Chapter 1, The Sloppy Daoist (1)

Without waiting for the sturdy young man to respond, he hurriedly stuffed the scroll in his companion's hands and dashed off to follow the old priest's figure.

Jiao Feitian was born with a frail constitution, yet he was inherently active, coming up with countless mischievous ideas every day and causing trouble everywhere. His father had also studied for a few years and engaged in small-scale business, being an honest man. Seeing that his son was difficult to discipline, he resolutely decided to impose some restrictions and sent him to study under the renowned strict Master Jing in the local area.

Before Lin Xiaolian could say anything, she saw Jiao Fei swiftly disappear from sight. Watching Jiao Fei's retreating figure, Lin Xiaolian stamped her foot in frustration and exclaimed, "Jiao Fei, just you wait! If you don't come back to apologize soon, I will go to your house and ask your parents to settle this! Let's see if they won't give you a good beating!"

Daoist priest! Daoist priest!

These two youths were originally neighbors; the sallow-faced youth was named Jiao Fei, who was sturdier, while the more well-off one was named Meng Kuan.

When Jiao Fei returned to the place where he had knocked over Lin Xiaolian, he saw that the girl was talking to two women.

This year, the weather has been favorable, and Baishi Town has benefited from this good fortune. Although it is a remote small town, it is thriving and filled with joy. The lives of the people are quite comfortable.

Just now, Jiao Fei was sharp-eyed and noticed that none of the stones thrown by the children hit that person. Meng Kuan did not find this strange, but he realized that after the children threw the stones, for some reason, they slowed down significantly. No matter how much strength the children exerted, the stones fell just short, landing about half a foot away from that person.

Although Jiao Fei is mischievous, he is exceptionally intelligent, able to read ten lines at a glance and recite fluently, which greatly pleases Master Jing. He told Jiao Fei's parents: "This child has a profound understanding of his studies. If he participates in the imperial examinations in the future, he will surely have a promising path ahead, with limitless potential." Instead, he advised the parents not to impose too many restrictions on him. With the master's approval, his parents were also reassured that their child would have a bright future. Although Jiao Fei still enjoyed engaging in peculiar activities, his family no longer imposed strict controls.

In the ninth year of the Tianbao era of the Tang Dynasty, the world was at peace, embodying an atmosphere of stability and prosperity.

Numerous children chased after him, but he remained completely unconcerned, striding forward with great determination. In the blink of an eye, he had walked from one end of the street to the other. Those mischievous children could not keep up with his pace and were gradually left far behind.

Seeing the figure of the disheveled Taoist grow increasingly distant, Jiao Fei felt a surge of urgency in his heart and called out loudly without hesitation: "Taoist ahead, please wait! I have something to inquire about!"

The disheveled Taoist seemed to move rather slowly, yet he ran with all his might, barely managing to keep the figure in sight, unable to close the distance any further.

When he focused his gaze, he recognized her as the renowned beautiful widow of Baishi Town, Widow Lin's only daughter, Lin Xiaolian. This girl, like her mother, was a striking beauty at such a young age. However, she also inherited her mother's fiery temperament and was never one to be bullied. Jiao Fei thought to himself: "This little girl is not to be trifled with; I should make my escape first!"

Compared to Jiao Fei, although Meng Kuan is physically robust, he is far behind in cleverness. He started studying half a year earlier than Jiao Fei, yet now Jiao Fei has already progressed to the Analects and Historical Strategies, while he is still lingering over the Three Character Classic and Hundred Family Surnames

One of the youths, with a waxy complexion, appeared somewhat languid, and seemed unable to muster any energy for the *illustrated* book. However, as the old Taoist passed by the two youths, the waxy-faced boy suddenly fixed his gaze on the Taoist's back, deep in thought.

At this moment, the setting sun descends, and two young boys who have just left the school glance down this small street

An elderly Taoist priest, his robe stained, sang loudly in front, while more than ten mischievous children behind him incessantly threw bricks and rubble, creating a ruckus. This elderly priest was exceptionally tall, his face covered with a thick layer of dirt, making it difficult to discern his emotions. His beard and hair were tangled into a mass, and it was unclear when he had last attended to his appearance; all that could be seen was the unmistakable sign of advanced age.

Jiao Fei felt a growing curiosity, and his steps quickened. However, his physique was not robust; as he ran back and forth, he began to feel his legs gradually becoming sore and weak, and he slowly started to lose his energy.

Jiao Fei shouted a few times, but the disheveled Taoist seemed not to have heard, striding forward with increasing speed. Jiao Fei, seeing that he could not catch up, felt quite dejected. However, he was reluctant to give up and continued to follow with great effort. Suddenly, a small figure emerged from an alleyway. Jiao Fei ran a bit faster, unable to stop in time, and collided head-on with the figure. A cry of "Ouch!" rang out, a delicate voice expressing pain. Jiao Fei then firmly pinned the other person beneath him. Suddenly, a small figure emerged from an alleyway. Jiao Fei ran a bit faster, unable to stop in time, and collided head-on with the figure. A cry of "Ouch!" rang out, a delicate voice expressing pain. Jiao Fei then firmly pinned the other person beneath him

Such an interesting occurrence, how could Jiao Fei possibly contain his excitement? He followed closely behind the Taoist for several streets, feeling increasingly astonished within.

His companion was slightly taller than him and appeared robust and sturdy. With a round, rosy face that glistened, he wore a silk robe, and a piece of white jade hung from a silk cord at his waist, indicating a rather affluent family background. Noticing the pale-faced youth's unusual behavior, he turned his head to follow his companion's gaze and muttered, "So it's just a filthy priest, what's there to see?"

At this moment, Jiao Fei happened to fall on top of Lin Xiaolian. The girl's delicate and timid body was pressed beneath him, causing her to furrow her brows slightly, unable to relax for a moment. Jiao Fei got up; he was not of a cruel disposition, and hurriedly helped Lin Xiaolian to her feet, repeatedly saying, "I was reckless just now. I have something to attend to first, and I will come back to apologize to you, Miss Lin, later."

In his spare time from studying, Jiao Fei, having some leisure, would read various casual books and the notes of predecessors. He was quite envious of the legends surrounding Taoists seeking immortality. Today, he encountered an extraordinary person, yet he had no chance to make an acquaintance, which left him feeling quite dejected

Jiao Fei grew up in Baishi Town and had never left this place even for a moment. Although Baishi Town is not particularly remote, it seldom sees visitors from outside. The two women, not very old, the elder being only around twenty-seven or twenty-eight, and the younger about twenty-two or twenty-three, are both tall and graceful, dressed in white silk garments, without any makeup, yet their skin is as delicate as jade, exuding a natural fragrance that captivates those around them

Baishi Town is not very large, with only a few dozen small streets. After this delay, Jiao Fei ran out of the town and no longer saw the shabby wanderer. He hesitated for a moment and returned to the town in a gloomy mood. In his heart, he believed that the wanderer must be peculiar, but he still did not quite understand what exactly was peculiar about him.

This Taoist is indeed peculiar

The sallow-faced youth smiled faintly, his eyes sparkling with liveliness. He did not elaborate, merely stating lightly: "I have some matters to attend to and will return home later. If you see my mother, please do not forget to convey my regards."

In this world, there are peculiar merchants who exclusively sell absurd dreams; to comfort the disheartened, those who hear of them purchase as if swept by the wind... Do not ask when the dream awakens, for joy lies within the dream; what is life? A hundred years is but a dream.