The vast swamp is home to countless living beings.
In Yunmeng, in addition to the mainland where Taisu Zongzong is located, there are countless islands. It is not just where high-skilled monks have established mansions and where clans and families are spread.
As Taisu has been preaching for thousands of years, some of the monks and servants in the sect are looking for a place to live in their old age, or ordinary people come to seek the Tao, or they come to escape from the troubled times and find a paradise...
Gradually, many islands in Yunmeng are covered with human traces. Under the rule of Taisu, they have formed either Taoyuan villages, prosperous cities, or even a prosperous country, where everyone has enough food and clothing, and lives and works in peace and contentment.
There is a large island named Nanhua in the north of Yunmeng. There is a country on the island. It is said that it was built by the immortals in the depths of Yunmeng. For hundreds of years, the country has been peaceful and the people are peaceful, and the government is harmonious. Although there are officials and civilians, and wealth, there is no hierarchy.
In the capital of the country, there is a large Xu family, which has been prosperous for a hundred years. The old man of the Xu family is highly respected and has a lot of people in the country. He is approaching his 100th birthday, and things have begun to take care of it in the mansion.
A few days ago, the old man was still in good spirits and could drink and chat with his visiting disciples. No one expected that he would suddenly fall asleep overnight and fall into a deep sleep.
In a house in the backyard of the Xu Mansion, Mr. Xu was lying on his back with a peaceful expression. He seemed to have no nightmares. However, famous doctors in the city, the imperial doctor in the palace, and even the master from the Taoist temple had all come to see him. Next The judgment that he is about to die.
However, after several days and nights, the old man never left, and the head of the Xu family was not in a hurry. He only asked the steward to take care of him, which was really puzzling.
On this day, for some reason, the wind blew gently, and the closed door opened. A Taoist priest in broad robes with jade bamboo hairpins and a handsome appearance opened the gauze curtain and came to the bedside.
The Taoist didn't seem to have much emotion, but he seemed to be feeling something. He stood quietly by the bed for a moment, then sighed leisurely and said, "Father."
After hearing this sound, the old man leaned forward. Suddenly his eyelids moved, opened and closed several times, and opened his eyes. There was no spirit in his eyes, and they were muddy and colorless. With difficulty, they moved to the Taoist's face, showing a look of relief. meaning.
"Zhuang'er, you're back."
The Taoist was Xu Zhuang. Xu Zhuang nodded and said, "I'm here to see you."
The old man said solemnly: "How have you been in the Immortal Sect these years?"
"My son is very good." Xu Zhuang sat down halfway on the bed and said, "Now I am considered to be in a high position in the sect."
The old man didn't understand what top-grade golden elixir was among the true legends. He only needed to know that he was good. When he heard this, he actually showed an unpleasant smile. Perhaps his energy was exhausted, and his words were a little confused. He said solemnly: " That’s good…very good…”
Perhaps because he lost his obsession, Xu Zhuang could feel that he was truly on his deathbed. He sighed, put two fingers on the old man's veins, and said: "Father, I have the immortal sect elixir, which can extend the life of my father." Jiazi."
The old man somehow regained his energy, smiled and said, "I have no regrets in my life as a father, so don't force me to stay in this world anymore."
Xu Zhuang's eyes moved, and when he saw the old man's eyes, he seemed to see the wonderful life of his life, and slowly released his fingertips.
The old man closed his eyes with satisfaction and quickly fell asleep.
"Eh? Why is this door open?" Suddenly, a steward ran into the house with a copper basin. Xu Zhuang was no longer around. The steward opened the screen window and saw that the old man's expression was peaceful. He seemed to be no different from before, but his heart suddenly felt After trembling, the copper basin fell and the water spilled all over the floor. He slowly stepped forward and explored the old man's nose with his fingers.
"Old man...? Old man?" The steward took a few steps back, tears overflowing from his eyes, and hurriedly ran out of the door, shouting: "The old man is dead! The old man is dead!"
There was a panic outside, and not long after, many people gathered around the bed, filled with sadness. A doctor took the pulse carefully at the bedside. After a long while, he finally looked heavy and shook his head.
The steward sat on the ground, broke down and cried, muttering incessantly, crying: "I have clearly closed the doors and windows...how could this happen? The old man must have caught a cold..."
"My parents died young, so the old man took me to work in the house. He treated my family like family members..."
An old man with a calm face walked up to him, patted his shoulder lightly, and said, "Jinru, it's not your fault." Then he stood up and said to everyone, "Everyone, please go out first. I want to be alone with the old man for a while. "
This man seemed to be the head of the family. After hearing his words, even though they were sparse, they finally stopped feeling sad and went out.
The last person closed the door and the room became quiet again. The old man put his hands behind his back and slowly walked to the table and chairs to sit down. He looked quietly at an unknown place for a long time and suddenly said: "Brother, are you still here? "
Xu Zhuang's figure suddenly appeared on the other side of the table and sat down calmly.
A faint smile appeared on the old man's face and he said: "I just made a guess. I didn't expect that the eldest brother has not left yet. Are you here to see my father for the last time?"
Xu Zhuang sighed lightly and said, "Not bad."
"I think this may be the last time I see my eldest brother." The old man sighed, "I still remember that I didn't like my eldest brother when I was young. Everyone said at that time that the eldest son of the Xu family was a child prodigy. He was writing articles at the age of three and writing at the age of five. Poetry, little understanding of worldly affairs, amazing intelligence...but I have never seen it!”
"Later, I learned that this eldest brother went to seek immortality and practice Taoism. He really shined in the immortal sect? The masters in Xuxing Temple all favored the Xu family. The leader of Nanhua Kingdom must also treat his father with courtesy. …”
"When I first met my brother, I was still a child with a yellow mouth. When I met my brother again, I was already a weakling."
"After that, after a long time, I saw my eldest brother for the third time. I had already known my fate. Now that we meet again, my eldest brother still looks like this. Is it true that time can leave no trace on the immortal?"
The old man seemed to have many feelings and spoke slowly, and Xu Zhuang also listened quietly.
Xu Zhuang did not answer, but asked: "Is there anyone at home who needs my help?"
"Everything is fine at home." The old man responded.
Xu Zhuang nodded and said: "I remember when I came here last time, your grandson Fang was born. He has good bones. I can take him back to the sect to practice. You said that the child is still young and you have to wait for him to make his own decision."
"Yes, Yao'er has tied up his hair now." The old man said with a smile: "It's a pity that he has no interest in Taoism since he was a child. When he was eight years old, he was sent to Xuxing Temple to be a Taoist boy for two years like his elder brother. It's a pity that Nor did it awaken his heart for the Tao."
"What a pity." Xu Zhuang said lightly.
At this point, there was nothing left to talk about. After a moment of silence, Xu Zhuang stood up, took the jade bamboo from his hair, placed it gently on the table, and said, "If there is anything important at home in the future, or There are future generations who have the foundation to practice Taoism and have a heart for Taoism. If they can hold this bamboo to observe the virtual form, they will know how to contact me."
"That's how I thank you, big brother." The old man stood up and said, clasping his hands deeply.
Xu Zhuang smiled slightly and strode out of the door. The old man chased him two steps, only to see Xu Zhuang flicking his sleeves, riding the breeze and floating up into the clouds, disappearing.
I can't help but feel sad.
