I served as Li Bai's page.

After settling into Zhang Shuming's house, the next day Zhang Shuming took Li Bai and me to Baiyun Temple on Shimen Mountain to pay our respects to Abbess Baiyun. Since Zhang Shuming was a local and familiar with the route, the three of us quickly arrived at Baiyun Temple. At this time, the gate of Baiyun Temple was open, but there was no one inside burning incense.

Zhang Shuming led us into the nunnery, where a young nun came out and asked, "Would the three of you like to burn incense?"

Li Bai said, "Yes, please pray for us, Master."

The young nun took three incense sticks for each of us. After lighting them, we knelt on the prayer mats and kowtowed devoutly. The young nun struck the wooden fish and chanted Buddhist hymns. After the ceremony, the three of us stood up, and Zhang Shuming asked the young nun, "Little nun, is Abbess Baiyun here? We wish to see her."

"My master has gone on a pilgrimage and is not at the temple."

Li Bai asked, "When will she return?"

"I don't know, she's been gone for half a month and hasn't said when she'll be back," the young nun replied.

"Thank you, young master. We'll come again another day." After saying this, Zhang Shuming led Li Bai and me out of Baiyun Temple.

Zhang Shuming said, "I'll take you to Lingguang Temple, where a good friend of mine lives in seclusion."

Li Bai and I followed Zhang Shuming toward Lingguang Temple on Shimen Mountain. The mountain path was rugged and covered with dense pine forests. Although it was summer, it was cool and refreshing to walk in the woods. When we arrived at Lingguang Temple, we could see the temple gates wide open in the distance, with pilgrims coming and going.

Zhang Shuming said, "I'll lead you two in through the back door."

Li Bai said, "Let's go through the front gate. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Since we've come to a temple, let's first burn incense and pray to Buddha."

The three of us entered the gate of Lingguang Temple, where a monk greeted us, saying, "Benefactor Zhang, are you here to see your friend again today?"

"Yes, Master Intelligence, it's been a long time. My friend is living a carefree life here with you, which I envy," Zhang Shuming replied.

"Freedom lies in the absence of constraints; he is on the back mountain," said the Master of Wisdom.

"Master, let me introduce you. This is Li Bai, the talented scholar from Sichuan and Chongqing, also known as Qinglian Jushi." Zhang Shuming led Li Bai to Master Zhineng and introduced him.

The intelligent master stroked his beard, a smile on his face, and sized up Li Bai, saying, "Just as Daoist Ouyang said, you indeed possess the bearing of an immortal, with an extraordinary temperament. Welcome, Qinglian Jushi, to our humble temple."

Li Bai bowed and said, "I am but a mortal, and I am deeply humbled to receive such high praise from you, Master. I still have much to learn from you."

The intelligent master took Li Bai's hand and said, "It is our honor to know you. Come, let's go to the Sutra Repository for a chat."

"Let's go to the main hall to offer incense first!" Li Bai said.

"Yes, burn incense before entering the temple. I'll take you there now." After saying this, Master Zhineng led the three of us toward the main hall.

After climbing a few steps, we arrived at the main hall of Lingguang Temple. After offering incense, Master Zhineng led us around the main hall to the Sutra Repository at the back.

We arrived at a side room in the library. There were two desks by the window, with paper, brushes, ink, and inkstones all laid out on them. There were also several chairs placed side by side in the room, so that the host could sit with his guests at knees.

The Master Zhineng gestured for us to sit down and asked the monks in the Sutra Repository to brew a cup of tea for each of us. He then began to chat with Li Bai about Buddhist scriptures. Feeling rather bored sitting nearby, I stood up to make tea for them. The Master Zhineng and Li Bai talked for an hour, only ending when a monk came to call them for lunch.

After lunch, Master Zhineng went to do his routine homework, while Zhang Shuming led us to the back mountain. The back mountain of Lingguang Temple is characterized by towering peaks, craggy rocks, and towering trees. A small Zen temple is built in a valley.

Zhang Shuming pointed to the Zen temple and said, "This is where my friend lived in seclusion."

As we were talking, we arrived at the front of the house. The gate was open, so we went inside.

"Shuming, are you here?" Suddenly, someone stood up from under the flower bed in the courtyard and said to Zhang Shuming.

"Han Zhun, come here, let me introduce you."

Han Zhun walked over from the flower bed and looked at Li Bai and me.

Zhang Shuming, holding Li Bai's hand, said, "This is Li Taibai, someone we have long admired."

Han Zhun stared intently at Li Bai, nodded, and said, "You really did find Shuming, didn't you? You found him in Rencheng, right?"

"Yes, that day I went to Helan's Restaurant for drinks, and Li Taibai happened to be there too, so we met," Zhang Shuming said.

Han Zhun clasped his hands in a respectful bow to Li Bai and said, "Brother Taibai, you are my idol. I love your writing so much. The passion and unrestrained spirit in your poems is something I can never learn in my entire life."

"Brother Han is too modest. Let's learn from each other."

"Don't stand there, come on in and sit down." Han Zhun led us into a spacious meditation room. It shouldn't be called a meditation room, but rather a study. Inside, there were several large bookshelves, desks, chairs, and benches for people to read.

"Lingguang Temple has a lot of books. There are quite a few in the Sutra Repository, and there are many here as well," I said.

"The books in the Sutra Repository are mostly Buddhist scriptures or books related to Buddhism, while the books in this Zen monastery collect scriptures from various fields and schools, as well as folk poems and articles, covering everything, so I don't have to worry about not having books to read here," Han Zhun said.

"Brother Han, you have a good eye! You've found such a good place. I'll move here and join you. What do you say?" Li Bai said.

"Great! I was just worried about not having anyone to keep me company. The monks living here go to the temple on the front mountain to do their prayers every day, leaving me alone to watch the house. Sometimes it gets really boring." As soon as Li Bai voiced his thoughts, Han Zhun responded enthusiastically. Before they even sat down in the study, Han Zhun led Li Bai to the bedroom.

Han Zhun led the three of us to look through all the vacant rooms in the courtyard, and then said to Li Bai and Zhang Shuming:

"Brother Taibai, feel free to choose any of these rooms; you can stay tonight. Shuming, you can also choose a room and come stay for a few days now and then to keep Brother Taibai and me company."

Li Bai and Zhang Shuming each chose a room and, satisfied, went to the courtyard. Li Bai looked at me and said, "Yuehua, you should choose a room too."

"No need," I said. "I think the little room in the study is nice. It has a daybed, so I can sleep there."

"Brother Taibai, your page really knows how to pick a place. Alright, I'll tell Master Zhineng," Han Zhun said.

"Is that where the AI ​​Master rests? Never mind, I'll just stay in the room next to my young master's," I said.

After settling into their lodgings, Zhang Shuming said, "We still need to go back today, otherwise our families will worry. Han Zhun, why don't you come down the mountain with us for a drink? Brother Taibai has quite the capacity for alcohol."

As we were talking, two monks entered the temple. Han Zhun introduced them one by one, and the two monks looked at him with surprise and delight upon hearing that he was Li Bai. Han Zhun gave the two monks some instructions and then led us towards the temple on the front mountain.

We arrived outside the main hall and just then, Master Zhi Neng was accompanying a man who looked like a local gentry. Upon seeing us, he shook hands with the gentry to say goodbye, then walked over and said, "It's good to see an old friend."

Zhang Shuming replied, "Yes, I have. The master is truly incredibly busy."

The AI ​​master said, "I was just busy doing pointless things. Come inside and have a seat."

Li Bai said, "Master, let's learn from each other another day. It's getting late; we should head down the mountain."

"Can't you come back tomorrow? I'd like to have a long talk with you," the AI ​​Master said.

Han Zhun said, "Master, let's do it another day. I'm worried my family will fret, and besides, Li Taibai is also planning to come to the back mountain to keep me company."

"Is it true? It is truly an honor for us that the Hermit of Qinglian has come to live in seclusion at our humble temple," said Master Zhineng.

"Master, I'm sorry to bother you." Li Bai bowed to the Master of Intelligence.

We bid farewell to the AI ​​Master and hurried down the mountain; the sun was already hanging on the western horizon.