39: Legal principles are like a knife, pressing in on every inch.

Three days after the coordination meeting ended on a sour note, a "Special Rectification Task Force for Safety Hazards in Religious Venues"—jointly established by the County Religious Affairs Bureau, the Housing and Construction Bureau, and the Fire Department—arrived at Zhaojiaao Village.

This time, the scale of the operation was entirely different.

Three law enforcement vehicles drove directly to the village entrance. Twelve uniformed officers stepped out, accompanied by two reporters carrying body cams. The leader was the Deputy Captain of the Fire Department, surnamed Lei. True to his name, he spoke and acted with thunderous efficiency.

“Notify every household that starting today, we are conducting a safety hazard inspection of Qingfeng Temple,” Captain Lei announced loudly in the village committee courtyard. “We request the village committee's cooperation in evacuating unrelated personnel.”

Village Party Secretary Zhao Jianguo accompanied him with a forced smile. “Captain Lei, this... shouldn't we say hello to Daoist Master Li first?”

“Say hello?” Captain Lei glanced at him. “We are conducting an inspection according to the law. Who do we need to say hello to? Secretary Zhao, please understand that we are enforcing the law now, not negotiating.”

Zhao Jianguo shut his mouth awkwardly.

At nine in the morning, the inspection team began their ascent up the mountain.

This time they didn't take the side paths, but went directly through the tourist passage. Although the flow of tourists had been restricted, dozens were still in line. Seeing the large group of uniformed officers heading up the mountain, the crowd immediately became restless.

“What happened?”

“It looks like they're here to inspect the temple...”

“Quick, film it, film it!”

Phones were raised one after another.

Just as the inspection team reached halfway up the mountain, word came from ahead: the temple gates were tightly shut.

“Closed?” Captain Lei sneered. “Do they think closing the door can obstruct law enforcement? Notify Li Muchen that he has ten minutes to open the gates for inspection, or we will take compulsory measures according to the law.”

When the news reached the temple, Li Muchen was performing his morning lessons in the Main Hall.

Zhao Desheng ran over in a hurry, out of breath. “Abbot... they, they're here! They said they're going to force an inspection!”

Li Muchen slowly opened his eyes, and the sound of chanting stopped.

Incense smoke curled within the hall; the divine statues remained silent.

“Understood.” He spoke only those two words before standing up and walking toward the mountain gate.

Outside the mountain gate, the crowd grew larger and larger.

The inspection team, reporters, tourists, and villagers who had rushed over upon hearing the news packed the small gate platform until it was water-tight. Captain Lei stood at the front and shouted at the closed gate:

“Daoist Master Li, we are the County Special Rectification Task Force for Safety Hazards in Religious Venues, here to inspect Qingfeng Temple according to the law. Please cooperate and open the gate!”

There was no sound from inside.

Captain Lei looked at his watch. “It is now 9:17 AM. I am giving a final notice. If the gate is not opened within ten minutes, we will enter by force according to the law!”

Someone in the crowd began recording video.

Zhao Xiaowen was also in the crowd—she had originally come to film material today, but hadn't expected to stumble upon this scene. She squeezed to the front and raised her phone, aiming the lens at the gate.

Time passed minute by minute.

9:26 AM.

Captain Lei waved his hand. “Prepare to breach the gate!”

Two firefighters stepped forward carrying breaching tools.

Just then—

With a creak.

The mountain gate opened.

It wasn't thrown wide open; only half a panel opened.

Li Muchen stood inside the gate, dressed in a green cloth Daoist robe, his expression as calm as an ancient well without a ripple. He looked at Captain Lei and gave a formal greeting. “Infinite Blessings. Lay Practitioners, please enter.”

Now that the gate was open, everyone was actually stunned for a moment.

Captain Lei frowned and waved his hand. “Go in and inspect!”

The inspection team filed in one by one.

The reporters and tourists tried to follow but were blocked outside. “Law enforcement inspection, no unauthorized personnel allowed!”

The inspection lasted for three full hours.

Captain Lei personally led the team, going from the Main Hall to the side halls, from the kitchen to the wing rooms, not missing a single corner. The body cams filmed the entire process, and reporters captured details from time to time.

The inspection results were "shocking":

The main beam of the Main Hall had traces of termite infestation—photo zoomed in for a close-up.

Lack of fire safety facilities—the entire temple had only one old fire extinguisher.

Illegal and messy electrical wiring—several wires ran under the eaves.

Debris blocking evacuation routes—which were actually just several bundles of scriptures, incense, and candles.

No food safety measures—there was no sterilization cabinet for the teapots and cups in the guest hall.

No health and epidemic prevention plan—there wasn't even a thermometer in the temple.

Every item was recorded in detail.

At the end of the inspection, Captain Lei stood in the courtyard and said to Li Muchen, “Daoist Master Li, you've seen the inspection results. Seven safety hazards, every one of them factual. According to regulations, Qingfeng Temple must immediately cease all religious activities and undergo rectification.”

He handed over a "Notice of Order for Rectification within a Time Limit" and a "Decision for Temporary Seal-off."

“These are the rectification requirements; they must be completed within fifteen days. This is the temporary seal-off decision. From today, Qingfeng Temple is closed to the public until the rectification passes inspection.”

Li Muchen took the documents, glanced at them, and remained calm. “This poor Daoist understands.”

“Understands?” Captain Lei frowned. “Please sign for receipt.”

“No need.” Li Muchen placed the documents on a nearby stone table. “Since you have finished your inspection, you may leave.”

“You...” Captain Lei hadn't expected him to be so composed. “Daoist Master Li, I am reminding you: if you refuse to comply, we will carry out enforcement according to the law, and you will be responsible for the consequences!”

“This poor Daoist is a man of cultivation; I only ask about Karma and do not calculate consequences.” Li Muchen looked at him. “Captain Lei, do you know why this temple has stood for a hundred years without falling?”

Captain Lei was taken aback.

“Because in every dynasty and generation, those who wanted to move it fell first.” Li Muchen's voice was flat, yet every word was crystal clear. “Today you use the law as a blade; this poor Daoist has nothing to say. However, as for where this blade is pointed—whether it is cutting away hazards or cutting away the Daoist lineage—you all should know in your hearts.”

These words sounded mystical; Captain Lei didn't understand them and didn't care to. “Enough of that! This is a society ruled by law; everything is done according to the law!”

He said no more and directed his subordinates to paste sealing strips on the temple's main gate.

The white sealing strips and bright red official seals looked particularly jarring on the simple, ancient wooden door.

“The seals are on; no one is allowed to enter without authorization,” Captain Lei announced loudly. “We will arrange for personnel to stand guard. Daoist Master Li, please move out as soon as possible and cooperate with the rectification.”

Li Muchen didn't speak, just quietly watched as the seals were applied.

The inspection team leader left triumphantly.

The crowd of onlookers gradually dispersed, but the sound of discussion grew louder:

“It's really been sealed...”

“Then what will Daoist Master Li do?”

“I heard they're going to drive him away...”

“Shh, keep it down!”

Zhao Xiaowen stood where she was, looking at the seal on the door, then at Li Muchen inside.

Their eyes met for a brief moment.

Li Muchen gave her a slight nod, then turned and walked toward the Main Hall.

The door slowly closed behind him, leaving only that jarring white sealing strip trembling slightly in the wind.

Down the mountain, the war of public opinion escalated.

On that day's evening news, the local television station broadcast a report on the sealing of Qingfeng Temple. The footage was carefully edited: dilapidated buildings, messy wires, missing fire equipment... accompanied by a serious narration:

“In recent years, with the increase in religious activity venues, safety hazard issues have become increasingly prominent. Relevant county departments have sealed Qingfeng Temple, which has major safety hazards, in accordance with the law. This reflects the government's high regard for the safety of people's lives and property...”

The report didn't mention development at all, only safety.

On the internet, the internet water army was deployed once again:

《Support the government's legal sealing! Safety is no small matter!》

《Has the internet-famous Daoist's persona collapsed? It turns out the temple is so run-down!》

《It should have been inspected long ago! Those who mythologized the well water, now you know the truth, right?》

But there were also different voices:

《As someone who has been to Qingfeng Temple, let me say something fair: it's very clean there, not at all like in the reports.》

《I support safety inspections, but why at this specific point in time?》

《Those who understand, understand. This is about driving people out to make way for development.》

The two sides argued fiercely.

Zhao Xiaowen worked through the night to edit a video and post it online—it was material she had filmed at the temple over the past few months: the clean and tidy courtyard, the orderly pilgrims, scenes of Li Muchen taking an elderly person's pulse... The video title: "The Qingfeng Temple in My Eyes."

In less than an hour after posting, the views exceeded one hundred thousand, and the comment section exploded:

“This is the real temple!”

“Do those people saying it's dirty and messy have no conscience?”

“What exactly does the government want to do?”

But soon, the video's reach was restricted, and comments began to show a prompt: "This video contains controversial content."

Zhao Xiaowen received a private message from the platform: “Your account has been issued a warning for posting false information. Three warnings will result in an account ban.”

She was shaking with anger but was helpless.

Late at night, inside the temple.

Li Muchen sat cross-legged on the cold jade meditation cushion, his eyes slightly closed.

No lamps were lit in the hall; only the moonlight from outside filtered through the window lattices, casting a silver glow on the floor.

His Spiritual Sense spread out like water, "watching" the clamor down the mountain and "watching" the personnel on guard outside the gate—two young auxiliary police officers, wrapped in overcoats, stomping their feet in the cold wind, occasionally looking at the closed mountain gate with eyes full of both awe and confusion.

The Moonlit Flowing Cloud Robe shimmered faintly in the darkness, the cloud and water patterns on the robe appearing to flow slowly.

Li Muchen opened his eyes and looked at the divine statue in the hall.

The clay statue remained silent in the moonlight, its features compassionate.

“A hundred-year-old temple, today actually trapped by a piece of sealing tape.” He spoke softly to himself, as if conversing with the statue. “Tell me, is it that the rules of this world have changed, or is it that people's hearts have changed?”

The statue was silent.

Only the moonlight moved, illuminating the several documents on the offering table—the rectification notice, the seal-off decision, and those previous official documents, piled together like a small mountain of paper.

Li Muchen reached out a finger and tapped lightly.

The "Decision for Temporary Seal-off" on top floated up silently, suspended in mid-air.

The writing on the paper began to twist and blur, finally turning into tiny specks of light that dissipated into the air. Even the piece of paper gradually became transparent until it vanished without a trace.

Then the "Notice for Rectification," then those official documents... page by page, like melting ice and snow.

In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the offering table was completely empty.

Only the moonlight remained, pure and cold.

Li Muchen withdrew his hand and looked toward the gate.

The mountain wind howled, making the door panels rattle softly.

Those two sealing strips trembled in the wind, yet they were firmly stuck to the door—not by physical adhesion, but by the blessing of some "legal principle," a power of "rules" gathered from the thoughts of countless people.

He could erase the words on the paper, but he could not erase the prejudices in people's hearts.

He could dissolve the form of the documents, but he could not dissolve the momentum of this world's trends.

“So be it.” He sighed softly and closed his eyes again. “Since you want to play by the rules, then this poor Daoist... will follow your rules.”

“I just wonder, when your rules meet the rules of these mountains...”

The corners of his mouth curled slightly, revealing a very faint smile.

Outside the hall, the wind grew even stronger.

The sound of muffled thunder came from the distance—the spring thunder was about to roar.