"Modest fare, I hope you’ll forgive the simplicity,"
"No need to be so formal, I think it’s quite alright,"
Since the other party did not offer their name, Jiang Chen had no choice but to address them in this manner.
The old Daoist’s words were indeed not mere courtesy; the small table before them was laid with only pickles and white porridge, extremely plain, much more humble than his previous meals at the Lan Family’s.
Though it was in the countryside, the Lan Family’s living conditions were quite good. Jiang Chen had stayed there for nearly a week, enjoying meat and fish at every meal, with Wu Guangjiang occasionally bringing back some game.
it was even inferior to some of the simple vegetarian meals at the temple.
Could it be that the so-called decline in incense offerings wasn’t just politeness?
Even if the Daoist Sect pursued a life free of desires, wasn’t this way too harsh on oneself?
And as a disciple, couldn’t Lan Peizhi see this? A little sponsorship from her would have been enough to improve the temple’s living conditions.
But Jiang Chen was never one to fuss over his basic needs. He hadn’t been a stranger to hardship; if it wasn’t for Fang Qing’s frequent help, bringing him breakfast, he’d probably have had to gnaw on steamed buns for every meal.
In a twenty-square-foot room, a distinct fragrance wafted through the air, certainly not the smell of food nor of vegetables.
This fragrance was identical to the scent in the room they had just left.
Jiang Chen couldn’t help but glance at the saintly female Daoist nun.
She sat upright, eating porridge and picking up pickles to eat, her white teeth contrasting with her rosy lips. Despite the austere living conditions, she seemed to accept them with contentment, without the slightest complaint.
In an era where any woman would dare to demand an exorbitant dowry, if she were in the secular world, wouldn’t she be exalted and pampered, with everything luxurious at her disposal? Even if she wished for the moon in the sky, there would likely be someone willing to pluck it down for her.
For a moment, Jiang Chen felt a sense of "wasting heavenly gifts."
"Liuli, this is Mr. Jiang Chen, a friend of your senior sister,"
The old Daoist introduced with kind eyes brimming with indulgence as he looked at his second disciple.
But just now, when preparing the porridge, the female Daoist did all the work by herself; he hadn’t helped at all.
The woman, true to her name, glanced at Jiang Chen; at such close range, he was increasingly aware of the clarity in her eyes, like a mirror reflecting one’s soul, making it hard for Jiang Chen to look her in the eyes.
Everyone has a dark side within them.
So, after just one glance, Jiang Chen instinctively averted his gaze.
"Hello, I am Tanki Liuli,"
The Daoist nun spoke, as serious as a student giving a report, even somewhat adorably clueless.
Her name and her presence were indeed filled with an air of otherworldly grace.
Jiang Chen mustered a smile, surprisingly at a loss for words despite his eloquence.
"Liuli, from now on, whoever wants water can fetch it themselves,"
Lan Peizhi interjected.
Tanki Liuli kept silent.
The old Daoist laughed awkwardly and quickly explained, "It’s actually a misunderstanding. Usually, Liuli and I alternate tasks. She is my disciple; I wouldn’t mistreat her."
"Master is very kind to me,"
Tanki Liuli chimed in, her expression serious. Her aura was complex, even matching Lan Peizhi’s in presence.
She had the looks that could disrupt nations and bring calamity.
Yet there was a sanctity about her, a detachment from the mundane.
she was as innocent as a child.
Being in her presence invariably incited a sense of guilt.
"I am your master; if I don’t treat you well, who will I treat well?"
The old Daoist said matter-of-factly before immediately starting to boss his junior disciple around again, extending his bowl.
"Liuli, serve another bowl of porridge for your master,"
Jiang Chen’s eyes twitched as he struggled to keep his composure and not show any oddness.
Tanki Liuli complied obediently, following the instruction.
"Having such disciples, what more could I ask for?"
The old Daoist mused.
His words weren’t unusual, but saying this in front of another disciple, wasn’t that a bit inappropriate?
Lan Peizhi showed no reaction, as if she hadn’t heard anything.
Jiang Chen focused on his own business, quietly eating his porridge and trying his best to reduce his presence.
The two disciples of the old Daoist were each incredibly talented and beautiful, yet their attitudes towards their master seemed to differ slightly.
At least, Lan Peizhi didn’t seem to respect the old Daoist as much.
Perhaps it was just her nature.
Tanki Liuli took care of clearing the dishes.
To see such a beautiful woman doing menial chores would break many hearts in the outside world; Jiang Chen originally wanted to help but couldn’t bring himself to do so.
"What do you think of Liuli?"
As they walked out of the Daoist temple, Lan Peizhi suddenly asked.
Jiang Chen was taken aback, his lips moved, unsure of how to answer.
"I’m talking to you,"
Seeing Lan Peizhi looking at him, Jiang Chen paused for a moment, then chose to say safely, "She’s beyond the mundane."
Lan Peizhi looked away,
"Wang Heting is fond of her, he has even tried to lure my master with various temptations for her sake,"
Jiang Chen smiled wryly but wasn’t too surprised.
A lovely lady has many suitors.
Given her qualities, which man wouldn’t be moved?
"Colonel Wang is also a decent match. Why didn’t the old Daoist accept?"
"Because he said he wants to keep Liuli with him. Otherwise, in these wild and desolate mountains, if he were to die suddenly one day, there would be no one to tend to his last rites,"
Jiang Chen did not expect this answer and was speechless.
Lan Peizhi didn’t seem to think there was anything wrong with her statement and continued walking forward.
"How long have you been living here?"
Following her around the mountains, Jiang Chen tried to make conversation.
Lan Peizhi said casually as if she had mentioned nothing more than a simple number.