Chapter 6 'The Witch'

  Fortunately, Shi Tou was very quick-witted and had to take care of something, which put Fang Mo Nan's mind at ease.

  At noon, Fang Mo Nan had a delicious meal of fried noodles made by his grandma, which brought tears to his eyes and nostalgia. After waking up from his nap, Shi Tou took him out to play, making Fang Mo Nan feel more at ease. When kids are having fun, it's not like they'll stop on their own, unless the parents intervene. He then thought about what happened in the space, but it wasn't even evening yet... he was still enduring a chaotic and long day filled with pain and torment.

  When the dust settles, the moon is above the willow branch.

  At that time, few families had TVs, and in Grandma's village, there wasn't even a single black-and-white TV. Even electric lights were only turned on when necessary, for fear of wasting electricity. Fang Mengnan watched as Grandma sewed shoe soles and Aunt wove fabric, the creaking sound of the loom continuing until nightfall before falling silent.

  Fang Mo Nan obediently sat in front of Grandma, not going out to feed the mosquitoes. Once it got dark, the village became quiet. She had no choice but to follow Grandma and honestly go to sleep first.

  It was almost 3 am, when people were most tired. Fang Mo Nan opened her eyes and flashed into the space again. One day in the space was equivalent to one hour outside. This way, she had enough time to stay inside comfortably.

  In fact, everything that happens outside can be seen in the space, but for fear of waking up suddenly, Fang Mernan still recited a 'calming spell'.

  Fang Mo Nan took a deep breath in, exhaling a mouthful of turbid air, which was indeed fresher than the outside air. The five spirits did not appear, presumably having heard their master's words and gone to cultivate diligently. After all, they had a deep affection for their previous master and wanted to reunite with him as soon as possible.

  Since Fang Mo Nan became the new master of this space, as long as she thinks in her heart that this space is connected to her soul, it will automatically do so. For example: if she wants to go somewhere, just think about that place and instantly transfer there; if she wants to harvest grain, just think about it and the grain will be automatically harvested and transported to the warehouse etc. The stronger one's spiritual power and intention, the more things they can accomplish. And spiritual power can become even stronger through cultivation.

  Fang Mo entered the study, sat cross-legged on the imperial couch, and meditated. A faint purple glow surrounded her, as she circulated the internal energy according to the method taught by her master. The gentle flow of air was like the inner strength in martial arts, circulating through her body twice, entering the dantian, making it warm and cozy. She opened her eyes, feeling refreshed and full of vitality.

  Fang Mo Nan took out the golden antique pocket watch she had found in her bedroom earlier, saw that it was already four o'clock, and felt a little hungry. She instantly moved to the kitchen, concentrated her mind, thought about what she wanted to eat, and suddenly saw the pots and pans in the kitchen performing a symphony, as if watching a magical movie. Before long, she ordered food, and it appeared before her eyes. Taking a bite, "Hmm, the taste is not bad, but it's not well done either."

  After Fang Mornan finished eating, he soaked in the warm spring, then ran to the pharmacy and started learning medicine. Time flew by quickly, and before he knew it, four hours had passed.

  She walked out of the pharmacy, strolled around for a while, and returned to the study. Looking at the piano, chess, books, and paintings in the room, she thought: Piano, she had never learned; if she wanted to learn, she would have to go find a teacher. Books, she had taken calligraphy classes in elementary school, so she might as well start by copying from models. Paintings, her level was still that of an elementary school student. Her teacher had said that she didn't have much talent for painting and lacked the spirituality required for art. Even if she learned more and painted better, she could only become a skilled craftsman, but it would be difficult to make further progress. However, she wasn't relying on this for her future livelihood; it was just for self-cultivation, moral integrity, and refinement of her emotions.

  The next thing is spent in the study, where there are many ready-made calligraphy posters. Practicing calligraphy and reading books can also be enjoyable.

  Cultivate, practice medicine, practice calligraphy, read books. Feeling tired, I sit and cultivate, my body recovers quickly, it's even better than recovering from sleep.

  Or continue to browse through the famous calligraphy and paintings, jewelry and accessories in the space. The day passed quickly, and so did the second day.

  The five spirits were still thinking about the words of their master when he left, supervising her cultivation. Unexpectedly, she was so self-aware, not relaxing for a moment, busy like a spinning top. It's really rare to see someone like that. Of course, more importantly, their master's vision wouldn't be bad either.

  When she felt it was almost done, Fang Mornan flashed out of the space. At this time, two hours had passed outside. It was probably around five o'clock, and the sky was already bright. She saw that her grandmother was still asleep, and seeing the big bed, she started to practice simple and slow martial arts moves.

  Fang Mornan thought that he would try not to use magic outside as much as possible, and only use martial arts in situations where danger was encountered and magic couldn't be used, so he wouldn't waste the daytime.

  Soon, Grandma got up, and Fang Mo Nan also got up, put on his clothes and plastic sandals, said good morning to Grandma, and ran out to the backyard to play, running slowly around the vegetable field. Thinking of running to the village, it's better not to think about it, she was afraid that Grandma would worry.

  Inner cultivation of one breath, outer cultivation of muscles, bones and skin. Fangzhong Nanyao emphasizes the importance of cultivating both inner and outer aspects to achieve physical balance.

  Grandma watched her leave, putting aside her suspicious thoughts, and always felt that her granddaughter was somehow different, as if she was too well-behaved and didn't have a mischievous streak.

  The grandma looked at her strange granddaughter, who sneaked into the backyard and saw Fang Mo Nan wandering around the vegetable garden. This has been happening every morning for several days in a row.

  She's really changed, these days it seems like she's grown up a lot overnight, become more sensible and doesn't go out to cause trouble or have fun. She thinks it's just kids being kids, but in her eyes, it's just that. Kids are just playing around, they get bored after three minutes, I didn't think she could keep it up for several days, but it's already been five days.

  She can't help but think that something is off, and her suspicious thoughts are growing. Sometimes she catches a glimpse of her looking foolish, frowning, or worried. This won't do, she can't wait any longer. Grandma couldn't sit still anymore, today she'll take her to see the fortune teller.

  Everyone had finished their breakfast. "Second sister, today I'll take Nannan to the temple in the village to see the nun," Grandma said to Auntie.

  "Ah, Nannan doesn't look well, has she caught a cold? She looks quite obedient to me," Auntie asked puzzledly, looking at Fang Mengnan's rosy complexion and plump white face, which was just as adorable as her own granddaughter.

  There is a Niangniang Temple in their village, so much so that ten miles and eight villages are called Niangniang Temple Village. The real name of the village has been forgotten. As for whether it really has anything to do with Nüwa, no one has verified it.

  However, there is a nun in this temple who has some attainments and can cure children's night crying, fright, and calling out to spirits quite effectively.

  "She's obedient and doesn't cause any trouble. I just can't help but worry, so I'll go pay my respects too, to put my mind at ease." Grandma said with concern.

  "You're worrying for nothing, the kid is fine. I'd rather switch with you, my little granddaughter at home is even more mischievous than your son, she's gone before you can even turn around." Auntie said with her mouth, but in fact, she still thinks her own child is better. "Go and pray for peace of mind then."

  Fang Mo Nan listened to their conversation, her heart skipped a beat. She didn't deserve Grandma's suspicion, did she? Judging from the tone, it seemed that being too obedient was also not good, and she had to learn from Er Ni'er who played outside every day, getting all sweaty and muddy. 'Hmm', she thought about that scenario, shaking her head, she would rather go to the temple, watch the fortune teller, probably just a jump rope performer.

  Her grandmother was very superstitious, and in her previous life she often went to the temple, sometimes even living there. No matter which god was worshipped in the temple, she would offer prayers. Since most temples were built on mountains, and at that time there were no good roads or cars that could reach them directly, people usually walked there, which was also a form of exercise. So nobody ever stopped her from going, as long as it gave her some spiritual comfort.

  The Niangniang Temple is not far from where they live, about a ten-minute walk. Fang Mernan accompanied his grandma on the way. The temple is very small and has some worn-out buildings, only one small quadrangle courtyard. As soon as you enter the gate, it's the "main hall", inside which enshrines the Niangniang, a colorful clay sculpture with a somewhat faded appearance due to years of neglect, but her eyebrows and eyes are still intact, looking kind and benevolent.

  Behind the main hall, there were several low and humble bungalows, one of which was probably where the shaman lived.

  They were lucky today, according to Auntie, she usually stays in the village. The door was not closed, and when they walked to the entrance, they saw an old man sitting on the kang inside, wearing a grayish-brown outfit, with disheveled hair, eyes closed, looking serene and kind, muttering to himself.

  The Heart Sutra: "When the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara practices the deep Prajna Paramita, he sees that all five skandhas are empty and crosses over all suffering. Shariputra, form is not different from emptiness, emptiness is not different from form; form is emptiness, emptiness is form. The same is true for perception, thinking, action, and consciousness. Shariputra, all phenomena are marked by emptiness, they do not appear or disappear, are not tainted or pure..." This made Fang Mo Nan, who had initially looked down on the temple, put away his disdainful heart. Who would have thought that this dilapidated temple might be hiding a great Buddha? The Heart Sutra, all 200 words of it, was recited after a brief pause.

  "You're here." The voice was ancient and weathered, with an air of having waited for a long time. Her eyes were slightly open, with a glint in her gaze that flashed when she saw Fang Mo Nan, before closing again.

  "You're here, just right. Please take a look at my granddaughter and see if there's anything wrong with her. Grandma said to her with reverence for the gods, and then grandma kept talking about what she had seen in the past few days and her worries."

  The goddess opened her eyes again and stared at Fang Mo Nan. This time they saw each other in each other's eyes.

  After Fang Mo Nan had cleansed her marrow and refined her veins, she spent a few more days cultivating in space. Her temperament and appearance underwent some subtle changes, and coupled with the fact that she was still a pseudo-Lolita, she now appeared even more mature and elegant in Shen Popo's eyes, with an air of nobility subtly emanating from her eyebrows and eyes.

  In Fang Mo's eyes, this sloppy and ordinary-looking Taoist nun actually had an otherworldly air about her, a hidden sage.

  "Good, very good." The goddess nodded mysteriously and continuously. "Priceless and unspeakable".

  Grandma was confused, "What do you mean? My granddaughter is fine." "Hehe... that's good, amen to that" With hands clasped together in front of her chest, she looked relieved. As for what she said being priceless, Grandma didn't care, as long as the person was fine, that was all that mattered.

  "It's expensive, of course it is. Who can have an experience as magical as hers?" Fang Monan didn't take it to heart, her life was in her own hands, not heaven's.

  "The master just gave her a fortune-telling result that was too noble to be spoken."

  "That's great!" The lovely words made Grandma smile like a flower.

  "Whatever she says goes, the old man must have good fortune"

  "Listen to her, she...she...is only a few years old." Grandma pointed at Mo Nan and then looked at the fortune teller, letting her listen to a child's nonsense, directly ignoring it and not taking it seriously.

  Never mind, as long as her granddaughter is fine, that's all that matters to Grandma.

  The shamaness saw her grandmother's disbelieving expression and didn't say anything else. Facts are more convincing than words, only after experiencing it herself would she understand.

  Fang Monan listened to the "Shen Po" and smiled without speaking, saying that it would be even better if he could pull his grandmother into a unified front as Shen Po said. However, looking at his grandmother's appearance, he can only take his time and come slowly. Fang Monan bowed respectfully to Shen Po to express his gratitude.

  Her grandmother was very satisfied with this worship, her granddaughter was fine, and the fortune-telling result was surprisingly good. Although it wasn't reliable, who doesn't love to hear good things? After putting the 'incense oil money' on the window sill of the godmother's house, she happily led Fang Mengnan back home.

  The wheat in the field has been dried and the Wheat Festival is almost over. It's time to pay taxes again.

  After dinner, everyone was discussing how to pay the public grain. Shi Tou was so excited that he jumped up and down, because only at this time would his father take him to stroll around the town five miles away.

  Fang Mo Nan heard that they were going to pay taxes and also wanted to take a look, so he asked his grandma "Grandma, can we go take a look?"

  Grandma listened and scolded, "Stop messing around, what's so good to look at? It's just delivering public grain. Take the grain to the township grain station."

  "Is he giving money?" Fang Mo Nan asked curiously.

  "Oh dear, my silly child." Auntie said, "I didn't hear 'paying taxes', it's for the 'public' house, where did the money come from?"

  "That's just agricultural tax." Fang Mo Nan lowered her head and muttered softly, but her voice was too small, no one heard.

  Dazhenzi looked at her and thought she was sad because Daji wouldn't let her go. He thought to himself, "It's okay, Daji, we're driving a mule cart to deliver the public grain tax. We can put Xiaonan on the cart, it can hold her weight."

  "I'm going too, I'm going too." Erni said, unwilling to show weakness.

  "It's all right, let's go, it's not far away, only five miles." Da Chengzi said.

  The next day, early in the morning, Dachengzi and his fellow villagers loaded the public grain they were going to deliver into woven bags, one by one, onto a mule cart. Then they put Fang Mennai and Ernai on top of the beam, letting the two little girls hold tight to the ropes tied around the grain sacks.

  Grandma looked at Fang Mo Nan sitting on a sack of grain swaying back and forth, feeling uneasy, so she also followed.

  As Fang Mo Nan walked onto the rural highway, she saw that all the villagers were traveling in groups. Along the way, she saw some people using shoulder poles to carry 300-400 kilograms of grain on a single-wheel cart, with the father pushing from behind and a half-grown young man pulling from the front.

  On the way, we encountered difficulties such as uphill and downhill roads, but everyone helped each other. We all headed to a rural grain station about five miles away.

  At this time, the rural road was a yellow earth and stone road. On sunny days, it was bumpy, and on rainy days, it was muddy and difficult to walk. Fang Mò Nán sat on a grain sack, and when he encountered a bumpy section of road, he held onto the rope as his body bounced high into the air. His grandmother, who was walking beside him, cried out in alarm, "Nán Nán, hold on tight! Don't fall off!"

  At this time, farmers are harvesting grain and handing over public grain with great enthusiasm. Everyone is chatting and laughing, presenting a joyful scene of a bumper harvest.

  Unlike the late 1980s, grain prices did not rise, and farmers' increased production did not lead to increased income, which hit farmers' enthusiasm for growing grains. Instead, it allowed European and American capital to invade and seize the market, just like soybeans, with pricing power ultimately falling into their hands.

  As former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said: "Who controls the oil controls all nations. Who controls food controls all people. Who controls finance controls the whole world. Who controls water controls life."

  Despite the successive policies of benefiting farmers, reducing burdens and "three rural issues", peasants remain in a weak position.

  The Huaxia peasants are simple, kind and lovely people, but also the most bitter and tired. The policy-making has made them a group that can be manipulated at will. In the long process of industrialization and urbanization, the policies of "supporting industry with agriculture" and "supporting cities with rural areas" have continued to this day: wanting the labor force of peasant workers but not the peasant workers themselves; wanting the land of peasants but not the landless peasants. The countryside is still a "colony" of the city.

  Alas, Fang Mornan knocks on his head, what is he thinking about? Perhaps it's seeing their joyful and happy smiles that makes him feel dazzling, with a thousand emotions, and how many people can be influenced by how many people, and change a little bit.

  Just as Fang Mengnan was blindly searching around, they arrived at the countryside.

  It is by