Chapter 15: Running with Wolves

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Chapter 15: Running with Wolves

The next morning, the sunshine was still bright, and the households of Linshan Town continued to live as they had on previous days, busy with their daily needs of food and clothing.

The masters of the Taiqing Sect had already performed their ceremony, and in the eyes of the common people, this year would surely bring a good harvest.

In this world of ordinary people, as long as one’s own life was secure, no one was willing to concern themselves with the life and death of others. Perhaps only Xu Yan’s playmates would feel sad for the young Taoist who had lost his master.

‘As long as my family is safe, why should I care about others?’ This was the common mindset of the townspeople.

Just as the sun was rising, Tiezhu, having finished breakfast, led a group of companions to skillfully climb over the wall of Chengyun Temple.

A row of small heads peeked over the wall one after another, searching for traces of Xu Yan.

Having buried his master’s remains in the old cemetery early that morning, Xu Yan had just returned and was feeding the pig. He held a large flatbread in his hand, eating heartily just like Little Black Pig.

Seeing that Xu Yan hadn’t fallen into despair, Tiezhu finally set his mind at ease. He called from the top of the wall, “Xu Yan, let’s go catch crickets in the wild grassland outside the south gate. We’re waiting for you.”

“Yesterday I caught a big-bellied general cricket that chirped so crisply!” said one boy.

“Let’s see who can catch more!” added another.

The other boys chimed in one after another, hoping Xu Yan would join them in play. In reality, these half-grown children were concerned about Xu Yan’s mood.

After all, Xu Yan and the old Taoist had depended on each other for survival. The master-disciple relationship was like father and son. With Xu Daoyuan suddenly gone, it would be impossible for Xu Yan not to feel heartbroken.

‘Poor Xu Yan,’ Tiezhu thought. ‘He must be devastated inside, even if he doesn’t show it.’

Xu Yan understood his friends’ good intentions clearly. He looked up with a smile, his mouth full of flatbread, and said, “Sure!”

“How dare you!”

A cold rebuke came from the distance. A scarred-faced Taoist who had walked around the main hall scolded the boys on the wall, “This is a sacred Taoist ground! If you continue shouting and yelling, I’ll break your legs! Get out of here, all of you!”

There was no need to show any courtesy to a group of half-grown children. The scarred-faced Taoist’s scolding frightened the boys, who quickly withdrew their heads and ran away. As Tiezhu jumped down from the wall, he didn’t forget to remind Xu Yan, “We’ll wait for you at the south gate!”

“A bunch of monkeys, hmph.”

Several Taoists following behind the scarred-faced one cursed under their breath. They approached Xu Yan, subtly surrounding him.

The scarred-faced Taoist stared at the young Taoist for a while before saying coldly, “Your name is Xu Yan, right?”

Xu Yan nodded, blinking his eyes.

“Your master is gone. What are your plans now?” the scarred-faced Taoist continued, appearing concerned, though his tone contained not a hint of genuine care.

“No plans really. Just staying at Chengyun Temple, carrying water, feeding the pig, eating flatbread every day.” Xu Yan raised the half-eaten bread in his hand, speaking naturally.

“Ha, feeding pigs. What a heartless fellow,” someone laughed mockingly from the side. He was about to jeer more but was stopped by the scarred-faced Taoist’s glance.

“Abbot Xu showed great righteousness, sacrificing himself to save the common people. He deserves the respect of all Taoist brethren. Since you are the Abbot’s only disciple, and you’re still very young, why not join our Taiqing Sect? At least you’ll have many fellow disciples to look after you.”

As the scarred-faced Taoist said this, a flash of cruelty appeared in his eyes.

‘Having forced an old Taoist to his death, it’s best to eliminate all loose ends,’ he thought. Even if he couldn’t kill the boy now, when they left Linshan Town, he would casually dispose of this young Taoist—unless the boy joined their Taiqing Sect. This way, not only would Linshan Town have its first believer, but they would also have another scapegoat for future operations.

“Taiqing Sect?” Xu Yan scratched his head and asked, “Do you provide meals?”

The question about meals first stunned the Taoists, then even the scarred-faced Taoist laughed, “Provide meals? Not only meals, but we’ll ensure you never worry about food or clothing for the rest of your life.”

“That’s great!” Xu Yan took a bite of his flatbread, nodding vigorously.

“Good. From today on, you are a disciple of our Taiqing Sect.” The scarred-faced Taoist smiled and said, “Today we will be recruiting believers in Linshan Town. Xu Yan, you can serve as a sweeping and sprinkling acolyte. Come with me.”

Now that the previous ceremony had been completed and the reputation of the Taiqing Sect had deeply penetrated people’s hearts, the next step was to recruit believers.

Soon, a group of Taoists left Chengyun Temple, shouting their doctrines along the way with drums and music. Xu Yan finally learned what a “sweeping and sprinkling acolyte” was.

It meant being the one at the front of the procession who cleared the way.

Holding a porcelain jar filled with clear water, he had to scoop out some water and sprinkle it on the road every few steps. This was the so-called “sweeping and sprinkling,” and Xu Yan was the “acolyte.”

Hearing the commotion, townspeople came out of their homes. When they learned that the Taiqing Sect was recruiting not only disciples but also lay believers, people swarmed forward. In no time, several dozen townspeople became lay disciples of the Taiqing Sect. By paying a monthly tribute of silver, they could bear the name of the Taiqing Sect and receive the protection of immortals.

As they proceeded, they recruited many lay disciples, and some idle men even became formal members of the Taiqing Sect. In an instant, the prestige of the Taiqing Sect in Linshan Town rose like the midday sun.

Some people revered this first-class sect of the Pu Kingdom, fearing the powers of immortals. Of course, others disdained it, even sneering.

When the Taoists’ procession passed by the Cheng family home, Cheng Lin Wan, who was organizing her belongings in preparation to leave Linshan Town in the coming days, stood at the door coldly watching the circus-like procession. The young Taoist sprinkling water at the front of the procession particularly filled her with contempt.

Yesterday, Xu Daoyuan had perished in the fire to save two children, and today Xu Yan had become a member of the Taiqing Sect. In Cheng Lin Wan’s eyes, Xu Yan was not only foolish but also made her incredibly angry.

“Running with wolves. Xu Yan, you truly are the Abbot’s worthy disciple,” the girl muttered at the door, her voice not particularly quiet.

Xu Yan, who was just passing the Cheng family’s door, heard her clearly. He turned his head to look at Cheng Lin Wan, smiled foolishly, showing a mouthful of white teeth, while not forgetting to throw a handful of clear water from the porcelain jar.

“Stupid pig!”

Seeing Xu Yan’s seemingly carefree demeanor, Cheng Lin Wan stomped her foot in anger, cursed “stupid pig,” and returned inside, slamming the door shut with a bang.

‘How can he join those who killed his master?’ she thought furiously. ‘Has he no loyalty at all?’

Not only did Cheng Lin Wan think Xu Yan was stupid, but many Linshan Town residents who saw Xu Yan clearing the way for the Taiqing Sect also thought the young Taoist was increasingly foolish. His master had just died, yet he was enthusiastically helping others sweep the streets and clear the way. Only a fool would do such a thing; normal people would find it difficult to act this way.

After a day of parading through the streets, the procession returned to the temple at dusk. Because he had joined the Taiqing Sect, Xu Yan was finally allowed to enter the main hall.

Since these Taoists had occupied Chengyun Temple, the main hall had become their meeting place, and Xu Yan had been unable to approach it.

Having not been there for several days, Xu Yan was stunned when he entered the main hall.

The once spacious hall now had more than ten round tables set up, laden with fine wine and dishes bought from the town’s restaurants. Besides the forty or fifty Taoists, there were an equal number of strong men in commoner’s clothing, all looking rather unfriendly. According to the scarred-faced Taoist, these men were all lay disciples of the Taiqing Sect.

Although allowed to enter the main hall, Xu Yan had no seat. Instead, he was treated like a teahouse servant, responsible for pouring wine and serving dishes at the round tables. He didn’t seem bothered, maintaining a foolishly smiling demeanor.

Glancing at the young Taoist busy pouring wine for everyone in the distance, the scarred-faced Taoist secretly sneered and began eating and drinking with his companions.

When the Taoists and strong men had eaten and drunk their fill, the scarred-faced Taoist finally told Xu Yan he could eat. Under his contemptuous gaze, the young Taoist, who had been hungry all day, ate the leftovers with the same relish, even trying a cup of wine that made tears stream from his eyes.

‘Not only have we gained a scapegoat, but also free labor,’ the scarred-faced Taoist thought, secretly cursing ‘stupid pig’ while outwardly telling Xu Yan pleasantly to clean up the main hall after eating. Only then did he leave satisfied to rest in his quarters.

This was their meeting place and dining hall, and every day someone was specifically responsible for cleaning it. Now it was good—they had a stupid pig to use for free.

Perhaps due to exhaustion, or perhaps because of that cup of wine, Xu Yan fell asleep before finishing clearing the table scraps. In the empty main hall, only the cold statues silently watched the loudly snoring young Taoist. The eyes of the statues showed no compassion, only deep hollowness.

The candles extinguished at midnight, and the small figure also awoke at midnight. That figure sometimes moved to the back of the hall, sometimes climbed onto the statues of the Three Pure Ones, busy all night. Perhaps only the Black and White Impermanence outside the door witnessed it all…

‘They think I’m a stupid pig,’ Xu Yan thought as he worked silently in the darkness. ‘Let them think that… for now.’