Shen Miao had never thought that the so-called Superior One would be the strange Taoist Priest that she saw once in Ming Qi's Pu Tuo Monastery. The words that the Taoist Priest had said on that day lingered with Shen Miao for a long time as she felt that this person seemed to have a peek into her secret of living two lifetimes. However, after she send people over to look for the whereabouts of that Taoist Priest, one was unable to find the person after rummaging through the entire Ding Capital City.
It was of no wonder that one was unable to find this Taoist Priest. He actually came so far away to Great Liang's Long Ye.
Then, things were somewhat strange. Accordingly to Ben Yue, the pair of siblings had encountered this Taoist Priest a few years back. Since this Taoist Priest was in Long Ye then, it seemed that this Taoist Priest had stayed in Long Ye for a long time and could even be a Great Liang person. Then, why did he appear in Ming Qi's Ding Capital City? It could not be that he travelled such a long journey just to calculate two divination for her right?
Shen Miao said, "Taoist Priest…"
The strange Taoist Priest looked at her and stroked his beard as he shook his head, "This poor priest's Taoist name is Chi Yan. Fūrén came here to save someone right? This poor priest has been waiting for you for a long time."
Luo Tan was startled and asked, "Chi Yan Taoist Priest, you long knew that we are coming to look for you?"
Chi Yan Taoist Priest smiled proudly and shook the divination cylinder at his waist. The divination container rattled as he said, "This old priest calculated a divination for oneself."
Shen Miao thought that even though this Taoist Priest was strange, he seemed to have real abilities. For instance, what he said in Pu Tuo Monastery was rather reasonable. So if he was the so-called Superior One, she was not surprised. She said, "My Fūjūn is currently seriously wounded and one has heard that Taoist Priest is able to change one's fate and thus made a special trip over. One request Taoist Priest to save my Fūjūn's life. Once the matter succeeds, one will provide great thanks."
Hui Xiang and the few were standing behind Shen Miao and heard Shen Miao's words previously, seemingly she was acquainted with this strange Taoist Priest. Although there were doubts in their hearts, it was not a good time to inquire about it. After listening to Shen Miao's words, they wondered if she was somewhat possessed. The matter of 'changing one's fate' was just too much. No matter how one looked, this Taoist Priest looks like a normal person who grew up eating grains. Could it be that a con-man swindled Shen Miao?
Shen Miao, however, knew that this strange Taoist Priest who could see that she had lived two lifetimes and could see that she became an Empress in her past lifetime, was not spouting nonsense or guesses.
After hearing Shen Miao's words, the strange Taoist Priest shook his head and walked nearer. Everyone then could see that he was having a premonition and his hands were carrying a fishing bamboo basket, looking like he was going fishing. It was just that there was only a string on the fishing pole and the hook that was attached to it was straight. It would be strange if a fish was caught like this. Indeed his basket was empty and pitiful.
Seeing that he was not answering Shen Miao for a long time, Luo Tan was anxious and asked, "Taoist Priest, can you save my Mèifū?"
That Taoist Priest leaned the fishing pole against the door before straightening up his back and looking seriously at Shen Miao, "Heaven's designs must not be divulged. This poor priest cannot even divulge Heaven's designs to Fūrén. So, how would one dare to change fate and create unexpected calamity?"
"But you have already saved Ben Yue's friend, that young boy." Luo Tan was puzzled, "Isn't that considered as changing fate?"
"That was because that little life should not be severed. The Heavens has destined that he would encounter me and it was also destined that I will save his life." Chi Yan Taoist Priest said.
Hui Xiang, Ba Jiao and the rest were startled. They originally thought that the pair of siblings spouted nonsense and did not think that it was actually real, moreover, this Taoist Priest in front of them admitted that it was his doing.
Shen Miao's brows slightly wrinkled, "Then one dare ask Taoist Priest, what is the destined fate between Taoist Priest and me?"
The Taoist Priest chuckled, "Heaven's designs must not be divulged."
A 'Heaven's designs must not be divulged' on the right and a 'Heaven's designs must not be divulged' on the left, moreover this was a critical juncture. Even if Shen Miao could tolerate, at this moment she became furious and said angrily, "In the outside world, the action are not something that devoid of conscience. Currently, good people are harmed by evildoers and it is the evildoers that are happy. Is it that those who commit murder and arson have gold belts and those who build bridges and repair roads would not even have a body left? What kind of Heavens' law is this? What kind of righteousness is this? One really open one's eyes upon seeing that Taoist Priest even practices as such. One thinks that this is ridiculous."
Cong Yang's eyes widen. Why did Shen Miao start scolding others now? These words were sharp and Shen Miao said it all in one breath, making one feel very refreshing.
Unexpectedly, not only that Chi Yan Taoist Priest did not get angry after being pelting with scoldings, he however started laughing loudly and clapped his hands, "Indeed after staying with that fierce Dragon for a long time, you have become as fierce. This is good."
Luo Tan muttered softly, "Is he sick? Still so happy after being scolded by others…"
Chi Yan Taoist Priest opened his mouth, "You are not wrong. The Heavens' law is inherently unfair but humans are in charge of human affairs. Heaven's law dictates fortune (luck) but not life." He smiled slightly. The horsetail whisk was the same and even though it was worn out, at this moment there was some sense of a feeling of an immortal. He said, "Even though Heaven's law did not dictate me to change his fate, his fated life is too noble that I cannot change. It is Heaven's law that destined you and I were to encounter and it is also destined that this poor priest would bestow you a fate."
He said it very confusingly and everyone listening were puzzled like they were amidst the clouds and mist. Only Shen Miao's gaze was staring at him sharply. One heard that Taoist Priest saying, "You really want to save him?"
"Yes."
That Taoist Priest smiled, "Since you want to save him then follow me." Finishing, he turned around and moved forward.
Shen Miao did not hesitate to follow and Hui Xiang and the rest of them quickly set off.
However, Chi Yan Taoist Priest suddenly turn back and looked at Hui Xiang and the rest, "You all cannot follow."
"Why?" There was anger on Cong Yang's face. They were ordered to protect Shen Miao's safety so how would they let Shen Miao follow a crazy and strange Taoist Priest alone? If anything happens, when Xie Jing Xing wakes up, how do they explain it to Xie Jing Xing?
(Back of translator's mind: Tower Prison! Tower Prison! Tower Prison! LOL. HidAnas: Fedd Jiao Jiao!! Hmm maybe that's a bit easy right…)
"There is a mysterious concealing stratagem that is created by my shīfu (师父 - Teacher). The mysterious concealing stratagem that my shīfu construct cannot be broken by anyone in the world and that includes me. There is only one way of surviving and the rest of it is death. This is to target people who know martial arts. The higher one's skills are, the faster one will die. This Fūrén has no martial arts skills and thus, can go with me. As for the rest…" He shook his head, "All who enter will die."
"But how could we trust that you will not harm Fūrén?" Hui Xiang said, "By not letting us follow, how do we know where you will bring Fūrén to?"
Chi Yan Taoist Priest spread his hands out, like a rogue, "If one does not believe, then, this poor priest would not go ahead. You can quickly lead this Fūrén back."
This almost made Hui Xiang vomit blood in anger.
Shen Miao said, "You all can wait for me here. I will go with the Taoist Priest."
"Fūrén." Ba Jiao was very disapproving of it.
"That…" Luo Tan said cautiously, "Can I go or not? Even though I have martial art skills, it is not high and should not affect it."
It seemed that it was only now Chi Yan Taoist Priest noticed Luo Tan. After sizing her up, he said, "It is still alright since one almost has no martial art skills. Alright, you can also follow me in."
Luo Tan, "…" What did 'almost no martial arts skills' mean? Her martial arts was lacking a bit and could not be compared to those people who trained from a young age at the residence of Prince Rui. It could not be compared at all!
But compared to Hui Xiang and the rest, at least she could follow along with Shen Miao. Luo Tan said, "Xiǎo biǎomèi, I will accompany you. If there is any matter, it is good to have another to take care."
After Shen Miao thought about it, she nodded her head. Even though Luo Tan was impulsive, she did not stir up any issues and Shen Miao did not know what Chi Yan Taoist Priest wanted to do. She was used to putting defences against others and even though she trusted that Chi Yan Taoist Priest had some abilities, she was still sceptical about the other party.
Hui Xiang and the rest saw that Shen Miao had made up her mind and knew that persuading was impossible. Seeing that Luo Tan was following along, their hearts were slightly relieved. After nagging at Luo Tan for a while, they even gave Luo Tan the signal fireworks that the Mo Yan Army used to her, saying that if there was any matter, just set the fireworks off and they would naturally think of some ways to rush over.
However, that Taoist Priest became somewhat impatient, "Still don't go? When the skies are dark then this old priest cannot help you all."
Shen Miao said, "Set off now."
The route that Chi Yan Taoist Priest brought Shen Miao and Luo Tan was very bizarre. Although this section of separated forest had no path, Chi Yan Taoist Priest could tell where the turns were and where there was a slope. It was as if there was an unknown path where one could not see. The path he took was not easy to walk because it appeared to be a dead end at times, but he was able to find a new path. Luo Tan was astounded, and Shen Miao was shocked as well.
Luo Tan asked, "Taoist Priest, you seemed to be very familiar with this place. Does one come here often?"
"This poor priest live here since young thus one is familiar." Chi Yan Taoist Priest proudly stroked his beard and said, "Many of these trees are planted by this poor priest."
Luo Tan nodded her head, "It seemed that Taoist Priest is a person of Great Liang so why does one hear… You have encountered Xiǎo biǎomèi once? Xiǎo biǎomèi had never come to Long Ye before. Could it be the counter was in Long Ye?" Luo Tan remembered the familiar gaze when Shen Miao saw Chi Yan Taoist Priest, which apparently indicated they knew one another before.
Chi Yan Taoist Priest looked meaningfully at Shen Miao, "This poor priest has the fate of calculating two divination for this Fūrén. No matter where it is, one would definitely meet."
Luo Tan scratched her head as she somewhat could not understand it. Shen Miao however was thoughtful as she always felt that this Taoist Priest knew more than she had thought. After Xie Jing Xing matter has passed, could she seriously ask about matters of her past lifetime?
Just as this thought appeared in her mind, Chi Yan Taoist Priest smiled, "Fūrén want to save others and also wants to ask questions. One cannot have both and only one choice can be made. There will be loss and there will be gain. Fūrén must definitely think of one's choice."
Shen Miao's heart quivered. This Taoist Priest seemed to have seen through the thoughts in her heart. His meaning was that if she were to ask about matter of the previous lifetime then she would not be able to save Xie Jing Xing and if she wants to save Xie Jing Xing, she have to keep silent about her past lifetime. What kind of rule was this? Shen Miao felt stuffy when she heard Chi Yan Taoist Priest ask, "Does Fūrén have a decision in one's heart?"
Luo Tan looked at them curiously as she did not understand what kind of provocation did Chi Yan Taoist Priest said to Shen Miao but Shen Miao was always like this and only few people would understand what she said. Her brains was not as good so she did not bother to understand it.
Shen Miao said slightly, "One can think of ways to find for the answer but in the matter of saving lives, I neither have medical skills nor know how to change one's fate, thus one can only trouble Taoist Priest. How could secrets be compared to life? One hope that Taoist Priest would save a life first."
The strange Taoist Priest laughed out loud, "Fūrén is not honest. What secrets and life to talk about. It is better to say that you see him more important than oneself and thus would give up the things that one is searching for him." He mysteriously smiled, "Fūrén's vicious tendencies has also dissipated a lot."
Shen Miao frowned slightly. That Taoist Priest, on the other hand, picked a willow branch and, like a child, hummed an unknown tune before continuing on his way.
She was only able to keep up.
That Taoist Priest had walked for a long time, and Luo Tan did not dare to complain, and Shen Miao did not say anything. When the Taoist Priest abruptly stopped and said, "One has arrived," one had no idea what time it was but only felt that the day had gotten later and the sun had become somewhat weaker.
Luo Tan and Shen Miao took two steps forward and discovered a large valley in front of them. The fragrance of flowers filled the valley. It was the sixth month, the middle of the year, but the flowers were in full bloom, and the sunset cast a golden glow over the land. There was a sense of unreality as if one had arrived in an immortal land on Earth.
"It is so beautiful here." Luo Tan exclaimed.
Chi Yan Taoist Priest looked towards Shen Miao, "What does Fūrén discover?"
Shen Miao only felt that there was some medicinal scent in the air and looking at the flowers that were all around, even though they were bright, they did not look the same as normal flowers. She hesitated for a while before saying, "These are all herbs?"
Chi Yan Taoist Priest laughed out, "Exactly so. Although I cannot save your Fūjūn and cannot change his fate, my shīfu has a medicine valley. There is a herb in it that can detoxify hundreds of poisons and this particular herb can save your Fūjūn's life."
Shen Miao did not tell Chi Yan Taoist Priest of Xie Jing Xing's injuries but Chi Yan Taoist Priest's words had indicated that Xie Jing Xing was poisoned. Luo Tan looked at that strange Taoist Priest admiringly but Shen Miao was not surprised as she had known earlier that this strange Taoist Priest had some skills. This was not surprising at all.
She said, "Would beg Taoist Priest to give me that herb that can detoxify hundreds of poisons and save my Fūjūn's life."
Chi Yan smiled, "This particular medical herb was left behind by my Great Great Great Great Grand shīfu and had been placed in this medicine valley all the time. Till now, there is only one of it in this world. If ordinary people eat it, it would prolong one's life. If those poisoned eats it, naturally the poison would be removed… This particular herb is so precious, so how would I give you in vain?"
"You are a benevolent and compassionate Taoist Priest." Luo Tan said, "If you want gold and silver, my Xiǎo biǎomèi can afford it. What do you want in exchange?"
Shen Miao continued, "As long as it is within my abilities, I would definitely do it for Taoist Priest."
"If I want Fūrén to exchange with your life?" Chi Yan Taoist Priest said craftily.
Shen Miao was startled and before she spoke, Luo Tan said, "You are really a bully. How could one use that as a condition?"
Chi Yan waved his hands, "One who leaves the secular world is benevolent and compassionate but I am a Taoist priest so naturally one who would not do things like murdering and arson. It is just a joke only. I have a question that one has to ask Fūrén." He looked at the stunned Shen Miao, "Could Fūrén explain it to this poor priest?"
It was only now that Shen Miao recovered to her senses. When Chi Yan asked if she was willing to use her life to exchange, a thought quickly flew through her mind. She was willing to do so.
How did this happen? She still had Shen Qiu, Shen Xin, and Luo Xue Yan behind her, and an entire family of loved ones, so why would her heart give up her life for Xie Jing Xing? Shen Miao's heart suddenly became somewhat fearful.
Putting too much emotion into it would only lead to further pain in the future, as her previous life demonstrated. She could try to love again, but she couldn't risk a deep and passionate love, and she couldn't afford to gamble.
"Xiǎo biǎomèi?" Luo Tan shooed her arm.
Shen Miao settled her mind down and looked towards the Taoist Priest, "May Taoist Priest speak."
"Look at this." The Taoist Priest knelt down and pointed to a small flower between the grass, "This is Hong Xiu Cao that can be used to treat cough. However, these days, it does not flower much. From Fūrén's view, what is the reason?"
What did this mean? Shen Miao was not a doctor and could not distinguish herbs apart so how could she be able to see the reason? But she still squatted down and took a careful look. She saw that there were some moving black spots on the flower stalks and her heart moved, "Most likely there are worms growing."
"This is also what this poor priest thought." Chi Yan looks worried, "But these Hong Xiu Cao is the most delicate. One cannot use pesticide to drive the worms away and if one wants to get rid of those worms, one could only take it out by hand with gentle movement else it would hurt the petals."
Luo Tan said, "Since it is so, what does it have to do with us?"
Chi Yan Taoist Priest stood up and Shen Miao also stood up before he smiled, "But this poor priest is a male and has coarse movements. Normally, one is careless and one fears that one would not be able to pick carefully and accidentally hurt the petals. These are all precious rare medicine and is very valuable, thus one would like to invite Fūrén to pick the worms cleanly off for me."
Luo Tan's eyes widen. This Taoist Priest let Shen Miao come over but use Shen Miao as a farmer?
Shen Miao asked, "Will the Taoist Priest give me the medical herb that can detoxify hundreds of poisons after I pick the worms cleanly off?"
Chi Yan nodded his head.
"Alright. I will do it." Shen Miao intended to immediately start.
Luo Tan did not speak anymore as she treated it as an effort to earn a medical herb thus it was not a loss.
However, Chi Yan shook his head and led Shen Miao and Luo Tan a few steps forward, "It is the Hong Xiu Cao here."
When both of them took a look, they were somewhat stunned.
That was a large field of medicinal herbs that was almost as big as a few fields from big families. Moreover, the medical herbs that was planted on the entire field was not done neatly. Some were Hong Xiu Cao, and some were others but were all grown together. Just finding those Hong Xiu Cao would require a lot of effort, much less cleaning the Hong Xiu Cao from worms. One did not know how long it would take.
"Are you deliberately playing tricks with us?" Luo Tan jumped up in anger, "How could one person be able to complete all these?"
Chi Yan only smiled and looked at Shen Miao, "Fūrén also feel that one person is unable to complete it?"
Shen Miao looked at him deeply and said, "After finishing this, will Taoist Priest really give me the herbs?"
"Xiǎo biǎomèi." Luo Tan became anxious, "It is clear that he is deliberately playing a fool of you. If one is willing to save a person, why would one come out such an impossible task? How does he look like a compassionate person?"
Chi Yan said, "Gūniáng's words are wrong. There is no free meal under Heaven. In this world, there will be losses, there will be gains. If one wants something, one has to pay the corresponding price. This Fūrén wants my medical herbs then one has to pick the worms off the other medicinal plants. This is a fair matter. Isn't it decided by this Fūrén whether it can be completed or not?"
He said, "After picking the worms off these Hong Xiu Cao, then apply the fertiliser to my mountain of medicinal plants. I will then give you the medical herbs." He then raises another dust storm, "One cannot do it anyhow as this priest would inspect it. If there are any mistakes, then, that medical herbs will not be given to you. And also…" He then looked at Lu Tan, "this Gūniáng cannot help. Fūrén, can you do it?"
"I can do it and also hope that Taoist Priest will keep one's promise." After finishing these words, Shen Miao jumped to that medicine field and bent down to begin picking the worms out seriously.
She was the magnificent Wángfēi that was also raised up delicately and spoilt as a daughter of an official but was here being a farmer for a wild doctor. Even those farmers would not do so much work alone. Picking worms off and also… applying fertiliser… Luo Tan could not imagine how Shen Miao's weak body was able to carry the fertiliser. She only felt that if Shen Xin and Shen Qiu in Ding capital city know of it, they would be furious.
But when had Shen Miao reneged her decision before? Luo Tan gritted her teeth and wanted to go over to help but was stopped by Shen Miao's stern voice, "Stop there. If you don't wish for me to hate you then don't come down."
She spoke sternly but Luo Tan's eyes became red and her heart became stuck in frustration. If she had known that it was as such, that Shen Miao would be led by others by the nose, she would not tell Shen Miao of Ben Yue's matter. Now, she had implicated Shen Miao to be deceived and suffering, she really felt sinful. She shouted out, "This strange Taoist priest is clearly playing with you. Is it worth it?"
"I did not do anything for him." Shen Miao did not raise her head at all as she continued to take care of the plants seriously, "There is a chance so one will do it." She then said, "If you really think about me then help me to find or make a lantern. It would be dark later and one will not be able to see, it is better to have a light."
Luo Tan took a deep breath but in a blink of an eye, she saw Chi Yan Taoist Priest turning around and leaving from the other side. She quickly ran over, "Weird Taoist Priest, listen to me…"
Shen Miao squatted in front of the flowers. She hadn't done this in a long time and was unaccustomed to it. She did not consider picking worms and feeding fertiliser to be unbearable. On such an occasion, self-esteem was not useful. When it was time to bend down and bow to others, one would do so. If schemes proved unworkable, one would put forth obedient effort and not do anything in vain. This was the logic she had relied on her entire previous life and only realised in the Cold Palace.
If she stopped fighting Mei Fūrén earlier and was willing to be weaker, Mei Fūrén might not have targeted Fu Ming and Wan Yu as much. Why should she be disadvantaged in order to be strong? Revenge? These things would be considered later. The most important aspect was the present.
If Chi Yan Taoist Priest kept his promise, her suffering would be worthwhile. It was difficult to do such work in such a desolate location, but compared to the position of Empress she held in her previous lifetime, she was ridiculed even more.
It was just that no one knew how long it would take in the entire field of Hong Xiu Cao. There was no time to squander. Shen Miao couldn't help but crack a bitter smile.
The skies had already darkened when Luo Tan brought over a lantern. There was a gentle breeze in the valley at night, as well as dazzling stars and moon, but Shen Miao was in no mood to enjoy them. She stumbled along with a heavy load, using the lantern light to touch every single leaf. There were mosquitos nearby, and her delicate skin was covered in red bumps, and her hands were swollen, but she didn't rest for the entire night.
Luo Tan's tears fell as she watched, but she couldn't help but scold Chi Yan Taoist Priest in her heart.
It was afternoon the next day when the tasks were completed.
Shen Miao wiped the sweat on her forehead and placed the empty load and let Chi Yan Taoist Priest take a look.
Chi Yan Taoist Priest however smiled, "There is no need to look. You did well." Finishing, he took a small box from his pocket and handed it to Shen Miao. Shen Miao opened it up and saw that there was indeed a herb lying in it.
"It is this herb." Chi Yan Taoist Priest smiled, "You have cured the entire mountain of Hong Xiu Cao for me, I will use this to treat your Fūjūn's injuries. One adheres strictly to one's promise."
Luo Tan said angrily, "You have profited."
"Fūrén's insistence made this poor priest have a whole new level of respect. One hope that no matter what happens in the future, Fūrén would remember today's sincere heart. If Fūrén have any little fluke emotion, the worms would not be extinguished and this herb would not be in Fūrén's hands."
"Many thanks for Priest's confer." Shen Miao was eager to rush back but after she received the herbs, the bottom half of her body became weak and powerless. She had not slept for an entire night and these days was unable to rest well. It was as if she was a fully strung bow and now as it was relaxed, she only felt that her head was heavy and her feet light.
"Many thanks for Priest's confer." Luo Tan was already annoyed by the strange demands of this Taoist Priest and became even more so when she saw Shen Miao's poor condition. Shen Miao was the most composed of the Luo and Shen family and would not be surprised by anything. Now she was being played a fool till she had no energy left and that made her very unhappy, "One hope that the Hong Xiu Cao would not have worms for a long time. There would not be anyone who is as nice as my Xiǎo biǎomèi, that would do the chores for the entire mountain. Even it were the farmers, they would not do it to their best efforts in the entire night."
Chi Yan Taoist Priest laughed out loud, "That cannot be said for sure. Fūrén and I have the fate of three meetings, this is only the second one. There will always be one more."
Luo Tan mumbled to herself, "Who wants to see." She then pulled Shen Miao, "I will support you. Let us go down the mountain." Afterwards, she said to Chi Yan Taoist Priest, "May Taoist Priest also hurry up, one is waiting for the thing to save a life."
Chi Yan Taoist Priest followed behind. As he watch the back figure of the two people, his eyes landed on Shen Miao's staggering footsteps, his smiling expression slowly reduced and there was a trace of pity in his eyes.
After a long while, he shook his head and said one word.
"Futile."