The child kicked the raft angrily. Fortunately, the man on the raft did not see it. Otherwise, he would have increased the price. When they reached the shore, Xu Fengnian took out some silver and threw it to the man. The old Daoist was stunned for a moment before he smiled and did not refuse. The dark-skinned child was probably frightened by the red-robed female ghost, so he jumped off the raft and fell flat on his face. The old Daoist was helpless. The three of them walked to the simple ferry. As they were all from the Southern Dynasty, the old Taoist felt lucky to meet someone from the same hometown. He cupped his hands and bowed slightly. "I am Taoist Jiu Wei, the supervisor of Yanyang Temple. My name is Luo Pingyang. You can call me by my name. "
Hsu Fengnian cupped his hands respectfully and returned the greeting. "Greetings, supervisor Luo. I am Xu Qi. "
Daoism and Buddhism were similar, there was also the saying of the jungle. This was especially true for Northern Mang's Dao and Virtue Sect, their power gradually swayed over the three sects. Normally speaking, as a Daoist monastery's great figure, the position of supervisor could be counted on one's fingers, one must possess great merit and virtue to assume. They also had to be proficient in abstinence and ritual, as well as exorcising ghosts. However, judging from the Daoist's attire, Xu Fengnian knew that this was probably a supervisor of an unknown small monastery. It was hard to say if that Yanyang Monastery even had ten Daoists. At this time, Xu Fengnian was carrying a book on his back. His clothes could not be considered beautiful, but they were clean and neat. His face was also elegant and handsome. In terms of bearing, Daoist Luo could not compare to him. It was no wonder that the old Daoist wanted to befriend him. Logically speaking, there should be a wine shop near the ferry. As expected, the child said excitedly, "Master, there is hope there!"
Hope was the straw pole commonly used in small wine shops. The pole was hung in front of the shop to attract customers. The old Taoist was embarrassed. If there were no outsiders and he knew his disciples well, he would not need to puff himself up at his own cost. He only needed two bowls of water to deal with it. The money to cross the river was paid by the young master. If he sat down in the wine shop, he would not have the face to let the strange scholar spend it. However, if he paid for it himself, he would not be able to go to the Dao De Sect's Water and Land Temple after a few bowls of wine. Hsu Fengnian understood the ways of the world. He immediately said, "After walking for half a day, we have walked for almost a hundred miles. We are in the middle of nowhere. If supervisor Luo doesn't mind, would you like to sit with me? It just so happens that I also believe in Old Huang's teachings. Unfortunately, I don't know much about most of them. I hope that Supervisor Luo can help me clear up my doubts. "
The old Taoist smiled and said, "Young Master Xu is interested in Dao. It is a good thing."
As they walked slowly, the child secretly sized up this foolish but rich young master. The old Taoist gave him a chestnut and then said to Hsu Fengnian, "The root of the world is Dao. However, my knowledge is shallow and I dare not boast. I only know a thing or two about the Meridian Flow and the Eight Methods of the Spirit Turtle. I only know a little about the Dao of Refining Qi and Cultivating Dan."
Xu Fengnian nodded. The group of three sat down at a greasy table outside the tavern and ordered a jar of wine and a few kilograms of cooked beef. In the Li Yang Dynasty, many taverns did not allow the private sale of beef, and slaughtering pigs and cows without permission was even more of a violation of the law. However, in Northern Mang, there were no such misgivings. The child wolfed down the food. Even if his master was angry, he didn't care. The old Taoist still felt sorry for this disciple of his who had a lot of problems. He smiled apologetically at Hsu Fengnian and was more reserved. He took a sip of wine and tore a piece of beef into his mouth. His mouth was filled with the fragrance of wine and meat. The old Taoist, who finally tasted meat, was intoxicated. Hsu Fengnian took down his book case and drank slowly. The child looked up and said vaguely, "Master, why are you not in the mood to recite poems and sing songs today?"
The old Taoist laughed and scolded, "Do you think you are in the mood for poetry because of your gluttony? There is no end to it."
Hsu Fengnian smiled.
The old Taoist hesitated for a moment and then took out a thin book sewn with inferior paper from his book case. "This is my poem draft. If Young Master Xu doesn't mind, you can take a look at it. Although it is called a poem draft, there are many small tunes in it. It does not avoid the slang, so it is not stylish. "
Hsu Fengnian was surprised and said, "Then I have to read it carefully. Having good poems to go with wine is a great thing in life."
Hsu Fengnian wiped his hands and took the poem draft. He slowly flipped through the pages. At first glance, the poems were like a talented scholar longing for a beautiful woman. However, there were some small tunes and phrases that even Hsu Fengnian felt were very interesting. For example, in spring, there were orioles and swallows, everything was green and full of charm. At first, Hsu Fengnian could still drink a few mouthfuls of wine and eat a few pieces of meat. However, halfway through the poem draft, he was lost in thought. "Liver and intestines are refined a hundred times. Iron in the furnace. Riches and honor are like butterflies on the pillow. Scholarly achievements and fame are like snakes in the wine. Old and helpless, the sharp wind is exceptionally cold. The thin snow is especially heavy, blowing and crushing my hut. " At the end of the poem draft, it was as the poem had said, "The people are in a terrible situation. The scholar sighs deeply." As time passed, the poem drafts were ordered one after another. It was probably Luo Pingyang's state of mind. From a talented scholar under the moonlight, he gradually became depressed and helpless in his middle age. Finally, when he was old, he suddenly became sentimental.
Hsu Fengnian closed the poem draft and praised, "If only my second sister were to read this, how good would it be?"
The old Taoist priest was confused. He did not have the confidence to begin with and was slightly embarrassed.
Hsu Fengnian silently returned the poem draft and did not speak anymore. If it was four or five years ago, wouldn't this poem cost him a few thousand taels of silver?
This Daoist Jiu Wei, who had never been recognized in his life, was probably used to running into a wall everywhere. He did not feel disheartened even after taking back his poem. He was already content with a free meal that fell from the sky.
Hsu Fengnian asked, "Does Supervisor Luo know that the Dragon Tree Monk of the Two Zen Temples went to the Tao Te Sect?"
The old Taoist priest shook his head and said, "I have not heard of it."
The old man continued to mock himself, "The Liyang Dynasty has the custom of debating Buddhism and Taoism. If it was in Beimang, a Taoist priest and a monk's debate would be like a chicken talking to a duck."
The Taoist priest slapped his thigh and said in annoyance, "Don't mess up the Tao Te Sect's water and land temple. If it is a wasted trip, I will be in big trouble."
The child curled his lips and said, "You are in big trouble!"
The old Taoist priest pretended to hit him and the child shrunk his neck.
After eating and drinking to their heart's content, they found out that Hsu Fengnian was also going to the northwest of the Aquarius State and would have a meal along the way. The three of them set off together and walked until dusk. It was still desolate and there was no place to stay. They could only use the sky as their blanket and the ground as their bed.
After lighting a bonfire, the child was tired and went to sleep early.
The old Taoist priest did not forget to say, "A foolish child does not know what is good or bad."
After that, Hsu Fengnian asked a few superficial questions about Taoism. He did not dare to ask too much as he was afraid of embarrassing Supervisor Luo.
The Taoist priest Luo Pingyang was hesitant. After making up his mind, he suddenly asked Hsu Fengnian, "There is something that I don't know if I should say it."
Hsu Fengnian smiled and said, "Say it, Supervisor Luo."
The Taoist priest gritted his teeth and said in a low voice, "When I was young, I learned the Qi Observation Technique from a Zhenren. Looking at your face, it seems that someone close to your family has gone there. It is either surnamed Song or Li. If possible, I advise you to return home. "
Hsu Fengnian was stunned and did not speak.
The old Taoist priest sighed and said, "I am not very accurate. If I say something bad, please do not blame me."
Hsu Fengnian nodded his head.
The old Taoist priest looked at this gentle young master facing the bonfire and his lips trembled slightly. The old Taoist priest could not bear to look anymore. After a long silence, he looked into the distance and muttered, "The wind and waves threaten me, I am swept away by the wind and waves. The mountain ghosts laugh loudly. The wind and waves far away from me, I am far away from the wind and waves. The stars fill the sky and people sleep. "
People sleep.
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