My Master is the Real Boss – Chapter 115

Chapter 115: Arson Suspect

“Little Taoist Priest has good fortune.”

After returning the Guan Yu Blade to Xiang Jiannan, Li Jin regained his relaxed demeanor, unsure of what else to say.

He saw the little Taoist priest’s bewildered expression as he took back the Guan Yu Blade, and seeing this, he suddenly had the urge to try again.

But he decided against it.

He might have really underestimated Xiang Jiannan; this Taoist was no ordinary person.

“Thanks to my Master’s blessing.”

Thinking Li Jin would show off a few moves in front of him, Xiang Jiannan leaned the Guan Yu Blade against the wall again, and this time he didn’t feel any strain.

What was that expression on Li Jin’s face just now? Although he immediately tried to hide it, he did make it.

Pretending to be weak in front of this Taoist? Using the guise of physical exhaustion to cause damage legitimately.

His acting was superb; the solid stone ground was smashed just like that, with immense force.

“What are you two doing over there?”

Having ended his meditation early due to the earlier commotion, Gao Yu’an leaned out of the Incense Hall and began walking towards the two of them, stepping over the threshold.

There had been many worldly matters recently, and his concentration was not even as good as those incense guests. Among those meditating in the entire Incense Hall, he was the first to be awakened, and currently the only one.

Let’s just stop here for now, and chat with Young Hero Li a bit more.

“Nothing, just looking at the blade.”

As Gao Yu’an approached and noticed him staring at the ground, Xiang Jiannan immediately glanced at Li Jin a few times, indicating that the damage to the ground had nothing to do with him. All the words he wanted to say were in his eyes.

Then, it was the old Taoist priest’s turn to perform, quietly waiting while looking at the shattered ground.

“I’ll pay for it.”

How could he not have seen the silent exchange between Xiang Jiannan and his Master? After Gao Yu’an’s expression turned serious, Li Jin immediately understood. As he spoke, he reached for the money pouch at his waist, but the old Taoist priest stopped him.

“Young Hero Li, you’re being too polite. It’s just five taels of silver, how could this old Taoist possibly accept?”

So black!

Seeing his Master stop Li Jin and then casually state the amount of compensation, Xiang Jiannan could only think of the word “shameless.”

Five taels of silver, Master, you really dare to ask for it. You’re totally like a male version of a mother-in-law.

Playing hard to get, this kind of roundabout way of demanding compensation, it’s obvious you’re taking advantage of Li Jin’s honesty, certain he won’t refuse to pay.

“No, it’s about five taels of silver.”

As expected, Li Jin insisted on taking out the silver, counting out five taels and forcing them into Gao Yu’an’s hand. He even looked somewhat ashamed:

“It was wrong of Li Jin to disturb Old Taoist Priest’s peaceful cultivation.”

“Young Hero Li, you’re too kind!”

Holding the five taels of silver, seemingly embarrassed, Gao Yu’an’s acting was clearly superior. He chatted happily with Li Jin, and while speaking, he naturally slipped the silver into his sleeve. His movements were so practiced that Xiang Jiannan was secretly amazed, mostly with admiration.

He achieved his goal while chatting and laughing; his Master’s skin is truly thick.

“I heard from the people in town that the Little Taoist Priest burned down the dense forest to the north?”

After a few words of mutual politeness, the matter was officially over. Remembering what he had heard when he first entered the town, Li Jin turned his gaze to Xiang Jiannan.

He wanted to hear what the two Taoist priests of Ping’an Temple had to say, whether it was true or false, so he could have a basis for his judgment.

Who would do such a thing for no reason? From the townspeople’s gossip, he learned that it seemed to be related to Chen Jingxuan, the third son of the Chen family.

That Chen Jingxuan’s status was different now. It was said that he was very confident about the upcoming spring imperial exam and was considered to have a limitless future.

Before coming here, he had met with Lin Zhen in the county town. That County Magistrate had even asked him to visit the Chen Residence if he had time, his intentions were quite obvious.

“That dense forest had too much Yin Qi, only a raging fire could remove it. Our Ping’an Temple has done a good deed.”

He frankly admitted to Li Jin’s question. As they spoke, the three of them had already reached the temple gate. Pointing into the distance, Gao Yu’an continued to say to the two of them in a loud voice:

“The north is the direction of the capital. With the dense forest burned, filth has nowhere to hide.”

“So, you’re admitting it?”

A question rang out.

Watching several men in official uniforms quickly approach from afar, before Gao Yu’an’s words had completely faded away, Xiang Jiannan felt that his Master was being a bit too invested.

It’s better to say less of these self-aggrandizing words. They say misfortune comes from the mouth, and now it’s here.

Compared to the government officials who first appeared at Ping’an Temple, these men with official swords looked more hostile. From the meaning of their words, they had come because of the burning of the dense forest. They had heard everything he said.

“Greetings.”

First, he turned his head to look at Li Jin, and seeing that he also looked puzzled, Gao Yu’an could only greet them first.

Not Young Hero Li’s people, from the county town? Unfamiliar faces, he had never seen them before.

“Are you Gao Yu’an, the Temple Master of this Ping’an Temple?”

After a simple return greeting from below the steps, the leading government official kept looking at Xiang Jiannan. After Gao Yu’an confirmed his identity, he immediately cut to the chase and stated their purpose:

“We are here to arrest the arson suspect, Xiang Jiannan. We hope that the Old Taoist Priest will not interfere!”

Arrest an arson suspect? Who?

The leading government official’s words were so sudden that he couldn’t react. He turned his gaze to Li Jin, Xiang Jiannan expressed his innocence. They’re coming for me, and they’re arresting me right away?

He really didn’t expect it to be this serious.

He didn’t know if the Great Zhou Dynasty had such a crime. The burning of that dense forest actually had nothing to do with him.

Li Jin, you really don’t know about this? How did I, Xiang Jiannan, go from being a good citizen to a criminal in just a few days! Arrest? Where is An Wensheng now!

“Where did you come from?”

Hearing that they intended to take Xiang Jiannan away, Li Jin jumped down from the steps. He was very clear-headed.

First, he needed to confirm the identities of these people, and as for other matters, he would ask later.

“By order of the Prefectural Governor.”

“Prefectural Governor, do you have any proof?”

“I know you are Li Jin of the Fu Mo Si. All the necessary documents are with us.”

First, he showed Li Jin his waist token, then took out several documents. The leading government official did not seem to be afraid at all:

“This matter has nothing to do with the Fu Mo Si. The Prefectural Governor has ordered that Xiang Jiannan be taken to the county town for strict supervision.”

“Hold on!”

Seeing that Li Jin seemed to be gradually believing them because of their series of actions, and seeing his disciple suddenly make up his mind, Gao Yu’an walked to the government official’s side with a smile. As he spoke, he kept gesturing with his hands, his tone urgent:

“The burning of that dense forest was an accident. This old Taoist was just speaking off the cuff. It’s just a forest, how could I dare to disturb the Prefectural Governor?”

“We can’t control this, we’re just following orders.”

Ignoring Gao Yu’an’s explanation, the leading government official continued:

“The Ping’an Temple Master condoned his disciple’s violence. If you say any more, you will be fined fifty taels of silver as punishment!”

“How is this old Taoist involved!”

Originally trying to exonerate his disciple, Gao Yu’an’s anger suddenly flared up when he heard the leading government official wanted to fine him. His eyes widened as he glared at everyone, and a burst of killing intent unintentionally emanated from him.

Li Jin and Xiang Jiannan were both nervous, and the government officials immediately adopted a fighting stance.

“Take him away! If the people of my Ping’an Temple do something wrong, they must admit it!”

After a long silence, he suddenly jumped onto the steps. Just as Xiang Jiannan thought things might get out of hand, his Master, Gao Yu’an, had already returned to his side. He just whispered something in his ear, then with a single push, he shoved him down the steps.

Standing in front of the government officials, he turned back angrily. The anger almost made the little Taoist priest shout out loud.

Damn old Taoist priest, he didn’t even ask what happened, and he sold out his teammate so quickly!