Chapter 64: The Pure Yang Taoist Lu

Setting up a ritual with many people around was indeed ill-advised, but the old Taoist's condescending tone made Ling Ji uneasy, especially since his remarks were aimed directly at Ye Jianghuai.

As Ling Ji moved to stand up, Mrs. Zhao turned quickly, her face stern as she issued a dismissal. "Sorry, everyone, we have matters to attend to. Please come back another day."

Though she said "sorry," her expression was anything but polite, full of impatience and disdain, as if their mere presence was worsening her son's plight.

Ling Ji, halfway off the sofa, promptly sat back down, her initial thought to scold Mrs. Zhao changed immediately. She crossed her arms and stared directly at Zhao Lirun, ignoring Mrs. Zhao entirely, a mocking smile on her lips. "Performing a ritual?"

She looked at Zhao Lirun with feigned surprise. "Aren't you a government official? Promoting superstitions at home?"

Her acting might not have been the best, but the hint of mockery and threat was clear to Zhao Lirun. This suspicion was confirmed at the next moment.

"Does your colleague know? Does your boss know? This is a clear dereliction of duty." In Ye Jianghuai's files, the emphasis on maintaining socialist core values was underlined repeatedly, and as someone in the Ministry of Culture, Zhao Lirun should be even more sensitive to this.

"What do you know?" Mrs. Zhao, feeling slighted by Ling Ji's disregard, lost her composure, or perhaps her love for her son drove her to desperation. She lashed out like a cornered animal. "Taoist Lu is a member of the Taoist Association's council, the abbot of Pure Yang Temple, and one of the most accomplished Taoists today!"

"He is a true scholar and practitioner, unlike those charlatans."

Mrs. Zhao's face flushed with emotion, her chest heaving. She leaned on the sofa's armrest, glaring fiercely at the girl who had disrespected the Taoist.

"Oh, so you hired this Taoist without your husband's consent?" Ling Ji finally acknowledged Mrs. Zhao, her tone genuine and innocent as she turned to Ye Jianghuai. "Isn't this just foolish?"

Ye Jianghuai coughed to suppress a laugh. "Don't be so blunt... with the truth. It's embarrassing."

"Not my problem if she's embarrassed." Ling Ji's retort left Mrs. Zhao red, white, and then green with anger.

"And you," Ling Ji turned to the sneering Taoist Lu, "If your skills aren't up to par, just say so. Don't blame others for interference."

"Taoists believe in maintaining inner peace. Haven't you learned that after all these years?" Ling Ji scrutinized Taoist Lu. "Or are you just here to scam them out of money?"

Taoist Lu's beard trembled with rage. "Where did this insolent child come from to slander me?"

"Did you not take their money?" Xing Miao's eyes twinkled as she examined the finely tailored Taoist robe.

Taoist Lu: "..."

Seeing his silence, Xing Miao pressed on. "Pure Yang Temple is renowned and doesn't usually serve ordinary people. Mrs. Zhao, how much did you pay to bring Taoist Lu here?"

"Three..." Mrs. Zhao began, then caught herself. "What does it matter to you?"

Xing Miao sighed inwardly but kept her gentle demeanor. "I'm just worried that you might be deceived, losing money and precious time to save your child."

"After all, three million is no small amount."

"How did you know I paid three million?" Mrs. Zhao's face turned wary. "If it helps find Yuxi, I'd pay thirty million!"

Ling Ji's casual demeanor shifted at the mention of thirty million, her eyes lighting up.

Zhao Lirun, who had been silent, narrowed his eyes to Taoist Lu, his gaze filled with scrutiny.

"This is my home. Please leave," Mrs. Zhao clutched her phone with one hand and pointed to the door with the other, her gaze icy. "If you don't leave, I'll call security."

"Go ahead, I'm not leaving." Ling Ji's defiance only grew with Mrs. Zhao's threats. She sat firmly on the sofa, her expression daring Mrs. Zhao to act.

"Let's leave, Lady Ling Ji," Xing Miao pretended to pull Ling Ji's sleeve. "Taoist Lu is clearly afraid his ritual will fail and we'll see him fail. We shouldn't waste our time here."

"We who have true abilities don't fear being watched."

"And he's so old. If something happened to him, we'd be accused of foul play."

Her words, though seemingly whispered, were clearly heard by everyone. Taoist Lu nearly lost his temper again, calming himself with a mantra. "Young girl, your sharp tongue might get you in trouble."

Xing Miao smiled sweetly, leaning against Ling Ji. "No need for you to worry, Taoist. Just focus on Mrs. Zhao's request. Don't let Pure Yang Temple's reputation suffer because of you."

Taoist Lu's eyes flashed with anger, but Ling Ji blocked most of his sharp gaze. He took a deep breath, bowing to Mrs. Zhao. "Mrs. Zhao, though I shouldn't argue with these youngsters, for the sake of my temple's reputation, they will stay to witness the ritual."

Mrs. Zhao hesitated. "But you said their presence was disruptive?"

"It doesn't matter," Taoist Lu stroked his beard, regaining his composure. "I can shield us from their interference."

Reassured, Mrs. Zhao began preparing the items he requested: candles, incense, a sand table, fine sand, and glutinous rice. The child's birth details were written on red paper.

Taoist Lu reached out, and a wooden box appeared in his hand.

Jin Hong, surprised, noticed a young boy behind Taoist Lu, dressed in gray, who had gone unnoticed until now.

"That's odd. How did I miss him?" Jin Hong muttered, then focused on the Taoist, who began his ritual preparations.

Taoist Lu burned incense, washed his hands, and sat in meditation. After a long period, he began drawing on yellow paper with a red brush. As he finished, a light flashed across the completed symbol, catching Zhao Lirun's eye and filling him with hope.

Though skeptical of superstitions, Zhao Lirun had spent years in the Ministry of Culture and knew of Pure Yang Temple's reputation, hence his silence.

Mrs. Zhao, holding the red paper, praised the symbol. "Taoist Lu, as expected of Pure Yang Temple's abbot, this symbol is extraordinary."

Taoist Lu modestly waved her off. "I'm far from our founder's level."

Mrs. Zhao's respect deepened. "You are too humble. Who can match Immortal Lu?"

Taoist Lu: "..."

As they exchanged pleasantries, Ling Ji yawned, growing bored.

"Have some fruit," Ye Jianghuai asked Zhao Xiaobo for apples, peeling and slicing them for Ling Ji, then handing her a peeled grapefruit.

"Is Pure Yang Temple really famous?" Ling Ji asked, nibbling on the fruit. "And who is Immortal Lu?"

"Immortal Lu is one of the Eight Immortals, Lü Dongbin, also known as Pure Yangzi. He was known for his benevolence and ascended to immortality, with the emperor granting Pure Yang Temple as a mark of respect."

Seeing Ling Ji's disdain, Xing Miao felt sympathy for Taoist Lu, who seemed proud of his abilities. "But in terms of power and fame, Pure Yang Temple is not the top in the cultivation world."

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