Before the Taoist priest arrived, my family had informed me that I would be apprenticed to him. I was clueless about what awaited me and felt scared, not wanting to leave my home at all. It seemed like a betrayal by my family.
Though our village is small and many consider me an outcast, avoiding me and not letting their children play with me, I couldn't bear to leave. I was reluctant to part with my grandfather's love, my parents, and my only good friend, Xiaopang.
Xiaopang had been discharged from the hospital but still moved forward slowly, squatting as he walked. I specifically visited him to bid farewell, explaining that I was leaving for a distant place and might not return for a long time.
Xiaopang, with a reluctant expression, remarked, "You're leaving, and now I'll be the last in the class, not even second to last. What a shame."
I couldn't fathom what was going through Xiaopang's mind. I came to say goodbye, a sorrowful occasion, yet he brought up being last in class. It was truly disheartening.
Suddenly, I felt willing to leave Xiaopang, let him be last in the class, and allow his father to discipline him.
The Taoist priest arrived as promised. During his last visit, I was unconscious and didn't see him. Despite his stern demeanor, I strangely felt a connection, as if he were destined to be my master. I couldn't explain this sudden feeling.
Li Xuantong, the Taoist priest, still wore tattered clothing, only slightly better than a beggar's attire. Seeing his appearance, my father immediately worried about my future under his guidance. If the Taoist priest lived well, he wouldn't be dressed like this.
My father, recalling Yang Gaoyi who had intended to betroth his daughter to me, wondered how this Taoist priest suddenly appeared and scared those four individuals away. When the Taoist priest arrived, he glanced at me. Communication didn't seem to be his forte; he wanted to take me away without unnecessary pleasantries.
My father, holding my hand, reluctantly suggested, "Taoist priest, please don't rush. Let's have a meal before leaving. You'll be my son's master from now on. Though there's no gourmet food at home, we have simple meals. Let's eat before you go."
"I won't eat; I'm in a hurry," the Taoist priest replied coldly.
"Taoist Master, may I ask you something?" my father hesitated.
"Go ahead," the Taoist priest calmly responded.
"Why are you so determined to take my son as your apprentice? Apart from looking a bit unusual at birth, there's nothing special about him. He doesn't do well in school and has consistently ranked last in his class. If he weren't afraid of those weasels, I'd discipline him eight times a day."
At this point, I glanced at my dad and realized that he hadn't hit me because he was worried that the weasels would retaliate against him. I had always thought my father felt sorry for me and was reluctant to beat me. It seems I wrongly blamed him. There's a deep love between father and son, and my attachment to this family has diminished even more.
A smile appeared on the Taoist priest's face as he said, "This boy is talented, has excellent bones, and has a special destiny. His poor academic performance isn't due to stupidity but a lack of focus. You also lack discipline for him, but don't worry, don't dare to hit him; I will take care of him in the future." The master actually declared in front of me how he intended to take care of me.
"Taoist Priest... I will entrust my little calamity to you from now on." Grandpa took me from my father's hands and placed me into the hands of the Taoist priest himself.
The Taoist priest took one of my hands, but grandpa still held on. His eyes turned red, and he continued, "It will be ten years since this baby left. In ten years, I will be over eighty. I don't know if I can wait until the day I meet him."
"Don't worry; when you get there, I believe your life will be robust, and you'll have many more years to live. You don't have to worry about this," the Taoist priest said solemnly.
Grandpa finally let go, and the Taoist priest took me outside without saying a word.
At this time, my mother's heartbreaking cries came from behind, and she rushed towards me. She had been hiding in the house before, afraid to come out and see me off, worried she couldn't control herself and would prevent me from leaving with the Taoist priest.
Now that I truly wanted to follow the Taoist priest, my mother finally ran out, hugged me, and cried very sadly. While crying, she said, "Xiao Jie, take care of yourself from now on, and be kind to Master. You mustn't be naughty anymore, do you hear me?"
I nodded and began crying too. The one who loves me the most is always my mother. What mother in the world doesn't love her children?
My mother is a reasonable person and knows that if this Taoist priest hadn't saved me, I would have been dead by now. So, if someone wants to take me away to be his apprentice, this request isn't too much at all.
My mother held me and cried for a long time but still didn't want to let go. The Taoist priest said impatiently, "Okay, okay, it's not like we won't see each other again. I'm taking this kid away to teach him his skills. You can go back."
As he said that, the Taoist priest grabbed me and walked towards the door. Another person stood at the door—Grandma Liu, who had watched me grow up.
Over the years, I have seen her often. This old lady has loved me since I was a child and often brings me delicious food, as if I were her grandson. This time she came specially to see me off.
Grandma Liu's eyes were also red. She first bowed to the Taoist priest and then said respectfully, "Taoist Master, I know you are a person with great supernatural powers. From now on, I will leave the small calamity to you."
The Taoist priest nodded and said, "My apprentice can live to this day because of you. I have nothing to thank you for. I give this book to you. Take it out and read it when you are free. It may be of some use to you."
The Taoist priest took out a line-style ancient costume book from his body, and I didn't recognize the words on it. But as soon as Granny Liu saw the book, her eyes suddenly lit up, her body started to tremble with excitement, and she said, "Taoist Priest... this is too precious; it's not appropriate."
"Here, is my disciple's life not worth as much as a book?" the Taoist priest said noncommittally.
Grandma Liu took the book with both hands as if she had found a treasure.