Chapter 86
Just as I finished dealing with Lao Li's matter, another matter came up.
Two days ago, Lao Luo went to look for that gentleman and happened to rush back today. As soon as Lao Luo entered the village, he saw someone holding a funeral. He panicked, thinking that he was late. After asking around, he found out that Lao Li had died.
He and the gentleman came to Lao Yang's house and were very surprised to see that the buffalo had recovered, but the gentleman he brought had a somewhat stiff expression on his face.
This made sense, after all, they had asked him for help, but he had made a wasted trip. The Yang couple then gave the gentleman a good talk and said a lot of nice things, and he finally calmed down.
But I don’t like him very much. With some things, you can tell at first sight whether they are compatible with you or not.
He had squinted eyes, wore glasses, had a tuft of beard, and was dressed quite stylishly.
When he saw me, he asked, "I wonder what sect you belong to? You are so capable at such a young age. Your future achievements are limitless."
He was asking about my background, but what I learned were, first, the Yin Fu Lu, and second, the Taoist classics left by Master Zhang in Baiyun Temple. It's not that I look down on him, but I guess he has never heard of these two subjects.
I clasped my hands together and said, "I only know a little bit about it, I can't compare with you, sir."
"Why should you be so humble, fellow Daoist?"
He insisted.
"All I learned was a torn book at home," I said.
After he told me it was a fragmented book, he stopped asking questions. I now understood his intention. The methods described in the parameters were incomplete. Without systematic study, there would be no future. His continued questioning saved me a lot of trouble.
Before leaving, Lao Yang asked me to have dinner at his house, but I felt a little embarrassed. There is a saying that goes, "People in the same industry are enemies." Ever since that gentleman knew that I was the one who settled the matter, his eyes have been on me.
I didn't stay for dinner. I said goodbye to them and set off alone.
Wandering around, often exposed to the elements, is incredibly hard. But I already know this is my fate. People like us can't avoid the five disadvantages and three shortcomings; it's a price to pay.
I walked for a whole day and couldn't find a place to stay. No wonder Lao Luo spent several days looking for his master. This was a desolate place, not even a bird could be seen. This made me very upset. Before leaving, I forgot to ask Lao Yang which direction to go. But we had already walked for so long, turning back was impossible, so I could only keep going.
I didn't feel anything during the day, but at night, I felt like something was following me. I looked back, but there was nothing. I'm definitely not being paranoid, but why can't I see that person?
I found a tree and rested against its roots, planning to spend the night there. My legs were sore from walking all day, and I felt extremely tired. As soon as I sat down, I fell asleep quickly.
Even after I fell asleep, I felt a tension in my heart, so I couldn't sleep well. I felt like something was following me.
In the dark night, it jumped closer and closer to me without making any sound.
It jumped right in front of me and stayed there motionless.
I suddenly opened my eyes, but there was nothing in front of me. It was strange. Could I have been mistaken? I quickly denied it. It was dark, making it hard to see clearly. But there was something unusual on the ground in front of me.
It was a grasshopper. In the dim moonlight, I could see it was gray, blending in with the ground. If I didn't look closely, I'd think it was just an ordinary grasshopper, but when I reached out and picked it up, I finally saw the clue.
This grasshopper wasn't a living thing, but rather a folded piece of paper with two red eyes. Seeing this, I knew for sure it was this one that had been following me.
I was holding it in the palm of my hand and observing it carefully when it suddenly caught fire all over. The faint blue flame had no heat and turned to ashes in my hand.
Just as I was marveling at the scene before me, I heard a rustling sound behind me.
I stood up and looked back. It was a figure. He was moving slowly, approaching me. It was so late at night, in the middle of nowhere, there was no way anyone would be around, so he definitely wasn't human.
I slowly backed away, and when he was completely in front of me, the dim moonlight shone on him. I saw that his face was covered with scratches, his clothes were torn, his eyes were red, and his hands had long nails.
Isn’t this Lao Li?
He faked his death!
I suddenly thought of the grasshopper I'd just caught, and I was startled. Someone was trying to kill me. I was alone, and I had no grudges against anyone. The only person I had a grudge against was that gentleman. But he wouldn't use such a sorcery to kill me for such a small matter, would he?
It's true that you can't judge a person by his appearance. Apart from him, I can't think of anyone else who would do such a thing.
I ran away because I couldn't catch it.
Although Lao Li was slow, no matter how fast I ran, I couldn't shake him off. I pondered several ways to deal with him, but they all required time to set up, and time was what I lacked most. Before I could even finish setting up the venue, Lao Li would catch me. Besides, I didn't have the necessary materials on me, only the bracelet that Teacher Zhang had left me.
But this bracelet is so precious, and if I use one, it will be one less, so I can't bear to part with it. In desperation, I just keep running.
After running for a long time, I was already exhausted and panting. Behind me, Lao Li was still following closely. I took a deep breath and continued to run. This was a shabby place. There was not a single person in sight. It was hard to find shelter.
As I was complaining, a bright light suddenly appeared before my eyes. I grabbed a lifeline and ran towards it. As I got closer, I saw that it was indeed a village. I could even hear the noise coming from the village.
People often say that many hands make light work, but there's another way to say it: everyone possesses three yang fires: two on their shoulders and one on their head. When there are many people, the yang fires flourish, and those evil spirits won't dare approach. Now I want to find the group and get rid of Lao Li.
In a hurry, I didn't think too much and rushed into the village.
As expected, Old Li stopped chasing me. He stopped at the entrance of the village and kept looking at me.
I breathed a sigh of relief and surveyed the village. It was brightly lit, the streets wide and bustling with people. It didn't feel like a village, but rather a large night market. They sold everything: candied haws, sugar paintings, peach cakes, and hemp twists.
I was really hungry, and all I saw was food. There were also vendors selling windmills and kites, and everything in between.
He took out a few dollars from his pocket and wanted to buy something to eat. He hadn't eaten or drunk anything all day, and he was starving after running just now.
"How much is this?" I said as I stood in front of the candied haws. Seeing the candied haws, which were sour and sweet, I couldn't help drooling. I would fill my stomach later, so I bought a string first.
"Hey, you look unfamiliar, girl. It must be your first time here," said the boss.
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