Chapter 54 - Working Really Has No Dignity!
"This Awei..."
Renji glanced at Awei but didn't bother with him any further.
That thunderbolt last time didn't scare him?
Or maybe the problem wasn't the cousin being a jerk, but the cousin being too charming?
"Master Renji, shall we give Awei a lesson on your behalf?"
After spending the past few days with Renji, Wencai had grown extremely respectful of him.
Not only did he possess impressive Taoist techniques, but even in physical combat, not even Uncle Jiu and Qiusheng together could match him. On top of that, he was generous—frequently pulling out all sorts of rare delicacies for them to try as if they were nothing.
Wencai even had the absurd thought that, if Renji didn't mind, he'd gladly take him as a godfather.
"Oh? And how exactly do you plan to teach him a lesson?"
Renji asked with a smiling gaze that made Wencai and Qiusheng both freeze.
They actually hadn't thought it through. Awei was the captain of the security team and probably had a gun on him. They didn't dare go head-to-head.
But if they used Taoist arts...
"Yeah, I'd love to know how you plan to 'educate' him."
Uncle Jiu's smile didn't reach his eyes as he looked at them. When he heard their earlier suggestion, his lungs nearly exploded.
He didn't even have to guess what method these two had in mind.
He hadn't taught them Taoist arts just to go around using them on regular people!
If a Taoist attacked an ordinary person, the karmic backlash could harm their virtue!
"Master, we were just talking—we really didn't have any plan!"
Qiusheng quickly defended himself. With his master's grim look, he didn't dare press his luck.
"Fellow Daoist, we're cultivators..."
"I understand," Renji cut in, "but a little punishment is still warranted. Tonight Old Master Ren will turn into a jiangshi, right? We'll let Awei suffer a bit then."
Renji's smiling face looked as if he were discussing something completely ordinary.
But in the eyes of Wencai and Qiusheng, it was more terrifying than their own master.
Saying something so terrifying with such a pleasant expression—if they ever crossed Renji, they might not even know how they died.
The two exchanged glances and instantly understood each other's thoughts.
"Fellow Daoist, this might not be a good idea..."
Uncle Jiu was hesitant. If this plan went wrong, Renji would be carrying the karmic burden of a jiangshi harming people.
To punish a petty man at the cost of one's fate—it wasn't worth it.
"You don't understand, Daoist brother. People like that won't stop unless you show them who's boss."
Why did Awei change in the movie?
Wasn't it because he was almost bitten by the jiangshi that used to be Master Ren?
Awei was ultimately the type to bully the weak and fear the strong. He did have a little loyalty, but you had to prove you were stronger. Otherwise, he'd never stop bothering you.
Renji had initially thought that the heavenly thunder would be enough to make Awei back off.
Clearly, he had overestimated the guy. Awei needed to experience firsthand how terrifying a jiangshi could be.
"In that case, I'll help you watch the jiangshi tonight."
"You will?"
Renji looked at Uncle Jiu in surprise. By saying that, Uncle Jiu was essentially agreeing to take on part of the karmic burden with him.
In the cultivation world, words had consequences.
"It's alright. I trust you, and honestly... I don't like that guy either."
Uncle Jiu hadn't liked how he was constantly interrupted earlier. Being a man of pride, he hadn't wanted to argue at the time because of his identity as a cultivator.
But now that Renji had taken the initiative, he was happy to go along.
After all, he was notorious for being petty.
Teaching Awei a lesson actually sounded pretty fun.
Based on Renji's earlier display, a jiangshi that hadn't yet drawn blood would be manageable between the two of them.
"Then, Master, do we need to prepare anything?"
Qiusheng asked quickly. He'd been annoyed with Awei for a while. Uncle Jiu had forbidden any action before, but now it seemed fair game.
"No need. You two don't need to do anything. Just protect Master Ren and Ren Tingting."
Renji wasn't about to let these two troublemakers get involved.
They might just make things worse—better to let them do nothing.
Hearing that, both of them looked a bit disappointed.
They were capable too—why weren't they allowed to act?
Qiusheng was dejected, but Wencai was thrilled. He'd get to protect Ren Tingting! If a hero saved a beauty, maybe she'd fall for him—totally possible!
Inside the mortuary.
Originally, Uncle Jiu had planned to use ink lines to suppress the jiangshi and then look for a proper burial site.
But after the plan changed, he placed the coffin outside instead, so the jiangshi could absorb some essence of sun and moon—also making it easier for it to emerge quickly at night.
Even before dark, Master Ren had already arrived with Ren Tingting and Awei's security team.
Truthfully, Master Ren was unsettled. His father hadn't decomposed in twenty years—in fact, he'd even grown plumper. That wasn't normal. Plus, Renji had said that if a jiangshi revived, it would seek its closest kin first. In Renjia Town, that was clearly him.
So he came before sunset, just in case.
"Don't worry, Uncle. With me, Awei, here today, no ghosts or ghouls will show up!"
Awei patted his chest confidently, then turned to Ren Tingting and asked, "Right, cousin?"
Ren Tingting was beautiful and the only daughter in the family. If Awei could marry her, not only would he have a beautiful wife, but he'd also inherit Master Ren's fortune. Naturally, he was very attentive.
"Daoist, now that we're here, we hope..."
Master Ren ignored Awei and looked to Renji and Uncle Jiu. He started to speak but paused, the words stuck in his throat. Truthfully, he felt conflicted.
"Master Ren, the food is ready. Last time you hosted me, so this time, let me host you."
As he spoke, Renji casually flicked his sleeve, and the pre-prepared dishes landed on the table.
The three of them had never seen such a technique. They rubbed their eyes in disbelief, looking at the dishes on the table and Renji's sleeve.
What kind of divine trick was this?
"Whoa?! What is that?!"
Ren Tingting suddenly spotted a panda lifting its chubby leg, trying to climb onto the table. Her eyes sparkled with stars—what a cute creature!
"Ailuropoda?"
Master Ren had traveled far and wide and recognized the beast immediately. He didn't expect Renji to have one as a pet. He'd heard these creatures didn't have the best temper.
"Yeah, the panda is called Xiao Hei. The dog is Da Huang. They're our Divine Firmament Sect's spirit pets."
Renji nodded, then pointed to the table.
"These dishes come from distant places. Go ahead and try them."
"Then I won't hold back!"
Wencai and Qiusheng couldn't hold back any longer.
They had tasted this food once before, and ever since, they never got another bite. Remembering it was like dreaming of a Peach Blossom Spring they could never return to.
"Tch, what's so great about this? These two bumpkins!"
Awei sneered in disdain as he watched Qiusheng and Wencai wolfing down the food. He looked at them with utter contempt.
Barbarians! Absolute barbarians!
Couldn't they eat with some class like he did?
His cousin would never like someone with such vulgar table manners.
With that in mind, Awei decided it was time to show them what elegance looked like.
Elegance—always in style!
He picked up his chopsticks and casually grabbed a piece of meat. As soon as it entered his mouth, it practically melted, with a crisp and tender texture. The freshness and sweetness of the meat were perfectly preserved.
Ah!?
What kind of divine cuisine was this?!
Had he been eating pig slop his whole life?
Just one bite, and Awei felt like he'd ascended to heaven.
When he snapped out of it, not only were Qiusheng and Wencai at the table—his entire security team was practically fighting for food.
"You bastards! Move! Let your captain eat first!!"
Elegance?
What the hell is elegance?
All Awei wanted was a few more slices of meat!
"Is it really that good?"
Ren Tingting, with the dignity of a proper young lady, wouldn't stoop to act like these crude men.
But seeing Awei and the others in such a frenzy, she was admittedly tempted.
"It's really good, Tingting! Here, have a piece—I picked this one just for you!"
Wencai eagerly reached his chopsticks toward her with a piece of meat.
Looking at Wencai's hopeful expression, Ren Tingting's face showed clear disdain as she quickly waved her hand.
"No, thank you. You can have it."
How could she possibly eat that?
In truth, she was far more interested in the panda in front of her.
Her repeated attempts to reach out and pet it hadn't escaped Renji's notice.
"Do you know why Xiao Hei joined our Divine Firmament Sect?"
"Why?"
Ren Tingting looked at Renji curiously, wanting to pet Xiao Hei, but its bared teeth made her hesitate.
She really wanted one.
"Because beastfolk will never be slaves—unless there's food and housing included. Luckily, we offer both at Divine Firmament Sect, plus the meals are good."
That simple?!
Ren Tingting blinked in surprise at Renji's explanation. She had expected some deep or difficult reason.
Turned out it was as simple as food and lodging.
In that case, maybe her family could raise a panda too.
"Try this first."
Renji pulled out a fresh bowl of ingredients and placed it before her.
She had wanted to eat earlier but was too reserved. Now that Renji offered it directly, she couldn't resist and picked up her chopsticks. One bite—and suddenly, she understood why Xiao Hei had gone up the mountain.
As the only daughter of the Ren family, Ren Tingting's treatment had only improved over the years despite the family's declining business. Master Ren had always doted on her.
So, in terms of food, she considered herself quite worldly. She believed it would taste good—but not that good.
After eating it, though, she realized she had underestimated Renji.
This kind of food didn't even feel like it belonged in this world.
"If you join our Divine Firmament Sect, you can pet the panda—uh, I mean, the iron-eating beast—and eat all these delicious meals for free!"
Ah!!
So shameless!
Cousin, don't agree!
Even though Awei was still fighting over food, his ears stayed sharp. The moment he heard Renji make such a shameless 'enticement' to get his cousin to join, his heart nearly broke.
No! First grab another piece of meat!
"But… I really don't want to become a Taoist..."
Ren Tingting glanced at her father and once again showed a trace of apology on her face. In her mind, Taoists were just charlatans performing parlor tricks—nothing like the legends.
So she didn't want to become one.
Even with such generous conditions.
Plus, she was her father's only daughter. If she left to become a Taoist, what would happen to their household?
"Maybe… I should think about it?"
In the end, Ren Tingting just couldn't resist the temptation of petting the panda and eating delicious food.
She admitted it—she was wavering.
Seeing her resolve softening, Renji rubbed his chin in satisfaction. His corruption plan seemed to be working perfectly.
He had gotten the idea from an anime.
At first, the heroine was steadfast—always choosing to stand by her husband. But with continued temptation and emotional wavering, she went from just this once to I'm sorry, husband, I already...
Maybe a little dirty.
But when it came to taking in disciples, every sect had some kind of 'quota.'
The Dao needed to be passed down. Divine Firmament Sect couldn't end with him—how would he face all those 'big shots' of the sect?
Plus, Renji was really curious—if he took in the original movie's female lead as his disciple, would that count as changing a major part of the plot?
"Sure, but I won't be staying here for long. Just give me your answer before I leave."
Renji wasn't in a rush. Ren Tingting had already taken the bait—that was enough for now.
He gave Xiao Hei a look, and with tacit understanding, Xiao Hei's expression changed from baring teeth to adorable fluffball in under a second.
"So cute! And it's not scary anymore?"
Ren Tingting covered her mouth, unable to believe she was petting the iron-eating beast that now seemed so obedient.
"Inner disciples also get to see pandas do backflips!"
Ah?!
Even that's part of the deal?
Xiao Hei turned its head in confusion to look at Renji. In its mind, a ridiculous image formed—Da Huang striking a golden rooster stance on top of three watermelons, and Xiao Hei standing atop Da Huang's head in the same pose… with a watermelon balanced on its own head.
She's... still not joining?
Is this really what pandas are supposed to do?
Xiao Hei felt so wronged inside.
Working really has no dignity!
(End of Chapter)
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