The father and daughter were deeply moved upon hearing this. Yun Cong then asked how they had saved him. The old man replied, "My name is Zhang Laosi, but because people see me as honest and upright, they gave me the nickname 'Zhang the Honest.' My wife passed away many years ago, leaving only my daughter Yuzhen and me to tend the vegetable garden here at the temple for over ten years. Who could have imagined that those monks would be so cruel? From what you're saying, young master, although you've narrowly escaped death, if the rain stops tomorrow and the monks search the cave, they'll surely realize you've fled to my home. Although I learned some martial arts in my youth, two fists are no match for many hands. My daughter and I are no match for the monks. It wouldn't matter if we were to be implicated, but your life would surely be lost. I was already in bed tonight when my daughter Yuzhen woke me, telling me that a young man had fallen over the wall. At first, I thought it was some wandering traveler seeking shelter and that you'd been injured while escaping into my yard. I planned to wake you, ask about your background, and then send you on your way. But I never expected you to be a young master, a newly appointed scholar. Now, with dawn approaching, things are extremely dangerous, and you must quickly decide what to do."
Upon hearing this, Yun Cong was both shocked and frightened. Despite his injuries, he immediately knelt down and desperately pleaded for his life. Zhang Laosi responded, "Young master, please get up. Let me discuss it with my daughter, and we'll figure out what to do." With that, he called Yuzhen out, and the father and daughter discussed the situation outside for a long time before coming back in. Zhang Laosi said to Yun Cong, "There is no perfect solution. I must consider my daughter's safety, and the best thing would be to tie you up and hand you over to the monks. This would not only clear us of any involvement but also earn us a reward from them. However, I am not someone who would do such a thing. Now, there are two paths for you to choose: one is that I open the door and let you flee immediately. I won't report it, but the surrounding area for ten miles is all temple land, with many of their spies. Whether you can escape depends entirely on your luck. The second option is for my daughter and me to flee with you. Although it's risky, it's relatively safer. I've lived here for most of my life and would prefer not to leave, but I only have this one daughter, and I can't bear to go against her wishes. But now, abandoning my home and risking my life to save you raises the question: once you escape, where will my daughter and I find refuge? You must give me a clear answer."
Seeing that the old man was spirited and sharp-eyed, Yun Cong realized that he was no ordinary farmer and that there must be reasons behind his words. Moreover, he was incredibly grateful that in this time of peril, the man was willing to abandon his own safety to help him. Yun Cong replied, "You are so chivalrous, sir, that even if I died, I could never repay you. I come from the Jiu family, which owns many properties. Whatever instructions you have, I will follow. However, you have lived here for many years, and now you're abandoning your home for me, which leaves me feeling uneasy."
At this point, Yuzhen walked in. Zhang Laosi replied, "Since you understand the gravity of the situation, there's no need for idle talk. I'm not worried about you being ungrateful. You're a scholar and surely understand the propriety between men and women." Yun Cong responded, "Sir, you misunderstand! I have been raised with a sense of duty, and although it is a dark night and I would be traveling with your daughter, even without you, how could I dare to act improperly toward her? That would make me no better than a beast!" Hearing this, Zhang Laosi furrowed his brow and said, "You really are a bookworm. You only think about escaping, but do you know how to flee?" Yun Cong was puzzled. Zhang Laosi continued, "You were born into a wealthy family, pampered and sheltered. Now that you've experienced a few days of danger and exhaustion, and survived through a deadly storm, you're already injured. The rain hasn't even stopped, and let alone fleeing a long distance, I fear you wouldn't even be able to walk half a mile."
Hearing these words, Yun Cong remembered his injuries. He got up and tried to take a few steps, but the pain was unbearable, and tears of frustration streamed down his face. Zhang Laosi said, "Don't be anxious. If I didn't have a plan, why would my daughter and I risk our lives to help you?" With that, Yuzhen came in from outside, carrying two bundles and a roll of summer cloth. Seeing the two of them, she said, "It's getting late. Everything we need is ready. Father, please wrap up Master Zhou's back, and I'll fetch the food so we can leave quickly before things get worse." She then went back to the outer room.
Zhang Laosi opened the roll of summer cloth, tore it in half, and tied a cross pattern on Yun Cong's back. He then wrapped the other half around his legs. At this moment, Yuzhen returned, carrying a tray with cold wine, dishes, and rice. She soaked three bowls of rice in warm water, and the three of them quickly ate. Yuzhen went back outside again, and when she returned, she urged them to leave. Zhang Laosi hoisted Yun Cong onto his back, tying a cross pattern across his chest and securing Yun Cong's legs. Yuzhen quickly changed out of her long robe into a short gray jacket, fastening a hero's knot across her chest, and slung their weapons across her back, placing the two bundles on either side. Zhang Laosi then extinguished the oil lamps in both rooms, and the three of them quietly opened the back door and headed toward the official road.
Although the rain had lessened, it still hadn't stopped, and the road was muddy and difficult to walk on. There were no street lamps, and the father and daughter stumbled along until dawn, having only covered five or six miles. As the morning stars began to fade, they spotted a house under a large tree, with smoke rising from the chimney. Yuzhen suddenly said, "Father, look ahead! Isn't that Uncle Qiu's tofu house? Why don't we rest there for a while and change shoulders?" Zhang Laosi replied, "I had forgotten about it until you mentioned it. Although we're not out of danger yet, it's safe to take shelter at Uncle Qiu's house for now." With that, they headed straight for the house. Just as they were about to knock, Zhang Laosi noticed a scruffy-looking Taoist priest with a red gourd on his back and the smell of alcohol on his breath leaving the house. He quickly pulled Yuzhen aside, hiding behind the tree as the priest passed without seeming to notice them.
The owner of the house, Qiu Lin, who was good friends with Zhang Laosi, was sending the priest off when he suddenly noticed Zhang and his daughter stepping out from behind the tree. He hurried over to greet them. Zhang Laosi asked, "Do you have anyone in your house? We're hoping to rest for a while and trouble you for a bowl of tofu soup." Qiu Lin replied, "I do have a guest, a young boy from a distant town, but it's no problem. Come in, and we'll talk." With that, he invited the father and daughter inside. Zhang Laosi set Yun Cong down and introduced him to Qiu Lin. They took off their wet clothes and hung them to dry. Qiu Lin asked, "Who is this young man, and why are the three of you in such a sorry state?" Since Qiu Lin was an old friend, Zhang Laosi explained the entire situation. Qiu Lin then asked Yun Cong what he planned to do. Yun Cong replied, "Although I've escaped with my life, all sixteen of my comrades were brutally murdered. I plan to go to Chengdu to report the case and seek justice by capturing the murderous monks and avenging them, as well as ridding the people of this menace." Qiu Lin responded, "Young Master Zhou, I'm not trying to dampen your spirits, but I know the background and influence of these monks. Their actions have long been a source of public outrage, but their power has not yet waned. They have close ties with the local officials, both civil and military, and they have built a strong reputation in the area. Their temple is fortified like a small fortress. After committing murder, they've likely already erased all traces. Even if you file a report and the authorities take it seriously, they'll likely send someone to investigate, but secretly tip off the monks. They'll prepare and then send someone to silence you. They have plenty of money, and they are skilled in martial arts and swordsmanship, with many followers. Even if the authorities made a serious attempt to arrest them, they wouldn't stand a chance, let alone if they're colluding with them. It's best not to throw your life away in vain. Quietly flee to the capital, focus on your studies, and when they've reached the end of their rope, they'll meet their own destruction."
Yun Cong was about to reply when suddenly a gentle breeze blew, and out of nowhere, a person appeared before him, laughing heartily and saying, "I didn't expect to meet you again." Zhang Laosi and his daughter were startled and were about to make a move when Qiu Lin quickly said, "Don't be alarmed, he's one of us." At this moment, Yun Cong had already recognized the person and knelt in respect. It turned out that this person was the Taoist they had encountered on the road, whom Yun Cong hadn't seen earlier because he was on Zhang Laosi's back. Qiu Lin introduced them, "This is my master's uncle, the renowned Emei Sword Hero, Drunken Taoist." Zhang Laosi and his daughter, having long heard of the Drunken Taoist's reputation, immediately stepped forward to pay their respects again. Qiu Lin then asked Yun Cong how he knew him. The Drunken Taoist recounted their encounter at Wangjiang Tower. He added, "Earlier, I noticed you all seemed in a hurry and found it suspicious. When I saw you enter Qiu Lin's home, I decided to return and listen in, saving myself the trouble of chasing you down."
Yun Cong replied, "Since that day at Wangjiang Tower when you revealed hidden truths to me, I, being dull-witted, failed to grasp them, nearly losing my life as a result. Just now, I learned from Qiu Lin that you are a sword hero of great renown, which has deepened my admiration. After narrowly escaping death, I have seen through the ties of the mundane world. I am willing to follow you into the mountains to practice Taoism and have no desire to chase worldly fame and fortune." After speaking, he knelt down again.
The Drunken Taoist laughed heartily and said, "Get up, get up. You want to become my disciple, but that's easier said than done. You have good potential, so accepting you wouldn't be difficult. But I will only do so if you agree to three conditions. First, in life, filial piety and righteousness come first. You are the only son of your family's ninth branch. If you become a Taoist, wouldn't that cut off your family line? Who will care for your parents and uncles? You must first return home and marry. Only after you have an heir can you follow me into the mountains. Second, we are remnants of the previous dynasty. Even though the nation has fallen, our sect disciples must never serve a foreign ruler. Third, as sword heroes, we cannot stand by while the people suffer under the oppression of invaders and treacherous men. We must take action to uphold justice. As for the sect's rules, you will learn them once you become my disciple. These are the three conditions—can you accept them or not?"
Yun Cong, being naturally intelligent and realizing the rare opportunity before him, would not let it slip away so easily. He knelt again and agreed to all the conditions, performing the formal rites of apprenticeship. Yu Zhen, who had been watching in a daze, suddenly had a clever thought. After Yun Cong finished his rites, she too knelt down, asking the Drunken Taoist to accept her as a disciple. The Drunken Taoist said, "Please rise, young lady. Our sect does not accept female disciples. You will have a master in the future, far better than me. Both of you will bring honor to our sect one day; there is no need to rush." Despite her continued pleading, the Drunken Taoist firmly refused, and Yu Zhen, feeling ashamed, had no choice but to stand.
The Drunken Taoist then turned to Yun Cong and said, "There's something I forgot to tell you. That day at Wangjiang Tower, I saw that of the seventeen people with you, all had the appearance of impending death except for you, who had a chance of survival. Heaven has a heart for life, so how could I stand by and watch you die? I intended to follow you, but I ran into a senior from my sect who tasked me with an important mission, delaying me for three days. When I returned to track you down, I saw a child trying to hang himself in the forest during the storm. I saved him and brought him to Qiu Lin's home, reviving him just before dawn. After asking what had happened, I learned it was your servant boy, Xiao San'er. He told me you had been gone for three days with no word, and the innkeeper refused to say where the temple was. Last night, a monk visited the inn and talked with the owner for a long time. After the monk left, the innkeeper kicked him out. Desperate, Xiao San'er searched for you in the forest, but the more he thought about it, the more heartbroken he became, believing you had perished. Having no way to return home, he decided to end his life. After hearing his story, I knew your life was in danger and hurried to the temple, only to find you had already escaped. Unfortunately, my delay cost sixteen lives—fate, I suppose. The evil monks still have time left, so vengeance will have to wait. For now, Xiao San'er is resting inside. With me here, the monks won't dare come. You can rest here today, and tomorrow I will escort you on your way. Along the road, I will teach you inner strength techniques. Once you've grasped the basics, I'll continue to guide you as needed."
At this point, Xiao San'er, hearing familiar voices outside, came out and, upon seeing his master, broke down in tears. The Drunken Taoist applied medicine to Yun Cong's wounds, saying, "It's getting late, and the roads are becoming busier. The monks have many eyes and ears around. You should all rest inside while Qiu Lin and I handle them." Yun Cong and the others went inside, where he leaned on the bed and pretended to sleep. Only Yu Zhen remained filled with unspoken thoughts, upset at having failed to become a disciple, sulking silently.