leonardwarren Chapter 51: No need!
Chapter 51: No need!
If it were anyone else, those hot-blooded disciples of Wuqing Temple would probably have rolled up their sleeves and started a fight right there and then.
But this is Lu Yuan.
Lu Yuan snapped out of his daze, turned to look at the group of familiar faces behind Shen Shulan, and smiled as he cupped his hands in greeting.
"Hello everyone, it's been a long time."
The disciples of Wuqing Temple felt a little envious.
She felt that her perfect young lady had been taken advantage of by this Uncle Lu.
However, they still held Lu Yuan in high esteem, and everyone immediately bowed in unison, their voices booming.
"Greetings, Uncle-Master Lu."
Lu Yuan was initially puzzled as to why this group of people arrived so quickly, as if they had timed it perfectly.
But a quick thought struck him and he instantly understood the key.
What else could it be?
It's all because of that lousy thing that Huang Guanmin deserted at the last minute!
In the Taoist profession, this is an extremely shameful disgrace that could shatter a prestigious reputation.
As the largest temple outside the Great Wall, Wuqing Temple values its reputation above all else, so it was natural for them to send a distinguished person to personally apologize.
The presence of Abbot Shen Jizhou in person seems to be an excessive commotion.
After much deliberation, it was decided that having Shen Shulan, the abbot's daughter and hailed as a prodigy of Taoism, come would be the most appropriate choice, as it would give her both face and substance.
"Alright, alright, stop standing outside."
Lu Yuan quickly waved his hand and greeted him warmly.
"It's freezing outside, come inside!"
"They must all be starving by the time they get here," someone said.
He turned around and shouted at Wang Fu, acting as if this were his own home.
"Steward Wang, hurry up and have the kitchen prepare some hot noodle soup for the Taoist priests at Wuqing Temple to warm them up!"
No one found Lu Yuan's unassuming manner inappropriate at the moment.
Wang Fu, in particular, had just been looking gloomy and dejected.
Now, upon seeing the group of saviors from Wuqing Temple, his old face beamed like a chrysanthemum, knowing that the matter was saved!
He no longer cared about his previous resentment towards Wuqing Temple.
Now, let alone hot soup noodles, even if Lu Yuan asked him to stew the stone lions guarding the Zhao residence, he would immediately go and smash them.
……
The main building in the front courtyard of the Zhao residence.
The steaming hot stir-fried shredded pork noodles were served quickly.
The aroma of meat was irresistible, the soup was rich and flavorful, and each person was served a small dish of bright green and refreshing pickles.
After a long night of travel, everyone was cold and hungry.
Holding a piping hot porcelain bowl, I slurp up a mouthful of noodles soaked in broth.
A warm current surged from my throat straight to my abdomen, instantly dispelling all the chill and fatigue. It smelled so good that I wanted to swallow my tongue.
"Baiyun Temple...how could they be so shameless?!"
After listening to Lu Yuan's brief account of what happened, Shen Shulan's usually aloof and beautiful face was now filled with barely suppressed anger.
"Once this matter is settled, I will return to the temple and inform my father to completely remove Baiyun Temple from this year's Luotian Grand Ritual register!"
Wow!
Lu Yuan inwardly cheered.
If a legitimate Taoist temple cannot even participate in a major Taoist event like the Luotian Grand Ritual, then it is utterly ridiculous.
Once this news spreads throughout the conference, Baiyun Temple will likely be forced to close down within three years.
Having a good dad makes all the difference.
Lu Yuan thought to himself, if it were him to bring down Baiyun Temple, he wondered how much effort it would take.
But for Shen Shulan, it was just a matter of going home and telling her father.
Of course, that's not the most important thing right now.
Lu Yuan put down his chopsticks and bowl, his expression becoming serious.
"Therefore, we must rely entirely on everyone at Wuqing Temple for today's matter."
Upon hearing this, everyone in Wuqing spectatory immediately put down their bowls and chopsticks, stood up in unison, and looked solemn.
"Uncle-Master, there's no need for further words!"
We are of the same ilk and should naturally stand together in solidarity. Wuqing Temple will certainly provide its full support!
Take a look!
What does it mean to be from a prestigious and upright family?
That's right!
That's why Wuqing Temple is considered the number one Taoist temple outside the Great Wall!
After saying that, everyone sat down again and picked up their bowls and chopsticks to eat.
"Uncle-Master..."
After taking a couple of bites of noodles, Shen Shulan suddenly stopped, turned her head, and looked at Lu Yuan with a serious expression in her clear eyes.
"You were so enthusiastic just now, and you even said those things...about missing me..."
"Is it all because of this reason?"
Ok?
Lu Yuan turned his head upon hearing the sound, meeting her probing gaze. The next second, his brows furrowed, and his tone was full of righteousness.
"Sister Shulan, what are you saying!"
"What does this have to do with helping out!"
"I miss you because you are beautiful, kind-hearted, and intelligent, Sister Shulan!"
"It's because you, Sister Shulan, uphold your principles and have the well-being of all living beings in your heart!"
"It's also because of your Daoist heart, Sister Shulan, which is like a river flowing eastward; even if stubborn rocks block your path, you will never forget your original intention to reach the vast ocean!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a look of undisguised longing and admiration, unique to young people, appeared on Lu Yuan's face.
He raised his head and added in a serious tone:
"Sister Shulan, you are so radiant and your Taoist arts are so profound. Who wouldn't yearn for you and think of you day and night?"
Lu Yuan sighed inwardly.
When Yu Qian arrives, this is the kind of response we should give!
At this moment, Shen Shulan's usually cool and beautiful face was flushed red, so hot that it seemed as if steam was rising from it.
What kind of person is beautiful inside and out...?
What kind of righteousness protects all living beings...?
What about staying true to oneself...?
This made Shen Shulan blush so deeply she was practically steaming.
Although Shen Shulan is already twenty-six or twenty-seven years old this year, she has been well protected by Shen Jizhou since childhood, so she is naive and focused on cultivation.
Furthermore, after reaching adulthood, unlike other Taoist priests, he did not descend the mountain to make a living, to experience the coldness and warmth of the world, or the calculations of ordinary people.
She is really very simple-minded.
This made Lu Yuan mutter in hushed tones, which made Shen Shulan extremely embarrassed.
Shen Shulan was so embarrassed that she quickly lowered her head, her voice barely audible and stammering.
"I...I didn't say that my martial uncle was wrong..."
"Oh...oh dear...Uncle-Master, please stop talking. Quickly...quickly eat, setting up the magic array is the most important thing..."
Seeing that he had a good chance of winning, Lu Yuan immediately lowered his head and began slurping up the noodles in his bowl.
It was as if those earth-shattering words had not come from his own mouth.
Xu Erxiao and Wang Chengan, who were squatting in the corner, watched with eyes full of admiration, their hearts overflowing with respect.
Tsk~
Learn it!
Learn well from Brother Lu!
Following Brother Lu, you can learn so many skills you could never finish in a lifetime!
Meanwhile, the disciples of Wuqing Temple looked at their young mistress, who was almost burying her head in her bowl and blushing furiously.
Then look at Lu Yuan, who is engrossed in eating, as if nothing has happened.
Everyone was inwardly slapping their thighs in disbelief.
Oh my god!!!
The young lady is practically bewitched!
……
After breakfast, it was just getting light.
Zhao Qiao'er was still recuperating, and Shen Shulan and his group were not in a hurry to pay their respects. Their immediate priority was to set up a magic array.
Tonight, Wuqing Temple is in charge, so the magic array will naturally follow their methods, and Lu Yuan will not get involved.
At this moment, the disciples of Wuqing Temple were all eager to fight, their eyes brimming with fighting spirit.
It's true that they respect Lu Yuan.
However, they also wanted to prove that the disciples of Wuqing Temple were not just empty shells!
Lu Yuan is about to set off.
He was to lead Xu Erxiao and Wang Chengan immediately to the dilapidated mountain god temple in the southwest.
This matter cannot be delayed.
You absolutely cannot wait until the night is almost over before you start eating; by then it will be too late.
Moreover, their rival, the Changsheng Chamber of Commerce, also wields considerable influence within Fengtian City.
If they trip you up on the way and delay your arrival, you'll have no one to blame but yourself.
Therefore, Lu Yuan had to leave now, find out the approximate location first, and then lie in ambush nearby.
The best outcome would be to kick down the door and overturn the table before the Wang family could even begin their ritual!
In this way, the Zhao family won't even be affected in the slightest.
Just as Lu Yuan got up and called to Xu Erxiao and Wang Chengan to prepare to leave, Shen Shulan's voice came from behind him.
"Uncle-Master, please take me there after I finish setting up the magic array."
Ok?
Lu Yuan turned around, his eyes looking somewhat strange.
Why?
"Your mission tonight is to guard the Zhao residence and ensure its absolute safety."
"The matter of catching those evil cultists at the mountain god temple can be handled by the three of us brothers."
Hearing Lu Yuan's matter-of-fact arrangement, Shen Shulan became anxious and quickly stepped forward.
"Uncle-Master Lu, it's safer for me to go and destroy their stronghold!"
Her tone was earnest, and her gaze was firm.
"Compared to my martial uncle, I have already reached the realm of Celestial Master. If I were to confront the Destiny King family directly, my chances of victory would be much greater!"
In Shen Shulan's view, this solution was the most obvious and optimal one.
Lu Yuan stayed behind, relying on the disciples of Wuqing Temple and the powerful magic array that had been set up in advance to guard the Zhao residence, making it as solid as a rock.
And she, the Taoist priest, went to carry out the most dangerous mission: to strike at the heart of the enemy!
This is the most reasonable and safest arrangement!
Upon hearing this, Lu Yuan couldn't help but grin.
He slowly extended his right hand.
Then, to everyone's astonishment, he suddenly clenched his fist!
"Sizzle—!"
A soft yet chilling explosion!
The next second, blinding silver-white lightning bolts, like a dragon come to life, surged and flashed wildly across his clenched fists and arms!
That was... heavenly lightning!
It is the power of heaven and earth that can only be invoked by those who have reached the realm of Celestial Master!
Everyone at Wuqing Temple was completely dumbfounded, including Shen Shulan.
this??
this??!!!!
This...this is heavenly lightning representing the Celestial Master?!
Lu...Lu Yuan...
Lu Yuan... this guy, he's already a Celestial Master?!
An eighteen or nineteen-year-old orthodox Celestial Master?!
No...no!!
Wasn't he just a half-step Celestial Master a few days ago?!
Lu Yuan suppressed his lightning-like glint, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable decisiveness.
"No need!"
"I orchestrated this whole thing."
"Then the most dangerous things should naturally be done by us."
Having said that, he said no more, and led Xu Erxiao and Wang Chengan, who were already prepared, away.
Leaving only a back view for the utterly shocked Shen Shulan, he said without turning his head:
"Sister Shulan, I'm entrusting my Aunt Qiao'er to you."