Feeling relieved after the breakthrough, Zhang Rongfang fell asleep.
Early the next morning.
He did not do morning classes with other disciples, but went to the dormitory, which is the place where various affairs of the disciples are managed and arranged.
Deacon Yi Wenxiu arranged for him to go down the mountain to the county.
The deacon's surname is Xu and his given name is Zhongchun. He is a chubby old Taoist priest who wears a pair of black-rimmed glasses.
The glasses have no temples, but are tied with a rope around the back and the hair in a bun.
Zhang Rongfang was not surprised. This great spirit was similar to the ancient China he knew in his previous life in many ways.
It’s normal to have glasses.
"Master Nephew Zhang, we have stationed three martial arts cultivators at Qinghe Temple in Huaxin County, and the leader is Master Nephew Li Heng.
In the past, you followed Li Heng's arrangements for everything. If you have any miscellaneous personal matters, you can ask Li Heng for advice.
In addition, the specific departure time is within today.
There are many wild animals in the mountains and forests, so it is best not to take side roads along the way and take more official roads to avoid danger.
This is a dry food package for you."
Xu Zhongchun handed over a small, gray package with a smile.
"Thank you, Uncle Xu, for reminding me." Zhang Rongfang quickly took it and nodded in salute.
The etiquette here must be in place, otherwise something might happen if you make the slightest mistake.
"This time, nephew Zhang, you are going to lead a team of three people, all of whom are on duty in the county. Here is your ultimatum, take it."
Xu Zhongchun handed over a small book made of leather paper, with a lot of content written in small characters on it.
Such as name, place of origin, Taoist registration, where you have been, and every place you go has a seal left, as well as information such as the place where the ultimatum was issued.
This is the ancient passport.
Zhang Rongfang took it carefully.
Without this thing, no one in Daling is allowed to enter the city. So it must be kept carefully.
After going out and meeting the other three people who set off together, Zhang Rongfang took his luggage and went to his master Zhang Xuan to say goodbye to his master and brother, and then slowly walked out from the Qinghe Palace Mountain Gate.
The group of four walked several hundred meters when Zhang Rongfang suddenly turned back and looked at the three-hole gate of Qinghe Palace.
The three holes in the Taoist mountain gate symbolize the three realms, namely Tai Chi, Wuji and the present world.
Stepping into the mountain gate means stepping out of the three realms.
The so-called jumping out of the three realms and not in the five elements refers to the three realms.
At this time, Zhang Rongfang looked back and looked at the peaceful buildings of Qinghe Palace, feeling inexplicably that he was about to leave.
Qinghe Palace was his real haven when he came to this world, his first place to stay and hide from the rain.
Now I finally have to step out of here, step out of this comfort zone, and step into the real Great Spirit.
This time he is stationed in Huaxin County. According to the rules, he must stay away for at least one year before he can return in rotation.
One year....
"Senior brother?" The voices of other Taoists came from behind.
Zhang Rongfang came to his senses.
"Let's go."
He turned around and looked at the endless sea of mountains, forests and trees in front of him. Feeling the abundant strength and physical energy brought about by his new breakthrough, he no longer had any fear in his heart and strode forward.
*
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*
"Golden broad beans are crispy and fragrant. After eating a handful, your mouth will be full of flavor!"
"Cooked duck eggs, five cents each, oily and delicious!"
"It's mending leather boots. It's fifteen cents a time. The craftsmanship is so good that it won't leave any scars."
“Hong Kee has the best lamp oil, sesame oil, fish oil, fragrant fruit oil, tung oil, everything is available!”
In the lively market, there is a huge flow of people, and the vendors carrying burdens are shouting as they walk.
The clerks in front of the shops were all showing off their skills, shouting and selling.
There were acrobats in front of the restaurant, attracting many passers-by to stop and watch.
Some people who were tired from standing naturally went upstairs to order something to eat and drink, and watched while eating.
In front of the discounted fruit stalls, farmers in rough clothes can roll up their sleeves and buy a few toothpastes.
The lady from a wealthy family, escorted by maids and servants, slowly walked in and out of perfume shops and silk and satin shops.
There were groups of young men and women wearing rounded hats and long coats, some chatting and laughing, talking loudly, and foaming at the mouth.
Some of them clasped their hands slowly, their eyes wandering wildly.
Others suddenly met acquaintances and stopped to greet them.
"Hey, senior brother, come and see what is in front of this clothing store?"
On the market street, four figures wearing blue Taoist robes from the Qinghe Palace were slowly walking in along with the flow of people.
Among them, the one walking at the front was Zhang Rongfang, who had grown to 1.78 meters tall and had a strong and well-proportioned figure.
He was wearing the blue Taoist robe of a practicing disciple, a white mandarin jacket, and a large gray cloth package on his back. His long hair was stuck in a bun with a copper crescent moon.
Compared with before, his skin color is slightly whiter, and has gone from being dark to normal.
Hearing the question behind him, he looked back.
The one who spoke was junior sister Du Jiu.
Because she is the youngest, everyone calls her Xiaojiu.
Xiao Jiu has a lively and cheerful personality, but is also quite sensible and reasonable. Therefore, although her appearance and figure are not very good, she can liven up the atmosphere on the road.
"What?" Zhang Rongfang looked in the direction Du Jiu pointed.
In front of the door of a clothing store named Li Ji, there are vertical wooden boards with a sentence written on each board.
The first block reads: 'Don't ask about your future.'
The second piece is: 'Just ask about clothes.'
The third piece: 'Disheveled.'
The fourth block: 'The future is not sincere.'
Block 5: 'Copying competition, the best person can enter the store with a 20% discount.'
The handwriting is like a dragon and a snake, which is quite beautiful.
"Twenty percent off...! Here... why don't we also participate?" Xiao Jiu was a little excited.
Taoist priests do not have to wear Taoist robes all the time. Some relatively plain dresses are also acceptable.
"It's better to go and stay in the Taoist temple first." Another male disciple said in a deep voice, more calmly.
"Okay... then I'll remember it later and try it myself! I think my handwriting is pretty good." Jiu'er was very interested.
"Which of you has been to Qinghe Temple? I have been to the county, but I have never been to the Taoist temple here." Zhang Rongfang frowned.
Including Jiu'er, all three of them shook their heads.
But a few people didn't pay attention. While they were talking, the waiter waiting in the clothing store nearby rolled his eyes slightly and listened intently.
Hearing that they were looking for Qinghe Guan, the man remained motionless and pretended to sit in front of the door and doze off.
It wasn't until Zhang Rongfang and the others slowly walked away that he raised his head and quickly turned around and entered the store.
Not long after, another little girl walked out of the clothing store and ran quickly to an alley next door.
There are people from the Mi Gang in many shops on this street. If you go there late, you won't get the reward.
Half an hour later, Zhang Rongfang and his party finally found the location of Qinghe Temple.
After several people handed over the task, several Taoists who were on duty in the temple packed their bags and left with some reluctance.
The master of the temple, Li Heng, is young and strong. He is a second-grade martial arts cultivator. He is now in his early thirties and has a big belly.
After he arranged for Zhang Rongfang and others to live, he waved his hand and asked them to act on their own, leaving the Taoist temple in charge of a few people.
He himself left the Taoist temple in a hurry and disappeared without a trace.
Zhang Rongfang didn't care either. Li Heng smelled of alcohol when he met him. He probably went to either a wine shop or a restaurant, or went to Goulan.
Taoism does not have as many taboos as Buddhism. After staying in the bustling Huaxin County for so long, Li Heng has already become a local snake.
Judging from his chubby figure, he is said to be of the second grade, but if he really takes action, he may not even be as good as the first grade.
He settled down the few people who came with him and walked around the small Taoist temple.
Qinghe Temple is very simple, with a square structure, a main hall, about ten side rooms, a small space in front of the hall for placing incense burners, and then the main gate.
Overall, it is the smallest courtyard house.
In the entire Taoist temple, apart from a few of them, there were only the temple owner, Li Heng, and two sweepers.
After packing his things, bed, etc., Zhang Rongfang took the letter of instructions from his senior brother Zhang Xintai, left the Taoist temple, and went out to find a place to live with his sister-in-law Yang Hongyan.
*
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Inside the Qinghe Palace.
Zhang Xuan sat cross-legged on the futon and dozed off in the sunshine in the backyard.
Two sparrows were jumping back and forth on the opposite wall, chirping, making him a little dissatisfied.
"Dad, daddy?"
Zhang Xintai walked into the backyard excitedly, with a smile on his face.
"I'm going to the county tomorrow. I agreed with Yanzi last time that I would accompany her to the mountain market."
"What is there to see in the mountain city?" Zhang Xuan didn't want to stay alone in the mountain, and was a little dissatisfied.
"They're all sluts, haven't you never seen them before?"
"Isn't it time to get engaged soon? I also plan to give something to my father-in-law and mother-in-law." Zhang Xintai was very excited.
"The Chen family's affairs have just been settled. The county's affairs have not been finished yet. Why are you so anxious?" Zhang Xuan curled his lips and tilted his head, not wanting to look at his son.
"With Chen Baihu watching over there, Mi Bang is probably in a hurry and has no time to pay attention to us." Zhang Xintai said nonchalantly.
"Besides, if the Chen family wants revenge, they should go to the Prison Prison themselves. What does it have to do with us?"
"You kid... OK, OK, go, be careful on the road. Remember to bring that thing with you." Zhang Xuan couldn't resist his son, so he could only wave his hand.
"Just let me, an old man, stay alone in this deserted attic and wait for death."
"...Um." Zhang Xintai's face froze. "Dad, don't you want me to have a few fat boys as soon as possible?"
"Well..." Zhang Xuan muttered, "This is...you kid, this is the way it is in this life, why not give birth to a few more, train them for me, and strengthen the family! Go, go
Come on, get out of here!"
"Yes!" Zhang Xintai suddenly smiled, turned around and quickly packed up his things.
"By the way, dad, don't forget the engagement time, you have to be there together." He ran far away, and his voice came back far away.
"I know, I'll be there on the first day of February for sure."
Zhang Xuan calculated the time. Today is only ten days away from the first day of next month...
well...
He sighed. He was going to lose money again...
*
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Huaxin County is divided into four districts, which are named after the four directions: east, west, north and south.
Each district has more than a dozen streets and hundreds of houses.
Qinghe Temple is located in the East District, while Yang Hongyan's residence is in the West District and needs to pass through the center of the county.
Zhang Rongfang asked around and finally found Yang Hongyan's sister-in-law's house before the sun went down.
After delivering the letter, he breathed a sigh of relief and hurried back slowly.
Under the setting sun, among the rows of bungalows throughout Huaxin County, there are occasionally one or two multi-story buildings, all bathed in red light.
Zhang Rongfang tightened his robe and walked straight along the wall of a wealthy family.
A bullock cart was slowly passing by on the left, and the driver was cracking his whip continuously. There was still a piece of cow dung on the passing ground that had been trampled by the cow's hooves.
Zhang Rongfang wrinkled his nose and quickened his pace, trying to avoid the smell of cow dung.
After just a few steps, at the end of the wall ahead, at the right turn of the road, a few dark-skinned men with sleeves rolled up quietly appeared.
These people's eyes were bright and they were all staring at this side.
Zhang Rongfang paused, quickly turned his head and glanced.
Sure enough, several people came out from behind, holding strong wooden sticks in their hands and staring eagerly.
Although they were just sticks, the ones those people were holding were at least as thick as forearms. If they were really hit, their bones would probably be broken.