The Great Way to Truth, Starting from Jiazi Laodao

Chapter 202 Half a Year Later, What Happened in Fuyao County
Fuyao County.

Located in the north of Fengyang County.

The area is vast, sparsely populated, the soil is fertile, and there is wind all year round.

It is one of the three northeastern counties of the Great Xuan Divine Dynasty.

Following the travelers heading north, a pair of master and disciple slowly stepped into this county. They were Xuanming and Li Zizai.

By early autumn, they had been away from Fengyang County for half a year, sometimes taking narrow paths and sometimes taking wide official roads.

I have lived in the open air and stayed in village houses.

It has endured wind, rain, frost, snow and hail.

After reasoning with the bandits, they changed their ways.

He delivered the baby to the pregnant woman and saved both mother and child.

He has killed murderous demons, saved children who fell into the water, accepted drinks from merchants, and even been accepted by poorer beggars.

I have been warmly received by simple farmers, but the price was a day of plowing the fields with a donkey pulling a millstone; I have also been chased by the village dogs.

If they stop after chasing for a while, it's fine. But if they keep chasing, Xuanming will grant them a chance because of their perseverance and use them to offer sacrifice to his internal organs.

If you let others eat it, it will be a waste of money even if they eat it.

Letting him eat is a blessing.

Occasionally when they passed through a city, they would buy some dry food, stop for a short time, appreciate the local specialties, and then continue on their way.

After carrying the heavy load for half a year, Li Zizai's load became heavier and heavier, and he became thinner and thinner, but he gained a lot.

The strength is increasing and the bones are becoming stronger.

Also, because he was exhausted every day, he would fall asleep as soon as he was tired or be distracted by other things, which consumed his energy. As a result, his desire for the 100-day barrier was greatly reduced. He passed the difficult period without any danger and entered the third level of essence training.

When he entered Fuyao County, Li Zizai had lost 20 kilograms. The outline of muscles was faintly visible on his fair skin that never tanned, and his figure began to slim down. Even in tattered clothes, his beauty could not be concealed.

He just doesn't like reading, which gives Xuanming a headache.

The sun is scorching, and although the hot summer has gone, its power remains.

Walking along the roadside, the wheat waves and rice fields are golden and brilliant. Occasionally, a hot breeze blows, and the golden waves gently roll, bringing bursts of grass and wood fragrance, which is the breath of harvest.

On both sides of the official road, the outlines of villages of varying sizes can be seen, nestled among vast farmlands, with occasional sounds of chickens crowing and dogs barking.

Half a day later, the master and the apprentice arrived in front of a city:
Zhaoqiu City means a good harvest.

The city has high walls and thick gates, and it is majestic and full of the weight of time and vicissitudes of life.

This is the external gateway of Fuyao County and the second city after the county seat. It is well connected, crowded with merchants and has prosperous trade. The city was established much earlier than Fengyang County.

---

As you step into the city, the smell of fireworks hits you in the face.

The sounds of vendors hawking, people talking, children playing, wheels rolling, and waiters soliciting customers can be heard one after another.

"Noodles! Xiangyu noodles! Delicious and affordable!"

"Sticky bean buns! Fengxian sticky bean buns, fragrant and white, soft and delicious. If they are not soft, they are free."

"One, two, three, four, five, go up the mountain to fight tigers..."

Xuanming led the donkey slowly, seemingly admiring the scenery on both sides, but in fact his attention was on a pair of middle-aged women, and his ears pricked up quietly.

"Have you heard? Mr. Zhen from the east city was found dead in his stepson's bed by his servants this morning. I heard that he died because of something."

"Oh my! That old man must be seventy years old this year. He is so shameless and has a lot of fun!"

"More than that! I am too embarrassed to tell you. I know about this because I have a relative working in the Zhen Mansion. Since we have a good relationship, I am willing to tell you. Please don't tell anyone else."

"Don't worry, I'm the most tight-lipped one!"

Just when they were at the critical point, Li Zizai's voice came: "Master, why did you stop?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the two women stopped talking and turned to look at Xuanming, their eyes filled with murderous intent.

After coughing lightly, Xuanming explained calmly, "It's nothing. I'm just tired and need to take a rest."

As he spoke he walked towards the destination.

Li Zi had a suspicious look on his face, feeling that things were not that simple. After he couldn't figure it out, he didn't want to think about it anymore, so he took a few quick steps and caught up.

Xuanming walked with a look of regret as he led the donkey.

Especially when he heard the two women talking again behind him, their voices were a little high because of their excitement, and they said things like "Really?", "I really want to raise one but I can't", "Rich families really know how to have fun", he became even more itchy.

Even so, Xuanming did not use his magic power. Since leaving Fengyang County, he and Li Zizai have agreed that unless they encounter extraordinary things, they should not use their magic power easily, and should travel the world like ordinary people, and try to solve problems with ordinary people's methods, and convince others with reason in emergency situations.

Just like what Zi Yu said.

Only by becoming a fish can you know the joy of a fish.

Only by truly regarding oneself as a mortal, psychologically suggesting to oneself that one is a mortal, and gradually acquiring the seven emotions and six desires of a mortal, can one truly penetrate into the world of mortals and achieve the greatest effect in refining the mind.

Curiosity and gossip are human desires.

The secrets of wealthy families have always attracted attention. If a little color is added, it will arouse even more curiosity and increase desire.

Learning to regret, accept regret, not forcing things when they cannot be done, and suppressing this desire are all part of worldly spiritual practice.

In order to divert his attention, Xuanming began to observe his surroundings and found that things here were generally larger, the streets were wider, the shops along the streets were taller, the snacks were larger in portion, the candied haws and sugar figurines were also larger, the men and women were taller, with larger frames, and even their voices were louder.

This reminded Xuanming of the Far East in his previous life, and there were many similarities.

Li Zizai was also overwhelmed by what he saw. This time traveling with his master, he really broadened his horizons. He saw different new things, experienced the customs and cultures of different places, and went through all kinds of things. He felt that his mind was more mature and his will was stronger.

---

The master and the disciple walked and watched.

People walking on the street avoided them.

Although they did not have any peculiar body odor, some young girls still felt that they smelled a bad odor, and either covered their nostrils with handkerchiefs or shook their handkerchiefs in an exaggerated manner with a look of disgust on their faces.

Xuanming turned a blind eye with a calm expression.

Li Zizai was already used to it, and unlike his violent reaction in Fengyang County, he just glanced at the young girls, snorted, and showed sarcasm.

He didn’t understand before why his master said that to get to know people and make friends, the most important thing is to observe their hearts; after traveling for half a year, he understood.

Some people are beautiful but have a vicious heart, while some people are ugly but have a kind heart.

But people in the world are ignorant and have mortal eyes.

When meeting someone for the first time, you can only respect Luo Shang first and then respect the person.

This is the bad nature of living beings.

Yue Lai Restaurant.

Waves of fragrance linger around your nose.

The master and his disciple stopped and were about to go in for a hearty meal, but before they even stepped over the threshold, they were driven away by the waiter.

"Go, go, go! Go somewhere else! This is not the place for you."

Li Zizai glanced at Xuanming, who nodded.

After getting permission, he immediately stepped forward and was about to take out silver from his sleeve when a figure walked out.

He was about twenty-five years old, wearing a blue satin brocade robe, eight feet tall, handsome, fair skin, and outstanding temperament.

Judging from appearance alone, he stands out from the crowd.

He scolded the waiter harshly:
"You are such a dog that looks down on people. Have I ever told you not to judge people by their appearance? No matter if they are royal nobles or poor common people, everyone is a guest to my Yuelai Inn.

If there is a next time, you don’t have to come.”

The waiter turned pale instantly and quickly bent down to apologize with a humble and fearful attitude.

The young man in brocade clothes bowed his hands in apology and said gently:

"My name is Xu Youshan, the owner of Yuelai Inn. My subordinates are ignorant and neglected the two guests. To express my apology, I will host you today and invite you to taste the eight great dishes of Fuyao County."

Xuanming and Li Zizai did not refuse.

Only a fool would not take advantage of an opportunity.

Anyway, they didn't force him to treat them.

It is a good idea not to hit a smiling person. For the sake of the free lunch, the two Taoists agreed and handed the donkey to the care of the waiter. At Xu Youshan's warm invitation, the master walked into Yuelai Inn and went up to the private room on the second floor.

Of course, Xuanming also wanted to see what the innkeeper was planning.

When a store opens a business, profit is the most important thing. When faced with such a situation, ordinary owners will usually give a dish as a gift, and it would be very conscientious if they could give a discount.

Although the master and disciple were described as down-and-out, Xu Youshan was willing to spend more money to treat them to a banquet to apologize. Either he was a man of outstanding character, or he had other motives.

Xuanming did not open his Dharma Eyes to check on Xu Youshan because he felt it was unnecessary. If he knew everything at a glance, what would be the point of traveling?

(End of this chapter)