Chapter 1382: Chapter 1360: Suppressing Gods and Driving Away Evils
Shouqing, upon hearing this, became curious as well and reached out his hand saying, "Let me see."
Daohe quickly handed the book to his master. Shouqing opened it and looked through, his eyes growing increasingly bright. He looked at Manbao with amazement and asked, "Did you write all this?"
Manbao nodded.
Shouqing couldn’t help but tug at his beard, pondering for a moment before asking, "Do you intend to give this book to Daohe?"
Manbao nodded, "Daohe mentioned that more and more people are coming to the temple to request medicine. Some descriptions of symptoms are vague, and it’s difficult for him to prescribe medicine. So he wants to learn more."
Shouqing inadvertently pulled out a strand of his beard. He let out a hiss of pain but paid no attention to it, looking at Manbao and sighing, "Great, great, you really are blessed."
Bai Erlang couldn’t help but laugh and ask, "Abbot, did you mistake someone else for Daohe? This praise should be directed at him."
Abbot Shouqing laughed heartily and shook his head, "Not so, not so. Daohe is blessed, but the most blessed is surely the one who created the path. A benevolent person is blessed, and since the book originated from you, naturally, you are blessed."
Abbot Shouqing shoved the book back to Daohe with a laugh, "Keep it safe, study well."
Daohe respectfully accepted the book.
He turned his head to see Daoxu nearby and said, "Take your Junior Brother with you, don’t let him be too lazy."
Daoxu wasn’t too fond of learning, but he didn’t dare refuse in his master’s presence. He knew that a Taoist who could prescribe medicine was more sought after than one who only performed rituals.
He looked at the books in Daohe’s arms and asked, "Then what about the other two books?"
Manbao picked one up carelessly and handed it to Daoxu, "I promised to find books related to rainmaking for you. Take a look."
Daoxu, upon hearing this, became excited and immediately opened the book, but soon found himself bewildered. He recognized every word, but when they were strung together, he couldn’t make sense of them. When he read a large passage, he found he didn’t understand.
Daohe frowned and asked, "Is this the rainmaking technique?"
"I suppose so. You all take a look first. Once you’ve researched it thoroughly, I’ll see if I can find other books for you."
Upon hearing this, both Shouqing and Shoucai became excited, grabbing the books from the two disciples to read, and asked, "Rainmaking technique? Where did you get this book? Is it real or fake? Could it be a scam?"
Before heading up the mountain, Bai Shan had looked through one of the books. Manbao still had two copies that he could read at any time, but he wasn’t sure where Manbao had bought them from.
Manbao said confidently, "They’re real, not a scam. Anyway, read them first. Once you understand, you’ll know."
This was also what Keke told her.
Seeing her so certain, Bai Shan suspected the books might have come from Uncle Zhou.
The rainmaking technique was connected to spirits and gods, which only Uncle Zhou knew about.
Thinking this, Bai Shan’s eyes sparkled; if the rainmaking technique was indeed real, they would have to study it well.
Bai Erlang did not doubt; there were many books in the world, far more than he knew. Not to mention, every time they visited a bookstore, Bai Shan and Manbao bought books that he didn’t fully understand.
Especially the books in Bai Shan’s study room, there were many he hadn’t seen or even heard of.
Daohe let his master read the book and then asked Manbao, "How much for this book?"
Manbao waved her hand and said, "No money, it’s a gift for you to read."
This was purchased with points, not silver. She had bought it originally for herself, but spent a few extra points to make two copies. She didn’t plan to fuss over money with Daohe.
Daohe nodded and didn’t insist on giving her money.
Taoist Shoushi brought over three bowls of soup, and only then did Abbot Shouqing look up from the book, showing a particularly kind smile to the three youths, "Come, drink the soup. This soup wards off spirits and evil. Since your village recently had a new death, drink a bowl."
Bai Shan and the others immediately became interested, took the bowls, and blew on them gently. The soup was dark red, with a familiar smell.
The three exchanged glances and took a big sip in unison.
The broth nearly spurted out of their mouths; the three held their noses and managed to swallow, while Taoist Shoushi chuckled, "This is a good thing to ward off spirits and evil. Drink up."
It’s supposed to be for warding off spirits, but isn’t this just brown sugar ginger soup?
But it seemed like too much ginger was added; it was quite spicy!
Exchanging glances, Bai Shan poured a little into Manbao’s bowl, saying, "It’s good stuff; have more."
Manbao: ...
She moved her bowl away, declining Bai Shan’s offer to pour more, "You should drink more too, it wards off spirits and evil."
Bai Erlang also wanted to give Manbao some, but she was already prepared and didn’t let him succeed. Bai Shan inserted himself between the two of them, cutting off Bai Erlang’s plan.
With no choice left, Bai Erlang had to squeeze his eyes shut and drink his bowl.
Manbao drank slowly, and by the time she finished, she was sweating on her forehead.
Bai Shan downed the rest of his brown sugar ginger soup and seeing the pleased expressions of the three Taoists, he couldn’t help but say, "Taoist Shoushi, you might have forgotten, but the cultivation of ginger started with Manbao and me in the surrounding ten villages."
Taoist Shoushi froze for a moment; oops, he had forgotten!
The cultivation of ginger indeed started with Manbao’s family in Qili Village.
Initially, villagers of Qili took some ginger from Manbao’s family to plant, and within a couple of years, when neighboring villagers visited other villages, they also took a piece or two to plant when they got home.
One family gave to another, and that family distributed to others, and now virtually every household in the ten villages grows ginger. They might not sell it as the Zhou family did, but it’s good for personal consumption.
The temple also grew some, but they got their ginger seeds from villagers in Dali Village below the mountain.
Manbao finally finished the bowl of brown sugar ginger soup and added, "I’m a doctor, and it’s the first time I’ve heard that brown sugar ginger soup can ward off spirits and evil."
Taoist Shoushi was honest and looked a bit embarrassed, but Taoist Shouqing showed no hint of embarrassment. He laughed and said, "Drinking a bowl of brown sugar ginger soup is fitting in this cold weather. Just wait until you sleep tonight; you’ll definitely find it easier to sleep than the night before, more restful."
Having had nightmares for two consecutive nights, Bai Erlang looked at the dregs in his bowl and asked, "Really?"
Taoist Shouqing nodded with a smile, affirming, "Really."
Bai Erlang then eagerly reached his bowl to Taoist Shoushi, exclaiming, "Another bowl!"
The three Taoists: ...
Taoist Shoushi glanced at Taoist Shouqing, and Taoist Shoucai coughed lightly, indicating ginger is homegrown, but brown sugar is expensive!
Taoist Shouqing continued to smile and said, "This ginger soup, being hot in nature, shouldn’t be drunk excessively. One bowl is just right."
Bai Erlang looked at him skeptically, "Really? Are you sure you’re not just reluctant to give more?"