Chapter 208: Dean, I want to ask you for something (6k)

After hearing this, Zhou Qing fell into deep thought, murmuring in his mouth: "Observe all things -> Comprehend true meaning -> Condense Dao seed."

Er Dadie relit his smoking pipe and said slowly: "That's right, the so-called 【Observe all things】 is not just observing natural phenomena like flowers, trees, mountains, and rivers, but also paying attention to every move, joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness of all living beings in the world."

"Take this Haomiao Prefecture for example," Er Dadie raised his hand and pointed to the bustling street outside the window.

"Below, people are coming and going, the peddling of merchants and vendors, and the shouting of martial artists are intertwined. Everyone has their own goals and trajectories. Their ups and downs in this prosperous city are also a part of all things."

After hearing this, Zhou Qing immediately stood up and looked at the lively crowd below.

Before, these were just the most ordinary scenes in life, and he had never paid much attention to them.

But after Er Dadie's guidance, looking at everything around him now, a completely different feeling suddenly arose in his heart.

On the street, everyone was rushing for their respective goals, busy and never stopping.

Maybe for money, maybe for others, or maybe just simply wanting to live.

Er Dadie walked over, took a hard puff of smoke, and said: "What did you see?"

Zhou Qing shook his head lightly without answering.

His gaze remained on the crowd, his brows furrowed slightly, as if he were deep in thought.

Seeing this, a flash of relief crossed Er Dadie's eyes.

This child didn't answer rashly, which just showed that he already had some vague direction in his heart, but because he hadn't seen it clearly yet, he didn't dare to speak casually.

"Observing all things is not just standing here and looking from afar, but integrating into them, experiencing their joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, until... becoming them."

"I will stop here. Some things, after all, still need to be comprehended by yourself. I will give you one year. If it doesn't work, I will take you to the next place!"

Er Dadie said leisurely.

After hearing this, Zhou Qing's eyes were full of gratitude, and he bowed respectfully.

"Go. After one year, I will come to pick you up, or you can return to the academy yourself!"

Er Dadie said, tapping Zhou Qing's forehead lightly with his smoking pipe, his face full of expectation, before turning and leaving.

Zhou Qing let out a long breath, his spiritual sense landing on the two 【Epiphany Posts】 in the Strange Post Record. Although he had the impulse, he didn't use them rashly.

Don't forget, he had the Four Flowers Gathering at the Top. Ever since fusing with the Heavenly Dao Qi, his talent and comprehension had long surpassed ordinary people.

Sometimes, one really shouldn't rely too much on these "cheats." Some paths must be walked one step at a time.

Afterward, he changed into simple and plain clothes and went downstairs.

Stepping into the street as an ordinary person, instantly, the noisy human voices completely drowned him out.

Peddling sounds rose one after another, laughter was crisp and clear, arguments were intense and harsh...

But at this moment, Zhou Qing didn't feel it was chaotic; instead, he separated them, listening carefully and experiencing them with his heart.

It turned out that everyone had their own unique trajectory of fate.

Effort, calmness, happiness, setbacks, despair, anxiety...

In a trance, he seemed to see countless threads of fate shuttling, intertwining, and entangling in the crowd.

Some people were tightly bound by these threads, their life trajectories already destined; while others were struggling desperately, wanting to break free from their shackles and escape the predetermined cage.

While observing others, Zhou Qing also began to examine himself.

Looking back at his past, the growth he had gained, the choices he had made, he was like a small wave in this crowd.

Ordinary, but also not ordinary!

On a rooftop, Er Dadie watched Zhou Qing's state at this moment, the appreciation in his eyes becoming more and more intense.

He tapped his smoking pipe lightly and smiled slightly.

"The child is teachable!" He murmured softly, then lifted his feet and left.

"Nothing to do, let's go back to Lingyun Prefecture and join in the fun!"

Two months later, in a certain area of the inner court of the Bai Yu Taixu Academy, a majestic aura suddenly soared into the sky and then spread toward the surroundings.

Lu Yuanzhi, who was guarding the dharma outside, sensed this aura, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but reveal a smile.

Immediately after, he saw Lu Yaoyao slowly walking out from the place of seclusion, her eyes flashing with excited light.

Seeing Lu Shi, she hurriedly stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

Lu Yuanzhi nodded slightly, his gaze falling on Lu Yaoyao, and then he said with some surprise: "After breaking through to the mid-stage Soul Formation, your hair..."

Hearing this, Lu Yaoyao was puzzled and subconsciously looked down at her hair, instantly stunned.

She saw that some of the silver hair she had originally hidden under her black hair had increased significantly, looking extremely obvious at a glance.

"The mental cultivation method you learned seems very high-level. Is it from the Taiqing Sect?" Lu Yuanzhi asked curiously.

Lu Yaoyao was still looking at the changes in her hair in surprise. After hearing the question, she hurriedly shook her head and said: "No, it was gifted by a senior."

Lu Yuanzhi gave a light "Oh" and didn't ask too much, a look of relief appearing on his cold face.

"This breakthrough was faster than I expected. Perhaps in less than fifty years, I will be able to help you reach Divine Transformation!" Lu Yuanzhi seemed very confident.

After hearing this, Lu Yaoyao felt a wave of excitement in her heart and immediately bowed gratefully: "Thank you, Lu Shi!"

"Zhou Shixiong, Zhou Shixiong—"

Hearing the lively shouting outside like a little sparrow, Yan Xiaohu helplessly held the hen and came out.

He originally wanted to complain a few words, but the moment his gaze touched Lu Yaoyao, he was instantly stunned.

He saw Lu Yaoyao's aura was lively, faintly bringing him a sense of oppression.

Yan Xiaohu was full of disbelief and blurted out: "You broke through to the mid-stage Soul Formation?"

Lu Yaoyao nodded happily and responded: "Yes, I just broke through not long ago. Yan Shixiong, where is Zhou Shixiong?"

"Don't call me Shixiong, I'll call you Shijie from now on, it's too discouraging!"

Yan Xiaohu's face was bitter. When he was at the late-stage Golden Core, Lu Yaoyao had just been accepted as the sixth disciple by the Sect Master, not even having stepped into the threshold of cultivation.

But now, she was just about to surpass him.

After hearing this, Lu Yaoyao hurriedly waved her hand and said seriously: "Yan Shixiong, don't joke around, you will always be the Shixiong that Shimei respects the most. Right, where is Zhou Shixiong?"

Yan Xiaohu scratched his head. Why did this sentence sound so familiar?

"Him? He was taken away by Er Dadie. I haven't been able to contact him for these past three months," Yan Xiaohu had to say.

Upon hearing this, Lu Yaoyao didn't say a word and turned to leave: "I'll go find Er Dadie!"

Seeing this, Yan Xiaohu had to remind her: "Er Dadie isn't here either!"

Lu Yaoyao's footsteps stopped abruptly, her face full of disappointment.

She had wanted to tell her father this good news as soon as possible.

"I'll go find Lu Shi, she must have a way!" Lu Yaoyao turned and left again.

Haomiao Prefecture!

Zhou Qing, who hadn't been seen for three months, was already in the appearance of a small peddler, his originally fair skin tanned dark by the scorching sun, revealing a sense of simplicity.

"Weng Lao, the big mandarin fish you wanted, caught just this morning, I'm sending it to you immediately. Look, it's still jumping around."

At the other end of the hemp rope, a fat big mandarin fish and three grass carp were tied, being carried by Zhou Qing behind his straw raincoat.

At this moment, he skillfully arrived at a shop selling groceries.

The shop was not big but was filled with a dazzling array of items. On the old shelves, everything from household pots and pans to all kinds of strange little gadgets was available.

However, business didn't seem good, and many shelves were already covered in dust.

At this time, in the corner of the shop, a slightly dilapidated bamboo chair was placed, and an old man was lying on it, taking a nap comfortably.

The old man was thin, wearing a coarse linen garment that had been washed white, with a few patches on the corners, the collar slightly open, revealing a neck with protruding veins.

A head of sparse white hair was scattered casually, and the loose skin was covered with age spots.

Hearing Zhou Qing's voice, the old man slowly opened his eyes, the corners of his mouth rising to reveal a mouth with few teeth left, smiling happily as he got up to welcome him.

"Zhou kid, you're here again. The fish today is good. You're really capable, almost every time you return with a full load!"

Weng Lao supported the armrests of the bamboo chair with both hands, slowly straightened his body, then patted the dust off his body, and walked toward Zhou Qing with a stagger.

Zhou Qing chuckled, walked straight through the back hall to the kitchen, put the big mandarin fish into a wooden basin, and scooped some water from the water vat.

Afterward, he wiped the sweat off his head and came out, looking proud: "That's right, when it comes to fishing, really no one can compare to me. I put it in the back kitchen for you, it's better for making soup."

Weng Lao looked at Zhou Qing gratefully and said: "Thank you, I'll get you the money." As he spoke, he was about to walk toward the counter.

Zhou Qing hurriedly waved his hand to stop him: "No need, no need, you should just sit and rest. One more fish is just a matter of convenience for me."

After speaking, he ran away, because he still had to seize the time to send the remaining three grass carp to the restaurant.

"This child, every time he doesn't want money, he's looking at me, an old man, with pity!" Weng Lao looked at Zhou Qing's departing back, full of emotion.

Just as he sat down, a figure walked quietly into the shop.

The visitor was a beautiful woman with a graceful figure and a cold temperament.

Weng Lao opened his eyes lightly, looked at the beautiful woman, and asked: "Why did you come over today?"

Lu Yuanzhi looked respectful, bowed to Weng Lao, and said with some hesitation in her tone: "Dean, I want to ask you for something."

After coming out of the restaurant, Zhou Qing weighed the fifty wen in his hand, feeling satisfied, and then carefully put them into his money bag.

Looking up at the sky, he saw several streams of light passing by, causing passersby to look over one after another.

Zhou Qing smiled slightly, turned, and walked into the shop next door, carefully selecting some pastries, and then walked toward the direction of the South Alley.

Because that's where he lived!

"Weng Lao, congratulations on opening for business today!" As soon as Zhou Qing stepped into the grocery store, he saw two women carrying the groceries they had just purchased, walking out with smiles and laughter.

Principal Weng Yunqi looked up at the sound, his face full of smiles, appearing exceptionally kind: "Today I borrowed your good luck and sold some money. Oh, pastries from the Jufu Building."

His gaze fell on the pastries in Zhou Qing's hand, and he couldn't help but say.

"Yes, I know your teeth aren't good, so I bought them specially for you. They are soft and crispy!"

As Zhou Qing spoke, he skillfully opened the packaging, gently took out a piece of pastry, and handed it to Weng Lao.

Principal Weng Yunqi took the pastry and mumbled embarrassedly: "You spent money again. After I, an old man, pass away, I will leave this shop to you."

"Forget it, if you say that, I really won't come again in the future. It makes it sound like I'm treating you well because I'm after your inheritance."

Zhou Qing pretended to be angry, but his eyes were flashing with smiles.

After hearing this, Weng Lao couldn't help but laugh out loud: "I'm joking with you. You're looking at me, an old man, having trouble moving, and you're pitying me."

Zhou Qing also picked up a piece of pastry and took a light bite, feeling it was truly good.

Weng Lao looked at Zhou Qing, his eyes full of emotion: "The money from selling fish today, are you preparing to give it away again? In this Haomiao Prefecture, people with a kind heart like you are not often seen."

Zhou Qing nodded slightly and said: "They are not living well. I'm young, so I help a little where I can. It's a pity that my luck wasn't very good today."

As he spoke, he helplessly pointed to the torn money bag at his waist, a bitter smile appearing on his face.

Weng Lao laughed: "The money was stolen by someone just as you entered the door. You clearly noticed it, but you didn't pay attention."

Zhou Qing was stunned for a moment, a flash of surprise in his eyes, then he laughed: "Hey, don't look at your age, your eyes are quite good."

Weng Lao said: "I'm not old and dim-sighted. Stop eating, those people are looking for you."

Zhou Qing turned his head and saw about seven or eight people at the shop door.

Leading them was a middle-aged man with a gaunt figure, wearing a tattered single garment, with so many holes it looked like a honeycomb, revealing the dirt-covered skin inside.

Beside him was a woman, her hair greasy and stuck together, hanging in strands on both sides of her cheeks.

There were also two children hiding behind the woman, poking their heads out timidly, two lines of snot hanging from their noses, sniffing from time to time.

Finally, following behind were several men, all in rags, their shoes either showing their toes or worn out at the heels.

Some were bearded and full of vicissitudes; some had vacant eyes, as if their spirit had been drained by life.

"Qing Ge, didn't you buy steamed buns today?" The middle-aged man spoke first, his voice hoarse and with a bit of fawning.

The others stared eagerly at the pastries on the table, their Adam's apples rolling up and down involuntarily, greedily licking their cracked lips.

Before Zhou Qing could answer, Weng Lao pointed to the pastries, and the few rushed in, pushing and shoving, scrambling to grab the pastries.

After grabbing them, they couldn't wait to stuff them into their mouths, chewing them in big mouthfuls, completely disregarding their image.

For a time, a strong, pungent smell of sour rot, sweat, and dust permeated the grocery store, making one almost want to vomit.

Weng Lao looked at them wolfing down the food, his brows furrowing slightly, his tone carrying a hint of dissatisfaction and questioning: "When Zhou Xiaoge's money bag was stolen just now, you should have all seen it. Why didn't you remind him?"

That gaunt middle-aged man heard this, his mouth still stuffed with a large piece of pastry, spraying pastry crumbs as he spoke: "It's not that we didn't want to remind him, it's mainly that we can't afford to offend that thief."

The woman standing on the side also hurriedly echoed, wiping the residue from the corners of her mouth with her dirty hands while saying in a shrill voice: "That's right, they are used to running wild in this area. If we meddled, wouldn't he come looking for trouble with us?"

The others also said: "Don't look at him as one person, actually there are at least five or six people keeping watch around."

"We are all people who don't know if we'll have the next meal. If we get beaten and injured, we don't even have money to see a doctor. At that time, all that awaits us is death."

The two children hid behind the woman, lowering their heads, not daring to make a sound. Seeing the woman hand over a pastry, they treated it like a treasure and hurriedly ate it.

Weng Lao looked at Zhou Qing, his eyes full of heartache and helplessness, then turned his gaze toward the crowd, saying earnestly: "But the money Zhou Xiaoge gets from selling fish every time is all used to help you. That thief seemingly stole his money, but actually, it was your meal money."

After hearing this, their faces turned red and white, revealing a hint of shame.

One of them muttered in a low voice: "Then we'll just eat one less meal, it's better than getting hurt."

Zhou Qing didn't say a word from beginning to end, a faint smile always hanging on his face, quietly watching all this.

Until he watched them leave, he let out a light bitter smile.

In that smile, there was helplessness, disappointment, and more thoughts on human nature.

Weng Lao said: "For three months, what have you taught them? Or rather, what have you changed?"

Hearing this, Zhou Qing was slightly startled.

He hadn't expected Weng Lao to ask such a profound question.

At the moment, he quietly circulated his spiritual sense without changing his expression, carefully probing Weng Lao again.

When he confirmed that Weng Lao was truly just an ordinary old man, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Afterward, he slowly turned his head, his gaze cast toward the few people who had returned to the street to beg, falling into deep thought.

Three months of time, not long, not short.

In this marketplace of Haomiao Prefecture, he had exhausted all his efforts to completely integrate into the lives of the ordinary people at the bottom.

During this period, he even consumed an 【Epiphany Post】, constantly comprehending the first step of observing all things that Er Dadie had mentioned.

Now, he already had a rough direction and was working hard for it.

Weng Lao, like a wise man who had seen through the vicissitudes of the world, spoke slowly and unhurriedly: "I am a person who has been through it. I see some things very clearly. I have to say, your idea is very bold."

Zhou Qing turned around, puzzled: "Oh, what idea?"

Weng Lao's eyes were bright, staring straight at Zhou Qing, word by word: "You are trying to change their fate!"

Zhou Qing's expression changed instantly, but soon returned to normal, then he said with admiration: "You really have sharp eyes."

Weng Lao waved his hand lightly and laughed: "I am a useless person now, sitting in this one place for a whole day every day. Besides eating and sleeping, the rest of the time is spent boringly pondering various problems."

Zhou Qing sighed and looked at those people again, carrying a bit of fatigue and confusion.

"At first, I just simply felt that their lives were difficult and they needed help, so every time I got money from selling fish, I thought about buying them something to eat and sending them something to use. I thought that this would make their days better."

Zhou Qing paused and laughed at himself, "But now it seems, I was too naive."

Weng Lao didn't speak but poured a cup of tea for Zhou Qing by himself.

"Take today's matter for example, the money was stolen, but I pretended not to know, because I also wanted to change the fate of those few thieves naturally."

"Perhaps, with this bit of money, they will wash their hands of it, do some small business, and start a new life. Of course, this is just another possible trajectory of fate."

Zhou Qing said this, watching the woman directing the two children, pitifully kneeling to a few passing cultivators and reaching out to beg for reward money, a strong sense of powerlessness welled up in his heart.

"Long-term material help doesn't seem to have changed their inner selves."

"They still live in a daze, without goals, without hope, and even the most basic kindness and courage have gradually been lost."

"Moreover, they take it for granted that I should give them food, as if I owe it to them."

After hearing this, Weng Lao nodded slightly, a hint of approval revealing in his gaze.

"You can see these things, which shows that you have started to think. The suffering in this world cannot be eliminated overnight, and the weaknesses of human nature cannot be changed easily."

"But you must know, every one of your efforts is not meaningless."

Zhou Qing looked up, a hint of confusion in his eyes: "Weng Lao, you mean..."

"Look, although these people didn't stand up to remind you today, is there really no guilt in their hearts?"

Weng Lao's gaze was deep, looking outside the door.

"When they face your kindness, they are actually struggling inside. Perhaps, today's matter will become a thorn in their hearts, making them suddenly remember one day in the future that there was once a person who treated them so sincerely, yet they chose to be silent."

Zhou Qing nodded thoughtfully: "Weng Lao, you mean, change takes time?"

"That's right," Weng Lao said affirmatively. "Everything you have done is like a seed that has been planted in their hearts. Maybe it hasn't sprouted yet, but as long as there is suitable soil and rain, one day, it will break through the ground."

Zhou Qing's eyes gradually brightened, a wave of gratitude: "Weng Shu, thank you. Hearing you say this, I seem to understand a little."

Weng Lao nodded and laughed: "Moreover, even if they can't, isn't there still me, an old man?"

Zhou Qing was stunned, then reacted, laughing embarrassedly.

Weng Lao said: "Seriously, maybe according to the original fate, I would have died alone one day, and it would have been many days after my death before I was discovered."

"But now, this old man knows you, and every day there is fish and meat, living more deliciously and longer. Look, hasn't my fate been changed by you?"

Zhou Qing listened quietly, ripples rising in his heart.

Weng Lao continued earnestly: "Child, all changes are not achieved overnight, but gathered bit by bit. Don't be in a hurry."

After hearing this, Zhou Qing bowed respectfully, which was a heartfelt respect and gratitude.

"Understood, then what fish do you want to eat tomorrow?" Zhou Qing looked up and asked with a smile.

Weng Lao laughed: "Let nature take its course, everything depends on fate!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 209 =====