{"id":12691,"date":"2020-09-09T13:00:01","date_gmt":"2020-09-09T17:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/?p=12691"},"modified":"2020-09-23T11:03:20","modified_gmt":"2020-09-23T15:03:20","slug":"pttp024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betwixtedbutterfly.com\/translations\/pttp024\/","title":{"rendered":"Part-Time Taoist Priest 24"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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<< Chapter 23<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Chapter 25 >><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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A Hanging Guest at the Door<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cLimit\u201d referred to the limit of one\u2019s lifespan. When the limit of one\u2019s life was near, death was imminent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, joss paper money was used by the spirits of the dead, and thus joss paper hanging from one\u2019s ear was an omen of impending death. Huang Jinyang\u2019s left eye could see the supernatural, so he caught sight of the joss paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although Huang Jinyang was not well-versed in the supernatural nor could he hear the whispering sprite, he could still guess that it wasn\u2019t a good sign. He asked helplessly, \u201cWhat is this all about\u2026 Should I tell him?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the last twenty or so years, Huang Jinyang had seen many strange things with his left eye and knew that it was sometimes not a wise choice to tell other people of such things. However, now that there were two people present with him who were knowledgeable of such things, he felt emboldened to ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAn omen of death,\u201d Shi Changxuan said in a low voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya observed from afar, and said, \u201cEven though I haven\u2019t been studying physiognomy for long, this person has the facial features of someone profoundly blessed\u2014he doesn\u2019t look like someone who would die young. Could it be an unexpected calamity?\u201d There were too many things that he needed to learn. He had only vaguely read up about face reading and his focus had been on judging a person\u2019s potential for cultivation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for Huang Jinyang\u2019s question, they had no answer. People in the present day perceived those who approached them of their own accord to tell them that a calamity awaited them to be frauds. It was difficult to convince others if they didn\u2019t share the same worldviews. In addition to that, the increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes these years also played a role. To this day, many still believed that Baoyang Temple had used some trickery to keep their temple mosquito-free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was a virtue to save a life, but it wasn\u2019t so easy to save someone\u2019s life these days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were still pondering over the matter when the headmaster, leading the group, headed in their direction. The headmaster exchanged a few words with the person with the big earlobe and waved at them. \u201cDear students?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The three of them didn\u2019t dawdle; they walked over and greeted Headmaster Mi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Headmaster Mi asked, \u201cWhat is your major, students?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shi Changxuan and Huang Jinyang answered that they were from the Religious Studies at the Philosophy Department. Through a silent exchange of glances with Shi Changxuan, Xie Lingya agreed to refrain from saying that he was a graduate, and instead, he claimed to have come to meet some friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shi Changxuan and Huang Jinyang were still studying at Quedong College. To speak of matters pertaining to the supernatural to Big Earlobe was inappropriate, so Xie Lingya was careful with his choice of words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this moment, Big Earlobe gently asked them a few questions, claiming to be their alumnus,  having graduated from Quedong College as well. The questions he asked were all related to the quality of life in the school while someone next to him was taking some pictures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya listened as Headmaster Mi called that person \u201cDirector Gao\u201d. He had previously guessed that this person was either a public figure or a businessman, and now he was proven right. Judging from their conversation, it seemed that Director Gao wanted to donate some money to his alma mater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After they went through the questions, the headmaster said, \u201cDirector Gao, the students still have classes. Should we go to the conference room to finalize the agreement?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director Gao hummed in agreement. Just as he was about to leave, Xie Lingya called out to him: \u201cMr. Gao.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya had purposely refrained from saying that he was a graduate of Quedong College. Judging by the way Headmaster Mi prioritized Director Gao, it was the right choice\u2014even if he said something inappropriate, it would not reflect badly on the school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHm?\u201d The man looked back at him curiously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Headmaster Mi also glanced at him, as well as at Shi Changxuan and Huang Jinyang, wondering what their friend was up to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya held his breath for a moment and then, after a brief pause, asked, \u201cWould you consider investing in a Taoist temple\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shi Changxuan & Huang Jinyang: \u201c……\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director Gao didn\u2019t seem to have heard clearly. \u201cInvest in what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya: \u201cA Taoist temple. Actually, I\u2019m from a Taoist temple in the city, Baoyang Temple. We are an old Taoist temple built in the Ming Dynasty and the buildings are laden with centuries of history. It\u2019s very appropriate for a startup\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These years, there were many Taoist temples and Buddist temples in tourist sites that were backed by businessmen as their bosses. Everyone knew this in their hearts, so it wasn\u2019t strange to look for an investor at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director Gao also looked like he was used to it. He gave a faint smile. \u201cMy apologies. Personally, I am not a man of faith, nor am I interested in starting up in tourism.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In reality, Xie Lingya didn\u2019t know what sort of business Director Gao was in before asking; it wasn\u2019t important either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Xie Lingya heard that he wasn\u2019t religious, he knew in his heart that he had no opportunity to be straightforward. But he was prepared for this. He fished out a Spirit Official Protection Charm from his pocket. The charm had a plastic protective cover, which was custom-made and had Baoyang Temple\u2019s address printed on it in the fine print.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya gave the charm to Director Gao, and said, \u201cThank you, Mr. Gao. I was in a hurry when I came out today and did not expect to meet Mr. Gao here, so I didn\u2019t bring any name cards. Hopefully, you can keep this. If Mr. Gao is interested in the future, please come to our temple to have a look. As of late, our temple is quite famous in Niuyang.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya had no name cards. If the charm had no address printed on it, he would have gifted it to Director Gao as a souvenir. This was, of course, because Director Gao\u2019s personality looked gentle. Had it been someone like Chen Mo, he wouldn\u2019t have used such a method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Spirit Official Protection Charm could ward away evil spirits, protect residences, or protect the person himself. If Director Gao was fated to die in an accident, perhaps this protection charm could help him. However, this was not definite. After all, the fate of a person could undergo many changes, as there were various factors contributing to it. Xie Lingya happened to have met him by chance and could only do his part and leave the rest to destiny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cQuite famous?\u201d Direction Gao calmly accepted the charm and even turned around to look at the others he was with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A person behind him thought for a while and replied, \u201cAi<\/em>, I think I\u2019ve heard of it. My girlfriend had tea there before.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone\u2019s first impression was that Xie Lingya came searching for an investor. At this time, at most, they would think there were indeed some business values there, and no one suspected anything else. In fact, they thought that it was quite an interesting thing. To have tea in a Taoist temple? It seemed like this Taoist temple had some interesting operations going on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director Gao laughed out loud as he put the protection charm into his wallet right in front of Xie Lingya, and said, \u201cAlthough I have no interest at the moment, I will take a look when I have the chance. Hope your incense burns all the merrier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you, Mr. Gao.\u201d Xie Lingya smiled coyly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Headmaster Mi was smoothing out his hair at the side. Just now, he thought that this young man looked quite familiar. If Xie Lingya hadn\u2019t mentioned that he wasn\u2019t a student at Quedong College, he would have assumed he was one. When Xie Lingya smiled, Headmaster Mi thought he looked even more familiar but after some thought, said nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After Headmaster Mi and the others left, Huang Jinyang said, wholly impressed, \u201cTeacher Xie, amazing how you thought of such a way!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI originally wanted to take his pulse and give him a session of fortune-telling, but he might think that I\u2019ve done my homework and come with some ulterior motives,\u201d Xie Lingya replied. \u201cEspecially when he does not believe in such things,\u201d he added helplessly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That makes sense<\/em>, Huang Jinyang thought. Although he didn\u2019t know why fortune-telling required taking someone\u2019s pulse, any ordinary person who was pulled aside for this would think that it was a scam. Additionally, Director Gao looked like he was worth his weight in gold. He might have run into an even bigger scam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They considered this a one-time incident and assumed that they simply had a chance meeting with this Director Gao.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Xie Lingya reached the junction at the road, he waved goodbye to the other two. Shi Changxuan and Huang Jinyang resumed their classes, and Xie Lingya headed to take the subway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There were many different kinds of shops next to the school. When Xie Lingya was passing by a boutique, he paused, and went in to take a look\u2014he realized that this store sold doll clothes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They came in large and small sizes and were quite beautifully made. Xie Lingya thought about how he had made a \u201cshirt\u201d by simply cutting a handkerchief and examined the tiny clothes attentively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A single glance scared him. The more complicated ones were almost as expensive as adult clothes; even the cheaper ones were around a hundred yuan a set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya took a look at a beige-colored male attire that was rather simple-looking. Although he didn\u2019t know whether Pokeweed had a gender, he felt that male attires were generally cheaper. \u201cBoss, do you have this in a smaller size?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The young boss lady gave Xie Lingya a look. \u201cHow big is your doll?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How big? Xie Lingya reached out with a palm to gesture. \u201cThis big.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The boss: \u201c…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She found a box. \u201cThis one should fit. They\u2019re all handmade by me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBoss, you have such elegant craftsmanship! Then, if I buy a few more, could I get a discount?\u201d Xie Lingya even started negotiating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other side, Shi Changxuan started his class. He heard that fellow Pokeweed suddenly laughed out loud, \u201cHehe\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shi Changxuan: \u201c???\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He looked at it twice and took it down. Maybe  Pokeweed was really a goof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Director Gao, Headmaster Mi, and the others were signing the donation contract. Everyone shared a meal together and there was wine on the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director Gao waved his hand. \u201cI won\u2019t drink too much. When I go back tonight, my wife might give me a lecture.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat a loving couple Director Gao and Mrs. Gao are! How enviable!\u201d Headmaster Mi praised and raised his glass. \u201cLet us drink the last cup! Just now, they were the ones who toasted you, let me toast you once more.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAlright, alright.\u201d Director Gao helplessly drank one more glass with Headmaster Mi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the meal was over, it was already midnight. Director Gao sat in the back seat and gave his wife a call, informing her that he was on his way home, telling the chauffeur to be swift on his way, and let the window down to let in some air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After drinking to quite a number of toasts, Director Gao felt a little dizzy. He leaned against the back seat and closed his eyes for a rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He loosened up his tie and suddenly felt heat radiating from his waist. Due to the effect of the alcohol, his brain was slow to react and he couldn\u2019t tell whether it was a real or imagined sensation because he hadn\u2019t brought anything that could radiate heat. His phone was placed on the adjacent seat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because of this burst of warmth, Director Gao opened his eyes. Before he could fish out the thing from his waist, he noticed a person standing in the middle of the road right in front of the moving car. The chauffeur seemed to not have noticed them, as he continued driving without slowing down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cXiao Li!\u201d Director Gao shouted. \u201cSomeone\u2019s there!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d The chauffeur was puzzled and didn\u2019t shift to the brakes. Director Gao panicked, and as they drew closer and closer, he got up and pulled the chauffeur\u2019s hand over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The car turned an abrupt angle, and in the split second, Director Gao had enough time to see that the car did still run into that person. At that moment, it felt like the car had run into a stone pillar, and the car\u2019s rear swerved to the side with a bang, running right into the railing and shattering it, before it finally stopped on the muddy grounds right next to the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The airbags inflated; the chauffeur and Director Gao were unharmed. Director Gao only sustained a knock to his head. However, compared to physical injuries, they were more psychologically affected by the accident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director Gao was scared awake from his alcoholic daze. He quickly got out of the car, looking around on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nothing, there was nothing on the ground. No blood, no body, and the person that they\u2019d run into just now had disappeared without a trace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this moment, the chauffeur also wobbled off the car, his hand still shaking intensively. He told Director Gao with a pale face, \u201cJust now, why did it seem like I ran into something\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director Gao\u2019s expression sank. He turned around and asked, \u201cYou didn\u2019t see anything just now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The chauffeur recalled how the director said there was someone, and his expression got uglier. \u201cSee-see what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the dark, the two people couldn\u2019t utter a word for a while. Director Gao\u2019s expression changed a few times, and finally, he said, \u201cGo call someone!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The chauffeur quickly turned around and fished out his phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director Gao stood a distance away and thought for a moment before he slowly took out his wallet. When he was sitting just now, his wallet was sandwiched at his waist. After he opened up the thin flap, other than a few cards and some cash in his wallet, there was a protection charm in a plastic cover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the yellow street lights shining over the wallet, one could see that the fresh crimson streaks of the protection charm seemed to have dulled a little.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Xie Lingya dressed Pokeweed in the tiny clothes. He bought these yesterday but because Pokeweed was different from the standard dolls, there were some places that didn\u2019t quite fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya had to use his own limited skills to alter some places, narrowing the too-wide parts. Finished, he put the clothes on Pokeweed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shi Changxuan looked at Pokeweed coldly from the side. Although there was no expression on its face, and neither was it next to his ear, he could imagine that fellow Pokeweed mumbling something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAlright.\u201d Xie Lingya helped Shi Changxuan pin Pokeweed on his collar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zhang Daoting came in at this moment, looking smug, \u201c…Ai<\/em>, other people are helping each other with their ties, and here you guys are helping to pin a doll.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The scenario was far too beautiful. He couldn\u2019t bear to look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTying a tie? It should be a headdress,\u201d1<\/a><\/sup>referring to the headgear that Taoist priest wear<\/span> Xie Lingya joked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBoss, someone outside is looking for you,\u201d Zhang Daoting said in a hushed voice. \u201cI paid attention, he came in a luxury car.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPlease pay more attention to your image, you need to maintain your air of mystery.\u201d Xie Lingya looked at him strangely. \u201cCan you focus on cultivation? Let me take care of matters of this sort.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zhang Daoting: \u201c……\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDon\u2019t make it a habit and behave like this in front of outsiders,\u201d Xie Lingya reminded him again, before heading out with him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The one looking for Xie Lingya was Director Gao. There was a bruise on the side of his head, but he seemed very calm and one couldn\u2019t tell what he\u2019d been through. He shook hands with Xie Lingya and Shi Changxuan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI came here especially to thank Mister.\u201d Director Gao gave a slight smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He wasn\u2019t a fool. After going back and investigating, not only did he learn about the popular incidents regarding Baoyang Temple that were being spread across his circle of friends, but he also learned of the incidents that most people didn\u2019t know about, like Xie Lingya lending He Zun\u2019s uncle a hand or inheriting this Taoist temple to start his own business. He knew about them all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Taoist temple like this did not look like one looking for investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re too kind. What happened, Mr. Gao?\u201d Xie Lingya asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director Gao thought for a while before telling him about the strange incident that had happened the day before. He sighed and said, \u201cI have a lot of friends who deeply believe in feng shui and metaphysics, and there have been many people who have wanted to \u2018discuss\u2019 such matters with me before, but I could not muster the interest for them. This time, it\u2019s all thanks to Mister Xie.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He took out the Spirit Official Protection Charm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a single glance, Xie Lingya knew it had been used. He took it in his hand, his eyebrows furrowing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He had thought that it was an accident from the omen of joss paper hanging from the ear. But Director Gao said he had seen a shadowy figure. This obviously meant that he had run into a supernatural entity. However, Director Gao ought to be someone with profound blessings; how could he have gotten involved with such things? Or was this really just an accident?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shi Changxuan was also observing Director Gao, and similarly noticed something amiss. Perhaps both of them had yet to grasp the full situation, but they had some instinctive feelings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The smile on Director Gao\u2019s face slowly froze. He came to thank them; logically, everyone should be happy, but their reaction made him uneasy instead. \u201cIs something the matter?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shi Changxuan looked at Xie Lingya with a questioning gaze. Perhaps they needed to implement other methods to figure out the nature of this incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya also thought, why don\u2019t they make a divination?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this moment, from the side of Shi Changxuan\u2019s ear came Pokeweed\u2019s voice: \u201cNeck hung by a linen rope, a hanged guest comes to the door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before his owner made a divination, Pokeweed had already made a prediction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shi Changxuan\u2019s gaze abruptly changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya felt his sudden change. \u201c?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shi Changxuan\u2019s lips twitched, reciting those words, \u201c…Neck hung by a linen rope, a hanged guest comes to the door.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya\u2019s pupils suddenly contracted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was a death omen, another death omen!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A hanging guest referred to someone who died by hanging. A hanged guest coming to the door; wouldn\u2019t that mean it was an omen of impending death?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for being hung by a linen rope, Huang Jinyang wasn\u2019t present, and they didn\u2019t have their supernatural sight opened, but they could guess that most likely, there would be some marks on Director Gao\u2019s neck. There might even be yin <\/em>energy harassing him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya looked at Director Gao in shock. Yesterday, he had joss paper hanging from his ear. He originally thought that the omen had been nullified, but today he had another death omen. This shouldn\u2019t be happening. If it was just a single occurrence, then so be it, but if Director Gao had such ill luck, then it should have been impossible for his facial features to be of good fortune.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Director Gao listened to Shi Changxuan\u2019s words, he could roughly guess the meaning of it. His face had an incredibly ugly look. \u201cWhat else would I be running into?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDirector Gao,\u201d Xie Lingya solemnly stated, \u201cI fear this wasn\u2019t just an accident.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He told Director Gao that the reason they struck a conversation yesterday was that a friend foresaw an omen of death on him, but that sign should have already been nullified with the incident yesterday. Yet, he now had another omen, which was also a death omen. It was exceptionally illogical and extremely unnerving. In this train of thought, it would mean\u2026 there had to be human interference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director Gao felt a shiver down his spine, and couldn\u2019t resist touching his neck. Although there was nothing there, he still felt uneasy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A person who was able to reach a high position like Director Gao wasn\u2019t a simple person. He calmed down and said, \u201cMr. Xie, since you helped me once yesterday, I trust in your ability to seek out the one behind this for me. Although I have no interest in investing in a Taoist temple, I am very interested in the culture of tradition and its arts, and I am willing to offer a golden statue.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A\u2026 a statue of gold!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya\u2019s breath hitched. The little money he made wasn\u2019t even enough to give the venerable founder a gold-plating. It was good being rich; as soon as they spoke, they were willing to offer a statue of gold. However, it was still reasonable as this was a matter of life and death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If Xie Lingya was still only considering it at first, after hearing of the reward, he\u2019d give his all just so he wouldn\u2019t be disturbed by the venerable founder at night!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya suppressed his excitement and said, \u201cThank you, Director Gao, for believing in us. To speak the truth, a lot of people think we are unreliable due to our age.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director Gao was unfazed. \u201cI mentioned it before. You helped me once yesterday, so I trust you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya regained his composure. \u201cThen let us discuss it a bit, and see what possibilities are there.\u201d Protection talismans were easy to draw, but it wasn\u2019t easy to find the person behind Director Gao\u2019s incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director Gao was normally kind to others, but being in the business circle, he would definitely have competitors. Nevertheless, it was difficult to think of anyone that hated him to the point of wanting him dead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs long as the person took action, they would definitely leave behind some traces.\u201d Xie Lingya thought about the ghost shadow that Director Gao had seen yesterday, and made a decision, saying, \u201cSomething will definitely happen tonight. Director Gao, please live in a hotel tonight. We will also be there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This sentence also involved Shi Changxuan. However, judging by how Shi Changxuan didn\u2019t seem to have any objections, he might also be slightly curious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Director Gao\u2019s network of interpersonal relationships was too complicated. It was impossible to fully make sense of it. Xie Lingya decided to take a reactionary approach and wait for the other party to make a move first, then he and Shi Changxuan would be able to track them down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya informed  Zhang Daoting of their departure, took his tools, and together with Shi Changxuan, headed to the hotel Director Gao was staying at.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director Gao booked a large suite, with four additional bodyguards compared to the last time they met. He asked Xie Lingya and Shi Changxuan to disguise as his bodyguards as well. \u201cThat person is surely observing my movements. Yesterday, running into all of you was an incident he didn\u2019t foresee. Perhaps he thought my luck allowed me to live through one omen, so he continues to scheme against me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director Gao didn\u2019t want to expose Xie Lingya and Shi Changxuan, for this would alert the enemy. It was a suffocating feeling to be observed in the dark by someone else. He was impatient to know who this person was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After arriving at the hotel, Director Gao called his wife, saying that he was on a business trip and couldn\u2019t make it home tonight. After he shut his phone, he smiled at them. \u201cI couldn\u2019t bear to worry my wife.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director Gao was someone who would make a gold statue for the venerable founder, so Xie Lingya generously praised him, \u201cSuch a good man, how nice you are to your wife! Men shouldn\u2019t let their wives take risks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was unknown why, but from inside the sleeve came Pokeweed\u2019s deep sigh, \u201cAi<\/em>\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shi Changxuan: \u201c……\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014Because they had changed into black western suits, to avoid attracting attention, Pokeweed was also hidden inside his clothes. Although there was a little bump, it was a thousand times more appropriate than hanging a doll on his clothes. How would it look when everyone else had a walkie-talkie while he had a doll?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Until the night, Director Gao, Xie Lingya, and Shi Changxuan remained in the room with the bodyguards. Director Gao read some documents, watched some television, but one could see that even though he looked calm on the surface, his heart was uneasy, even though Xie Lingya had placed three protective talismans on him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya was originally still in a good mood, but Director Gao\u2019s mood had affected him. He held the Three Treasure Sword in his hand and paced around, but he felt it made him appear like a rookie. See how calm Shi Changxuan was sitting over there!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Up until midnight, nothing happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director Gao\u2019s bodyguards looked speechless, and even persuaded him, \u201cDirector Gao, why don\u2019t you sleep a little earlier? It\u2019s alright, there\u2019s nothing scary about that thing. If anything happens, we will carry you and run. If they come in person, we would hack down everything that comes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director Gao forced a dry laugh. \u201cHacking them won\u2019t solve the problem\u2026 Sigh<\/em>, Mr. Xie, what do you say?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAh\u2026\u201d Xie Lingya awkwardly said, \u201cActually, I also intended to just hack down whatever shows up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director Gao: \u201c…..\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bodyguard was pleased.\u201cIs that so?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMr.  Xie is just reassuring me.\u201d Director Gao released his breath. \u201cAlright, I will turn in first.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m not. I\u2019m being serious,<\/em> Xie Lingya thought, but seeing how Director Gao squirmed into bed and slept, he said nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya felt a little sleepy sitting on the sofa, so he washed his face and forced himself awake, then left the toilet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAiya<\/em>.\u201d One bodyguard suddenly touched the bottom of his jaw, using his fingers to rub at it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya glanced at him. \u201cDid I splash water on your face? Sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That bodyguard shook his head and raised his gaze. \u201cIt felt like it came from up there. Why would a five-star hotel had a leak?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leak? Xie Lingya looked up too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He had asked Shi Changxuan to open his sight to the supernatural. To avoid alerting the enemy, he didn\u2019t use the Spirit Official\u2019s Divine Eye. At his glance up, he saw, on the lofty ceiling of the huge hotel room, there was a woman who came out of nowhere. Her neck was bent bonelessly, her tongue hanging out, saliva dripping with a heavy sense of malice, falling drop by drop on the bodyguard\u2019s head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xie Lingya felt his stomach churn. Damn it, this was even more uncivilized than spitting in public!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Translator: <\/em>Joan
TL checker:<\/em> Darkchocolatesan
Editor: <\/em>Miiya
Proofreader:<\/em> Taalia, Eques
QC:<\/em> Eques<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n
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Chapter 25 >><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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