Descending the Mountain

Jiulong Mountain, Sanqing Temple.

"Oh, Master, please don't send me down the mountain. I can't bear to leave you. I beg you!"

The majestic Taoist temple stood tall, but the roads on both sides were covered in withered yellow leaves. A profound silence enveloped the surroundings, interrupted suddenly by a whiny, childlike wailing.

Inside the main hall, Zhouzhou sat on the ground, gripping Li Yuanming's leg tightly with both hands. The little girl had a smooth bald head, wearing a worn-out Taoist robe that had been washed until it turned pale, full of patched-up marks, resembling a little beggar.

At this moment, she looked up at Li Yuanming, her mouth twisted in a crying expression, desperately trying to squeeze out a few tears. Her chubby face was filled with sorrow, and she gazed at him pitifully.

"Don't cry. I just want you to descend the mountain for training, not to drive you away." Witnessing his young disciple crying so pitifully, Li Yuanming couldn't bear it either. He lowered his gaze and gently touched her bald head, his face filled with regret and remorse.

If only he had known not to compete with that neighboring fool for a disciple!

No wonder they readily gave the child away when he tried to snatch her. The Taoist Abbot even demanded he swear never to return her, and he arrogantly mocked them, thinking it was because their temple lacked prosperity and couldn't afford to raise a child. Now he realized that Zhouzhou was naturally cursed with poverty!

Since the old Taoist priest brought Zhouzhou back in swaddling clothes, the once prosperous temple had become sparsely populated within three years. Meanwhile, their Taoist temple, having taken her in for just a year, was already on the verge of bankruptcy.

In contrast, the neighboring temple gradually regained its former splendor after sending her away.

Recalling the past, Li Yuanming shook his head in anguish. His gaze fell upon his junior disciple who held a cracked bowl in his hand, with only a few grains of rice scattered in the soup. This strengthened his determination, suppressing the urge to hug the young disciple and console him. He sternly declared, "No, you have grown up, and it's time for you to descend the mountain."

"I'm not grown up; I'm only four years old." Zhouzhou raised her plump little hand and hiccuped, refuting with tears in her eyes. Then she quickly withdrew her hand and hung onto his leg, gently swaying it. "Master, please don't drive me away. I promise I won't steal food anymore."

Zhouzhou's swaying made Li Yuanming stumble for a moment, almost losing his balance. He steadied himself and remained resolute, saying with a serious face,

"No! You've said that countless times. The next time, you'll steal food again."

Hearing this, Zhouzhou felt a little guilty. She rubbed her stomach and pouted, pitifully saying, "But I'm hungry."

"We are hungry too!" Li Yuanming's sadness overwhelmed him. "You eat five meals a day, eight bowls per meal. You're eating us into poverty!"

"And it's not just that; we're destitute. Even the incense on our Ancestral Master's shrine is gone!"

"Your Eldest Eldest Senior Martial Uncles and Nephews all left the mountain to work, but still couldn't support you. If you don't descend the mountain, tomorrow we'll have to beg for food together!"

Hearing these words, Zhouzhou became even more anxious, whispering, "Master, is there no room for negotiation?"

Li Yuanming shook his head.

Seeing this, Zhouzhou pursed her lips, lowered her little head, and dejectedly leaned against his leg. Her ears drooped down, resembling an abandoned little puppy.

"Alright then, let me descend the mountain. In the future, whether I become a beggar or starve to death on the streets, I won't burden you anymore. It would be even better if I became a ghost and can always accompany you without needing to eat."

As she spoke, she wiped her eyes with her sleeve, displaying a sorrowful yet resolute demeanor.

Hearing her words, Li Yuanming's heart ached. He sighed softly and gently patted her head. "Don't be afraid. I've already contacted your Senior Martial Uncle Mingtong. He's doing well now, and with him, you'll never go hungry."

"And also, you've always wanted Master's Qiankun Mirror, right? Here, take it as a parting gift."

Saying that, he took out a copper mirror from his embrace and handed it to her.

Zhouzhou's ears twitched slightly, her eyes followed suit. She didn't raise her head, still wearing a sad and sorrowful expression, her shoulders trembling as her crying grew louder.

Li Yuanming gritted his teeth and said, "I'll give you the little medicine cauldron as well."

"Alright!" Zhouzhou's crying abruptly stopped. She loosened her grip and quickly stood up from the ground. She smiled brightly, without a trace of tears on her face, and said, "Thank you, Master. I'll go pack my things now."

After speaking, she took short strides and ran towards her room.

Li Yuanming watched her figure and couldn't help but realize that he had been fooled by this little brat. He became angry, puffing his beard and angrily said, "Rebellious disciple!"

The junior brother on the side chuckled and said, "It's fine. Eldest Senior Brother, you originally intended to give those things to Zhouzhou. Besides, she's better at brewing and divination than you. It's useless to keep those things with you. It's better to make the best use of them."

Li Yuanming snorted, his neck stiff, and said, "Who says I'm not as good as her? I'm her master!"

The junior brother smiled at him, not exposing the truth, and remained silent.

He thought about the fact that the capable senior brothers had all left the mountain to earn money, while he was left behind as the main observer because he was too inexperienced.

Li Yuanming also thought about this matter and awkwardly touched his nose. He muttered under his breath and walked towards the back.

If it weren't for the fact that she had an extraordinary constitution and was a rare talent in metaphysics, he wouldn't have gone to snatch her, nor would he have ended up in such a situation today.

Those Taoist priests didn't even tell him about this matter. They're so deceitful!

He thought angrily.

Not long after, Zhouzhou came out. Her bald head was covered with Wealth Talismans, and she had three copper coins hanging from her neck. On one side of her waist, she carried a gourd, and on the other side, there was a large and hideous-looking pixiu carving that she made herself, the only feature being its size.

They were all objects to attract wealth, but she was born with a lack of money-luck. As soon as the accumulated wealth came into contact with her, it dissipated completely and had no effect whatsoever.

Seeing her appearance, the corners of Li Yuanming's mouth twitched. "Zhouzhou, you're born with a lack of money-luck. Give up, stop thinking about it."

Zhouzhou shook her head, shouldering a burden bigger than herself, and said, "No, Eldest Senior Brother said that my fate is in my own hands. As long as I'm willing to work hard, I will definitely become rich. When I earn money, I'll give it all to the Taoist temple!"

Upon hearing this, Li Yuanming was moved. His disciple sometimes took advantage of him, but she was still considerate.

He walked over and handed her a dusty statue that looked exactly like the one in the main hall.

"Good girl, since you're so ambitious, I'm entrusting you with the responsibility of restoring the Taoist temple. Work hard, and I believe in you!"

Zhouzhou lowered her head and curiously looked at the statue in her hand. She asked, "Master, why did you give me Ancestral Master statue? And where's the golden light on the statue?"

When she was young, she saw Ancestral Master statue in her master's room, shining brightly and looking beautiful. Why did it look so dull and dirty now?

"What do you think?" Li Yuanming glanced at her resentfully.

Zhouzhou instantly understood and realized it was because of her lack of money-luck.

The decline of the Taoist temple and the lack of offerings to Ancestral Master statue resulted in its current state.

She smiled wryly and quickly hugged the statue. "Master, don't worry, I will definitely earn money and restore the golden light to Ancestral Master statue!"

Li Yuanming glanced at her and knew that her lack of money-luck would make it impossible, but he didn't discourage her. "I won't insist on offerings to Ancestral Master statue. As long as you have enough to eat, after you leave the mountain, if you encounter anyone who needs help, lend a hand and do more good deeds. It will earn merit for Ancestral Master statue, which will be enough for you. It will also improve your luck with money."

Upon hearing this, Zhouzhou's eyes lit up. She nodded earnestly and said, "Yes, Master, I'll remember!"

Looking at the watery eyes of his young disciple, Li Yuanming felt a twinge of reluctance. In the end, he patted her shoulder and said, "Go down the mountain. Take care, and when I earn enough money, I'll come back to see you."

"Yes, Master." Zhouzhou held his hand, reluctant to part as she looked at him, "Take care too, Master. I'll come back to see you when I earn money."

"Yes, hurry now. It'll be dark soon."

"Yes." Zhouzhou nodded and turned her head three times, leaving Li Yuanming feeling a pang of sadness.

If it weren't for the Taoist temple's inability to sustain itself, he wouldn't have been willing to let his young disciple go.

He only hoped for her smooth journey.

After he couldn't see them anymore, Zhouzhou withdrew her gaze and turned her head, running quickly. In no time, she reached the foot of the mountain. She tiptoed and stretched her neck to look at the scenery outside. The corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl up, and two dimples appeared on her chubby face, radiating sweetness.

Great, she finally descended the mountain.

She had long heard from Seventh Senior Brother about all the delicious food and fun things at the foot of the mountain, and she had been craving them. Now she finally had the opportunity to experience them.

With these thoughts in mind, she smiled even brighter and walked forward with light steps. Just a few steps ahead, she suddenly noticed a crowd of people gathered ahead, causing a commotion.

Immediately, she heard someone shouting, "Doctor! Is there a doctor? Save our elderly lady!"