Chapter 28: Suffer the Consequences of Not Listening

  (Over 4,000 words in this chapter...... If it's not updated tonight, don't smoke me out..... Saturday..... Xiaolong is working hard to write..... A sorrowful escape.....)

  Ignoring Hao Ren's reaction, Zhao Yanzi jumped and ran towards the Daoist temple. Hao Ren carried his backpack and stepped into the entrance of the Daoist temple.

  The golden eaves of the Taoist temple absorbed the remaining sunlight after noon, making the whole temple look solemn and quiet.

  Because the Taoist temple is located at the top of the mountain, and it's already afternoon now, there are not many tourists. Due to the lack of a cable car, in order to visit this Taoist temple, unless you have excellent physical strength and perseverance like Hao Ren and Zhao Yanzi, otherwise you must start climbing early in the morning, so as to arrive at the temple by noon and use the whole afternoon to descend the mountain.

  So, Zhao Yanzi and Hao Ren arrived here in the afternoon, and they almost couldn't see any ordinary tourists. In the courtyard of the Taoist temple, there were only a few little Taoists sweeping fallen leaves. Even Zhao Yanzi, who was shouting loudly outside the gate just now, suddenly became quiet after entering here.

  The courtyard's floor is paved with bricks of different colors, forming a large Tai Chi Bagua diagram. In the southwest corner of the courtyard stands an ancient and majestic pine tree that reaches the sky.

  Hao Ren knew that this must be the thousand-year-old ancient tree mentioned by Zhao Guang, and with a respectful heart, he walked over slowly. Because not many tourists can reach here, this ancient tree has not been fenced off, but quietly grows in the courtyard.

  Hao Ren stepped forward, gently stroking the ancient tree's gnarled and sturdy trunk.

  Its outer skin is as hard and smooth as iron stone, and from the outside, it can no longer be seen as wood.

  Hao Ren quietly circulated the "Condensing Spirit Decree", sensing the heavenly and earthly energy nearby, and unexpectedly, he could feel a strong wood energy from the hard outer skin of this ancient pine.

  And the dragon dan in his body seemed to be jumping, echoing with this ancient tree. The humid and warm airflow followed Hao Ren's arm, flowing into the interior of the ancient tree, while the wooden breath of the ancient tree also nourished Hao Ren's body.

  Zhao Yanzi quietly looked at Hao Ren, she understood that Hao Ren must have had some epiphany at this moment, and did not disturb him.

  A whole minute later, Hao Ren withdrew his hand and took a long breath. The fatigue from climbing the mountain was gone, leaving only pure physical strength and vigorous vitality.

  Hao Ren felt a deep sense of reverence and slightly bowed his head towards the ancient tree, paying his respects.

  Seeing Zhao Yanzi staring at him blankly, Hao Ren smiled and said, "Let's go."

  Zhao Yanzi was stunned for a few seconds, responded with an "oh", and unexpectedly followed Hao Ren out of the courtyard. When she stepped into the grand hall, she suddenly reacted and recalled Hao Ren's smile from earlier, her heart skipped a beat.

  Hao Ren himself didn't realize that he had just smiled so warmly at Zhao Yanzi, he entered the grand hall, looked up to admire the several-meter-high carving of the Three Pure Ones' Patriarch, and continued to venture deeper inside.

  The entire hall was majestic and solemn. Hao Ren suddenly felt that spending so much time coming up to take a look was indeed worthwhile.

  Zhaoyan Zi followed Hao Ren with a mixture of steps and strides, and when faced with these solemn statues, she felt a slight sense of fear in her heart.

  Through the great hall, they entered the second courtyard of the Taoist temple. On the east side of this yard, there was a stone house, and inside the stone house, stood an ancient stone tablet.

  For some reason, after contemplating the ancient tree, Hao Ren suddenly felt that Zhao Guang's deliberate mention of the Taoist temple's ancient tree and stone tablet was to attract them to the mountain top's Taoist temple, and there must be a reason for it.

  Hao Ren walked up to the stone tablet and carefully examined the text on it.

  "The cord is nameless, and returns to the formless. This is called the shape of no-shape, the image of no-object; this is called the vague. Meet it, and you do not see its head; follow it, and you do not see its back. Hold on to the Way of old, in order to control what exists today..."

  Hao Ren racked his brains and finally understood one or two sentences.

  Zhao Yanzi stood beside Hao Ren, also silently reciting the words on the stone tablet.

  "When you want to contract it, you must first expand it; when you want to weaken it, you must first strengthen it; when you want to abolish it, you must first establish it; when you want to take it away, you must first give it. This is called subtle brightness. Softness and weakness overcome hardness and strength..."

  Hao Renyue looked at it more and more, feeling that there was something profound and inexplicable about it. Zhao Yanzi furrowed her brow tightly, also reading with great difficulty.

  This is the way of imperial water.

  Hao Ren's mind suddenly cleared up a bit.

  It's as if there is a kind of realization rising from the bottom of his heart, wanting to break through his chest and reach his brain.

  Thinking of the lush vitality of that ancient tree, Hao Ren had a feeling similar to when he used to do math problems, as if he had found the thread and was about to solve a difficult problem.

  Water nourishes all things. Water breaks through obstacles.

  When...

  A sudden bell sound from somewhere interrupted Hao Ren's epiphany.

  Zhao Yanzi, who was also immersed in thought, was startled as well.

  Hao Ren turned around, looked at his phone and found that he and Zhao Yanzi had been standing in front of the stone tablet for a whole half hour!

  The leaves that had fallen from the sky were all over their heads and shoulders, and the little Taoist priests who swept the yard had also gone back to rest.

  The empty courtyard was left with only Hao Ren and Zhao Yanzi.

  "It's getting late, let's head back." Hao Ren said.

  "Oh..." Zhao Yanzi responded with a clever and cute tone, seemingly still immersed in the words on that stone tablet.

  Hao Ren stretched out his hand and helped her brush away the fallen leaves from her hair and shoulders.

  This unconscious action made Zhao Yanzi avoid it in time, and after being surprised, there was also a hint of sweetness.

  This guy is actually quite good to me. Zhao Yanzi thought secretly in her heart.

  Hao Ren didn't think that much, and instead lowered his head to brush off the fallen leaves on himself, then led Zhao Yanzi out of the front door again.

  The dusk in the mountains seems to come especially early, the sun is shaking off in the distance on the mountain top, the last few rays of light are struggling to support the sky, as if... heaven, it's about to get dark soon.

  "Hurry up and get down the mountain." Hao Ren didn't dare to delay, urging Zhao Yanzi forward.

  Zhao Yanzi pursed her lips tightly, blaming Hao Ren in her heart for not showing any mercy or appreciation for beauty, but she didn't dare to delay and instead followed Hao Ren obediently down the mountain road.

  The road down the mountain seemed easier than when they went up, but due to the weakening of the sunlight, the steps under their feet became less clear, and the two of them walked even more slowly and cautiously.

  The mountain path paved with bluestone slabs is like the strings on a musical instrument, while the flowing water of the mountain stream is like the notes that pluck the rhythm of the mountains. The refreshing and gentle mountain breeze passes through the branches, making a soft rustling sound.

  As they walked, they paid attention to the movements around them, as if they had a deeper understanding of the simple and natural atmosphere that this family valued.

  The Taoist temple and pavilions in the distance, hidden deep within the lush green trees, are serene and profound. These buildings also borrow from nature, blending seamlessly with the entire mountain forest, making one wonder if there really is a recluse living in these mountains.

  Hao Ren was appreciating the scenery around him as he walked, when he suddenly thought of Zhao Yanzi, and turned his head to look back, only to find that she had stopped far behind, completely still.

  "Hey......" Hao Ren put his hand to his mouth in a megaphone shape and shouted at her.

  When Hao Ren called out to her, Zhao Yanzi didn't move forward, but instead sat down.

  What's going on... Hao Ren quickened his pace and hastily returned to her side, "Why aren't you leaving?"

  Zhao Yan pouted and turned her face to one side.

  Hao Ren thought she couldn't move anymore, so he sat down beside her to rest. However, he completely didn't understand the little girl's thoughts: He was only concerned about getting down the mountain himself and almost ignored Zhao Yanzi. Zhao Yanzi didn't say anything out loud but gritted her teeth and persisted in following him, feeling extremely wronged in her heart.

  "Can't move?" Seeing that she didn't get up for a long time, and the sky was getting darker and darker, Hao Ren couldn't help but ask her.

  "If I had Long Dan, I would have gone down myself long ago. Who cares about you?" She said angrily.

  Hao Ren only then realized that he had been in a hurry to get down the mountain and had neglected the physical strength of this little girl. Zhao Yanzi's parents had asked him to take care of her, but he hadn't considered Zhao Yanzi at all, rushing up the mountain hastily, and rushing down the mountain just as hastily.

  "Otherwise..." Hao Ren thought for a moment, "I'll carry you?"

  "Pah! Who wants you to carry me!" Zhao Yan stood up with a huff, and walked down the mountain.

  "Hey! Slow down!" Hao Rensheng was afraid she would fall and hurriedly chased after her.

  He slightly understood what was on the little girl's mind. It turned out that although she said on the surface that she didn't need him to take care of her, if Hao Ren really didn't care about her, she would become really unhappy.

  One hastened their footsteps, one protected the other by their side, just like the intertwined black and white of Tai Chi, winding down the serene mountain path.

  However fast they walked, the sky was inevitably darkening ahead of time.

  "Come on! Hurry up!" With only two hours of journey left to get down the mountain, the last ray of sunset was slowly disappearing, and Zhao Yanzi was truly getting anxious.

  "Should we go this way or that way?" Hao Ren asked, holding the map and relying on the dim light. The closer they got to the mountain waist, the more small scenic spots there were, and the more forked roads there were.

  "Of course it's this way!" Zhao Yanzi pointed to the left.

  "Oh, it must be this way!" Hao Ren walked towards the right. Having experienced Zhao Yanzi incorrectly pointing out the direction three times in a row, Hao Ren no longer believed in her sense of direction. Whatever direction she intuitively chose, Hao Ren would go in the opposite direction.

  Zhaoyan's sense of direction was ruined, but she herself didn't dare to believe in her own sense of direction, and could only follow Hao Ren. It was strange to say that every time Hao Ren chose the opposite direction pointed by Zhaoyan, it really was the road down the mountain.

  The entire mountain seemed to be devoid of any human presence, growing increasingly quiet. Hao Ren and Zhao Yanzi's footsteps echoed in the dimness, becoming clearer with each step.

  As the sun sets, the originally beautiful scenery becomes gloomy and terrifying. Zhao Yanzi is after all a young girl, facing this deep mountain and old forest, can't help but feel some fear, her pace down the mountain is no longer as fast as before, of course she doesn't dare to rush forward anymore, gradually walking shoulder to shoulder with Hao Ren.

  Hao Ren guessed her thoughts this time and took the initiative to hold her delicate small hand. He wasn't trying to take advantage of her, but was worried that her legs would tremble and she would accidentally roll down the mountain.

  The darker the sky gets, the slower they walk. Unbeknownst to them, it's already past 7 o'clock, and at the speed of nightfall, they still have at least two hours' journey to reach the foot of the mountain.

  In this mountain, except for the signal towers near those Taoist temples just now, other sections of the road have almost no mobile phone signal. It's really a case of calling heaven and earth but getting no response, Hao Ren and Zhao Yanzi can only grit their teeth and continue walking down.

  The mountain road winds and turns, sometimes up and sometimes down. They also get confused about whether they are walking uphill or downhill at times, but overall, they feel like they're getting closer to the foot of the mountain.

  "Hey, we won't starve to death here, will we?" Zhao Yanzi asked, pinching Hao Ren's palm.

  "If there's really nothing left to eat, I'll eat you first." Hao Ren said to her.

  "You..." Zhao Yanzi scrunched up her nose and glared at Hao Ren, but somehow, the feeling of fear dissipated a bit.

  Time ticked away, and it was already eight o'clock in the evening. The foot of the mountain was still far from them.

  In the midst of the great mountain, birds were making strange cries. Zhao Yanzi had no one to rely on and could only lean against Hao Ren, holding his hand even tighter.

  Hao Ren was not familiar with the mountains and didn't bring a flashlight, so he could only turn on his phone and use its weak light to illuminate the path at his feet, hoping that he wouldn't misstep and roll down the mountain with the other person.

  Some strange insects emitted golden light, not fireflies, but soft and lying on the mountain wall.

  Zhao Yanzi was very afraid of insects, and she leaned against Hao Ren's side, holding his hand even tighter. Now her heart was filled with a hundred regrets, she shouldn't have followed Hao Ren to the mountaintop, now it was already midnight and they still couldn't go down the mountain.

  "Hey, you're holding me so tightly, how can I walk?" Hao Ren turned his head and asked her.

  In the dark surroundings, Zhao Yan's pale white face had two sparkling starry eyes, very beautiful and pitiful.

  "I... I'm not afraid. I just feel a bit cold." Zhao Yanzi's stubborn denial inadvertently betrayed her.

  Hao Ren grasped her smooth palm tighter in his own, firming up his determination to head down the mountain, and continued walking forward.

  After groping in the dark for more than an hour, they finally saw the lights of the flat land at the foot of the mountain. The hotel with its brilliant lights also appeared before their eyes.

  "We're almost there!" Hao Ren pulled her, suddenly quickening his pace. His phone was running out of battery, and Zhao Yanzi's phone light was too weak. If they were any later, they would really be trapped in the mountains.

  Zhao Yanzi also let out a sigh of relief and unconsciously quickened his pace.

  At last, after about ten minutes or so, they returned to the entrance of the scenic area.

  Zhao Yanzi's palms were already sweating, showing how tense she was on her way down the mountain.

  Now that the crisis was over, she realized that Hao Ren had been leading her for several hours and suddenly pulled her palm out of his hand.

  "Good intentions are often misunderstood." Hao Ren sighed at her extreme behavior.

  "Who allowed you to hold my hand!" Zhao Yanzi asked with a stern tone.

  Hao Ren was too lazy to argue with her, his stomach growled with hunger, and all the snacks in his backpack had been eaten on their way down the mountain.

  He walked towards the hotel, with Zhao Yan Zi following closely behind him with a complex expression. In fact, she knew herself that when they were descending the mountain, she had really relied on Hao Ren; if it weren't for Hao Ren holding her hand and leading her down the mountain, she really wouldn't have known what to do.

  However, in her heart, she didn't want to admit that she had relied on Hao Ren to come down the mountain. She believed that even if there was any danger, her parents would be able to rescue her.

  They returned to the foot of the mountain, and their alliance seemed to have been dissolved immediately. Zhao Yan's face was gloomy, as if Hao Ren owed her one million dollars.

  When he saw Zhao Yanzi, he didn't want to talk to him. Hao Ren also didn't go to stick with this cold butt. What he was thinking in his heart was that tonight he would be staying in the same room as her father, and wondered if it would be a bit strange.

  They went back to the hotel one after another and entered their respective rooms. Exhausted, Hao Ren was surprised to find a note in his room: I'm going with Zi's mother to visit a friend nearby, might be back late.

  Ding dong...... Ding dong......

  Hao Ren's room doorbell rang.

  He ran over to open the door and saw Zhao Yan biting his lip with an embarrassed face, "Uh... how about we go out for dinner?"

  ;