Chapter 9

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It turned out to be a Taoist priest...

Li Su instantly understood. The Taoist priest was not angry at him but at the monks. Buddhism and Taoism have always been archenemies. Both engage in the art of swaying hearts and collecting offerings, so naturally, they are in competition. There are only so many fools in the world; if you deceive one, it means one less for me. How could they not be archenemies?

The Taoist priest before him had a very good appearance—kind and benevolent, with a head full of silver hair. Despite his face being full of wrinkles, he still had a ruddy complexion, clearly well-maintained. At this moment, the Taoist priest's face was full of anger, his eyes fixed on the three monks in the courtyard who were performing rituals to dispel disasters and pouring ash water for the villagers. Clearly, his anger was not directed at Li Su.

Li Su was taken aback. He didn't quite understand why the Taoist priest was angry. Was it because the monks were deceiving the villagers, or because the monks were taking his business?

Li Su always kept a respectful distance from religion. These people were not to be provoked, whether they were Buddhists or Taoists.

So Li Su bowed from a distance to the old Taoist priest, as a greeting, and then sneaked back into the courtyard.

The monks' disaster-averting work was nearing its end. Many villagers had received a small amount of ash, holding it reverently as if it were an ancestral tablet, and returning home with joyful smiles, as if the eradication of the smallpox was just a matter of a snap of the fingers.

Li Su couldn't blame them for their ignorance. Putting himself in their shoes, if he had grown up in this closed-off village, never read books or received education, and the older generation constantly told strange legends and stories, he might have been even more devout in worshiping the Buddha and drank the ash water even more thoroughly.

The crowd gradually dispersed in small groups. Wang Zhuang and Wang Zhi, the two brothers, still stood woodenly in the courtyard, their eyes showing a confusion and sadness that should not belong to young men.

Li Su approached and patted their shoulders. The Wang brothers looked at him, their eyes reddening again.

"Old Three is gone, you must take it easy. No matter what, life must go on."

The Wang brothers nodded silently.

"Do you have time now? Follow me," Li Su continued.

"Where to?"

Li Su didn't answer, gesturing to the two brothers, who silently followed.

The three circled around the hay stack. Li Su walked ahead, saying, "Do you trust me?"

"Yes," the Wang brothers said in unison. They had grown up together, and their trust was complete and unreserved.

Li Su deliberated, speaking slowly, each word seeming to be a promise, heavy with effort.

"Perhaps... I mean 'perhaps,' I have a way to deal with smallpox. Don't believe the monks; the ash they gave you can only cause diarrhea and is basically useless for anything else."

Before the Wang brothers could respond, a surprised voice came from beside the hay stack.

"Huh?"

Li Su glanced to the side. It was the old Taoist priest again, who had clearly heard his words. His kind eyes were full of surprise and doubt, staring at Li Su.

Li Su ignored him and continued walking with the two brothers.

"Li Su, are you serious? Can you really cure smallpox?" Wang Zhuang suddenly grabbed Li Su's arm tightly, causing Li Su to feel a sharp pain. He glared at Wang Zhuang angrily, but saw that both brothers' cheeks were wet with tears.

Li Su sighed, "I said 'perhaps.' I can't promise this, but it's worth a try."

The old Taoist priest ran up to Li Su, saying, "Young man, don't lie. Can you really cure smallpox?"

Li Su was getting impatient. These people seemed to automatically filter out the keywords they didn't want to hear. How could they communicate like this?

He glanced sideways at the old Taoist priest, gave him a respectful bow, and continued leading the Wang brothers, ignoring the old Taoist priest's question.

Li Su had an unusual level of caution towards strangers.

The old Taoist priest had a broad mind. Seeing Li Su's coldness, he didn't get angry. He smiled, stroked his flowing white beard, and followed Li Su and the two brothers at a leisurely pace.

Li Su was a bit annoyed but couldn't do anything about it.

In this era, respect for the elderly was still highly valued. If someone disrespected an elder, people would automatically classify them as a "scoundrel," and it would be hard to redeem themselves.

...

"Li Su, my third brother is dead, and the fourth is about to go. Can you really cure smallpox? Can you really cure it? Can you really cure it?" Wang Zhuang kept asking, his voice urgent and tearful, repeating the same question over and over, as if he had been poisoned by a "repeater" virus.

The old Taoist priest followed Li Su from a distance, unhurried and calm, clearly very curious about Li Su.

As the saying goes, curiosity killed the cat. It's a wonder how the old Taoist priest lived to this age...

The group walked for about the time it takes to burn an incense stick to the east of the village. Li Su suddenly stopped and said, "Do you know which family has a cow? A female cow."

The Wang brothers were taken aback, silent for a long time. Wang Zhuang's face turned grim, "Brother, don't joke around. This is no time for that... Besides, cows are so big; if we slaughter one privately, the officials will punish us. After the epidemic is over, we can steal a dog for you to eat..."

Li Su kicked him in anger, "Do you think I'm talking about eating beef at this time? A female cow! I need a female cow that is currently suffering from smallpox! Without this cow, there's no way to cure the smallpox!"

Wang Zhuang, kicked, immediately became smart, blurting out, "The Hu family! The Hu family has a sick cow, I don't know if it has smallpox..."

"Let's go to the Hu family."

***

The Hu family's front door was tightly closed, and the two stone lions at the gate looked even less spirited, as if they had also caught smallpox.

Knocking on the door, no one answered for a long time. Inside, the Hu family's steward shouted angrily, "What time is it? Still running around outside? The Hu family does not welcome guests; don't bring smallpox in here. Go away, go away, go away!"

It was unfriendly, but understandable. In times of disaster, everyone is vulnerable.

At the same time, Li Su hoped the Hu family could understand him, as he still intended to enter their home, even if the means were not entirely proper.

Unable to enter the front door, they had to go through the side door. The side door was more convenient, as the cowshed of a wealthy family was usually in the backyard.

The group circled around to the Hu family's side door, where a如意 (ruyi) iron lock was coldly attached to the door ring.

Li Su was at a loss and instinctively looked at the old Taoist priest who had been following them.

"Sir... Taoist Grandfather, do you know how to pick locks?" Li Su bowed and smiled.

The old Taoist priest was taken aback and then shook his head.

"Can you pass through walls?"

The old Taoist priest didn't even bother to shake his head, his face slightly red, whether from shame or brewing anger.

"Can you draw a door-breaking talisman?"

The old Taoist priest: "......"

"Can you fly?"

"......"

Li Su's face turned a bit sour. At his age, had the old Taoist priest never reflected on his own value? Did he not feel empty or cold at night?

Li Su glanced sideways at the old Taoist priest, said nothing more, and picked a grass stem from the roadside, inserting it into the lock and began to pick it.

The old Taoist priest was so angry that his whole body trembled. Although Li Su didn't say anything, his last look clearly treated him like a useless old man.

"Scoundrel, get out of the way!" The old Taoist priest rushed forward, pushed Li Su aside, and kicked the Hu family's side door hard...

Bang!

The side door was kicked open and lay lifelessly to one side.

The loud noise startled the Hu family. The Hu family's steward rushed over in a rage.

"Who? Who broke our door? Do you want to be sued?"

The old Taoist priest fiercely flicked his sleeve, chest out, and said, "This poor Taoist, Sun Simiao!"