This question..,
He actually had a vague answer in his heart. However..,
Hua Cheng's reaction was very different from what he had expected.
After a moment of silence, Hua Cheng suddenly said, "I'm sorry."
Xie Lian was puzzled, "What?"
He had originally thought that if the "Thousand Lantern Temple" wasn't a mistake, then it was most likely related to it..,
Only Hua Cheng was the only one. But regardless of whether his guess was right or wrong..,
Hua Cheng had no reason to apologize. Hua Cheng didn't answer,
He only gestured for him to walk forward with him, and Xie Lian followed him. The two of them walked for a while..,
Turning a corner..,
Suddenly, their line of sight suddenly opened up. A temple flowing with spiritual light..,
Quietly appeared in front of Xie Lian's eyes.
In an instant..,
His breathing froze.
In all directions, there was the scenery of the Ghost Domain crisscrossed by jet-black and crimson. And in this encirclement..,
That temple was magnificent and magnificent, with thousands of lamps shining brightly..,
Like a fairyland.
Such a temple based on light and glory was located in a ghost city where dragons and snakes mixed together and demons danced chaotically..,
So out of place..,
Yet, it was so shocking. The moment it entered one's eyes, it would leave an indelible deep impression in one's mind. After a long while, Xie Lian finally said, "… this is …"
The two of them stood in front of this temple..,
Both looking up. Hua Cheng also raised his head slightly and said, "A few days ago, the Mid-Autumn Festival arrived. I thought that Brother would probably have to participate in their annual boring game in the Heavenly Court, so I made this place to find some fun and relieve your boredom when you attend the banquet."
"…"
His way of "relieving boredom" was truly shocking. In order to "find some fun" for Xie Lian, he made a temple and even lit up three thousand eternal lamps for praying for blessings!
Hua Cheng lowered his head slightly, straightened his cuffs, and said, "I originally didn't want to tell you, because I was the one who arranged it on my own. I built Big Brother's monastery in this mess of a place. I hope Big Brother doesn't take offense."
Xie Lian immediately shook his head. Hua Cheng actually felt that he had caused trouble for him, so he didn't want him to know. He simply didn't know what to say. At this point, saying 'thank you' would be too powerless. Therefore, Xie Lian calmed his mind, took a deep breath, and concentrated on admiring this' Thousand Lanterns Monastery '. After a moment, he tilted his head and said, "This monastery is marvelous and magnificent, the workmanship surpassing that of God. It can't be completed in a few days. Did San Lang just build it recently?"
Hua Cheng laughed, "Of course not. Big Brother, you're right. This place was built a long time ago, but because it couldn't be put to use, it's always been hidden. I've never let anyone in. But I have to thank Big Brother for finally finding a use for it. Now it can see the light of day. "
Hearing this, Xie Lian actually heaved a sigh of relief.
Since it was built a long time ago, but it had never been put to use, it must have been used for something else in the beginning. Now, it was conveniently used. Otherwise, if Hua City had specially built a temple for him, he would be even more uneasy. Of course, with Hua City's temperament, it was also very possible that it was built purely for fun. Although Xie Lian was extremely curious as to why Hua City had originally built this building that was worlds apart from the Ghost City, he still restrained his urge to ask. Asking too much wasn't a good habit. Who knew when he would ask something he shouldn't?
Hua Cheng said, "Let's go in and take a look?"
Xie Lian cheerfully said, "Of course."
Shoulder to shoulder, the two slowly walked into the palace, strolling on the jade-paved ground. Looking around, they found that the inside of the monastery was spacious and bright. However, there were no statues of deities, nor were there any praying mats for believers to kneel on. Hua Cheng said, "It was built in a hurry. There are many careless and inconsiderate areas. Big Brother, please forgive me."
Xie Lian smiled, "Not at all. I think it's very good, very good. It's good that there aren't any statues or praying mats. It would be best if there were never any. However, why isn't there even a signboard? "
This question wasn't one of reproach. It was just that there were a few places inside the monastery that had the words' Thousand Lanterns Monastery 'meticulously carved on the ground. However, the signboard that supported the entrance wasn't hung. Naturally, it wasn't because it was built in a hurry, so he asked out of curiosity. Hua Cheng smiled and said, "There's no other way. I don't have anyone here who knows how to write. Just look at that group of people just now. It's already pretty good if they can read. Big Brother, do you have any calligraphers you like? I'll go find someone to write this signboard for you. Or, I think the best way is for Big Brother to write one yourself and hang it in this Thousand Lanterns Monastery. That would be wonderful. "
As he spoke, he pointed at the altar in the main hall. That jade table was extremely long and wide. On it, there were some offerings and an incense tripod arranged in an orderly manner. There were also brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. The two walked forward. Xie Lian said, "Then how about I ask San Lang to help me write it?"
Hearing this, Hua Cheng's eyes slightly widened. It seemed he hadn't expected Xie Lian to say this. He said, "Me?"
Xie Lian said, "Yes."
Hua Cheng pointed at himself and said, "You really want me to write it?"
Xie Lian sensed something and asked, "San Lang, do you have any difficulties?"
Hua Cheng raised an eyebrow and said, "I don't have any difficulties, it's just … …"
Seeing that Xie Lian had been waiting for him to answer, he put his hands behind his back and seemed a little helpless as he said, "Alright. It's just that my writing isn't good. "
This was really strange. Xie Lian really couldn't imagine what Hua Cheng couldn't do well. He smiled and said, "Oh? Is that so? Write one for me to see? "
Hua Cheng asked again, "You really want me to write it?"
Xie Lian took out a few pieces of white paper and neatly spread them out on the jade table. He carefully smoothed them with his own hands and picked out a purple writing brush that fit his eyes. He handed it to Hua Cheng and said, "Come."
Seeing that he had prepared everything, Hua Cheng said, "Alright. But, you're not allowed to laugh. "
Xie Lian nodded. "That's only natural."
And so, Hua Cheng took the brush and began to write with a serious expression. Xie Lian watched from the side. The more he watched, the more his expression changed.
He really wanted to hold back, but he couldn't. As Hua Cheng scribbled on the paper, his tone carried a little warning and a little joking as he said, "Big Brother."
Xie Lian immediately turned serious and said, "It's my fault."
He didn't want to either, but what could he do? Hua Cheng's calligraphy was really too funny!!
Even the craziest cursive that Xie Lian had ever seen wasn't half as wild as this one. In this wildness, there was an evil aura that assaulted one's face. Perhaps it would blow so hard that the eyes of the calligraphers would roll back and they would faint. Xie Lian spent a long time trying to decipher the words' vast ocean ',' water ',' Mount Wu 'and' cloud '. He guessed that Hua Cheng must have written,' Those who have seen the vast ocean cannot be water, those who have not seen Mount Wu are not clouds'.
Thinking of Hua Cheng, as the overlord of the World of Spirits and Souls, who was so fearful of gods and ghosts, finally revealed this kind of expression on a certain matter, and it was something like calligraphy, Xiang Shaolong held back his laughter until his stomach twitched. He picked up Hua Cheng's work with both hands and pretended to be calm. He said, "Hmm. It's very unique and self-contained. It has' wind '. "
Hua Cheng put down his brush and his posture was quite proper. He squinted his eyes and laughed, "Are you crazy?"
Xie Lian pretended not to hear him and commented seriously, "Actually, it's not difficult to write well. What's difficult is to write your own 'wind'. If it's just good looking, but it's so good looking that it's all the same, then it's still inferior. San Lang's path is very good, he has the style of a great master, his spirit swallows the mountains and rivers … … "There were eight more words at the end: 'The mountains and rivers are shattered, the soldiers are in chaos and the horses are in turmoil'. There was no other way, coming up with words to praise someone was also very tiring. As Hua Cheng listened, his eyebrows rose even higher. He doubtfully asked, "Really?"
Xie Lian said, "When have I ever lied to San Lang?"
Hua Cheng leisurely added a few new strands of incense to the small golden tripod beside him. Amidst the faint fragrance of the smoke, he pretended to be careless as he said, "I really want to write well. It's just that I don't have anyone to teach me, so I don't know what the knack is. "
He had asked the right person this time. Xie Lian muttered to himself, "There's actually no knack, it's just that … …" After thinking about it, he still felt that just talking wasn't enough. He moved closer and picked up his brush. He wrote two lines next to the poem Hua Cheng had written on the paper in one go. After scrutinizing it for a moment, he smiled and sighed, "I'm ashamed. I haven't had the opportunity to write for many years, so I'm not as good as I was in the past. "
Hua Cheng stared at the four lines of words that were as different as heaven and earth. They had completely different styles, especially the last two lines that Xie Lian had added — — "Taking a glance at a cluster of flowers, I am too lazy to look back. Half destined to cultivate the Dao, half destined to be a monarch." He linked the lines together and read them a few times, his gaze lingering on them. After a while, he raised his head and asked, "Seeking advice?"
Xie Lian replied, "I don't dare to give advice." Thus, he began to teach Hua Cheng the essentials of learning calligraphy. Without holding anything back, he taught him everything he knew about calligraphy when he was young.
Xie Lian spoke seriously, and Hua Cheng listened attentively. In the main hall, Xie Lian spoke slowly and softly. The scene and voice were both very soft. After a while, Xie Lian said, "Why don't you try again?"
Hua Cheng made an 'oh' sound and took the brush. Then, he seemed to seriously write a few words. Xie Lian stood beside him and watched. He crossed his arms, tilted his head, and said, "It's a bit interesting. However … … "
However, he still felt that there was something wrong with Hua Cheng's brush. After frowning and observing for a moment, he suddenly realized what was wrong — — Hua Cheng didn't hold the brush correctly.
Even the way he held the brush was messy. Of course it was wrong!
Xie Lian didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He stood a bit closer, and without thinking, he reached out his hand to correct Hua Cheng. He said, "The way you hold the brush is wrong. You have to do it like this … …"
Only when he reached out his hand did he suddenly feel that something might be wrong. The two of them weren't a master and a young disciple. Teaching Hua Cheng hand in hand like this was unavoidably too intimate. However, since he had already made his move, there was absolutely no reason for him to rashly take it back. Thus, after hesitating for a moment, he still didn't take it back. He thought about it again. Last time at the Ghost Gambling House, didn't Hua Cheng also teach him how to shake the dice step by step like this? Although Xie Lian felt that he didn't learn anything at that time, and even vaguely felt like he had been deceived afterward, this time, he sincerely wanted to teach Hua Cheng a few things. Thus, Xie Lian's warm palm felt at ease and pressed against the back of Hua Cheng's ice-cold hand. Gently holding it, he guided the movements of Hua Cheng's brush as he softly said, "Like this … …"
Sensing that Hua Cheng's hand was holding the brush in a frenzy, Xie Lian slightly exerted some force to correct it. Not long after, he felt that his hand's movements were even more frenzied and out of control, so he could only hold the brush even tighter. The two people's combined efforts to write were crooked and unsightly. The more Xie Lian wrote, the more he felt that something was wrong. He couldn't help but say, "This … …"
Hua Cheng seemed to have succeeded in his mischief and let out a low laugh. Xie Lian helplessly said, "San Lang … … don't be like this. Learn well and write well. "
Hua Cheng said, "Oh."
One look and it was obvious that he was pretending to be serious. Xie Lian shook his head, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
Although Hua Cheng's hand was cold, when he held it in his hand, it inexplicably felt like he was holding a soldering iron. He didn't dare to use any more force. At this moment, the corner of Xie Lian's eyes suddenly swept to the edge of the altar and froze.