Tao: The Uncanny Immortal

In the pitch - black forest trail, Li Huowang carried a torch, leading the others forward. The darkness seemed to swallow everything, and the air was thick with an eerie silence, broken only by the crackling of the torch and the soft shuffling of footsteps.

Despite the late - hour and the darkness that still clung to the world like a shroud, the survivors, their hearts still pounding from the recent harrowing events, had no inclination to sleep. After all they had endured - the attacks, the loss, and the constant fear - rest was the furthest thing from their minds.

The donkey cart creaked under the weight of chunks of horse meat and some silver fragments retrieved from the bandits' bodies. These meager spoils were all that remained of their violent encounter, a paltry reminder of the lives that had been lost and the battles they had fought.

"Let's make camp here for the night," Li Huowang commanded. His voice was firm, cutting through the quiet like a knife. Soon, the torches were clustered together, and a new bonfire crackled to life, casting a warm, orange glow that danced on the faces of the weary travelers.

"Sentries will keep watch through the night. Rest well - we need our strength for tomorrow's journey." With these words, the sounds of hooves and footsteps gradually faded into silence as everyone settled down, seeking whatever comfort they could find in the cold, hard ground.

Li Huowang sat by the fire, his eyes fixed on the path they had come. The darkness stretched out behind them, an endless void that seemed to hold countless secrets and dangers. He knew that the beggar wouldn't approach until he had finished burying the dead. The thought of the dead, their faces frozen in fear and pain, sent a shiver down his spine.

Reflecting on the recent events, Li Huowang couldn't help but sigh at the chaos of this world. Strange creatures lurked in every shadow, and humans, driven by greed and desperation, preyed on each other without mercy. It was a world that seemed to have lost all sense of morality and decency. He stabbed at the dying flames with his sword, the metal hissing as it made contact with the embers. Then, he added more wood, watching as the fire roared back to life, as if it were a small beacon of hope in this dark and cruel world.

As dawn approached, the scattered survivors began to drift towards their campfire like moths to a flame. The first light of day peeked through the trees, casting long, thin shadows on the ground. No members of the Lü family had returned, but Li Huowang wasn't overly concerned. The Lü patriarch had proven himself to be a shrewd and resourceful man when he chose horses for his caravan. Horses were known for their speed and agility, especially in times of emergency.

By the morning light, everyone was awake. The smell of roasting horse meat filled the air, a pungent aroma that was both revolting and enticing. They were all hungry, and this simple meal was a welcome relief after days of hardship. Just as they were eating, a trembling figure emerged from the shadows.

It was the beggar monk, his tattered robes hanging loosely on his thin frame. Morning dew had soaked through his clothes, making him shiver uncontrollably. He crouched near the fire, his eyes fixed on the flames as if they were the only source of warmth and comfort in the world. When Li Huowang looked his way, he offered a toothless smile, his face wrinkled like an old parchment.

When Li Huowang offered him a steamed bun, the beggar accepted it thankfully, murmuring, "May Buddha bless you." His voice was soft, almost a whisper, but there was a sincerity in his words that was hard to miss.

Curious, Li Huowang asked, "Which Buddha do you pray to?" He tilted his head slightly, studying the beggar's face for any signs of knowledge or understanding.

"To the Buddha, of course! What other Buddhas are there?" The beggar seemed genuinely puzzled, his eyes wide with confusion. He looked at Li Huowang as if he had asked a question that was too absurd to even consider.

"You don't even know which Buddha you worship? How can you call yourself a monk?" Li Huowang's voice was incredulous, a mix of amusement and disbelief. He had never met a monk like this before, one who seemed so clueless about his own faith.

The beggar defended himself earnestly: "Sun the scholar said monks must shave their heads, so I did. Wang the tailor said monks shouldn't wed, so I don't. Liu the merchant said monks shouldn't eat meat, so I fast! When I saw others chanting Amitabha, I learned that too. I've followed all their rules - why aren't I a real monk?" His words tumbled out in a rush, a desperate plea for validation.

Li Huowang couldn't help but laugh. This man's "monkhood" was faker than his own Daoist identity. But there was something endearing about his simple devotion, his child - like belief in following the rules without really understanding the meaning behind them.

"Maybe you can't read?" he probed, his tone gentle. He was trying to understand this strange man, to find out what had led him to this path.

"How would I know? Are all Daoists fortune - tellers?" The beggar shot back, a hint of annoyance in his voice. He was tired of being questioned, of being made to feel like he was less than a real monk.

They parted ways eventually, with the beggar trailing behind them like a shadow. Over the next ten days, they traveled through rugged terrain, the landscape changing from dense forests to rocky mountains. Li occasionally shared bread with the starving monk who subsisted on wild plants, his heart softening towards the strange man with each passing day.

Finally, the majestic walls of Xijing City loomed before them. The city was a sight to behold, its stone battlements stretching as far as the eye could see. The sheer scale of the walls pressed down on Li Huowang like a physical weight, a reminder of the power and grandeur of the civilization that awaited them within.

"Are we there?" he breathed, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. The nightmare scenarios from his visions hadn't materialized. He had made it this far, and now, he was one step closer to finding the answers he sought.

"A good place to stay," Lv Zhuangyuan chimed in, eager to lead them to a cheap inn. But Li Huowang gripped his arm, his fingers digging into the other man's flesh.

"Where's the temple you mentioned?" he insisted. This was the purpose of their entire journey, the reason they had endured so much hardship. He wouldn't be distracted by the promise of a warm bed and a hot meal.

Taking him to Zhengde Temple - the city's most prosperous shrine - Li Huowang was immediately struck by the intoxicating scent of sandalwood incense. The air was thick with the smell, a sweet and pungent aroma that filled his nostrils. Crowds of worshippers filled the streets, carrying stacks of incense sticks, their faces solemn and focused.

A local woman explained, "Zhengde Temple's Bodhisattva answers prayers! My daughter conceived after praying here." Her voice was filled with gratitude and wonder, her eyes shining with faith.

Others added that the monks ran free meals for the poor. Such kindness in a city this size was nothing short of miraculous. In a world filled with so much darkness and cruelty, the existence of such a place of compassion and hope was a beacon of light.

Li Huowang stood in awe, his gaze lingering on the flickering candlelight within the temple's grand entrance. This was the place he'd been searching for...