Chapter 181

"Life on the mountain is truly short, and a human life is only a hundred years. If we cannot achieve the Dao, even if we cultivate yin-yang spiritual methods, we will probably only live to be a hundred or so years old, right?

"In a hundred years, I wonder how many more times we can meet?

"I won't say much else; our years of being together have said it all. I will just first thank Shixiong for your teachings and care.

"I know Shixiong has no heart for fighting and no intention to harm others. However, although Shixiong mainly cultivates medical skills and has a heart to save the world and the people, the common people of the world are often dull and cannot all recognize Shixiong's abilities. Shidi has just obtained an interesting spell; it does not harm people, and like calling the wind, one can display their Daoist practice with a mere gesture, letting people know that Shixiong is a true Daoist, not a wandering charlatan.

"It is called 'Persuading You to Frown'.

"There is also a sound-transmission spell. After Shixiong practices it, it will be much more convenient if you need to avoid someone while inquiring about or informing them of a condition.

"There is also a petrification spell; if you encounter danger, it can also save your life.

"They are all attached below.

"Take care of yourself."

Under a tree outside the city, the Daoist carried his medical chest, leaning on a wooden staff, reading the letter earnestly.

Below were three books with dense handwriting.

"Sigh..."

The Fifth Shixiong placed them into the bottom of his medical chest.

He then stood up leaning on the wooden staff, looked up, and saw that in all directions there were only big roads and small paths. The vastness of this world and the hardship of the people's livelihood would have to be measured by these two feet.

The donkey and horse bells rang incessantly.

The little Xiao Shimei hung the bell she had originally bought on the neck of the horse belonging to the Third Shixiong, and hung the soul-bewitching bell on the neck of the paper donkey. Although this brass bell looked old, its sound when shaken was even lighter and more pleasant than the original one.

At this time, she had also picked up a forked branch, propping one end on the ground, and was pushing it like a cart as she walked.

Lin Jue walked beside her.

Beside them, the horse pulled a flatbed cart. On it, besides the luggage of several people, were also packed quite a lot of salted meat, pickled fish, chicken eggs, duck eggs, chickens, ducks, and fruits. These were all gifts from the people of Cuiwei when they left the city. The scene at that time was truly lively; I fear it will be very hard to forget in this lifetime.

Relying on these, there was no need to buy food on the road these few days.

Not only was there no need to buy food, they even dared not buy food, all because they had to quickly finish these things, otherwise they would not last long in this weather.

This weather did have its benefits, though.

That was that it was not cold at night.

As long as they didn't encounter rain, there was no need to find a place to borrow lodging; they could just lie down anywhere and sleep.

Therefore, if they happened to encounter a village inn or tavern, they would spend money to sleep on a bed; if they didn't, they would sleep in the wilderness by the roadside. They only needed to find a slightly higher spot to light a lamp, and they didn't even need to keep watch.

This lamp was truly useful.

As long as you were within the range illuminated by the lamp when it was lit, it seemed to be able to remember you. The range of the lamp's light depended on the terrain and weather, roughly a distance of several to ten-plus zhang. Whenever a stranger entered, it would burst into flames to serve as a warning.

Demons and ghosts were the same.

Although they had stayed in Cuiwei for a few months, the harvest was also immense.

This lamp was just an unexpected joy. Besides it, the wealthy in Cuiwei city had also suffered from the plague, and after being cured, they gave silver sincerely in no small amount; the silver-eating ghost had not gone hungry at all.

They had obtained ten or so Spirit Origin Pills, and the Daoist's merit had also accumulated a few liang.

An immobilization spell had also been added to the ancient book.

It could be said that the harvest was bountiful.

They continued on their way.

When they saw a river or pond, they would go to wash up; when sleepiness came, they would find shade under a tree to rest. When the scenery was good, they would enjoy the scenery; when wind and rain came, they would avoid the wind and rain. When they felt lazy, they would indulge in sleeping for half a day; when in high spirits, they would walk twenty more li; they could also travel through the starry night.

Walking and stopping, chatting and laughing, the long road became short.

"What year is it this year?"

"The third year of Qingrui."

"They say this world still has a dozen years or so..."

"Forget about it. A new dynasty won't necessarily be worse than now, nor will it necessarily be better. They say that everyone is responsible for the rise and fall of the world, but when it rises, the people suffer; when it falls, the people also suffer..."

The Third Shixiong said while walking: "This Daoist will just drink wine, enjoy the world, and live these hundred-plus years well."

"Wouldn't it be better if all of us Shixiong and Shidi could achieve the Dao?"

"Who doesn't want to achieve the Dao and become an immortal? But how could it be that easy? If you can't achieve it, it's better to recognize it sooner." The Third Shixiong said as such, "What's more, after achieving the Dao and becoming an immortal, although one's lifespan is long, there are tribulations. In fact, one might not necessarily be able to survive a few tribulations, and one has to worry about crossing them. Annoying, annoying, annoying..."

"Makes sense."

"There's a tea stall ahead, it looks quite big. Do you think they sell wine?"

"If they sold wine, they would hang a wine sign. But we should go over to ask for directions and buy some tea."

Lin Jue walked toward that side first.

This tea stall was indeed not small, set up with ten or so tables and chairs. Because the location seemed to be at a three-way intersection on the official road leading to three counties, and the distance was just right at the midpoint, many people chose to stop and rest here.

There were merchants and travelers, as well as government runners and chivalrous warriors.

Seeing five Daoists walking over, also bringing a fox, a cat, and several chickens and ducks, everyone couldn't help but look at them a few times.

"Shopkeeper, do you have wine for sale?"

"This small shop sells tea, not wine, though we do sell some food."

"Then bring us six bowls of tea and buy ten jin of fodder; we want the good stuff with beans added."

Lin Jue looked up and saw only the yellow sand and ancient road, the sun was scorching, and there was a tea shed by the roadside that could provide shade. It was truly a good place to stop and rest, so he made the decision and asked in passing:

"Which road should we take to go to Mingxia County?"

"Go out the door, turn left, and take this road on the left."

"Many thanks."

The five Daoists sat down.

The fox also sat by Lin Jue's feet.

People came and went before them, the surroundings were noisy, the sound of tea being boiled came from the side, and when the wind and sand rose, what blew over was full of the atmosphere of the world.

Lin Jue watched the waiter boil the tea.

Tea in this day and age had everything added to it; plums, orange peels, mint, salt, and sugar were one thing, but some would also add green onions, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and even pepper. This kind of roadside shop wasn't that particular, but they also added salt, which was an indispensable thing for merchants and travelers, and besides that, they added whatever they had.

In summer it was mostly cold, and in winter it was mostly hot.

Although it didn't sound like much, during a journey, just a bowl of clean water was already very rare.

Not everyone was like the people of the world, with strong physiques, and not everyone was like a Daoist, with Daoist practice to rely on. Mountain springs were fine, but water in rivers and streams easily caused stomach upsets.

Plus, if it were winter, one could sit by the stove to roast fire, add a steamed cake or roasted cake, and with such a bowl of hot tea with green onions, ginger, and salt down the throat, it could both replenish physical strength and count as a rare enjoyment during the journey.

Not long after, six bowls of tea were brought up.

Looking at the tea soup, it was red, but in fact, there was no black tea at this time; it was the color dyed by the spices inside.

Lin Jue brought his own large bowl, placed it on the bench, poured a bowl of tea into it for the fox and the colored cat to drink, and then ignored them, drinking tea and resting on his own.

There were many discussions nearby, accompanied by the wind and sand entering his ears.

Nowadays, there were only a few major events on this road, and as people walking on the road, what they cared about most naturally was the danger on the road.

The plague raging ahead was the most terrifying danger.

Lin Jue heard several tables discussing the plague in Cuiwei and Liuyun counties. Perhaps because they were a bit far away, many people spoke of it extremely mysteriously.

"It is said that before the plague appeared in Cuiwei and Liuyun, there were merchants walking on the road who encountered a group of Daoists. No one knew what was going on with that group of Daoists, or where they came from, but they were asking people all the way, asking if there was a plague in the counties ahead. But at that time, the plague hadn't started yet; I don't know how they were able to foresee it."

These words came from several merchants at the table on the left.

They were holding meat-filled buns, drinking tea, and were likely sharing a table, chatting idly.

"Right now, the plague in Cuiwei and Liuyun can be considered over. It is said that the ones who cured the plague were exactly a group of Daoists. They all say that they were immortals descended to the mortal realm; it was probably that group of Daoists."

Lin Jue peeled an egg silently.

After peeling one, he first handed it to Fuyao, and the second one was his own.

This egg was a bit choking to eat, especially the yolk; without water, it couldn't be swallowed. However, paired with this bowl of tea, after the yolk dissolved, it actually had a strange taste and was quite smooth.

The little Xiao Shimei opposite him was the same as him, only she was peeling for the colored cat.

"Speaking of the Cuiwei and Liuyun matter, a few days ago on the road, I encountered a group of escorts. I heard that group of escorts say that just three months ago, on the road almost to Cuiwei and Liuyun, they saw figures wearing Daoist robes walking on the treetops of the mountain peaks, just like flying."

"That's not all! I was over there during that time, and I even saw a Daoist riding a horse. That horse ran so fast! Each step was several zhang away, like a heavenly horse! It was also heading in the direction of Cuiwei and Liuyun!"

"You say..."

These were several chivalrous warriors at the table on the right.

These words, if one were to write down a few paragraphs and record them in those strange tales books, I fear it wouldn't be the least bit out of place.

"Sigh, the plague descended from heaven, people can't manage it, it has to be managed by immortals. This world, I fear, won't last long."

"Some people say that this plague is a sign from heaven..."

"Who says it isn't? Just last month, someone once asked Jun Niangniang Yao Hua about this matter in Qinzhou. The answer Jun Niangniang Yao Hua gave was, 'Just look at the clothing.' This is already very obvious."

Lin Jue had originally been listening silently, but when he suddenly heard the four words "Jun Niangniang Yao Hua," he turned his head instantly and looked at the table behind him.

Almost at the same time, several Shixiong also turned their heads to look.

Only the colored cat was focused on gnawing the egg yolk, and the fox didn't know what they meant, but seeing Lin Jue turn his head, it also followed suit, looking over with Lin Jue with a face full of confusion.

Behind them was a table of people dressed as scholars.

"What does Brother Wang mean?"

"Brother Ji likely doesn't often interpret these kinds of divine omens. You must know, nowadays the style of clothing is that the upper garment is long and the lower garment is short. At the same time, when encountering cold weather, one wears five or six upper garments, while only wearing one or two lower garments. This is exactly a sign that the top is rich and extravagant while the bottom is poor and destitute, that the top has surplus wealth while the bottom has insufficient wealth. You say, in this day and age, who can live well?"

"Makes sense, makes sense..."

These scholars were truly worried about the country and the people, actually able to drag the plague matter so far, and able to judge the world's livelihood based on a set of clothes.

However, Lin Jue's focus was always on the four words "Jun Niangniang Yao Hua." Hearing their conversation gradually stop, and taking advantage of their sighing, he couldn't help but ask:

"This good believer, I am a Daoist from Mount Yishan. I wonder what is the matter with the 'Jun Niangniang Yao Hua' that you just mentioned?"

That scholar heard his question and saw that he was a Daoist master. Having just discussed the Daoist master who eliminated the plague in Cuiwei and Liuyun, he naturally had a very good impression of Daoists in his heart, and stood up to salute at the first opportunity.

Lin Jue also hurriedly returned the salute.

The scholar then said:

"The Daoist master may not know, but in Qingyan County, Qinzhou, there is a mountain cave. It is said that it was the cave dwelling where Jun Niangniang Yao Hua once practiced. Nowadays, she also lives inside, and people often go to worship, which is very efficacious."

"Could you elaborate?"

"There isn't much to say." That scholar said to him, "If the Daoist master also wants to go and see, just go to Qingyan County and look for it. When you arrive in front of the cave dwelling, light incense and worship sincerely, then take a piece of paper, write down your question, and throw it into the cave. No matter what you ask, after a moment, Jun Niangniang Yao Hua will provide an answer. That is where the efficacy lies."

"..."

Lin Jue frowned, feeling both surprised and confused.

Jun Niangniang Yao Hua must still be alive.

Although Jun Niangniang Yao Hua's Daoist site was in Huizhou and its surroundings, with her high Daoist practice and long lifespan, it wouldn't be strange even if she had practiced in the Western Regions or at the edge of the sky.

But would Jun Niangniang Yao Hua at this time, even if she weren't in her original Daoist site and were practicing in seclusion elsewhere, casually calculate fortunes and answer questions for the world?

Could she be that bored?

Lin Jue pondered for a moment and asked: "Has anyone ever seen that Jun Niangniang Yao Hua?"

"One cannot enter the cave to ask the immortal, so naturally no one has seen her."

"Then I dare to ask, does the good believer know who Jun Niangniang Yao Hua is?"

"An immortal from ancient times! It's all a matter from ancient times; who would know her origin? Anyway, there is a stone tablet in front of the cave with the two words 'Yao Hua' written on it."

"So that's how it is."

Lin Jue pondered for a moment and hurriedly thanked him: "Many thanks for the explanation."

"Meeting by chance, chatting a few words based on fate to dispel the sorrow of the journey, why thank me." The scholar paused, "I also want to ask the several Daoist masters, do you know those immortal experts who resolved the plague in Cuiwei and Liuyun counties!"

"..."

Lin Jue fell into thought.

He didn't know if the Jun Niangniang Yao Hua in Qingyan County, Qinzhou, mentioned by this scholar was real or fake, but he had remembered it. At least it was someone who could answer questions and resolve doubts for people; even if it were fake, he could go and ask, and see for himself.

As for the second half of the scholar's sentence, it made him feel troubled.

Lin Jue was a person who cultivated the Dao and naturally didn't want to lie, nor did he want to admit it here and provoke a round of explanations.

After pondering for a moment, he looked beside him: "Little Xiao Shimei, Third Shixiong, do you know those immortal experts?"

"?"

"?"

The Third Shixiong and the little Xiao Shimei both looked at him in astonishment.