Chapter 33: Cloudy Mountains, Taoist Heritage

"Dad, are we there yet?" Su Wen asked, looking at the unfamiliar scenery around him.

Su Zhongguo did not answer him, but came to a mountain wall. No one knew what he did there, and then a voice that sounded old sounded in everyone's ears.

"But Su Zhongguo?"

"Yes, boy, is Taoist Renkong okay?" Su Zhongguo bowed to the stone wall.

"Haha, okay, very good, come in, kid."

As the voice fell, a stone door appeared from the mountain wall.

Su Zhongguo turned around, looked at the four people, and waved to them, "Come here, let's go in."

Everyone in the surrounding villages around Lijia Village knew that there were masters in the Yunwu Mountains, but no one could find the entrance to the mountains.

No one can find those masters unless they show up themselves. Everyone knows that they are in the mountains, but no one can see the scenery inside the mountains.

The four children were very curious about how the stone gate appeared and where they would go next.

Su Zhongguo did not explain their doubts, but led the four people straight inside. Just after they all entered the stone gate, the door closed automatically. The four people looked back and found that the cave entrance they had just entered had become a stone wall.

"Dad, is this where the gods live?" Su Wen was very curious and couldn't help asking.

Su Zhongguo touched his head and said, "I don't know if they are gods or not, but I know they are all capable masters."

If I hadn't accidentally saved that person back then, I'm afraid I would never be able to enter here in my life.

He was very glad that he made the decision back then, otherwise, he would not have been able to marry and have children.

Thinking of the past, Su Zhongguo's heart began to feel sour.

He knew that his parents had disliked him since he was a child, but he never imagined that after his grandparents passed away, they would treat him like a workhorse.

He was hungry, cold, and only had a fixed amount of wild vegetables, corn cobs, and steamed buns every day. It was a miracle that he didn't starve to death.

Compared with his younger brothers and sisters, he doesn't look like the eldest brother at all, and he is shorter than them.

As spring turned to winter, his body slowly collapsed under years of pressure.

Once he was seriously ill, his parents abandoned him in the back mountain because they had no money for treatment, but they left him a few steamed buns made with wild vegetables. That was the best meal he had after returning to his parents.

Just when he was on the verge of death, a middle-aged man covered in blood appeared beside him.

He was being chased and he heard gunshots not far away.

For some unknown reason, Su Zhongguo dragged the man into a pit, and then the two of them hid in the pit for three days.

During those three days, he was really hungry, so hungry that he bit his hands and drank blood to get through it.

Not only that, he also helped the blood man feed his blood to drink. At that time, he just thought that if he was really going to die, saving a life would be a good deed.

They did make it through, and later the Blood Man's fellow disciples came looking for them.

But they were all dying at that time. When Su Zhongguo saw the person coming, he just said "save him" and then fainted.

When he woke up again, he had arrived at a Taoist temple.

He stayed here for half a year, and after half a year, he returned home.

His return did not make his parents happy, but instead made them feel unlucky.

But in the new era, the village chief did not allow them to abandon the child again, so they had to keep him.

His health improved and he worked with more energy. His parents' initial displeasure gradually dissipated, and he then took on the responsibility of supporting the family.

He has been raising her for more than ten years. It's ridiculous that he has given so much just to get the recognition of his family and the family love he prayed for.

But in the end, he still got nothing. He often thought late at night how great it would have been if he had not come back.

But he felt it was good to come back because he met Guixiang, the person who cared about him.

Su Zhongguo's eyes were red with tears when he thought of the past.

Looking at the four children, he felt very satisfied.

The past is gone, it’s time to look forward.

Now his family is thriving, and with the arrival of a new baby, nothing could make him more satisfied than now.

"When you get here, you must be obedient and learn your skills well. When you have learned enough, come back to protect your family. Remember?"

Su Zhongguo thought about the future fate of his three sons and couldn't help but give some instructions.

"Well, Dad, don't worry. I will definitely study hard and learn skills. When I have learned well, I will come back to protect my younger brothers and sisters." Su Wen is seven years old. Although he started school late in the countryside, he was taught very well by Li Guixiang.

In addition, he heard his sister's voice and knew that his ending was miserable, so he naturally had to learn skills well, not only to protect his family, but also to protect himself.

I will never let my younger brothers and sisters and my parents be harmed by my second uncle and grandparents.

Su Wu was younger, but he was old enough to know what his father meant. He said, "Yes, Dad, I'll remember it."

Su Jie is the youngest. He can hear his sister's thoughts, but after so much time, he has actually begun to forget them.

But he understood the word family, "I listen to Dad."

Li Peng was only one year older than Su Jie. Although he didn't understand why he had to protect his family, he took note of these words.

"Don't worry, uncle. I will remember it."

The five of them walked for an unknown amount of time before finally reaching the end.

Waiting for them were several people wearing Taoist robes.

The leader was the bloody man whom Su Zhongguo had saved that year, and he was also the current head of the Taoist temple, Taoist Master Renkong.

They all have long hair and look very immortal. You can tell at first glance that they are extraordinary.

"I'm honored to meet all the Taoist priests." Su Zhongguo bowed, his eyes filled with excitement.

"You little rascal, you didn't even come back to see an old man like me after so many years. You are really cruel." Taoist Master Renkong was the most excited. He stepped forward and slapped Su Zhongguo several times.

But the excitement in his eyes could not be hidden, "I hope you can stay a few more days this time."

They couldn't escape, but they still knew something about what was happening in the outside world.

Because of the turmoil, they didn't open the mountain gate and blocked the road, but this brat knew the way but didn't even come back to check.

"That won't do. My family just had a baby girl, and I can't bear to leave her." Su Zhongguo knew what Taoist Renkong was thinking, but he was worried about his wife and daughter at home.

Taoist Master Renkong was not angry when he heard him say this. Instead, he looked at the four children around him.

"You little brat, you're so lucky. These three are your children, right?"

He could tell at a glance that three of the four children were his own, Su Zhongguo wasn't curious at all, "Yes, they are just brats."

As he spoke, he asked the four children to greet the people in front of them and introduced them to others.

"This is Taoist Master Renkong. You can call him Grandpa or Master."

That’s right, Su Zhongguo wanted to settle the status first to avoid Taoist Master Renkong from negotiating conditions with him.

That is Su Zhongguo. If it were anyone else, Taoist Renkong would not agree.

The four of them called out in unison.

Su Zhongguo also introduced the several people behind Taoist Renkong to them one by one.

After the greetings, Taoist Master Renkong took them back to the courtyard where Su Zhongguo had lived before.

"This place has always been reserved for you, but you left and never came back. If it weren't for the chaos in the world, I would have come down the mountain to beat you up."

When Su Zhongguo entered the courtyard, he found it very clean. He could tell at a glance that someone had been cleaning it for a long time.

"You also know that it's a mess outside. How dare I go into the mountains? What if I get discovered?" Su Zhongguo's personality has changed a lot after returning here.

This surprised the children, after all, Su Zhongguo used to be a man of few words.

"Alas." Taoist Master Renkong sighed, "The troubled times are about to end, and life will surely get better and better in the future."

They have all experienced suffering, and the living must look forward.

"Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. Come into the house. I've been cleaning here for you."

After sitting down, Su Zhongguo started talking about business.

He stated his purpose, "I know you are of high rank. I don't ask for formal initiation, but only for you to teach them some life-saving skills. You may have noticed that these guys have all had unfortunate fates."

Speaking of this, Su Zhongguo felt unbearable heartache.

His eyes became sore unconsciously. Facing Taoist Master Renkong was like facing his own elder, and he immediately let down his guard.

Taoist Master Renkong must have certain abilities to be able to become the head of the Taoist temple in Yunwu Mountain.

He actually knew it the first time he saw Su Zhongguo, but he also figured out that there was a chance for him to turn around, which was his fourth child.

Now that there is life, it proves that his fourth son has been born.

I also looked at the faces of the four children and deduced some things. Fortunately, they are all blessed. Life is hard to come by, but out of fifty, one will be lost, and that one is a glimmer of life for each person.

If you catch it, you can change your fate; if you don’t catch it, then you just follow your fate.

This family has clearly got a chance to turn things around, and it's clear that they have seized the opportunity to survive.

"Alas, it is true. When you came down the mountain, I calculated the many disasters you would face in the future. I wanted you to stay on the mountain, but no matter how much I persuaded you, you would not. Fortunately, there is a chance of survival. From now on, your family will be safe and sound."

Taoist Master Renkong sighed and said, "These four children are also miserable people. Their lives were secretly taken away by someone. Since you brought them here, I will naturally not ignore them."

"But let me make it clear first. If you don't join the sect, I won't teach you anything except the outer martial arts. You know the rules here."

Su Zhongguo nodded when he heard it, "Well, of course I know. I don't ask for much. I just hope that they have the ability to protect themselves." How could he not know.

"That's easy. I no longer accept disciples, but I will teach them myself. Don't worry, when they are ready to leave, I will notify you to come and pick them up."

Su Zhongguo was relieved now. "Thank you, Taoist Renkong, but I have one more thing to ask. These four children are not in school yet, so they may have to work harder in their studies."

Children cannot only learn martial arts without learning literature, otherwise they will be illiterate.

"I know. I believe you have already thought about it. So, I will come to pick them up when they are fourteen years old. I believe you can arrange for them to go to school after they come down the mountain." Taoist Master Renkong understood what he meant. Martial arts must be practiced, but literature must also be learned.

"Haha, I knew that the Taoist priest understood me best. That's exactly what I meant."

"Okay, stop talking nonsense to me. Stay for a few days, and then leave once they are familiar with each other. Bring that little girl to see me when you have time. Being peculiar is not necessarily a good thing."

Taoist Master Renkong stood up and said, "I still have things to do, you take them to familiarize themselves with it first." Now that he is a master, he must prepare well.

"good."

He didn't find it strange at all that Taoist Renkong knew about his daughter's strangeness. He planned to ask his daughter privately whether this was good for her.

It’s better not to tell anyone in front of your children. The more people know, the greater the danger.

In this way, Su Zhongguo stayed on the mountain to accompany the four people to familiarize themselves with the environment.

After staying for four or five days, Su Zhongguo couldn't stay any longer.

"Come on, come in." Su Zhongguo had already instructed the four children to learn skills well and he would come to pick them up when they turned fourteen.

However, he has always been concerned about his daughter, so he came to ask Taoist Master Renkong a few questions and also to say goodbye to him.

"Do you still want me to open the door for you personally?"

Taoist Master Renkong's powerful voice came from the room. Su Zhongguo smiled and shook his head, "Here it comes." How could he dare to do that?

In the room, there are statues of the Three Pure Ones.

Su Zhongguo did not speak immediately, but respectfully burned incense to the Three Pure Ones.

After bowing, he stood up and walked to the side where Taoist Master Renkong was meditating.

"I know what you want to ask, but I can't answer you. When you have the chance, bring the child up the mountain, then I will know how to deal with it."

Vitality is like porcelain, it cannot be taken too seriously nor too lightly.

"However, before she grows up, she needs to be taken good care of. She must not be harmed. If she is harmed, your entire family will be ruined."

These words were very serious, so serious that Su Zhongguo felt a little trembling, "Is there no other way to make her safe and happy?" He didn't ask for much, he just wanted his daughter to be safe and happy.

Taoist Master Renkong opened his eyes and said, "If she changes, your family's disaster will come again. Don't you regret it?"

Su Zhongguo was silent.

It's true that he was worried about his daughter, but he also didn't want his wife to suffer.

"Will her strangeness harm her?"

"No, that's a secret from heaven, no one can reveal it, just be at ease."

Hearing this, Su Zhongguo felt relieved.

"That boy is at ease. I will take her up the mountain when I have the chance."

Taoist Renkong looked at him with a smile, saying nothing, but took out a book from the side. "She was born with knowledge, so she must not let down the opportunity given by God. This book is destined for her. Giving it to her will definitely help her."

After taking the book, Su Zhongguo wanted to take a look at it, but the title only had two words, Yin and Yang. When he opened the pages, he was dumbfounded.

"Why is it blank?" He was puzzled.

Taoist Master Renkong was amused by his silly look. "Didn't I tell you, this book is her opportunity. If you have no chance with her, you naturally won't be able to see anything."

"What's wrong, you little brat? Are you afraid that you will harm your daughter?" Taoist Master Renkong, who was passing by, said with a bit of a sneer.

Su Zhongguo smiled awkwardly, "No way, you can harm anyone but me. I know this. I'm just curious."

He really didn't mean anything else, he was just curious.

"Okay, you're such a fool. I'm too lazy to argue with you. You should go down the mountain now."

Su Zhongguo nodded. "Well, the children have adapted very well. I am worried about my family, so I have to go back."

Taoist Priest Renkong nodded and said, "I won't keep you any longer. This is my gift to your child. Let her wear it and never take it off."

As he spoke, he took out a jade pendant that looked so green that it was glowing, but so green that it looked fake at first glance, and placed it on the book of Yin and Yang on the table.