Chapter 547: The Age Despised by People and Dogs

Spring went, autumn came, time flowed away.

It had already been six years since Yao Xian went to deliver the news.

In these six years, Qu Ren Li had news of a holy person's descent into the world, which spread like wings across the entire Zhou Chao.

Scholars, mystics, and emissaries of the powerful came and went in an endless stream.

Those who truly possessed knowledge were naturally allowed to enter; upon leaving, they all showed they had greatly benefited from discussing the Dao and profundities with that "Mr."

Those who were merely well-meaning, or who thought themselves learned but were actually ignorant, kept hitting walls outside the village.

Some were blocked by poisonous snakes, some were swept away by raging winds, some were frightened by wild beasts to the point of losing bowel and bladder control, and they returned in sorry, disheveled states.

After a while, no one dared to force their way in anymore.

Qu Ren Li regained its former tranquility.

Of course, this was only superficial tranquility.

However, what gave Yu Lin a headache was.

At this time, Li Er was very mischievous and active, completely unlike the tranquil and inactive Lao Jun.

"Li Er! You're climbing the tree again!"

A cry of alarm rang out.

On the old locust tree at the village entrance, a small figure hung from the highest branch, swaying gently as it waved downwards.

"Sis, look, am I awesome or not?"

"Awesome your head!" A seven- or eight-year-old girl stood at the base of the tree, stamping her feet anxiously: "Come down quick! What if you fall?"

"I won't fall!"

Before the words even finished, the small figure slid down the trunk, moving as nimbly as a monkey.

Upon landing, he deliberately did a somersault, getting leaves and dirt all over himself, which elicited cheers from the few little followers nearby.

"Brother Li Er is so amazing!"

"Again! Again!"

Li Er brushed off the dirt on his body, proudly waved at them, then turned his gaze to a nearby plum tree.

It wasn't the same one from back then, but one planted by the villagers.

The tree was laden with greenish-yellow plums, weighing down the branches.

"Come on!" he waved his hand, "Let's go pick plums!"

"Okay!"

A gang of little followers trailed behind his backside, rushing mightily toward the plum tree.

Just as they reached the base of the tree, they heard an angry shout:

"Li Er! You're stealing my plums again!"

A middle-aged woman rushed out of the house, still holding a firewood stick.

Li Er reacted extremely quickly, snatching up two plums that had fallen to the ground and turning to run.

He ran at breakneck speed, shouting while running: "I didn't steal, I didn't steal! They fell on the ground! They fell on the ground!"

The gang of little followers also ran after him, scrambling chaotically, which caused the village dogs to bark and chase after them, howling at their heels.

Li Er glanced back at the fiercest-chasing big yellow dog, his eyes shifting, and he suddenly stopped.

"Come!" he threw the plums in his hand far away, "Go chase the plums!"

The big yellow dog blinked, then actually turned around and went chasing the plums.

The group of children laughed until they doubled over.

"Brother Li Er is so clever!"

"Big Yellow is so stupid, hahaha!"

Li Er stood with hands on hips, proud, watching the big yellow dog being made to spin in circles, his eyes narrowed into slits from laughter.

Then his gaze fell upon the small river beside the village.

"Come on!" he waved his hand, "Let's go catch fish!"

"Okay!"

The group of children again rushed toward the riverbank.

Moments later, the muddy riverbank had several naked-bottomed little mud monkeys splashing in the water, chasing fish.

Water splashed everywhere, laughter rang out, interspersed with exclamations of "I got one!" and "It got away!"

Li Er had the most fun catching them.

He soaked his whole body in the water, his hair wet and stuck to his face, gripping a large struggling fish in his hand and holding it high:

"Look! I caught this!"

"Wow——"

A gang of little followers let out admiring cheers.

Until the sun slanted westward, the group of little mud monkeys reluctantly crawled out of the water, each soaked through and covered in mud, clutching their respective spoils, walking back to the village giggling.

On the way, they encountered villagers, who shook their heads and sighed:

"It's that Li family brat again..."

"Ah, this kid is more rambunctious than my three put together..."

"But he's truly clever, too; the gentlemen who came to visit all said he's extraordinary..........."

"Huh, haven't you seen your own kid following him around like a lackey? Of course he's extraordinary."

"Hmph, isn't your own kid the same?"

Yu Lin sat at the doorstep, watching the distant bustling scene.

Li Er led a group of children running wildly past the village entrance, chasing the big yellow dog that had been hiding from him in the village.

The big yellow dog ran extremely fast, its tail tucked tight, looking back while running, its eyes full of fear and despair.

"Woof woof woof!"

"Chase! Chase quickly!"

The children's laughter and the dog's barks mixed together, echoing throughout the whole village.

Yu Lin watched the small figure running in front, covered in mud, hair messed up like a chicken coop, and helplessly raised his hand to his forehead.

Six years ago, the one who was born with purple qi coming from the east and walked on lotus, has now become the king of the children in this village.

Climbing trees to dig out bird nests, going down to the river to catch fish and shrimp, chasing until chickens fly and dogs jump, making the adults stomp their feet in anger.

Nothing he does has anything to do with "tranquil non-action".

He shook his head, thinking to himself: "Indeed, it's the age when people dislike and dogs despise......"

"Mm, I'll record it all, and later take it to Heavenly Court to show the Jade Emperor, Yuan Shi, and Ling Bao together."

"Like."

At that moment, a warm, moist female voice sounded:

"A Er, come home for dinner."

Li Shi stood at her own doorstep, shouting at the noisy group of children in the distance.

Her appearance remained exactly as it was six years ago; time left no trace on her.

In the distance, Li Er heard this call and immediately stopped his pursuit.

He turned his head and waved at the still-noisy little followers:

"Scatter, scatter! Go home for dinner!"

"Get lost, get lost!"

The little followers scattered at the call, each going home, each looking for his own mother.

Li Er patted the dirt off his body—couldn't get it off, so he simply didn't bother.

He turned around, embraced the fish he had finally caught from the river, and hopped home.

Passing by Yu Lin's door, he suddenly stopped.

He tilted his head, looking at the man sitting on the chair, grinning at him, and broke into a smile:

"Yu Lin, Yu Lin," he shouted, his voice full of enthusiasm:

"Want to go eat together?"

Yu Lin looked at him.

Looking at this little guy covered in mud, hair messed up like a chicken coop, still holding a half-dead fish in his hands.

"Sure."

Yu Lin suddenly stood up, patted his robe.

Yu Lin had already walked to Li Er's side, lowered his head to look at the little mud monkey that only reached his waist, and asked with a smile:

"Having fish today?"

Li Er lifted the fish high in his hand, eyes sparkling:

"Yes! I caught it today! The biggest one!"

"Guaranteed to be delicious!"