My Master is the Real Boss – Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Cultivation, For the Sake of the Common People

“I suspect someone is playing tricks behind the scenes, they want to make Ping’an Town not peaceful.”

After entering the temple’s backyard directly with his disciple Xiang Jiannan, the Man in Black first voiced his speculation.

Ping’an Town has been a bit chaotic recently, otherwise, he wouldn’t have come here.

It’s not a big place, but it’s causing quite a stir. Before the Chen family, the county had already reported it several times.

“Indeed.”

With their own thoughts still on their minds, Xiang Jiannan and his Master were somewhat perfunctory.

They weren’t as connected as the Man in Black, and couldn’t think deeply about the matter for the time being.

What difference does it make if it’s peaceful or not? Anyway, it’s always people like them who suffer.

Indeed, some things have happened in the town these past few months. Strictly speaking, it’s just that people’s spirits have been harmed. The casualties were all people hired from outside.

The people’s hearts are quite restless, and along with that, the incense at the temple has become more prosperous.

“Your Peace Talismans are quite powerful.”

Seeing that the Master and disciple weren’t very interested in his words, the Man in Black could only change the topic.

It seemed inappropriate to say all that right away. Not every Taoist has such a high sense of crisis. He needed to take it slow, step by step.

It’s just the Grandmaster’s blessing.

Glancing sideways at his Master, Xiang Jiannan noticed that the old man was still calculating something, his attention clearly unfocused, muttering something under his breath.

The golden light from earlier must have something to do with him. No matter how well this old Taoist hides it, he can’t fool me.

Like many unassuming and reclusive experts, in all of Xiang Jiannan’s memories, his Master was ordinary. Since he could remember, he had been a poor Taoist, guarding a temple with little incense for over twenty years, and somehow managed to raise a Little Taoist Priest.

During this time, there were many ups and downs. To survive, he had done many things that didn’t befit his status. By the time the Little Taoist Priest he raised had the guts to talk back to him, the Taoist was already old. So, he became even more unrestrained, bringing trouble back to the temple every now and then.

Xiang Jiannan came after the old Taoist had caused trouble again, but he didn’t believe the memories he had gained.

He had to remain skeptical about everything. That was the first thought that popped into his head after waking up from his drunken stupor. This decision was based on a very weak reason.

Before transmigrating to this world, Xiang Jiannan was a striver in a first-tier city.

That night, he had drunk alcohol to celebrate the fact that the girl he had been in an ambiguous relationship with for several years had suddenly gotten a marriage certificate. It happened so suddenly that he could only run to the corner store downstairs to buy a few beers.

It wasn’t a lot, but for him, who would fall over after just one bottle, it was enough.

Climbing to the roof of his rented apartment alone, Xiang Jiannan realized that he couldn’t see the city lights. Recalling the bits and pieces of his relationship with the girl over the past few years, he didn’t actually feel that bad.

It was just that he had given her some cosmetics and jewelry, and they had eaten and drank together. He wouldn’t dwell on it.

Perhaps she had some unavoidable difficulties, otherwise, why would she look so bad in the wedding photos?

Wait, in the chat group, wasn’t the male colleague from before cursing her?

Good heavens, she was a player. Tonight, the fish were all in an uproar, one, two… In the same group, but they didn’t know until later. After going their separate ways, everyone was usually busy.

The older single guys in the department were having a rare, frank chat, with anger and silence.

“The old Taoist has been in Ping’an Town for decades, and only this year has he had a bit of popularity.”

Gao Yu’an spoke after muttering to himself, seemingly disagreeing with the Man in Black’s words.

Even if someone was really playing tricks, it was useless to tell them. They couldn’t possibly take off their Taoist robes and go work for the government, could they? Giving up their current promising future? Maybe that would have been possible decades ago.

They didn’t even know what he did.

“Is the Taoist Priest referring to the people burning incense in front of the temple?”

Quickly understanding Gao Yu’an’s meaning, the Man in Black spoke calmly.

This Taoist seemed to have misunderstood his words.

“What clues do you have from what you just said?”

Perhaps feeling that he was too immersed in the spiritual world, Gao Yu’an thought for a moment and then made up his mind:

“This old Taoist can’t help much, but my disciple can.”

If they could do something in front of the elders of Ping’an Town, it would seem to be beneficial to their temple. Thinking this way, his mind instantly cleared.

“Not yet.”

Feeling that Gao Yu’an’s smile was becoming increasingly unrestrained, the Man in Black frowned instead.

Did I say something? Why do I have a bad feeling? What caused this old Taoist to change?

“What about the direction of the investigation?”

“None.”

“Suspects?”

“Also none.”

“Very good, I still have my disciple.”

What the h*ll are you two talking about!

Listening to the two of them talk nonsense with a blank face, Xiang Jiannan felt more and more that something was wrong. It was supposed to be a very serious topic, but how did it turn into a transaction? If that’s the case, then I’m not participating. Being sold out for no reason, I can’t accept that. After a hundred years, do you still want someone to see you off?

“Taoist Priest, you’ve misunderstood.”

Unable to withstand Gao Yu’an’s enthusiasm, the Man in Black quickly begged for mercy. He said those words with no other intention, just to remind them of a few things. This series of questions, how was it like an inspection from the higher-ups?

Who was the one who started talking first?

“I’m just afraid that someone will come for revenge, so I wanted to notify you two in advance. If someone is really playing tricks behind the scenes, then it’s a matter for our Fu Mo Si.”

“You’re from the Fu Mo Si?”

Finally hearing the Man in Black reveal his affiliation, Xiang Jiannan and Gao Yu’an both became serious.

A big shot had arrived. What virtue or ability did their Ping’an Town have to deserve this?

“Fu Mo Si, Li Jin.”

Skillfully taking off his upper garment, Li Jin revealed his toned chest, which had several scars and a tattoo of the character “镇” （suppress）.

This was the mark of the Fu Mo Si personnel. Once it was engraved, it could never be erased.

“Why are you taking off your clothes for no reason? Put them on quickly, it’s not good for others to see.”

Unable to understand Li Jin’s method of proving his identity, Xiang Jiannan couldn’t help but gulp after taking a few glances.

So white. Are there any women in the Fu Mo Si?

“I’m used to taking them off, I forgot I had a waist token.”

Putting his clothes back on, Li Jin felt a little embarrassed. He didn’t expect to be stared at by two Taoists until he felt uncomfortable.

It was completely unnecessary to do that. Taking off his clothes to prove his identity was only used in special circumstances. He had been too anxious just now.

“How about the three of us move to another place?”

After learning of Li Jin’s identity as a member of the Fu Mo Si, Gao Yu’an’s emotions surged again. There was a good restaurant in town, and the owner was also surnamed Li. It would be perfect for Li Jin to have a sense of home.

Most of the people who could enter the Fu Mo Si had miserable backgrounds. This old Taoist knew a little bit about that.

“No need, I still need to rush back to report.”

Having said what he needed to say, Li Jin didn’t plan to stay in Ping’an Town for long. This time, he had only come to scout ahead. There were still other orders from the headquarters.

Time was tight.

“In that case, this old Taoist won’t force you to stay.”

Reaching out to grasp one of Li Jin’s hands, Gao Yu’an was reluctant to let him go:

“When you come again, please don’t stand on ceremony with this old Taoist. We cultivators, in our hearts, are concerned about the common people.”

I don’t believe you.

Expecting that Li Jin’s feelings were probably similar to his own, Xiang Jiannan felt that his Master was too unreserved.

You can’t just stick to someone because they have a big background, without regard for your own status. Look at your disciple, I haven’t said a word so far.

“Then I’ll have to trouble the Taoist Priest.”

While speaking, he withdrew his right hand. Li Jin glanced at Xiang Jiannan before leaving, intending to remind him to be careful, but ultimately didn’t.

He couldn’t see the old Taoist’s cultivation level, but he could see the Little Taoist Priest’s. Judging from the power of the Peace Talisman he used, he should be able to protect himself.