How to become a Taoist priest starting from a brothel

That day, the guards at the city gate of Huaicheng were extremely busy, especially seeing the people who seemed to be pouring in and the endless queue. They couldn't help but complain, "Why is everyone rushing to enter the city today?"

Before anyone else could say anything, a woman who was being checked to enter the city said with a smile, "We don't usually come here, but there's some kind of football match today, so we came here to cheer them on."

"It's a challenge, it's a challenge!" The little boy next to the woman jumped up to correct his mother. The woman smiled, patted him, and bowed to the guard before leading the child inside.

"What challenge?" The guard was taken aback by her words.

Another guard who came to relieve him heard this and took the work from the other man's hands with a smile. He then explained, "I don't know which Huqin people are saying that Master Xue from Yongcheng came to challenge us, so the people have all come to cheer on our Liujiaosi from Huaicheng."

“That’s right, that’s right! We can’t let others bully us Huaicheng people. Huaicheng people are the best!” An old man with a full head of white hair couldn’t help but agree.

"Why would someone your age come here?" The guard looked at the old man with some curiosity.

"It's coming, it's coming! Don't underestimate us just because we're old; we cheer loudly!" The old man seemed to feel that the other person was looking down on him, so he patted his chest and was about to show them.

The guard quickly stopped him: "No, sir, please go in quickly, or you won't be able to get to the front of the line."

Seeing the already long queue, the guards dared not let anyone waste any more time and hurriedly reminded the elderly to hurry up. The elderly man looked at the sky and was afraid that he would not be able to cheer for his fellow countrymen successfully, so he quickly led the other elderly men and women inside without further delay.

This scene took place at almost every entrance to Huaicheng. Liu Yin wasn't as nervous as outsiders thought. On the contrary, Xu Mama was even more nervous than her: "Jianniang, why don't you take a disciple up with you? I saw that Master Xue brought several disciples. They looked very impressive. We can't lose face even if we lose."

Seeing her expression, Liu Yin was both amused and exasperated, and could only comfort her, "No need, I'm not that competitive, and besides, that Xue family is very famous and is my senior, it's not shameful to lose to her."

"No way! You have to win, you absolutely have to win! If you win, our Qingyin Hall will be amazing!" When Madam Xu heard Liu Yin say this, she quickly interrupted her. Then she thought of what would happen to Qingyin Hall if Liu Yin won. She seemed to already see Qingyin Hall becoming famous all over the world and making a fortune.

Seeing that she mentioned Qingyintang every three sentences and making money every two, Liu Yin rolled her eyes at her before turning to Xu Yueling: "Yueling, would you like to come on stage and help me?"

"I don't have that ability. I trust you. It doesn't matter if I lose." Xu Yueling smiled and gently shook her head in refusal.

"Pah, pah, pah, you two shut up! You have to win, you definitely have to win, you know?" Xu's mother patted Xu Yueling, then glanced at Liu Yin reproachfully, as if she wanted to pat her too, but then stopped talking as if she remembered something. It wasn't until the stage came to urge her that Liu Yin took her pipa and went up on stage.

She thought that even if there were people watching, there wouldn't be many, but when she saw a huge crowd of people looking at her from below, she was stunned and suddenly felt a little nervous.

Especially when she stood on the stage, cheers and shouts of her name came from below the stage, and the names of her works such as "Candy" and "Ambush from Ten Sides" could be faintly heard.

Only after Madam Xue led her disciples onto the stage did Master Xu step onto the stage and signal everyone to be quiet: "Today, I thank all the elders and fellow villagers for coming to judge the competition between Instructor Liu and Master Xue. Previously, due to the passing of Lady Qingyin, many rumors and gossips about Instructor Liu have appeared in the city. I had a close friendship with Lady Qingyin and did not want her reputation to be tarnished after her death, so I specially invited Master Xue from Yongcheng to come here to have a competition with Instructor Liu. The main purpose of this competition is to prove Instructor Liu's true talent and clear his name, and secondly, I hope that everyone will stop spreading such rumors."

After saying this, he looked at Madam Xue and then at Liu Yin before continuing to the audience: "The rules for this competition are very simple. Each side will present three topics, and each side will compose a corresponding set of lyrics and music within the time limit of one incense stick. They can perform the pieces themselves or through their disciples, and the judges will make the final judgment. Our judges this time consist of ten people: the Prefect, the Vice Prefect, the Dean of Wenyuan Academy, General Liu, Xu, Li, Zhang, Lin, Qian, and Xue, with our Prefect, Prince Cui, the Headmaster, and Governor Qian acting as supervisors to ensure the fairness of the results."

As soon as he finished speaking, he said to Madam Xue and Liu Yin, "If you two have no objections, then shall we announce the start of the competition?"

After both Liu Yin and Madam Xue expressed their no objections, the competition officially began. The question was to be set by drawing lots. Liu Yin drew her lot slightly later than Madam Xue, but she showed no sign of worry. She picked up the lot, glanced at it, and handed it to the servant next to her. Finally, Master Xu looked at the two lots and announced loudly: "Madam Xue will set the question first in this competition."

Madam Xue stepped forward, smiled at Liu Yin, and said, "I have long heard of Instructor Liu's outstanding talent. I suppose Instructor Liu is already tired of writing love poems and songs. How about we try something we don't often write this time?"

"Madam Xue, please pose your question. I will accept it." Liu Yin always felt that there was ill intent behind the other party's smile. Listening to the other party's question, which seemed to be digging a pit, she refused to take the challenge at all.

Seeing this, Madam Xue smiled even more: "That's perfect. I just came up with a topic. I once met a benefactor who helped me during my most difficult time. I know the principle that a drop of kindness should be repaid with a spring of gratitude. There are too many lyrics and songs about love in this world. I think it would be great if Instructor Liu could write a set of lyrics and songs on the theme of kindness. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to my benefactor."

Liu Yin finally realized where the other party's malice came from. It turned out that they had set a trap in the questions. No wonder she always felt that the rumors targeting Qing Yin and this competition were all coincidentally strange. Although she didn't know why the other party had agreed to this competition, judging from the attitude of the other party in setting the questions, she knew that the other party was not only trying to prove her, but more likely trying to step on her to make a name for themselves. Although she didn't know what the other party had to win, her competitive spirit had been aroused by the other party.

She didn't respond to the other person's words, but simply nodded in agreement. Then she turned around and sat down in her seat, picked up her pipa, and pondered what piece of music would suit the theme of 'gratitude,' and what matching music would accompany it...

Of course, she also missed the determined look in the other person's eyes and the glance the other person gave their apprentice, knowing that the other person probably already had a plan. Her heart sank, but she quickly suppressed her emotions and immersed herself in writing lyrics and music. She didn't know if she could win, but as long as she did her best, she wouldn't regret it...