Chapter 1, Weeping at the Grave

Father! Father!

Ancestors! Open your eyes and see what has become of the descendants of the Lin family!" Lin Shisan collapsed on the ancestral grave, rainwater splattering mud from the grave all over him, yet he remained oblivious, crying out in despair, "The descendants of the Lin family are either deaf, blind, or lame; there has never been a normal one among us. What sins have we committed as a family that our descendants must suffer such torment? The descendants of the Lin family are either deaf, blind, or lame; there has never been a normal one among us. What sins have we committed as a family that our descendants must suffer such torment? Open your eyes and see, the Li family has become ungrateful, their conscience devoured by dogs! A fine child, unable to even attend university; this is not a blessing, it is clearly a curse..."

"Your father seems to have gone to White Horse Mountain," Lin Baoju said, having not found his father at the village chief's house. He then inquired around and heard that his father had actually gone to White Horse Mountain.

The old man scolded for a few moments, then could not catch his breath, and could only stand there gasping.

After a while, the sound of a shovel came from the cliff.

Village Chief Li Baoquan sighed and said, "It is a good thing that Baowa has been accepted into university, and naturally, our Li family should provide support. However, as you know, my title as village chief sounds nice, but it is merely a formality; they may not necessarily heed my words. I cannot compare to the former clan leader, who could rally everyone with a single call. Here’s what I will do: I will notify the heads of each household and gather everyone to discuss this matter. Whether it can be accomplished will depend on everyone’s opinion."

"Third Uncle, please calm down." Another middle-aged man stood up and said, "What ancestral teachings, what feng shui? Even your grandson knows it's feudal superstition, a trick to deceive people. The Lin family has had us support their ancestors for hundreds of years, and now they want us to pay again? No way! I'm done talking; I'm going back to take a nap. I still have work to do this afternoon. Whoever wants to pay can go ahead, but I won't contribute!"

Li Baoquan glanced at the crowd and was surprised to find that women accounted for as much as 40% of them. He couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion, recalling his youth when it was rare for these women to have a voice. Now, the men of the Li family seemed to have lost their assertiveness, unable even to manage their own households, which was truly shameful

As Lin Baoju traversed the village, he could constantly feel the various strange gazes directed at him by the villagers, and at times he could even hear whispers of discussion. Lin Baoju had long since grown accustomed to this; he was well aware that his family, the Lin family, was like a thorn in the side of Baima Village, and many wished to remove them. For many years, Lin Baoju had diligently studied, all in hopes of securing a good job in the future, to avoid the venomous stares and indifferent expressions of these people.

Um ... ...

Lin Baoju walked higher and higher along the mountain path, and after quite a while, he finally arrived at the Horse Tail Cliff behind White Horse Mountain

Lin Baoju was worried that his father might be in trouble, so he immediately rushed towards Baima Mountain

"What is Father going up the mountain for?" Lin Baoju felt a pang of anxiety; his father's left foot was disabled, and it was clearly going to rain. Why was he still going up the mountain?

One cannot say it this way; one must remember the source of the water one drinks, for one should not forget one's roots

Lin Baoju raced along the mountain path while calling out for his father

However, his father was not so fortunate; he lay in bed for a full ten days and still cannot get out of bed now

After the old man checked Lin Shisan's pulse, he said to Lin Baoju: "Your father’s illness this time is caused by wind and cold, which is quite easy to treat. However, your father’s leg is a congenital defect, and it is truly difficult to cure"

"Very well, then I will trouble the old village chief." Lin Shisan's lips twitched slightly, unable to conceal the discontent in his heart

The summer sun is quite harsh, and Lin Baoju went to Baima Mountain at dawn to avoid it.

However, I wonder if the ancestors of the Lin family, who lie in eternal rest underground, can hear us

Lin Shisan heard the woman's words, and his lips twitched once more, but for the sake of his son, he endured it again

In the end, only a few elderly individuals remained in the ancestral hall, and they managed to hand Lin Shi over thirty crumpled bills

Lin Baoju shouted with all his might, feeling extremely anxious inside

He wants to prove that the members of the Lin family do not need to rely on anyone to sustain their lives

Since it is Mǎwěiyá, the treacherous terrain there is evident. However, there are many medicinal herbs in that area, and the cliffs also host numerous precious medicinal materials. Lín Bǎojū often goes there to gather herbs, but he never takes the risk of climbing down the cliffs; he only collects some common herbs to nourish his health.

The old man saw Lin Baoju's sickly appearance, glanced at the basket behind him, and said: "Young man, why do you look so ill? Are you gathering herbs to treat your own illness? However, from what I see, the herbs you have dug up are all common ones used for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, which don't seem to be related to your ailment."

Southern University, which is a prestigious university nationwide, has never had anyone from the county pass the entrance examination.

Originally, Lin Baoju intended to give up on attending university, but after being severely scolded by his father, he no longer dared to bring it up. During this period, Lin Baoju understood that his father was making arrangements everywhere, all in order to gather enough tuition fees for him.

Lin Shisan looked at his son, who was trembling in the wind, and recalled his frail health, unable to withstand any strain. He hurriedly said, "Quick, open the umbrella! If you get sick again, our family will suffer even more."

Lin Baoju nodded and said with self-deprecation: "Father's leg has been like this since childhood. Just like me, I've been a medicine jar since I was little."

At this moment, the red sun had just emerged from the clouds, and the entire mountain peak was enveloped in the fragrance of wild grass and wildflowers. Lin Baoju stepped on the dew, foraging for the medicinal herbs he needed among the grass.

"Good son, it's all because your old man is a cripple, useless. Otherwise, I wouldn't have to do such a humiliating thing as begging others for help." Lin Shisan said with a bitter smile, "Son, do you think your useless crippled old man is of no value? Even your mother, she actually looks down on me..."

Having spoken, that person turned and left, completely disregarding the words of the ancestors from years ago

Originally, the old man intended to say that Lin Baoju would find it difficult to live past forty, but he ultimately felt a twinge of compassion and swallowed his words. He thought that this family was indeed unfortunate, with both father and son suffering from congenital deficiencies, which was truly a strange situation

***

One of the women knitting said darkly: "Village Chief, I don't know anything about ancestral teachings or whatever. All I know is that since I married into the Li family, I've heard about this strange rule that the Li family must support the descendants of the Lin family. The Lin family has no ties to my family, so may I ask why I should support them? When the Lin family's children get into university, it's for their own family's glory, what does it have to do with us in the Li family? The Lin family has no ties to my family, so may I ask why I should support them? When the Lin family's children get into university, it's for their own family's glory, what does it have to do with us in the Li family? Even if the Li family were wealthy, it wouldn't be spent this way! Do you think we are all wealthy people?"

Lin Baoju felt a pang in his heart upon hearing that his father went to collect tuition fees for him. Although both father and son were in poor health, they were both strong-willed individuals. Lin Baoju understood very well that if it were not for him, his father would not lower himself to those people from the Li family.

Li Baoquan cleared his throat and continued, "Everyone is well aware that Baowa has been admitted to a key national university, which brings honor to our Baima Village! However, you all understand the situation of the Lin family; supporting a college student is indeed very challenging. Over the course of a year, it will cost at least over 10,000. Since the ancestral teachings of the Li family state that we, the Li family, must treat the descendants of the Lin family well for generations, shouldn't everyone contribute a little money to ensure that Baowa can smoothly attend university"

At that moment, he heard a faint crying sound coming through the wind and rain, as if it were the voice of his father

Father, let us go back. Without money, there is no need for us to attend any university. Many people who do not go to university can still be successful, and you do not have to be beholden to the Li family! Although Lin Baoju is not entirely sure whether the Lin family's inherent flaws are truly related to the Li family, after enduring the disdain of the Li family for so many years, he harbors no good feelings towards those with the surname Li.

This ... and * picture * book ... has gathered everyone today, not for any other reason, but to discuss the matter of Lin Baoju.

Thank you, Grandpa. Lin Baoju felt a surge of joy; this old man appeared to be someone with genuine skills. Having him examine his father's illness could not be better.

Lin Shisan leaned on his cane, trembling as he spoke to the old village chief. In recent years, the Li family had been increasingly unkind to the Lin family. Although Lin Shisan was disabled, he was not a fool; he was well aware of the warmth and coldness of human relationships. If it were not for the lack of funds for his son's university tuition this time, he would not have come to seek help.

The wind on the mountain road grew stronger, and the thunder became increasingly loud. Finally, the sound of rain, like a rushing torrent, came from behind the mountain, instantly enveloping the entire Baima Mountain in a tempest of wind and rain

The old man couldn't help but furrow his brows, thinking: "My son is sick, and I am sick too. How unfortunate for this family. Well, since this has happened, I must take care of it." Thus, the old man said: "Meeting is fate. I will accompany you to take a look at your father's illness."

Boom

Soon, the heads of each household in Baima Village gathered at the Li family ancestral hall

In the midst of the storm, the two father and son embraced each other, their cries of anguish drowning out even the sound of the wind and rain

Lin Baoju is a "medicine jar," having consumed no fewer than eight hundred prescriptions, if not a thousand. Although he cannot be considered a seasoned patient, he has nonetheless learned some simple folk remedies. Therefore, he plans to go up the mountain today to gather some herbs for his father.

Soon, more people began to leave one after another

Lin Shisan never expected that he would come to ask for tuition fees for his son with such shamelessness, only to end up with this result. After thanking the elderly men, he said nothing more and silently walked out of the Li family ancestral hall

The old man had originally become indifferent to these worldly matters, yet he could not help but let out a sigh and said: "Your family does not seem to be comprised of wicked and malevolent individuals, so how could you be so unfortunate? What about your ancestors? What is their background? Could it be that some calamity has befallen their descendants?"

Father, please stop talking! Stop talking!

Lin Baoju is well aware of the origin of the name Baima Mountain. It was their ancestor from the Lin family who prayed for the Li family and invited a "Golden Horse" to reside on this mountain. Every month during the full moon, the Golden Horse would drink from the waters of Baima River, channeling the river's water to Baima Mountain, thus providing a source of water for Baima Mountain. In fact, the entire topography of Baima Mountain indeed resembles a horse standing in the river, bowing its head to drink.

Lin Baoju is about 1.7 meters tall, very thin, and somewhat dark-skinned, with a head of curly hair that is never neatly combed. Additionally, his complexion is quite sallow, making it evident that he has been a sickly person since childhood

This text appears to be a placeholder or a non-specific symbol. Please provide a specific text for translation.

The rain is getting heavier, and the clothes of the two individuals have long been soaked through

"Bring your hand over here." The old man felt Lin Baoju's pulse, his face filled with astonishment: "Strange! You, young man, are still so young, yet your pulse is so weak. Your constitution is inherently frail; if this continues, I fear you may... I fear it will be difficult for you to live a long life"

What has father gone out to do? The lunch is ready, yet he won't come back to eat. Lin Baoju walked out of the house, looked up at the sky, which was overcast with dark clouds, as if it were about to rain

Village Chief, our precious child has been admitted to a key university this time. What do you think... should we mobilize the villagers to provide some support for the child?

After enduring such a heavy rain, Lin Baoju miraculously did not fall ill, only experiencing a slight cough for two days

Lin Baoju boldly approached the edge of the cliff, wanting to see who was there.

Lin Shisan heard his son say he would not attend university and suddenly shouted, "Shut up! Even if it means selling everything we have, you must go to university. The Li family is unreliable, so we must rely on ourselves. You need to bring honor to the Lin family! If you ever mention not going to school again, you can forget about calling me father!"

An old man stood up, his face flushed with anger, and shouted: "You ungrateful wretches! If it weren't for the ancestors of the Lin family, where would the Li family be today? The water you drink and the food you eat, all of it is the blessing created for you by the ancestors of the Lin family... blessing..."

This was dug for my father; his condition has always been poor. A few days ago, he got caught in the rain, and now he still cannot get out of bed. Lin Baoju said this with a worried expression.

Lin Baoju's umbrella fell to the ground. He rushed over and pulled his father up from the mud.

However, although they were aware, no one congratulated the Lin family, as the people of Baima Village had always believed that this was not a good thing

As he spoke, the old man glanced at the main room of the Lin family, and saw that the spirit tablet in the center of the shrine was inscribed with: "Spirit tablet of the Lin family's ancestor, Tai Xuan Gong."

In fact, the people of Baima Village had long been aware of Lin Baoju's admission to a key university, as this matter had even reached the ears of the county leaders, who unprecedentedly awarded Lin Baoju a bonus of 2,000 yuan

The old man had completely white hair and beard, and he looked to be at least around eighty years old. However, his complexion was rosy, resembling that of an infant. He was dressed in a simple white cloth gown and wore black cloth shoes. If he were to don a Daoist robe, he would likely exude an air of ethereal grace.

This is a placeholder text.

Sigh, it's still for your tuition fees that your father went to find the village chief Wu Cuilan handed an umbrella to Lin Baoju, urging him to go and return quickly

However, these are merely legends; not only do the young people of the Li family think so, but even Lin Baoju finds them untrustworthy

"Baoju, you go to https://mhetushu.com and see why your father hasn't returned yet," Lin Baoju's mother, Wu Cuilan, shouted to Lin Baoju in the kitchen while feeding the chickens and ducks in the yard

"Grandfather, your health is quite good, but when you go to the cliff to gather herbs, please be careful." Lin Baoju smiled at the old man, feeling a bit envious of his health, which was simply much stronger than that of this young man.

Lin Baoju wiped the rainwater off his face, opened the umbrella, and resolutely said: "Father, I will definitely continue to study!"

"It's a trivial matter, so I won't elaborate." A man from the Li family stood up and pointed directly at Lin Shisan, saying: "Twenty years ago, in order to help you, Lin Shisan, marry a wife, every household in Baima Village with the surname Li contributed 200 yuan. We raised over 10,000 yuan for your wedding, and the banquet and dowry were held in a grand and respectable manner. As a result, our family's fourth son is still single; why has no one arranged a match for him? We raised over 10,000 yuan for your wedding, and the banquet and dowry were held in a grand and respectable manner. As a result, our family's fourth son is still single; why has no one arranged a match for him? Furthermore, your Lin Baoju has been weak since childhood, and the medical expenses have not been small; the people in our village have also contributed. This time, we absolutely cannot gather more money! Why should we pay for your son Lin Shisan's university expenses?"

For chronic issues like those of Lin Shisan, Western medicine only addresses the symptoms rather than the root cause, and it is quite expensive, which is not something their family can sustain in the long term. Therefore, they have to rely on these herbal remedies.

Before reaching the edge of the cliff, one could see an elderly man with white hair emerging from the brink of the precipice

Father

The sound of thunder has already echoed in the distance, and the sky has grown darker

Inside the ancestral hall, a commotion soon erupted, resembling a flock of sparrows that had flown in, and it took quite a while before it settled down

What is the old man doing at the ancestral grave? Lin Baoju heard the sound of crying coming from the direction of the Lin family's ancestral grave, and he hurriedly walked towards that place

Lin Baoju was taken aback by his father's shout, remaining silent for a long while.

Father

"Is someone really gathering herbs on the cliff?" Lin Baoju couldn't help but feel a shock in his heart, "Who is so reckless? If they fall, they will directly plunge into the bottomless Baishui River."

Lin Baoju smiled and said, "It's nothing, I am used to it. After all, I have been taking medicine for a long time, so it doesn't matter. Thank you, old man."

The old man was somewhat surprised to see Lin Baoju, clearly not expecting to encounter another person here

What superstitions about feng shui? Lin Baoju does not believe in such things at all. As for the legends regarding the ancestors and Baima Mountain, it is perhaps merely because the ancestors had greatly benefited the Li family that the Li family holds such ancestral teachings—Lin Baoju finds this explanation the most reasonable

The Great Xuan Gong is your ancestor! Suddenly, a bright light shot from the old man's eyes, startling Lin Baoju.