Chapter 4, Wang Laodao
Suddenly, an old Taoist named Wang appeared, and not only was his arrival strange, but he was also quite overbearing, leaving Master Huang Er feeling somewhat embarrassed. After all, he was a prominent figure among the celestial beings of Northeast China, contemplating how to find a way to ease the situation. At this moment, Wang was relentless, standing firmly with his feet in a stance of power, reciting incantations: "Primordial Lord General, One Qi Divine Monarch. Great Spirit Officer of the Heavenly Court, Unyielding Officer of the Three Realms. With golden eyes and red hair, known as the Thunder Lord of the Three-Five Fire Train..."
Wang Xiaobai was taken aback, not expecting such a thing to happen. He hurriedly said: "I wish to be your disciple, Master, please accept me. I will definitely study hard under your guidance"
Wang Zhen arrived very early, hiding behind the temple, observing everything clearly and understanding the ins and outs of the situation. Initially, he did not intend to rashly intervene. Wang Xiaobai was indeed at fault for recklessly ruining someone else's birthday gift, and it was only right for him to learn a lesson. Moreover, Elder Huang was a person of rectitude and would not make things difficult for him. Unexpectedly, Elder Huang also noticed Wang Xiaobai's minor transgressions and instructed him to silence a few of his disciples.
To recklessly show up at someone's door is fortunate enough not to be regarded as a lunatic. Moreover, why would a good child not focus on their studies and instead learn sorcery? Wang Xiaobai's parents do not agree with this either. Can one even claim kinship through blood? His seniority is extremely high; in terms of generation, he is of Wang Xiaobai's grandfather's generation, yet he wants to take on a disciple from the younger generation. Such words are hard to utter.
Elder Huang felt a bit ashamed. Indeed, he owed Wang Xiaobai. Upon seeing the three flowers atop Wang Xiaobai's head, he recognized him as one of the most spiritually gifted individuals among people. He wanted to take this opportunity to ask for a few mouth seals for his own disciples. Although it was certain that Wang Xiaobai would encounter misfortune if he sealed several disciples at once, Elder Huang had already thought it through. He would protect and assist Wang Xiaobai in overcoming difficulties, personally becoming their household deity to repay the favor.
After saying these two sentences, the tobacco pipe was suddenly struck hard against the ground, and with a puff, all the torches, candles, and lights in the room went out at once. The small temple was engulfed in darkness, with smoke swirling and cold winds howling. After a while, the room suddenly fell silent, and moonlight streamed in through the doorway, revealing a scene of chaos inside, yet not a single yellow weasel remained. Everything that had just transpired felt more like an absurd dream.
Wang Xiaobai took the opportunity and stood up from the chair, ready to bow to Wang Zhen and pay his respects as a disciple. Wang Zhen was taken aback; this child was good in every way, truly clever, but his thick skin was quite remarkable. Now that the initiative was in Wang Zhen's hands, he decided to test Wang Xiaobai a bit more.
Wang Xiaobai speculated that it was about eighty to ninety percent accurate. Wang Laodao referred to Wang Zhen, the sole inheritor of the Lingguan Method. The Lingguan Method has been passed down through generations, exclusively within the Wang surname, transmitted internally rather than externally, and passed to sons but not daughters. However, in Wang Zhen's generation, due to historical reasons, Wang Zhen had no descendants. Yet, the Lingguan Method could not be allowed to die out in his hands, so he had to seek a collateral branch of the Wang family to take on a disciple and continue the legacy of the Lingguan Method.
Wang Zhen still did not take action. With the innate spiritual energy that Wang Xiaobai possessed, sealing a few weasels that resembled humans was not a problem. The wild immortals like Old Master Huang Er followed the right path, being grateful and repaying kindness, which was essentially Wang Xiaobai's fate. Unexpectedly, Old Master Huang Qi wanted to ask Wang Xiaobai for a seal that resembled a deity, leaving Wang Zhen no choice but to take action.
Wang Xiaobai was still a bit shaken, but his mind was able to turn around. He took a deep breath and said: "That Lord Huang Er said I have a small three flowers on my head, I don't know what it means, but he asked me to seal the mouths of other non-human-shaped weasels, which indicates that I am different from ordinary people. Otherwise, after I bowed three times, he would have let me go. Old Wang, your arrival is very timely, which shows you care about me. Now that I think about it, when I was in the third year of middle school, you were already popping popcorn at the entrance of our school. When I entered high school, you were still popping popcorn at the entrance of our school, and you always gave me extra..."
Moreover, Wang Zhen still needed to test Wang Xiaobai's character to determine whether he was essentially a good child or not; even if his aptitude was excellent, he could not be accepted if his nature was flawed. He thought to first become familiar with him, so he started making popcorn. After spending some time together, they became acquainted, and he realized that Wang Xiaobai was fundamentally a good kid. Although he always gave more popcorn when Wang Xiaobai asked, the latter did not take advantage of him. On one occasion, he even used his pocket money to buy him a pair of rubber shoes. Although the shoes were not expensive, it was evident that the child understood the value of kindness. They had already become familiar with each other, and he knew that Wang Xiaobai was fundamentally a good kid. Even though he always gave more popcorn when Wang Xiaobai asked, the latter did not take advantage of him. On one occasion, he even used his pocket money to buy him a pair of rubber shoes. Although the shoes were not expensive, it was evident that the child understood the value of kindness.
Having spoken, he swiftly picked up the exploded popcorn machine from the ground and took a few steps out of the Huangxian Temple, leaving Wang Xiaobai in astonishment as he only caught a glimpse of Wang Zhen's back before it vanished from sight
Wang Zhen was very satisfied and was contemplating finding an opportunity to talk to Wang Xiaobai. Unexpectedly, something happened to Wang Xiaobai. Every day, Wang Zhen stood at the school gate making popcorn, and when he did not see Wang Xiaobai in the evening, he encountered Chen Jianbin, who was going back to ask for help in finding someone. After calculating with his fingers, he sensed that something was wrong and took the pot of popcorn to seek him out.
What are you trying to gain from me? My family is not wealthy, so it is impossible for me to be after money. As a man, it is even less likely that I would be after anything else. Moreover, as Huang Er Ye mentioned, you probably see potential in me and wish to take me as your disciple. Other than that, I really cannot think of any reason why you always give me extra popcorn and come over so promptly.
At the age of fifteen, the three flowers of spiritual energy have nearly been depleted. Aside from the three spirals on the top of his head, he is not much different from an ordinary person. However, he is still a rare talent, and with proper guidance and teaching, inheriting the lineage of the spiritual officials should not be a problem. The issue is, how should I approach Wang Xiaobai? How can I openly and legitimately have this child become my disciple?
Wang Zhen fell silent for a moment and said to Wang Xiaobai: "It is not a matter of me accepting you as my disciple right now, but rather you must take me as your master. If you do not learn some skills, Huang Lao Qi will definitely entangle you. Think about it, you have only sealed Huang Lao Qi halfway; you have trapped it, leaving it in limbo. No matter who it seeks for sealing, it will be of no use. Without your sealing, no matter how well it cultivates in this lifetime, it will never attain enlightenment. If you seal it like a person, it can attain enlightenment and transform into a human. If you do not seal it, do you think it will not cling to you?"
In the eyes of Wang Xiaobai and the other weasels, Wang Laodao seemed a bit unsteady as he approached in a swaying manner. Huang Erye, who was aware of the situation, was startled upon hearing Wang Laodao's incantation and said in a deep voice: "So it is from the lineage of Wang Lingguan. No wonder he speaks so boldly. Today, I, Huang Er, take responsibility for this matter and owe this child a favor. I shall repay it in the future"
I did not expect Huang Laoqi to be so inconsiderate, immediately wanting to confer divinity upon Wang Xiaobai. Although this child possesses spiritual energy, he lacks divine authority. If he were truly conferred, his life would be ruined. Such a thing is something that Master Huang Er would never do; he follows the righteous path. Cultivation is not easy, and if Wang Laodao does not come, he would still have to intervene.
Old Wang squinted his eyes and asked with a smile, "Why should I take you as my disciple?"
The branch of the Wang Xiaobai family has been separated from the main lineage of the Wang family since the late Qing Dynasty. Wang Zhen did not rashly acknowledge their kinship; instead, he quietly followed Wang Xiaobai. Upon noticing the three whorls on the top of Wang Xiaobai's head, he was instantly overjoyed and secretly stamped his foot in frustration. If only he had discovered this a few years earlier, Wang Xiaobai had been following him since childhood. With such talent, as long as he worked hard, he would undoubtedly become a master-level figure.
Wang Laodao was taken aback, as it was quite unexpected. Wang Xiaobai, a mere fifteen-year-old child, had experienced bizarre events that most people could hardly endure. Upon seeing the person who saved him, he did not burst into tears or become so frightened that his soul left his body. Instead, his first question was whether he could be accepted as a disciple. How on earth did this kid know that?
Wang Laodao stepped aside and said, "Do not rush to bow down. If you truly wish to take me as your master, you must pass three trials. Come back to find me at this time tomorrow! By the way, do not speak of my matters to anyone, or you will not be able to find me. Also, if Huang Laoqi bothers you, be sure not to say too much, and absolutely do not compare it to anything else, you must not say..."
Thus, the previous scene unfolded, which also marked the opportunity for Wang Zhen and Wang Xiaobai. There could be no better chance than this; if Wang Zhen did not seize this moment to take in Wang Xiaobai, then all his efforts in cultivating his path would have been in vain. Wang Zhen was on the verge of tears, praying for his ancestors' blessings, hoping that the lineage of the Lingguan could be passed down. However, he had to maintain his composure on the surface, and such a great opportunity must certainly be utilized well.
This matter, I, Old Wang, cannot ignore. If you release this young man today, it can be discussed. If you do not release him, heh heh, then I will experience the supernatural abilities of Master Huang Er!
Old Wang chuckled and drew out a yellow talisman, flinging it outward. Three yellow talismans shot out rapidly, striking the skulls of the three weasels at the front with a series of loud bangs. The three weasels let out a wretched scream as the skulls rolled off their heads and fell to the ground, blood gushing profusely, with black smoke rising from their bodies. Old Wang kicked the Taoist certificate into his pocket, and with a flip of his right hand, a three-inch-long token appeared in his grasp.
Wang Zhen first examined the family genealogy, and then used secret techniques to deduce that a branch of the Wang family had arrived in the Northeast. However, the three provinces in the Northeast are vast, making it difficult to locate them. Nevertheless, Wang Zhen traveled a long distance from Shaanxi, and this search lasted for over a decade, until he finally found them when Wang Xiaobai was in the third year of junior high school
Old Wang took out a Taoist certificate from his pocket, blue cover, yellow characters, with the words 'Taoist Certificate' prominently displayed under the firelight. Even more eye-catching were several yellow talismans beneath the certificate. Old Huang's face darkened, and before he could say anything, the remaining few weasels waiting for a blessing, seeing Old Wang causing trouble, became somewhat annoyed, chattering in protest. They let out a few strange cries and all pounced towards Old Wang.
Wang Laodao nodded in agreement, yet felt a secret joy in his heart. This young lad Wang Xiaobai truly is a remarkable talent. At a critical moment, he could act coy, recognize his own shortcomings, and even deduce his intentions from just a few words. At only fifteen years old, not only is he intelligent, but he also possesses considerable courage, managing not to wet his pants in fear, and he offers a logical analysis. Ah, those born under the auspices of the Three Flowers are indeed exceptional.
Wang Xiaobai was bewildered for quite some time, unable to regain his composure. Wang Laodao took a torch from the wall, lit it, and shone it towards him. Wang Xiaobai blinked a few times, gazing at Wang Laodao's weathered old face, and suddenly asked with utmost seriousness: "Do you want to take me as your disciple?"
Old Wang sneered, "Are you going to make a move? That would be a bit ungrateful. Huang Er, let me be honest with you, I came for that kid. The child is naive and accidentally damaged your family's altar, which is just a few pieces of rotten wood. I have already bowed my head to you as I should and sealed your mouth as necessary. Why are you being so shameless as to want to deify this child? He has no divine authority. If you really want to deify your child, he will face continuous divine punishment in this life, frail and sickly, stumbling every three steps and encountering obstacles every five steps. He might not even live to see thirty. Can you bear that?" He has no divine authority. If you really want to deify your child, he will face continuous divine punishment in this life, frail and sickly, stumbling every three steps and encountering obstacles every five steps. He might not even live to see thirty. Can you bear that?"