Crossing through a shady area buzzing with summer cicadas, Bai Yichen walked under the blazing afternoon sun to the back courtyard of the Lecture Hall. After a brief rest, he stepped inside.
"Greetings, Master Guan Xu," Bai Yichen bowed respectfully.
"Shaochong, you've managed to come through the passing of Junior Brother Guanyun and made significant progress in martial arts; this is indeed a good thing."
"I called you here today to inform you that the temple has decided to appoint Junior Brother Guanyuan as the new steward master of the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall. This will take effect in three days. You and Shaoyuan should tidy up and move out from the back courtyard of the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall."
Since Master Guanyun had recently passed away and a successor hadn't been appointed yet, he and his junior brother were still residing in the original place.
But what's going on? Moving out seems normal.
But didn't he already show his talent? Wasn't there any other reward?
After speaking, Master Guan Xu picked up the tea cup on the table, but found that it was empty.
Bai Yichen quickly stood up, took the teapot from the table, shook it to confirm there was water inside, touched the side of the pot to check the temperature, and then poured tea for Master Guan Xu.
Master Guan Xu watched Bai Yichen serve everything to satisfaction before speaking again:
"Additionally, since you have cultivated your strength, you will also receive the certificate to become a Daoist in three days. Your other benefits will remain the same. Keep up the good training."
After saying this, he noticed that Master Guan Xu picked up the teacup and took a small sip, as if he still had more to say but was waiting for him to speak.
Bai Yichen's eyes flashed with hesitation, but with multiple lifetimes of experience, a suspicion suddenly arose in his heart. Could it be...
He tentatively asked, "Then where will the disciple and Junior Brother Shaoyuan move to continue studying the scriptures and practicing martial arts?"
"What are your thoughts?" Master Guan Xu looked at him with a half-smile.
Bai Yichen felt a surge of inspiration.
"Thanks to my master's teachings before, I was able to accumulate enough experience to break through the mirror. Now that my master has passed away, and my junior brother is still young, I wonder if Master Uncle would be so kind as to take care of both of us in the future."
Master Guan Xu examined Bai Yichen seriously and then said, "You're quite considerate of your fellow disciples. Very well, the temple cannot let such a martial arts seed as you go to waste. You two will move to the Lecture Hall and practice alongside the disciples there."
"Thank you, Master Uncle." As he spoke, Bai Yichen hurriedly knelt down and bowed.
Seeing this, Master Guan Xu was quite pleased with his attitude and nodded in approval.
After that, Bai Yichen didn't hesitate and seized the opportunity to directly ask about several Daoist terms related to the Huang Ting Gong and the Three Yang Demon-Subduing Fist.
The techniques of the Daoist sect were quite different from the assassin techniques he had practiced in his previous life, especially regarding the cryptic terminology. Having someone knowledgeable in the field to provide guidance would accelerate his training pace.
...
"How are you, Senior Brother? What did Master Guan Xu want with you?" After returning to the courtyard, his little junior brother rushed over, asking with concern.
"Hehe, of course it's good news. Master Uncle must have seen how talented you are and couldn't bear to let such a gem remain unpolished, so he wants to take you in as a Daoist to serve at the temple entrance."
Although he said this with a smile, his gaze was fixed on the expression on his junior brother's face.
Upon hearing this, his little junior brother immediately beamed with joy and clapped his hands, saying, "That's wonderful! Senior Brother, you're finally making a name for yourself!"
Seeing that his junior brother was genuinely happy for him, without any pretense, Bai Yichen seemed to relax a bit, feeling that he hadn't made the wrong choice.
"It's not just me; it's also you. We will both be moving to the Lecture Hall."
"Ah, has Master Uncle agreed to that?"
"Since Master Guan Xu has spoken, there's no doubt about it. Plus, he even bestowed us ten taels of silver as a reward."
The "Three Leaders" hold esteemed positions, usually being powerful and high-ranking masters. While they do not have specific duties like the "Five Stewards and Eight Executors" and do not generally engage in daily management, they have significant influence in the temple. Once they make a statement regarding minor matters, it is essentially a done deal.
"Wonderful! We can finally eat meat."
Originally, their meager allowance as Daoist boys only sufficed for simple meals. Since losing their master's support, the two of them couldn't even get enough meat; the last meal they had was when his junior brother tried various ways to save some for him.
"Let's go to the kitchen and eat some meat!"
...
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
The internal struggle for the position of steward in the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall finally came to an end.
On this day, the three leaders of Xuanzhen Temple, along with the various temple masters, stewards, Daoists, and others gathered together, except for the temple master, who was rumored to still be in secluded cultivation.
A fragrant altar was set up in the Xuanzhen Hall, where they paid respects to the Daoist Ancestor, Master Tianfeng, praying for the temple's future stability.
During the ritual, there was a segment for a Daoist to receive their certificate. For the Daoists of the temple, it was merely an interlude.
However, for Bai Yichen, it was a significant event in his life.
He was brought back to Xuanzhen Temple at the age of five and had spent nine years reciting scriptures and cultivating. He had participated in many temple rituals, such as the Sanqing Festival celebrating the Daoist Ancestor's birthday and the Sanyuan Festival for worshipping Heaven, Earth, and the Water Palace.
But during previous ceremonies, he could only stand outside the palace, kneeling on the steps alongside other young Daoists, bowing down and paying their respects from a distance. He couldn't even clearly see the specifics of the ceremonies inside the hall, having only heard about them from his master.
But this time was different. He was finally wearing a formal Daoist robe with blue embroidery and ascended the high steps of Xuanzhen Hall. Amid the chants of the Lecture Hall masters, he received his official Daoist certificate.
The certificate was a solemn document made of high-quality cowhide, durable in texture, and adorned with intricate Daoist cloud patterns.
The overall style was simple and not overly ornate. Upon opening it, he saw several lines of neatly written small characters, the handwriting clear and upright.
It detailed the recipient's name, Dharma name, place of origin, age, and the temple they were affiliated with, along with the time and place of the ordination, as well as the types of precepts received.
Finally, it bore the purple seal of Qingzhou Prefecture and Xuanzhen Temple, which would henceforth symbolize Bai Yichen's identity.
Holding the certificate, Bai Yichen felt a rush of exhilaration.
Within Xuanzhen Temple, with over a hundred people, from the temple master to the lay disciples, the hierarchy was clearly defined.
Previously, Daoist boys could only be registered without a certificate, making it impossible for them to represent the temple in matters outside or to compete for positions like the Five Stewards and Eight Executors.
But now he had finally stepped over this threshold; he was no longer a bystander or just a number. His monthly stipend had also increased several times, reaching two taels!
Most importantly, he was a step closer to seeking immortality and understanding the Dao!
There would be bread to eat, and there would be moonlight too.
...
Peaceful days flow like sand slipping through fingers, vanishing quickly.
As summer ended and the coolness of autumn began, more than two months had passed in the blink of an eye.
During this time, Bai Yichen diligently learned to be a lecture Daoist. From reciting scriptures and upholding precepts to cultivating and practicing martial arts, he worked hard every morning and evening, making steady progress day by day.
He had experienced one of the most pleasant youth periods in three lifetimes.
He no longer had to wear rough hemp clothes, tread in worn-out straw sandals, face the yellow earth, and labor for landlords with his back to the sky, nor did he need to humbly serve a resentful and mad concubine in a desolate cold palace.
He had completely integrated into Xuanzhen Temple.
The next day, after the morning lecture was finished, he suddenly heard Master Guanjian from the Lecture Hall call out, "Shaochong, come here for a moment."