Chapter 6, Is He a Master?

The next day, my parents got up early. My mother quickly prepared a simple breakfast for my father. After my father finished eating, he put on his thick coat and tucked two steamed buns into his pocket, ready to head up the mountain

My mother probably also knew what to say, and couldn't help but ask: "Should Lao Chen and Zhou Er step aside for a moment?"

It is one thing to say that he is a lecherous figure, but his behavior is even more absurd. Firstly, he is lustful; when he sees a beautiful young woman in the village, he stares without blinking. Sometimes, he even follows others around, and no one is afraid of this old man, as everyone knows he lacks the courage to do anything; he merely watches.

In any case, an ordinary person would certainly not dare to live on a mountain.

Chairman Mao said, "Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth; let us go and see for ourselves." My mother leaned closely against my father, her eyes wide open, unable to close them, thinking that home felt like a 'ghost meeting'; she could not fall asleep.

A night without conversation

What is the image of Old Man Jiang? His hair is gray, his beard is long, and his complexion is actually quite good, fair and rosy. However, he is dirty; one often sees the grime left on his face from not washing it, in lines and streaks. His neck is the same, and even his beard is adorned with remnants of unknown substances.

However, this strange old man did not express any gratitude, merely stating: "I help you with your work, and you provide me with food; we owe each other nothing, do not entangle in karma, and instead establish a good relationship, which is excellent and virtuous." Such words would seem utterly insane and nonsensical to an ordinary person

Widow Zhou gratefully nodded at my mother, exhausted and no longer wishing to speak

If it were not for an extraordinary person, how could one live alone in the mountains? Not to mention the supernatural beings, the insects in these mountains are also numerous, especially the long worms; even the locals do not know how many species exist in this area of the mountains.

Light can provide powerful solace to individuals at certain times

Is this old man Jiang a remarkable figure? As the smoke rose, my father calmed his mind and began to mutter to himself

Oh dear, you don't need to do anything, just stay here and keep an eye on Yuehong. My mother is not in the mood to chat with my father right now

Thus, my father returned home with my mother, who was filled with questions and concerns.

Therefore, it is extremely difficult to find him all at once; it is essential to carry some provisions, isn't it

The mountain path in the morning was extremely damp. After walking for a while, my father's pant legs were soaked. As the sky began to lighten, he put away the flashlight, sat down on a large rock, and prepared to smoke a cigarette, taking a few minutes to rest

Moreover, even when scolded and driven away, he does not become angry, and continues to murmur: "A gentleman is moved by feelings, but restrained by propriety. Everyone has a heart that appreciates beauty..."

Why carry two steamed buns? It's simple. Our village is adjacent to a mountain that is not very high, but it stretches for dozens of kilometers, which is quite large. My father knows that the old man Jiang lives alone on the mountain, but he doesn't know exactly where. The villagers also don't know; they just know that he occasionally wanders around the village.

"Who is he? Where is he?" my mother asked anxiously

Widow Zhou shook her head, estimating that she and Zhou Da must be facing significant difficulties, to the point where she could no longer conceal anything: "The expert said that we are mutually dragging each other down, but I truly do not want to harm him. If I harm him, he will be left with no way out. What can I become then, just a ghost? I have always thought this way. Moreover, I feel sorry for that child, Zhou Qiang. Although the Zhou family will certainly take care of him, a child with a mother is always better off. A child without both a father and a mother cannot bear it. If you can invite the expert, please help us."

He often wears clothes that are so stained that their original color is hardly discernible. In summer, it is somewhat tolerable, but during other seasons, both of his cuffs are shiny and stiff. How long has it been since they were last washed, and how many times has he wiped his mouth to achieve this?

Zhou sighed and said, "Well, what I just argued with my wife about was just this, but... whether it helps, I do not know. You should find someone; he might have some real skills. A few years ago, when my wife was having a good time, he inexplicably came to my house, took a look at my wife, and said, 'One cannot exhale the yang energy, nor can one swallow it. I foolishly thought there would be someone here who could master the art of harmony and the techniques of the Tao. Forget it, it's better to part ways; in the end, it only leads to mutual burden.' Then, this person left. Forget it, it's better to part ways; in the end, it only leads to mutual burden.' Then, this person left. As for my wife and me, apart from some family members who have a bit of suspicion, who else knows the specifics of this situation? He must be a remarkable person."

That old man, could he be an extraordinary person? But that old man is indeed an extraordinary person; he is also the master I respect the most in my life, both a teacher and a father to me

He... you definitely know him, it's Old Man Jiang" Zhou Da said hesitantly, fearing that my mother would not believe him

My father seemed to have found a powerful excuse for Old Man Jiang, and his furrowed brows relaxed. However, after a while, he furrowed his brows again, as the image and actions of Old Man Jiang began to churn in his mind.

In any case, if the items being requested are of higher value, he will assist with the work for a longer duration; if the items are more commonplace, he will do less work.

As an outsider, my father, despite having a multitude of questions, finds it difficult to speak up, let alone inquire about my matters at this moment

Watching them busily at work, my utterly clueless father couldn't help but say, "Xiuyun, what do you think I should do?" Although my dad was completely unaware, he still vaguely understood one thing: that Widow Zhou had become this way because of our family's affairs

Upon seeing this scene on Tuesday, he exclaimed in surprise and quickly went inside to fetch a quilt to wrap around Widow Zhou, while my mother hurriedly went to the kitchen to prepare ginger soup.

Sister-in-law, what are you talking about? What has turned into a ghost? What has no father or mother? Zhou Er, concerned for his sister-in-law, immediately began to shout loudly, while Widow Zhou simply waved her hand, signaling Zhou Er to stop asking.

As for my mother, she looked sincerely at Widow Zhou, disregarding the coldness as she held her hand and said, "I will do my best, so you can rest assured. In fact, there is something I want to say: what should be let go should be let go. Doing things that benefit each other is also a manifestation of deep feelings, especially since there is a child involved"

Typically, many families would give it away, as the things in the fields are not particularly valuable. The people in the mountains are simple and cannot bear to see an old man in such a state

"Old Man Jiang, are you talking about the Old Man Jiang who mysteriously appeared in our village a few years ago?" My mother was indeed somewhat skeptical and asked again.

The people in the mountains do not understand what he is mumbling about, often cursing even more fiercely. He chuckles, and after watching for a while, he simply walks away. At most, when he turns to leave, he will sing a nonsensical mountain song and shout, "The young lady is beautiful..."

On a cold winter night, many people had gone to bed early, some even drifting into dreams. However, my parents, returning from Widow Song's house, felt no trace of sleepiness and even had two bright oil lamps lit in the room

The women in the countryside are also strong. My mother quickly helped Widow Zhou out of the west wing and then carried her to the main room, placing her on the chair in front of the stove. Just then, my father was also holding me in the main room, chatting with Zhou Er, likely because the stove in the main room made it warmer.

At this moment, my father had finished listening to my mother recount the events, his hand trembling slightly as he reached for a cigarette. After a long pause, he finally said, "Old man Jiang, is it reliable?"

Moreover, Old Jiang is fond of good food. Whenever he wanders around the village and discovers that someone has something fresh ready, he always shamelessly asks for it. If the person refuses, he will linger around. When he sees others working, he quickly comes to help. It is impossible not to accept his help, and no matter how much one tries to drive him away, he simply won't leave.

Well, let our son suffer a bit more. Tomorrow I will go up the mountain to find Old Man Jiang. Today... tonight we will just light the lamp and go to sleep. My father is also very scared inside; otherwise, why would he light the lamp to sleep?

"It is him, go find him. If you find the right person, we will also have a request of you. I won't say more, my wife can't take it anymore." Zhou Da said anxiously, his body trembled, and he collapsed, clearly having returned his body to Widow Zhou.

After the busiest period, Widow Zhou's situation finally improved a bit, and she seemed to regain her composure. She looked at my mother, appearing as if she had something to say.

Widow Zhou appeared even weaker than the last time, lying motionless on the table. How could my mother finish her own matters and then ignore Widow Zhou? She hurried over to support Widow Zhou, and upon touching her body, she felt even colder than before, with her breath extremely faint.