Chapter Eight: Setting Foot in Qingyangguan
rjected, “Let’s discuss this matter later. Time is of the essence. This old woman will go and invite Elder Yue over. Let Commander Bai and Elder Yue escort Miss southward across the Yangtze River, fol..."Mingyue, get two doses of medicine for the old gentleman."
The old Daoist yelled, took a brush in his hand, and quickly wrote down a prescription on paper.
The little Taoist hurried over, fetched the medicine according to the prescription, ground it with a mortar and pestle, wrapped it in lotus leaves, and still had to attend to other patients. After all the bustle, he had beads of sweat on his forehead.
The old man stood awkwardly beside him, watching the Taoist priest busy himself. When he received the medicine wrapped in a lotus leaf, his hands trembled slightly. He walked up to Silent Heart Daoist and hesitated, waiting until Silent Heart Daoist had finished treating another patient. Then, he opened his palm and whispered, "Compassionate Immortal, I am an old man from the north. I just found a place to live. My child was found alive yesterday at the ferry crossing. The wages won't be paid until next month. All I have are these few coins..."
Ji Xin Dao Ren wrote out another person's prescription, handed it to Ming Yue to gather the medicine, and looked up at the old man with a sigh, "Old sir, this is enough for the cost of the medicine. Don't worry about the consultation fee, you can send it later when your family is more financially stable. Just record it for now."
As the old man left, Jing Xindao registered his gratitude in the thick ledger. The old man's face was full of thankfulness.
Qin Sang sat at the back, watching his master and apprentice bustling about. His mind was racing, and before he knew it, dusk had fallen. There were only two people left to help him up the mountain.
After seeing over a dozen patients, more than half were from the north. Most came for medical consultations but only paid with receipts, and some couldn't even afford medicine. That afternoon, besides a couple seeking talismans to ward off evil spirits and an elderly woman asking for divination, not a single incense stick was lit. The master didn't make much money that day, but neither he nor his apprentice showed any impatience, which left Qin Sang feeling deeply moved.
"Lift your leg, little brother."
After the previous patients were finished, Qin Sang walked over using his cane and raised his injured leg as instructed by the old Daoist.
Looking at the old Taoist writing the prescription, instructing someone to prepare the medicine, and then recording it, his voice betraying tiredness, Qin Sang's heart moved. She softly said, "Daozhang, I heard that refugees are constantly fleeing north, and in the future, more and more people will come to you for medical treatment. There are only you and the young Taoist here at Guanzhong, and you still have to go up the mountain to gather medicine. I'm afraid you won't be able to keep up..."
Without saying a word, Qin Sang caught sight of the little Taoist's eyes shining with anticipation as he looked expectantly at his master.
Ji Xin Dao Ren didn't even raise his head, interrupting Qin Sang, "Little brother, you also saw the situation in the hall just now. All the devotees who come and go are poor people. This old monk is well-intentioned but helpless. I can't earn much incense money a year, and I can't afford to keep a Taoist priest, let alone pay you a monthly salary."
Master Mingyue's eyes dimmed, and he pursed his lips.
Qin Sang didn't expect the old Daoist to be so direct, but he wasn't one to give up easily. He chuckled and said: "To be honest with Daoist Master, I do want to find a place to stay. Unfortunately, I accidentally injured my leg, making it difficult to survive. When I saw both of you busy just now, I had an idea. I don't ask for monthly payment, only a shelter from wind and rain, and something to do."
Jixindao raised his head and glanced at Qin Sang, stroking his long beard and saying, "Young man, you are in your prime. Why would you humble yourself to the mountains and wilderness Go to the ferry and find a legitimate way to make a living, start a family and build a career. That's the right path."
Please let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!
When Jianji Xindao, the Taoist priest, showed a hint of wavering, Qin Sang immediately seized the opportunity and said, “Master Dao, I have studied with a teacher in the village for several years. I can read and write and paint. I can help you copy records, grind medicinal herbs, etc. After your injury heals, I will accompany you up the mountain to collect medicine. If Master Dao doesn't mind, please allow me to stay for one month. If I truly prove useless, then you can send me down the mountain.”
Ji Xin Dao Ren was indeed moved, he narrowed his eyes and sized Qin Sang up for a long time, "Alright, I'm just a poor old Taoist, I'm not afraid of what little brother might want from me."
Saying that, Ji Xin Dao Ren took a brush and drew out a yellow sheet of paper.
"Write two characters, let me see."
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Qin Sang took the pen, wrote down a few characters, and looked at Ji Xin Dao Ren with a flustered heart.
He didn't use a brush pen in his past life, luckily Qin Sanwa had learned, but these characters are pretty rough, all I can say is they're not completely broken, recognizable, and there are two characters missing.
However, Qin Sang also realized that this world was similar to ancient times in his previous life, with only a very small number of people who could read. He could be considered a high-level talent himself.
Jian Ji Xin Dao Ren clutched the yellow paper without speaking. Qin Sang quickly added, "Since I was young, this junior has always been interested in learning, but unfortunately there were changes in my family and I only read for a few years. If the Daoist Master is willing to take me in, I will definitely study hard and diligently in the future."
"Not bad."
Jixindao Ren nodded, "The Taoist temple is full of scriptures and medical texts. If you're interested, you can read scriptures with the moon tonight. Also, the conditions in the Taoist temple are simple, and the food isn't very rich. Can you bear it"
"Daochang, just call me Qin Sang," Qin Sang hurriedly said. "I also came from a poor family and can endure hardships. Please rest assured, I will definitely abide by the rules and precepts, and not give you any trouble."
Let me know if you have other text you'd like me to translate!
Ji Xin Dao Ren shook his head, "Since you haven't left the world, there's no need to be too restricted. There's only one rule: you cannot bring women into the Hu Tian Hu Di. Outside of the Taoist temple, I won't restrict you further. However, if you cause trouble and get into trouble, don't blame me for not showing mercy. I'm stating this beforehand so that in the future, don't blame me for being unfeeling."
Having finally been taken in, Qin Sang readily agreed, saying, "As you command, Daozhang."
“Young Master Qin, there are a few empty houses over here. You can choose one. I’ll go make dinner first and bring you bedding and robes later this evening.”nd take a look. It was a rare opportunity, and perhaps the other party hadn't started acting yet.All other transmission talismans were trivial matters. Qin Sang closed his cave abode and headed to the...