Chapter 2, The Ancient Shaolin Temple (Part 1)

Where is my uncle?

Meng Nan saw clearly that the middle-aged monk was indeed his uncle—Meng Dongliu

Meng Dong patted his nephew on the shoulder and said, "There is one thing I must declare in advance: during these five years, Xiao Nan will not be able to make any contact with you!" Meng Nan looked at his uncle in surprise, truly unsure of where he was being taken, and could not help but wonder if he was being locked away in a dark, damp dungeon.

You have let go of worldly ties and devoted yourself to Buddhism because of my existence? Meng Nan thought to himself, if my parents had not brought me into this world, would my uncle have been prepared to marry and have children, to first provide an explanation to our ancestors before taking the vows and becoming a monk?

"Lying! Xiao Nan won't be that short-lived. With today's advanced technology, as long as we are willing to spend money, we can definitely cure Xiao Nan!" Zhu Liqi said with red eyes

Meng Nan disdainfully curled his lips. Under the eaves, one must bow their head. Remembering the tumor in his head that could burst at any moment, he had no choice but to reluctantly follow his uncle.

"What else can he say about treating my illness? He actually brought me to the Shaolin Temple. Uncle can't possibly be thinking of taking me to become a monk, can he?" As he pondered this, his head began to ache again. Meng Nan leaned weakly against the supporting pillar, relying on it to keep himself from collapsing to the ground.

Shaolin Temple

Meng Nan nodded slightly: "I understand, there is indeed something wrong with your mind"

Meng Dongliu shook his head: "Using terms you can understand, this is a different world, completely unlike the one we originally lived in. Do you understand?"

Meng Dongliu said with a smile: "That is only half of our journey, I assure you that you will receive an unexpected surprise"

Everyone was focused on their practice, and no one noticed the appearance of Meng Nan

Meng Dongfang furrowed his brows: "Why? Xiao Nan is not suitable in this state at all..."

Meng Dong, familiar with the route, led Meng Nan towards the ancient city wall ahead, softly introducing, "This is the site of the ancient 'Jingjue Kingdom'"

The white-browed old monk, who was preparing to shave the head of Meng Dongliu, suddenly had a flash of divine light in his eyes. He had long been aware of Meng Nan's presence. Chanting the precepts, he extended his withered right hand and gently swept it over Meng Dongliu's head. In an instant, Meng Dongliu's long hair fell away like leaves, leaving behind only a completely bald head.

From his actions, Meng Nan has already determined that they must continue forward. Meng Nan took down the travel bag his father had given him. The road ahead is in extremely poor condition, making it impossible for vehicles to pass. It seems that the journey will likely rely on walking from now on

A warm current of air came from afar, accurately striking the Zhitaang acupoint of Mengnan, causing the unbearable pain within his body to instantly vanish. Mengnan cast a grateful glance at the abbot, knowing that he had secretly assisted him using the technique of Qi manipulation.

I do not know why they looked at each other and started to laugh

Meng Nan could not continue his conversation with the young monk and hurriedly ran in the direction he indicated. The melodious sound of bells occasionally reached his ears, while the cool morning breeze carried the fragrance of the bodhi tree.

Meng Dongliu shook his head with a smile: "It’s useless. If Xiao Nan continues to stay here, his life will definitely not exceed a week. Are you really planning to watch your son die like this?"

Meng Dong sighed and said, "Xiao Nan! To be honest, the world you are currently in is not the same as the one you originally knew."

"No way! It's so far, and it seems like that's the Great Desert!" Meng Nan's eyes widened.

Everything he said was nothing short of a fantasy to Mengnan, who even began to doubt whether his brain was functioning normally

Meng Nan nodded slightly

I want to take Xiao Nan away from here! Back home, Meng Dongliu's first sentence left the Meng Dongfang couple dumbfounded

When Meng Nan opened his eyes again, he found himself lying in a quaint quiet room. The furnishings of the room were quite simple; apart from the wooden bed he was lying on, there were two mats placed on the floor.

Continue westward for approximately 2,000 kilometers and you will arrive

Meng Nan followed behind his elder uncle back to the meditation room they had just left. Meng Dongliu was sitting cross-legged on the mat, and Meng Nan sat down on the bed opposite him: "Uncle, please stop keeping me in suspense. Can you tell me what exactly happened?"

Meng Nan walked into the Great Hero Hall, filled with confusion. The hall was packed with monks, and at the front knelt a middle-aged monk in a gray robe, preparing to receive the tonsure from the abbot.

"Alright, you may as well assume that I have understood. Please continue. Why exactly have you brought me here?" Meng Nan interrupted his explanation impatiently

Although the understanding of the Way may come at different times, enlightenment knows no early or late. The abbot said with a smile, pointing in the direction of Mengnan: Some matters are better addressed by you in person

They stopped at the center of the ruins, where there was a Tai Chi pattern made of black and white stones. It appeared incongruous with the surrounding relics, clearly a later human addition

Meng Dong turned back to look at him and smiled mysteriously: "There are still two hours of travel left, we will arrive soon!"

Meng Dong interrupted him, saying: "If Xiao Nan continues to stay here, he will have no way out. You have all heard Dr. Qin's words; he simply does not have the ability to cure Xiao Nan's illness"

Meng Nan secretly marveled: "This abbot is indeed remarkable; what he just unleashed must be the legendary invisible blade energy. It seems that being an abbot is not so easy after all; just this skill of shaving heads must require countless years of practice."

His gaze was as calm as a still ancient well, devoid of any warmth in its simplicity. Meng Nan suddenly felt a sense of estrangement; it seemed that his uncle had already decided to lead a life of solitude, soon to sever the ties of this earthly connection with his nephew.

The Meng couple exchanged a glance, and they both bit their lips, finally making up their minds: "Elder brother! You must cure Xiao Nan!"

"Take care of your health, and remember to call back often..." Tears shimmered in Meng Dongfang's eyes as he carefully observed his son for the first time in many years. His son's height had already surpassed his own; he was no longer that naive child. A sense of guilt filled his heart, realizing that he had been so preoccupied with business that he had neglected his son and family. If he could start over, he would surely make amends for all of this.

The moonlight completely enveloped the entire ruins, and the edges of the Tai Chi pattern faintly emitted a golden glow. The strong light radiated along the periphery of the pattern, surrounding their entire bodies, while Meng Nan's eyes tightly closed due to the unbearable intensity of the light.

Meng Dongliu said: "My name is Meng Dongliu, I am forty-seven years old, and I am unmarried!" He unexpectedly introduced himself to Meng Nan, who truly did not anticipate that her seemingly pedantic uncle had a subtle side.

Meng Nan looked around him; his travel bag was still neatly placed there. He took out some clean clothes and changed. Then he opened his phone, only to be surprised that there was no signal displayed. What kind of place was this? Could it be that the telecommunications network did not reach here? The GPS also proved to be of no use. Could it be that this phone had suddenly malfunctioned?

Meng Dongliu respectfully replied, "Disciple is foolish and has wasted the teachings of the esteemed master for many years"

The young novice turned around alertly and revealed an innocent smile to Meng Nan: "The benefactor is awake!"

Meng Dongliu nodded slightly: "That's the place." His eyes, somewhat weary, closed, ready to drift into slumber

Meng Dongliu sighed helplessly: "I brought you here from the teleportation point on Earth; this is not Earth..."

As night gradually descends, only Meng Nan and another person walk through the vast expanse of the world. The fierce wind blows the yellow sand, striking their faces with a stinging pain.

Meng Dongliu's gaze turned towards the window: "The reason I returned this time is to confirm that our Meng family has descendants..." He smiled slightly at Meng Nan: "I have always been unable to let go of this knot in my heart, which is why I have never been able to enter the monastic life."

Where exactly is this place

Meng Nan drove the Ford van that his father had just purchased for him, following the route indicated by his uncle as they headed west. Upon leaving the city and entering the western highway, they all let out a sigh of relief.

Two hours later, they finally arrived at their destination, which was a ruin of ancient architecture. The wind and sand had long since eroded this place into a state of disrepair, with only faint traces remaining to discern the existence of a once-great civilization.

The abbot sighed softly and said: "Zhiyuan! You have been in Shaolin for a full twenty years, and only today can you be said to have let go of the worldly thoughts in your heart"

Meng Dongfang is indeed much stronger than his wife. He handed Meng Nan a large travel bag filled with daily necessities prepared for his son. Meng Nan noticed that his father's eyes were slightly red as well; it was the first time Meng Dongfang had shown such emotions in front of his son

Uncle! Where exactly do you want to go? Meng Nan could no longer remain silent.

In fact, there is no need for him to introduce it; Meng Nan can tell that this is a relic. As for what "Jingjue Country" is, Meng Nan knows nothing about it, as he has never passed a history class.

Bypassing the square, Meng Nan followed the bluestone path to the exterior of the Daxiong Baodian. A black plaque hung in front of the door, with the three large characters 'Shaolin Temple' inscribed in gold. Meng Nan blinked hard; was he dreaming? He had been to the Shaolin Temple before, and he still clearly remembered the layout of the buildings, with tourists everywhere and many areas fenced off. This place was evidently much larger than the Shaolin Temple he had visited; could this be the South Shaolin in Putian, Fujian? He had been to the Shaolin Temple before, and he still clearly remembered the layout of the buildings, with tourists everywhere and many areas fenced off. This place was evidently much larger than the Shaolin Temple he had visited; could this be the South Shaolin in Putian, Fujian?

Meng Dong sighed and said, "You cannot cure Xiao Nan at all, because he is not sick!"

Meng Nan was somewhat confused by his meaning and pointed to his own head, asking, "Is there something wrong here?"

The long journey gradually transformed Mengnan's initial sense of novelty into a feeling of helplessness. If it were not to save his young life, he would have long since given up.

Meng Dong slowly walked in front of Meng Nan, clasped his hands together, and said: "Please, young benefactor!"

Meng Dong pulled Meng Nan to sit in the center of the pattern: "The place I want to take you to is a completely new world, where only there can the foreign energy within you be restrained, and you will have the chance to survive"

However, I can take him to Europe or to the United States, where the medical standards are more advanced than those in our country, and perhaps we can cure Xiao Nan's illness. A glimmer of hope still resides in Meng Dongfang's heart

The Meng couple reluctantly bid farewell to their son, while Meng Nan did not show much attachment to his parents. Instead, he felt a sense of relief within, as if a burden had been lifted. The sky is high and the birds can fly freely; how much one looks forward to the five years of freedom ahead.

"This is not an alien world; it is a different world, a parallel universe to the one you are familiar with," Meng Dongliu explained patiently

Uncle! Where are you planning to take me?" Meng Nan asked, somewhat puzzled.

What? Meng Nan immediately realized that the Master Zhi Yuan he was referring to was his own uncle.

On the morning of the second day, Meng Nan set off on a healing journey with this uncle, whom he was meeting for the first time in his life. As they were about to leave, Zhu Liqi hugged her son and cried incessantly, then handed Meng Nan a credit card: "Xiao Nan, this card can be used to withdraw money anywhere in the world. If you need any books or pictures, feel free to buy them. Don't ever feel wronged..." As she spoke, she began to cry again.

You should listen to your uncle

Meng Nan nodded slightly, staring blankly at the ground covered with yellow leaves. If he remembered correctly, it should be June, the hottest season of the year. How could there be so many fallen leaves? The weather seemed to have suddenly turned much cooler.

Meng Dong was trudging forward, stepping deeply and shallowly in the yellow sand, while Meng Nan had no choice but to silently follow behind him

Are you implying that this is an alien place? The tone of Mengnan was filled with sarcasm

Mengnan's consciousness瞬间离开了他的身体, as if in an instant he had traversed a millennium

"Uncle! Why are you taking me to that desolate place where not even a bird would defecate and no chickens lay eggs?" Meng Nan couldn't help but complain

Meng Nan got out of bed and walked towards the door. Outside was a clean courtyard, where a young monk dressed in a yellow robe was sweeping the fallen leaves. A cold breeze blew by, and he couldn't help but sneeze

"I can't explain it clearly to you, but in any case, you must let Xiao Nan come with me. I will definitely ensure that he returns to you in good health after five years!" Meng Dongliu said with utmost sincerity.

Just as Mengnan was about to lose patience, they finally arrived at the Taklamakan Desert. The sandstorm ahead made Mengnan begin to doubt whether it was still necessary to continue forward

Walking along a winding path, hundreds of martial monks in the square ahead are engaged in their morning practice under the guidance of the officiating monk. With their passionate shouts, they strike out with fists and feet like fierce tigers. As they land, the ground trembles slightly.

Meng Dong rarely speaks. Since leaving the city, he has not shown much concern for his nephew's condition.

Meng Dongliu jumped down from the vehicle, holding a copper compass in his hand. He took a few steps into the desert, as if he were detecting something.

The young monk pointed to the west and said, "The abbot is currently shaving the head of Master Zhiyuan!"

Meng Dong nodded vigorously: "Rest assured, he is not only your son, but also the only heir of the Meng family!"

The Meng Dongfang couple was completely bewildered by his words, and they looked at the elder brother in confusion

The city is not large; all the areas combined are less than the size of a football field. According to the saying in Inner Mongolia, this is because most of the ruins are buried under yellow sand