IW: Chapter 144 - Buddhism and Daoism Share the Same Origin, Immortal-like Bai Taoist!
"Jia Le, you little rascal, come out quickly!"
Because there were guests, Four-Eyed Taoist temporarily put aside his intention to punish Jia Le.
After traveling with Bai Ye last night, looking at Ren Tingting, and then looking at Jia Le, Four-Eyes shed tears of envy. They were both disciples, but one was talented and obedient, while the other lacked talent and loved to be lazy and sly.
He recalled the expression of disappointment on Jiu Shu's face when he left Yi Village that day, and he understood.
It turned out that there was no harm without comparison. What sin did he commit in his previous life to end up with such a disciple? He must have had eight lifetimes of bad luck.
"Master is here!"
Jia Le heard Four-Eyed Taoist's voice from outside and quickly got up from the rattan chair, running outside.
"So beautiful."
"Are you trying to die?"
Four-Eyed Taoist, flustered and exasperated, directly smacked Jia Le's head with a chestnut.
Embarrassing!
It was utterly embarrassing!
"It hurts, Master! Why did you hit me?!"
Jia Le clutched his forehead in pain, almost ascending to meet his patriarch on the spot.
He had only said "so beautiful," why hit him? He hadn't said anything wrong!
Ren Tingting, seeing this, couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle quietly, which made Jia Le's eyes stare even wider.
He originally thought Qing Qing, who came back with Master Yixiu, was very beautiful, but now compared to Ren Tingting, she didn't seem so beautiful anymore.
"You're simply an embarrassment to me! Taking you as a disciple, I truly feel like I've had eight lifetimes of bad luck. Go clean the inside of the house; it must be spotless!" After scolding Jia Le, Four-Eyed Taoist turned to Bai Ye, a little embarrassed, and apologized, "I've made a fool of myself. My sect is truly unfortunate!"
Originally, with Four-Eyed Taoist's thick skin, he wouldn't have cared at all.
But seeing Ren Tingting's good behavior and understanding yesterday, and Jia Le's unreliability today, he really couldn't hold back.
"It's normal. Everyone appreciates beauty."
Ren Tingting could be considered a succubus in the Zombie World, right?
In Mr. Zombie, Wencai liked her, Qiusheng liked her, Awei liked her. Jiu Shu didn't have romantic feelings for her, but he wasn't as strict with Ren Tingting.
Coupled with the improvements in her temperament, figure, and face after cultivating, how could a boy like Jia Le, who had always lived in the mountains, resist Ren Tingting's charm?
"Sigh, instead of focusing on important matters, they waste their efforts on these useless things. My lineage might not be passed down in the future!"
Four-Eyed Taoist sighed. Cultivating Dao was already difficult, and even more so after the spiritual energy dried up. Coupled with poor talent and an unwillingness to work hard, he felt that the transmission of Dao cultivation would truly be difficult in the future.
No one wanted their lineage to disappear with them.
How could they face their ancestors later?
"It's normal for fledglings who haven't experienced storms. Last time at Jiu Shu's place, I also saw his disciples, Qiusheng and Wencai. Actually, Qiusheng's talent is quite good, and after that incident, he seems to have settled down a lot."
"Indeed, that boy Qiusheng is much more stable than before! I wonder how long Jia Le will take!"
Four-Eyed Taoist nodded in agreement. He was also surprised when he saw Qiusheng last time.
He never expected Qiusheng to change his nature. His former mischievous personality had a touch of maturity, and he was willing to cultivate Dao with Jiu Shu. As for Wencai, he knew his talent wasn't good, and although he occasionally practiced some martial arts, he mostly slacked off.
Ren Tingting, standing by, didn't speak, quietly listening to Bai Ye and Four-Eyed Taoist. As for the people from Ren Family Town, although they hadn't known each other for long, they quickly became familiar due to the zombies.
This could be considered one of Ren Tingting's few friends.
Initially, Ren Tingting didn't have much affection for those two, just like Awei. She knew their intentions, but they were too obvious.
And at that time, she didn't like it, but their direct approach made it difficult for her to develop good feelings.
However, after subsequent interactions, Ren Tingting realized her subjective bias was too strong, and they became friends.
"Speaking of which, those few should know each other, right?"
Changing the subject, Four-Eyed Taoist directed the conversation towards Ren Tingting. She also came from Ren Family Town; she should have met them before, right?
"Yes, we knew each other before."
Ren Tingting nodded in response.
Listening to Ren Tingting's answer, a hint of emotion flashed across Four-Eyed Taoist's face. It seemed to be as he thought. His senior brother had misjudged, and his luck was also bad.
Such a good disciple...
Four-Eyes sighed inwardly, "It's all about timing and fate."
He led Bai Ye and the other into the living room.
Lighting the incense, Four-Eyed Taoist also wanted to discuss Dao with Bai Ye now. Jiu Shu had broken through after discussing Dao with Bai Ye, which made Four-Eyes somewhat envious. Although he was a bit of a slacker, he knew that even if he cultivated harder, his potential was limited.
He was well aware that some things weren't because he didn't want to do them, but because after the spiritual energy dried up, cultivation became very difficult.
But if he could improve his strength, why would he choose to slack off?
The two discussed Dao from day to night.
During that time, Jia Le came to check. Seeing Ren Tingting sitting obediently beside Bai Ye, quietly listening, he gave up the idea of interrupting.
After all, Jia Le wasn't very interested in cultivating Dao.
And Four-Eyed Taoist's immediate discussion of Dao upon his return today also struck Jia Le as odd.
It wasn't like this before; shouldn't he have exploited him a bit?
Good.
Jia Le comforted himself inwardly, at least he wouldn't be exploited. Thinking that the master next door had returned, and he was a bit bored here, he decided to go find Master Yixiu.
"Master Yixiu, Master Yixiu, are you there?"
Jia Le pushed open the courtyard gate and walked inside, calling out twice. The two houses weren't very far apart.
"Jia Le?"
Master Yixiu walked out of his room, smiling and greeting Jia Le.
That stinky Daoist next door had returned. He had heard the commotion during the day but hadn't paid attention.
The two of them had been joyful adversaries for so many years. Although they constantly bickered, he was quite good to Jia Le.
And judging from the situation next door, it seemed they had a guest.
This also made Master Yixiu a little curious. That stinky Daoist actually had friends!
He had originally thought that with that stinky Daoist's personality, he couldn't possibly have friends.
"Master, I might have to mooch a meal from you tonight!"
Jia Le was originally going to cook, but seeing how serious they were in their discussion, he gave up. Mainly, he was afraid they wouldn't eat even if he cooked.
It was better to just grab a bite here with the Master.
"Oh? Didn't your master come back? And if you have guests over there, aren't you going to join them?"
Strange.
Master Yixiu frowned. He had thought Jia Le was coming to borrow something.
But after hearing Jia Le's words, Master Yixiu was also a bit confused. If there were guests at home, shouldn't Jia Le, as a disciple, be waiting there?
"They probably won't eat."
Jia Le shook his head. Even if they were to eat, he could just cook later.
"Cultivating immortals?"
Not eating and waiting to cultivate immortals?
That stinky Daoist had already reached that level?
"No, my master is discussing Dao with Bai Taoist."
Jia Le quickly explained, but strictly speaking, weren't Daoists cultivating immortals?
"Fellow Daoist?"
Master Yixiu realized. So they were discussing Dao.
And Qing Qing, who was following behind Master Yixiu, unconsciously conjured an image of a stubborn old Daoist in her mind. Although she had never met Four-Eyed Taoist, after Jia Le's description, Qing Qing felt that this Daoist thing seemed very similar to what she had imagined.
"Then let's eat together. Their discussion will probably take a long time."
Although Master Yixiu was surprised why Four-Eyed Taoist didn't let Jia Le listen to their discussion, he didn't say much. After all, it was their own business, and he certainly couldn't meddle.
"Master, are you going later?"
Jia Le asked curiously. Although the Master practiced Buddhism, Buddhism and Daoism shared the same origin.
Perhaps they could even chat.
"I won't go. After all, they didn't invite me!"
Master Yixiu shook his head. Although he was tempted, he ultimately gave up. After all, Four-Eyed Taoist didn't show any intention of inviting him over. If he initiative went over, he would inevitably be subjected to Four-Eyes's sarcastic remarks.
This was absolutely unacceptable to Master Yixiu.
His entire life, after meeting Four-Eyes, he had been competing with him.
"What's so good about Daoists discussing Dao?"
Qing Qing mumbled a few words. It felt just like going to school. Although she had never been to school, she had secretly listened outside a private school a few times when she was little, but it ultimately came to nothing.
On one hand, her family couldn't afford to send her to school; if they had money, it would be for the boys to study. Secondly, the world was too chaotic, and she had to bear the responsibility of supporting her family at a young age.
If it weren't for some reasons that led to her family's death and her meeting Master Yixiu, she would have been arranged to marry at this age.
Following Master Yixiu was simple: on one hand, he had saved her life, and on the other, it was dangerous to live alone in a chaotic world. Following him back to the mountains would naturally be better.
She had originally thought of becoming his disciple, but Master Yixiu refused, citing that he didn't accept female disciples.
She didn't dwell on it too much and just thought of helping Master Yixiu with chores.
"Daoists discussing Dao is very interesting! It's just that my talent isn't good, otherwise I would definitely listen there!"
Both were highly skilled in Daoist arts, and Jia Le knew that listening there would be beneficial to him.
So he was more willing to stay and listen, but he couldn't stand how obscure it felt when he just listened, so he could only give up in the end.
"Really interesting?"
Qing Qing widened her eyes, a little disbelieving. Wasn't it just like studying, where the teacher lectured and you listened? At most, two teachers would be debating.
"Those with talent naturally find it interesting; those without talent find it boring, of course."
Master Yixiu clasped his hands and looked at the courtyard next door. An idea formed in his mind. Perhaps his obsession was too deep just now, and he had been caught in appearances.
Ultimately, in a group of three, there must be a teacher for me.
What was there to lose face over?
Besides, he was just getting to know another fellow Daoist, not bowing to that Four Eyes.
"Exactly, exactly, that's it!"
Jia Le nodded repeatedly after hearing Master Yixiu's words. This was exactly what he wanted to say.
If he had talent, he felt he would also listen with great interest.
"Is that so?"
Qing Qing pondered for a while, feeling a little ashamed. Perhaps she was too short-sighted.
"Alright, let's grab a bite, and then we'll go together to meet them."
Master Yixiu waved his hand and said no more, then turned and went back, leaving Jia Le behind, looking bewildered.
Didn't he say he wasn't going earlier? Why did he suddenly change his mind?
Jia Le grumbled inwardly. Didn't that mean he had to go back too?
He had been looking forward to playing here for a while.
Now it seemed his happy time was about to end.
After the three of them quickly ate, Master Yixiu immediately took some things and followed Jia Le into the courtyard.
Outside the courtyard, Four-Eyes's voice could faintly be heard talking to an unfamiliar voice.
"Master, Master Yixiu is here!"
Jia Le's words interrupted their discussion. Both looked outside. Four-Eyed Taoist's face showed some displeasure, while Bai Ye calmly looked at Jia Le, a monk, and a girl walking in.
Master Yixiu and Qing Qing?
Bai Ye mumbled to himself, then retracted his gaze. Four-Eyed Taoist, however, stared at Jia Le with wide eyes and said, "Jia Le, didn't you see that I was discussing Dao with my fellow Daoist? Why didn't you stop this stinky monk when he came over?"
He always had a bad attitude towards Master Yixiu. Jia Le was a little embarrassed, but Master Yixiu, hearing this, didn't care and said with a chuckle, "I came to see Fellow Daoist Bai. We are all cultivators. I'm just here to say hello, and I don't think I'm bothering anyone, am I?"
Saying that, Master Yixiu clasped his hands together, smiled kindly at Bai Ye, and bowed.
Bai Ye returned the same courtesy.
And Qing Qing, behind him, also curiously sized up Bai Ye.
Four-Eyed Taoist fit her preconceived notions, but Bai Ye was completely different from what she had imagined.
Such a gentlemanly Daoist truly exceeded Qing Qing's expectations.
At the same time, looking at Ren Tingting, who was sitting obediently beside Bai Ye, she felt a sense of inferiority and defeat.
This girl was so beautiful, and her temperament was completely different from her own. She felt like a village girl, while the other was like a young lady. This couldn't help but make Qing Qing feel a little self-conscious.
"Since Fellow Daoist has come, how about sitting down and discussing Dao together?"
"Of course!"
"Hey, hey, hey, you monk are really thick-skinned!"
Master Yixiu readily accepted Bai Ye's invitation, but this displeased Four-Eyed Taoist.
Of course, this displeasure was directed at Master Yixiu.
They were discussing Dao. What was this monk's idea of joining in the fun?
Did he, a monk, know anything about Dao?
"Meeting is fate. Buddhism and Daoism share the same origin, Buddhism and Daoism share the same origin!"
Master Yixiu said with a chuckle, ignoring whatever Four-Eyed Taoist said, and simply sat down.
Four-Eyed Taoist had no choice but to let him join. He couldn't do anything about Master Yixiu's thick-skinned behavior.
Qing Qing also sat down behind Master Yixiu. Jia Le saw everyone looking at him, so he also sat behind Four-Eyes, listening to the few of them discuss Dao.
Throughout the night, Ren Tingting listened enthralled, Jia Le was drowsy, and Qing Qing, though sometimes not understanding, found it very interesting and occasionally caught on, which made the three of them look at her with new eyes.
At the same time, this also gave Master Yixiu an idea.
It wasn't until morning that Four-Eyed Taoist, looking at Jia Le still asleep, became furious. He kicked Jia Le directly, roaring, "Hurry up and cook! You're the only one who slept all night!"
He couldn't even compare to a young girl. He was truly exasperated!
This disciple was really a headache!