Journey to the West: Cultivation Begins at Jindou Mountain

Chapter 73: The Disaster of Horse Bandits
Bai Guiqin nodded after hearing what Taoist Jin Lingzi said, and said with some worry:
"Your Excellency may not know this, but in the past two years, many people seeking to ward off disasters have come to this area. Even our Shangtang Village has seen the emergence of three new villages."

"As my father-in-law said, if there are too many people, things will become complicated, problems will easily arise, and it will also be easier to attract those mountain bandits and horse bandits outside."

"So, my father-in-law and my husband took everyone to the three nearby villages to seek an alliance. If bandits or horse bandits come in the future, we can fight them together."

Niu Yi nodded slowly. Liu Guineng could be the village chief, so he had a much longer-term vision.

Although it is still unclear whether these farmers can resist if bandits really come, living in this chaotic world, they can only struggle to survive.

Just like the Shangtang Village moved here, if given a choice, who would be willing to leave their hometown?

"Speaking of which, where is that guy Wu Tie? I just saw him."

"Oh~ When Brother Wu Tie learned that you were here, he sent Chen'er back and went to look for my father-in-law."

"Speaking of which, Chen'er."

Liu Dongchen, who was looking at Taoist Master Jin Lingzi, heard his mother's voice. He turned around and looked at his mother's somewhat unfriendly expression as she looked at him, and was suddenly startled.

"Little boy, Liu Dongchen! I bow to thank the Taoist priest for saving my life!"

Liu Dongchen walked to the side of the stool and knelt down towards Taoist Jin Lingzi with smooth and swift movements! But before he could kneel down, Taoist Jin Lingzi grabbed his shoulders and lifted him up.

"Alas, you and your son really don't need to be so polite to me."

Niu Yi was indeed a little helpless. Although he and the child did save his life, he could not say that this was a task assigned by Tianzun, and Tianzun had already promised a reward.

The statue of Tianzun is still there!
I saw Taoist Master Jin Lingzi holding up the kid, looking at him and smiling:
"Your name is Liu Dongchen, right? Speaking of which, the last time I saw you, you were still a little kid. I never thought that in the blink of an eye, you have grown up so much."

Liu Dongchen nodded repeatedly, looking at the Taoist Master Jin Lingzi in front of him with excitement on his face and admiration in his eyes.

"Yeah! I've also heard about you from my father, mother, grandfather, and everyone in the village! They all say you're amazing! You're a legendary immortal!"

Ever since he could remember, he often heard villagers talking about the Taoist Master Jin Lingzi in front of him. In everyone's words, Taoist Master Jin Lingzi was like an immortal.

Even her own mother said that she was saved by Taoist Master Jin Lingzi.

He had just witnessed with his own eyes how powerful this Taoist priest was. The monster was shattered by a single blow from the Taoist priest's green bamboo staff! So handsome!

What made the children of the same age in the village most envious was the longevity lock on his neck that he had worn since he was a child. It was said that this was also a gift from the Taoist priest Jin Lingzi.

This was a gift from the immortal.
Liu Dongchen saw Taoist Jin Lingzi laughing and shaking his head.

"I'm still a long way from that."

Then, Niu Yi looked up at Bai Guiqin who was watching this scene with a smile on her face and said:

"I think there are indeed some bandits coming here, and I'm afraid there are also some evil spirits mixed in with them. The one this kid encountered today is one of those creatures."

"However, I noticed that there seems to be a magic outside Shangtang Village?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Guiqin nodded quickly, though worried, and said, "My benefactor is right. The formation was taught to my father by the Earth God in a dream six years ago. He once said that this formation would protect Shangtang Village from wild beasts in the mountains, and indeed, it has been peaceful for the past six years."

Of course he knew about this. Because of the earth vein formation, the God of Land has gathered a group of believers in Shangtang Village. People often worship the statue at the entrance of the village, which makes the God of Land happy for a long time.

Taoist Master Jin Lingzi brushed his beard and nodded, saying:
"In that case, when Village Chief Liu Gui returns, you can tell him to go to the statue of the Earth God and ask for a talisman for protection. Attach it to the magic circle, and Shangtang Village will be protected from evil spirits."

"Since the Earth God was willing to teach him the magic circle in his dream, if his heart is sincere, I think the Earth God will also agree to the matter of the talisman."

When Bai Guiqin heard this, her face immediately lit up with joy, and she hurriedly thanked Taoist Jin Lingzi again, expressing her gratitude for his guidance.

Liu Dongchen was very excited listening to this. This benefactor Taoist priest was indeed a god! He was very familiar with the Earth God!

Taoist Master Jin Lingzi smiled and waved his hands repeatedly.

However, he secretly sighed in his heart, thinking that he and the Earth God did not have any magical talismans. The only one who could truly protect Shangtang Village was Niu Yi.

As for the talisman, it was only to reassure the people of Shangtang Village. They would go back to ask the Earth God for a piece of yellow paper and draw something on it using magic power. As long as it could glow and look magical to people, it would be fine.

This matter is easy to handle, but if this group of horse bandits and mountain bandits are allowed to continue to cause trouble in these mountains, Shangtang Village will probably be hit by a disaster at any time, and he will have no chance of practicing in peace in Jindou Mountain.

Today's incident is an example.

For him, it would be best if everything went smoothly and peacefully for Liu Dongchen in the past sixteen years.

We have to find a way to drive them all out.
Niu Yi pondered for a moment, and a flash of inspiration came to his mind. He looked at Bai Guiqin opposite him, who also had a hint of worry between her brows, and said with some worry:

"These bandits are running amok in this mountainous area. I'm afraid they will alarm and anger the sacred bull on the sacred mountain here."

When Bai Guiqin heard this, she immediately remembered the earth-shaking bull roar from that year, and her eyes became a little flustered.

"Then what should we do?"

"Don't worry. There are magic circles around Shangtang Village taught by the Earth God. Even if the divine bull comes, it will give the Earth God some face and will not touch Shangtang Village. When Village Chief Liu Gui returns, you can tell him about this."

Bai Guiqin nodded in understanding. Her benefactor was telling them that as long as they were still in Shangtang Village, they would be safe.

But after saying this, Taoist Master Jin Lingzi stood up, obviously intending to say goodbye and leave. Bai Guiqin couldn't help but stand up quickly.

"My benefactor, you have saved my son Chen again this time. Please stay a little longer. Brother Wu Tie has gone to look for my father-in-law and husband. When they hear you are here, they will definitely rush back as soon as possible to thank you in person~"

Bai Guiqin saw Taoist Jin Lingzi shook his head and said with a smile:
"I have important business to attend to in the mountains this time. Don't worry, we will meet again someday."

After Taoist Master Jin Lingzi finished speaking, he picked up his green bamboo staff and walked out the door. Bai Guiqin hurriedly followed him, taking the two children with him, and only stopped when they reached the village entrance.

At this time, many villagers had gathered at the entrance of the village, looking at the back of Taoist Master Jin Lingzi as he walked away with a green bamboo stick, a medicine box on his back, and walked away in a graceful manner with square steps, and they saw him off respectfully.

(End of this chapter)