Soul-Calming Bell Ringing

Zhu Shian didn't need to worry about how to spend New Year's Eve; the clan and Aunt Feng had already arranged everything, and she just had to follow the rules. Today, Zhu Shian's task was to stay at home and meet with the clan members.

The ones she met today were the Zhu Family members living in Sanqing Alley, about a dozen households. All these people had jobs in the county: the Post Office, the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, the State-Run Restaurant, the Food Station, the County Hospital, and the County Pharmaceutical Company.

Medicine was the Zhu Family's core skill, and most of the Zhu Family members worked at the County Hospital and the County Pharmaceutical Company. From their conversations, Zhu Shian learned that the most skilled doctor in the Zhu Family now was Zhu Changming, her grandfather's disciple.

According to the clan's generational ranking, Zhu Changming and Zhu Shian were of the same generation. Zhu Changming was off duty today and came specifically to see Zhu Shian.

He said with a smile, 'You are the heir of the Sanqing Alley branch of the Zhu Family. In the future, I will be working under you.

Let's treat each other as peers. I'll call you Family Head.' Aunt Feng quickly said, 'The young lady's medical skills were all taught by the old master, and she is also his last disciple.

Even counting from your master, Old Master Zhu, you and our young lady are of the same generation.' Zhu Changfang laughed and said, 'We heard earlier that our young lady was a barefoot doctor in the countryside. We said that the young lady has the Zhu Family's roots, and the old master taught well, so she picked up medicine easily.' Aunt Feng was very proud: 'The young lady is naturally good at everything.' Outsiders didn't know, but only the Zhu Family members knew that a few years ago, when the old master passed away, there was an internal conflict within the Zhu Family.

Zhu Shian was determined to teach those clan members who had developed other intentions a lesson. She set up a Magic Formation and trapped them in a Hundred Ghosts Formation for a night, nearly causing deaths.

In the end, the clan elders pleaded for mercy, and she spared their lives, but those families could no longer live in Zhu Family Village. After that, the Zhu Family members knew that Zhu Shian had inherited the Zhu Family's Xuan Sect abilities.

With this ability, whether Zhu Shian knew medicine or not was unimportant; the Zhu Family was not short of doctors. The secret arts of the Xuan Sect were the Zhu Family's greatest strength, as long as Zhu Shian had the ability to carry on her grandfather's legacy.

Zhu Changming said, 'It's a pity. I don't know when our Zhu Family's Medical Pavilion will be able to reopen.' The Zhu Family members present also felt it was a pity.

Zhu Changfang patted the daughter in her arms, gently rocking her to sleep: 'Speaking of it, where can't a medical practitioner find a meal? Even if the food outside is fragrant, it's not as good as what's cooked in one's own pot.' Zhu Shian turned her head to look at the Plaque Sign of the Zhu Shi Clinic hanging in the middle of the hall, then turned back to the crowd and said, 'Wait a while.

The College Entrance Exam has been reinstated, and all industries will gradually improve.' Zhu Changming said, 'If we can open the Medical Pavilion, I'll resign from the County Hospital and come back to sit in our clinic.' Zhu Shian glanced at Zhu Changming's wife, Zhang Hui, and said with a smile, 'It's too early to talk about that.

Take your time to consider.' Zhu Changming had a square face, a broad forehead, hidden sharpness in his brow bones, and a clear and upright aura. One could tell at a glance that he was a loyal and responsible person.

As for his wife Zhang Hui's facial features—everyone in the room followed Zhu Shian's gaze to Zhang Hui. Zhang Hui quickly said, 'Changming's medical skills were taught by the old master, and the clan has also invested a lot in training him.

It's only right for him to do more for the family. I definitely have no objections.' Zhu Shian nodded with a smile: 'One thing is one thing.

If the day comes when the Medical Pavilion reopens, I won't let your family suffer.' Aunt Feng brought up a new topic: 'Are there educated youths in our production brigade? An'an just came back this year, so we'll definitely have to hold an ancestor worship ceremony.

Can we cover it up?' 'No problem. Two of the educated youths in the brigade passed the technical secondary school exam and returned to the city.

Those who didn't pass were also given leave and went home for the New Year.' 'Right, right, right. There are no outsiders.

Inside and out, we are all one family.' 'That's good.' Everyone enthusiastically talked about the few households in the Zhu Family whose children had passed the exams. The clan elder said that this year's ancestor worship would let those children stand behind Zhu Shian.

Zhang Hui smiled and nodded, finally relieved. This young lady Zhu, though young, loved to smile and talk, and seemed like an ordinary girl.

That was what Zhang Hui had thought until the moment the young lady looked at her. That one look from the young lady made her feel as if her soul had been seen through, frightening her.

Zhang Hui no longer dared to bring up those little thoughts. 'Young lady, Brother Changfeng is here.' Someone called out from the courtyard, and Zhu Shian saw Zhu Changfeng stride in.

Zhu Changfeng was the leader of the younger generation in Zhu Family Village. The previous generation's leader, Zhu Fujiang, had not chosen his own son as the next leader but had chosen Zhu Changfeng, who was two branches removed from him.

This person must have outstanding qualities. Zhu Changfeng said, 'The clan elder instructed that on the night of New Year's Eve, at the turn of the hour, you must ring the Soul-Calming Bell.

This morning, I took people up the mountain to clean Yuntai Temple. It would be convenient for you to go up early and stay there until New Year's Eve.' 'Is Daoist Zhang in the temple?' Zhu Shian asked.

Yuntai Temple was the Zhu Family's private temple. Few in the Zhu Family entered the Dao, and they had no time to manage it.

For who knows how many years, they had always invited accomplished Daoists from outside to manage it. Zhang Xuanqing was eighty years old.

He was a Daoist invited by Zhu Shian's grandfather from outside and practiced Zhengyi Daoism. He lived in Yuntai Temple all year round without going out, except last month when he went to visit friends and said he would return before the New Year.

Zhu Changfeng nodded: 'He's back, and he brought an eight-year-old boy named Zhang Jie. Daoist Zhang said that Zhang Jie is someone who can ring the bell.' The words 'ring the bell' made everyone prick up their ears.

In the Zhu Family now, only Zhu Shian could ring the bell. Zhu Shian was expectant: 'Does he have talent?' 'Daoist Zhang said he has more talent than himself.' 'Is the boy staying?

Does he count as one of ours, or as his disciple?' Zhu Changfeng said naturally, 'He's being raised in our Zhu Family's private temple, so naturally he counts as one of our people.' Zhu Shian said with a smile, 'Good. Arrange it.

I'll go up the mountain the day after tomorrow morning.' 'Yes.' Zhu Shian went up the mountain on the morning of New Year's Eve, not waiting until evening. Her attitude toward the boy who could ring the bell, as mentioned by Daoist Zhang, was not exactly enthusiastic, but she had a little expectation.

At noon, Zhu Shian met the child Zhang Jie. He was exquisitely handsome, but a bit timid, always hiding behind Zhang Xuanqing.

Zhu Shian pursed her lips: 'Did you give him that name?' 'Can't it be his own name?' 'Tsk, what a coincidence. Your surname is Zhang, and his is also Zhang?' 'Zhang is a common surname.

There are many Zhangs in the world.' 'Daoist Zhang, you're not being sincere. If you've decided to send him to me as a disciple, don't be so petty.

What's wrong with taking the surname Zhu?' Zhang Xuanqing snorted coldly: 'The old Daoist isn't lying to you. His father's surname isn't Zhang, but his mother's surname is Zhang.

It's not the same as mine.' Zhu Shian studied Zhang Jie's facial features and after a moment said, 'Severed from all six relations, divine light contained within. Dao Cultivation is the most suitable path for him.' If he really had talent.

Zhang Xuanqing's chin lifted: 'Hmph, the old Daoist's skill in physiognomy is even stronger than your grandfather's. I won't misjudge a person.' Zhang Xuanqing was only somewhat skilled in physiognomy; he wasn't very good at anything else.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have brought this child before Zhu Shian. The decline of the Zhu Family in the esoteric arts was not because their family heritage was poor, but because the descendants had limited aptitude.

Zhang Xuanqing had seen Zhu Shian deal with people and knew her power. The Zhu Family's heritage was Taiyi Dao. Although they later lacked successors and reverted to Zhengyi Daoism, they still followed the path of the Spirit Script Sect.

Compared to other Daoist schools that emphasized cultivation techniques, health preservation, and alchemy, the Spirit Script Sect had one outstanding feature: they were famously formidable in combat. Zhang Xuanqing himself was mediocre in Dao Cultivation, but he had insight.

For the child's future, recognizing Zhu Shian as his master was better than recognizing him. Zhang Xuanqing was enthusiastic, but Zhu Shian didn't respond.

Zhang Xuanqing grew anxious: 'In this day and age, it's not easy for any Xuan Sect lineage to be passed down. If not for you, your Zhu Family's lineage would have been cut off as soon as your grandfather died.

I tell you, if you miss Zhang Jie, you might not find the next generation's inheritor in your lifetime. Miss this exceptionally talented child, and there won't be another chance.' Zhang Jie's clear eyes secretly looked at Zhu Shian.

Zhu Shian beckoned to him. Zhang Xuanqing urgently pushed him: 'Quick, go over.' Zhang Jie hesitated for a moment, then walked out from behind Zhang Xuanqing and came before Zhu Shian.

Zhu Shian felt his bone structure. After feeling it, she was dissatisfied. Was this considered good? It was acceptable to raise him in the Zhu Family, but she wasn't very satisfied with him as her last disciple.

Zhang Xuanqing asked with a smile, 'It's the kind of bone structure that the ancestors bestow for a living, isn't it?' Zhu Shian didn't respond, and Zhang Xuanqing grew anxious again. Zhu Shian turned and went into the main hall to offer incense.

Zhang Xuanqing followed her in: 'Say something. Yes or no?' 'What's the hurry?' 'I'm not in a hurry. The old Daoist is afraid you'll miss a good seedling.' 'A good seedling can grow into talent without me guiding him.' 'How is that the same!' Zhu Shian remained silent, bowed, and paid respects to the gods.

Zhang Xuanqing was quiet for a while but then followed Zhu Shian all the way. When they reached the innermost hall, Zhu Shian didn't light incense.

She looked at the statue, shuddered, and turned to walk out. 'This is where your ancestors are enshrined. You unfilial child, you won't even kneel.

Yuntai Daoist is your Zhu Family ancestor.' Zhu Shian ignored Zhang Xuanqing and walked faster, almost fleeing. Zhang Xuanqing, worthy of being a practitioner of cultivation techniques, had a well-maintained body and could chatter at Zhu Shian all afternoon without getting tired.

He wasn't tired, but Zhu Shian was. When it was almost midnight, just before the turn of the year, Zhu Shian, in front of the Zhu Family clan members who had come to observe, said to Zhang Jie, 'Go ring the bell.' Zhang Jie was still a child and was too sleepy to keep his eyes open.

Zhang Xuanqing quickly rubbed his face: 'Good child, ring the bell. Go!' Zhang Jie was pushed by Zhang Xuanqing to the Soul-Calming Bell.

He walked forward groggily, his small body hugging the ramming log as thick as himself, and struck hard. 'Wooom~' Zhang Xuanqing jumped up excitedly: 'It rang!

It rang!' On distant Wangyun Mountain, Master Mingjue, who was bowing his head in sutra recitation, slightly raised his head and moved his ears: 'Did you hear any sound?' The disciples shook their heads. Master Mingjue's disciple Huixin suddenly thought of the Zhu Family: 'Master—' Before Huixin could finish, suddenly a 'wooom' sounded.

The bell sound seemed near yet far, far yet near, at the ears and at the horizon, as if an illusion, yet it exploded in the mind. 'Wooom~' 'Wooom~' Two more consecutive sounds.

Huixin felt as if the Buddha was striking his head with a vajra club, and his mind became clear and bright. Master Mingjue opened his eyes and smiled: 'Amitabha.

The Zhu Family has a successor, and one of extraordinary talent. The Xuan Sect has joy.' The Soul-Calming Bell was a magical artifact.

The sound of the bell was completely different for Dao Cultivation practitioners and ordinary people. After ringing the bell, Zhu Shian turned to look at Zhang Xuanqing, hands on her hips: 'Did you hear the difference clearly?

What does 'extraordinary talent' mean?' Zhang Xuanqing, after a long time, squeezed out one sentence: 'Really loud!' Zhu Shian held her forehead. Forget it, forget it.

The Xuan Sect has declined. The Zhu Family clan members who came to observe were all smiling from ear to ear. What they thought was also: Really loud!

Really loud! With a Family Head who can support the family business, the Zhu Family's future will surely be renowned far and wide.