It's spring in the sixth year of Shengyang. Last year's sword appreciation accident seems to have had no impact on the world.
In southern Xinjiang, a place far away from the disputes in the Central Plains, there is only an old sect or an old Taoist temple - Shenxing Temple.
At the foot of this Taoist temple is a place called Fengcheng, which is considered a relatively prosperous city in this area. A thin boy in a short shirt was walking on the road in the east city of this city. At this time, he was worried about running away from home and not helping his family to take care of the shop. It was really difficult to stay in the shop at home, with no customers and no jumping around in the fields. Cricket, if I stay there every day, I will be bored to death.
I thought that since I was in my early fourteens, I should do things like adults, such as drinking at street wine stalls, chatting with a group of buddies squatting beside the city wall, and urging the women in the fields on the ridge. Working, these are probably what the young man thinks adults should do at this time.
The boy's name is Lin Manliu, which he thinks is a very stupid name. The neighbor children next to his home call him Xiao Liuzi. He hates the name his parents gave him. His family makes and sells pastries in Dongcheng. The candied haws man opened a shop and has been doing it for many years. In recent years, the business has been very bad and there have been no customers.
Today I sneaked out to play all day. Now I was anxiously thinking about what excuse I should give to avoid being punished by my parents. The boy in short shirt looked around and couldn't think of a way. Suddenly he saw a group of people surrounding a liquor store. A bunch of people were shouting about the old god, please save my child and see if my child can follow the old god up the mountain to practice Taoism, and so on.
The young man has a very good memory. He can carefully remember things that happened since he was a child and things he encountered in the areas where he can move around at will, as well as the stories he has read or heard and those who performed acrobatics. His performance can be remembered forever in his mind.
Lin Manliu stared at the crowded wine shop and muttered in a low voice: "It's these stinky Taoist priests who came down from the mountain again to swindle money. Why do people believe everything? If they know magic spells, why do this old man want to be so mature?" I’ll take your money.”
The young man in a short shirt muttered and continued walking aimlessly. Before he got home, he must find a way to solve the problem of sneaking out today. When passing by a back alley, he saw two people standing in the dark and damp alley. Just now, the old man wearing the same robe seemed to be saying something. Out of curiosity, he quietly went to the wall and listened carefully.
"The elders above will reward you when this is done. You must remember to report any traces of that woman first, and wait until we are all here to make plans."
"Disciple understands that when my senior brother collects incense money from Taoist temples on the street, he is also asking passers-by about this matter. Master, rest assured that I will obey my master's instructions..."
Suddenly, it seemed that the people in the alley noticed something and looked at the boy in a short shirt, and said sternly: "Who is there? Dare to eavesdrop on my privacy of the Star Watcher? Do you know that we are disciples of the Star Watcher on the mountain?" Even wild children dare to come here." As he said this, he walked towards Lin Manliu. The boy in short shirt was so frightened that he turned around and ran away.
He passed through the busy liquor store just now and planned to continue running to the street at the corner in front. There were many people there and he might be able to escape. Suddenly, he felt a light touch on his back, like someone was picking up a rabbit by the scruff of the neck and dragging him into another alley. And quickly ran towards the depths of the alley. Lin Manliu was confused as he looked at the increasingly dim light at the entrance of the alley.
"Don't make a sound" came a cold female voice.
The boy in the short shirt was so frightened that he didn't dare to speak. He immediately covered his mouth and nose for fear that he would make a little noise because he was too scared and be treated by unknown people in this alley until he could no longer see any light and then he was thrown to the ground.
The female voice sounded again: "Where did you come from, little brat? Don't you know that curiosity killed the cat? Those who hide in the alley and talk are generally not good people. Why are you listening to it?"
Lin Manliu seemed to be too frightened and could not speak at all. He could only squat on the ground and tremble. Whoever caught him saw that he was probably too frightened and said loudly: "Okay, okay, although I am nothing." I'm a good person, but I will never do the dirty things like those sanctimonious Taoist priests. Don't worry, I know where your home is. I'll take you out of the alley later and I'll watch you go home."
The young man in short shirt gradually calmed down, looked at the black figure standing in front of him and said: "Why did those Taoist priests arrest me just now? Is it because I whispered bad things about them in front of me? I saw that they looked so fierce as if I had robbed them. He has the same money." As he spoke, he was still holding his thighs with both hands and trembling.
The woman's voice sounded again: "There are some things you never need to know. Just spend your time in Fengcheng with peace of mind. Wherever your home is, I will take you home. I still have things to do."
Only then did Lin Manliu see the appearance of the black figure clearly. It was a woman in black robe wearing a hood and couldn't see clearly. However, when he saw that Shen Hou was carrying a huge object wrapped tightly with a strip of cloth, he looked at the woman and said : "My home is not far from here and I sell pastries and candied haws on another road ahead. I can go back later, but I'm still thinking about how to deal with my mother. I just ran away to play..." .
After saying that, he lowered his head silently again, probably because he felt that he had escaped from danger, and now the only thing he needed to worry about was how to deal with his mother to avoid being punished.
The woman suddenly laughed softly, and then said seriously: "You just said you met a guest who wanted to buy some pastries to eat, so you can just send them over and that's why you went out. I'll give you some money to take home with you and I'll use the pastries." There’s no need for that.” I thought that the east side of the city was full of poor people, and it would not be easy for someone to open a shop. This reason should be able to be fooled, after all, I used to be good at sneaking out when I was at home.
The young man in a short shirt might have regained some strength because of the woman's suggestion and tone of voice. He patted his legs and stood up to thank people: "This is impossible. How can I take people's money in vain? My sister can do it with me." I'd better get some cakes for my sister when I get home..."
Before Lin Man could say anything, he was interrupted by the woman in black: "Shouldn't it be normal to do things this way without bothering others? If you want to refuse, just use your brain. The little brat wants to play with me." There was also a chuckle.
The boy in the short shirt instantly became very embarrassed. After all, he was a naughty child. How could he suddenly meet a master who could have more fun than him? It was really Guan Gong who was playing tricks on him. He could only stand up in embarrassment, thank everyone and prepare to go back. Home.
"I'd better thank my sister for her kindness. I'll go home right now."
"Some things will happen in the city in the next few days. If possible, try not to leave home, and try to persuade the elders at home."
"Why is this? Is there anything going on in the city? The county magistrate didn't say anything happened?" Lin Manliu looked at the woman in black in front of him with some confusion.
"In short, try not to go out."
"All right...".
"I used to be just like you... I was curious about everything and wanted to see everything, but there are some things that not everyone can see. You should enjoy and spend your days in the future, study hard and strive for Go out and take a look at the world outside. I will watch you return home. If you have nothing to do, go as soon as possible." The woman in black thought about it and said.
"..." The boy in a short shirt was speechless for a moment.
Before walking out of the alley, listening to what the woman in black said to him, Lin Manliu looked at the woman who was not much taller than him, thinking about what he had encountered and what she had said. Maybe there was someone behind Fengcheng. Let something happen. After leaving the alley, I found that I had a little more money in my hand, but the woman in black beside me disappeared, as if she only existed in the alley just now.
