Chapter 8: Inheritance
Mao Xiaofang said: "You fool, didn't Old Jin give you the inheritance? Since he intends to take you as his disciple, he must have reserved cultivation resources for you."
The letter primarily discusses how he observed Jiang Le, discovering Jiang Le's talent and character. He decided to take Jiang Le as his disciple and pass on his legacy, hoping that Jiang Le would diligently cultivate and not let the legacy be severed. Additionally, there is a certificate of inheritance signed by friends from both families, as well as a list of several items contained within a red cloth package, which he reserved for Jiang Le's cultivation materials.
However, looking at the dozens of ancestral tablets of the Jin family, Jiang Le could not help but sigh
"Enough, stop overthinking. You must let go of distractions and focus solely on refining your magical power; that is the true principle. Without the generation of magical power, you won't even be able to enter the door. Discussing anything else is merely a joke," Mao Xiaofang reprimanded.
The same roots as the roots of a tree
After reading it, Jiang Le's eyes sparkled, moved beyond words
Mao Xiaofang stated: "Essence is the foundation of the body. When the essence is abundant, the body is strong. If you practice all night and wake up hungry in the morning, it is due to insufficient essence. If you adequately supplement your nutrition and your essence is full, how could you possibly feel hungry?"
It seems there is a fear that Jiang Le might truly back out. Mao Xiao's expression softened a bit as he said: "In fact, you need not worry too much. As you are just entering the path, it is better for you to maintain your status as a pure youth. Preserving your pure yang is greatly beneficial for your cultivation. Once you have achieved success in your practice, you can certainly seek out some promising women to cultivate as dual cultivation partners. This is also a viable approach."
Jiang Le, upon hearing this, pouted and said: "Speaking of this matter, I almost forgot. Master, I practiced all night, so why am I so hungry in the morning? You have no idea how much I ate; it would scare you if I told you. Is this a sign that something went wrong with my cultivation?"
To be opened by Jiang Le.
Mao Xiaofang was taken aback by the question, fell silent for a moment, and then her expression suddenly turned somewhat wistful
The content of the letter is brief; it is a precaution left by Old Man Jin, who senses that his time is limited. If he is still alive, this letter will be burned. If he has already passed away, then this letter serves as a testament of inheritance left for Jiang Le.
Jiang Le expressed her gratitude as soon as they met, and then began to busily attend to matters both inside and outside.
After sending Old Man Jin for cremation in the afternoon, the entire process finally came to an end
Old Jin cannot simply give away a house; since it is a legacy, there must certainly be something more involved
Although Old Man Jin had no relatives, the funeral would not appear very grand; however, Jiang Le insisted on holding a large ceremony for him
At this moment, white mourning banners had already been hung outside the antique shop, and the two familiar neighbors on either side were very attentive in handling the funeral arrangements for Old Man Jin
However, seeing that half of the money was missing, Jiang Le felt like crying without tears
With a feeling of trepidation, Jiang Le arrived at school, found the homeroom teacher of Class 37, requested a three-day leave of absence, and then quickly rushed to the antique shop
The urn was naturally placed in the row of spirit tablets in the Jin family ancestral hall, positioned at the very bottom
Jiang Le had a head full of black lines
Thus, by the end of the day, the entire process was conducted in a very grand manner
"Master, does learning the way require abstaining from desires? If that is the case, can I withdraw from my apprenticeship?" Jiang Le asked weakly.
Hmph, what do you understand? Those who cultivate the Dao have bodies that have undergone constant refinement, and they have long since transcended the realm of ordinary people. It is extremely difficult to conceive a child. At our level, finding a wife must be among those of the same path; only then is there a possibility of nurturing offspring. However, within the Daoist sect, female practitioners are quite rare, and those who have achieved significant cultivation are even more scarce. Sigh, the competition is too fierce; it is truly a matter of tears. Mao Xiaofang wore a pained expression, deeply saddened by the imbalance of male and female practitioners in the Daoist sect. How many paths are filled with despair? Those who wish to nurture a child with good talent to inherit the Daoist lineage all depart with regrets.
Mao Xiaofang was exasperated; where had that kid gone? With a flick of his fingers, he shot a small red light that struck Jiang Le's head, causing him to grimace in pain
After a thorough search, Jiang Le finally discovered a hidden compartment in a cabinet. Upon pulling it out, he found a red cloth bundle inside
Well, that's not right. This old man is deceiving me. By the time I have mastered my skills, I won't even know how old I will be. Even if I manage to cultivate someone, it will be for others. I can't believe it; I feel like my life is shrouded in darkness.
Jiang Le was taken aback, and then his eyes sparkled brightly.
a bank card
"Well, let me look for it first," Jiang Le said excitedly, and then hurriedly entered Old Jin's room.
If you dare to speak of leaving the master again, I will destroy you
After a long while, Mao Xiaofang sighed and said, "To speak frankly, I also have no offspring to leave behind"
Jiang Le turned to look at Mao Xiaofang and couldn't help but ask: "Master, why do you think Old Man Jin did not leave any descendants"
As the words fell, Jiang Le was suddenly startled, stepping back several paces and watching Mao Xiaofang with caution
Jiang Le lamented: "But I am really poor right now; I can't even afford to eat. You still mention ginseng and polygonatum? After living for eighteen years, I still don't even know what ginseng and polygonatum look like"
He also finds it somewhat puzzling why Old Man Jin did not leave any heirs for the family. He does not seem like someone who would be unable to support a wife.
At the funeral home farewell, he expressed his gratitude as a family member
Mao Xiaofang was at a loss whether to laugh or cry; this little rascal was becoming more and more outrageous, daring to make fun of the master
This door belongs to the Jin family, with a legacy spanning hundreds of years, and it shall come to an end from here.
Jiang Le, puzzled, said: "Is it really that serious? Learning the arts of the library is so impressive, subduing demons and vanquishing monsters, fully displaying the demeanor of a master. With just a wave of the hand, golden light flashing, wouldn't the girls all come rushing over like moths to a flame? How could one possibly not find a wife?"
This hunger is too exaggerated; with such a way of eating, how can one possibly endure it
Jiang Le's eyes lit up; it sounds quite good. Cultivating on one's own, could this be considered as nurturing a daughter-in-law? There is potential here
Jiang Le looked at him with confusion, not understanding the situation
Jiang Le was taken aback; if I can't even afford this meal, do you expect me to eat ginseng and polygonatum?
Jiang Le widened his eyes, gestured at his own arms, and felt that he was quite sturdy. How could he not be strong? Are you trying to fool me?
In this way, Jiang Le changed breakfast shops four times in a row, finally appeasing the tumultuous temple of his five internal organs
When hosting a banquet for guests, all invitees are colleagues from the antique street. While it is acceptable not to give monetary gifts, their presence is essential to enhance the atmosphere of the mourning event
Jiang Le shrank his neck in fear, yet his gaze remained fixed, locking eyes with Mao Xiaofang.
There is another letter
Mao Xiaofang smiled and said: "This is not something unique to you; anyone who embarks on the path of Dao will initially lack vitality and will need substantial nourishment. However, relying solely on food to replenish vitality is the least ideal method. While grains and cereals are sufficient for sustaining life, they are inadequate for nurturing vitality. Generally, sects or families use spiritual herbs such as ginseng and huangjing to refine elixirs that replenish the vitality of new disciples."
a piece of jade pendant
With a slight change in complexion, Jiang Le opened the envelope and silently observed.
Mao Xiaofang glared and scolded: "Useless thing, are you scared by such a trivial matter? Those who cultivate the Dao go against the heavens; how can one easily give up? I do not wish to hear this again; otherwise, I will eliminate you directly"
Mao Xiaofang exclaimed with admiration: "Not bad, not bad. You were able to stimulate your vital energy on your first attempt at cultivation. You truly are a natural Dao body. I believe that within three days, you will surely be able to sense the vital energy within you and then harness it."
He merely came here to work and earn money, but unexpectedly, he has already become the chosen heir of this lonely old man. This feeling of being watched and anticipated is something he has rarely experienced throughout his life
Mao Xiaofang coldly snorted: "You have already become my disciple, and there is no opportunity for regret. If you dare to be negligent, I will eliminate you, lest I encounter a promising talent that I cannot nurture, which is too distressing."
Even if I perish, I cannot renounce desire; this is a fundamental principle of perseverance. If one were to forsake desire, half of life's pleasures would be lost
In the prosperous era of my master's sect, good female practitioners were rare. In this current age, where even male practitioners are scarce, how can one find a wife?
Jiang Le frowned and said, "Stimulating vital energy? What does this have to do with my hunger?"
a book
Once again, Jiang Le expressed gratitude to each person who came to pay their respects before sending them off, and then returned to the antique shop with the ashes of Old Man Jin.
At the breakfast shop, I ate three baskets of buns and two bowls of noodles, and only then did I feel about thirty percent full, as if I could still eat two more portions of that amount
These items, when held in Jiang Le's hands, felt very heavy
No, I must definitely ask the master clearly tonight; it cannot be that there has been a deviation in the cultivation.
Mao Xiaofang continued, "Don't doubt it. To refine one's magical power, a substantial amount of vital energy is required. You seem fine at the moment, but once you start mobilizing your vital energy, you will realize that it is insufficient. Therefore, you need to replenish it significantly. However, you entered a state of cultivation right after listening to the Daoist teachings last night, leaving me no time to inform you."
This statement makes sense
After turning two streets and distancing herself from her own neighborhood, Jiang Le entered another breakfast shop and had a bowl of noodles along with two baskets of steamed buns
Jiang Le was astonished, how could this be? Did entering the Daoist sect mean that one had to practice celibacy like a monk?
However, Jiang Le no longer dared to eat it
"Is it like this with books? Then doesn't that mean that once I finish my training, I must have a big feast?" Jiang Le's little face fell, as a big feast requires money. What I lack the most is also money.
"Throughout history, many who pursued the Dao have met with misfortune; how many return from the grave of robes and caps? This old man's family is scattered, and his life has been tumultuous, yet in his old age, having someone to see him off is far better than most of his peers who died tragically in the wilderness, with no place to be buried." A flash of red light appeared, and Mao Xiaofang emerged from Jiang Le's backpack, exclaiming in admiration.
Hastily pretending to be very full, Jiang Le paid with a smile and quickly ran away
I suddenly feel that entering the Daoist sect is not a very ideal choice. Is it still too late to regret now?" Jiang Le said with a mournful expression.
"Hmph, rest assured, there is no such thing as abstaining from desires in the Daoist sect." Mao Xiaofang reassured Jiang Le, then continued, "However, it is not easy for those in the Daoist sect to find a wife."
Forget it, this cultivation is definitely not something I can afford to engage in
As a child from a single-parent family, both in terms of his own will and from a moral standpoint, he cannot abstain from indulgence.
Suddenly, Jiang Le realized and said: "Unless the master does not have an affinity for women."
Jiang Le suddenly realized, and then his expression also turned unpleasant
Is this a letter from Old Jin to me? Did Old Jin leave this will a long time ago? Did he already know that his time was limited?
He is still missing a spirit tablet, which Jiang Le has already commissioned someone to customize, and it will take several days to be delivered
Such a way of eating may soon lead to rumors spreading in the community that the Jiang family's young man has become a glutton
"Master, it is not that I am afraid to retreat; I truly cannot continue my cultivation. You might as well find a wealthy second-generation disciple instead," Jiang Le stated candidly.
Upon opening the red cloth bag, Jiang Le saw five items
When Jiang Le saw the letter, he was taken aback
How can this be possible