Looking back many years ago in the long river of time, the mortal world was like a colorful yet arduous scroll slowly unfolding. There was a young man named Li Yun, who was like a lonely figure in this painting. With longing for the distance and naive dreams in his heart, he left his hometown and stepped into the vast world, embarking on a long journey of wandering outside.

In those years, Li Yun walked through bustling towns and desolate mountain paths. To make a living, he did all kinds of hard labor. Under the scorching sun, he sweated profusely while carrying heavy objects, and his shoulders became red, swollen and skinned; in the cold winter months, his hands were full of chilblains, yet he still trembled as he washed utensils in icy water. During his days of having no fixed abode, he slept in dilapidated temples, accompanied by mosquitoes, rats and ants; he also endured long nights under the bridge, listening to the howling wind, feeling desolate. Years of hardships made him physically and mentally exhausted. The light that once shone in his eyes gradually dimmed, and his longing for home surged like a tide in his heart, growing stronger and stronger.

One day, Li Yun was dragging his legs, which felt as heavy as if filled with lead, walking along a winding mountain path. He had been on the road for many consecutive days, and his dry rations had run out long ago. He was extremely hungry, his stomach growling, and he felt dizzy. Just when he was almost desperate, a remote and dilapidated small temple came into view. The small temple was hidden deep in the mountains and forests, surrounded by overgrown weeds. The temple gate was on the verge of collapsing, and the paint was peeling off, showing its vicissitudes.

Li Yun, as if grasping a life-saving straw, staggered into the small temple. The light inside the temple was dim. Several dusty statues stood there, and cobwebs were strewn all over the corners. Just as he was looking around, trying to find a place to rest, a mysterious old Taoist priest suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

This old Taoist priest was dressed in a washed-out white Taoist robe. His hair was snow-white, but his face was hale and hearty. His eyes were deep and somewhat mysterious, as if he could see through the rise and fall of all things in the world. He held a horsetail whisk in his hand and with a gentle wave, it seemed that he could dispel the haze of this world. The old Taoist priest looked at Li Yun gently. Before Li Yun could even open his mouth, he seemed to understand everything and said softly, "Young man, seeing how exhausted you look, you must have endured a lot of hardships outside." Hearing this, Li Yun's eyes became red, and the grievances and bitterness in his heart welled up all at once. Like a child, he poured out all the hardships of his years of wandering to the old Taoist priest.

The old Taoist priest listened quietly and nodded slightly. Then, he slowly took out a talisman from his sleeve and handed it to Li Yun, saying, "Child, this is a 'Protection Charm'. Take it and keep it well. It may protect you and bring you peace in the future." Li Yun was filled with gratitude and took the talisman with trembling hands. The talisman was made of simple and ancient yellow paper, on which strange and complex patterns were drawn with cinnabar. In the center, the three characters "Protection Charm" were written with vigorous strokes, and around them were circles of mysterious runes, as if containing ancient and mysterious power, faintly emitting a glimmer.

Li Yun took this precious talisman and, with a glimmer of hope in his heart, embarked on his journey home. After going through countless hardships, he finally returned to his hometown that he had been away from for a long time. Every plant and tree in his hometown was still familiar and dear. The expectations and concerns of his relatives made him feel extremely warm. He solemnly pasted the talisman on the door of his house. Every time he entered or left the house and saw the talisman, he felt a sense of steadiness and comfort in his heart.

Time flowed slowly, and the village still maintained a calm and peaceful appearance. The villagers lived a life of working from sunrise to sunset. However, beneath the calm surface, there was hidden danger. In a certain year, the world was in chaos and bandits were rampant. The surrounding villages were repeatedly raided, and for a while, people were in a state of panic. Li Yun's village was no exception. On a pitch-dark and windy night, a group of fierce bandits with sharp knives in their hands, like ghosts, attacked the village under the cover of night.

The villagers were awakened from their sleep, terrified. Shouts and cries intertwined, breaking the silence of the night. Li Yun was also awakened by the noise. He hurriedly got up. As soon as he opened the door, he saw a dazzling and blinding light bursting out from the talisman on the door, instantly illuminating the entire courtyard. The light was as bright as day, so dazzling that people couldn't open their eyes. There seemed to be a powerful deterrent force in the light, inspiring awe.

The bandits were frightened by the sudden light and stopped in their tracks, their faces showing panic, and the knives in their hands couldn't help but tremble. They tried to force their way into the courtyard, but it was as if they were blocked by an invisible barrier. Every step forward was extremely difficult, as if they were carrying a heavy burden of thousands of pounds. The bandits were terrified, thinking that the gods were angry. They threw down their helmets and armor and fled in a hurry, disappearing into the night in the blink of an eye.

After this thrilling night raid, the village returned to its former peace. The villagers were amazed at the talisman on Li Yun's door and came to inquire one after another. Li Yun told them about the old Taoist priest giving him the talisman and how the talisman showed its power. After hearing this, the villagers' eyes were full of amazement and awe. Since then, the villagers all followed Li Yun's example and went to that remote small temple, hoping to get a "Protection Charm" to ensure their safety.

And that small temple became famous because of this magical talisman, and an endless stream of believers came to worship. The old Taoist priest was still practicing in the temple. Occasionally, he would give some guidance to those who came to ask for talismans and tell them about the Taoist teachings of conforming to nature and protecting all living beings. He often said that the power of the talisman didn't come out of thin air. It was by borrowing the righteous qi of heaven and earth and stimulating the power of people's hearts to be good. When people held a sense of awe and adhered to the right path, the talisman could resonate with them and play a miraculous role, guarding the peace of one place.

As the years passed, Li Yun grew from that exhausted and wandering young man into a highly respected elder in the village. He always treasured the somewhat yellowed "Protection Charm" and passed down this magical experience from generation to generation, letting his descendants remember the kindness of Taoism. That talisman was not only a turning point in his personal fate but also carried the villagers' wishes for a peaceful life, becoming a vivid example of Taoism protecting the people, passing down hope and the power of protection from generation to generation on this land.