Chapter 3: The Taoist Descends the Mountain (Part 1)

Given Master Fang Yi's lazy disposition, it is natural that he has not undergone the Three Great Precepts. In this Upper Clear Palace, excluding the kitchen's rats, there are only Fang Yi and his master. As long as the old Daoist agrees, it can be considered that he has the support of the entire Daoist community, and he can barely be deemed worthy of the position of abbot.

"Oh, don't kick my butt, don't hit there, my dear flower has not yet been developed..." Having been playful with each other since childhood, Fang Yi naturally would not really use his fists and feet. After wrestling for a while, they both lay back down on their chairs.

"Don't be anxious, Master said that there are still three days until I descend the mountain. If I go down early, it will bring about a calamity of blood..." Fang Yi shook his head seriously. Since childhood, he had been deceived by an old Taoist who claimed to be a descendant of Yuan Tiangang, so he still believed some of what his Master said.

At your age, still being a monk? If you take it out, you will surely be beaten up

Upon seeing the pocket watch that Fang Yi took out, the chubby man's eyes suddenly lit up, and he said, "Fang Yi, this item is an antique; it could fetch a considerable sum if sold outside. Let's head to the city later and inquire about it. Who knows, perhaps we can rely on it to make our fortune..."

Fang Yi was not exaggerating in his words. His master, who spent his days idly, did one thing before he passed away, which was to descend the mountain for three months. When he returned, he brought back a set of certificates and identification.

As he spoke, Fang Yi glanced at his dilapidated Taoist temple and said somewhat sheepishly: "Even if the other party does not beat drums or gongs, it is still necessary to offer a vegetarian meal, right? My master's certificate of ordination is still in the house..."

The fat man chuckled ominously; he had heard others mention it while working as a security guard. Nowadays, there are indeed some individuals who commit theft during the day, with some even daring enough to directly contact moving companies to empty out valuable items from other people's homes.

This is correct, Fang Yi, pack up, we will descend the mountain today

"Fang Yi, I see that you have been foolishly staying in the mountains. You will understand once you go out..."

Although the overweight man had no money, he possessed a heart full of ambition. In order to purchase this watch to bridge the gap between himself and the city dwellers, he secretly lived on plain boiled noodles in the security dormitory for a month, thus saving enough money for this watch

The fat man stared at Fang Yi as if he were looking at an alien for quite a while, shook his head, and said: "In today's society, those with money and power are the masters, while those without money and influence are the underlings. Someone like you, once you go out, will probably starve to death. I suggest you stick with me, Fat Master, at least you can have something to eat..."

There really are months and dates

Fatty, what do you think I should do when I go out?

"Alright, then I will just follow you for now..." Fang Yi nodded helplessly. Although the world is vast, in his lifetime, apart from knowing some farmers at the foot of the mountain, the only ones he could trust were the chubby man in front of him and his deceased master.

After listening to the things that the fat man spoke about the outside world, Fang Yi, who was originally filled with longing for the outside, couldn't help but sigh. At this moment, he felt a bit anxious in his heart, as apart from some basic practices of Taoism, he was completely ignorant of anything else.

By now, Fang Yi can basically leap over the more than two-meter-high wall. However, the hardships he has endured over the past ten years are beyond the telling of outsiders. At the very least, the chubby guy who followed him learned for a week and then became a deserter, crying and rolling on the ground.

With a quick glance, the stout man placed his hand behind his back, fiddled for a moment, and then raised his wrist, saying: "Today is July 6th, what day did your master mention?"

When the fat man was in the army, he served as a cook in the city, which often gave him the opportunity to go out and buy groceries. After experiencing the prosperity of the big city, he was not very content upon returning home after his discharge, constantly arguing with his father, who was the village party secretary, about going out to work.

Starve to death? Are you saying that I will starve to death?

Ah, I say, what kind of society is this, that you still hold such feudal superstitions? Although I grew up under the influence of the old Taoist, the chubby man is definitely an atheist, not to mention any divination or fortune-telling; he does not believe in any of it at all

Hehe, it means going to someone else's house during the day to rob the rich and help the poor, so you understand now, right

However, regarding the set of items brought back by his master, Fang Yi still harbors doubts until now, as he is well aware of the level of his family and seriously questions whether his master saw those small advertisements for certificates at the train station and spent a few dozen yuan to obtain fake certificates for himself

However, the overweight man conformed to the old Taoist's temperament, as he was only willing to indulge in good food and laziness. He stubbornly refused to go on reconnaissance and instead chose to work as a cook at the regiment's headquarters. Otherwise, it would have been quite possible for him to be promoted directly, especially since there are several promotion slots available every year after the major competitions within the division.

Indeed, the chubby man who idles away his days in the temple is not without merit; he has learned a bit of skill by following that old Taoist priest. When he was just fifteen years old and had just arrived at the new recruit camp, he managed to take down three veteran soldiers in a one-on-three match, making quite a name for himself.

Fang Yi stared at the watch for a while, then reached into his pocket to take out a pocket watch connected by a gilded chain and glanced at it, saying: "Although my watch can tell the time, it does not have the date, so it is not as useful as yours..."

What happened to the security guard

Many people believe that the term "Fangzhang" should refer to a title in Buddhism; however, this is not the case. "Fangzhang" is actually a title for the highest leader in a Taoist temple, and it can also be referred to as "Zhuchi".

The abbot is a Taoist priest who has received the Three Bans of Great Precepts, has been transmitted the "Law" of the lawyer, practices strict precepts, possesses high virtue and reputation, and is elected by the entire community of practitioners. The title of abbot in Buddhism originally also originated from this designation in Taoism

The fat man knew that the old Taoist priest used to practice divination and had methods for capturing ghosts and demons, but now that technology is advanced, if Fang Yi dared to engage in such activities, he would likely be sent to the police station by the relevant authorities on the grounds of promoting feudal superstition

The fat man clapped his hands and jumped up, looking around and shouting: "There is nothing much to tidy up here, let's just leave now. Later, we can go down the mountain and have my mother help you alter a few pieces of clothing. This robe is too conspicuous to wear..."

When the car reaches the mountain, there will surely be a way. Following Fat Master, is there still a fear of not having food to eat? Seeing Fang Yi's worried expression, the fat man patted his chest, saying that at worst, he could have his father say a word, and then just follow the construction team in the village to work, it would be enough to make a living.

"Daylight Breakthrough? What is that?" Fang Yi was taken aback upon hearing this; he had indeed never heard of this term.

Initially, the overweight individual accompanied a small contractor from the village on outings, but he could not endure the hardships involved. Ultimately, he found a job as a security guard in the city. This more than six-month working experience has allowed him, as a newcomer to society, to appreciate the difficulties of survival, which is why he now has so many reflections.

Although equally inexperienced in the world, the fat man considers himself to be a seasoned veteran compared to Fang Yi. It is likely that this Yi brother still does not know what money looks like, let alone how to use it

In this mountain temple, modern items are exceedingly rare; apart from Fang Yi's broken radio, there is not a single electric object. The calendar was also exchanged by Fang Yi for herbs with the farmers down the mountain, and one page must be torn off each day

From the age of four, Fang Yi was bound with sandbags on his legs by an old Taoist priest, and a pit of about 10 centimeters was dug in the ground, preventing his knees from bending, forcing him to jump straight up and down out of the pit. As he grew older, both the weight of the sandbags and the depth of the pit continued to change.

Before the fat man's words could finish, he was interrupted by Fang Yi, who, after stuffing the pocket watch into his pocket, said: "This is an item left by my master; I would rather starve than sell it. You, young man, better give up this idea quickly..."

The fat man had seen this pocket watch when he was young. According to the old Taoist's account, when he was staying at a Taoist temple in the Eight Great Places of the capital, it was during the time when the Eight-Nation Alliance invaded the city, and it was given to him by a foreign devil who had intruded into the temple.

What should I do? I can't possibly resort to busking, can I?" Fang Yi's expression turned sour upon hearing this. He indeed possessed skills; not to mention, the lightness of foot he displayed while catching cicadas earlier was no illusion.

"You fat pig, have the years of service been in vain?" Fang Yi said irritably as he pulled the fat man down from the rocking chair, unceremoniously delivering a flurry of punches, causing the fat man to beg for mercy repeatedly.

"Can your calendar be as accurate as mine?" The fat man raised his head like a little rooster and pointed to the watch on his wrist, saying, "See this? It's a branded product, a Citizen watch, with a calendar. It cost me over 700 yuan..."

Hmm? Did the old Taoist pass this watch to you

It is now clear and bright outside, and the little knowledge you possess is certainly not applicable

Although he often calls the old Daoist master casually in daily life, Fang Yi holds a deep respect for his master in his heart. Not to mention anything else, just the grace of nurturing over the past more than ten years has made Fang Yi regard the old Daoist as his own parent. Therefore, no matter what, Fang Yi would never sell the items passed down to him by the old Daoist.

Hearing the words of the overweight man, Fang Yi curled his lip and said: "I have said before, heaven and earth are indifferent, treating all things as mere fodder. Since heaven and earth regard all things impartially, what qualifications do those people have to look down on security guards? Isn't it just a job?"

"Fatty, don't even think about it..."

Having grown up wearing split-crotch pants, the chubby companion could naturally see Fang Yi's unease. He then said, "I suggest you stick with me, Fat Master. With your skills, you could definitely make a name for yourself in broad daylight. Even if others discover you, they won't be able to catch up..."

Regarding the words of the old Taoist, both Fang Yi and the Fatty expressed deep skepticism as they grew up. After the Eight-Nation Alliance entered the capital, each of those foreign devils had green eyes and were busy looting. Who would be so kind as to give the old Taoist a gold watch? This watch was most likely snatched from one of those foreign devils by the old Taoist.

Fang Yici snorted and said: "I am the abbot of the Shangqing Palace, registered with the Taoist Association. Once I step outside, even if I go to various Taoist temples to stay, those temples will welcome me with drums and gongs. I will definitely live a more comfortable life than you..."

"April 26, isn't it just April 22 today?" Fang Yi leaned over, glanced at the watch on the fat man's wrist, scratched his head and said, "Have I overslept on some day and forgotten to tear off the calendar?"