Ever since the Emperor implemented the new grain policy, establishing the Xu Clan's Funeral House as a cornerstone of national prosperity, the black fat man from the Jin Sect's Rising Honor Pavilion has become spirited again.
When corn and potatoes were unknown, Guo Baolin would never admit to any connection with Xu Qing or the Rising Honor Pavilion; but now that the new grains are widespread, Guo Baolin can't stop mentioning Uncle Xu's name every day.
In the past, when storytelling, Guo Baolin loved to claim he was a disciple of Dongyang, and Guo Dongyang was the founder of their storytelling tradition at the Rising Honor Pavilion.
Now, Guo Baolin has added Mr. Xu, prefixed by Uncle Xu's name, saying that his master and Xu Qing were friends for decades, and when his master died, it was Uncle Xu who personally conducted the funeral.
No one doubted this; Jin Sect is neither too small nor too large, with a total of ten jurisdictions, word would eventually reach the Funeral House.
Xu Qing didn't mind; the black fat man from Rising Honor Pavilion came from a poor background, enduring cold treatment for the first half of his life. Later, Guo Dongyang noticed his stubbornness and lent a hand, pulling this wandering fat man to shore, teaching him a skill to make a living.
However, in Guo Baolin's heart, there was still a Heart Demon, afraid of someday being returned to his original form and back to begging on the streets!
In the past, he was childless and bitter, but now he has a big family and business; he couldn't let his family suffer alongside!
Guo Baolin sincerely believed he was a small figure, unworthy of being considered a gentleman.
Xu Qing, having met countless people, saw through this person's nature upon his first glance at the black fat man.
He even asked Guo Dongyang about it, but Guo Dongyang just smiled and said that those who have seen the vicissitudes of life are the ones who can pass down the art of storytelling.
Other decent family sons either haven't experienced the struggles at the bottom or have had their sharp edges smoothed out and lost that sense of determination.
Only Guo Baolin, upon seeing him among the crowd for the first time, Guo Dongyang thought he was a good horse, even if he looked a bit short...
With Guo Dongyang saying this much, what more could Xu Qing say?
Fortunately, Guo Baolin was not ungrateful and has always taken care of Guo Dongyang diligently, allowing him to enjoy his later years in peace.
Now, when Xu Qing heard that Guo Baolin was spreading around that he was his uncle, he just smiled it off.
In some sense, by doing so, the other party was also promoting the Xu Clan's Funeral House for him, so why take it to heart?
In the Rising Honor Pavilion, the black fat man continued his storytelling.
Within Huayin County, Xu Qing led the mourning horse, followed by a red-tailed monkey carrying a staff on its shoulder, a divination-robed fortune teller, and a black-dressed little girl riding a horse, looking around curiously.
"We've arrived at Huayin County; I suppose Mount Taihua is just ahead, though I wonder where the Two Saints Temple might be..."
Xu Qing gazed at the distant fog, where mountain peaks rose like sword forests, piercing straight into the clouds, indeed presenting a spectacular and perilous sight.
The red-tailed monkey responded, "Sect Leader, please wait a moment; there's a household over there. Let me go ahead and inquire about the path, and then we'll proceed without delay."
Xu Qing happily agreed.
Thus, the group of seemingly human-like demons and spirits arrived at a villager's home and knocked on the wooden door.
"Who is it?"
"Just passing by. Old father, please open the door; I have words to share with you."
"Coming, coming."
The old man in the house put down his work and quickly walked two steps to open the tightly closed wooden door.
Upon seeing the red-tailed monkey with a red face like a thunder god, the old man was so frightened that his soul seemed to flee, his seven souls nowhere to be found!
The old man, with eyes dazed and legs weak, stammered out the words 'monster, monster.'
Seeing this, Xu Qing hurried forward and cupped his hands in respect:
"Old father, don't be afraid. This person is my attendant from the Nursing Home. Though he looks fierce, he has a heart of gold."
The old man looked up and, upon seeing Xu Qing in cyan attire and exuding a gentle smile, calmed down.
"Oh, it turns out he just looks a little ugly..."
The red-tailed monkey's eyelid twitched, thinking, who is this old man calling ugly!
Once the old man understood that the red-tailed monkey wasn't a monster, he seemed to regain his composure again.
He scrutinized Xu Qing and asked, "You look unfamiliar. Where are you from, and why are you bringing this ugly man to my house?"
Xu Qing replied, "I'm originally from near the Capital City, traveling here to study and seek the Way. I happened to pass by and wish to ask the old father if the Two Saints Temple is nearby..."
"Oh, you're from the north; that really is unusual!"
The old man remarked, "That Two Saints Temple has been abandoned for a long time, even many locals are unaware of it. How did you, who traveled from afar, know there's a Two Saints Temple here?"
Xu Qing explained, "Years ago, I had an old friend named Hong Baoyan, who once made a wish at the Two Saints Temple. Unfortunately, my friend had a harsh fate and passed away twenty years ago. At that time, I promised him to visit the Two Saints Temple to fulfill his wish. Now, twenty years have passed, but I didn't expect that both people and things have changed..."
Upon hearing this, the old man gained some respect for Xu Qing's commitment. After pointing out the way, the old man asked again, "Since you're from near the Capital City, you've probably heard about the new Emperor's plan to grow the new grain; is that true?"
Xu Qing blinked, thinking to himself that the news traveled quite fast...
"Old father, is it that you don't want to plant the new grain?"
The old man replied, "What nonsense! If the grain really keeps us full, I would love to plant it right now!
Unfortunately, Huayin is quite far from the Capital City, and I'm afraid that in my old age, I won't get to eat the new grain..."
Beside them, the red-tailed monkey grinned and said:
"Old man, you fail to recognize greatness; the new grain was presented by our Sect Leader, and the tens of thousands of acres of cornfields in Cangshi County were also planted by our Sect Leader!"