My Master is the Real Boss – Chapter 2

Chapter 2: A Smile Back

They walked in silence until they reached the middle-aged man’s doorstep. Xiang Jiannan was already feeling a bit dizzy when he saw the plaque above the door. Today, the red light had been flashing so frequently, as if it were free, appearing in front of his eyes every now and then. This caused his head to swell soon after they set off. It wasn’t until he stepped over a few stairs that the dazed feeling subsided slightly.

Chen Residence? Master’s business has actually reached here.

Looking around at the talismans everywhere, Xiang Jiannan thought to himself that no wonder this middle-aged man looked so familiar. The Chen family was considered a prominent household in Ping’an Town. He should have encountered him before when he was out and about. It was long rumored that the Chen family’s third son was obsessed with fame and success. This scholarly air must be the third young master, Chen Jingxuan.

Also a poor scholar, failing the imperial examinations repeatedly, and still seems to be struggling. It’s really difficult for him to come to the Taoist temple to argue with Master today.

The third young master of the Chen family basically doesn’t interfere with the family’s affairs. This is well-known in Ping’an Town. He has been immersed in books and poetry for a long time, and it’s said that it’s quite difficult to even see him. It’s just that I was lucky enough to have an impression of him.

It’s all fate.

“Is the Old Master any better?”

Leading everyone directly into the backyard, Chen Jingxuan was busy nodding to the house servants and maids along the way, fully displaying the gentle and refined manner of a scholar. Even when asking questions, he spoke softly. After a maidservant answered, his kind and harmless face immediately became clouded with worry.

“Reporting to the Third Young Master, the Old Master still cannot get out of bed.”

“Father, I’ve brought back the old Taoist priest from Ping’an Temple.”

Hurriedly signaling the others to go about their business, Chen Jingxuan ignored Xiang Jiannan and his master and first pushed open a wooden door. After Xiang Jiannan and his master followed suit, he saw him kneeling on the ground with both knees. On the bed inside the room, an old man with a sallow complexion was trying his best to calm his breathing and comfort himself with his hand.

“He’s still alive, quickly invite the Taoist priest in.”

“Old Master Chen, This Poor Monk has come to beg for mercy again today.”

Before the teary-eyed Chen Jingxuan could adjust his emotions, Xiang Jiannan’s master spoke first. The Chen family was indeed a prominent family. As soon as they entered, they put on a great show of filial piety. He, an old Taoist who had cultivated for half his life, thought he had already seen through some things in the world, but when he saw that scene, his heart still couldn’t help but tremble. While speaking, he couldn’t help but glance at his disciple beside him.

We two should be like this in the future, especially when your master is on his last legs.

“Taoist Priest, you’ve finally arrived.”

Unlike Chen Jingxuan’s attitude towards them, Old Master Chen’s eyes clearly revived when he saw the two Taoists approach. His tone was respectful and urgent, as if he had grasped at the last straw:

“Taoist Priest, save me! That evil creature wants to take my life!”

“Old Master Chen, don’t panic. This Poor Monk has come today to eliminate the evil creature for you.”

Changing his attitude of wanting to muddle through and act shamelessly, Xiang Jiannan’s master suddenly became full of righteousness. His voice was sonorous and forceful. From a distance of several meters, he began to assure the Chen family father and son:

“That demonic creature dares to disturb Ping’an Town again! This Old Taoist will never forgive it this time! This time, I will surely make it vanish into thin air and give justice to the entire Chen Residence!”

After speaking, as if he had more to say, he did not forget to ask Xiang Jiannan if he had anything to add:

“Disciple, what do you think?”

Whatever makes you happy.

Having already truly experienced his master’s ability to change his tune on the spot, Xiang Jiannan really had nothing to say at this time. He just looked determined and nodded a few times in the next few seconds.

Old Master Chen is already in that state, if they don’t give them some hope, can they still be considered human? Besides, he came here this time to clean up after his master, so it’s all the same anyway.

Since the silver cannot be returned to others, then effort must be put in. They are just two poor and destitute Taoists in Ping’an Town, and they are different from the rogues on the street. They are just afraid that they will not be able to do it. Judging from Chen Jingxuan’s expression, this scholar should have wanted this result all along. After Master finished speaking, his eyes became much more lively.

“In that case, let’s prepare first.”

After receiving Xiang Jiannan’s silent support, Xiang Jiannan’s master’s aura became even stronger. Looking at Old Master Chen, he then brought up his own physical needs:

“This Poor Monk has been thinking about countermeasures all morning and hasn’t eaten anything until now. In this Old Taoist’s opinion, it’s better to discuss this while eating. While it’s still early, let’s talk about what’s on our minds at the dinner table…”

The night passed three watches.

After eating and drinking for a whole day at the Chen Residence, Xiang Jiannan and his master finally waited for the time to come. The entire backyard was now quiet, and the only ones breathing were the two of them.

When it just started to get dark, the Chen family began their clearing operation. When they carried the Old Master out, they even took his cat with them. Although they told Xiang Jiannan that they could call them if anything happened, they actually turned around and wished they could plug their ears.

Hopefully, that unclean thing will appear in the backyard first, like before. If it follows the Old Master, they won’t be able to handle it.

A waste of effort.

“Disciple, are you sleepy?”

Sitting in the courtyard with his hands tightly gripping the horsetail whisk, Xiang Jiannan’s master was still as calm as usual. The surrounding lanterns were densely packed, casting a peaceful glow on his face.

“I’m alright. Do you think it’s possible that a person is behind this?”

Having learned the general situation through a breakfast, Xiang Jiannan was still trying to stick to his initial idea.

Many strange things have happened in Ping’an Town recently, but he hasn’t actually experienced them. He only heard about them from others, and the final results were always inconclusive. The more exaggerated the stories, the more he felt that they were full of falsehoods.

Ghosts and demons do exist in this world, but they wouldn’t appear so frequently, right? The Chen family’s affairs have been going on for several days, and everything he has heard so far is just what they themselves have said.

As for what they said about sending away several groups of people, perhaps they did it on purpose to cover their tracks. It seems illogical, but it’s not entirely impossible. After all, people’s hearts are hard to fathom. If there is a huge amount of profit involved, making a family go crazy is nothing.

“It shouldn’t be, Old Master Chen is already in that state.”

Noticing that the talismans that had been posted seemed to be swaying more, Xiang Jiannan’s master stated decisively:

“Look at the talismans all over the courtyard, and those useless ritual implements in the house. Who would be so bored to mess with themselves for no reason?”

That’s what’s most suspicious.

Having thoughts in his mind but not saying them to his master, Xiang Jiannan didn’t notice the series of changes happening around him. He still wanted to attribute the matter to human causes, gnawing on his nails and trying to stay relaxed.

Old Master Chen has been staying in the backyard these past few days without moving. Doesn’t that seem suspicious? There are actually many other suspicious points if you think about it carefully.

“Disciple, look, what is that?”

Just as he was sitting in the courtyard with his head down, lost in thought, Xiang Jiannan felt his master nudge him. He raised his head and looked forward in the direction of his gaze. He saw a person standing at the door of the room where Old Master Chen had been staying.

Dressed in white, with hair so long that it almost touched the ground.

Holy c*ap!

He broke out in a cold sweat, and Xiang Jiannan’s body was instantly covered in goosebumps. With the sound of yin wind in his ears, when he turned his head again, his master was gone.

“Bold demon, quickly surrender and die!”

Just as he thought that his master had gone to display the true nature of a Taoist, Xiang Jiannan heard another angry shout in his ear. When he turned his gaze to the door again, he saw that there was still only the white-clothed figure standing there alone.

Master, where did Master go?

It wasn’t until he followed the source of the sound and looked behind him that he saw his master lying on the wall with an angry expression. Although he was nervous, his aura hadn’t diminished at all.

How did you manage to slip away and get on the wall in an instant from such a distance?

A complete betrayal of his teammate!

In his panic, Xiang Jiannan hurriedly turned his head back and found that he suddenly couldn’t stand up. The most direct reason why he had been analyzing for so long was because he was afraid. The appearance of the white-clothed person was highly consistent with everything in the movies. He wouldn’t dare to believe that it was a yang creature now.

“Is Taoist Priest asking me?”

After a brief silence, there was finally some movement. The white-clothed person standing at the door slowly turned her head. Her voice was soft and pleasant, making Xiang Jiannan feel that he had made a mistake in his judgment. When she completely turned her face around, her exquisite beauty stunned even the old Taoist priest lying on the wall.

“Where is this young lady from? Be careful not to catch a cold in the middle of the night.”

Distance couldn’t stop him from appreciating beauty.

“Thank you for your concern, Taoist Priest. This little lady’s home is right here.”

Her eyebrows and eyes unfolded like stars. After the white-clothed woman finished speaking, she smiled to herself. Her laughter seemed to carry some kind of magic, and for a moment, it made Xiang Jiannan stand up unconsciously.

Old Master Chen is hiding a beauty!

Tsk tsk tsk… his taste is really high!

But just as he had stood firm and was about to start a conversation, he saw the white-clothed woman suddenly tilt her head. A gust of wind blew past, and her head, still wearing a smile, fell to the ground with a thud.