In the center of the Taoist temple stood a statue of a Taoist immortal. Wang Fugui, who didn't believe in Taoism, couldn't recognize which deity it was.
In the Lei Feng Realm, the Thunder Emperor was revered first, followed by ancestors, and then gods.
Few people enshrined gods in their homes; only in places like Taoist temples could one see divine statues.
Wang Fugui, arriving as he did, followed local customs and paid his respects to the statue, making a wish.
Ordinary people prayed for success in their careers, for children, or for the safety and happiness of their families.
But Wang Fugui was Wang Fugui. As the most handsome man in the capital (self-proclaimed, not officially certified), his wish was unusual and exceptionally pure and unconventional.
"Oh, Taoist deity, grant me a beautiful maiden! Let this lonely and pitiful child experience the warmth of affection."
Boom!
Crack!
Suddenly, the sky flashed with lightning and thundered.
Perhaps the Taoist deity, having heard his plea and reached the end of its patience, sent down heavenly lightning to smite this lecherous scoundrel.
Alas, the aim was off.
"It looks like it's going to rain."
After demonstrating his talent for idle chatter, Wang Fugui exited the Taoist temple and stood by the railing outside, looking up at the sky.
The sky was covered with thick, dark clouds, even more somber than when he had arrived.
The wind on the mountain brought with it unmelted snow, and the fine snowflakes struck Wang Fugui's face, immersing him in a peculiar mood.
Colloquially speaking, he was being a show-off.
After gazing at the sky for a moment, Wang Fugui lowered his head and saw a figure approaching from outside.
It was a Taoist nun. While her beauty couldn't be described as soul-stirring or capable of making the moon and flowers shy, she was exquisite, transparent, gentle, and refined, possessing a clear and unworldly elegance.
The Taoist nun had delicate eyebrows and a hint of heroism in her eyes, which seemed to hold a trace of sadness, making her appearance even more ethereal and refined.
She wore a black Taoist robe, with a black sash casually tied at her slender waist, further accentuating her detached and transcendent aura.
A heart of orchids and a mind of lilies, a lotus emerging from the water, spotless.
This was Wang Fugui's first impression of the Taoist nun before him.
"Is the benefactor here to pray and seek divination?"
The Taoist nun reached the foot of the steps and only then noticed Wang Fugui by the railing.
The young gentleman was dressed in white, his brow slightly furrowed, emanating a melancholy aura that was truly captivating. She longed to smooth out his frown.
Seeing the handsome young man look at her, the Taoist nun blushed and curtsied slightly.
Wang Fugui offered a warm smile, cupped his hands, and said in his gentle and magnetic voice,
"This humble student has already prayed, and my wish has been granted. This Taoist deity is indeed extraordinary."
The Taoist nun was taken aback, wondering what wish could be granted immediately after being made.
"Are you the mistress of this Taoist temple, immortal maiden? This humble student grew up in the capital, but I had no idea there was such a paradise outside the city."
The Taoist nun ascended the steps and stopped about a meter away from Wang Fugui, smiling faintly.
"My master and I came here originally. Seeing the beautiful mountains and clear waters, we built this Taoist temple and settled down.
Because I prefer tranquility, I did not intentionally publicize it."
"I see. Then, master, are you now..."
"My master has passed away. Only I remain here now."
Ah, so she was the one burning paper earlier. It must have been for her master.
"May I ask the immortal maiden's Taoist name?"
"My master gave me a Taoist name, calling me Yunmengzi."
"Yunmengzi... A fine name indeed. 'Clouds deep, no path known; dreams enter lotus pools.' Such a beautiful artistic conception."
"Heh heh,"
The Taoist nun chuckled, covering her mouth with her hand.
"Young master speaks so nicely. My master gave me this name because I was always in a daze, as if sleepwalking, and he said I was a bit foolish, so he gave me the Taoist name Yunmengzi."
"Hahaha, that's not foolishness; it's following one's heart with abandon, a state of great freedom. It must be difficult for you to live here alone, young lady."
Wang Fugui no longer addressed her as "immortal maiden" but as "young lady," deliberately downplaying her identity as a Taoist nun.
"It's not difficult at all. Being alone is quite peaceful."
Yunmengzi rested one hand on the railing, looking at the distant scenery.
"I chose this place precisely for its beautiful scenery. Living here every day greatly aids one's state of mind."
Wang Fugui smiled upon hearing this and turned to face Yunmengzi.
"You say you are admiring the scenery, but in the eyes of those who are watching the scenery, you are the most beautiful scenery."
The Taoist nun faltered, turning to look at Wang Fugui. She saw his deep eyes, gazing at her with a smile, and her heart immediately fluttered in panic. She quickly turned her head away.
"Young master is jesting. This humble girl has some awareness of her own appearance and can hardly compare to the noble ladies of the capital.
"Young lady, your words are mistaken. As the saying goes:
Beauty does not enchant the person; the person is enchanted by themselves.
In the eyes of lovers, Xi Shi appears.
A destined meeting travels a thousand miles.
Three smiles are worth an eternity of infatuation."
The young Taoist nun's face turned even redder. She frowned, looking at Wang Fugui for a moment, and said with a hint of anger,
"You lecherous fellow."
"Hahahaha, I am merely unrestrained in my nature. When I have something to say in my heart, I must express it immediately. I dislike the coy and evasive behavior of ordinary people."
"I am the same."
The young Taoist nun nodded. It was precisely because she disliked worldly constraints that she had chosen to become a nun and live as a free spirit.
The two chatted very congenially, and both Wang Fugui and the young Taoist nun grew increasingly relaxed, their distance closing with each passing moment.
The young Taoist nun found Wang Fugui to be exceptionally eloquent and scholarly, while Wang Fugui found the young Taoist nun to be fresh, refined, and endearingly simple.
Rumble...
In the distance, thunder rumbled again.
"It's going to rain."
Yunmengzi frowned slightly, her eyelids drooping.
"You don't like rainy days?"
"I don't. Rainy days make the roads muddy and difficult to travel, and the gloominess and dampness affect my mood.
I prefer snow. Snowy days are beautiful, with snowflakes drifting everywhere, and as far as the eye can see, there is pure white."
"Facing wine, evening snow flies, a few traces of melancholy on the dim mountain."
"Not quite. The mood I prefer is like this: 'Hearing dog barks at the simple gate, returning home on a snowy night.'"
"Heh, young lady, you have such romantic tastes. If you love snow, I happen to know a wonderful place where the ice is frozen for ten thousand miles year-round, covered in snow, with exceptionally beautiful scenery."
"Really? Can you take me there?"
The young Taoist nun's eyes lit up, then she suddenly lowered her head, feeling a bit embarrassed. After all, she wasn't well acquainted with him; why would he take her there?
"There is the most beautiful snow there, only lacking the most beautiful person."
Thump... thump...
The young Taoist nun lowered her head, feeling as if her heart were about to leap out of her chest. How could this young master speak so boldly?
As evening approached, raindrops began to fall, carried by the wind and landing on them.
"Um... let's not talk about that. Young master came to pray and seek divination. I... I will divine a卦 for you."
"Alright."
"What shall I divine?"
"Marriage."
"Someone like you, young master, worries about marriage?"
The young Taoist nun's eyes widened.
"It's not to divine my marriage, but rather..."
A mischievous smile played on Wang Fugui's lips. He leaned in slightly, looking into the young Taoist nun's eyes.
"To divine yours. Calculate when you will meet your destined love."