14: Visitors from outside the mountains

As Zhao Desheng accompanied the middle-aged man to the mountain gate, Li Muchen was already waiting on the stone steps in front of the hall.

His Spiritual Sense had sensed them in advance, allowing him to prepare; he stood there with a calm expression, his gaze steady as he watched the newcomers approach.

Upon seeing Li Muchen, Zhao Desheng immediately beamed with a smile, showing a hint of subtle respect as he hurried forward. "Abbot! I hope we aren't disturbing your cultivation! This is Officer Liu from the town's Cultural Station. He heard our Qingfeng Temple has a long history and... and has an expert like you here, so he came specifically to take a look."

"Officer Liu, this is Daoist Master Li of Qingfeng Temple," Zhao Desheng introduced him to the middle-aged man.

Officer Liu appeared to be in his early forties, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, with fair skin and a slightly plump build—the very image of an intellectual. He studied Li Muchen closely, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes.

The young Taoist before him wore an old, faded robe and stood before a dilapidated temple. By all rights, he should have looked destitute, yet his temperament was serene, and his eyes were clear and profound. Standing there, he possessed an aura as steady as a mountain and as deep as an abyss, harmonizing strangely with his surroundings. It even gave off a faint feeling that one should not underestimate him.

"Daoist Master Li, hello, hello!" Officer Liu retracted his scrutinizing gaze, replaced it with a polite smile, and extended his hand. "I am Liu Ming from the Yuntai Town Cultural Station, under the County Cultural Bureau. I primarily handle local history and cultural relic protection. This unannounced visit is to learn about the history and current status of Qingfeng Temple."

Li Muchen reached out and gave a light, firm handshake, his touch warm and his manner neither humble nor arrogant. "taoist greeting. Officer Liu, you have traveled far; it must be tiring. The temple is humble, please come inside and sit."

He led the two to the Main Hall. Though it remained empty and dilapidated, the floor was clean, the offering table had been wiped, and the air was filled with the elegant, peaceful fragrance of heart-clearing grass. It was a far cry from the expected scene of a ruined temple covered in cobwebs and dust. In particular, the ancient cypress tree in front of the hall, which had found spring in its withered wood, bore emerald-green leaves that added a touch of the miraculous.

Officer Liu's gaze swept across the hall, lingering for a moment on the broken statues and several patched areas of the roof before he took out a notebook and pen to begin his inquiry.

The questions were routine: the date of the temple's founding, its historical evolution, the successive abbots, the condition of existing buildings, property ownership, current management, and so on.

Li Muchen answered truthfully. Some information came from the scattered notes left by the old abbot, some from the oral accounts of old villagers like Zhao Desheng, and for much of it, he simply stated he did not know. Regarding how he became the abbot, he simply said he was a graduate of the Taoist University and had followed his assignment.

"So, Daoist Master Li is formally trained and took the initiative to come to this remote place to revive the temple?" Officer Liu pushed up his glasses, his tone inquisitive.

"I wouldn't call it a revival; I'm simply doing my best," Li Muchen replied flatly.

"The Abbot is too modest." Officer Liu smiled, then changed the subject. "My visit today, besides understanding the situation, is also because I've recently heard some... rumors about Qingfeng Temple. For instance, the water from this well seems to be somewhat special? And some say that you, Abbot, know medicine and saved someone from the village who was seriously injured?"

'Here it comes,' Li Muchen thought. The spirit well water and the matter of saving Zhao Xiaoshan had indeed attracted official attention. Although the Cultural Station did not manage medical health, they would naturally pay attention to matters involving "folklore," "legends," or even potential "feudal superstitions."

"The well water is mountain spring water—clear and sweet. Drinking it long-term might have some health-strengthening effects, but the villagers have exaggerated through word of mouth," Li Muchen said, his expression unchanged. "As for medicine, I only have a slight knowledge of ancestral massage, bone-setting, and herbal lore. Last time the Zhao boy was heavily injured, I used some folk remedies in a moment of urgency and was fortunate enough that nothing went wrong. It was sheer luck; I wouldn't dare call it medical skill."

His answers were airtight, neither over-denying nor admitting to anything miraculous, attributing everything to "good spring water," "effective folk remedies," and "good luck."

Officer Liu recorded the notes while observing Li Muchen's expressions and the surroundings. As a cultural officer, he had encountered many folk temples and so-called "extraordinary individuals," most of whom were charlatans or steeped in ignorant superstition.

However, this young abbot before him was composed in speech and manner, with clear eyes and no trace of the Jianghu about him. Furthermore, though the temple was dilapidated, it was kept clean and vibrant. Especially that fresh green of the ancient cypress and the elegant atmosphere filling the courtyard—it was indeed unusual.

The doubts in his heart had not dissipated, but he still had to perform his official duties.

"I see." Officer Liu closed his notebook. "Daoist Master Li's lack of interest in fame and wealth, and his dedication to repairing the ancient temple and passing on culture, is commendable. Though Qingfeng Temple is old, looking at this architectural style and the ancient tree, it certainly has history and is a piece of local cultural heritage worth noting. I will report back to the bureau and see if we can secure some support for cultural relic protection, even if it's just putting up a plaque or applying for a small repair subsidy."

This was an unexpected boon. Li Muchen performed a ritual greeting in thanks. "Thank you for your trouble, Officer Liu."

"However," Officer Liu's tone paused slightly as he looked at Li Muchen with underlying meaning, "we live in a scientific society now. Some folk legends are fine to listen to, but one must still maintain a scientific and rational attitude. Especially regarding matters of public health and safety, one must be cautious. I suggest that those who need medical attention should seek it promptly. Daoist Master Li is a highly educated man; you should understand this logic."

This was a subtle warning and admonishment.

Li Muchen nodded. "Officer Liu is absolutely right. I understand."

Officer Liu asked more about the temple's daily routine and interactions with the villagers, all of which Li Muchen answered with a frank attitude. Finally, Officer Liu requested to see the "famous" well.

Li Muchen led him to the spirit well in the courtyard. The well water was crystal clear, reflecting the sky and clouds, and the area around the well was clean. Officer Liu leaned over to look, then had Li Muchen draw half a bucket of water. He observed it closely and even dipped a finger in to taste it.

"Hmm... it is indeed very sweet, better than average mountain spring water." Officer Liu nodded, but showed no further surprise. He had seen many places with good water; though this well water was good, it wasn't quite at the level of "divine water." Perhaps it really was just excellent water quality combined with a psychological effect.

After the tour, Officer Liu prepared to head down the mountain. Before leaving, he looked at the temple once more, especially the ancient cypress, and said to Li Muchen:

"Daoist Master Li, this temple has a serene environment and the ancient tree has returned to life; it is indeed a good place for self-cultivation. Stay here in peace. If you have any difficulties or new discoveries about the temple's history, you can find me at the town's Cultural Station. This is my card." He handed over a simple paper business card.

"taoist greeting. Safe travels, Officer Liu." Li Muchen took the card and saw him off with a ritual bow.

Zhao Desheng accompanied Officer Liu down the mountain. The temple returned to silence.

Li Muchen stood at the mountain gate, watching the two figures recede into the distance, his gaze narrowing slightly.

Officer Liu's visit was expected, yet it was also a signal. The authorities had noticed the existence of Qingfeng Temple and himself. Although it was currently just a preliminary contact from the cultural department regarding relic protection and folklore management—and their attitude was polite—he could clearly feel the underlying scrutiny and warning.

The matter of the spirit well water and the treatment of Zhao Xiaoshan had likely been registered with the authorities. It was just that there was currently no evidence of anything "supernatural" or "harmful to society," so it remained routine attention.

But this meant he could no longer remain completely hidden in the mountains as before. Any abnormality regarding himself or Qingfeng Temple could potentially be placed under a magnifying glass.

Whether this was a blessing or a curse remained to be seen.

However, Li Muchen did not feel much pressure. With his Foundation Establishment complete, his Purple Mansion opened, and his mastery of the Palm Thunder, he was no longer the weak, destitute graduate who was lost about the future. With power came confidence.

As long as he did not actively expose his transcendent powers, interfere with the secular order, or cross any lines, the authorities would likely not interfere too much with his current image as a "young Taoist dedicated to cultivation." They might even provide some nominal support, as Officer Liu had mentioned.

This was fine. Having some official attention and recognition could actually deter some unnecessary troubles.

Returning to the Main Hall, Li Muchen sat cross-legged, his Spiritual Sense expanding slightly to cover the temple inside and out.

Everything was as usual. The ancient cypress was full of life, the heart-clearing grass grew peacefully, and the Spirit Gathering Formation operated faintly.

He needed to increase his strength more quickly. Officer Liu's arrival reminded him that the eyes of the outside world were converging. Only by being strong enough himself could he calmly deal with all variables.

The Supreme Clarity Purple Mansion Returning to Origin True Scripture required perseverance.

Practice of the Palm Thunder could not be neglected either.

Perhaps he could also try that "Basic Alchemy Handbook"? If he could refine the simplest bigu pills and qi nurturing pills, it would be a great help to his cultivation. As for medicinal ingredients... he could ask Zhao Desheng to keep an eye out or search the mountains himself. Now that he had Spiritual Sense, finding specific herbs would be much more convenient.

Thinking of this, Li Muchen made a plan.

The wind from outside the mountain had already blown in. He could not bury his head in cultivation forever; he also needed to start consciously managing this temple, accumulating resources, and even... making a tiny, insignificant preparation for the possible future Legacy of his Dao.

He took the business card Officer Liu had given him from his robe, looked at it, and placed it gently to the side.

Then, closing his eyes, his mind sank into his Purple Mansion, and he began his cultivation for the day.

Outside the temple, the sky was high and the clouds were light as a mountain breeze blew softly. The new leaves of the ancient cypress swayed gently in the sunlight, shimmering with a luster full of life.