PDLP Chapter 107 Oh no! Why did Master bring someone up the mountain?!
Chapter 107 Oh no! Why did Master bring someone up the mountain?!
The sun shines brightly, bathing the mountains and forests of Luxian County.
The old Taoist priest Zhang Shouqing walked slowly back to the Taoist temple with his hands behind his back.
He originally planned to visit a few old friends down the mountain on the second day of the Lunar New Year and have a chat.
But after leaving Old Wang's house, he lost all interest in going to any other house.
Old Wang's sons and daughters-in-law, along with his two grandsons who had just come of age, surrounded him, asking him all sorts of questions.
"Master Zhang, how exactly does one cultivate?"
"Can my son become an immortal?"
"Could you tell me if my face indicates any affinity with the divine?"
Their eyes shone brightly, and their tone was urgent, as if cultivation was a broad and promising road that would lead to instant enlightenment.
The old Taoist priest sighed inwardly.
As soon as the government announced the resurgence of spiritual energy, these people became restless.
They are overly ambitious and only think about achieving success overnight.
I really don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing.
Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, the old Taoist priest suddenly stopped.
Not far ahead, a woman in her fifties or sixties was standing by the roadside.
Wearing a dark blue cotton-padded jacket, her hair was neatly combed, but her eyes and brows carried an inescapable sense of vicissitude and sorrow.
She was pacing back and forth, glancing from time to time toward the Taoist temple on the mountain, her hands tightly clutching a cloth bag.
The old Taoist priest found it strange.
This young lady looks like she wants to go up the mountain, so why is she just waiting here?
He stepped forward and asked kindly, "Young lady, what are you doing here?"
Hu Yun was in a state of utter confusion when she suddenly heard a sound, which startled her.
She turned her head and saw an old Taoist priest with a kind face, wearing a faded Taoist robe.
Hu Yun's pupils contracted!
She had seen the photos at President Qin's place!
The man before us is the former abbot of Qingfeng Temple, Daoist Zhang Shouqing!
That is, Master Li's master!
Hu Yun immediately tensed up and quickly bowed in greeting:
"Master Zhang! I am Hu Yun, a junior from the Northern lineage of shamanic practitioners, and I pay my respects to you!"
The old Taoist priest was taken aback.
How does this young lady know me?
Still so respectful?
He waved his hand: "No need for formalities, young lady, what brings you here?"
Hu Yun straightened up, still keeping her head down, and carefully replied, "This junior is here... to pay my respects to Master Li, but I dare not disturb you rashly, so..."
Upon hearing this, the old Taoist priest frowned.
Looking for Jun'er?
He suddenly felt a little uneasy.
Has my apprentice become so famous?
People from the far north even came all the way to see him?
"The north is so far away, and it's the New Year, why did you come alone?" the old Taoist priest asked. "Why didn't you let your children come with you?"
Upon hearing this, Hu Yun's eyes immediately welled up with tears.
She lowered her head, her voice hoarse: "The children... are all gone."
The old Taoist priest's heart skipped a beat.
Having lived to such an old age, he understood seven or eight parts of the meaning instantly from the tone of his voice and the expression on his face.
"well……"
The old Taoist priest sighed, his tone softening.
"Don't stand here. It's the New Year, and the wind is so cold. Come up the mountain with me. What's wrong? Sit down and we can talk."
Hu Yun hesitated.
She hadn't even received any news from President Qin yet, and she was rushing up the mountain like this. What if she angered that Taoist priest Li?
"Master Zhang, this...this isn't quite right, is it?" Hu Yun said nervously, "I haven't received any news yet, so I dare not disturb you without permission."
The old Taoist priest was immediately displeased by her cautious manner.
He's still in charge of this Taoist temple!
Even if Jun'er becomes successful, he's still the disciple he raised with painstaking care of him!
Why are my words no longer effective?
The old Taoist priest's face darkened, and his tone hardened:
"Young lady, what are you saying?"
"Old man, I'll take you up the mountain. Who dares to complain?"
Hu Yun was intimidated by the old Taoist priest's imposing aura and immediately dared not refuse any longer.
She was filled with anxiety, but seeing the old Taoist priest's resolute attitude, she could only nod reluctantly.
"Then... I'll have to trouble you, Master Zhang."
"Let's go."
The old Taoist priest turned and walked up the mountain, and Hu Yun quickly followed.
The two walked up the stone steps, one in front of the other.
A mountain breeze blew by, carrying the chill of winter.
The old Taoist priest walked slowly, and Hu Yun followed behind, also slowing down her pace.
"Young lady."
After walking for a while, the old Taoist priest suddenly spoke up: "Is it true, as the legends say, that your Northern shamanic lineage can summon spirits to possess you?"
Hu Yun gave a wry smile: "That's true, but now... it's difficult."
The old Taoist priest nodded and then asked, "So, why did you come to Qingfeng Temple this time...?"
Hu Yun took a deep breath and looked at the faint outline of the Taoist temple in front of her.
"I've come here seeking guidance for the future."
Her voice was soft, yet it seemed to carry a thousand pounds of weight.
"Over the years, my relatives and fellow disciples have died one after another in the battle against evil spirits."
"I don't want to wait until I die and go to see them to tell them... that the lineage of shamans has been broken and there is no one to carry it on."
At this point, Hu Yun raised her hand and wiped the corner of her eye.
The old Taoist priest fell silent.
He stopped and turned to look at Hu Yun.
The woman, much younger than him, was slightly hunched, her face etched with the marks of time, but her eyes held a familiar light.
When my master went down the mountain, his eyes also had that same light.
This world should not allow people like this to bleed and weep.
"Young lady."
The old Taoist priest spoke slowly, his tone solemn: "Don't worry."
"As long as Jun'er is capable of doing it, you won't have made a wasted trip."
Upon hearing this, Hu Yun's eyes reddened even more.
She nodded emphatically, her voice choked with emotion: "Thank you... thank you, Master Zhang."
The two stopped talking and continued walking up the mountain.
Soon, Qingfeng Temple came into view.
The old Taoist priest led Hu Yun into the courtyard and immediately noticed that Li Jun's door was closed.
He frowned and shouted, "You brat, get out here right now!"
The voice wasn't loud, but it was full of energy.
The courtyard fell silent for a moment.
Immediately afterwards, Li Jun's door creaked open.
Li Jun and President Qin walked out of the house one after the other.
The two of them were taken aback when they saw the old Taoist priest and Hu Yun standing in the courtyard.
Li Jun's heart skipped a beat.
broken!
Why did Master bring someone up here?!
Li Jun quickly stepped forward, forcing a smile: "Master, you're back? And this is...?"
"This is your Aunt Hu." The old Taoist glared at him. "She's come all the way from the north, during the New Year, and you're just going to make her wait at the foot of the mountain?"
He grew angrier as he spoke: "Is this how your father taught you? Even if you can't get things done, you should at least invite them in for a cup of hot water!"
Li Jun was so reprimanded that his scalp tingled, and he inwardly groaned.
He had finally managed to fool President Qin by saying he couldn't see Hu Yun.
As a result, the master brought everyone home!
What do we do now?!
"Master, you've misunderstood..." Li Jun quickly explained, "I meant to..."
"What are you thinking about?" the old Taoist priest interrupted him, pulling him aside and whispering, "Your family, including Aunt Hu, lost all their children fighting against evil spirits. Now only this lonely old woman is left!"
"If you have a way, please help them!"
"If there's no way, just give us a straight answer, don't make them come all this way for nothing!"
Li Jun was shocked after hearing this.
He had only heard a brief introduction from President Qin about the lineage of shamans, who said that the inheritance was difficult.
Unexpectedly, there was such a past behind it.
Li Jun felt even more conflicted.
How could he possibly help?
But since his master has already said so much, if he still says no, wouldn't that embarrass his master?
Moreover, Aunt Hu and her family are indeed heroes, and heroes shouldn't end up like this.
"Master, please don't rush." Li Jun took a deep breath. "I... let me think."
The old Taoist priest's expression softened slightly, and he nodded: "Alright, think it over carefully, I'll go back to my room first."
After he finished speaking, he glanced at Hu Yun and said, "Little sister, sit down for a while and have some water."
Hu Yun quickly bowed and said, "Thank you, Master Zhang."
The old Taoist priest waved his hand, turned around, and went back to his room.