Dad hadn't taken in the words "Feng Shui King." He just looked at the old Daoist in his ragged clothes. The man was wearing worn-out straw sandals himself. What could he possibly promise our family?
The others had even found me a wife.
As each new arrival made a higher offer, Dad's expectations rose along with them.
All these visitors were either rich or influential, dressed in fine clothes. What made this old Daoist think he could take my father's son as his disciple? He certainly had some nerve.
Yet the moment the others saw the old Daoist, their expressions changed. Some looked surprised, some reverent, and one even seemed unable to sit still.
"Sect Leader Li, you haven't appeared in public for years. Did you come out this time because of this child?" asked the old man named Shen Xiuyuan.
"What do you think? Leaving this unpolished gem in your hands would be a real waste. If I don't take him, am I supposed to leave him to you?" The old Daoist curled his lip, looking utterly dismissive.
But Shen Xiuyuan wasn't offended. He smiled and cupped his hands. "Since Sect Leader Li has come in person to take a disciple, I certainly have no right to compete with you. The road ahead is long, over mountains and rivers. Sect Leader Li, may we meet again if fate allows."
With that, Shen Xiuyuan and his attendants cupped their hands to the old Daoist and left.
The old Daoist hadn't so much as given Shen Xiuyuan a proper look. Only after he left did the Daoist sweep his gaze over the others. "Well? What are you still doing here? Waiting to have lunch at my disciple's house?"
"You damned Daoist! I, Jueming, won't stand for this! I got here first. Why should he be your disciple? I want to take him as my disciple too!" the fat monk protested indignantly.
"What, then? Shall we have a little match? If you win, you can take the disciple away." The old Daoist narrowed his eyes at the fat monk.
The fat monk rolled up his sleeves and puffed out his cheeks, then suddenly said, "You old Daoist Li! You're going too far! Goodbye!"
With that, the fat monk stormed off too. Apparently, he didn't dare pit himself against the old Daoist Li.
The remaining two, Yang Gaoyi and Ma Yuanling, also seemed deeply wary of the old Daoist before them. They cupped their hands to him and followed the others out without a word.
They left as quickly as they had arrived.
With a rumble of engines, all the cars parked outside our house disappeared.
Only the villagers remained gathered outside, unwilling to leave. Some had even climbed onto the courtyard wall, craning their necks to look inside.
Our tiny Nine Mountains Village had never had so many visitors. The villagers had never seen so many cars, either, and the place had never been this lively.
None of them knew why so many strangers had suddenly come to our house, all seemingly wealthy people from the city.
In truth, everyone in our family, Granny Liu included, was just as bewildered. For a long while, none of them could collect themselves.
Now the old Daoist Li was the only outsider still standing in the courtyard.
Grandpa finally came to his senses. He walked to the courtyard gate and politely addressed the villagers. "All right, all right, everyone, go on home. Our Little Jie is sick. These people were invited here to treat him."
With that, Grandpa shut the courtyard gate.
When Grandpa returned, the old Daoist Li said bluntly, "Where's my disciple? Hurry and take me to see him."
At that point, Dad suddenly stepped forward and asked hesitantly, "Daoist Master, you want to take my son as your disciple?"
The old Daoist gave a noncommittal nod.
"Let me ask you something. If my son becomes your disciple, can he still marry and have children?" Dad asked cautiously.
"That's no problem. I follow the tradition of the Way of Orthodox Unity. Not only can he marry and have children, he can drink alcohol and eat meat too. None of that is forbidden," the old Daoist said frankly.
"One more question. Can you find my son a wife?" Dad asked again.
The main reason was that, apart from the fat monk, all the earlier visitors had competed to find me a wife. Yang Gaoyi had even brought his own daughter along, wanting to arrange a childhood betrothal. Dad hadn't remembered much else, but that detail had stuck.
The question caught the old Daoist off guard. Dad exasperated him so much that he laughed, then gave a cold snort. "With me as his master, you're still worried he won't find a wife? As long as he wants one, he can find any kind of wife he likes."
Dad looked unconvinced. This old Daoist was scruffy and dressed in rags. From the look of him, he hadn't even found himself a wife. Dad had no idea where his confidence came from.
Then Grandpa came over and said politely, "Daoist Master, we have no objection to him becoming your disciple. Please hurry and take a look at the child. He's on the verge of dying."
"As far as this child's condition goes, once I act, the results will be immediate. But before I do anything, there's something I must make clear to you," the old Daoist said gravely.
"Please tell us, Daoist Master. As long as the child survives, we'll agree to any condition," Grandpa said sincerely.
"Once the child recovers, I'll take him as my disciple. But I must take him away with me. For ten years, he will have no contact whatsoever with his family." The old Daoist looked at Grandpa.
The entire family froze at those words. Mom asked anxiously, "What if we miss him? Can we go and visit him?"
"No. While he's training with me, he won't come home, and you won't be allowed to visit. Don't ask why. There is no reason," the old Daoist said firmly.
Dad wasn't too pleased to hear that.
The earlier visitors had all said they would treat me and take me as a disciple, but none had said they would take me away, let alone forbid me from coming home or receiving visits for ten years. They had even offered to find me a wife.
This old man offered nothing and imposed such harsh conditions on top of it.
It was too late for regrets now. The others were long gone, and none had left any contact information.
In the end, Granny Liu stepped forward and said, "We have no other option now. As long as the child survives and grows up healthy, nothing else matters."
Her words were practical, and in the end, the family had no choice but to agree to the Daoist's conditions.
Then the family invited the Daoist inside.
By then, I was already at death's door. Numerous patches of livor mortis had appeared on my body. My face was deathly pale, without a trace of color, and my breathing had grown extremely faint.
The old Daoist walked to the bedside, took one look at me, and muttered to himself, "A born demon fetus, destined for a troubled life. Eighteen tribulations await you, each one deadly. But you've met me, Li Xuantong. You're lucky to be alive, boy."
Then the old Daoist placed his hand directly on the crown of my head and roared, "Get out!"
Before you continue