Chapter 15: The ‘Strange’ Old Man Jiang

After Old Man Jiang said all this, my parents suddenly understood why he had been wandering around this area like a drifter. It turned out he was looking for a disciple all along. And they also vaguely felt that this disciple had something to do with their own son.

“I knew my disciple would appear in this area, but I did not know exactly where. I have just been waiting in these villages for the right encounter with him. In recent years the outside world has been chaotic, but although I am not afraid of it, this place feels like a peaceful retreat, so I was happy to stay here. Meeting your son was destined fate. From the moment I saw him, I knew he would be my future disciple. So being good to your son is simply my duty.”

After saying all this, Old Man Jiang sat back down. His expression even carried a rare hint of unease. It was clear he cared deeply about this disciple and this inheritance.

At this moment, Hui Jue, who had not spoken all this time, also spoke. “Your son is a Dao Child Fate, destined to have affinity with the Daoist way. This is also beneficial for him. Those who are born under destiny should follow the flow of destiny. If he were a Buddhist child of fate, I would also have taken him as a disciple.”

So it was not about sending him to cultivate after all, but rather Old Man Jiang wanting to take him as a disciple. This also explained why he had treated my son so well.

My father finally let out a breath of relief. If it had been a matter of life and death, or sending his son to some mountain to cultivate the Dao, he would ultimately have agreed. But in that era, not to mention whether any Daoist temples could even protect themselves, just the act itself would have marked them out as unusual and possibly brought trouble upon the entire family.

Becoming Old Man Jiang’s disciple, and thinking about all of Old Man Jiang’s abilities, my father felt a little tempted. But when he thought of how young I was, he could not bear it. Thinking further about separation, his heart began to ache.

Before my father could speak, my mother already had tears welling up in her eyes. She looked at Old Man Jiang pitifully and said, “Master Jiang, I… I cannot bear it.”

Before Old Man Jiang could respond, my father also said, “Master Jiang, don’t laugh at us, not only his mother cannot bear it, I cannot bear it either! I know you are doing this for the child’s good, and I know you have real abilities, but… but I…”

Old Man Jiang let out a long sigh for the second time. “If things are forced, then it loses its meaning. That would go against my original intent. Besides, the third boy is still very young and has no say in this matter. I have already helped him remove the lingering evil influence on his body. He should be safe for the next few years. I will not force this disciple. Everything will depend on fate.”

After saying this, Old Man Jiang stood up to take his leave. Hui Jue also chanted a Buddha’s name and stood up to leave with him. Just as they were about to go, my mother suddenly remembered something and quickly took off the tiger claw pendant from my neck and handed it to Old Man Jiang.

“Master Jiang, I do not mean anything by this. Since you have not taken him as a disciple, how could we accept such a valuable thing? You have helped us so much, we really cannot…”

My mother spoke somewhat incoherently. She truly meant no other intention. She simply felt that since Old Man Jiang had helped them so much, and the disciple matter had not worked out, it felt inappropriate to keep such a valuable item.

“You can tell this thing is valuable?” Old Man Jiang looked at her in surprise. “A village woman like you actually has such insight?”

“Yes, I recognize it. The band around it is gold,” my mother said sincerely.

Old Man Jiang said with a wry smile, “Put it back on the child. His innate perception is strong, and he is especially prone to encountering unclean things. He may run into trouble at any time. With this tiger claw protecting him, he will be safe.”

“Master Jiang, this…” My mother was truly moved. Once it involved her son, she could not bear to return it anymore, not out of greed, but because the words about keeping him safe touched her heart deeply.

“I am leaving.” Old Man Jiang pulled his worn coat tighter and turned to walk away.

Hui Jue, however, said very sincerely to my mother, “If you ever change your mind, you can come up the mountain to find us. I will stay there with him for a few days. I do not have many other abilities, but my heavenly eye and heavenly ear are still fairly well practiced.”

After saying this, Hui Jue also followed closely behind Old Man Jiang and left. My mother stood there holding the tiger claw, somewhat stunned. She could not figure out whether the relationship between Hui Jue and Old Man Jiang was good or bad. It was completely unclear.

Time passed quickly. Several months had gone by since that incident.

Although it was not a peaceful era, nothing could stop people’s enthusiasm for the Spring Festival. As winter was ending and the New Year approached, the remote village became lively as everyone busied themselves with preparations, filled with a rare festive atmosphere.

My family was no exception. Red couplets, red lanterns, sweets, melon seeds, and peanuts filled the house. My mother was constantly busy, and my father, although we did not raise pigs that year, still helped others slaughter pigs and brought back meat and offal.

My two sisters wore new red cotton jackets made from fabric coupons my mother had saved for half a year. I also wore a tiger head hat and tiger head shoes, and the whole family was full of joy.

But as the New Year approached, the weather grew colder. One evening, my mother put down her needlework, took out a padded jacket from the cupboard, and said to my father, “You should go up the mountain tomorrow.”

“What for?” my father asked after taking a sip of sugarcane wine, confused.

“Haven’t we not seen Master Jiang for quite a few days?” my mother had always remembered Old Man Jiang’s kindness.

“Yes, I was even thinking of inviting him down for New Year’s Eve dinner. I did not expect you to be more anxious than I am,” my father said.

“Inviting him for New Year’s dinner is certain. How could we let him spend the New Year alone on the mountain? I want you to take this padded jacket up to him. I added some old cotton and some new cotton, and remade it from your old clothes. The weather is too cold,” my mother said.

“You really are thoughtful. I thought you were making it for me the other day,” my father said with a smile. “I just hope that Hui Jue monk is still there, otherwise I might not even be able to find Master Jiang.”

“Master Jiang is very capable. He will definitely see you. Do not worry,” my mother said with great confidence in him.

“Alright then.”

The matter was settled. My father originally planned to go up the mountain the next day, but unexpectedly, early in the morning, Old Man Jiang came to our house on his own.

“Is it Master Jiang?” It was still early and not fully bright. My father opened the door and could not clearly see the figure outside.

“Yes. Come inside and talk,” Old Man Jiang replied simply.

My father quickly invited him into the main room, calling for my mother to light the stove, and turned on the only lamp in the hall.

As the warm yellow light filled the room, my father clearly saw Old Man Jiang and was stunned.

In his memory, Old Man Jiang had only ever looked presentable once, when he performed a ritual for me. After that, when he returned with the monk, he was once again disheveled and unkempt. But today, he looked completely different.

His hair had been trimmed neatly, no longer uneven, and was combed straight back into a proper slicked style. Although it was slightly gray, it carried an air of authority.

His face was clean-shaven, without a trace of stubble. There were no obvious wrinkles, though his weathered aura still showed his age.

He wore a brand new gray Zhongshan suit inside, neatly buttoned and sharply tailored. Outside, he had a black overcoat made of wool, giving him an even more imposing presence.

This outfit was exactly what city officials and high ranking cadres wore. My father, who had never expected Old Man Jiang to own such clothing, was almost envious.

The only thing that did not match was the snake skin bag in his hand, which completely ruined the refined appearance. A briefcase would have suited him far better.

What was even more striking was that Old Man Jiang seemed younger again. He no longer looked like an old man at all. My father had already felt he looked middle aged during the ritual last time, but now that impression was even stronger.