Sword Arrives

Thus, during festivals, the townspeople were willing to spend ten copper coins just for a good omen. But if they were truly troubled, no one would willingly come here to be taken for a fool. To call this Taoist a complete fraud would be unfair. The town wasn't that large, and if he were only capable of deceit and trickery, he would have been chased out long ago So, this young Taoist's skills didn't lie in fortune-telling through facial analysis or interpreting fortune sticks. Interestingly, many people who suffered from minor ailments or misfortunes found quick relief after drinking a bowl of water infused with talismans prepared by the Taoist, which proved quite effective.

The young Taoist shook his head and said, "I conduct my business honestly, without deceiving anyone. We agreed on five copper coins for interpreting the fortune stick and writing the talisman together."

Chen Ping'an whispered, "It's three copper coins."

The Taoist laughed, "But if you draw the best possible stick, it would indeed be five copper coins."

Determined, Chen Ping'an reached out to pick up the lot pot and suddenly looked up, asking, "How did you know I had exactly five copper coins on me?"

The Taoist sat upright and said, "I'm very accurate in judging a person's fortune and wealth."

Chen Ping'an pondered for a moment, then picked up the lot pot.

The Taoist smiled and said, "Youngster, don't be nervous. Whatever is meant to be will be, and whatever is not meant to be should not be forced. Approaching unexpected events with a calm mindset is the best way to handle them."

Chen Ping'an placed the lot pot back on the table with a serious expression and asked, "Taoist, I'll give you all five copper coins without drawing a stick. Could you please write the talisman better than usual?"

The Taoist smiled as usual, thought briefly, and nodded, "Alright."

On the table, ink, brush, inkstone, and paper were already prepared. The Taoist carefully inquired about Chen Ping'an's parents' names, hometowns, and birthdates, then pulled out a sheet of yellow paper and swiftly wrote something on it in one fluid motion.

As for what was written on the talisman, Chen Ping'an had no idea.

After setting down the brush and picking up the talisman, the young Taoist blew on the ink to dry it. "Take this home and stand inside the doorway while burning the talisman outside it," he instructed.

Chen Ping'an solemnly received the talisman, carefully storing it away, and did not forget to place the five copper coins on the table before bowing to express his gratitude.

The young Taoist waved his hand, signaling for the boy to go about his business.

Chen Ping'an dashed off to deliver the last letter.

The Taoist lazily leaned back in his chair, glanced at the copper coins, and bent down to gather them.

Just then, a small and delicate goldfinch flew down from the sky and lightly pecked at one of the copper coins. Soon losing interest, it flapped its wings and flew away.

"The goldfinch intended to pick a flower, but the peach blossoms in your garden have yet to bloom."

After reciting the verse leisurely, the Taoist flicked his sleeve lightly and sighed, "One's fate is predetermined; one shouldn't seek more than one's due."

With that flick of his sleeve, two bamboo sticks slipped out and fell to the ground. The Taoist exclaimed, "Ouch!" and quickly picked them up. He glanced around surreptitiously, relieved to find no one paying attention, before hiding the sticks back in his loose sleeves.

The young Taoist cleared his throat, straightened his face, and resumed his wait-and-see approach, waiting for the next customer.

He couldn't help but feel that it was indeed easier to earn money from women.

In fact, the two bamboo sticks hidden in the young Taoist's sleeves were the best possible omen and the worst possible omen, both designed to earn him substantial sums of money.

A secret not meant for outsiders to know.

Unaware of these subtle tricks, Chen Ping'an walked lightly all the way to the outskirts of the village school, where a lush bamboo grove stood nearby.

Chen Ping'an slowed his pace as the mellow voice of a middle-aged man resonated inside the room. "The sun rises with brilliance; the kid's coat is as soft as oil."

This was followed by a chorus of neat and crisp childlike voices, "The sun rises with brilliance; the kid's coat is as soft as oil."

Chen Ping'an looked up and saw the sun rising in the east, resplendent and majestic.

The youngster was lost in thought.

When he snapped out of it, the children in the school were nodding their heads rhythmically, reciting a passage as instructed by their teacher: "At the Awakening of Insects, heaven and earth come alive, and all things begin to flourish. Sleep early and rise early, stroll in the courtyard..."

Chen Ping'an stood at the doorway of the school, hesitating to speak.

The middle-aged scholar, with a touch of gray at his temples, turned around and gently stepped out of the room.

Chen Ping'an handed over the letter with both hands, respectfully saying, "This is a letter for you, Sir."

The tall man in a blue robe took the envelope and said warmly, "You can come here more often to learn when you're free."Chen Ping'an felt a bit embarrassed, unsure if he would really have the time to attend the teacher's lectures. He didn't want to deceive him.

The man smiled, understanding, and said, "It's alright. The principles are all in the books, but learning how to be a person happens beyond them. Go ahead and take care of your business."

Chen Ping'an breathed a sigh of relief and bid farewell.

After running a long way, the youngster, as if possessed, turned around and looked back.

He saw that the teacher was still standing at the doorway, bathed in sunshine. From afar, he looked like a deity.