Wife is hell

Chapter 77 How could the distinguished guest be him?
Hongyuan truly lives up to his reputation as a big shot.

Compared to Wenhe, who was excited and outspoken, his expression remained calm throughout.

Only the occasional trembling of her eyelids spoke of the turmoil in her heart.

After examining the two talismans, his eyes gleamed as he fixed them on Jiang Mu and asked:
"Fellow Daoist Mu, if I may be so bold as to ask, is your master... also in Yancheng recently?"

"Uh, this..."

Jiang Mu looked very embarrassed.

Wenhe, who was standing to the side, quietly nudged Hongyuan Zhenren with his elbow and gave him a knowing look.

Master Hongyuan realized that Jiang Mu wanted to keep his master's whereabouts a secret, and immediately laughed it off:

"I apologize for my rudeness. Let's assume that these two talismans were personally repaired by Fellow Daoist Mu. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Mu could explain the intricacies of them to us in detail?"

It should be understood that the art of talismans is easy to imitate in form but difficult to replicate in spirit.

Leaving aside the drawing process, each rune, from its starting point to its curves, outlines, and endings, must adhere to certain rules.

The flow and connection of energy within it must be precise; if even the slightest error is made, the entire talisman becomes worthless.

Therefore, even if Jiang Mu directly gave them the finished talismans and let them copy them, it would still take a very long time to fully understand them.

"Naturally."

Jiang Mu agreed, "Since I promised Daoist Wenhe that I would repair this talisman, I will do my best and see it through to the end."

Master Hongyuan was overjoyed and quickly gestured to Xiao Hai to bring out the best tea. He then personally took Jiang Mu's arm and led him to a small square table to sit down.

The three people and the ghost sat around the square table.

All that's missing is a set of mahjong tiles.

Jiang Mu didn't hold back either. He asked for paper and pen and began to draw the runes while explaining the principles and key points in detail.

Wenhe simply took out his notebook and started taking notes.

If I encounter something I don't understand, I'll raise my hand and ask a question.

Looking at Jiang Mu speaking eloquently, Master Hongyuan was shocked and full of admiration, but a doubt arose in his heart.

He had dealt with the magical bamboo.

The most recent one was at the Asking the Way Conference three years ago.

While Ling Miaozhu was indeed exceptionally talented and displayed extraordinary aptitude in the art of talismanic arts, he did not seem nearly as terrifying as the young man before him.

Could it be that Miaozhu has made a qualitative leap in the Dao of Talismans through her three years of dedicated study?
Can't figure it out.

I really can't understand it.

Could it be that this kid actually fixed it himself?

The moment this thought popped into his head, it startled Master Hongyuan.

He carefully examined Jiang Mu's handsome and masculine face, and secretly shook his head in rejection:

"Impossible. How could someone so young possess such astonishing skill in the art of talismans? Besides, Wenhe said that this kid used to be an idiot..."

Master Hongyuan ultimately denied the conjecture.

It must be the result of the elusive and mysterious Fairy Miaozhu teaching them behind the scenes.

During the process, a Taoist priest quietly entered and respectfully reported:
"Grandmaster Uncle, Elder Zhao from Divine Phoenix Island is here with her disciples, requesting an audience."

Zhao Ling?

Master Wenhe frowned and explained to Hongyuan:
“Master, it’s that Zhao girl from back then. She’s been wanting to visit you recently. She came twice before, but we turned her down both times because of the busy affairs at the temple.”

What Zhao girl, what black girl.

Dissatisfied at being interrupted, Master Hongyuan waved his hand impatiently:
"Make them wait outside!"

"Yes."

The disciple who came to report was so frightened by his master's anger that he quickly bowed and retreated.

-

Outside the hall, Zhao Ling and her apprentice Shi Xueying waited respectfully.

The young Taoist priest who had gone in to announce the arrival quickly came out, looking apologetic, and said:
"I'm so sorry, Elder Zhao, but my grandmaster is currently meeting with an important guest and is unable to attend to you for the time being. Please wait a moment."

"It's alright, we'll wait here."

Zhao Ling dared not show the slightest dissatisfaction.

As long as I can see Master Hongyuan, it would be worth waiting, even if it took a whole day.

After hesitating for a moment, she couldn't help but ask in a low voice:

"May I ask, fellow Daoist, which distinguished guest are you meeting at this moment?"

"This one……"

The young Taoist priest couldn't explain it either.

Zhao Ling assumed that the guest had a special status and that the other party was unwilling to reveal it, so she tactfully stopped asking.

-

Time passes silently.

Following Jiang Mu's explanation, Master Hongyuan personally copied a feng shui talisman onto paper, feeling the subtle flow of talismanic energy at the tip of his brush, and couldn't help but feel deeply moved:

"Alas, I once thought that in my research on the Dao of Talismans, even if I dare not say that I have reached the pinnacle, I can be considered to have mastered it to a high degree."

Unexpectedly, seeing the talisman repaired by Fellow Daoist Mu today and listening to his profound insights, I now understand the meaning of "there are heavens beyond heavens." Before, I was merely a frog in a well, making a fool of myself.

Jiang Mu smiled modestly:
"You flatter me, Master. I have only glimpsed a few of its mysteries under my master's tutelage. I am not worthy of such high praise."

Moreover, my master also mentioned that Master Hongyuan made outstanding contributions to the inheritance and innovation of talismans, and is a role model for us all.

“Fairy Miaozhu would never say such things.”

Master Hongyuan laughed.

Fairy Miaozhu?

Jiang Mu was stunned. What is this thing?
He immediately realized that these guys must have mistaken his master for some kind of magical bamboo? Or perhaps a fairy?
"Fellow Daoist Mu is so generous, sharing all his knowledge with us. I have benefited greatly from it. We will not accept this kindness for nothing. Fellow Daoist Mu, do you have any difficulties? Please speak freely."

Master Hongyuan stroked his beard and smiled, his smile full of amusement.

He knew in his heart that Jiang Mu's visit this time was not just about delivering talismans.

There must be something they're after.

Seeing that the old man was so understanding, Jiang Mu stopped being coy and went straight to the point:

"I do have a request. I am interested in cultivation, but my master may feel that there is no suitable method, and has not yet taught me the cultivation method."

"This junior dares to ask, may I find some suitable foundational cultivation methods at your esteemed temple for reference and study?"

Jiang Mu dared not mention anything about spirits or magical objects.

Even if the other party were out of their mind, they would never give him that thing.

Moreover, he has one more spot for spirit fusion, which he can obtain once Tang Jinxian makes the arrangements.

Right now, the practice method is the most important thing.

"Gong method?"

Master Hongyuan had not expected the other party to make this request.

He frowned slightly, carefully examining Jiang Mu, his tone carrying a hint of gentle admonition:

"Fellow Daoist Mu, forgive my bluntness, but your master is not unwilling to teach you cultivation. It's just that the path of cultivation places the greatest emphasis on aptitude and innate talent. Judging from Fellow Daoist Mu's innate talent, uh..."

Hongyuan was too embarrassed to say it was too bad, so he offered some words of comfort.

"Perhaps your master values ​​your extraordinary talent in talisman making more, which is why he made an exception and accepted you as a disciple, not wanting you to spend too much energy on cultivation."

Jiang Mudao:
"But I am truly devoted to the path of cultivation and would like to give it a try. I wonder if you could help me find some suitable cultivation methods for me to study?"

Hongyuan looked troubled.

Since the "Spiritual Calamity," all sects and factions across the land have regarded their core cultivation techniques as their very lifeblood, keeping them extremely secret and strictly prohibiting their transmission to outsiders.

Chongtian Temple was no exception.

The core techniques must never be taught to an outsider.

However, if you just casually offer the other party a second-rate martial arts technique, it would make you seem too stingy.

Got it!

Master Hongyuan's eyes lit up.

One's own sect's core techniques cannot be passed on to outsiders, but those of other sects can.

He immediately stood up and said, "Young friend Mu, please come with me."

-

Outside the hall, Zhao Ling, who had been waiting anxiously for a long time, finally saw a group of people walk out of the hall.

Seeing that it was Master Hongyuan walking at the very front, Zhao Ling perked up, quickly straightened her robes, stepped forward, and bowed respectfully.
"Junior Zhao Ling greets the esteemed person."

Shi Xueying behind him also quickly followed suit and bowed deeply.

Head bowed, barely daring to breathe.

After all, someone whom even her master revered was like a god to her.

Master Hongyuan was in a good mood, his face glowing, and he was about to take Jiang Mu to the "Hidden Merit Pavilion" when he was suddenly blocked by someone, which made him somewhat displeased.

Upon recognizing Zhao Ling, he remembered that the disciple had informed her earlier, and a hint of apology appeared on his face.

"Zhao girl, I have some urgent matters to attend to here. Please go inside and sit for a while, have some tea and snacks, and I will come back to talk to you after I have finished my business."

Zhao Ling quickly replied, "The matter at hand is of utmost importance; I will wait here."

Hongyuan smiled and nodded, then gestured for Jiang Mu beside him to proceed.

"Young friend Mu, this way please."

"it is good."

Jiang Mu also noticed Shi Xueying behind Zhao Ling, and was slightly surprised, but didn't pay much attention to it.

Little Mu?
Is it that important guest who was personally received by the real person?
Zhao Ling looked up curiously.

When she saw Jiang Mu, she was stunned and thought she was seeing things.

How could it be that silly boy?!

Is this a distinguished guest?

Zhao Ling found it utterly absurd.

A silly boy she used to not even bother to look at was actually a distinguished guest of Master Hongyuan.

What a joke!
Shi Xueying, who was standing behind him, had been keeping her head down.

She only looked up abruptly when that familiar voice rang out.

Mujiang?

Shi Xueying stared blankly at that figure.

Looking at that silly boy from before, now chatting and laughing with the divine figure that his master had been eagerly waiting to meet, my mind went blank, and it felt surreal.

Is that really Mu Jiang?
Why is he here?
Investigate a case?

But even if it's an investigation, why would one receive such enthusiastic treatment?

Seeing that the other party only gave her a polite nod and a smile before leaving with Master Hongyuan, the girl felt as if her heart had been ripped out.

In that instant, an impulse arose within me, an urgent desire to catch up and ask him what was going on.

But with his master present, he ultimately didn't dare to do anything impolite.

Watching the man's retreating figure, Shi Xueying's heart was in turmoil.

(End of this chapter)