Guilongchao: I played the domineering CEO to the bone.

When Zhu heard the livestreamer tell Xiao Lingtong that he admired her, he actually cupped his hands in a humble gesture towards Xiao Lingtong, whom the livestreamer was filming up close, and said:

"You flatter me, it's my duty."

Unfortunately, the male streamer shut down the live stream just after collecting the last batch of gifts; otherwise, if the little Taoist priest had participated in the interaction, it might have brought him another wave of revenue.

The livestreaming man spat and muttered something like, "Why didn't you say so earlier or later? You were so aloof at first..." He then put away the little magic eye and hummed a little tune as he walked into a restaurant—it seemed he had just scammed a lot of tips.

One after another, the old men and women surrounded Master Zhu, making it impossible for him to leave. They had just witnessed the magic of this Taoist priest and wanted him to help them cast a spell to bless them.

Or perhaps we could ask the Taoist priest to help diagnose the illness?

The elderly are quite superstitious—although superstition is not a problem in the world of Guilongchao—but they feel like they're missing out if they don't take advantage of a Taoist priest who has passed away.

The young Taoist priest gently guided and instructed the elderly people, gave them several yellow talismans, and finally managed to send them away with smiles on their faces after much persuasion.

Tong waited next to a group of middle-aged men and women—mainly because the elderly were getting on in years and their bodies weren't strong enough; they just liked to take advantage of others, but they weren't bad people. Tong really didn't dare to force her way in or drive them away.

After a group of elderly people carefully examined the yellow talismans that Master Zhu had given them, showing them off to each other and leaving full of hope, Tong finally had a chance to step forward and recognize Zhu.

"Master Zhu? I've long admired your name."

Tong had seen Zhu's information, and moreover, Zhu's little spirit pupil profile picture was a close-up of Zhu himself, so Tong naturally recognized him.

However, since the scene where Master Zhu was supposed to be a hero and save the beauty in the Dragon Realm was stolen by Min Moyou's subordinates, Tong naturally doesn't feel familiar with Master Zhu now—this is their first meeting.

"It's me. Director Tong."

Zhu felt that Tong looked somewhat familiar, but the impression wasn't deep; she couldn't remember clearly.

But Tong's profile picture is also a beautiful photo of herself (a selfie), so the little Taoist priest recognized her at a glance.

"I am a wandering cultivator named Zhu. I have been ordered by my master to descend the mountain. I hope to refine my mind in the mortal world in order to glimpse the Great Dao."

"By the way, as my master ordered, bring back my senior brother who has gone astray." (The young Taoist's senior brother is suspected to be the second or third in command of the Thousand Faces Society.)

"Speaking of which, I am very curious. This is my first time descending the mountain to enter the world. Before that, I cultivated in the mountains and was not well-known. How did Director Tong come to know my name so well? And what is it about my name that you admire?"

Master Zhu had no idea what flattery or social etiquette meant, and immediately retorted to Tong's opening remarks.

"Well......."

No? Why is this person undermining me?

Tong stood there awkwardly, her initially welcoming smile gradually fading away...

Everyone carries a flowery sedan chair—why don't you just praise me back?

However, considering that Master Zhu was from the mountains and might be rather "simple," Tong decided not to hold it against him and made up a reason to brush it off.

"Well... Master Du told me! He said the young Taoist priest is the old Taoist priest's most prized and intelligent disciple, he's really amazing!"

Zhu lowered his head and pondered for a while, thinking that since his senior brother went down the mountain, his master only had him as his disciple... It seemed that this was not wrong?

"I see. I am unworthy of such praise."

Tong was also curious about something—it's not appropriate to ask so many questions right after meeting—but this young Taoist priest did it anyway, so this director decided to disregard all formalities.

"Young Taoist priest, I also have a question I hope you can answer."

"These are the yellow talismans that the Taoist priest just distributed to those old men and women... Are they all 'genuine'?"

If it's genuine... I wonder if that counts as the Dragon's Blood using its curse power to influence the rules and order of the ordinary world? Will it attract the attention of the Dragon Suppression Division?

Previously, when Master Zhu saved the little girl, he used his magical power to counteract the overflowing magical power from the Dragon Realm that was affecting reality. He didn't even admit to using any supernatural forces. By using the excuse of saving a life, he could have his merits and demerits offset each other when the Dragon Suppression Division came knocking...

However, if such healing talismans are distributed on such a large scale, it would be considered spreading supernatural information, which could potentially cause rumors or social panic. The world of ordinary people has its own rules of operation. If all the Dragon Princes were like Master Zhu, practicing medicine and saving lives, how would pharmaceutical companies make money?

Even a small action by the Dragon Princes can affect countless interests that form the foundation of a stable society.

Zhu nodded honestly.

"They were all drawn by Xiaodao himself, and they are genuine."

However, he suddenly seemed to understand why Tong had asked that question, and added:

"However, it has no effect on ordinary people. This method only gives them peace of mind. When their mind is clear and their thoughts are unobstructed, many symptoms will be alleviated."

"I see."

Tong breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that the young Taoist priest's master must have given him special instructions before he went down the mountain.

The reunion had barely lasted long when trouble struck again.

As the group of elderly people left, another crowd immediately gathered around—they seemed to have been observing from the outer edge of the crowd earlier, and they discussed it curiously:

"Hey! I just heard it, that girl's voice sounded completely different! Could she have run into something unclean?!"

"Oh no! Could it be that the 'female ghost' from that hot pot restaurant that's been rumored lately is possessing someone and seeking revenge?"

"You mean Xiaoran, the famous pipa player from Kowloon fifty years ago? The one who perished in the fire at Linglong Pavilion and became a ghost?"

"That's not just a legend! My third aunt's cousin's second son-in-law was eating at that hot pot restaurant near Linglong Pavilion one day, and he said that when the lights went out for a moment, he saw a white ghostly figure float by!"

(Question: What is the relationship between the person who said this and the person who encountered the ghost?)

"What?! Really?! Are there really ghosts in this world?! I'll never eat at that hot pot restaurant again..."

"This was personally experienced by the second son-in-law of my third maternal aunt's eldest cousin's nephew, how could it be false?!"

"........."

Tong noticed the increasingly strange topic of conversation among the crowd. They all seemed quite serious, and several people were surrounding the young Taoist priest, bombarding him with questions. The young priest, clearly not one to lie, stammered and looked at Tong with pleading eyes.

At this point, we still have to rely on her!

Your sister Tong's specialty!

They quickly shouted loudly while simultaneously using actions to disperse the crowd:

"Ahem! On set! On set!"

"Please step aside, everyone else—"

"Please excuse the charade, everyone. The female ghost and the exorcism were just part of our filming! It's all fake! Absolutely fake!"

Upon hearing this, the crowd finally dispersed, their enthusiasm waning, though some gossipy individuals grumbled under their breath, "Tch... so it was a scam..."

Tong breathed a huge sigh of relief. Shouting several times had exhausted her—mainly because she wasn't eating well, wasn't getting enough to eat, wasn't dressed warmly, and wasn't sleeping well, so she was easily hungry.

But we've managed to get by like this for several years now, it's nothing, as long as we don't starve.

It's almost lunchtime...

Surely these two new additions won't make me, the director, treat them to instant noodles again?!

The director could only say: We're not familiar with each other.

Sigh... I once had a chance to achieve financial freedom but didn't cherish it. Only after losing it did I realize...

Pooh!

Even if I starve to death! (Looking at the slightly loose manhole cover) I'd rather jump down from here than sell my dignity and body to beg for a bite to eat!

Honestly... why did I suddenly think of that guy?

Tong's mind was filled with a bunch of strange thoughts caused by hunger. She led the little Taoist priest toward a less crowded area—to avoid being surrounded by people again.

"Thank you for getting me out of that situation, Director."

"During this trip to Zhongpu District, my master entrusted me to Mr. Du (Du Maomao), and Mr. Du arranged for me to join Director Tong's crew... I'm new here, and I hope I haven't caused any trouble for the director."

Zhu blushed slightly and said something guiltily.

But you've already caused this director trouble!

Tong silently retorted in her mind, but outwardly waved her hand in a very tolerant manner:

"Hey—it's nothing, not a big deal."

"Oh right, were you really performing an exorcism on that girl just now...?"

Tong just heard someone in the crowd talking about the legend of the female ghost from Linglong Pavilion... It seems to be related to the commission that Master Du gave her?

Thinking that the little girl might be related to the contents of this commission and could be a clue, the layman Tong decided to find out more information from Zhu first.

“She does have an evil aura surrounding her, but it’s not so-called ghost possession… more like… she’s been tainted by the cursed power leaking from the Dragon Realm.”

Zhu rested his chin on his hand and nodded.

Could it be the mysterious dragon domain that Master Du mentioned that appeared near Linglong Pavilion?

It seems the veil of this Dragon Realm has already crumbled...

After hearing Zhu's words, Tong confirmed her guess.

"Hey, by the way, where's the local guide that Master Du arranged? Have you seen her, Taoist priest? I think her name is Changmingsuo? Hasn't she arrived yet?"

"I have never seen this path before."

Tong then realized that her three-person team was missing a member!

Could something have really happened to her?

The last few sentences after the "help" message from the "longevity lock" weren't actually sent by the criminal using the phone belonging to the "longevity lock," were they?

Suddenly, Tong thought of some terrifying possibilities...

"Ding--"

The little spirit pupil in the pupil pocket emitted a notification sound:

[Longchao Pavilion Work Group]

[Honest Person]: Have you two arrived at Shancheng Lane yet? Let me tell you, there's a really good hot pot restaurant over there. Shall we go for a meal tonight to celebrate the formation of our new team?

[Honest Person]: I've already bought sesame oil at the convenience store. Dipping hot pot in sesame oil is the most authentic way to eat it in our Zhongpu District.

[Honest and Sincere Person]: {Location: [Linglong Pavilion · Zhongpu Hot Pot]}

[Honest Person]: Or you can come to the convenience store to find me? Actually, I think I just passed by Shancheng Lane and saw you two surrounded by people.

[A special effects film director who can't afford food and has no bed to sleep in]:....... @HonestPerson You're really unconventional. Who brings their own sesame oil when eating hot pot?