Chapter 1988: Old Tofu Maker (2/2)

The neighbors who failed could only make some querulous remarks before dispersing. The old man has been selling tofu here for several dozen years regardless of the weather. Moreover, the amount was always two casks. They could do nothing but to come even earlier the next day.

The old man’s place was only a street away from his selling place. It was a tiny courtyard surrounded by a wall.

This yard was quite old, even the steps to the entrance have caved down a bit. After returning, he placed the casks down and stretched before taking out a big bucket of soybean. He grabbed a handful and began selecting them under the sunlight.

The taste of the tofu pudding was very dependent on the soybeans. Thus, the old man only used the biggest beans. He threw away the dried and bad ones before peeling his selection.

He was very meticulous. A bean with the slightest sign of being damaged by insects would be taken out. This complete concentration seemed as if he had forgotten about the rest of the world - only the beans were on his mind.

Li Qiye came in and leaned back on a tree to watch without disturbing the old man.

Once the sun was falling to the west, the old man finally finished with his bucket. He stretched his waist and slightly narrowed his eyes: “Young man, you have some business?”

Li Qiye chuckled in response: “I’m only here to visit you, and also see this place.”

“What’s there to see, there’s only an old man like me here.” He shook his head and said.

Li Qiye sentimentally stated: “There is a path to everything as long as one has enough perseverance. When one is determined enough, whether it be selling tofu pudding, straw mats, or roasted chicken, these are all different dao. After reaching the end of the path, you aren’t seeing any obscured mysteries, only a persevering dao heart. Not many realize this.”

The old man was surprised before becoming serious. He cupped his fist and said: “Fellow Daoist, where are you from?”

“Only a pa.s.serby from a distant land.” Li Qiye smiled and blew a breath of air at the peeled strips of bean skin on the ground.

“Poof.” The strips danced in the air before forming a crow. It circled above the old man’s head before falling down. Next, only the same strips were left.

After seeing this, the old man slightly trembled before bowing deeply towards Li Qiye: “Oh, so it is you, Sacred Teacher. Excuse me for the lack of reception.”

“No need to be so polite.” Li Qiye smiled: “Though we aren’t on the same side, we still share the same origin. You are quite unique in the thirteen continents.”

“You’re too kind, Sacred Teacher. Please come in.” The old man smiled and invited Li Qiye inside.

Li Qiye glanced at the room and saw its simplicity; there was nothing but a table. Not a single speck of dust either.

“If I have to name a goal in coming here, then it would be to have a bowl of tofu pudding, your refined art in this generation.” Li Qiye wasn’t shy with his request.

“You came at the right time, Sacred Teacher, I do have a bowl.” The old man said with a smile.

Just a moment later, he placed a hot bowl of pudding in front of Li Qiye. The guy showed no reservation and began to dig in in a slow manner with his soon. He enjoyed this as if it was an immortal liquid.

It didn’t take long before he emptied the bowl. He wiped his mouth, satisfied, and said: “A common dish of the mortal world, when made by you, have become a delicacy. As long as the heart is there, even the ordinary will become magical.”