Chapter 26 The Old Taoist and the Young Girl There are five peach gums in total, which are amber and translucent. Lin Jue took it out and looked at it while walking. There is no way—— Since they have already given it, I can only accept it as a farewell gift from a senior or old friend. But what is the use of this? How to use it? Can you cook it too? But what is this? Peach trees produce peach gum, which Lin Jue has eaten before. However, if a peach tree that has become a spirit and talked to you for a few days gives you a few pieces of peach gum produced by itself, what kind of gift would it be if it were given to a human? Lin Jue always felt something was strange. Although it is strange, I am in a good mood. I feel a bit wonderful and floating, and also a bit beautiful and leisurely.
At this time, he was carrying a bookcase on his back that had been almost restored to its original state, and using a walking stick as a crutch. Mount Qiyun was only two days away, so he naturally felt more brisk as he walked. Just walking on the road, Lin Jue was more thoughtful than before. Is to always pay attention to the flowers, plants and trees on the roadside. To practice Wood Release, one must first be in harmony with plants and trees. Lin Jue didn't know how to get along with the plants, so he had to stop from time to time to observe the plants he had never known or noticed before, to stroke the texture of the leaves, and to look at their flowers. In his previous life, he knew many people who loved flowers, plants, and trees. Their love was beyond the reach of ordinary people, and most of them were women with delicate minds. At that time, Lin Jue only thought that these flowers, plants, and trees were ordinary things. They were everywhere and could not be seen anywhere. Where was it worth looking at them and recording them separately? But now the facts have almost easily proved that it was just that he did not have the mood and time to look at them carefully at that time. Because at this time Lin Jue had not practiced or gained any insights, he just spent a little more time and energy to look closely and discovered their unusualness. Almost every tree is different and has its own unique features. Almost every flower is also different. Every newly opened flower is so delicate and clean. Even the smallest flower, if you look closely, the petals and stamens are so exquisite and complex, far more than just a few lines and colors in a painting. What's more, it is summer now, the season when the grass and trees are lush and growing wildly. In addition to the blooming wild flowers and vines hanging fruits on the roadside, these plants are showing their life and temperament wantonly. Lin Jue looked at it carefully and was surprised at times, as if he had discovered something interesting. Of course, it's just fun. As for my insights, I don't have any at all. But this also made him feel satisfied and even surprised. Because fun itself is a precious thing. As a result, the walking speed was delayed a lot. Even if he saw an ancient tree thicker than himself, even if it was in the woods beside the road, as long as it was not too difficult to walk, he would put down his books and go to pay a visit. Sometimes, he would put his hands on the tree trunk and feel the texture of the bark according to what the book and the tree demon said, concentrating his mind and trying to feel the essence of the tree, and experience the spirit of the wood with his heart, then imagine that he was doing the same, and strive to become one with it. He felt his mind was clear and he felt like playing. He chanted a spell and tried to put his hand through the tree. "Ha ha……" Of course it is totally impossible.
Lin Jue was not discouraged at all. He was just a beginner and had some fun-loving mood. He shook his head and smiled, then came back, put on his book bag and continued to move forward. …… In the afternoon, the young scholar stopped by the roadside and talked to an old man working in the fields below: "May I ask, old man, do you know Qiyun Mountain?" "Qiyun Mountain? I know!" "How do we get there?" "Go this way." The father-in-law pointed in a direction. "This way?" Lin Jue bent down and turned his head to look. "what……" "I'll come this way." "Then you're going the wrong way!" "..." Lin Jue shook his head and smiled, thanked his father-in-law, and walked back. When I'm in a good mood, I don't feel depressed even if I do something wrong. Instead, I find it funny at my own stupidity. I pat my head and almost laugh out loud, but my steps are still brisk. Even though it's a little late now. For those who don't know the route, traveling at night is a very normal thing. Lin Jue was delayed for a while in seeing off the tree demon this morning. He walked slowly, took the wrong road halfway, and was delayed again when he turned back. Naturally, the sun set behind the mountain halfway. This is the second time I have walked at night since leaving home half a month ago. But this time I feel much calmer. Firstly, the tree demon said that this place is close to Qiyun Mountain, so even in the wilderness, there are rarely rampant and ferocious monsters. Secondly, the weather today is very good, with a clear sky, and it is expected that there will be no rain at night. After entering June, the weather is getting hotter and hotter, and it won’t be cold to sleep in the wilderness at night. Finally, Lin Jue was not so afraid of ghosts anymore. Sure enough, it got dark halfway through the journey. While the sky was still light, Lin Jue found a dry and flat place on the side of the road, roughened the ground a bit, and sat down, ready to spend the night there. I heard that other travelers cannot avoid sleeping in the wilderness at night when they go on a long journey. As long as they don't do anything wrong, they don't have to worry about ghosts visiting them. It's just that most of the others sleep in a group, while Lin Jue is alone. I wasn't too scared to begin with, so I combined the hatchet and the stick in my hands and placed them beside me, which gave me an even greater sense of security. So Lin Jue sat on the ground, eating some dry food, looking at the distant sunset glow reflecting on the mountains and rivers, listening to the weeping wind and the rustling of the trees, and when it was time he closed his eyes and fell asleep.
But for some reason, I couldn't sleep well tonight. Maybe it’s because I’ve encountered too many goblins and ghosts recently, and I’m sleeping outdoors in the mountains, so I couldn’t help but have related dreams. In the dream, there was a young ghost who saluted him and told him that his coffin was buried not far away. After a long time, it was exposed to the ground. Some time ago, a group of heavy soldiers passed by and their horses accidentally ran off the road and trampled a corner of his coffin. Now it was leaking wind and rain, so he had no choice but to ask him to help repair it. "..." When he woke up from his dream, Lin Jue woke up. At this time, the dream has not yet passed, and it feels like everything in the dream is real. However, the dream gradually fades away when the wind blows away. When he opened his eyes, it was pitch black all around, with only numerous bright stars above his head. A galaxy and countless worlds of light and sand created a magnificent dreamlike world that was unique in the world. Lin Jue could not tell the exact time, but only guessed that it was probably around five o'clock in the morning. When I was in Shu Village, I should have woken up at about this time. I went to bed early last night, so I should have woken up at about this time. This is almost the coldest time of the night, so it is possible that you were woken up by the cold. As for what happened in the dream, don't worry about it. "..." Lin Jue didn't want to hurry on his journey, but he had nothing to do. He was still a little drowsy, so he fell asleep again. But I didn't expect that the dream came again as soon as I fell asleep. It was that ghost again in my dream. "This is not a dream, no, this is a dream, but it's not your dream! I am really a ghost, and my house was really trampled down by a horse. I want you to help me repair it, please don't take it lightly! It's not easy for me to meet someone like you. If you can't help me, I don't know when I will be able to do it again!" The ghost explained and begged. In his dream, Lin Jue couldn't help but feel confused. "Someone like me? Who is that? Why did you come to me?" "There are few people who stay overnight on this road. There have only been a few times in this period of time. Some people have strong blood and qi, so I dare not approach them. Some people have impure qi, so I think they are not trustworthy. Moreover, although I have become a ghost after death by chance and have not entered the underworld, my magic power is low. Gentleman must have been in contact with demons and ghosts recently, and their qi is not repelled by me. That's why I decided to find you." "..." Lin Jue in the dream didn't say anything for a while, he just felt that it was both real and unreal. Things in dreams are like this, difficult to distinguish. "The gentleman brought something strange with him. I smelled a spiritual fragrance. If the gentleman agrees to repair my house for me, I will tell you something good." "What good thing?" "The gentleman agreed!" The ghost in the dream said so, but before Lin Jue answered, he hurriedly said, "Today, there is a mountain that looks like a hammer in the mountains behind. The king of the mountain held a banquet in the mountain and invited the spirits who practiced peacefully and never made trouble to discuss the newly obtained "Yin Yang Sutra" together. If you bring this thing to visit, don't lose your sincerity and courtesy. The king of the mountain will definitely treat you as a guest. I heard that there is "Thousand Day Wine" at every banquet of the king of the mountain. You must have a cup at that time. I heard that drinking it has great benefits. Many years ago, a spirit came to the banquet, drank and came back, and stayed next to my house at night. Just smelling the remaining wine aroma and the spiritual charm in it made me feel comfortable for a long time. There was also a woodcutter who accidentally drank it while chopping wood on the mountain. Not only did he die of old age, but he also lived without illness and pain until he was old." "What is Yin Yang Jing Thousand Day Wine?" "It's almost dawn, I can't say any more. Anyway, if a gentleman helps me, how can I deceive or harm him? Even a ghost can't do such a thing..." "How can I repair your house?" "Just find some wood and cloth to plug it up so it won't leak in."
As soon as the words fell, the dream dispersed in a panic, and like any ordinary dream, it gradually became blurred over time. Lin Jue was confused for a while before waking up. I couldn't help but recall the things in my dream, wondering whether it was true or not. I also tried hard to grasp those vague details, trying hard not to let those words disappear completely as soon as I woke up. But when I opened my eyes and sat up, I heard footsteps in front of me. Lin Jue immediately became alert and turned his head to look—— The official road was not far from where they lived. It was dim and dark, with shadows of grass and trees and smoke rising from the road, but an old Taoist was walking slowly towards them. Not only was there an old Taoist priest, but there was also a smaller figure following behind him. "!" Lin Jue quietly grabbed the machete next to him. Almost at the same time, the old Taoist also saw him. "Ha ha……" The old Taoist seemed surprised by his reaction. He stopped and looked at him, then laughed kindly, "Young layman, you are not afraid to sleep on the roadside in the wilderness at night, so why are you so nervous when you see a Taoist?" The person behind him also stopped, first looked up at him, and then followed him to look at Lin Jue. It was a young girl, holding a wooden stick and carrying a bag. It was dark and they met a person on the road for no apparent reason. The old Taoist was not afraid, but she was a little scared, so she opened her eyes wide and looked at Lin Jue quietly. "Is the Taoist priest a human or a ghost?" Lin Jue thought quickly and asked back. "Nature is human." "Why are you traveling so late at night?" "Midnight?" The old Taoist couldn't help but smile again, turned around and pointed to the east: "Little layman, please take a look, it's almost dawn now." "Ok?" Lin Jue took a look and found that it was true. "The weather has been hot lately. I am still okay after noon, but I am a new disciple and it is really hard for me to walk. I can't walk far in the morning. I have no choice but to follow the example of the lay Buddhists who often travel here and set out at five o'clock in the morning." "Where are you coming from?" Lin Jue thought quickly and knew that there was no place to buy or borrow a lodging ahead. "Of course, I will sleep on the roadside at night, just like the young lay Buddhist." "That makes sense, but if you were just in a hurry, you could just walk along the road ahead. Why did you stop and talk to me so much?" "Of course I feel that I have a connection with you, young monk." The old Taoist said with a smile, "You feel the same way, don't you? You are afraid that we are ghosts walking at night, and seeing my robe, you think we may be connected. You want to talk to me more, but you are hesitant and don't want to miss this opportunity."
"..." "What else do you have to worry about, young layman?" "No worries." Lin Jue said simply and decisively. "what?" This surprised the old Taoist priest a little. The girl behind him was also visibly stunned. "I am He Xianyu, Taoist name Yunhe Daoist. I am practicing in the nearby mountains. I am passing through here on my way back from visiting a friend." The old Taoist bowed to him and said, "This is a girl I just picked up in the village a few days ago. I feel that I have a connection with her, so I plan to take her back and make her my disciple." After saying that, he turned around and looked at the girl. "My name is Qingyao." The girl understood his look and spoke quickly. "My last name is Lin and my first name is Jue." "Meeting is destiny. Day is about to dawn. How about packing up and we can go together?" "I can't ask for it." Lin Jue stood up, picked up his things casually, put on his book bag, and prepared to leave. Just as I took a step, I suddenly thought of something. "and many more!" Lin Jue's steps suddenly stopped. "what happened?" The old Taoist looked at him strangely. "..." Lin Jue found it difficult to explain for a moment. I don’t even know whether what I had last night was a dream or there was really a ghost, so how can I tell it to others? He quickly put the book down again, tried to recall, and ran over to the location the ghost in his dream said last night to check - There was actually a gap in the ground, revealing a section of the coffin board, which had been stepped on and broken. The hollow space inside can be vaguely seen. It’s actually true… "what happened?" But it was a crisp female voice. The young girl imitated the old Taoist's tone and stared at him curiously and asked.
"It's a long story..." Lin Jue then told them what happened last night. (End of this chapter)
