Chapter 237: Seeking the Dao

Zheng Fa had to admit he'd been somewhat judging by appearances.

From the moment he saw Tang Mudao, he'd felt little emotion—this had nothing to do with beauty or ugliness; for instance, the old white man's appearance had nothing to do with handsomeness.

Zheng Fa simply preferred to be close to simpler people.

But Tang Mudao…

This man always wore a smile, and when meeting Zheng Fa's gaze, he struck the perfect balance—neither ignoring Zheng Fa's youth nor staring around with curiosity.

This was certainly not a bad thing, just not what Zheng Fa imagined a scholar should be like.

"Mudao, what's with all these instruments in your trucks?"

"You know, Lao Bai," Tang Mudao explained, "I'm the president of a Daoist association overseas. I've had some collaborations with companies—these devices…"

He pointed outside the nursing home.

"They didn't cost us a cent."

"Why not?"

Tang Mudao shrugged. "Our association has some influence overseas, especially with traditional Chinese medicine, herbs, and acupuncture. They mainly want advertising and promotion… in short, no charge is just to make more money."

"Then why deliver them to our nursing home?"

"Well, I…" Tang Mudao smiled awkwardly, "I have a favor to ask."

Lao Bai and Zheng Fa exchanged a glance.

Tang Mudao looked at the two, his eyes showing a hint of thoughtful calculation.

Lao Bai asked, "What favor?"

"Older brother…" Tang Mudao's words seemed directed at Lao Bai, but his eyes fixed on Zheng Fa, "You know, after spending so long among the barbarians overseas, I've inevitably become a bit forward."

"…"

"You… received some true transmission, didn't you?"

"…"

Lao Bai fell silent.

Then Tang Mudao said, "I won't hide it from you, Older Brother—after our last parting, I went to Beijing University."

"Beijing University?"

"I visited some of your former colleagues… and saw photos of you from back then."

"You…"

Lao Bai pointed at Tang Mudao.

"Older Brother, I know I'm wrong—I really am wrong!" Tang Mudao hurried to apologize, "But you know, I've only ever had this one wish…"

Lao Bai snorted, shook his head, but said nothing.

This clearly bordered on prying into private matters.

But Lao Bai had status in the circle; he'd taken many photos in the past, some even posted online—ultimately, it was hard to call it privacy.

"Older Brother, your muscles can still be explained as trained," Tang Mudao pointed at Lao Bai's face, "but this face—twenty years younger…"

"…"

Such things couldn't be hidden from those who paid attention.

Clearly, Tang Mudao was one such person.

"So you want…"

Thud!

Zheng Fa hadn't expected Tang Mudao to kneel so suddenly.

The man prostrated himself before him, saying, "Since childhood, I've vowed to seek the Dao—please, Immortal Master, take pity on me!"

Zheng Fa quickly helped him up.

"This… Professor Tang, how can you be so sure we have any Immortal Master…"

"I… I've inquired."

Tang Mudao spoke with a hint of embarrassment.

"Inquired about what?"

"In the past six months, the Hongshan Goddess has manifested twice…"

"…"

"But both manifestations began precisely when you arrived at Hongshan."

Zheng Fa couldn't help but shake his head.

Again, the same thing—the nursing home's activities, though not publicized, were never deliberately hidden.

If others merely had these two pieces of evidence, they might not be certain, or might even form other theories.

But Tang Mudao—a fanatic who wandered everywhere seeking gods and Buddhas…

He guessed right every time.

Seeing that Lao Bai and Zheng Fa remained silent,

Tang Mudao said, "Immortal Master! I sincerely seek the Dao!"

"Those instruments are my gift!"

He pointed to the entrance of the nursing home.

"I can also bring partnership opportunities to the nursing home!"

"Partnership?" Lao Bai was curious. "What kind?"

"I have connections with some overseas hospitals—I can easily get them to hang a few plaques for you!"

Zheng Fa began to understand.

Basically, it meant hanging the names of famous foreign hospitals as a lure to attract customers.

"I can also bring clients to the nursing home!" Seeing Zheng Fa's expressionless face, Tang Mudao added, "People who aren't stupid, but have lots of money."

"…"

Honestly, Zheng Fa could see Tang Mudao's effort and sincerity.

But his doubts were growing.

"Professor Tang… you do experimental physics overseas?"

"Er, more accurately, I work in astronomy."

"Then you…"

Zheng Fa didn't know how to describe this man's behavior.

Tang Mudao blinked, seemingly unaware of what Zheng Fa meant.

But Lao Bai beside him seemed to truly understand.

"This kid thinks you lack scholarly demeanor."

Tang Mudao looked at his beer belly, confused. "I never thought of myself as a scholar…"

"…"

"I do research because I'm good at it—it's how I make a living, not because I love it…"

Zheng Fa grinned. "But we're… a research-oriented nursing home."

"Nursing home…" Tang Mudao froze. "Research-oriented?" He clearly struggled to reconcile the two words.

Zheng Fa nodded.

He looked at Lao Bai, who also nodded.

Tang Mudao opened his mouth: "I thought… you opened the nursing home to make money…"

That thought was normal—

The idea of opening a nursing home to study Immortal arts was not.

If Zheng Fa had solely wanted profit, these instruments and connections would've been useful.

He wasn't careless.

But only…

"You bringing these things is less useful than bringing two of your own papers."

Lao Bai sighed.

Tang Mudao looked frustrated. "How was I supposed to know Immortal Masters recruit like PhD supervisors!"

"…"

Papers were easy enough.

Tang Mudao might not have published enough to fill a library, but he was far from unknown in academia.

Though Zheng Fa didn't understand his research topics, from journal rankings, impact factors, and citation counts, his professorship clearly wasn't earned through mysterious Eastern powers.

Zheng Fa and the four others discussed in the backyard.

Tang Mudao waited inside the main building of the nursing home.

"What do you think?"

"His academic ability is definitely fine," Lao Bai said first.

"I still feel this guy…" Tang Lingwumin shook her head, "doesn't fit our personalities—he's a bit…"

"Too worldly," Teacher Tian added.

Tang Lingwumin nodded in agreement.

That was exactly Zheng Fa's feeling too.

This man is intelligent, meticulous, and resolute in will.

Old White had only appeared once, in the livestream of the guesthouse owner.

This man had gathered so much information.

Zheng Fa had no doubt about his intelligence and willpower.

"I've been thinking about this too…" Zheng Fa voiced his thoughts. "First, do we need an astronomer? Second… if this man joins us, what impact will it have on the retirement home?"

"I'm more concerned that he might use the immortal techniques he learns to gain personal benefits in the mortal world."

"That Daojiaoxie Society of his…" Zheng Fa pondered, "has exactly that flavor."

Upon hearing this, Tang Lingwumin and the other nodded.

But Old White stroked his chin and said, "Actually, I think apart from academic background, we need someone like him."

"Hm?"

Zheng Fa turned to Old White, listening to his opinion.

"Our retirement home is about to open, right?"

"Yes."

"We might attract attention from some people."

Zheng Fa began to understand Old White's meaning: "You mean have him handle visitors and guests?"

"Exactly. Looking at our four of us, none of us are as suited for this as he is," Old White continued. "Like those sects with inner and outer disciples—we do the research, but the mundane affairs still need handling."

Zheng Fa also found Old White's perspective intriguing.

He had originally thought Tang Mudao's slickness was a flaw.

But now, with Old White's words, Zheng Fa realized it might actually be an advantage.

"The most important thing is whether we can control him."

Zheng Fa slowly nodded; he already had some ideas forming in his mind.

…

"A test?" Tang Mudao blinked. "What kind of test?"

"You've heard of the Dream of Nanke, right?"

Tang Mudao began to understand: "Testing the heart?"

Zheng Fa nodded. His habit was to speak plainly—now, facing Tang Mudao, he did the same.

He would use the Great Dream Talisman on him, and he made it perfectly clear.

"I accept!"

Tang Mudao, sensing this was Zheng Fa giving him a chance, immediately nodded.

Zheng Fa tapped the back of his skull; the Great Dream Talisman shot into his mind.

Zheng Fa and the other three watched as a dark mist slowly rose from his head, within which Tang Mudao's figure appeared.

He wore a Daoist robe, walking through a small town—this town looked extremely backward.

The townspeople all bowed to him, calling him "Immortal Master."

He nodded to those around him and arrived before a single-story house.

The walls of the house were built of red brick, rare in this era.

He pushed open the door and stepped into the main hall.

In the hall stood an altar with three incense sticks burning; smoke curled around a black-and-white photograph on the wall—the man in the photo was younger than him, wearing the exact same Daoist robe.

Tang Mudao stared at the black-and-white photograph, then suddenly spoke:

"Father."

"At twenty, when I learned qigong from my master, I knew he was lying."

"At forty, when I visited Daoist temples and shrines, I knew they were all lies."

"At fifty, when I became chairman of the society, I knew I was lying—and they probably knew too… We were all just playing roles."

"But as you said, the Dao is not a lie…" Tang Mudao said. "I've found it."

…

Old White stared, then turned to the others:

"This feudal superstition… has family lineage?"

But Teacher Tian shook his head: "Not family lineage… At his age, if his father had been passionate about this, his circumstances must have been difficult."

Old White froze, then nodded silently.

"His so-called quest for the Dao…" Teacher Tian continued, "may simply be that he couldn't let go. Two generations of fools…"

(End of Chapter)