https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-217-The-Sky-Holds-Secrets-Han-Sha-Qi/13688396/
Chapter 216: The Nameless Taoist Temple, Heaven-Toppling Rain
"Master," Lu Qing said, "it looks like we won’t make it to the next town for lodging today."
Unaware of the demon who had already thrown Ji Zhou into chaos, sending shockwaves through every corner of the land, the group remained oblivious to the storm gathering not just in the sky—but in the fate that now pursued them.
Above them, the sky was a heavy, brooding gray, the kind that promised torrential rain. They stood at the edge of a desolate wilderness, far from the next village—still dozens of li away. There was no way they’d reach it before the storm hit.
"Since we can’t make it," Old Doctor said, glancing up at the dense black clouds, "we should find shelter first. I remember there used to be an abandoned Taoist temple nearby. Not sure if it’s still habitable."
They weren’t too worried—after all, they had a carriage to shield them from the rain. But the real danger lay in the possibility of the carriage getting stuck in mud if the downpour grew too fierce.
Under Old Doctor’s guidance, Ma Gu steered the carriage to the crumbling temple. After a quick inspection of the outer grounds, they found that while the structure was in poor condition—its roof half-collapsed, light streaming through gaps—the main hall remained largely intact, offering solid protection from wind and rain.
The only issue? There was no signboard. No name. No clue as to what this place even was.
"Alright," Old Doctor declared after surveying the area, "we’ll stay here for the night. This storm won’t be a light one. We’ll continue our journey tomorrow."
Lu Qing and the others nodded in agreement. They were no ordinary travelers—camping under the open sky was nothing unusual to them. Aside from the lack of convenience, there was no real risk. Even Xiao Yan, once timid and fearful, now carried herself with bold confidence, unafraid of the dark or the storm.
"Master," Lu Qing said, "I’ll go outside and gather some firewood. We’ll need a fire to cook dinner."
"Go ahead," Old Doctor replied.
As for Wei Zian, though he might have wanted to help, Lu Qing and the others wouldn’t let him leave the safety of the hall. Not with the storm looming.
Not long after, Lu Qing returned, arms full of dry wood. Just as he lit the fire, the clouds above cracked open.
At first, the rain fell in scattered drops—gentle, almost hesitant. But within moments, it transformed into a torrential deluge, thunderous and unrelenting. The sheer force of it startled them all.
"Thank the heavens you knew about this temple, Master," Lu Qing said, peering through the rain-lashed window. The downpour was so thick, it blurred everything beyond ten paces, turning the world into a gray haze. "If we’d still been on the road, we’d have been soaked to the bone."
Ma Gu and Wei Zian nodded in agreement. Even their Wei Family–crafted carriage, designed to withstand wind and rain, wouldn’t be safe against such a fury.
Xiao Li, meanwhile, pressed deeper into Xiao Yan’s arms, trembling. It hated rain more than anything.
"This rain is truly fierce," Old Doctor mused, watching the storm with quiet reflection. "The heaviest I’ve seen in years. And this temple… I used to know the abbot. We were acquaintances. After he passed, no one took care of the place. It fell into disrepair."
Lu Qing’s heart stirred at the words. He knew little of his Master’s past—Old Doctor rarely spoke of it. And yet, here he was, sharing a memory from long ago.
"Master," Lu Qing asked, "did the abbot have any disciples?"
"No," Old Doctor shook his head. "He lived alone. Never took a student."
"Then what about his cultivation? Was he a powerful martial artist?" Wei Zian asked, curiosity piqued.
Old Doctor smiled faintly. "He only practiced inner cultivation—quieting the mind, refining breath. He never pursued martial arts. But his character… that was something I always deeply admired."
Wei Zian and Ma Gu exchanged glances, their expressions instantly respectful. If Old Doctor, a man of such rare integrity, held this man in high regard, then his virtue must have been extraordinary.
Only Lu Qing remained slightly skeptical. He knew his Master’s words about martial cultivation were often half-truths—more modesty than reality. The old man claimed he lacked talent and had no interest in combat, yet he had created the Nourish Body Fist, mastered Water and Fire Harmonization, and even reached the Xian Tian Ling Yu realm.
So when Old Doctor said the abbot had “no achievements in martial arts,” Lu Qing suspected it was simply humility. A man living alone in such a remote temple, surviving on his own—how could he be ordinary? Sadly, the abbot was already gone. He’d never get to meet him.
As they chatted, Lu Qing moved swiftly, preparing a pot of hearty meat porridge, which he served to everyone. Xiao Li, uninterested in porridge, was given a large bowl of dried fish instead.
The Wei Family had stocked ample supplies for the journey. But Lu Qing had gone even further—thanks to his Qiankun Yiqi Dai, a spirit artifact capable of storing vast quantities of goods. He’d packed dozens of jin of dried fish alone, just for Xiao Li. He’d have brought more—but time had been short, and fish hard to find in such quantity. He’d have happily stocked a hundred jin if he’d had the chance.
Still, he rarely touched the artifact’s contents unless absolutely necessary. For now, they were living off the provisions carried in the carriage and what they’d picked up from roadside towns.
In the cool, damp weather, the steaming porridge warmed their bodies, bringing deep comfort.
"Lu Qing, your cooking is truly masterful," Ma Gu said after finishing his bowl, giving a thumbs-up. "Just a simple salted pork porridge, yet you’ve made it taste like a feast."
Wei Zian, slurping down his own bowl, nodded in agreement.
"Overstating it, brother," Lu Qing chuckled. "It’s just the homemade seasoning I added to the cured pork. That’s what gives it its unique flavor."
Fresh meat wasn’t practical to carry on the road, so Lu Qing had brought all the cured pork he’d spent the past two years drying and smoking. Now, it was proving invaluable.
While the group enjoyed their meal in the shelter of the ancient hall, the storm outside only grew worse.
By the time the rain reached its peak, it felt as though the heavens had split open. Water poured down like a waterfall, relentless and violent. The rain streaks from the eaves looked like thick pillars of water.
Lu Qing and the others grew uneasy. They feared the roof might collapse, or the rising floodwaters might surge through the doors.
But the hall, though old, was built solidly. And it stood on high ground—well-placed, well-constructed. As the storm raged on, the structure held firm. The roof didn’t give. Water didn’t flood in.
Relief washed over them.
Yet Old Doctor remained troubled. "This rain… it’s too unnatural."
Lu Qing’s pulse quickened. This was the first rain since the Heaven and Earth Disturbance. The intensity of it—was it a sign?
Old Doctor, too, had thought the same. He met Lu Qing’s eyes, and in that moment, the silence between them grew heavy with dread.
The hall fell quiet.
But not for long.
Just as Lu Qing was lost in thought, his expression shifted—something had changed.
At the same moment, Xiao Li’s ears twitched upright.
Seconds later, Old Doctor lifted his head.
Only Ma Gu and Wei Zian remained unaware.
But soon, even they heard it—the distant, chaotic clamor from outside.
(End of Chapter)
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