Urban Divine Doctor Descends the Mountain

Chapter 2552: Chapter 2551: Family, Country, and Sky

In that year, at the end of spring and the beginning of summer, the peach blossoms outside the Taoist temple had withered, replaced by a courtyard full of lush greenery.

Sixteen-year-old Lin Dong, holding a broom, was sweeping fallen leaves in the courtyard. His shadow, elongated in the morning light, appeared especially serene and focused.

At that moment, the clear sound of horse hooves broke the tranquility of the Taoist temple. A woman in luxurious palace attire appeared, riding slowly on a white horse.

She was none other than the number one beauty in this illusionary world, Princess Haoyue of the current dynasty.

Her eyebrows were like distant mountains tinged with green, her eyes resembling autumn waters, filled with elegance and warmth.

Princess Haoyue’s journey was to pray for national prosperity and the well-being of the people.

Upon first seeing Princess Haoyue, Lin Dong’s heart could not help but tremble slightly.

He had never seen such a beautiful and noble woman, as if she walked out of a painting, a fairy that one dared not look at directly.

Yet, out of courtesy, he approached to greet her and ushered the princess into the Taoist temple for blessings.

After the blessing ceremony, Princess Haoyue did not hurry to leave. Instead, she developed a strong interest in Lin Dong, the young Taoist priest.

She inquired about the teachings of Taoism and the methods of cultivation, and Lin Dong patiently answered each question. His erudition and humility further endeared him to the princess.

As time passed, their interactions became increasingly frequent, from initial unfamiliarity to subsequent understanding and acquaintance.

Everything seemed so natural.

There is a saying, that life should be as when first we met...

And another saying, called ’love at first sight.’

The two of them seemed to have fallen for each other at first sight.

Luo Xue, as Lin Dong’s mentor, watched this unfold with a heart full of doubt and speculation.

"Could it be that the test of his second life is Lin Dong’s Peach Blossom Calamity?"

She pondered quietly but did not intervene, merely observing everything from the sidelines.

However, in Princess Haoyue’s heart, there was deep concern.

That day, she and Lin Dong sat side by side on the stone steps of the Taoist temple.

She sighed softly, gazing into the distance, and said in a low voice, "Brother Lin Dong, are you aware that our country is facing an unprecedented crisis? The king is weak, foreign tribes invade, and the court is overrun with corrupt officials. They only know how to seek peace, sacrificing the people’s interests, offering beauties and jewelry to foreign tribes, and even ceding lands..."

Listening to the princess, Lin Dong was perplexed.

Having no memories of his previous life, he only had memories from the past three years in this life. His life was empty, apart from cultivation and Taoist magic, he had no understanding of what family or country means.

Home and country were concepts unknown to him.

"Brother Lin Dong, wouldn’t it be wonderful if one day we could stop being bullied by foreign tribes, if we could be strong enough to reclaim the lands, jewelry, and everything that was taken away?" Princess Haoyue murmured, leaning against Lin Dong’s shoulder.

Lin Dong merely listened quietly, without interjecting.

What did the strength of the country have to do with him?

He was just a young Taoist priest who had never left the Taoist temple in the deep mountain.

The concept of home and country was too distant for him.

Princess Haoyue stayed at the Taoist temple for a month.

The mountain breeze gently blew, carrying the tenderness of early summer and a hint of undetectable nostalgia.

Princess Haoyue stood before her temporary small house, her gaze traversing the lush greens, looking toward the distant horizon, her eyes reflecting complex emotions.

A month of mountain dwelling seemed like a dream, short yet beautiful, but the shackles of reality ultimately broke this calmness.

"Brother Lin Dong, this past month has been the happiest of my life." Her voice was gentle yet carried a faint trembling, "But today, I... I have to leave."

As she said this, Princess Haoyue slowly turned around to look at Lin Dong, who had accompanied her all this time.

Lin Dong, this young Taoist priest from the deep mountain, had given her unprecedented warmth and peace during this period.

Hearing her words, Lin Dong’s heart tightened as if a massive stone was pressing down on his chest, rendering him almost breathless.

He forced himself to suppress his reluctance, trying to muster a smile to bid farewell to Princess Haoyue, but found his mouth stiff and unspeakable bitterness filling his heart.

Just then, the rapid sound of horse hooves drawing near shattered the tranquility of the mountain.

A troop of ironclad cavalry surged in like a black torrent, led by none other than the Second Prince, Princess Haoyue’s brother, his expression stern, his eyes filled with worry and determination.

The Second Prince dismounted and approached Princess Haoyue directly, his gaze a mix of love and helplessness. "Younger sister, it’s getting late, we ought to leave."

His voice was deep and resonant, conveying an undeniable firmness.

Princess Haoyue nodded gently, her eyes flashing with determination and reluctance. She took a final deep look at Lin Dong, as if to etch his image in her heart forever.

Then, she turned and followed the Second Prince slowly toward the horses.

Just as she was about to mount, the Second Prince paused, turned around, his gaze passing through everyone and landing on Lin Dong.

His eyes flickered with a complex light that eventually transformed into a heavy sigh.

"Young Taoist priest, today I must inform you of something. It is the year again when our dynasty must offer gifts to the foreign tribes. This year, the Khan of the foreign tribes has made an unprecedented demand—they want my younger sister to go as a bride. My father, for the greater good, had no choice but to agree. A year from today will be the day Princess Haoyue marries."

These words were like a bolt from the blue, leaving Lin Dong’s face instantly as pale as paper.

He stood there in a daze, his heart a mixture of emotions, sorrow for Princess Haoyue’s fate and anger at his own powerlessness.

It wasn’t until the figures of Princess Haoyue and the Second Prince gradually vanished at the end of the mountain path that Lin Dong awoke as if from a dream.

After Princess Haoyue left, Lin Dong seemed like a lifeless shell without a soul, sitting alone in front of the small house, gazing at the empty mountain valley, his heart surging with an unprecedented determination and conviction.

He finally realized that in this tumultuous era, without a strong country as a backing, personal happiness and peace were mere illusions.

As night fell and stars glittered, Lin Dong gazed at the starry sky, a strong thought emerged in his heart.

He stood up, his eyes fixed firmly on the distant horizon.

He wanted to join the army!

To use his own strength to protect this land, to guard the purest emotions and beliefs in his heart.

That day, he packed everything and went before his mentor, Luo Xue.

Then, he heavily knocked his head on the ground.

"I’m sorry, Master, I may not be able to accompany you or complete the test you mentioned. I’m going to leave the Taoist temple." Lin Dong said firmly.

Luo Xue sighed, remaining silent for a long time.

Lin Dong felt a bitter sorrow, thinking his actions must have disappointed his master.

Perhaps now, his master no longer regarded him as her disciple.

A Taoist, harboring worldly desires. A Taoist, leaving the temple and abandoning cultivation, can he still be considered his master’s disciple?

Yet at that moment, Luo Xue spoke:

"The world outside is full of dangers. Take good care of yourself, there are some dry foods I made for you in the kitchen. Take them with you for the journey."

"If you’re tired outside, just come back. I’ll be here, waiting for you always."

Lin Dong’s heart trembled, a warm flow coursed through him.

It turned out his master had never blamed him.

And so, Lin Dong took everything with him and set off for the frontier...