According to the old legend, the Qingquan River that flowed through Qingquan Town was originally a handful of spring water from the heavenly river. Later, the Water God descended to the mortal world and passed by Qingquan Town. The scenery here was beautiful, but it lacked a living water. Therefore, he moved the Qingquan River that he carried with him here with his own strength. From then on, there was running water here. Later, residents moved in from other places. Over time, it gradually became a town, which was today's Clear Spring Town.
Qingquan Town was full of outstanding people. Since the establishment of the town, there were more than 500 people, 22 top scholars, and more than 10 first-grade officials. The Qingquan Academy in the town was built by these people. After the gradual improvement of the later generations, it finally became one of the four academies in the country. It had been more than 700 years now. The students of the three provinces around were proud to be able to study in the academy. The top scholars were even proud to be able to manage the academy. The residents even regarded the Clear Spring Academy as the most beautiful building in the town, and they felt extremely honored to be a resident of Clear Spring Town.
This year, a declining scholarly family with the surname Nan moved in from the capital and settled down in a small town near the woods outside the town. It seemed that this was another family that had retired from school to glorify their family.
At the same time, a doctor who practiced medicine moved in next door to the Nan family. The doctor's surname was Niu, and his sick wife called him Erlang. Therefore, the people in the town called him Niu Er, and the younger ones called him Uncle Niu Er.
The Nan family and the Niu family had moved in one after another, so the two families were relatively close. The Nan family often borrowed books for the cowherd to study. When the Nan family had a headache and fever, the cowherd would often diagnose the illness and prescribe medicine for the Nan family without consultation fees. Their relationship could be said to be close.
In the blink of an eye, a few years had passed.
On this day, when the morning sun shone into the courtyard for the first time, Nan Weifeng sat down early in the morning with a book in his hand and began his morning reading. This was a habit that had formed after he had been admitted as a scholar for three years and entered the Clear Spring Academy to study. Today was the third anniversary of his examination as a scholar, and also the birthday of his son, Nan Hairen. That was why Nan Weifeng was especially excited today. He recalled how excited his father and mother were when Constable Liu from the county government delivered the good news to them three years ago when the results of the provincial examination were released. I killed the only hen that laid eggs in the house to reward Constable Liu. That day, his mother was so happy that she couldn't close her mouth.
As he became a scholar, many good things happened to him. The matchmaker, who had not visited him for a long time, began to frequently go in and out of the dilapidated thatched house to matchmake him. Soon after, he married the daughter of the town's Liu Juren, Liu Yueting, the most talented woman in Qingquan Town. Later, he gave birth to a son, Nan Hairen.
Although the Nan family of Clear Spring Town had not moved to Clear Spring Town for long, they were already famous for their scholarly reputation. It was said that the previous generations had even produced the Imperial Academy editors of the current dynasty. The family had a rich collection of books. However, when the family's fortune declined in recent times, they moved to Clear Spring Town at the expense of their own interests. However, the family style of studying and seeking an official position had never been lost.
Today was Nan Hairen's first birthday. According to the local customs, they would hold a " catch Zhou " ceremony. On the first day of a child's birthday, the child would be placed in front of a pile of seals, wooden fish, books, rouge, swords, horsewhips, musical instruments, hoes, gold, jewelry, etc., and see which one the child would take. Through this, the child would be able to predict what the child would do in the future, or predict how promising he would be in the future. If the child caught the *** stamp, it meant that the child might become an official in the future. If he caught Yanzhi, he could only fall in love with women and would not have a future. At noon, the Nan family had prepared the 'catching Zhou' gift in the Cottage. When the 'catching Zhou' time came, the Nan family's little Hairen would start the 'catching Zhou' gift. "The auspicious time has arrived. May the little birthday star begin the 'Zhou' ceremony.”Second Uncle Niu, the doctor who was temporarily acting as the emcee, shouted.
At this moment, someone outside the door suddenly chanted,"Amitabha!"”，Following the Buddhist proclamation, an old monk walked in. He had a solemn appearance, a kind face, and a face as red as a baby's, but one could not tell his age. The monk glanced at Nan Hai Ren who was in Liu-shi's arms and said,""Almsgiver Nan, this poor monk wants to form a good relationship with you.”
"Master, please tell me. As long as I can do it, I will do my best."”
The monk said," I see that your son has peach blossoms on his eyebrows, and his wives and concubines are in chaos. They are constantly in love and evil, harming others and harming themselves. The pattern of the Heavenly Court is the shape of the six relatives who do not rely on each other. He is fated to be with Buddha. He should be converted to Buddha for twenty years before he can resolve the disaster of harming others and harming his relatives. I wonder if Almsgiver Nan can bear to do so?"
"Bullshit, bullshit!" Just as Nan Weifeng was about to answer, two old curses came from outside the door. Then, a disheveled Taoist priest walked in. He was wearing a tattered Taoist robe and had removed his horsetail whisk. His face was haggard and his age could not be seen.
The monk looked at the sloppy Taoist priest but did not get angry. Instead, he put his palms together and said,"Amitabha. Fellow Daoist Sloppy hasn't slept for decades, but you're still as beautiful as ever.”
The sloppy Taoist priest said," You can't be considered spirited. You're still in a mess. On the other hand, Baldy, your face is full of red light. It seems that your cultivation has improved again in this sixty years. You've already reached the Phaseless Realm. I can't quite understand you."”
The monk said," Fellow Daoist Sloppy's cultivation seems to have improved quite a bit in the past sixty years. He's already about to enter the Great Vehicle Stage, and the day of his ascension isn't far away. It's also worth celebrating."”
"Don't try to confuse me, Baldy Desireless," said the sloppy Daoist priest. It's not that the fork in the road breaks your fate. This child is not someone you can cross over to Buddhism. Don't cause trouble. If you don't open your 'great spiritual wisdom' when you reach adulthood, you can also achieve success in studying and seeking an official position. You can live an ordinary life without worries. If you and I want to go against the heavens, there will be endless variables. You can't use the 'Great Samsara Technique' to calculate, right?”
"Fellow Daoist Sloppy, your 'Heaven Secrets Eye' has improved again," the monk said. I am just trying to surpass the heavens. If you want me to give up on this idea, you have to convince me.”
"Good!" the sloppy Taoist priest said. It was still the same old rules, a bet, but the way of the bet this time was different from the past. You and I each placed an item in the " If you catch what I release, it will be my win. If you catch what you release and what I release, it will be a draw. Once a draw occurs, it will be up to the parents of the child to decide whether to convert to Buddhism. Since he didn't catch what you let go or what I let go, then heaven's will could only let this child do as it pleased. In addition, when the child 'caught Zhou,' you and I couldn't use any external force to influence the child's will, otherwise, the violator would lose. How is it?"
"That's good," Master Desireless said."This Penniless Monk will do as you say." I'll place the Five-Colored Golden Lotus on a bet with Daoist Shabby.”After saying that, he took out a lotus-shaped magic item the size of a bun. It was red, yellow, white, black, and blue. He didn't know what kind of material it was, but he placed it among the other items.
"Good!" the sloppy Taoist priest said. I'll place a gourd of Wuwei Sacred Water at the fork and bet with you.”After saying that, he took out a palm-sized green jade gourd and placed it among the items.
Grandmaster Desireless turned around and clasped his hands together at Nan Weifeng."This Penniless Monk and Fellow Daoist Sloppy have made a bet here. Sorry for disturbing you, benefactor. No matter what the outcome is, this Penniless Monk is fated with little benefactor Nan. I will naturally give you an item to ensure that you will be of help when you are in trouble. Amitabha!"
Nan Weifeng said," Master, you are too kind. How could I have alerted two otherworldly experts because of a small matter like my dog's 'catching Zhou'? It is indeed Senior Xiaoquan's blessing that you two seniors can testify about my dog's' catching Zhou'. Please, Seniors."”
Lady Liu Yue Ting placed the South Sea Ren in her arms in front of the items. Little Sea Ren had just learned how to walk, so he staggered to the various items. He touched this and that curiously, but he was not sure which one to take. When Little Hai Ren touched the five-colored golden lotus, Master Wuyu's expression tightened, and his calm heart moved. Master Wuyu felt that something was wrong. This was a phenomenon that cultivators should not have. He quickly chanted the Heart Clearing Formula to calm his mind.
The sloppy Taoist priest did not look nervous. He only narrowed his eyes and looked confident. Little Hai Ren seemed to be very interested in the Five-colored Golden Lotus. He touched it for a long time, but in the end, he didn't pick it up. Master Wuyu shook his head regretfully, then closed his eyes and put his palms together. He didn't look at the " Grasping Zhou " anymore, as if he was meditating. When Little Hai Ren saw the small green jade gourd that contained the Sacred Water of Inaction, he also fell in love with it for a long time, but in the end, he still did not pick it up. The sloppy Taoist priest also shook his head helplessly and sighed, no longer looking at the " Grasping Zhou ". In the end, Little Hai Ren picked up a book and a sword in each hand and ended the ceremony.
The guests of the Nan family were all neighbors. These neighbors all wished Nan Weifeng well, saying that Little Hai Ren would be an all-rounder in the future and that his future would be limitless.
Master Wuyu did as he had said and took out a Buddhist prayer bead from his bosom and gave it to Little Hai Ren. He then said to Nan Weifeng,"Heaven's will is like this, but human strength can't defy the heavens. This poor monk will not go back on his word. This item was made by the Bodhi Child of Buddhism. It has the effect of warding off evil spirits and removing filth. Let the child carry it with him to protect him from being invaded by external evil.”
The sloppy Taoist priest took out a small jade bottle from his bosom and handed it to Nan Weifeng."If even the bald man can be so open-minded, I naturally can't fall behind. This is a 'Spiritual Recovery Pill' that I was entrusted by someone to give to this child. In the future, this child will be of great use at the right time.”
After the monks and Daoists gave their gifts, they looked at each other and nodded. Master Desireless said,""This Penniless Monk and Shabby Fellow Daoist can see that the Nan family will definitely face a disaster in the future, but the heavenly secrets cannot be revealed and cannot be directly stated.‘Be an official and seek a new noble, and the imperial city will be successful. The son left God's will, and the son returned to Sun Rong. The Heavenly Dao changes, and the sea is around."
"Fortune and misfortune depend on each other," said the sloppy Taoist priest. When he was young, he received the teachings of the court and did not deviate from justice. Defying the heavens and obeying the heavens is all in my heart."
"Thank you for your guidance, Seniors," Nan Weifeng said.”
After Master Desireless finished speaking, he and the sloppy Daoist priest each gave Nan Hai Ren a meaningful glance before leaving without answering Nan Weifeng.
Everyone could faintly hear the sound of the two betting again in the wind. They were betting on whether Little Hai Ren would obey the heavens or defy the heavens in the future.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。