Settling at Green Goat Temple

"Mingyue, get two doses of medicine for the old gentleman."

The old Daoist shouted, holding a brush and quickly writing a prescription on the paper.

The young Daoist hurried over, fetched the medicine according to the prescription, ground it with a mortar and pestle, and wrapped it in lotus leaves. In between, he had to attend to other patients, and after a flurry of activity, a layer of sweat formed on his forehead.

The old man stood awkwardly nearby, watching the young Daoist work. When he received the medicine wrapped in lotus leaves, his hands trembled slightly. He walked up to Daoist Jixin, wanting to speak but hesitating. After Daoist Jixin finished with another patient, he spread out his palm and murmured softly, "Immortal healer, you are merciful. This old man comes from the north and just found a place to stay. My child only found work yesterday at the ferry crossing, and the wages won't be paid until next month. I only have these few coins..."

Daoist Jixin finished writing the prescription for another person and handed it to Mingyue to fetch the medicine. He looked up at the old man, sighed softly, "Old sir, this is enough for the medicine. Don't worry about the consultation fee; you can pay it when your family is more comfortable. We'll put it on your tab for now."

After Daoist Jixin recorded it in the thick ledger, the old man left with a face full of gratitude.

Qin Sang sat at the back, watching the master and disciple busy themselves. His thoughts drifted, and before he knew it, the sky had darkened. Only the two people who had helped him up the mountain remained in front of him.

He had seen over a dozen patients, and more than half of them were from the north. Most of them had their consultation fees recorded, and some couldn't even afford the medicine. In the entire afternoon, except for a couple who came to ask for a talisman to ward off evil and an old lady who came for a fortune, not a single person came to offer incense. The old Daoist hadn't earned much money, but neither the master nor the disciple showed any sign of impatience, which deeply moved Qin Sang.

"Young man, lift your leg."

After the patients in front of him were seen, Qin Sang leaned on his staff and walked over, lifting his injured leg as the old Daoist instructed.

Watching the old Daoist finish writing the prescription, instruct on fetching the medicine, and then record it, his voice filled with unconcealed fatigue, Qin Sang's heart stirred. He said softly, "Daoist, I heard that people fleeing from the north are arriving continuously. The number of people seeking your medical help will surely increase. With only you and the young Daoist in the temple, and needing to go up the mountain to gather herbs, I'm afraid you won't be able to manage..."

Before he could finish speaking, Qin Sang caught sight of the young Daoist's eyes lighting up, looking at his master with anticipation.

Daoist Jixin, without looking up, interrupted Qin Sang, "Young man, you've seen the situation in the temple. Our patrons are all poor people. I have the intention but lack the ability. We don't earn much incense money in a year, not enough to support a Daoist, nor to pay you a monthly wage."

The young Daoist Mingyue's eyes dimmed, and he pouted.

Qin Sang hadn't expected the old Daoist to be so direct, but he wasn't one to give up easily. He chuckled, "To be honest, Daoist, this junior genuinely wants to find a place to stay. Unfortunately, I injured my leg and finding work is difficult. Seeing you and your disciple busy just now gave me an idea. I don't ask for a monthly wage; I just want a place to shelter from the wind and rain and find some work to do."

Daoist Jixin looked up at Qin Sang, stroking his long beard, "Young man, you are in the prime of your life. Why lower yourself to the wilderness? It's best to find a proper livelihood at the ferry crossing, establish a family and career; that is the right path."

Seeing Daoist Jixin's tone soften, Qin Sang quickly seized the opportunity, "Daoist, you see clearly. This junior studied with a scholar in the village for a few years and can write and draw. I can help you transcribe records and grind herbs. Once my leg is healed, I can go up the mountain with you to gather herbs. If you don't mind, Daoist, you can keep me for a month to try. If I'm truly useless, then you can send me down the mountain. It won't be too late..."

Daoist Jixin was indeed moved. He narrowed his eyes and appraised Qin Sang for a long time. "Very well, I am but a poor old Daoist. I don't fear you coveting anything from me."

Saying this, Daoist Jixin picked up his brush and took out a sheet of yellow paper.

"Write a few characters for me to see."

Qin Sang took the brush and listened to the dictation of a few characters, looking at Daoist Jixin with trepidation.

In his previous life, he couldn't use a brush. Fortunately, Qin Sanwa had learned it. However, his handwriting was quite poor; he could only say that it didn't fall apart and was recognizable, and he didn't even manage to write two of the characters.

However, Qin Sang also understood that this world was similar to ancient times in his previous life, and those who could read and write were very few. He could be considered high-level talent.

Seeing Daoist Jixin holding the yellow paper in silence, Qin Sang added verbally to compensate, "This junior has always loved learning since childhood, but unfortunately, my family situation changed, and I only studied for a few years. If I am fortunate enough to be taken in by you, Daoist, I will definitely study diligently and practice hard in the future."

"Passable."

Daoist Jixin nodded. "The Daoist temple is full of Buddhist and medical scriptures. If you are willing, young man, you can read scriptures with Mingyue in the evening. Also, the conditions in the temple are simple, and the food is not very nourishing. Can you endure it?"

"Daoist, please just call me Qin Sang," Qin Sang said quickly. "I also come from a poor family and can endure hardship. Please rest assured, I will strictly adhere to the rules and regulations and not cause you any trouble."

Daoist Jixin shook his head. "You have not become a monk, so you don't need to be too restrained. There is only one condition: you cannot bring women in for any debauchery. Outside the Daoist temple, I will not restrain you further. However, if you act recklessly and cause trouble, it will have nothing to do with me. I am stating this in advance, so don't blame me for being unfeeling later."

Finally having secured a place, Qin Sang agreed to everything. "I will strictly follow your instructions, Daoist."

"Young Master Qin, these few rooms here are unoccupied. You can choose one. I'll go cook first and bring you bedding and a Daoist robe tonight."

After taking Qin Sang in, Daoist Jixin waived the consultation fee and had Mingyue take Qin Sang to the back to choose a place to live. Bedding and a Daoist robe were also provided. He would also eat with them from now on, with Mingyue responsible for cooking.

"Junior Brother Mingyue, we both work under the Daoist. I'm a few years older than you, so you should call me Senior Brother. Calling me Young Master is too distant."

Qin Sang pulled Mingyue closer, trying to build rapport. "I'll help you with the fire in a moment. Why don't you introduce me first? Which room do you and the Master live in?"

Mingyue had lived with the old Daoist for a long time and had never had many friends. Suddenly, someone called himself his Senior Brother, and he felt a sense of closeness. He grinned and pointed to one room, saying crisply, "Senior Brother, Master and I live there!"

Qin Sang followed his gaze and saw that Mingyue was pointing to the row of houses behind the Green Goat Hall.

The entire Green Goat Temple had four courtyards. Behind the Green Goat Hall were three more rows of houses, each row having six rooms. A stone staircase in the middle led to the back of the temple, with three rooms on each side.

The houses were all built of stone, with intact frames, only the roofs were severely damaged.

Daoist Jixin and Mingyue lived in the first row, on the left side, in three rooms.

Mingyue pointed to the other three rooms and said, "These houses all have beds made of bamboo. If lay disciples stay overnight, or if patients cannot descend the mountain in time, they can stay here. Sometimes patients don't pay, and lay disciples pay one coin per night, meals not included."

Qin Sang followed Mingyue, listening to his introduction.

When they reached the last row of houses, Qin Sang suddenly heard the sound of flowing water and walked over. The Green Goat Temple originally had no back wall. At the back was a large bamboo forest. Deep within the bamboo forest, spring water flowed down from the mountaintop, forming a small stream that wound through the forest. The spring water gurgled, and birds sang, creating a very serene environment.

Qin Sang liked it the moment he saw it.