Chapter 008: Sugar Figurines

No, thank you, Grandpa, I don't want it

Guo Xiaolong scratched his head, looked at Ye Tian, and asked: "Ye Tian, why are you dressed like this? Have you really gone to the mountains to become a Taoist priest?"

While Lao Dao was taking a short rest, he suddenly sensed a change in the primordial energy of heaven and earth. Upon opening his eyes, he discovered that the malevolent aura in the courtyard had completely vanished. This surprise was indeed extraordinary.

Ye Tian was indeed fond of this monkey-shaped candy figure. After a moment of thought, he said: "Alright, if the elder bestows it, I dare not refuse. Thank you, grandfather!"

... ...

The old Taoist waved his hand and said, "Go, remember this place, and do not find yourself unable to return here later."

Guo Xiaolong

The old Taoist once taught him that everyone has their own difficulties while navigating the world. If one can help, they should help. Since Ye Tian was reluctant to part with that ten yuan, he felt it inappropriate to watch others' performances for free

Upon seeing this person, Ye Tian could not help but reveal a bitter smile. The more one tries to avoid something, the more likely one is to encounter it. Given Guo Xiaolong's temperament, it is likely that after the school year begins, he will make his appearance known throughout the entire school.

Fortunately, this market is not just a place for tricks. After leaving the monkey show, Ye Tian entered a venue where they were selling Shaolin Dali Pills, and began to observe.

After hearing the old Taoist's words, Ye Tian bit into a candied hawthorn bought by Sister Miao, and mumbled indistinctly, "How would I know? Master, this 'Sutra of Deliverance' is quite useful..."

It is known that individuals who have undergone spiritual cultivation possess a particularly strong magnetic field. Such individuals also have a notably significant impact on the surrounding magnetic fields. For instance, if an experienced practitioner personally performs a ritual to dispel negative energies, their effectiveness is undoubtedly far superior to that of ordinary esteemed monks and virtuous individuals.

Oh, is He Tu a classmate of yours? How did he become a Taoist priest?

The elderly man who was just pointed at by Guo Xiaolong, upon seeing his junior speaking with a young Taoist priest, felt curious and also wandered over to this side of the stall

Ye Tianxun turned his gaze in the direction of the sound and discovered that on the other side of the sugar figurine stall, a chubby boy, approximately his age, was excitedly waving at him, with a digital watch on his wrist that was particularly conspicuous

After one of the monkeys performed several somersaults, the old man clasped his hands together and bowed to the surrounding crowd. The monkey immediately held up a porcelain jar with both paws, asking the onlookers for money.

In front of his classmates, Guo Xiaolong was quite pleased. Seeing Ye Tian continuously decline, he said, "Ye Tian, this is from your uncle, just take it."

Although his family background is not very good, growing up with his master, an old hand in the field, Ye Tian understood from a young age the principle that taking small advantages can lead to great losses. One should not take what does not belong to them, and one cannot benefit from something obtained without labor.

Ye Tian is quite a prominent figure at school. Although he is mischievous, his academic performance has always been at the top. Naturally, Guo Xiaolong will not miss the opportunity to show off in front of Ye Tian.

"Here you go, child. You must not call me 'grandpa' for nothing; this is a gift from grandpa to you." The old man chuckled upon hearing this, handing a sugar figure of Sun Wukong to Ye Tian.

Dear fellow villagers, those with wealth may contribute financially, while those without may offer their presence. I, the old man, thank you all.

Taking advantage of his small and agile physique, Ye Tian squeezed into the crowd, only to discover that it was an old man accompanied by three monkeys, who were performing in the center of the venue.

Upon hearing Ye Tian's words, the old man sighed, a hint of worry visible between his brows. However, he soon broke into a smile, realizing how unnecessary it was to feel such sentiments in front of the children. He then pointed to the stall and said, "Xiao Long, go and get a sugar figurine for your classmate"

Ye Tian was still not accustomed to taking things from others for free. After pondering for a moment, he turned his gaze towards the old man and murmured, "Turtle shell, turtle shell, come out quickly..."

"Of course, it was bought by my great-uncle; I'm the only one in the whole school who has this..." After hearing Ye Tian's words, Guo Xiaolong puffed out his chest again, raised his wrist to his eyes, and pretended to check the time on it.

The old man felt a sense of curiosity; when he left his hometown, he was only in his teens, not much older than these two children. Now, after thirty or forty years, upon returning, he found many things about his hometown to be very familiar.

Upon seeing Ye Tian, the old Taoist could not articulate the reasons behind it. He stroked his beard, revealing a look of confusion on his face. However, modern society is different from the past; with the flourishing of technology, many matters have become difficult to deduce, leaving the old Taoist feeling helpless.

Strange, truly strange

When Ye Tian was at school, although he had a decent relationship with Guo Xiaolong, they were not particularly close. He knew in his heart that this kid was just showing off. He chuckled and said, "Ah, that's great, Xiaolong, your digital watch is really beautiful"

But Ye Tian is just a young child; he has only been practicing the arts for a few years. To be able to eliminate all the malevolent energy in such a short period of time is something even the old master himself cannot achieve

However, there was no way to avoid it; Guo Xiaolong had already arrived beside him, pointing to an adult over there and saying: "Ye Tian, that is my great-uncle. He came from the United States and the Kingdom of Books. I brought him here to the market..."

In a moment of helplessness, Ye Tian suddenly recalled the two characters inscribed in the center of the tortoise shell and tried to silently recite them in his mind

"Uncle, this is my classmate, Ye Tian..." As he spoke to this American uncle, Guo Xiaolong's voice involuntarily lowered a few notches

This item is not particularly expensive; one can have one made according to their specifications for just 0.1 yuan. However, after standing for a long time, Ye Tian pinched the 10 yuan in his pocket and ultimately decided to turn around and leave

Those with money tossed in one-cent and five-cent coins, while those without money stepped back. Ye Tian touched the "Worker-Peasant-Soldier" card in his pocket, contemplated for a long time, and ultimately decided to withdraw.

Little Dragon, who is this?

Although Ye Dongping possesses exceptional skills and is capable of both electrical work and carpentry, often assisting others in crafting furniture, he earns at most only twenty to thirty yuan a month.

Mao Lu Town is located several dozen miles away from where Ye Tian resides. Even during festive occasions, he rarely makes the trip. If it weren't for having been softened by others' words, Ye Tian would have long since gone to the town to have some fun.

Hehe, Xiaolong, your classmate is very polite

This stall is essentially a carrying pole, with one end featuring a rectangular cabinet with a frame. Beneath the cabinet, there is a semicircular opening leading to a wooden round cage, inside which is a small charcoal stove. On top of the stove, there is a large ladle filled with syrup.

After hearing Ye Tian's words, the old man smiled and did not take it to heart. There was only one sugar figurine of the Monkey King left on the stand. He paid for two sugar figurines and then stood by, watching with great interest as the vendor began to blow the sugar figurine. This skill is something that can only be seen domestically.

When one no longer wishes to play, one can poke a small hole in the bottom of the Monkey King's figurine to let the syrup flow out, and then catch it with a rice bowl, consuming both the bowl and the syrup together. This is a favorite among children, but it is also quite expensive, costing eight dimes each.

I didn't become a Taoist priest; my master is the abbot of a Taoist temple on the mountain. Today, I accompanied my master down the mountain, wearing this for convenience... Ye Tian explained this to Guo Xiaolong, as he didn't want to be teased about it when school started; that would be quite embarrassing.

The vendor takes a small scoop of hot syrup with a small shovel, places it on his hand dusted with talcum powder, and then takes a piece in his mouth. After blowing it into a bubble, he quickly places it into a wooden mold coated with talcum powder and blows forcefully, thus completing the desired sugar figure.

This ... ... I also do not know ... ...

It is important to note that in this day and age, even during the New Year and festive occasions in rural areas, the red envelopes given by adults typically contain only new bills of 0.5 or 1 yuan. When it comes to weddings or childbirth celebrations, the customary monetary gifts usually amount to just 1 or 2 yuan

Although Ye Dongping often catches fish for his son to eat, overall, the father and son live in considerable poverty. Ye Tian intends to bring money home to his father

It is important to note that Ye Tian's father, as an educated youth who did not return to his hometown and married a woman who was not local, had no land to cultivate at all

"You little rascal, although the 'Duren Jing' can dispel malevolent energy, it shouldn't be this quick. How did you manage to do it?"

In general, rural markets are most bustling in the morning; however, even just past noon, there are still quite a few people. Ye Tian, not one to shy away, pushed his way in upon hearing the sound of drums and gongs ahead.

Sigh, when the Maoshan Taoist temple was set ablaze by the Japanese, it had just begun to be rebuilt when I left the mainland. I need to find time to go see it.

After wandering around the market for a while, it was already around 3 or 4 PM. At this moment, Ye Tian stopped at a stall where a sugar blower was working.

Perhaps I could help him by examining his facial features

Moreover, at this time, there are still two years until the issuance of the fourth series of the Renminbi in 1988, and the ten-yuan note has already become the highest denomination in circulation.

After receiving the master's permission, Ye Tian happily ran out. Just before he left, Sister Miao stuffed a work-farmer-soldier card into his pocket, which nearly made Ye Tian overjoyed to the point of tears.

There was no way; the tortoise shell deity in his mind appeared and disappeared unpredictably. Ye Tian did not know how to summon it. After muttering "tortoise shell" for a long time, there was still no response.

Ye Tian had made up his mind that this matter should not be spoken of by anyone. Perhaps if he told the old Daoist, he would believe him, but if he told his father or classmates, he would surely be considered insane

Ye Tian, being a child, could not sit still in the room for long. He stood up and said, "Hehe, Master, I am going to the town fair to have some fun. I will be back for dinner in the evening..."

This set of sugar figurines of Sun Wukong is not only visually appealing, but it also includes a bowl of glutinous rice. Sun Wukong's belly is filled with a lot of syrup

Just as Ye Tian had turned around, a voice suddenly called out beside him: "Ye Tian, hey, is that really you? What are you doing here?"

Hey, you monkeying around

The children all around were watching eagerly; those with money reached out to buy, while those without money simply looked on, unwilling to leave.

Thus, this amount of money represented by the workers, farmers, and soldiers was simply an astronomical figure for Ye Tian; after all, apart from having seen such a "large" bill in his father's hands, he had never touched one himself.

The wooden frame is divided into two layers, each layer filled with numerous small holes, which are fully occupied by the finished sugar figurines.