Coercion and Temptation

Pan Yun smiled, pinched her fingers in calculation, and gave a slight nod. "Poor Daoist Pan Yun greets my father and mother officials."

Before Cai Sheng could react, Master Qian, standing behind him, had already quickly pushed aside both him and Master Wu, slipped between them, and excitedly stepped forward to seize Pan Yun's hand. "Temple Keeper Pan, you've finally returned!"

At the sight of Master Qian, Pan Yun's smile became sincere. She clasped his hand in return. "It has been a long time, Benefactor Qian. Have you and yours been well?"

"Well, well." Master Qian's eyes brimmed with tears. "Thanks to the Mountain God's blessing, my family and I have remained safe and sound."

He turned excitedly to Cai Sheng. "Magistrate Cai, this is the temple keeper of the Mountain God Temple on Mount Sanqing, whom I often mentioned to you. She is the Mountain God's personal disciple."

Cai Sheng had already recovered himself. With a smile that did not reach his eyes, he said, "So you are the temple keeper."

He turned and sat beneath the plaque reading "Justice Shines Like a Mirror." Only after straightening his robes did he raise his head and ask arrogantly, "What brings Temple Keeper Pan here?"

Pan Yun said, "I came to relieve my father and mother official's urgent peril."

Cai Sheng looked disdainful. "Temple Keeper Pan is also here for those rioting commoners of Fenshui Village? I have already promised your brother that, until all the rebels are captured, I will not do anything to them."

"Not so. I came for my father and mother official, and for all the people of Yushan County." Pan Yun smiled. "The executioner's blade has already fallen upon your neck, yet you can still laugh and chat with composure. Truly, your bearing is extraordinary. But