My Master is the Real Boss – Chapter 98

Chapter 98: Strange Phenomenon

Having seemingly reached some kind of tacit understanding with Master Gao, the White-faced Scholar glanced deeply at Xiang Jiannan as he transformed into a puff of green smoke and departed. Then, someone knocked on the door again. The sudden sound startled the little Taoist.

This kind of reaction sometimes made him particularly curious. Having been by the Old Taoist Priest’s side for so long, why was he always so jumpy, lacking the composure of a cultivator?

“Old Taoist Priest, everyone is waiting for you two.”

Having already heard the sound of the suona outside the temple, Pei Dafa, who was firmly holding onto the gate of Ping’an Temple, appeared unusually excited. He craned his neck and stuck his face in, urging the master and disciple.

Seeing the little Taoist standing behind him only caring about wiping his hands, he wished he could immediately pull both of them out of Ping’an Temple.

Were they only just finished getting ready? Magistrate Lin and the others had arrived long ago, specifically asking to see the two Taoists of Ping’an Temple. Their expressions seemed relatively amiable.

This was a golden opportunity, a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Master Guo kept winking at him from the side.

“Let’s go, we were just about to leave.”

Stepping out of the temple, Xiang Jiannan saw a clear sky above. He shrank his neck, looking uneasy. He knew the White-faced Scholar would definitely return. He didn’t have the courage to get involved in whatever was going to happen next. In any case, he couldn’t stay at Ping’an Temple any longer.

Without his master, he felt unsafe again.

“Magistrate Lin is in a good mood today. When you meet him later, Old Taoist Priest, you must seize this opportunity.”

The group set off towards the Chen Residence. As the sound of the suona grew closer, Pei Dafa couldn’t help but give Gao Yu’an a few instructions. Though they were called instructions, they were actually requests. Ever since leaving Ping’an Town last time, Pei Dafa had always felt that Magistrate Lin held a grudge against him. He wanted to take advantage of today to improve his relationship with Magistrate Lin.

He had also sent some silver before, and the effect seemed to be okay.

“Town Magistrate, you don’t need to say more. This old Taoist naturally understands this principle.”

Seeing Pei Dafa’s pitiful eyes as he spoke, Gao Yu’an immediately put on an understanding expression. The path of the human world was never easy; one had to take care of everything.

He didn’t think there was anything wrong with what happened last time. It was just that the final outcome didn’t satisfy Magistrate Lin. Later, when Zen Master Lekong and his group came, he figured it wasn’t entirely Magistrate Lin’s idea.

The Buddhist Sect had special privileges. Lin Zhen, as the county magistrate, certainly couldn’t be their master; at most, he could only offer suggestions.

“Then I can rest assured. I’m leaving everything to you, Old Taoist Priest.”

As they spoke, they could already see the eaves of the Chen Residence. After greeting the lively crowd, Pei Dafa and his group entered the Chen Residence amidst the loud calls of the house servants. The whole town was truly celebrating. The red decorations everywhere in the courtyard made Xiang Jiannan think it was Chen Jingxuan’s wedding.

The wedding night, the time of passing the imperial exam, today, the Chen family had become the number one household in Ping’an Town.

“Old Taoist Priest has arrived, please take a seat!”

Chen Laoyezi came out of the house, beaming from ear to ear. He kept gesturing for them to be seated. Today, he looked even more radiant than when he had just returned yesterday. His robe seemed newly made. As soon as he appeared in the crowd, he exuded an indescribable aura.

“We’ve kept everyone waiting, congratulations Chen Laoyezi!”

Under Chen Laoyezi’s lead, they moved into the main hall. Gao Yu’an’s smile was like a spring breeze. With his and Xiang Jiannan’s arrival, everyone who had been chatting idly at the tables stood up at once.

“Old Taoist Priest, have you been well?”

“Thank you for your concern, Your Excellency, I’m doing very well.”

“Come and sit next to me.”

“…”

Seeing Gao Yu’an and Magistrate Lin chatting happily, the others, who had been a little worried, gradually relaxed. They all knew that the Old Taoist Priest had displeased Magistrate Lin last time. Today, when the two met again, they seemed even more cordial than before. Magistrate Lin was indeed the head of a county; he had a broad mind and could think things through.

Even if it was just a show, it was enough to put them at ease.

Today was the Chen family’s joyous occasion. Magistrate Lin was giving them a lot of face.

“I’ve said many times that I wanted to visit Old Taoist Priest, but unfortunately, I’ve been too busy with official duties to get away.”

After a few cups of wine, Magistrate Lin took Chen Jingxuan’s hand, his tone somewhat excited:

“Jingxuan’s passing the exam is truly an honor for the entire county. I heard that the Grandmaster also contributed to this?”

Gao Yu’an felt a little embarrassed by what was said. Under everyone’s gaze, he finally nodded.

He didn’t speak, but it was equivalent to admitting it.

“Ping’an Temple’s actions are truly meritorious. Jingxuan, let’s both toast Old Taoist Priest!”

Raising his wine glass and standing up with Chen Jingxuan, Magistrate Lin acted as if he were the main character. This prompted others to follow suit. For a time, all sorts of praises were spoken along with the wine glasses.

Xiang Jiannan could only echo them, his mind still thinking about the White-faced Scholar.

Chen Jingxuan hadn’t yet broken free from his scholar persona. If he were to become an official, he would still need to learn a lot from Lin Zhen. His emotions were on point, but he couldn’t say a word with his mouth wide open.

After three rounds of wine, Xiang Jiannan’s mood was somewhat hindered by his concern for the White-faced Scholar. Amidst the festive atmosphere, he couldn’t help but think of Ping’an Temple. The White-faced Scholar should be at the stinky ditch by now, right? Just like last time, still messing around in the water with two iron chains?

His master had seemed to admit it. He knew everything that had happened at the stinky ditch that day. Without his thunder talisman to help, what methods would the White-faced Scholar use? Who was it that shouted those two angry rebukes that day? Could it be that his master had disguised his voice?

Lost in thought, Xiang Jiannan simply raised his glass with the others. He found that today’s wine didn’t seem to be as potent as yesterday’s.

“Town Magistrate, can you come out for a moment?”

After a few cups, he only felt himself becoming more and more clear-headed. Xiang Jiannan couldn’t relax at all amidst the conversations of the important figures. Compared to the other tables where people were already showing their true colors after getting drunk, they hadn’t lost their composure yet.

With Magistrate Lin sitting in the main seat and all the guests at the table having status, although they were raising their glasses frequently, the proceedings were not chaotic. Just as he was feeling bored and tormented, he saw a laborer named San Shunzi suddenly walk in.

He was just about to whisper in Pei Dafa’s ear when he was startled back by a glare.

“Speak directly, can’t you see Magistrate Lin is sitting here!”

“Yes!”

Startled by Pei Dafa’s roar, San Shunzi didn’t even dare to look at Magistrate Lin. He lowered his head and spoke haltingly, but fortunately, it was still clear enough to understand:

“It’s nothing major, just that I found something strange with the well at home.”

“What’s strange about it?”

Seeing that San Shunzi wasn’t speaking clearly, no one at the table took it to heart. As Chen Laoyezi gave an order, a house servant quickly received instructions and quietly left. Pei Dafa, his face flushed, wanted to get angry but forced himself to endure:

“If you have nothing else to do, go out and have a few more drinks. It’s not a big deal.”

“Yes.”

San Shunzi retreated reluctantly amidst the confused gazes of the crowd. Only Xiang Jiannan wanted to follow him out, but he turned back when Pei Dafa called out to him.

The White-faced Scholar had made a move. The matter might be related to him.

“Master, we’ve checked it.”

Just as he was feeling puzzled, the house servant who had been sent out by Chen Laoyezi ran back again. Xiang Jiannan noticed that his face was somewhat flustered. He didn’t avoid the crowd when he came into the room. After receiving permission, he immediately spoke:

“The well at San Shunzi’s house is constantly gushing water upwards. It’s the same at our residence and other houses as well. They’re all about to overflow.”

“A heavenly anomaly?”

After the house servant finished speaking, Pei Dafa quickly connected the matter to Chen Jingxuan passing the imperial exam. He reacted very quickly:

“It must be caused by the Third Young Master passing the exam!”

“Oh my, this is terrible!”

“Quick, let’s go take a look!”

As the smiles that had just returned to everyone’s faces disappeared again, Xiang Jiannan immediately got up from his chair and followed the crowd out of the main hall. He wanted to check out the so-called anomaly they were talking about first.

He seemed to have heard some noise just now, but it was drowned out by the suona music, and he lost the feeling again.