lying down?
The Taoist priest from the Chenghuang Temple whispered blankly: “I am not from a talisman sect, but what kind of new ritual is this?”
Everyone looked at Mao Zhengqing, and Mao Zhengqing was also a little speechless. He only knew that Xie Lingya was fast at drawing talismans, but he didn’t know that he could still lie down while drawing! Wasn’t this the same as primary school students doing homework?
How embarrassing it was for those Taoist priests who had to bathe and burn incense before drawing talismans!
Xie Lingya had drawn so many mosquito repellent charms these days. Thus they had become so familiar that they didn’t even need to think about it. He finished the drawings in one continuous stroke without any pause. Even the action he took to get the cinnabar took only one minute in total.
He didn’t feel there was anything wrong with his posture or process at all. Zhang Daoting didn’t say anything to him. When Shi Changxuan saw him drawing the talisman, he just stared at him a few times and didn’t say anything.
“Generally speaking, it can only ensure that there are no mosquitoes in an area of about 80 to 90 square meters, and the effect becomes weaker towards the edge.” As for the duration, he didn’t know yet, so he didn’t say anything.
Xie Lingya explained as he put the mosquito repellent charm on the wall. Looking at everyone’s eyes, he thought they were surprised by the effect of his talisman, and he felt proud, “Okay, it’s a success!”
…Suddenly they felt like they had never learned drawing talismans. The Taoist priests thought to themselves, this, there is no standard saying what posture must be used to draw the talisman, but in everyone’s concept, when it is so casual… shouldn’t the failure rate be very high?
But in fact, as Xie Lingya put the talisman on the wall, the faint buzzing that could be heard in their ears disappeared. Taihe Temple was located in the suburbs, with a large green area and more mosquitoes than in the city.
Not to mention the ease with which Xie Lingya drew the talismans. After seeing it, the Taoist priest from the Chenghuang Temple finally understood where they could sell so many talismans.
Everyone had a strong premonition that Baoyang Temple was really about to turn a corner now!
….
Xie Lingya finally saw Shi Changxuan when it was dinner time. He remembered Ding Aima’s question and asked: “Daozhang Shi, do you know what it feels like when a ghost is saved? Do most ghosts want to be saved?”
Shi Changxuan: “…I don’t know.”
Look, even Daozhang Shi was stumped!
Xie Lingya lamented that it was not because he did not study hard, it was because the angle of the questions was too tricky.
Xie Lingya saw that Shi Changxuan was still staring at him, so he explained: “I wanted to save a ghost, but that ghost is very cowardly. When he asked me, I couldn’t even answer these questions. Alas, since you also haven’t studied it, I would have to go and investigate myself.”
Shi Changxuan: “…”
After asking for advice, Xie Lingya asked him casually: “I heard from Taoist Master Mao that you might stay in Qiyang to practice? Do you want to stay at Taihe Temple?”
Shi Changxuan looked at Xie Lingya and said: “He made a mistake. I am going for graduate school at Quedong College. Taihe Temple is too far away, and it is inconvenient to attend classes.”
Xie Lingya: “Studying for graduate school?? I thought you were a full-time Taoist priest!”
It was possible for nomad Taoist priests to do something else to support themselves. After all, they were not like full-time Taoist priests, but Xie Lingya thought that Shi Changxuan came from a prestigious family and should not have to worry about these things, and the first time he met him was at the Dharma assembly, so he didn’t expect it for a moment.
Xie Lingya came back to his senses after a while: “…Oh, so you are here to do the ritual as part of your summer job?”
Shi Changxuan: “…”
Shi Changxuan opened his lips slightly but did not say anything. I’m afraid he was confused.
Xie Lingya took out his student ID card from his pocket, “By the way, I actually graduated from Quedong College. If I had been admitted to graduate school this year, I would have been studying with you! What a pity!”
Shi Changxuan finally spoke and there was a hint of doubt in his tone: “You didn’t hand over your student ID card after graduation?”
Xie Lingya: “…”
Xie Lingya said sarcastically: “I forgot it at that time. It really isn’t a fake ID and I also didn’t keep it on purpose. By the way, what major did you take?” He suddenly thought of something, raised his hand and said, “Stop talking, I know, philosophy department, religious studies, right?”
There were only twenty or thirty universities in the country with religious studies majors, and Quedong College was one of them who provided it in their Department of Philosophy. No wonder Shi Changxuan came to Qiyang. This should be the only school in Queshan Province that offered a major in religious studies. If you don’t want to go too far, this was the best choice.
There were very few graduates of religious studies, and Xie Lingya remembered that in school, many of his classmates thought that after graduating from religious studies, their career prospects would be limited to becoming monks, priests, Taoists, etc., but in fact they were completely different things.
Many people were not even like Shi Changxuan, and they just conducted research without any belief and purely observed objectively.
As expected, Shi Changxuan nodded.
Xie Lingya felt that the temperament of this major suited him well, and said, “I’m familiar with Quedong College. If you have anything to help with, just ask.”
Shi Changxuan glanced at him and nodded.
“…” Oh, why did he look at him again? Every time Shi Changxuan glanced at Xie Lingya, Xie Lingya felt that the meaning seemed to be subtly different.
….
Xie Lingya left after the meal, and when he returned, Baoyang Temple was quite busy.
Because Baoyang Temple was only so big, there were a lot of people inside, and people kept going in and out from time to time. There were also some people standing at the door, either watching without knowing what they were doing, or because they were curious as there were too many people inside.
When Xie Lingya walked to the side of the road, he saw a man shouting to his companions: “It’s just a trick to attract tourists. Although I haven’t cracked it yet, it must have been through some method we don’t know about. Do you want to believe in a clay sculpture spiritual official? That’s a lie!”
His companion said helplessly: “Keep your voice down, everyone has heard it, be respectful.”
Xie Lingya couldn’t help but look at him a few more times.
Seeing Xie Lingya staring at him, the man looked at him dissatisfied and said, “Just let them hear it, how about it? I don’t believe it, so why shouldn’t I say it?”
Xie Lingya also looked around to make sure he was looking at him, and then said seriously: “I just want to say that the Lingguang statue has been replaced by a bronze one. It will be consecrated in two days. Don’t say it is made of clay to anyone.”
The founder was so face-conscious, what can you say that is not good, unless it mentions people’s black history??
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