Someone Always Wants To Corrupt My Disciple - Chapter 3

“Don’t play games with me, fellow Daoist,” the old man’s face was on the verge of tears, his distress palpable. “This talisman ash of yours still retains spiritual energy. It’s clearly a high-level spirit talisman. Who would casually give away such a treasure? Moreover, besides those of the mysterious sects, who else would choose to visit Kuishan in weather like this?”

“I was brought here by this talisman,” she replied. “I don’t even know how to return.”

“Could it be the ‘Zhi Chi Talisman’?” The old man’s expression turned to shock, tinged with a glimmer of hope as he asked, “You… you’re truly not from the sect?”

“No!” she shook her head.

In an instant, the old man’s demeanor collapsed. Where he had been lively and spirited moments before, he now wilted like a frostbitten eggplant.

“Alas! It is all fate,” he sighed deeply, resignedly gesturing towards the towering tree he had just been about to hang himself from. “Forget it, forget it. Young lady, go on your way!”

Yun Jiao didn’t linger, turning and heading towards a narrow path to the left.

“Oh, by the way, young lady!” The old man suddenly added, “At this hour, it’s best not to hurry down the mountain.” He pointed towards the surrounding black mist. “Do you see the black mist around? It’s a sign that Kuishan is about to experience violent winds. Not to frighten you, but these mountain winds are as sharp as knives. Even century-old trees can be felled. You’d better find a place to hide, or you might lose your life.”

Finishing his warning, he seemed to recall something else and pointed towards the right-hand path. “Yes, there’s a Daoist temple over there. The winds can’t reach it, so it’s the safest place to shelter. That was once my Daoist temple, but unfortunately, I just ingested poisonous herbs and will soon perish in agony. There’s no going back now. It’s better to end my suffering sooner.”

Yun Jiao paused for a moment, her foot hovering mid-step, then clenched her hand beside her body and suddenly turned back, making her way briskly towards the old man.

“Why are you back?” The old man furrowed his brow, waving her away. “Hurry, hurry! Once the wind picks up, you’ll…”

“For how long?” Yun Jiao interrupted directly.

“What?” The old man didn’t catch on immediately, momentarily confused.

“How long have you been experiencing this?” she asked seriously.

“It’s been about a quarter of an hour,” the old man replied.

“Is your stomach hurting? Are you experiencing diarrhea or vomiting?” She continued earnestly.

“No, not really,” he shook his head. “Just feeling a bit nauseous. Why are you asking these things? You’re not…”

“There’s still time!” Yun Jiao reached out and broke off a branch from a nearby tree. Straightening it, she walked over to the old man and pressed it against the nearby stone. Raising the branch she’d just broken, she placed it into his mouth.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Saving you!”

“What?!”

The old man hadn’t responded yet, but Yun Jiao had already thrust the stick into his mouth.

He immediately felt a tickle in his throat, a sudden feeling of nausea from deep within his heart, and a violent disturbance in his stomach, and then he directly opened his mouth to throw up, and a heavy acidic smell immediately covered up.

The old man retched for a full ten minutes, until he had nothing left to vomit. Exhausted, he collapsed against a tree trunk, gasping for breath. He stared at Yun Jiao, still by his side, her expression unchanged, “You… you…”

He hadn’t fully recovered from his ordeal, but Yun Jiao, unperturbed, glanced at what he had vomited. Interrupting him, she said, “The ‘poisonous grass’ you mentioned… was it mushrooms?”

“How did you know?” The old man blinked, subconsciously looking at the mushy substance he had just regurgitated. Perhaps due to his advanced age, the original appearance of the items could still be discerned. It was indeed the poisonous mushrooms he had ingested, and suddenly he understood her meaning, a hint of wild joy flashing across his face, “I… I’ve vomited them out. Does that mean I’m saved?”

“Not necessarily,” Yun Jiao ruthlessly dashed his hopes, continuing, “Do you have salt in your Taoist temple?”

“Yes, yes, I do!” The old man nodded vigorously, finally realizing he had encountered a miracle healer, “The temple is right there. Come with me.”

With that, he rolled up his trousers and headed towards the left side. Yun Jiao glanced at the belt still swaying in the wind above her head and turned to follow.

————

White Yu felt like he had discovered a treasure. This girl named Yun Jiao was truly an extraordinary person. Not only did she possess miraculous medical skills, capable of saving someone who had mistakenly consumed the deadly Seven Star Poisonous Mushroom, but she also had a myriad of other talents.

If the Taoist robes were torn, she could mend them; if there were Dao scriptures to be read, she understood them; if the Dao hall’s furniture needed repair, she could fix it; if there were leaks in the Daoist temple, she could seal them; even in the realm of Dao cuisine, her dishes were unparalleled.

Above repairing rafters and mending walls, she was adept at needlework and embroidery, as well as music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. In short, there seemed to be nothing she couldn’t do, nothing she didn’t know.

More importantly, she possessed astonishing culinary skills that delighted the senses with every meal she prepared. Had it not been for the raging gusts of wind outside, the tantalizing aroma of her cooking would likely have spread for miles. White Yu couldn’t help but reflect on the countless bland meals he had consumed in his lifetime. Some of those dishes might as well have been fit for pigs!

White Yu couldn’t help but wonder: how had this seemingly delicate and fragile girl acquired such abilities?

However, Yun Jiao remained serious and composed, responding earnestly with her usual solemn expression, “Because… single dogs have unlimited potential!” It was something only dogs could understand, and there was nothing dogs couldn’t do.

Though White Yu didn’t quite grasp the connection to dogs, he was moved by her casual humility. Look at how modest and unpretentious this child was! For the honor of the sect, for the preservation of Daoist teachings, and for the future of the Xuanmen, such a promising talent must be retained.

He believed that with diligent practice and patient persuasion, Yun Jiao would come to understand just how fortunate and prestigious it was to be a disciple of the Xuanmen. He had all the time in the world! He was confident that with persistence, Yun Jiao would eventually comprehend the great honor and privilege that came with being a member of their esteemed sect.

“Roll!” she exclaimed enthusiastically, her voice dripping with passion.

“…,” he replied.

Well, this girl was everything, except for having a slightly cold temperament. She never seemed to have any expression on her face.

No matter, he had plenty of time! He was certain that with relentless brainwashing… no, persuasion, Yun Jiao would undoubtedly come to appreciate the glorious presence of their Xuanmen sect.