On top of Jiangtai Mountain, an ancient and simple Taoist temple that had been silent for a long time was shrouded in layers of thin mist. The river winding around the mountain undulated.
The whole earth seemed to be stimulated by something today, with a continuous slight rumbling sound.
Even the Sanqing bells in front of the temple were knocked into a jumble by the crowd that had been waiting at the door for a long time.
With a creak, the old wooden door was pushed open by a pair of chubby little hands.
A little girl as delicate as a carved jade figurine poked her head out.
She was wearing a loose Taoist robe. Her cherry - red lips yawned. Her chubby little hands, as tender as lotus roots, skillfully put up a ball - shaped bun on her head and inserted a wooden hairpin only as big as a child's palm.
Instantly, everyone in front of the temple brightened up!
"The little Taoist priest is out!"
"What little Taoist priest? Little Yuan doesn't like us to call her that!"
"Yuan Yuan, dear Yuan Yuan! Something terrible has happened to my family. Please save my little boy quickly. He accidentally fell into the river yesterday and has had a high fever ever since. The village doctor said he might burn to death!"
"And me, Yuan Yuan. My old ox refuses to plow the field recently. What should I do? I'm so worried!"
"Get out of the way. My wife was possessed by a ghost early this morning. Save my wife first!"
"So many things have happened in the village all of a sudden. There must be something wrong with the feng shui. Yuan Yuan, please come with us quickly. What if more people are harmed!"
...
The crowd chattered noisily. The little one rubbed her sleepy eyes, sighed, and drooped her head. "Stop arguing, stop arguing! I can't hear you all!"
Her voice was not loud, but in an instant, everyone fell silent like chickens!
The little bun puffed out her cheeks, and her drowsiness faded a bit. She spread out her little hands and counted something with her short, chubby fingers.
This look was so funny, but no one dared to laugh.
The little master in front of them was Zhang Yuanyuan, a child prodigy picked up by the Taoist temple a few years ago.
The villagers here were seriously patriarchal. At first, they looked down on this baby girl. But unexpectedly, at the age of two, she could write talismans like a master and saved hundreds of people's lives!
At the age of three, she could exorcise evil spirits and prevent disasters. Wherever she was, natural disasters were helpless, let alone evil spirits! The area within a hundred - mile radius was protected by Zhang Yuanyuan, and no dirty things dared to make trouble anymore!
Now she was five years old. The old abbot had gone on a pilgrimage around the world, and she had directly ascended to the position of the abbot. With a little twist of her hand, she could figure out everyone's details clearly!
Moreover, although the poor villagers kneeling in front of the Taoist temple seemed ordinary, in fact, Zhang Yuanyuan was very powerful at a young age. Many people had achieved great success after being guided by her!
Everyone waited nervously. Zhang Yuanyuan blinked her big watery eyes, rummaged in her wide pocket for a long time, and took out a talisman bigger than her face. She handed it to the leading woman.
"Auntie."
Her little feet in old cloth shoes pattered as she ran up to Aunt Zhang. "Your little boy had one of his souls and one of his vital spirits pulled away by a water ghost, but he's still alive. Burn this talisman and let him drink the ashes. At midnight, start calling his full name by the river and walk home while calling. After closing the door, tap on his forehead three times and tell him to come home quickly. He'll wake up the next day."
"Grandpa Li, your old ox isn't dying. It's just tired and wants to retire. It's already twenty years old!"
"And Brother Zhao!" The little bun turned to the man, and her delicate little features instantly drooped.
"Sister - in - law wasn't possessed by an evil spirit. It's because you beat her too hard! If you don't treat her well, I'll cast a spell on you!"
She folded her hands, pretending to be angry. Her chubby little hands waved a whisk, and the ball - shaped bun on her head swayed.
The looks of the people around Brother Zhao changed...
This man was a well - known hooligan in the village. He was often crazy - acting and notorious. He was lucky to have a wife, but he even beat her!
"Humph, Yuan Yuan. We don't need to save face for this kind of scoundrel. It's better to get rid of him earlier and save some trouble."
Zhao Dahai's face changed. His anger flared up instantly. He pointed at the speaker and cursed. "Old man, are you tired of living?!"
"You guys are so stupid to believe this little kid. Have your brains been soaked in dog urine?!"
Seeing this, Zhang Yuanyuan's round eyes saw the black aura around Zhao Dahai. She was so anxious that she wanted to stamp her feet.
Her master had once said that some adults were self - conceited and didn't respect the gods. They were ruining their own futures and lives. Such people didn't need to be cared about. Karma would come around, and heaven would take them.
But if that was the case, it would be too unfair to Sister - in - law!
The others were innocent!
"You..."
The little one was just about to speak when suddenly her voice stopped. An energetic old figure emerged from behind the crowd and swung his walking stick hard at Zhao Dahai's head!
"Ouch!"
Zhao Dahai curled up in pain. "Who the hell is hitting me..."
Before he could finish his words, Zhao Dahai's arrogant aura disappeared instantly.
An old man in a Zhongshan suit stood in front of him majestically, followed by a group of fierce - looking black - clothed strong men!
"Kid, say what you just said again in front of me!"
Damn it, what a loud voice!
Zhao Dahai instantly became a coward.
Big shots would occasionally visit this Taoist temple. Could it be that he was so unlucky today and happened to run into one?
This hooligan could show off in the village, but in front of a real big shot, his legs went weak instantly. He turned around and ran away, leaving only his tough - talking threats in the air.
"Little brat, just wait for me!"
Bah!
It was so embarrassing!
The villagers were so angry that their faces turned red. They didn't notice that the moment the little one's innocent face appeared, the old man's angry eyes suddenly softened, and slowly, his eyes welled up with tears.
This child's face... was so similar to his daughter's. They were like two peas in a pod!
He watched as the little girl's ball - shaped bun bobbed up and down. Her little mouth imitated others and shook her head with a sigh, but her eyes were full of innocence. His heart ached.
"Child..."
Hearing the voice, the little one seemed to just realize that there was someone behind her. She let out an "ah" sound, turned her head, and imitated the way her master used to behave, politely bowing.
"Thank you, sir, for your kindness. May I ask what brings you here?"
She tilted her ball - shaped bun.
The old man's eyes instantly welled up with tears. He didn't answer the child's question.
Instead, he trembled as he walked up to Yuanyuan step by step, gently squatted down, and carefully examined her with his tired eyes.
This little one was extremely beautiful. Her big watery eyes, small and delicate nose, and cherry - red lips were so cute that one couldn't help but want to kiss her.
But how could a girl of only five years old say such mature words?
It was as if she had experienced it hundreds of times.
Especially when facing such an overbearing person just now, she didn't show the slightest bit of fear!
The old man's heart ached. He didn't even dare to breathe too heavily. He tentatively asked, "Child, I heard that you can tell fortunes. Can you take a look at me? I'm looking for my granddaughter."
Granddaughter?
"Okay."
The little ball - shaped head swayed, and her chubby little hands started to gesture again.
But this time, the old man's fate seemed to be covered by a curtain. Yuanyuan couldn't figure it out no matter how hard she tried. Moreover, the more she tried, the heavier her head became. Even her chest felt stuffy and sore, and she could hardly catch her breath.
"Eh... What's going on..."
A hot tear involuntarily slid down the old man's weather - beaten cheek. He looked at the sensible little one in front of him, and his heart trembled.
"Little one, do you find me familiar?"
Zhang Yuanyuan's ball - shaped head stopped moving as she was pondering. Her ears twitched slightly. She looked at the old man's face in confusion, and suddenly remembered what her master had said when he left last year.
"Yuanyuan, our master - disciple relationship in this life is over. I can only accompany you up to this point."
"Soon, your real relatives will find you. Then, you can leave the Taoist temple and let your senior brother take care of this shabby place."
"Your path down the mountain will be rough. There will be a great disaster on your tenth birthday. At that time, master will appear again to help you through it."
In her memory, there was kindness in her master's eyes, but his expression was reluctant.
He rubbed Yuanyuan's little ball - shaped bun and gently instructed, "In these five years... you must protect yourself and hold on until master comes to find you..."
...
Oh, no wonder she couldn't see clearly!
A doctor can't treat himself, and a Taoist priest can't tell his own fortune.
This old man's fate was tied to hers!