Chapter 5: The Rare Daoist Destiny

"When we fought the Shan Yue tribes, there were many shamans among them who could summon miasma, snakes, and insects. The army issued these talismans to counter their magic. This talisman saved my life, but now its divine light has faded, and it’s like a piece of broken paper. That’s the second thing."

"The Shan Yue people favor animal bones, feathers, and glass. I killed someone and looted these valuable items from the corpse. That’s the third thing."

"Tomorrow, I will take this piece of glass and tell your Uncle that Xiang Ping found it in the river. Regardless of whether Li Yesheng saw it or not, we will insist it’s just a piece of broken glass that sparkles in the moonlight."

Li Mutian took out a piece of broken glass, packed away the items, and whispered to Li Tongya.

"Father thinks ahead," Li Changhu nodded. "Uncle is a broad-minded and reasonable person; he won’t make a fuss over it."

"Unfortunately, Li Yesheng is a waste of space," Li Tongya whispered, turning his head to look at his father.

Li Mutian picked up the mirror, placed it on the wooden table, and shook his head.

"Now we need to figure out how to use this treasure and how to use it. Otherwise, it might all be for nothing."

Lu Jiangxian listened in the mirror, making plans. Since he couldn’t move in the mirror, he needed to protect himself and find a way out. If he wanted to find a path in the long journey of Daoism, he would need to rely on the people and resources of this land.

The Li family were farmers with shallow roots, but they were all outstanding.

Father Li Mutian had excellent courage and insight, the eldest son Li Changhu was smooth and kind, the second son Li Tongya was brave, quick, and decisive, and Li Xiangping and Li Chijing were also clever and agile. They were a perfect combination.

Moreover, he had no hands or legs, couldn’t walk or run, and couldn’t be replaced. Could he remain silent and be thrown back into the river like trash, imprisoned in silence for a hundred years?

"Whatever happens, let’s go east first, even if it’s just a distant look." Thinking this, Lu Jiangxian urged the energy in his body to flow to the upper left corner of the mirror.

Inside the room, the Li brothers fiddled with the mirror for a long time without success, being very careful not to damage it and lose their Daoist destiny. The moonlight felt cool and comfortable, but it couldn’t be blown or sucked away.

Until Li Xiangping picked up the mirror and gently touched the surface. Lu Jiangxian used his energy to activate it, and the upper left corner of the mirror suddenly lit up, startling Li Xiangping, who called out in alarm, unsure whether to hold it or put it down.

Li Tongya stepped closer and saw a bright white arc of light on the upper left corner of the mirror, thick in the middle and thin on the sides, very beautiful. After a few breaths, it slowly dimmed.

"Brother, it lit up!" Li Xiangping said excitedly in a low voice.

Li Tongya took the mirror and, mimicking Li Xiangping, touched the surface, and a white light indeed appeared. He passed the mirror to his father, indicating for him to do the same.

Li Mutian and Li Changhu both touched the mirror and praised it.

Li Tongya, however, made a soft sound of surprise, took the mirror from his brother, and touched it again, this time facing away from the others.

"Father, no matter where I touch this, the light always points north. It’s like a..." Li Tongya looked at the mirror in his hand, speaking solemnly.

"A compass." Li Mutian nodded.

Lu Jiangxian in the mirror couldn’t help but clap his hands. This kid is really smart, he gets it right away!

"Let’s go to the village entrance first."

Li Mutian stroked his beard, then turned and went back into the house, calling the children.

"Get a piece of cured meat, we’re going to visit the teacher."

——

Li Yesheng wiped his eyes and entered the front yard, muttering and kicking stones on the path.

"What treasures do they have, a few melons treated like treasures, a few scoundrels coming with knives in the middle of the night, they must have something to hide!" He sat on a stone, his mind racing.

"Li Mutian has been out for twenty years, he must have a lot of good things! They must have treasures."

"But those scoundrels are so stubborn, you can’t get anything from them, and the old man is so stubborn, he won’t say a word. If Li Mutian dies, we should get a share of his things!"

Li Yesheng tilted his head and looked at the gate. His younger brother Li Yesheng timidly entered the yard. Li Yesheng glared at him and shouted:

"Get over here, you little brat!"

He grabbed his brother’s clothes and threw him to the front of the house. Li Yesheng rolled on the ground, frightened and huddled up.

"I heard you and Li Xiangping are good friends. Tomorrow, go to his house and steal two melons to eat." He growled.

——

Li Mutian led the three children from the end of the village to the beginning. Villagers resting on their doorsteps smiled and greeted them:

"Uncle Mutian! Where are you going?"

"Bringing something to the teacher!"

Li Mutian smiled and lifted the cured meat in his hand.

At the village entrance, Li Mutian looked around, patted Li Tongya and Li Xiangping on the shoulder, and whispered:

"Go."

The two understood and bent down, quickly disappearing into the dense reeds.

Li Mutian looked worriedly into the distance, and his eldest son reminded him:

"Earlier, you should have instructed them to retreat if they see anything unusual, not to linger."

"Li Tongya knows what to do."

Li Mutian squinted, and all his plans flashed through his mind.

He knew that tonight he might lose two of his children, but he still had Li Changhu to carry on the family name. But the children might return safely, bringing the Li family a chance for great fortune. He felt deep guilt and clenched his fists.

"Two hundred years."

The Li family had been farmers on this land for two hundred years. Facing the possible opportunity, Li Mutian made a rational decision for the family’s benefit, but he was emotionally torn.

"Brother Li!"

The gate suddenly opened, interrupting Li Mutian’s thoughts. Teacher Han Wenxu stood there, holding a small bowl, staring at him.

"Teacher."

Li Mutian’s face lit up with a cheerful smile, and he walked to the front, placing the cured meat on the wooden stand.

"How can I accept this?" Han Wenxu smiled and nodded.

He took the cured meat, cut a piece into a small dish, and also prepared a dish of pickled vegetables. The two of them set up a small table, poured two small glasses of rice wine, and sat down to chat.

"The high-flying immortals have finally come down." Li Mutian sighed, looking relieved.

Han Wenxu shrugged and then praised, "Immortals!"

"When I was twelve, an immortal came to our town," he said, sipping his wine and looking melancholy.

"He said he was looking for people with potential. Out of over a thousand children in the town, only three were chosen. Those high-flying immortals might include my fellow townspeople."

"Immortal destiny is rare!" Li Mutian remained silent for a long time before offering comfort.

"Immortal destiny is rare, indeed..."

Han Wenxu stared blankly at the moon, repeating the words over and over.

The two of them, each with their own worries, sat in silence.

(End of Chapter)