Chapter 62: A Foreign Land as a Vagabond

  The next day, I lingered until noon and only went to check out after the front desk called me. Because of that thing about finding someone, my heart really had no idea what to do. In the vast crowd, I was like a headless fly, bumping around randomly.

  Carrying my luggage, under the resentful gaze of 9527 sister, I walked out of the hotel's gate with my head held high. Korea's spring was still quite cold, a gust of wind blew in front of me, and it made me shiver involuntarily.

  I've paid the rent, and now I only have less than 300,000 won left in my pocket. In other words, if I still can't find a way to make money today, starting tomorrow, I'll be sleeping on the streets and struggling to get three meals a day. I don't want to become the first Chinese commoner to freeze to death in Korea, so I need to think of a way to earn some money.

  An hour later, somewhere near Gyeongbokgung Palace in Hanyang. A Taoist priest wearing a Taoist robe and holding a white flag with the four characters "指点迷津" (Guiding the Lost) appeared with his head bowed! That Taoist priest was none other than Wudao himself!

  I endured the biting cold wind, putting on a dignified and compassionate appearance, presenting myself to those scattered tourists with an air of sorrow and sympathy.

  "Korea also has Taoists?" A surprised Chinese voice came into my ears!

  "You don't know about culture? Since ancient times, Korea has been a vassal state of ours, China. Their culture is deeply influenced by ours. Haven't you seen their national flag, it's an eight trigrams flag! No, wait, it's a four trigrams flag! Some Taoist priest said something strange." A rather proud voice came from the side, explaining to someone. It seems that this group of people are tourists from China.

  "I'm also Chinese!" With a glance at the Korean's unsuccessful business, I turned my interest to this group of tourists from home. So, I threw away my dignity and took the initiative to strike up a conversation.

  "I told you, where in Korea can you find a Taoist priest as handsome as him! I wonder what brings the Taoist priest to this foreign land?" The woman who had previously expressed surprise that there were Taoists in Korea stepped forward and asked me with a bow. At this time, I felt contempt for the person who said that others were uncultured. Can someone who can say such things be uncultured? Especially the phrase "handsome Taoist priest", it's really a brilliant remark.

  "I have come to this palace to inspect the Feng Shui." I raised my hand, wanting to stroke my beard like Master, but instead touched a smooth chin.

  "Will Daozhang still look at Feng Shui?" The woman let out a surprised cry, attracting the attention of countless people around her.

  "I don't just look at feng shui, I'm especially good at fortune-telling. Guiding people to prosperity and avoiding disasters, wealth is rolling in!" I said with a pretentious tone to the crowd of tourists who were gradually gathering around me.

  "That's great, Master Dao, take a look and see if I have good fortune this year?" As soon as they heard that I could read faces, several middle-aged women crowded over to ask. However, after piquing their interest, I wouldn't easily open my mouth again. Don't forget my original intention was to make money. It's better for them to spend their money on me than on someone else."

  "Hmph!" A single cent can bring down a hero, now that it's come to this, I, the poor monk, will no longer show restraint. With both hands tucked into the deep sleeves of my Taoist robe, I cleared my throat and remained silent.

  "This is it, please let the Daoist say a few words." No wonder they say Chinese people are clever. Someone saw me and immediately understood, pulling me to one side with a knowing look.

  "It's like this, I have a son at home who is not quite right in the head. He's already 30 and still doesn't have a girlfriend. His father and I have asked countless people to introduce him to someone, but either they don't take a liking to him or he doesn't take a liking to them. So I wanted to ask you, Master, when will my son be able to bring home a daughter-in-law for me?" A plump and round-faced middle-aged woman pulled on my arm and asked about her son's marriage prospects.

  I looked down at her hand with three rings, then raised my head to look at her delicate face, and roughly got the bottom line. The family's economic situation is estimated to be not bad, and the reason why their son can't find a girlfriend won't be because of economic reasons. So there are several possibilities: first, his son was disciplined too strictly and didn't know how to interact with girls; second, his son had high standards or was too awkward himself; third, it's an orientation issue!

  "Since we're face to face, let's take a good look at each other. I wonder if you, young master, have accompanied the lady here?" I asked with my eyes cast down, speaking in a gentle and calm tone. By addressing her as "lady", I was merely flattering her; who knows whether she believed it or not?

  "I let him stay at home to get familiar with the family, but I was also at home getting annoyed by his antics. That's why I came out with the group to get some fresh air!" The noblewoman's expression immediately turned gloomy when she mentioned her son's matter. It seems that for her son's marriage, she had been worried a lot.

  "May I ask, madam, if you have a photo of the young master with you? Poor sir's heart is filled with love for his son. Even if it means sacrificing some of my spiritual power, I must help him dispel the confusion and see clearly ahead." I said with a sympathetic expression to the noblewoman.

  "Ah, thank you so much, Master Tao. This small token of appreciation, I hope you'll accept it. If your words really come true, I'll have to express my gratitude again." The noblewoman looked at me and saw that I was willing to sacrifice some of my spiritual power to help her son with his marriage prospects, and she was so moved that she handed over a thick stack of banknotes. I lowered my head and discreetly took a look, the bundle of Korean won notes tied together with a rubber band, each one worth 50,000. This stack alone was probably worth over a hundred million. I tucked the notes into my waistband and secured them, feeling much more at ease in my heart.

  "The young master is indeed extraordinary, with a face that's a perfect blend of elegance and talent. Look at him, he has a full and round forehead, and a square and solid jawline - this is the appearance of someone destined for great wealth and nobility! And look again, the young master's eyes are bright and spirited, his face as smooth as jade, with a subtle smile that hints at a life free from illness and disaster!" As soon as I took the photo from the noblewoman, I knew why her son couldn't find a wife.

  Your family is wealthy, but I'm not sure if there's a girl willing to spend her life with Zhu Bajie. The heavenly court is full of round and square buildings, but his head is round and stupid, can't I describe him like that? His eyes are spirited, unfortunately, they're also beady. His face is as white as jade, but his chin is hidden by flesh, just like a fat man's, they're not usually dark-skinned. His chin is blocked by meat, just like a persimmon, isn't it hidden?

  I'd rather not speak the truth, after all, I've taken their money. If I say something wrong, they might get angry and I'll have to return the money, or even get beaten up. In any case, it's better to just flatter them. Besides, who knows if they really do have a rich daughter?

  "Stop flattering me, you help me take a look, when can my son bring back a daughter-in-law for me!" I reckon that the previous words had already been said by many seniors in front of this noblewoman. The noblewoman's face showed displeasure as she asked me to pursue the matter.

  "Hmm, if I haven't calculated wrongly, the young master's fate is right before his eyes. Alas, after you return to your country, he won't just bring back a wife for you, but even a grandson! What a joyous occasion! Haha!

  I rolled my eyes and first pretended to calculate with my fingers, then I congratulated the noblewoman with a beaming smile."

  "What? Is the Taoist's words really true?" The noblewoman was overjoyed upon hearing this, and immediately grabbed my hand to ask further. Seeing this situation, all I needed to do was give her a definite answer, and then everything would be settled.

  "The Three Pure Ones are above, how could I deceive the layman?" Anyway, my ancestor is the True Lord of the Three Straw Huts, temporarily borrowing the name of the Three Pure Ones' patriarch won't hurt. Besides, all Taoist priests in the world are one family, so saying the Three Pure Ones isn't wrong either. However, in my heart, the Three Pure Ones' patriarch and my ancestor the True Lord of the Three Straw Huts are like a county official and a current manager! As the common saying goes: Isn't a current manager better than a county official? Thinking this way, my tone became even more resolute.

  "Amitabha Buddha, Heaven has taken pity on us! My son will finally bring prosperity to our Zhu family!" Along with this, the noblewoman didn't seem to have any steadfast beliefs, and in her extreme joy, she thanked the Buddha in front of me.

  "Hmm!" I cleared my throat and reminded him with a dignified expression that he had thanked the wrong person!

  "Ah! Forgive me, forgive me. The Three Pure Ones are above, please pardon this humble woman's unintentional and unthinking offense." The woman suddenly came to her senses and immediately changed her tone.

  "I don't know where Changxian Mountain is. After I return to my country, if it's true, I will personally climb the mountain and thank you in person!" The woman gently patted her chest, trying to calm herself down, then asked me sincerely.

  "I'm used to being a carefree cloud and wild crane, this time it's just that you and I have a destined encounter. Climbing the mountain and entering the temple is not necessary." Just kidding, I'll give you my address. When your son can't find a wife and there's no sign of grandchildren, am I waiting for you to smash the signboard?!

  "Then, how can I thank the Taoist priest?" The woman obviously believed my nonsense and looked at me with tears in her eyes. Seeing that she had been deceived to this extent, to be honest, I couldn't bear it in my heart. But under my current circumstances, without her money, it would really be difficult for me to continue. I bowed to the woman and rubbed my thumb against my index and middle fingers with my right hand, forcing myself to harden my heart.

  "Look at me, I'm all confused. These Taoist priests are taking advantage of me first. This time, thanks to the Taoist priest's reduced magical powers, he guided the woman out of her predicament. These mundane objects, the Taoist priest can take them to supplement his body. If we meet again in the future, I will definitely thank him again!" The woman obviously misunderstood my intention, and as soon as she saw me rubbing my hands, she immediately took out a few bundles of Korean currency from her bag and stuffed them into my hands. Afraid that I would think it was too little, she hurriedly made more promises.

  "Whoever wants to have their fortune told, hurry up, the fortune teller's predictions are quite accurate." Not only that, after the woman bid farewell to me, she also strongly recommended me to the other tourists in the group. This made me feel... (speechless).