The promising junior had turned into crap, and the Reserve Junior Horseman, who had always been able to help secure seals, was forcibly awakened and banished...
I couldn't quite understand the reason behind it.
Then... why did my ancestor let me go to Weining City, wouldn't it be better to stay and continue helping its descendants secure seals?
Thinking about it now, I felt somewhat frightened, with a layer of cold sweat forming on my back.
Yellow Skin hated evil fiercely and sought revenge for transgressions, it even alarmed my ancestor this time.
If I didn't carry so much goodwill from Yellow Skin, I'd probably not just get hurt, I might even lose a layer of skin.
There's no use worrying about things I don't understand, if there's a calamity destined for me, it will come sooner or later.
Then I remembered that I would soon have my own Literally Hall, and I felt a bit excited. Since I was young, I've listened to Grandma tell stories about the Junior Horsemen and the Immortal Family...
So I've always wanted to know which members of the Immortal Family were fated with me and what they looked like.
Setting up a new Literally Hall is complex, and I don't know if I can finish it in a day or two. Even though I grew up with Grandma, I haven't really seen many formal Literally Hall establishments.
After all, not many could get the full recognition of the Immortal Family.
Putting aside my recent fears, I couldn't wait to open my third Silk Pouch.
"The Literally Hall is not urgent, when you return in two years, you will naturally have your Literally Hall."
Grandma sat there in silence for a long time, just sighing.
Her sighs made me somewhat panicked, since I could remember, Grandma has always been the embodiment of composure, I've never seen her lose her cool. Now, her heavy sighs weighed heavily on me.
"Grandma, what's the matter? If something's up, tell me, don't just sigh... it's really frightening."
"Zi Tong, I was originally thinking about immediately establishing your Literally Hall, so you'd be safer when you go out with the Immortals. Seems like the ancestor has plans, and I can't interfere... Alright then, go take a bath. I'll make you some of your favorite foods. You can't get food to your liking when you're away from home."
Seeing Grandma hunch over and walk away, I felt really upset. I obediently went back to my room, took a bath, and only then did my mood start to stabilize a little.
Gazing at the Little Black Ball on the table I said, somewhat appeasing it:
"Immortal Family, don't be angry now, I will find a way to compensate you in the future."
Little Black Ball wobbled dejectedly on the table, saying:
"Look at my current state, although my magical powers are still intact, and I've even made some breakthroughs, in this form... if you put me in your pocket, I'm afraid I'll fall out. Aunt never shows herself in her true form in front of others, so why do I have to be here physically? Oh, dear... it's so tiring, and it's a no-win situation."
When I heard the old adage, I managed to hold back from laughing out loud, then I ran to my jewelry box and took out a necklace.
I had an early romance in high school, and my ex-boyfriend and I each bought one when we first got together.
It was a small vial, filled with red beans.
When Grandma found out, she said that guy was a fickle heartthrob.
That very night, my ex-boyfriend had a nightmare, scaring him witless with visions of several Huang Xians.
In the end, it amounted to nothing.
...
We hadn't even held hands yet.
I emptied the red beans out of the vial, then found a piece of brand-new velour silk red cloth from the drawer, cut a small piece, and placed it at the bottom of the vial.
"Go into this, I'll wear you close to my chest, so you won't get lost. Don't be anxious; if there's a solution, I will do everything I can to restore you to your original form."
Master Huang thought the little necklace was quite pretty and, with the red cloth as a backdrop, immediately slipped inside.
After turning around inside for a while, he settled in for the time being.
"Actually, I've resigned myself to this. Third Great-Grandma once said that when you get back, I should ask then, as it would be more reliable. It was my own impatience that brought me here to ask; otherwise, if I had waited for your summer vacation... there definitely wouldn't have been a problem. You also don't need to call me Huang Xian; just call me Master. Our generations are pretty much equal."
After chatting with Little Black Ball for a bit, I started feeling sleepy and soon dozed off, drowsily falling asleep.
When I woke up, it was already the next morning. After quickly packing my luggage, I came to the living room and saw that Grandma had already prepared the food.
"Zi Tong, come quickly. Grandma had the food ready yesterday, but when I saw you were sleeping so soundly, I didn't want to wake you. Eat up, and we'll set off."
Sitting at the table, looking at my favorite dishes, the stir-fried pork slices, and the tender fried tenderloin, my eyes suddenly reddened. Ever since I started college, I could only return to our village during the winter and summer holidays...
This time, I was about to leave home for two years...
And without any contact...
I didn't even know how to express the care and concern I wanted to convey...
At that moment, Grandma took out a bank card from her pocket and said:
"Here, take this. There's 20,000 yuan in it, my savings over the years. You..."
"No, I won't take it. Grandma, I have part-time jobs, and a few thousand yuan on me is enough. You haven't saved much over the years; keep the money for yourself!"
It's true that Grandma was famous in the area for being a Chuma Immortal, but she really didn't have much in terms of savings.
Unlike those Chuma Immortals who cheat people out of their money, the legitimate Di Mas hardly earn anything.
Sometimes, when people come to seek medical help and they are really poor, even if they bring just a few pounds of eggs, Grandma would help them out.
During the festivals and on the first and fifteenth of the lunar month, we have to make offerings to the Immortal Family...
Plus, having raised a "four-legged gold-eating beast" like me for so many years, how much could she possibly have saved?
After I'd eaten my fill, I shouldered my backpack, ready to leave home. Before I could step out the door, Grandma handed me a small package:
"I originally intended to give you what's inside after you officially assumed your role and took charge of the Literally Hall, but the current situation can no longer wait."
By touching it, I immediately knew what it was. Each Di Ma gets their own Magic Artifact, be it the Immortal-binding Rope or the Deity-beating Whip.
Since Grandma belonged to the Literally Hall, she used the Immortal-binding Rope.
The Immortal-binding Rope has many uses, such as when a malicious ghost possesses someone—by binding it with the Immortal-binding Rope, no matter how ferocious the ghost is, it cannot break free. Then, one can proceed with exorcism.
It's a very powerful auxiliary Divine Artifact.
Grandma was very strict with me from a young age. While many in the Literally Hall don't possess real martial skills, Grandma made me learn self-defense from an early age. Her abilities were limited, so she found a wandering Wild Daoist to teach me.
She also taught me many practical skills that would be useful in life.
Before college, I had to get up at 3 a.m. every day to practice swordsmanship before school. Strangely, after the initial six months when I felt a bit tired, I didn't feel exhausted despite years of such a routine. Instead, I was full of energy.
My mind became much sharper.
If it weren't for those years of physical training, I would have almost certainly been unable to get into university, given the poor teaching quality in the village.
"Inside is the Immortal-binding Rope. I have also prepared some food for you to eat on your journey. Right now, you don't have a Literally Hall, nor a protective Immortal Family. The road ahead will be tough, but Grandma believes in you. You are Grandma's greatest treasure."
Having always heard such praise from Grandma, the thought of leaving for two years made me reluctant to part. After one last hug with Grandma, I turned and left home.
Living in a remote area with inconvenient transportation, it took me a long time to get back to the school. When I reached the dormitory and saw that everyone was out, I grabbed some clothes to change into, dealt with my academic leave at the administration office, and then headed straight for the train station. At that moment, there was no turning back for me.
There was no need for sentimental and tearful scenes.
If we meet again, it's fate; if not, then it's not meant to be. Even if we had one last meeting, I couldn't reveal the truth—it would be meaningless.
The sooner I left this place, the sooner I got to Weining City, the safer I would be.
The train to Weining City takes 15 hours, and there's no plane...
Indulging myself, I bought a soft sleeper ticket.
Lying on the upper berth, I contemplated the path ahead.
A 19-year-old girl going to a foreign place, with no diploma and young in age...
"Maybe I'll beg for a living..."