The tinkling copper bells rang in the official road.
Heading east from Luoyang and across the Yellow River to the northeast, among the passing business travelers and pedestrians, an unusually strong green ox pulled an old carriage leisurely past, attracting many eyes.
Some business travelers also came up and asked the owner if he was willing to sell the cow to them, a few donkeys, and a hundred or so coins. The answer was that the old cow turned his head and sprayed them with spittle.
Chen Yuan smiled, handed over his hands and apologized to the business travelers who were slapping their saliva, and then continued on his way. At the same time, he told Lao Niu not to be so rude.
"As your knowledge grows, you should not be so reckless. If you are not careful and don't control the evil spirit, a little spit will make these people seriously ill when they return home."
"Who told them to think that I, the old cow, is easy to trade?"
"Weren't you also gifted to me by the Liu family back then? Besides, they only thought you were a green bull with an extremely good physique."
Lao Niu turned around and said in a voice that ordinary people could not hear: "That's different. At that time, Lao Niu couldn't be the master, and my spiritual awareness was not high. Only after following the master did I know more and more who I am and why I am here.
In this world, why do we have to live... How can we be like before?"
In response to this, Chen Yuan nodded approvingly. Those words just now were actually intended to be like that. It can be seen that the old cow who has lived alone in the valley for many years has absorbed the aura of the mountains. Not only has his spiritual practice improved, but his self-understanding has also improved.
New understanding.
"If you think so, you can see that you have worked hard over the years."
After being praised, the old cow was like a child, with its tail swaying excitedly.
"Master, I, the old cow, will be even more powerful, as powerful as Ah Pong in the underworld!"
"It's just as powerful. I'm afraid I'll have to go to the underworld to kill him."
A fat Taoist with a Taoist boy on the side of the road interjected. He took Sun Yingxian and ran to the nearby fields from time to time. From time to time, he dug out some game meat from the mud, washed it in the ditch and stuffed it into yellow cloth bags, and then came back.
"What are you doing with your apprentice over there?" This was not the first time Chen Yuan saw him doing this. It was the same way before when he came to Luoyang. Now that he was free, he thought of asking him.
The fat Taoist threw his apprentice into the carriage, sat down with Chen Yuan, crossed his legs, and patted the bag with a smile.
"Teach this stupid disciple how to find food outside. As a practitioner, you travel all over the world and you may not meet other people in the wilderness. If you don't learn how, won't you be hungry in the future?"
Chen Yuan couldn't help but laugh and said: "You are so old, but you want to think so far."
"Seven years old, not too young. In a few years, when he turns thirteen, let him go out on his own. I will also be messing around at the age of thirteen... I was noticed by the Tianshi Mansion and entered the mountain gate to become what I am now.
Such success."
Chen Yuan suppressed a smile and did not expose Lao Sun's nonsense. After all, he was setting an example for his disciples. If he exposed Lao Sun's lies, it would be a loss of face for him and make the Taoist boy look down on him. It would not be a decent thing.
Learn from it.
The setting sun swept over the western clouds like a tide, and the mountains were dyed a bright red.
After walking all the way, we have entered the border of Hebei. The official road cannot be walked. The Wei army marches south, and the road is full of scouts and light cavalry who are clearing the road.
At this time, Chen Yuan asked Lao Niu to go to the nearby mountain path, but it was not that smooth, and he often encountered groups of nearby people fleeing the war.
In the event of a war, soldiers passing through the border, whether they are the enemy or their own army, sometimes go to nearby villages to collect food. When encountering a shortage of soldiers, they will also force strong men to join the army to serve as pawns or laborers. The lessons passed down from generation to generation will usually be used.
Hide in the mountains and wait for the army to pass or the war to end.
When the unfamiliar oxcart came, many huts had been built here, and there were traces of human habitation in the nearby caves. It was obvious that they had been living here for several days.
The nearby villagers gathered in the cave on the mountainside looked at them with vigilance. The men were holding hoes and hatchets, protecting their belongings, as well as women, children and the elderly. The women hugged their children and shrank inside. The old man sat on the stone, with his belly exposed and his eyes
sluggish.
The tense atmosphere relaxed after seeing a middle-aged man dressed as a teacher, a chubby old Taoist priest, and a little Taoist boy sitting on the bullock cart.
"this
Sir, and the Taoist Priest, don’t be afraid, we are not bandits, we are all common people from nearby villages."
The old man in the village saw the bullock cart coming from outside, and was helped by the villager Qing Xiang to come to the cart to inquire about the situation. "The three of you are also avoiding trouble? We have been in the mountains for several days. We don't know the situation outside. Have the troops already passed by?"
"
"I'm not very clear about this. I just saw a lot of military light cavalry going around. I was worried about an accident, so I chose this mountain road."
Chen Yuan stopped the bullock cart, returned the gift with his hand, and looked around. Most of the figures he saw were in coarse linen clothes, with panic-stricken expressions, and with the food on their faces, he could tell that they were from nearby villages.
"Oh, what a world." The old man in the village sighed when he heard that Qingqi was wandering outside, "I just want to end it as soon as possible, you three. It's getting late, and the mountain road ahead is difficult. If you don't mind,
, just spend the night with us here, it won’t be too late to leave at dawn tomorrow.”
It is indeed dangerous to drive on the mountain road at night, but for Chen Yuan and his party, it is not difficult at all. However, seeing that everyone looked sad and anxious, and staying overnight, it was necessary to protect their safety.
Then he nodded, Chen Yuan smiled and thanked: "Then thank the old man for taking me in."
After saying that, he ordered the fat Taoist to park the oxcart beside him, but he did not take out the iron pot. It was rusty from not being used for many years, so it would be a joke to take it out.
The people in these villagers are simple and enthusiastic, and a few families share a little food, which is enough for Chen Yuan and the three of them to deal with.
Wow~Wow~
Late at night, the old crow in the forest made several ominous calls.
However, there was no uneasiness here as before. The fat Taoist used his familiar temperament and led a group of villagers to brag, which made the village men who had never seen much of the world stunned.
Chen Yuan listened to the boastful words over there, sat by the fire and stretched out his hand to warm himself. In the corner of his eye, there was a small figure standing next to him. It was a little girl with a dirty face and two pigtails. She was curious.
Look over here.
"Sir, do you teach people how to read?"
"Well...yes." Chen Yuan thought for a moment and nodded.
"Then can you tell stories?" The little girl was not timid at all. "My mother said that anyone who can read can tell stories, and they can tell them very nicely."
"Xiaoju."
A woman came over quickly, patted the child's arm reproachfully, and pulled the little girl back: "Don't disturb your husband's thoughts."
"No, I quite like her."
Chen Yuan smiled and raised his hand to stop the woman's movement, "I can indeed tell stories, and I can also tell many nice things. What do you want to hear?"
The little girl thought for a moment and shook her head.
"Then do you know what your husband does?" Chen Yuan started by asking the little girl with a smile. The latter responded quickly and answered abruptly: "Don't you teach people to read, sir?"
"Only half true."
Chen Yuan smiled and continued: "Sir, you are actually a god. Have you seen the moon?"
The little girl raised her head blankly, followed the direction she was pointing, and saw the crescent moon in the night sky behind the gap in the forest. The nearby women, old people, and some young men also subconsciously raised their heads.
"What happened to the moon?" the little girl asked curiously.
"I actually specialize in cultivating the moon."
Chen Yuan raised her head and told a story in a gentle tone about flying into the sky and repairing the moon.
Sparks were rising from the bonfire, and the peaceful and interesting stories seemed to have the power to soothe people's uneasiness. The surrounding villagers gradually quieted down, immersed in the tranquility, and listened to the words of the teacher.