35 (Xie San Geng Shou Meng Zhu)

"Wu Liang Tian Zun. May I ask what you laymen intend by this?"

Following the standard Daoist Sect etiquette, Zhang Rongfang cupped his hands toward the men ahead of him.

"Daoist Priest, there's something we need you to come with us for." The leading man rubbed his nose and smiled.

"These gentlemen haven't even explained their purpose, yet you want this poor Daoist to go with you. I'm afraid..."

Zhang Rongfang lowered his hands, looking troubled.

"You're called Zhang Rongfang, right?" the leading man asked.

"Precisely."

"Then that's right. Get him!" The leading man abruptly swung his hand.

The two groups before and behind him, nearly ten people in all, charged at once.

In an instant, Zhang Rongfang was surrounded from both ends.

Not far behind this group stood another man by the wall, watching calmly.

The knuckles on this man's hands were thick, the backs of his hands blackened, and his build formed a slight inverted triangle. He was Iron Beak Crane Chen He, one of the Rice Gang's two great experts.

Chen He was over thirty, with a wooden expression and slightly yellowed eyes. He was one of the Rice Gang's two Fourth Grade experts who openly held down the fort.

The Rice Gang's Profound Sand Palm was already skilled at combat and killing, so a Fourth Grade Profound Sand Palm was powerful enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with Qinghe Temple's Fifth Grade Returning Spring Purifying Time Talisman Classic.

At this moment, he carefully observed Zhang Rongfang, who was under siege ahead.

"This man has entered Zhang Xuan's tutelage and is valued by Zhang Xuan and his son. We can start with him and make some preparations."

Originally, according to their plan, they had intended to make a full move on the day of the wedding. But if they could arrange some backup measures beforehand, that would be more prudent.

Just as the group was about to rush Zhang Rongfang and begin beating him—

Chen He took a large stride forward.

"Stop! How can you be so disrespectful to a Qinghe Temple Daoist Priest in broad daylight?"

The moment his voice rang out, the men on both sides stopped as though on cue.

"So he's a Qinghe Temple Daoist Priest. Looks like we mistook him for someone else!" the leading man said with a grin.

"Then why are you also called Zhang Rongfang? Sorry about that. We nearly caused a great disaster by recognizing the wrong person!" said a man on the other side with a smile.

"Exactly. Good thing Mr. Chen happened to pass by, or we would've beaten the wrong person today."

The men before and behind kept Zhang Rongfang boxed in. Though their mouths were offering apologies, they had no intention whatsoever of moving aside.

Zhang Rongfang's expression remained calm. He could tell they were doing this deliberately.

What coincidence of identical names could there possibly be in this world? Looking at this group's hypocritical posturing, they were clearly showing off their superior numbers on purpose.

Though Qinghe Temple was weak in martial strength, it had a decent relationship with the Government Office. Within Huaxin County's urban district, even an ordinary Daoist Priest was not someone common folk could provoke.

These people dared provoke him, so they clearly had backing.

Still, since they wanted to put on a show, there was no harm in playing along and seeing what they wanted.

Zhang Rongfang felt no fear. So long as these people had no sharp weapons like knives, he was confident that even if he could not beat them, he could outrun them.

"Since it is a misunderstanding, then please make way," he said, cupping his hands once more.

"Little Daoist, you jest. Since my men have offended you, naturally we must apologize to you today and wash away this bad luck, no?" Chen He said with a smile.

"I, Chen He, am also someone of standing in Huaxin County. If someone saw this and word got out that I had been discourteous, wouldn't people laugh at me? Besides, seeing how imposing and dignified you are today, Little Daoist, I felt an instant kinship with you. It is only right that we become acquainted."

Chen He smiled.

"Come, come, come. If Little Daoist refuses to go today, then you are refusing to give me, Chen Mou Ren, face."

As his words fell, the surrounding men all stepped forward, faint menace showing on their faces.

The meaning of those words was obvious.

Whether you want to go today or not, you have to go.

Zhang Rongfang's gaze shifted slightly. He knew he could not avoid this.

If it were only these men at his side, perhaps he would not fear them. He could escape.

But this man before him had long, steady breathing, thick and powerful legs, and when he walked, his five toes gripped the ground. He was stable, yet carried a trace of lightness.

That indicated the man before him had likely trained in Leg Skill as well.

His thoughts turned.

"Although Mr. Chen is most gracious, this poor Daoist has only just arrived in Huaxin County and still has important matters to attend to. I cannot accompany you today. Another day—another day, certainly."

The surrounding men immediately looked displeased and pressed closer, fierce light gleaming in their eyes.

Chen He stared at Zhang Rongfang for several seconds. The smile slowly vanished from his face.

At the same time, a hint of danger gradually radiated from him.

"So Daoist Priest is determined not to give me, Chen Mou Ren, face?"

Zhang Rongfang's cheeks prickled, and goosebumps rose faintly across his skin.

With nothing more than a change in expression, the other party had suddenly put considerable pressure on him.

The feeling was profoundly mysterious, like the natural sense of threat an ordinary person felt when facing a ferocious beast.

"Mr. Chen jests. This poor Daoist merely has no time today. There will be time in the future," Zhang Rongfang said solemnly.

"Besides, face is not something one possesses just because others give it to him."

Chen He narrowed his eyes and fell silent for several seconds before suddenly laughing.

"That is indeed reasonable. No one will voluntarily give you face. Making them have no choice but to give it—that is the proper path."

He clapped his hands. Looking at the fearlessness in Zhang Rongfang's eyes, he revealed a trace of appreciation.

Everyone possessed a fearful heart, but if one could still hold fast to one's original heart when at a disadvantage and not fear the powerful and wealthy—

Such a person was a talent, a true man.

Those who did not fear power were the ones most worth befriending.

Because if one formed a true friendship with such a person, then when one faced an even stronger opponent in the future, that person likewise would not shrink back merely because the other side was powerful.

"Daoist Zhang, Chen Mou was presumptuous. We truly did recognize the wrong person earlier. The person we seek is also named Zhang Rongfang."

At once, Chen He took a step back and cupped his fists in a salute toward Zhang Rongfang.

"Today's offense has caused much insult. Another day, Chen Mou will certainly hold a feast to apologize. I hope you will honor me with your presence."

Zhang Rongfang had thought they were about to fight. He had not expected the other party to advance by retreating, first arrogant and then respectful.

After a moment of silence, he returned the salute.

"There is no need for an apology feast. So long as Mr. Chen does not make things difficult for this poor Daoist again, that will be enough."

"Since Chen Mou underestimated Daoist Priest, I ought to make amends. But since I have already offended you today, I shall not belabor the matter." Chen He smiled faintly and waved for the others to move aside.

The men immediately parted and opened a path for Zhang Rongfang to leave.

Zhang Rongfang nodded and departed through the opening. Before long, he vanished around the bend at the street corner.

"Big Brother, was there any need to be so polite to a little Daoist Priest?" the leading man from earlier asked, unable to understand.

Chen He shook his head. "He is no little Daoist Priest. He has martial skills too. And against someone with such an upright temperament, force is of little use. No rush. There will be time later."

He had plenty of methods to let that little Daoist Priest truly experience the benefits of the ways of the world.

After all, Qinghe Temple had no shallow connections in official circles. Acting forcefully in the city was not a good idea.

Elsewhere, halfway down the road, Zhang Rongfang turned into a Ready-made Clothing Store.

Not long after, he came out carrying a bundle of clothes.

When he returned to Qinghe Temple that afternoon, Temple Master Li Heng had not returned at all. Only the three of them and two servants ate together.

They ate all kinds of vegetable and meat pancakes bought from the neighboring Pancake Shop. Paired with cooled boiled water, that made do for a meal.

After eating, with no Temple Master to supervise them, none of them had any interest in doing evening lessons. Having just arrived in the city, they might as well leave the temple alone and amuse themselves.

Under the night sky, Qinghe Temple was empty and desolate.

The two servants were secretly reading the Picture Book in their hands by the candlelight offered in the Main Hall.

This sort of Picture Book was extremely popular in the city, containing everything under the sun. Of course, judging by the expressions on those two little Daoist Priests' faces, it was clear they were definitely not reading anything proper.

After finishing his practice, Zhang Rongfang passed by the Main Hall and saw this, but said nothing.

Though it violated the rules, even Temple Master Li Heng did not care, so he could not be bothered to waste words.

By the Deep Well in the Backyard, he creaked and squeaked as he used the winding rope to draw several buckets of water.

Then, in the open space of the Backyard, he took off his clothes and poured a bucket over his head.

He reached out and grabbed a bar of soap he had picked up from the Ready-made Clothing Store today, then rubbed it wildly through his hair.

Soap was the ancient equivalent of soap, made by crushing Pig's Pancreas and mixing it with ingredients such as beans.

Some wealthy people even added various Spices. But those were too expensive, and Zhang Rongfang had not yet reached the point of spending money freely.

Soon, after rinsing himself clean, he dried himself with a Dry Cloth and let his hair hang loose.

Zhang Rongfang changed into a clean set of close-fitting clothes, then returned to his room.

Not long after, he came out holding a small gray cloth bundle. His long hair had also been tied into a single bundle with a Leather Rope and draped down his back.

Returning to the front courtyard, Zhang Rongfang took a Prayer Mat from the hall and sat cross-legged beside the Incense Burner before the shrine hall to rest.

At the same time, he was contemplating what had happened during the day.

I only went to Sister-in-law's house to deliver a letter. Not long after coming out, I ran into trouble. Those men definitely were not passing by coincidentally. They were very likely waiting nearby on purpose.

Thinking back to that Chen He, the doubts in Zhang Rongfang's heart grew ever greater.

If it truly was because I went to Sister-in-law's place, does that mean Sister-in-law is in trouble now?

Perhaps I should go back tonight and try again. See whether it is really because of Sister-in-law.

Also, there are Patrolling Soldiers in the County Town at night. How can I hide my face so no one recognizes me?

Zhang Rongfang thought of methods from TV Series in his Previous Life.

Masked Black Clothes? Wouldn't that be plainly telling everyone I'm a bad person? I'd probably be hunted down by the Government Office before I even got halfway there.

Reality and television dramas were ultimately different. A mask? Where would I buy a mask? I could buy one as a spare later. And it's not as though I could wear a mask the whole way there, right? It isn't some festival event now. I would still be questioned halfway there, and there would be no way to conceal my identity.

From Qinghe Temple to Sister-in-law's house, he had to cross the entire urban district. Walking all that way in a mask would only attract more attention.

Once the patrolling Officers set their sights on him, they were equipped with Crossbows.

Zhang Rongfang did not think he could withstand crossbow bolts head-on at his current level.

An ordinary military crossbow, barring accidents, was even more powerful at close range than a handgun.

It seems there is only one way.

He sat cross-legged for a while, waiting until his hair was mostly dry before rising.

At this time, the moonlight in the Night Sky was at its fullest.

Zhang Rongfang tied up his hair, picked up his bundle, and strode quickly out of the Daoist Temple.

He decided to go near Sister-in-law's house again that night to examine the situation. Ideally, he could catch someone and question them.