Wan Jian returns to his clan!

Chapter 49 Pine and Crane Song

"Girl, let's go."

An impatient, aged voice came from behind.

"Here you are, here you are, Grandpa Taoist. The mountain scenery is so beautiful. Why are you in such a hurry to drink while enjoying the mountain breeze?"

"What's so great about the scenery? Besides, this mountain has a bit of bad luck about it. I'm afraid staying here too long will diminish my good fortune."

The old man spoke in a rather sarcastic tone.

It's a bit uncomfortable to hear.

Lu Wubing felt a slight stirring in his heart, sensing that the old man was implying something, but he didn't take it to heart.

He was just watching the old man and the child bicker with a smile when he suddenly noticed something and took a closer look at the old man.

This person had white hair and beard, a ruddy complexion, and was in good spirits; it was impossible to tell how old he was.

His clothes were tattered and covered with black and yellow stains.

They are not clean at all.

Like an ordinary beggar you might occasionally encounter in the marketplace, someone who has nothing to eat or wear...

Although his life was a complete mess, he was cheerful all the time. He wasn't sad when he was hungry, and if he managed to beg for money, he would even sneak a sip of alcohol.

Ordinary people are all learning to reconcile with life.

Since we can't change anything, we should learn to enjoy it.

Anyway, life is a journey, whether you're happy or suffering...

This is exactly what Lu Wubing saw in this old man.

But here's the thing.

Something's really wrong...

If they met on the street, Lu Wubing was certain he wouldn't give him a second glance.

However, seeing Ji Wenxiu while following her and knowing that this "Master Qingyun" was a rare and highly skilled person, this situation was very abnormal.

It's worth noting that he's seen quite a few people along the way, from ordinary peddlers to renowned masters, and even military commanders and powerful figures in the underworld...

Each of them possesses a temperament befitting their status.

Whether it's an amazing physique or a vast and powerful aura...

Even if you can't see much of their background, you can still sense deep down that they're not someone to mess with.

The disheveled Taoist priest in front of him didn't give him that feeling.

If he hadn't seen this person standing right in front of him, he would have almost thought that this person wasn't even there.

At first glance, he appears to be an ordinary, down-on-his-luck old man, so ordinary that he couldn't be more so.

Looking again, the other party seemed to be hidden in the deep mountains and clouds, and could not be clearly seen.

"Hmm, the little guy has quite the keen eye. He was able to detect the old man's extraordinary abilities?"

A glint of light seemed to flash in the old man's eyes, and he smiled broadly, saying, "Your body is as weak as an infant, but your spirit is as strong as fire. Good heavens, you're rushing headlong towards the Bridge of Helplessness..."

"Grandpa Daoist, you're talking nonsense again. Senior Brother Lu is in good health. Isn't it good that he has a strong spirit? He's energetic and learns everything quickly."

Ji Wenxiu's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this, and she said with great dissatisfaction.

"Girl, you don't understand. Since ancient times, deep affection has been short-lived, and extreme intelligence has been harmful. Everything should have its limits... Think about it, how many of those child prodigies who became famous at a very young age had a good ending?"

Most of them are physically weak and sickly. Some say it's because the heavens are jealous, but that's nonsense... It's really just an imbalance between spirit and body; the soul is too strong, so life is short!

"That's strange. This kid doesn't seem to be born with a strong soul. His spirit and body seem to be somewhat incompatible."

In such a situation, one must either experience a major upheaval, attain sudden enlightenment and wisdom, or perhaps…

The old Taoist priest became increasingly puzzled as he looked at the statue, clearly intrigued.

"Grandpa Daoist, you can see the problem, surely you have a way to solve it?" Ji Wenxiu asked anxiously upon hearing this.

Lu Wubing thought to himself that grass was a plant.

The old Taoist priest had incredibly sharp eyesight; with just one glance, he was able to discern clues about his past and present awakenings.

He himself actually found it a bit hard to understand.

You say that the memories and spirit of this life are still there, the spiritual memories of the previous life are superimposed, and the experiences and life of the two lives are combined. How can this soul not be strong?
It's understandable that it doesn't quite fit with the body.

The human body contains various life imprints, which often grow in harmony with the spirit. No matter how well the physical body in this life aligns with the spirit of the previous life, there will always be some incongruity.

Hearing Ji Wenxiu's words, the old Taoist priest glanced at Tianxing Peak with disdain and shook his head: "How dare I, a shabby old Taoist, presume to instruct the disciples and grand-disciples of that old man Hunyuan? Back then, that fellow was quite ruthless..."

"A jar of pear blossom wine, brewed using an ancient recipe from a thousand years ago."

Ji Wenxiu directly stated the terms.

"Gudong!"

The old Taoist priest's Adam's apple bobbed, but he forcibly suppressed the urge to swallow and still shook his head: "Three jars, not one less, and they must be pears planted in the first month of the lunar calendar fifteen years ago."

"Grandpa Taoist priest, do you know that I smashed seven jars of pear blossom wine?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Ji Wenxiu's eyes.

When she was chosen for a marriage alliance, she went to the palace to beg her father to rescind the order, but she couldn't even see him.

Those people hurriedly prepared the dowry and carriages, and set off immediately.

She was essentially forced to leave Beijing.

Feeling wronged, she dug up the ten jars of pear blossom wine that her mother had buried fifteen years ago and smashed seven of them. She was too exhausted from crying to continue and fell asleep while waiting for the remaining three jars.

It's unclear whether it was later buried again.

The old Taoist priest knew all about these things... and even specifically pointed out the three altars.

Could it be that he was watching from the sidelines that day?

But why doesn't he take action?
"How would I know?"

The old Taoist priest rolled his eyes, then exclaimed with delight, "Could it be that there are seven more jars? I'll take them all!"

"Keep pretending," Ji Wenxiu said coldly. "There are only three jars left. Take it or leave it."

"Three jars it is, no take-backs."

He finalized a deal, immediately becoming friendly and amiable, and looked at Lu Wubing, clicking his tongue twice.

"If the old man Hunyuan were still here, you would be a genius who could question the heavens and the earth with your talent."

Unfortunately, the current Heavenly Star Sect is like shallow water that cannot nurture dragons; it's a waste to have that fool Ouyang Zheng as a disciple.

The old Taoist priest had a sharp tongue.

Every three sentences he utters include a scathing critique of the Heavenly Star Sect.

It's unclear whether he has a grudge against the Primordial Ancestor.

Could it be that the original Hunyuan Ancestor killed his master and destroyed his sect?

That's a difficult question to ask.

It can only be said that the sharp-tongued person is kept in check by the foul-mouthed girl; the two are each good at their own thing.

No one benefited.

Lu Wubing didn't care whether the other person's words were pleasant or not; he just listened attentively...

The old Taoist priest is about to reveal some real knowledge; we can't miss it.

The opportunity was obtained by exchanging three jars of wine from Junior Sister Wenxiu; it's unclear what kind of fine wine it was.

"Young man, I will only teach this 'Pine and Crane Melody' once. Whether you can master it depends on your own fate."

As he spoke, the old Taoist priest released the reins of the donkey, assumed a stance, bent and straightened his legs, and slightly stretched his arms.

Even though he was just making a simple gesture, the old Taoist's aura changed, and in Lu Wubing's eyes, he appeared completely different.

Before me was no longer a person, but a thousand-year-old pine tree, possessing the profound weight of enduring wind and snow, standing firm and unshaken.

When he looked closer, it seemed as if he saw a crane with its wings folded, soaring into the sky.

The cries of cranes still echoed in my ears, and white shadows blurred in my vision.

The cranes and the ancient pines have all vanished.

There was only a white-haired old man in tattered clothes standing there, striking an extremely ridiculous pose.

……

(End of this chapter)