Chapter 589: Auspicious Days and New Year’s Money
Zhao Siqi was in a daze, not knowing what year or month it was, and was weathering rain, snow, wind and frost all the way.
The five red dogs became black dogs again, and Zhao Siqi became Beggar Qi.
It was not until this ancient city, with its aura connecting heaven and earth, came into view, with every household decorated with lights and the peach charms and lanterns glowing brightly with red light, that I began to understand.
"It's Chinese New Year."
The snow has gradually subsided.
The trees along the road were covered with a layer of ice and snow, and the crystal clear branches looked like jade.
Every household was busy sweeping snow in front of their door, but Zhao Siqi was stopped outside the city and was not allowed to go in. Although he repeatedly stated that he was not a refugee or a beggar, but a cultivator who used the sky as a blanket and the ground as a bed, he was still turned away by the soldiers.
"It's a great day for the New Year, and the King of Wu is celebrating with the people. We can't let idlers like you disturb his mood. Go! Go!"
Zhao Siqi originally wanted to argue, but another soldier had already taken a fancy to the black dog beside him and showed an interested look, so he had to leave.
One black, two yellow, three spotted, and four white. Eating dog meat during the Chinese New Year is another tradition.
Zhao Siqi ran away quickly, otherwise if a dispute broke out, he might still be able to escape, but he might not be able to save the black dog.
After leaving Changmen, Zhao Siqi patted the dog's head and said, "You stinky thing, you were almost caught and cooked."
Wuhong Dog naturally didn't understand what he said and washed his fingers with his saliva.
Zhao Siqi looked at the majestic city, sighed, and said, "I've heard of Gusu's great name a long time ago, but it turns out it's just this color."
He had nowhere to go, but he found an unexpected surprise outside the Changmen Gate.
There is a Taoist temple that is still open. Although there are not many people coming and going, there is still some incense burning.
Zhao Siqi wanted to stay overnight, so he went to a Taoist temple. This small square Taoist temple was dedicated to Emperor Fuyou.
Two young monks preside over the Taoist temple. One is serious and mature, while the other is always smiling and hospitable. They are responsible for welcoming and seeing off guests, and praying for blessings and warding off disasters.
Seeing Zhao Siqi, the smiling young mage hesitated for a moment, looking embarrassed, and said, "This believer..."
Zhao Siqi quickly explained his purpose and identity to avoid being mistaken for a refugee. Fuji Temple was small and the porridge was meager, so they could only give a bowl of porridge to refugees and didn't dare offer them a place to stay overnight.
Moreover, being a refugee does not necessarily mean a good status. Zhao Siqi has seen many cases of refugees causing chaos along the way.
Upon learning that Zhao Siqi was also a cultivator, the young master said, "Wait a moment, I'll go ask my senior brother."
After a while, another serious little wizard came. He took a look at Zhao Siqi and was sure that he was not an ordinary person, so he invited him in.
The serious young mage said, "Little Daoist Huaizhong, this is my junior brother Huaiyi. Fellow Daoist, please come this way."
Zhao Siqi stayed at Fu Ji Temple to rest for a while.
There were almost no people coming to burn incense in the afternoon, and when it got dark, Huaizhong and Huaiyi had already closed the door.
Zhao Siqi borrowed their stove to boil some hot water, took a bath for himself and the black dog, and changed into a new one.
When Huaiyi saw them, he was surprised and said, "Isn't this a black dog?"
Zhao Siqi laughed and said, "It rolled in too much mud along the way. It's a five-red dog."
Wuhong Dog's eyes sparkled, and Huaiyi praised, "Good dog."
Since Master Liu passed away, this was the first time an outsider had stayed at Fuji Temple. In the past, the two brothers had always gotten by, making do with what they ate, drank, and wore.
Now that guests have come, we have to entertain them.
Zhao Siqi couldn't just sit there idly either. With the three young men busying around and the addition of a lively five-red dog, the place suddenly became lively and full of life.
The three of them were chatting, and Zhao Siqi also shared some interesting experiences. As they talked, they started laughing.
As he laughed, Huaiyi turned around and secretly wiped away his tears.
Zhao Siqi was stunned for a moment, not knowing if he had said something wrong, and was at a loss for a moment.
Huaizhong suppressed his smile and said, "Don't blame me. My master passed away not long ago, and I just missed him."
Huaiyi paused, turned around and apologized, then looked at Huaizhong and said, "I haven't seen you smile in such a long time. You practice martial arts desperately all day long. I'm very scared."
Huaizhong's throat choked, and the calmness on his face almost collapsed. He forced himself to maintain a smile and said, "I'm fine. Look, why are you saying this on such a good day?"
Zhao Siqi left quietly, giving them and their fellow disciples some space to get along.
He went to burn incense to Emperor Fuyou, then stood in the yard, looking at the bare persimmon tree in the yard with icicles hanging on it and covered with a layer of white, but he didn't know where his thoughts were going.
West Dongting Mountain.
The New Year celebrations were also held at Shenjing Palace, but they were simple. Practitioners didn't dwell on them much, just like they didn't dwell on their birthdays.
If you are striving for immortality, you should not measure the time inch by inch, for fear that if you count too clearly, you may go against the law of longevity.
The great immortal Jin Ting suddenly came out of seclusion and was in a good mood.
The Thunder Officer asked in confusion, "The Immortal looks so happy today, I guess he's made some progress in his cultivation."
The Immortal Jin Ting didn't argue with him and said, "It is indeed a happy event. You can go and have fun. You don't need to wait for me here today."
The thunder officer then withdrew.
The little Taoist priest Chong Jing, the Inspector, was one year older and was asking for New Year's money everywhere. When he saw the Thunder Official, he came to him to ask for it.
Black Dragon was horrified and said, "What New Year's money? I've lived for so long and have never heard of New Year's money."
The inspector pointed at his big nose and asked, "Are we still friends? Aren't you going to give me New Year's money? I'm twelve years old, and everyone is only twelve years old."
The Thunder Officer scratched his ear and said, "I'm over a thousand years old, and I've never received any New Year's money. What's so special about you being twelve?"
A look of pity immediately appeared on the Inspector's face. He rummaged in his sleeve and took out a small red silk bag.
He stuffed the small bag into the hands of the Thunder Officer and stood on tiptoe to reach for his shoulder. Unable to reach, he had to settle for the next best thing and patted his arm. He said, "Don't be sad. I'll share some of my New Year's money with you. I'm leaving now. I still have to go and wish the other brothers a happy new year."
Then he went to rob without looking back - no, he went to pay New Year's greetings to the next senior brother.
Cai Leiguan stared at the bag in his hand, stunned for a moment, then his face quickly turned red. Lei Ting was furious and said, "Who is sad? Who wants your New Year's money?"
The thunder official was so angry that he jumped up and down, and the inspector had already left, so he could only sulk for the rest of his life.
It was late at night, and the little Taoist boy Chong Jing was about to fall asleep, when suddenly a huge black shadow knocked on his door.
He opened the door and saw that the front was filled with round clam shells and glittering strange stones.
A black dragon sprayed icy flowers from its nose and said with a sinister look, "This is the New Year's money I gave you. Keep it!"
Then he swept all the clam shells, stones and Chong Jing himself into the door with his tail. Chong Jing hurried out to thank him, but a gust of wind blew past and the black dragon disappeared.
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