Techniques and Dao

Chapter 50 Jade Buddha Temple
For many years, every city has had its own mysterious legends about its streets and alleys.

The central axis of Shanghai's elevated highway network is home to a pier known as the "Dragon Pillar." Legends surrounding this "Dragon Pillar" have been a popular topic of conversation among citizens since the 1990s. Rumors circulate that a "dragon vein" lies beneath this elevated highway's "Dragon Pillar."

"It's less of a dragon vein and more of an earth dragon barrier," said Tai Shang Xiao Jun, sitting atop the pink glass sphere atop the Oriental Pearl Tower, leaning against a concrete pillar and munching on bread.

As the morning sun peeked over the horizon, it awakened the entire Lujiazui financial district from its slumber. Looking down at the wide main thoroughfares, traffic was gradually increasing, with vehicles of all sizes streaming out of the Yan'an East Road Tunnel and into this bustling area. As the morning rush hour approached, crowds thronged the subway entrances.

"The subway is already packed with people at this hour! No wonder I've heard that office workers in big cities are working from 5 am to 9 pm these days," Hua Sheng exclaimed.

“Look down there, the movement of people, the flow of water, the positions of the mountains and buildings—they form a feng shui formation,” Tai Shang Xiao Jun murmured to himself. The wind above him billowed his Taoist robes, further emphasizing the otherworldly air of this descendant of immortals. “I have a feeling that there’s a rare, gigantic feng shui formation here, surely hiding some extraordinary treasure. What could it be?”

Hua Sheng interrupted Tai Shang Xiao Jun's thoughts. He was also sitting on the top edge of the TV tower sphere: "You just mentioned that there is an earth dragon barrier under the elevated dragon pillar. Why would there be a barrier hidden under such a modern city?"

Tai Shang Xiao Jun took a deep breath and slowly said, "This is a long story."

"Take your time and tell me!" Hua Sheng's curiosity was piqued. "We need to discuss things before we take any action."

Have you ever heard of the four ferocious beasts from ancient legends?

"The Four Ferocious Beasts?"

“That’s right! Ancient legends have four ferocious beasts. They are: ‘Chaos’, which looks like a combination of a dog and a bear; ‘Taotie’, which has a human head and a sheep’s body with eyes under its armpits; ‘Qiongqi’, a tiger with wings; and ‘Taowu’, which has a human head, tiger legs, and wild boar tusks.”

"Then what is the connection between these four ferocious beasts and this dragon pillar?"

"This viaduct is related to 'Chaos' among the ferocious beasts."

"chaos?"

"Chaos, one of the Four Fiends, is recorded in works such as the Records of the Grand Historian: Annals of the Five Emperors, Zhuangzi: Responding to Emperors and Kings, and the Classic of Strange Things. It is over forty meters long and once roamed west of Kunlun in ancient times. Ordinary people could neither see nor hear it. If it encountered a noble person, Chaos would rampage and devour the kind-hearted humans. Over the centuries, many people have lost their lives at the hands of Chaos."

"I never imagined it would be so brutal."

"During the Han Dynasty, people prayed to the gods to subdue this ferocious beast. The Heavenly Court then dispatched an earth dragon to the mortal realm to subdue Chaos. After a great battle, the earth dragon finally imprisoned Chaos within its own earth dragon barrier. To prevent it from disturbing the people, the earth dragon moved the prison to the East Sea coast, which was considered a wild and undeveloped area during the Han Dynasty. At that time, this area was still a shallow beach, part of Yangzhou, and was once called Huating County. To prevent Chaos from escaping, the earth dragon moved the barrier from the ground to underground, at a depth of about one hundred meters."

"Could this location be...?"

"That's right. Because of its relative remoteness and the fact that it has been buried deep underground since ancient times, the Earth Dragon Barrier has never been disturbed by the outside world for thousands of years."

"Then what about the elevated bridge you mentioned earlier? Wasn't the elevated bridge newly built?"

"It was because of the construction of the viaduct that thirty-six piles were inserted from above, forming a behemoth with a diameter of five meters, a height of thirty-two meters, and a pile length of sixty-two meters."

"Even if the bridge piers are enormous, they are still part of the Earth Dragon Barrier. How could they be so easily penetrated?"

"Indeed. At first, the bridge piers could not be driven into the ground at all, but later the construction team invited a high monk from the Jade Buddha Temple to secretly assist them, and the earth dragon barrier was finally broken through."

"So Chaos escaped afterward?"

"The Earth Dragon has never left the earth for thousands of years. Although the Earth Dragon's barrier was destroyed, the Earth Dragon temporarily suppressed the chaos with its divine power. At the same time, the high monk also set up a Sanskrit chant array, which ultimately caused the Earth Dragon and the chaos to fall into a deep sleep, thus preventing the two from fighting and causing an earthquake."

Hua Sheng suddenly realized and said, "So you mean, this sleeping earth dragon can help us?"

"The Earth Dragon has a deep understanding of the Xuanwu Spirit Serpent and is currently the only deity capable of unlocking its secrets for us," said Taishang Xiaojun. "Only by awakening him can we succeed!"

"I have a feeling that seeing the earth dragon won't be easy."

"Of course it will be difficult. We need to solve two major problems."

"Just as I expected. As people grow up, things become more difficult." Hua Sheng covered his eyes with his hands and sighed.

"First, the Sanskrit chanting array that put the Earth Dragon and Chaos into slumber is still in place. Once we step into the array, we will fall into slumber just like the Earth Dragon and Chaos. I'm afraid we will remain asleep until the array is broken. Second, if we successfully enter the array, it will also become ineffective once the Earth Dragon is awakened. If the array is deactivated, the Chaos Beast will definitely awaken at the same time, which will inevitably lead to a fierce battle."

"Isn't there still an earth dragon?"

"Indeed. But we can't predict who will awaken first after the chanting is dispelled. Because at that time we might be within reach of Chaos, we need to be fully prepared for battle. Otherwise, if the earth dragon is a beat slower to awaken, Chaos will have already dealt with us."

Hua Sheng frowned: "You're right. So what are some solutions to these two problems?"

"A solution is absolutely necessary. Otherwise, how could I, this immortal, be called the Supreme Lord who has been given a cheat code?"

"Huh? You've only been here a short time, but you've already learned popular culture so quickly?"

"Regarding the underground Buddhist chanting array, we can consult the abbot of the Jade Buddha Temple."

"But I've heard that an abbot of the Jade Buddha Temple passed away during the construction of the viaduct. If it's him..."

"Then why not seek out the current abbot and ask a highly respected monk for guidance?"

"Understood. If all goes well, how do we deal with Chaos after dissolving the magic array?"

“I once heard my grandfather speak of the weakness of chaos. All things in the world are mutually reinforcing and mutually restraining, and there is something that can subdue chaos. Although you have seen it, you would never guess what it is.”

Hua Sheng was completely bewildered: "Could it be some kind of magic weapon?"

"It is a type of medicine that can be found in St. Pingning."

"drug?"

"Nine-Turn Elixir".

"what?"

Hua Sheng was indeed familiar with the Nine-Turn Rejuvenating Pill. When he first arrived in Saint Pingning, he was barely alive. After taking the Nine-Turn Rejuvenating Pill brought by the cat nurse at Saint Pingning Hospital, he was completely cured and could get out of bed instantly. The Nine-Turn Rejuvenating Pill had the power to bring the dead back to life, but he never expected that this elixir, besides saving lives, was also a treasure that even Chaos feared.

"Why can this pill suppress the ferocious beast?"

"The ingredients of the Nine-Turn Rejuvenating Pill include rare and precious herbs such as black bear bile, century-old angelica, and thousand-year-old Tian Shan snow lotus. When these precious herbs are combined and refined with the Six Ding Divine Fire, they emit a unique fragrance. Humans are limited by their senses and can only smell less than one-thousandth of the Nine-Turn Rejuvenating Pill's aroma. Just as ancient people used Atractylodes lancea, Artemisia argyi, Patchouli, Agarwood, and Eupatorium fortunei to repel mosquitoes, these individual precious herbs have no deterrent effect on Chaos. However, after being refined into the Nine-Turn Rejuvenating Pill, they will make the olfactory Chaos extremely afraid, causing it to avoid the scent and dare not approach."

Hua Sheng said, "I've seen the Nine-Turn Rejuvenating Pill before; its effects are indeed miraculous. But I heard from a nurse at the hospital that this medicine is a prescription drug in Saint Pingning and can't be bought casually. Besides, we're in the mortal realm; where are we supposed to find it?"

"Of course there are no elixirs of immortality in the human world."

"No way? Then what's the point of you saying that?"

"Just because it's not readily available doesn't mean we can't get it."

"But we can't go back to St. Pingning now."

Tai Shang Xiao Jun crossed his arms and said, "Do you know what my family's traditional business is?"

Hua Sheng was taken aback, then suddenly it dawned on him that something had come to mind.

"Got it! Alchemy! How could I forget your family's secret craft!"

“Not bad!” Tai Shang Xiao Jun raised an eyebrow at Hua Sheng and said, “We’ll refine the Nine-Turn Rejuvenating Pill ourselves!”

So the two decided to first go to the Jade Buddha Temple to seek advice on how to break the Brahma Sound Formation, then refine the Nine-Turn Rejuvenating Pill, go to the Dragon Pillar's basement to deal with the ferocious beast Chaos, and meet with the Earth Dragon to find the whereabouts of the Black Tortoise Serpent. To ensure the plan's smooth progress, they decided to avoid causing unnecessary disturbances in the city. Therefore, they couldn't scale walls or fly on clouds.

Hua Sheng and Tai Shang Xiao Jun quietly found a grove of trees behind the Oriental Pearl Tower and landed. Unexpectedly, they attracted the attention of a group of tourists as soon as they stepped onto the main street.

"Look! The international conference center next door is having an anime convention? What are those people wearing game costumes called? That's right, cosplay!" An older woman in the tour group pointed at Taishang Xiaojun and Huasheng.

"They're probably filming a reality show!" a middle-aged man in the tour group said, raising his camera.

Hua Sheng then realized that the two of them were still wearing the Taoist robes of the Shudao Academy, which would be too conspicuous in a modern city. He quickly said, "Sorry, sorry, we're in a hurry to attend an advertising roadshow."

He secretly cast a little spell on the camera.

"Why is the shutter stuck? It's not responding when I press it?" The middle-aged man's camera seemed to have a problem.

Taking advantage of the brief moment, Hua Sheng pulled Tai Shang Xiao Jun through the crowd and turned into the green space opposite the International Conference Center, finding a quiet spot.

"We've all forgotten that it's inconvenient for us to move around in this outfit."

Tai Shang Xiao Jun agreed, made a hand seal and chanted an incantation towards the low bushes in front of him, saying, "Follow me." Then he leaped through the bushes, and Hua Sheng followed. They found Tai Shang Xiao Jun on the other side of the bushes, now dressed in a completely different outfit.

Tai Shang Xiao Jun was wearing a white "Supreme" T-shirt, and her hairstyle had been changed to a refreshing short cut. She wore dark blue jeans and a pair of "Warrior" running shoes, with the four characters "Reversal of Fortune" printed on the heel. Her left earring sparkled in the sunlight, making her look every bit the fashionista.

"Huh? When did you change your clothes?" Hua Sheng was surprised.

“I just cast a transformation spell on the bushes, taking inspiration from the clothes worn by young people these days. Let’s keep a low profile and blend in with the locals,” said Tai Shang Xiao Jun.

Looking at herself, Hua Sheng realized that when she walked through the bushes, she had changed into a dark red "Supreme" T-shirt and black jeans. She stretched her neck contentedly and said, "I miss it so much! It's been almost a year since I've worn human clothes!"

Jade Buddha Temple is located on Anyuan Road, PT District, Shanghai. It is named after the jade Buddha enshrined within, and also because it belongs to the Linji school of Chan Buddhism and practices Chan meditation. Despite its location in the bustling city center, it offers a tranquil escape from the noise and is hailed as a haven of peace in the heart of the city.

The Jade Buddha Temple is one of the few ancient temples in Shanghai. In 1882, during the reign of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty, Master Huigen of Mount Putuo made a pilgrimage to Mount Wutai, passed through Mount Emei, entered Xinjiang, traveled to India, paid homage to Buddha, and then passed through Burma. With the sponsorship of local overseas Chinese, he opened up the mountains to obtain jade, carved it into five jade Buddha statues, and brought them back to Mount Putuo. When he passed through Shanghai, he left behind one seated Buddha and one reclining Buddha, and built a temple in Jiangwan Town to enshrine them, which was called the Jade Buddha Temple.

After ten years of dedicated construction, the Jade Buddha Temple was completed, featuring a complex of Buddhist halls, pavilions, and kitchens built in the style of Song Dynasty architecture. This led to the Jade Buddha Temple being described as "a magnificent and imposing temple, renowned throughout the sea."

The Jade Buddha Temple is a Song Dynasty-style palace complex with a rigorous layout, covering an area of ​​over ten acres. The architect followed the style of Song Dynasty temples, with the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Great Buddha Hall, and the Jade Buddha Pavilion arranged along the central axis. On the east and west sides are the Guanyin Hall, the Bronze Buddha Hall, the Reclining Buddha Hall, the Huai'en Hall, the Meditation Hall, and the Dining Hall.

The jade Buddha statue enshrined in the Jade Buddha Hall of the temple is 1.95 meters tall and carved from a single piece of jade. The Buddha sits in the lotus position, with his left hand, palm up, resting on his left thigh in the meditation mudra, representing Shakyamuni's meditation under the Bodhi tree and his eventual enlightenment. His right hand hangs naturally, fingers touching the ground, known as the "earth-touching mudra." The Buddha's face is full, with crescent-shaped eyebrows, half-open eyes, and closed, serene lips. The statue is exquisitely carved, and the edges of the robe and the armlet on the right arm are adorned with over a hundred gemstones, including jade and agate.

Hua Sheng and Tai Shang Xiao Jun arrived at the temple at dawn. The Jade Buddha Temple, which had been renovated in recent years, looked even more magnificent and solemn up close. The two, one human and one immortal, put their hands together in prayer at the gate and entered the temple with light steps.

The temple was extremely quiet. Perhaps it wasn't the first or fifteenth of the lunar month, or the birthday or enlightenment day of Buddha or Bodhisattva, so the courtyard wasn't crowded. In the open space, only a sweeping monk was leisurely sweeping the fallen leaves on the temple grounds, making a rhythmic rustling sound.

Tai Shang Xiao Jun stepped forward, bowed, and asked, "May I ask, sir, is the abbot of your temple in attendance?"

The sweeping monk didn't even look up, continuing to sweep the floor, and said slowly, "The abbot has been away for a while and may not be back for half a month."

"What a coincidence?" Tai Shang Xiao Jun showed a slight disappointment.

The sweeping monk continued sweeping, and said, "Are you two benefactors practitioners of Taoism?"

Hua Sheng never expected that even though he had disguised himself as an ordinary person, the sweeping monk could still see through him at a glance and said, "It is said that the sweeping monks in temples are all unassuming, and sure enough, they knew we were cultivators without even raising their heads."

"Your cultivation is quite profound. As soon as you two entered the gate, the courtyard was filled with celestial energy. Look at these withered leaves, they've all started to glow with green light, as if they're trying to revive themselves." The sweeping monk lightly swept the scattered leaves at his feet to a spot, speaking in a calm and unhurried tone.

But the Supreme Lord Xiaojun laughed.

"Generally speaking, if the story has progressed to this point, could it be that you, the sweeping monk, are actually the abbot yourself?"

The sweeping monk chuckled, rested the broom on his arm, and clasped his hands together, saying, "Young Taoist priest, please don't tease this humble monk. I only sweep the floor and chant scriptures every day."

Tai Shang Xiao Jun quickly cupped his hands and said, "High monk, please forgive us! This humble Taoist priest had no intention of mocking you. To be honest, we have important matters to ask your abbot for help."

"May I ask what brings you two here?" the sweeping monk asked slowly.

Hua Sheng said, "I've heard that there's a flying dragon pattern carved on a certain elevated pillar, and that the energy of a dragon vein is hidden beneath it. Back then, when the bridge piers were being built, a high-ranking monk from your temple was asked to help. Is that true?"

The sweeping monk said, "I have heard a little about what happened back then. But whether it is as this young Taoist priest said, to be honest, I dare not make a judgment. That great master has passed away for many years, and if you want to verify the facts, I'm afraid I can't help you."

Hua Sheng said, "It's not that I'm doing research. It's just that we need to go to the bottom of that dragon pillar today, but I know that the barrier magic underground is very powerful. I'm just a mortal, and I'm afraid I can't enter this barrier magic array. So I wanted to ask the abbot of the Zen temple if he could give us a way to break it."

"Hahaha!" The sweeping monk suddenly laughed loudly, "If you two want to travel underground, you'll probably need to apply to the subway police first, right? Why are you coming to this temple to apply? Although I am a monk, I still have a sense of the law."

Taishang Xiaojun hurriedly said, "What the high monk said is very true. We just want to ask how we can pass through the barrier under the dragon pillar? As far as I know, this is a Brahma sound barrier. Even if we cover our ears, it will not help. If we try to pass through rashly, we will fall into a deep sleep and never wake up."

"Then perhaps the two of you would like a pair of earplugs?" the sweeping monk chuckled.

Hua Sheng said, "The high monk is joking. How can earplugs withstand this protective barrier of chanting?"

Meanwhile, Tai Shang Xiao Jun said with a serious expression, "Master is absolutely right. Perhaps we need a pair of 'earplugs' that can pass through the barrier array."

"Understood, please follow me."

The sweeping monk placed his broom in a corner of the temple and walked deeper into the ground. Hua Sheng and Tai Shang Xiao Jun followed closely behind, passing through a long corridor to the back room.

The side room was very small, only about ten feet square, but it was spotless and looked like a place for personal rest.

The room contained only a simple wooden bed and a small cabinet with two drawers. The sweeping monk opened the lower drawer, took out two boxes, and handed them to the two people. Hua Sheng took them, opened them, and was so surprised he couldn't close his mouth.

“Master, isn’t this… isn’t this a pair of wireless headphones?” Hua Sheng asked.

"Over-ear wireless noise-canceling headphones," the sweeping monk explained slowly.

Hua Sheng looked puzzled but couldn't help but chuckle: "Noise-canceling headphones can resist barrier arrays?"

"Why not? Because it's a Sony headset."

Hanamori smiled wryly and said, "I know these are Sony headphones. But why aren't they what I expected?"

The sweeping monk interrupted Hua Sheng with a deep, mellow voice: "Both of you young Taoist priests are quite young, but are your thoughts so outdated? The essence of a ritual implement lies in the Dharma, not the implement itself. Over thousands of years, the shape of ritual implements has naturally evolved with the times. Do you expect me to pull out a string of Buddhist prayer beads before you will believe that this is a ritual implement?"

"Thank you, venerable monk!" Tai Shang Xiao Jun immediately stepped forward, bowed, and took the box from Hua Sheng's hands.

Seeing that the Supreme Lord Xiaojun was like this, Hua Sheng felt it was not appropriate to ask any more questions, and could only thank the Sweeping Monk together.

"How did the Master know we were coming today?" Hua Sheng asked.

The sweeping monk said, "The abbot instructed me a few days ago before he left home, and gave me these two ritual implements, saying that a high-ranking Taoist priest would be visiting today and that I should give them to the two of you."

"Thank you, Venerable Master! I will certainly express my gratitude to the Abbot in person another day!" said the Venerable Master Xiaojun, bowing with his hands clasped.

Hua Sheng suddenly remembered something and asked, "Master, are the charger and instruction manual for these noise-canceling headphones still inside? Are they still under warranty?"

(End of this chapter)