“Can you take me to White Mountain?” The old man took his sunglasses off and threw them away, then asked sideways.
“Yes-yes-yes. Old Sir, you are traveling to White Mountain, correct?” It would take three or four hours to drive from the airport to White Mountain, but this trip would provide the driver with a day’s worth of income.
The old man got into the taxi and asked casually, “How long does it take to get to White Mountain from here?”
“Three to four hours if we drive fast. Almost four to five hours if we drive slower,” the middle-aged driver answered as he drove.
The old man took out his phone and saw that it was already two o’clock in the afternoon. No matter how he counted, it would already be evening once they got there. He pondered for a moment and asked, “Are there any hotels there?”
“Yes, White Mountain is a famous attraction in Qiyang Province. How can there be no hotels?” the middle-aged driver replied.
“Attraction?” The old man was quite surprised.
“You don’t often travel, do you?” The middle-aged driver enthusiastically began his introductions, “We have a White Mountain Sect on White Mountain. The talismans that the White Mountain Sect monks draw are especially full of spiritual power. The Sect Master, Gu Rufeng, in particular is said to be able to summon the gales and command the rain and turn stones into gold with a single touch. He can also treat intractable diseases, and has extraordinary abilities. Every year, countless people from all over the country come to see Patriarch Gu. Since you’re going to White Mountain, why don’t you stop by and take a look? If you encounter Patriarch Gu outside of the mountain, you may also be able to ask for a Peace Talisman.”
“Gu Rufeng?” Grandpa Wu raised his eyebrows in surprise: “Since when did this kid start dancing with the gurus?”
“Ha?” The middle-aged driver didn’t hear what Grandpa Wu said clearly, “Old Sir, what did you just say?”
“I said I know Gu Rufeng,” Grandpa Wu replied, “I’m going to White Mountain this time to look for him, but I haven’t been here for more than twenty years, so I didn’t know that he was doing so well.”
“Old Sir, the moment I saw you, I thought you had an extraordinary deportment. It turns out that you and Patriarch Gu are acquaintances.” The middle-aged driver never imagined that he had reigned in a high-profile customer, so he immediately said with some excitement, “Old Sir, can you help me ask for two Peace Talismans of the White Mountain Sect? Please don’t laugh at me. I’ve made seven or eight trips to White Mountain a year, but I’ve never gotten even a single Peace Talisman once.”
“It’s in such great demand?” Isn’t that old fellow, Gu Rufeng, only raising ghosts? When did he change to drawing Peace Talismans?
“Exactly! So if it’s convenient for you, Old Sir, please help me ask for two. I won’t charge you for this trip, and when you return from the White Mountain later, I can also drive to pick you up. Is that okay for you?” the middle-aged driver said expectantly.
“Okay. When we arrive in White Mountain, find a hotel there too and stay with me. Tomorrow, I will also take your car back to the airport,” Grandpa Wu said.
“You’re just staying for one night?” the middle-aged driver asked in surprise.
“Yes, I have something to do later.” That old fellow, Gu Rufeng, had changed from raising ghosts to selling talismans instead. Grandpa Wu estimated that his cultivation had regressed so badly, so cleaning up after him for one night was enough. He would then take a plane back to participate in the national battle afterwards. He had already promised to his internet gaming buddies.
“It’s also true that experts like you are busy, all very busy.” The middle-aged driver nodded repeatedly.