Chapter 3, The Strange Monk
The young monk said, "It seems you know a lot about cars!" As he spoke, he had already started the vehicle, which drove very smoothly, with all noise cleverly filtered out. Looking through the large windows, it felt as if he was experiencing Lhasa from a different perspective
Taking out the phone belonging to Tian Shu, Qi Yue dialed the number for Tian Shu's home
When he turned around, he saw a young monk in a monk's robe standing five meters behind him. There had been no sound of footsteps; he seemed to have appeared there directly. Qi Yue examined the young monk from head to toe. He appeared to be about the same age as Qi Yue, not exactly handsome, but exuding a harmonious beauty.
Each generation of Qilin is so stubborn, their stubbornness manifested in their willingness to sacrifice themselves for the heavy responsibility of guarding the East. Yet you express this stubbornness through fear. I do not know whether it is my fortune or misfortune to appear in the same generation as you. The young monk's expression darkened slightly as he raised his hand, extending a finger as white as jade, lightly tapping the position over Qi Yue's heart.
Qi Yue asked curiously, "What kind of special person?"
The Potala Palace, located on the Marbur Mountain northwest of Lhasa in Tibet, is a renowned palace-fortress architectural complex and the essence of ancient Tibetan architectural art. Construction of the Potala Palace began in the 7th century AD, commissioned by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo for the marriage of the Tang Dynasty Princess Wencheng to Tibet. The palace, built on the Red Mountain at an altitude of over 3,700 meters in Lhasa, comprises 999 rooms. The palace is constructed against the mountain, covering an area of 410,000 square meters, with a building area of 130,000 square meters. The main building of the palace has 13 stories, stands 115 meters tall, and is entirely made of stone and wood. The five palace roofs are covered with gilded copper tiles, shining brilliantly and exuding grandeur, representing the pinnacle of ancient Tibetan architectural art. It is hailed as the Sacred Temple of the Plateau.
The young monk shook his head and said: "Although there is no deity, there exists a great lineage that has been passed down through the ages. For you, I have inherited the pinnacle of this great lineage."
The main structure of the Potala Palace consists of the White Palace and the Red Palace. The White Palace serves as the winter residence of the Dalai Lama and was also the former site of the local government of Tibet, standing seven stories high. The Red Palace primarily houses the stupa hall of the Dalai Lama and various Buddhist temples. Among them, the Hall of Complete Tranquility is the main hall of the stupa of the Fifth Dalai Lama and is also the largest hall in the Potala Palace, covering an area of 725 square meters, with its inner walls adorned with murals. Above the Dalai Lama's throne in the hall hangs a plaque inscribed with 'The Initial Ground of the Lotus' by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty.
Sitting in the spacious seat of the Lincoln Navigator, Qi Yue was filled with astonishment, almost murmuring: "One of the exemplars of luxury SUVs, measuring over 5.2 meters in length, it is the largest SUV in the world, boasting top-notch comfort and stability. With an engine hood height of up to 1.4 meters, it resembles a warrior from mythology, embodying an unparalleled aura of dominance. Is becoming a monk such a promising path? I heard that lamas can marry, it seems I have come to the right place this time."
Qi Yue suddenly burst into laughter, "Little monk, you are truly amusing. You drove over two hundred kilometers late at night just to tell me a story? I came to Tibet and encountered you, a stranger, and then you brought me here. Do you think I could possibly believe your words? Your story, while somewhat intriguing, has nothing to do with me. I am leaving." With that, he turned and walked out.
Upon hearing the young monk speak of his dream, Qi Yue was suddenly shaken to his core and exclaimed, "You, can you enter my dream?"
The steps in front of the Potala Palace form a zigzag pattern from high to low. Looking up from below, the grandeur and magnificence of this palace complex, the highest in the world, become even more pronounced. When Qiyue arrived at the foot of the mountain, he suddenly realized that the calling voice that had been echoing in his heart had vanished. The almost golden palace appeared so beautiful, and the scene from his dreams reappeared before his eyes, except this time it was truly real
The young monk smiled slightly and said, "It seems that you have begun to believe, haven't you? Take off your upper garment, for when a person comes into this world with the *picture* book, they are inherently without any clothing. The Buddha will forgive you"
Her voice was expressed in an exclamatory tone, and looking at the scene of the water and moon, it seemed as if she had completely merged into the snowy realm outside the car
Oh? What is the Potala Palace like? Qi Yue certainly would not be ignorant of the Potala Palace, but at this moment, he suddenly thought of the golden buildings in his dreams. They seemed to be strange structures built on a mountain. Although he could not see them clearly, the sacred feeling they evoked added some thoughts to Qi Yue's mind
Qi Yue said proudly: "Of course I understand, I am an expert, especially fond of off-road vehicles. The Lincoln Navigator is quite good, but it is not my favorite; it is too heavy. It is fine for riding, but not as enjoyable to drive. My favorite is the Porsche Cayenne. Although the Cayenne's off-road capability is slightly inferior, its overall performance is the best. If one day I win the lottery, I will definitely get one to have some fun with."
The young monk smiled and said, "There are certain things in the world that require understanding. However, you are indeed not suited to visit the Potala Palace, for your heart is not pure enough, and more importantly, there is no Buddha in your heart"
The moonlight revealed a smile as radiant as a blooming lily, "Fate will bring us together again." Leaving these words behind, she quickened her pace towards the sign that awaited her, not looking back at Qi Yue even once.
Shuiyue Road: "I can't say I am very familiar with it, but my father has been there many times. He often mentions some things about Tibet and has shown me some photos. For Tibet, the Potala Palace is their sacred site. My father said that if one does not visit Tibet at least once, one will never be able to appreciate how wonderful the scenery of our Yanhuang Republic is."
Where should I go now? Qi Yue felt somewhat lost; Tibet was undoubtedly a mysterious place for him. Here, he couldn't even distinguish between east, west, south, and north, let alone have any friends. After hesitating for a moment while holding his luggage, he patted the more than 10,000 yuan in his bag, and a decision began to form in his mind
"Boss, where are you now?" The voice of the field mouse was filled with surprise
Qi Yue looked around, then walked to the corner with his simple luggage and continued, "I have arrived in Tibet. How is the situation on your side? Has Yan Xiaoyi died?"
The hall is very serene, with a spacious main chamber housing a statue of the Buddha at its center. After the young monk approaches the Buddha and offers a slight bow, he turns to stand before Qi Yue. In front of the statue of the Buddha, this young monk appears even more dignified and majestic.
Have you arrived
The young monk shook his head and said, "What I am speaking of is a story that is about to happen to you. There are many things in this world that are beyond comprehension, and not all of these incomprehensible things are illusory; many of them truly exist."
The young monk suddenly said: "Stop, if you want to know that everything I say is true, then please take off your shirt"
"Are you a field mouse? I am Qi Yue"
When the train finally arrived at its destination, Lhasa, it was already 9 PM. Qi Yue and Shui Yue got off together. In the distance, he saw someone at the reception platform holding a large sign with the words 'Shui Yue' written on it.
Qi Yue smiled and said, "Aren't you here for the first time as well? You look quite familiar!"
Qi Yue scratched his head and said, "I don't know when the visit is. As soon as I got off the train, I saw this place on the street, and it felt as if a voice was calling me all along, so I came here. The religious atmosphere here is truly strong! On the way, I saw many Tibetan people in worship."
"Alright, can I speak now? What exactly did you bring me here for?" Qi Yue's patience had long since worn thin; if it weren't for that Lincoln Navigator and a bag of goat's milk to stave off hunger, he might have left long ago
Did Qi Yue really not believe the words of the young monk? No, he had begun to believe them somewhat, but suddenly felt a sense of unease. Under the influence of self-protective instincts, he decided to leave this place immediately
Qi Yue recalled his strange dream, his heart trembled slightly, and he said: "Then who are these guardians of the East that you speak of? Could they be gods? Do gods truly exist in this world?"
In a short while, Qi Yue was surprised to find that the young monk had already driven his Lincoln Navigator out of the city of Lhasa. He couldn't help but feel a bit anxious, "Where exactly are you taking me? You aren't the type with special preferences, planning to bring me to a deserted place to assault and then kill me, are you"
Qi Yue's expression changed, and he said: "So, you look down on me? I have no interest in you monks or your temples. Since that is the case, let's part ways; you can just send me off." Although he was a rogue, Qi Yue was also a person with a strong sense of pride. If it weren't for the fact that the other party was a monk, he would have likely resorted to harsh words or physical violence. Back in the capital, he would not let anyone who looked down on him go unpunished, even though he knew it was futile; it was simply his way of protecting his self-esteem. But Qi Yue was also a person with a strong sense of pride. If it weren't for the fact that the other party was a monk, he would have likely resorted to harsh words or physical violence. Back in the capital, he would not let anyone who looked down on him go unpunished, even though he knew it was futile; it was simply his way of protecting his self-esteem.
Upon hearing this, Qi Yue could not help but swallow hard, "Are you saying that there is something very valuable here"
At night, the streets of Lhasa, illuminated by flowing lights, appear beautiful. However, as Qi Yue stepped out of the station, he was once again astonished, for he vaguely saw, not far behind these magnificent streets, patches of golden light. That hazy golden hue was almost identical to what he had seen in his dreams.
The two individuals continued walking towards the temple. As this sacred Buddhist temple was also built against the mountain, after climbing for a while, Qi Yue was already panting, while the young monk's breathing remained steady, and even his pace showed no difference from the beginning
The young monk smiled and said, "But the visiting hours have already passed, why have you come now?"
Once he came to terms with it, Qi Yue simply relaxed. After all, he had no specific place to go, so he decided to entrust himself to this young monk, adapting to circumstances as was in Qi Yue's nature; otherwise, he would not still be wandering the streets at the age of nineteen.
"How much longer do we have to walk?" Qi Yue asked while panting. Although he did not experience much altitude sickness, climbing in the highlands was certainly not an easy task
Uncertain of how long he had slept, a voice that seemed to emanate from the depths of his soul awakened him from his slumber. As he opened his drowsy eyes, Qi Yue realized that the vehicle had already come to a stop, and the young monk was gazing at him.
The young monk seemed not to have heard Qi Yue's words and continued: "In our East, the Yanhuang Republic is the pearl of the East, the mystery of the East, which is certainly not something ordinary people can comprehend. Throughout this world, there has always been a group of people silently guarding the East, contributing all their strength in the shadows. Under the manipulation of fate, these guardians appear once every thousand years; it is precisely because of their existence that the East can develop peacefully in tranquility."
Qi Yue snorted and said, "I don't want to know anything right now, nor do I want to hear you prove anything. I'm leaving." As he spoke, he turned around in a bit of a panic and started to walk out. At that moment, a gentle force pulled at his body, and Qi Yue was horrified to discover that no matter how much he struggled, he could no longer take a step forward.
Qiyue said with some confusion: "Why are you telling me this? It doesn't matter now since I can't go in anyway, so I'm leaving."
"That’s enough said, take care of yourself." Qi Yue hung up the phone. Although he had only known the Field Mouse for a few years, he understood his good brother very well. There was no need for many words, but he would always remember what he owed the Field Mouse.
"Why are there armed police here? Is there someone in your temple who has committed an offense?" Qi Yue asked curiously
Qi Yue suddenly turned around, "Take off your clothes? Take off your clothes in front of the Buddha? Although I do not believe in Buddhism, I also do not wish to offend the Buddha"
Although Qi Yue held a very low social status, he was a person of great curiosity. When he heard a young monk express his dream, he followed without any hesitation, eager to find answers to the questions that lingered in his mind
As soon as he entered, Qi Yue was taken aback, for he unexpectedly saw armed police officers, commonly seen in the capital. These officers were all equipped with live ammunition, and not far from the entrance, a security cordon was set up. What on earth is this place? Why are there armed police guarding it?
"We have arrived, please disembark," the monk said, and he was the first to get off the vehicle
The young monk said, "Your thoughts are indeed quite novel. This is a Class A national tourism protection area, and the presence of armed police is not surprising. The name of this temple, in the language of Yan and Huang, is called the Holy Buddha Temple"
Gazing at the magnificent Potala Palace, Qi Yue seemed to hear a voice calling out to him. His gaze became somewhat dazed, and his body appeared to move of its own accord as he made his way to the streets of Lhasa. He hailed a taxi, disregarding his hungry stomach, and headed straight towards the direction of the Potala Palace.
If one were to say there is not a trace of reluctance, that would be impossible. Qi Yue, somewhat dejected, discovered that as he looked at this beautiful and pure girl, he found that his desires had vanished, replaced instead by a sense of admiration. "Could you leave me your phone number?"
Qi Yue stood still, his gaze fixed on Shui Yue and the wooden plaque bearing her name as they disappeared into the crowd before he came to his senses. Cursing under his breath, he thought, what is wrong with me? Could it be that I really like her? No, that’s impossible; what I like is merely her alluring appearance.
"Are you going to tell me a story?" Qi Yue was momentarily taken aback by the words of the young monk
Qi Yue said with a wry smile: "I am not overthinking; I just wanted to come and take a look."
When the two individuals arrived at the side of the street, one after the other, the young monk walked up to a vehicle and stopped. It was a large off-road vehicle. The young monk first gestured a request to Qi Yue, and then climbed into the driver's seat himself
The taste of the goat's milk is rich and thick, with a hint of a mild goat odor. However, for Qi Yue, who had not eaten for several days, it could definitely be described as ambrosial. He gulped down more than half a bag in one go and immediately felt much more comfortable. After catching his breath, he finished the remaining goat's milk. The temperature in Tibet is relatively low, as it is a plateau region. With the warm air in the vehicle turned on and something in his stomach, Qi Yue suddenly felt a bit fatigued. Although he did not experience altitude sickness, he quickly fell asleep in the comfort of the luxurious off-road vehicle.
He took out a somewhat twisted cigarette box from his pocket, pulled out a curved cigarette, and placed it between his lips. However, when he attempted to ignite it with his lighter, he discovered that his lighter had inexplicably stopped working. It was then that he recalled that in the high-altitude environment of Lhasa, oxygen was not abundant, making it difficult for ordinary lighters to function.
The young monk cast a glance at Qi Yue. Although his gaze was very calm, it strangely made the impure thoughts in Qi Yue's mind vanish in an instant. "Here, some words cannot be spoken lightly. May the Buddha's compassion be with you."
Qi Yue got out of the car, and compared to the warmth inside, the cold wind outside made him shiver.
Shuiyue paused, gazing deeply at Qiyue, and said: "I think we need to part ways. My father has a friend who is a doctor in Lhasa, and he is coming to pick me up. I will then intern at their hospital. I have a somewhat special situation at school, so my break starts a bit earlier. I should be interning here until the end of August before returning to the capital. I really want to do more for the local Tibetan people. If fate allows, perhaps we can meet again in the capital." After saying this, a hint of a sacred glow naturally appeared on her face. Qiyue understood that this glow represented one meaning: kindness.
Is it beautiful here? A gentle voice sounded not far from Qi Yue, and this voice felt very familiar, as it was authentic Beijing dialect, rather than the Tibetan language that Qi Yue could not understand at all
The young monk's expression changed slightly as he said, "I did not expect that after seeing my Buddha's gaze at https://m.hetushu.com, you would still harbor such sordid thoughts. It seems that you are indeed a very special person"
The young monk said while walking forward: "We are almost there"
The prayer flags are commonly found in Tibet. For instance, they can be seen on the rooftops of houses, near sacred mountains and waters, and at the sites of statues of Buddha. The colorful prayer flags consist of five colors—blue, white, red, green, and yellow. The colors cannot be altered at will, as each color represents a different meaning. Blue represents the blue sky, white symbolizes white clouds and snow-capped mountains, red stands for the sun (and is also said to represent flames), green signifies green trees, and yellow represents the earth. The prayer flags are printed with scriptures, and the Tibetan people believe that each time the wind moves the flags, it signifies that they have recited a verse of the sutra in their hearts, praying for peace and auspiciousness.
Qi Yue let out a sigh of relief; after all, as long as no one was dead, there wouldn't be any major issues. "Alright, let's not bother with thanks between brothers. How is your father doing? Has he made things difficult for you?"
Qiyue snorted and said, "Whether there is a Buddha or not, is that for you to decide? Can you see into my heart?"
The young monk said: "One must not speak recklessly in the presence of the Buddha. Your arrival in Tibet is entirely a matter of fate; destiny has arranged for our meeting. You may regard me as your mentor. To be honest, I never expected that such an important person from the East would turn out to be someone like you"
Qi Yue heard the monk call him a rogue and a scoundrel, and instead of feeling ashamed, he appeared somewhat proud, chuckling as he took a flask from the car door and began to drink. By the time the young monk responded to him, he had already thought it through; for him, this young monk could not possibly have any special intentions. He did not consider himself handsome, and he looked impoverished—who would pay attention to someone like him? If it were for the more than 10,000 yuan in his bag, that would be even more ridiculous. By the time the young monk responded to him, he had already thought it through; for him, this young monk could not possibly have any special intentions. He did not consider himself handsome, and he looked impoverished—who would pay attention to someone like him? If it were for the more than 10,000 yuan in his bag, that would be even more ridiculous. Would anyone really need to drive a Lincoln to rob such a small amount of money?
The field mouse said with a bitter smile: "That guy's life is as tough as a cockroach. My father sent someone to inquire, and he is not dead; he has a moderate concussion and is still in the hospital. He has already made it clear that he will not let you off the hook, so you should hide for a few more days. Come back when things have calmed down."
The two individuals stopped at the entrance of a side hall, where the ancient and heavy door bore faintly visible strange patterns. After the young monk waved to Qi Yue, he pushed the door open and entered.
Qi Yue did not say anything more. Looking at the majestic snow-capped mountains outside, he found himself inexplicably devoid of the mood to tease Shui Yue. The grandeur of the snow mountains was not only external but also resonated within his heart. He suddenly felt an unprecedented expansiveness in his chest, and the oppressive feelings he had when leaving the capital had completely vanished.
Shuiyue glanced at Qiyue and smiled, saying: "It's a pity you slept too long and missed the majestic Kunlun Mountains. It is also a very beautiful place. The highest peak of the eastern section of the Kunlun Mountains, Yuzhu Peak, is precisely where our train passes, with an elevation of over 6,000 meters. We have now arrived at the Nyainqentanglha mountain range, which is one of the most important mountain ranges surrounding Lhasa. You see, these snow-capped mountains do not seem very high, mainly because we are already at a high altitude. In Tibetan, Nyainqentanglha means 'the divine grassland of the spirit,' and it is considered a sacred mountain by the Tibetan people. The main peak reaches an altitude of 7,117 meters, and there are four peaks over 7,000 meters arranged closely together to the east and west of the main peak. Surrounding it are more than thirty snow peaks towering majestically, stretching endlessly. Having reached this point, we are also close to Lhasa."
"Enlightenment? Are you insulting me? I am not a blockhead, so I don't need enlightenment." Qi Yue looked at the young monk and snorted disdainfully
"My goodness, this is a Lincoln Navigator." If there was any hesitation before, at this moment, Qi Yue's eagerness was even more apparent. A man loves cars; men often say that a car is like their little wife. This sentiment was particularly evident in Qi Yue. Although he had no money and spent his days idling, everyone has their hobbies, and Qi Yue's passion was cars, especially renowned vehicles from around the world. Aside from eating, most of his remaining money was spent on various automotive magazines.
What place is that? After a simple inquiry, Qi Yue quickly received an answer: it is the Potala Palace, the most mysterious and highest sacred site in Tibet. Under the colorful lights, the Potala Palace appears even more solemn and enigmatic against the backdrop of the black night.
The young monk glanced at Qiyue and said, "Tibet has its own culture."
The young monk calmly said, "I brought you here to help you gain insight"
The armed police saw the young monk and almost simultaneously bowed respectfully to him. The young monk smiled slightly, nodded at them, and then walked inside with Qi Yue.
Qi Yue suddenly sensed a peculiar atmosphere in the temple. After arriving here, he found that his heart seemed to have calmed down significantly. "What a strange feeling; this place seems quite extraordinary."
Before him stood a grand temple, which did not surprise Qi Yue, as the young monk had already mentioned he would take him to his residence, and it was natural for a monk to live in a monastery. Qi Yue followed closely behind the young monk and entered the magnificent temple together
"The Buddha has no form, neither shape nor appearance. Please follow me." As he spoke, the young monk smiled slightly and turned to walk down the adjacent street
The young monk glanced at him and said, "In your words, one could say it is a rogue or a scoundrel, and indeed it is true. Amitabha, I have spoken in vain. I will take you to where I reside. It is called Shengfoze, and you may find the name quite strange; however, you can understand it as a city in Tibet, located two hundred seventy kilometers from Lhasa. We will drive for about two hours, and if you feel tired, you may rest for a while. There is a leather pouch next to you in the car door, containing sheep's milk, which should be enough to satisfy your hunger."
The smile on the young monk's face faded, and he nodded solemnly, saying: "Indeed, I can see your heart. Do you still remember the voice that called you? Do you recall the scenes from your dreams? In fact, all of this was to bring you here to meet me."
After listening to Shuiyue's detailed explanation, Qi Yue felt a slight tremor in his heart, especially at the phrase "brilliant golden light," which stirred a strong impulse within him. Although he had come to Tibet to escape, he secretly resolved that, regardless of the circumstances, he must visit the Potala Palace. The clarity of the dream brought him feelings that were completely different from his previous life. Although it was merely a dream, in his mind, it seemed to exist in reality.
The young monk walked up to Qiyue and stood beside him, his gaze also directed towards the majestic Potala Palace before them. He smiled and said: "The Potala Palace is built against the mountain, with its numerous towers overlapping. It has served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas throughout the ages and was the center of theocratic governance in old Tibet. It houses the stupas of the Fifth Dalai Lama and the Seventh to Thirteenth Dalai Lamas, totaling eight. The Potala Palace contains and preserves a vast array of historical artifacts and rare treasures. Among them are over 2,500 square meters of murals, nearly a thousand stupas, tens of thousands of statues, and tens of thousands of thangkas. The emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties bestowed golden tablets, golden seals, jade seals, and a large quantity of gold and silver items, porcelain, enamelware, jade artifacts, brocade, and exquisite crafts upon the Dalai Lamas. These artifacts are vibrant and diverse in theme. Within the Potala Palace, every artifact in each hall is priceless.
Field Mouse said: "It's nothing, just being grounded. Boss, you know that Yan Xiaoyi's family has some influence, and my dad always has to smooth things over. Don't worry, I won't get into any trouble." Naturally, he would not tell Qi Yue that because of this incident, he was severely scolded and transferred to a strictly regulated elite boarding school, and he would never have the chance to hang out again.
Under that strange gentle force, he turned back, and at that moment, the young monk had somehow arrived beside him, facing him directly. With a wave of his right hand, the gentle force not only restrained Qi Yue's body but also, as a soft breeze caressed, his upper garment floated away, revealing his bronze-colored skin