PCJ – Chapter 265 The Talisman Controversy

Recently, Zhang Manyin has been in a very bad mood. Initially, people from Meizitang spoke highly of Zhang Manyin and Ma Donghua, which made the elderly couple quite happy for a while. However, things took a sharp turn for the worse. Now, the villagers are blaming Zhang Manyin and Ma Donghua, accusing them of spreading falsehoods about the immortal to make their grandson sell more protective talismans. The situation worsened after Tang Guanying brought his elderly father to Dui Men Mountain to consult the immortal, increasing resentment towards Zhang Manyin and Ma Donghua in Meizitang.

On the road, Zhang Manyin ran into Zhang Genxin and took the opportunity to greet him and inquire about his health. Since Zhang Genxin had previously been bedridden, he assumed that the man must have recovered somewhat.

“Genxin, how is your health?”

To Zhang Manyin’s surprise, Zhang Genxin gave him a cold look and said, “Manyin, I used to think you were a decent person. But I never expected you would deceive the villagers just to make a few more sales for your grandson. You nearly delayed my recovery. Fortunately, I went to Dui Men Mountain and asked the immortal for a bowl of holy water. Otherwise, I might still be bedridden. Manyin, you should have a conscience.”

“Genxin, why did you go to Dui Men Mountain to consult the immortal? Didn’t we say that the immortal would absorb yang energy?” Zhang Manyin asked with concern.

“Absorb yang energy? That’s just nonsense from your grandson. If the immortal were really absorbing my yang energy, would my illness have been cured? If the immortal were absorbing yang energy, would I still be able to get out of bed? Never mind, I’m not going to argue with you. Just tell your grandson to take back those talismans. Otherwise, we can’t be family anymore!” Zhang Genxin said before walking away.

Feeling aggrieved, Zhang Manyin returned home, sighing deeply, with his frustration clearly visible on his face.

“What’s got you so down?” Ma Donghua asked, noticing something was wrong.

“What else could it be? It’s all about Jiaohua,” Zhang Manyin explained.

Ma Donghua was puzzled, “But wasn’t it true that Cuiying and the others had nightmares until they started using Jiaohua’s talismans? And Qiaohong also got better only after using them. Back then, they were all grateful to Jiaohua. Why the sudden change?”

“Who knows what kind of mess this is? Genxin said that the immortal cured his illness and now wants to return the talismans,” Zhang Manyin sighed again.

“Return? I’ll call Jiaohua back and make sure everyone who wants to return their talismans does so. From now on, we should avoid meddling in other people’s affairs. Also, make sure Jiaohua doesn’t get involved in these trivial matters anymore. Some things are better left alone. When Jiaohua returns, don’t blame him. He’s our grandson, and we know what kind of person he is. He wouldn’t scam villagers for a bit of money,” Ma Donghua said with a clearer perspective than Zhang Manyin.

Zhang Manyin nodded, “If I had known it would end up like this, I wouldn’t have let Jiaohua handle these matters. People are really annoying; they praise you when they need something and turn against you when they don’t.”

Ma Donghua went to the garden to explain the situation to Zhang Jiaohua, who remained calm.

“Alright, Grandma, you should inform the villagers. If they want to return their talismans, they should do so as soon as possible. I’ll refund their envelopes in full. Luckily, I haven’t touched the envelopes yet. I knew this situation would lead to endless trouble,” Zhang Jiaohua said without getting angry.

Ma Donghua took the blame, “It’s my fault for meddling in things that were none of my business. I was just trying to help everyone in the village, but look at how it turned out.”

“It’s really nothing, Grandma. This isn’t your fault,” Zhang Jiaohua said, pulling out the envelopes he had received, each with a name written on it. He used the names to keep track of who received what. Now, it turned out to be useful.

Zhang Manyin went around Meizitang, informing everyone who had received talismans to come to the old house to return them. “If you want to return the talismans, do it quickly. Jiaohua won’t ask for a single cent from you.”

“I hope so. I gave a big envelope before. I expect all the money to be refunded. Otherwise, don’t blame me if I get angry,” Zhang Genxin seemed to hold a grudge against Zhang Manyin.

“Don’t worry. The envelopes you gave Jiaohua have their names written on them. No one will get more or less than they gave. Jiaohua doesn’t need this money. He has no place to spend his share of the tea leaves from the garden,” Zhang Manyin retorted, feeling justified since Jiaohua was returning the money.

“文荣, make a note of the names of those returning their talismans. From now on, my talismans should not be given to these people,” Zhang Jiaohua instructed.

“Got it,” Zhang Wenrong quickly recorded the names. Since the envelopes hadn’t been touched, the process of returning the talismans went smoothly.

Originally, Zhang Genxin wanted to make demands for a large amount of money, but he hesitated because the amounts were already verified. If he made excessive demands, he wouldn’t be able to get anything from Zhang Jiaohua and would risk losing respect from the villagers.

“Jiaohua, you seem to have been aware that the villagers would want to return their talismans. You didn’t touch the money, so it seems those ill-gotten gains were indeed too hot to handle,” Zhang Genxin said with a mocking tone.

“You’ve been refunded. What more do you want?” Zhang Wenrong couldn’t help but stand up, pointing at Zhang Genxin.

“Jiaohua deceived the villagers. Am I not allowed to speak up?” Zhang Genxin replied fearlessly.

Zhang Jiaohua held Zhang Wenrong back, “Let them say what they want. The talismans have been returned, and the money refunded. Everything is settled. We don’t need to say anything more.”

Few people returned their talismans. Zhang Genxin was the most proactive, returning everything. Zhang Jiaohua remained silent throughout. People thought he was displeased, but he was simply disinterested in engaging with them.

The next day, Zhang Genxin went back to Dui Men Mountain, gathered a sizable envelope, and unhesitatingly placed it in the merit box.

“Immortal, I’m here today to fulfill my vow. I’m grateful for the life-saving help you provided.” Zhang Genxin bowed deeply on the mat, but he didn’t notice that with each bow, he seemed to lose something. Despite not feeling anything unusual, Zhang Genxin felt a sense of bliss and detachment.

Zhang Genxin prostrated himself on the mat, almost as if he had fallen asleep.