Records of Mysterious Things in the Southern Dynasties

Chapter 140 Senior Brother
When we entered, we found that the cave was already filled with Taoist priests holding weapons, with stern expressions and skinny bodies.

Obviously, the three uninvited guests made the Taoist priests, who were already frightened, even more nervous.

"Are they the three?" a tall and thin Taoist priest with a beard asked in a rough voice.

"Yes." Zhang Jingyi nodded and said, "The talisman just now was drawn by this little Taoist Qian. I will take him to see the master uncle."

"Okay." The bearded man asked again, "No one is following us, right?"

"Don't worry, no." Zhang Jingyi shook his head.

The bearded man then waved his hand, and the Taoists made way for them to pass through the cave.

After coming out of the cave, Ren Yuan and others saw the real Peach Blossom Spring, with flowers everywhere, fragrant rice fields, gurgling streams, and bamboos and stone bridges dotted around. It was as beautiful as a landscape painting, and was completely different from the fake one they had seen before.

The group followed the bluestone path and went deep into the Peach Blossom Spring. They saw Taoists everywhere in the fields, under the trees and on the bridges. It seemed that what the captive said was right. All the surviving Taoists in the world had come here.

Ren Yuan looked around and saw that everyone he could see was very thin, and there was not a single fat person to be seen.

"This is where fellow Taoists who have fled from all over the country gather. There are more than 800 people on the list." Taoist Priest Zhang understood what he meant and introduced in a low voice: "Including their wives, children and the elderly, there are almost 3,000 people. Although Taohuayuan is big, it can't support so many people. Alas, when the wealth brought by everyone is used up, I really don't know what to do."

Ren Yuan nodded and comforted him softly, "Don't worry about this problem, because a bigger trouble is coming."

"..." Zhang Jingyi's mouth twitched. This little Taoist friend's way of comforting people was really special.

At this time, the Taoist priests and their families who were working in the fields also stood up and greeted Ren Yuan and the other two.

"Are you new here?"

"What did you just shout about? It's urgent?"

Ren Yuan was about to answer, but Zhang Jingyi shook his head to stop him, and whispered, "I'll take you to see Master Uncle first."

"Okay." Ren Yuan followed him silently and climbed up the only hill in Taohuayuan.

There is a small and simple Taoist temple on the mountain, named "Shangqing Temple". It should have been built by Taoists using local materials after they came here.

After Ren Yuan offered incense to the Three Pure Ones, Zhang Jingyi led them to the back of the hall and to the door of a thatched cottage. Through the curtain, he respectfully reported:

"Master, I have brought three fellow Taoists here."

The curtain swayed slightly, and an old and weak voice came from inside: "Sorry to bother you, go and get busy first."

"Yes." Zhang Jingyi responded respectfully, quietly left and closed the gate.

"My fellow comrades, who taught you the art of talismans?" the old man then asked.

Ren Yuan was excited when he heard this and asked hurriedly, "Master Uncle and our master are from the same school?"

"Answer my question first." said the master.

"My kung fu was all taught by my senior sister." Ren Yuan said honestly.

"We are here to teach on behalf of our master." The elder sister explained hurriedly, "Master has given us permission."

"Is that so..." Master Uncle scanned with his mind and knew the level of Ren Yuan and A Yao. He sighed and said, "There are not many people in our sect, but those who know the art of talismans are not unique. Maybe one of your fellow disciples taught it to you." "Can you confirm which Taoist priest it was?" A Yao asked, "We have been looking for a master for a long time. Master Uncle, please be kind and help us."

"Okay." Although the master uncle had some difficulty speaking, he still took into account the friendship between fellow disciples and said: "Master will give each disciple of our sect a magic weapon, which can also be regarded as a token of trust."

Then he asked A Yao, "Does your master have any magic weapon?"

A Yao looked at Ren Yuan and saw him nod before answering, "Yes, yes, Master has a 'Youxian Pillow', which is very magical."

"What?!" The old man, who had been very weak, suddenly sat up. The bamboo curtains rustled without wind, and an unusually fat figure could be vaguely seen.

"Your master's magic weapon is the Youxian Pillow?!" The old man gasped and asked, "You didn't lie to me?!"

Seeing that the other party was very emotional, A Yao was unsure of his reaction, so Ren Yuan took over the conversation and said, "I'm not lying to you. The Youxian Pillow is in my hand now."

"Hurry, show it to me." The old man urged anxiously, with a hint of pleading.

Ren Yuan has already figured out the pros and cons. If the other party were to plot against his treasure, the Youxian Pillow would be a means of saving his life, because if others wanted to get on board now, they would have to rely on him to lead them.

As he said this, he flipped his hand and a stone pillow appeared in his palm that looked like jade but not jade, and like a boat but not a boat.

The rapid breathing in the room suddenly stagnated. After a long while, the old man finally let out a long sigh and said in a crying voice: "I never thought that before he died, You Yue could see Master's magic weapon again!"

"Master, are you sure?" Ren Yuan asked, "Do you need to take it in for a look?"

"No need." The old man shook his head, his voice becoming younger. "Junior brother, you don't know, this pillow is the master's favorite thing, but it is also a very hateful thing. When the brothers and sisters were learning the art, if anyone made a mistake during the day, he would be thrown on the boat and locked up at night. How can I admit my mistake?"

"So the uncle becomes the brother?" A Yao said in a low voice.

"Since Junior Sister has taken out Master's treasure, it is obvious that our teacher is the same person. If I am not your Senior Brother, then what am I?" The old Taoist priest laughed and said, "As for your Junior Brother, isn't he also my Junior Brother?"

"Are you sure we have the same master?" A Yao asked seriously, "I think my master is younger than you. He said it wasn't his master who passed the pillow to him."

"I am absolutely sure." The old Taoist priest said decisively: "Our master has great magical powers and can transform into many forms. It is normal for him to appear in the form of a child or a woman. Besides, he has already enjoyed eternal blessings and looks younger than me. What's so strange about that?"

After a pause, he continued, "Moreover, a treasure like the Youxian Pillow involves the greatest secret in the world. Master has already said that he will not give it to any of us. We will just wait for the person who is destined to take charge to appear."

"Is it so valuable?" Ah Yao couldn't help but exclaimed, "I always thought that Master left in a hurry and forgot to bring it."

"No one in this world can force Master into such an embarrassing situation." The old Taoist smiled proudly and said, "You thought he forgot to bring it, but you didn't know that he left it for you on purpose."

"Ah?" A Yao said embarrassedly, "I almost lost it."

"Almost lost, that means it's not lost yet." The old Taoist priest smiled rather mysteriously and said, "Destiny is like this, it is always determined by the result, not the process."

"I, I am the one who is destined to be there?" A Yao pointed at himself, feeling overwhelmed.

"Is the pillow in your hand now?" the old Taoist asked leisurely.

"I gave it to my junior brother..." A Yao shook his head and said, "He is still using it now."

"Am I the one who is supposed to be assigned the task?" Now it was Ren Yuan's turn to point at himself.

(End of this chapter)