CHAPTER 1350: CHAPTER 1328 TECHNOLOGY

Daoxu heard the words and smirked without speaking. Daohe rolled up his sleeves and went to help as well.

Once they finished, Manbao and the others officially met Daohe’s three junior brothers and sisters, but it was a one-sided introduction. Whether three years old or wrapped in a swaddle without being able to kick their legs, they regarded the three with indifference, one hiding behind Taoist Shoushi, while the other played with bubbles.

The five went out, and Daoxu sneered, "Uncle Master lied. Except for Third Junior Brother being left at the temple door, Fourth Junior Brother and Little Junior Sister were picked up on the way back from performing ritual services."

Bai Shan asked, "What issues do they have?"

Daoxu: "Third Junior Brother can’t speak. He’s over three years old and still hasn’t opened his mouth. Our master and the old physician from the bottom of the mountain have examined him. It’s likely congenital; he can’t make a sound, not even when crying."

Daohe said, "He was relatively clean when he was brought here, suggesting his family situation was decent. Initially, Uncle Master Shoucai wanted to send him back, but our master said that given his condition, life there might be worse than staying with us at the temple, so he stayed."

He glanced inside the room and added, "Fourth Junior Brother was much weaker when brought here; it’s uncertain if he will grow up. As for Little Junior Sister, she has no issues other than being born a girl."

Manbao and Bai Shan simultaneously frowned.

Bai Erlang asked, "Can’t they find their families? Raising children to such an age, surely someone knows who they belong to?"

Daohe nodded, "We know, but sending them back doesn’t guarantee they’ll grow up, especially Little Junior Sister and Fourth Junior Brother. Our master said that knowing the violation of justice in Heaven, they shouldn’t be sent back."

Daoxu said, "Fourth Junior Brother and Little Junior Sister were both found three months ago when we returned from performing rituals. It was so cold outside then. Fourth Junior Brother was abandoned in the grass, and Little Junior Sister was buried in a crevice. If she hadn’t cried, we wouldn’t have spotted it."

At that time, Daoxu and Daohe accompanied Uncle Master Shoucai to perform rituals. On their return, they heard a cry, nearly scaring them to the point of collapse.

In the end, it was Taoist Shoucai’s rich experience that allowed him to find the person from the rock crevice and wrap the child in his outer garment before taking them back.

It’s said that’s how both Daoxu and Daohe were picked up back in the day.

Daohe sighed, "So I’m confused. Should children like us be fated to die?"

This question startled even Daoxu, who clutched his chest and asked, "Daohe, what are you thinking? Why should we be fated to die?"

"If we’re not fated to die, then why were we abandoned?" He continued, "We were lucky to be found by our master, but many children in the world aren’t so fortunate. They die shortly after birth. Were they born to meet death?"

Bai Shan furrowed his brow, "It’s a sign of moral decline, which requires the magistrate to educate the populace; however, I think the mind is fickle. The most straightforward solution is to improve the quality of life, like ensuring enough food at home. Even if they’re not fond of the newborn, they should manage to raise them."

Manbao nodded, "With money and food, far fewer children would die."

Daoxu asked, "Can we farm for them? We can’t just give them money."

Bai Erlang: "Naive! Become appointed officials, allowing the people to prosper and live affluent lives."

"Sounds easy, but farming also depends on the whims of the heavens. Do you know whether it will be happy next year?" Daoxu remarked, "If it’s unhappy next year and brings drought or floods, even the best official can’t help."

The four thought he had a point, so Bai Shan, Manbao, and Bai Erlang looked at the two, "It’s up to you now."

Daohe and Daoxu looked puzzled, "Up to us?"

"Yes, to see if you can learn rain praying techniques," Bai Shan dreamt ambitiously, "Since your Taoism practices rain praying, reversing it should curb rain, right? Wouldn’t the climate then follow human wishes?"

Daohe: ...

Daoxu couldn’t resist touching Bai Shan’s forehead and asked Manbao, "Do you want to check him out?"

Manbao also thought Bai Shan was far-fetched and was about to touch his forehead when Bai Shan slapped Daoxu’s hand away and said, "Don’t touch randomly, I’m not feverish. I’m serious."

Bai Shan turned to Manbao, "Don’t you understand? Since this world has deities and spirits, matters like wind and rain should be controllable."

Manbao: ... But Keke wasn’t her real dad!

Manbao couldn’t help but vent to Keke in her mind, "If wind and rain could be controlled, what couldn’t be controlled in this world?"

Keke replied, "Bai Shan isn’t wrong; wind and rain are indeed controllable."

Manbao widened her eyes.

Bai Shan saw her reaction, cleared his throat, and asked, "What do you think?"

Manbao dumbfoundedly nodded, not having a chance to converse with Keke in her mind, and seriously looked at Daohe and Daoxu, "You two are Taoists, why not study it?"

If only Bai Shan talked about control, Daohe and Daoxu wouldn’t believe it. But if Zhou Man also said it...

Being both young and inexperienced regarding the world, the two believed this. Daohe asked, "But where have you seen precise records?"

There’s none for now.

Nonetheless, Bai Shan cleared his throat, "Haven’t found documentation yet, but I think you could create it."

Manbao nodded while talking to Keke mentally, "Can humans control rainfall?"

Keke succinctly replied, "Yes, in ancient times, humans could trigger rain from favorable cloud formations using ice crystals, prompting precipitation. Today, rain-making technology is much more advanced. Even if there aren’t enough clouds, they can be moved from other regions. And in torrential rain zones, imminent rain clouds can be dispersed, preventing rainfall."

When time and space no longer pose issues, rain-making is certainly feasible.

Stunned, Manbao asked, "Can I learn that skill?"

Keke: "...Well, there’s much to learn. This involves over ten thousand years of technological barriers. You have a learning module, so it’s not difficult to grasp, but what’s the use if you learn? You lack the tools. Even manufacturing one by one, with your world’s technological level, you couldn’t produce a qualified screw."

Alright then, Manbao had to stifle this urge, glance at Daohe, and ask Keke, "So, like those novels depict Taoists praying for rain..."

Keke replied, "They’re only predicting when it’ll rain. Interested in astronomy? I could recommend some books."

Manbao immediately responded, "Sure!"

Keke listed many books tailored to her world’s cultural level, and upon glancing at the covers, Manbao first bought two books, then said to Daohe, "I’ll later give you two books, study them to see if rain praying can work, and we’ll start researching too."

Bai Erlang expressed interest too, "I’ll research too."

Bai Shan was intrigued, "I’ll take a look too."

Daoxu glancing around hesitated, "Can we really pray for rain? Maybe I should look into it too?"