Chapter 318: The Cowlick Little Taoist Master Gets Even Stronger Today 13

Jin Chen noticed, the hand resting on his shoulder rubbed slightly, and he said in a warm voice: "The matter is settled, do you have class this afternoon?"

An Wuyang thought for a moment, shook his head, "No."

He looked toward the counselor walking out from the corner, his face bearing an apologetic smile.

"Sorry, Teacher Wang, I frightened you."

The counselor thought, I can't afford this, and gave an embarrassed smile: "It's fine, since it's been proven you didn't hit anyone on purpose, go home first, but try to use your ability less at school, it's easy to cause panic."

"I understand, if it weren't for today's sudden incident, I wouldn't have done this." An Wuyang's appearance was well-behaved; his smile easily evoked goodwill and trust.

The girl with tear tracks still on her face walked out, also thanked An Wuyang, then asked: "I was kissed by him…… will anything happen?"

Her voice trembled, clearly she had not yet emerged from fear.

"He wanted to absorb vital essence, but failed, it's fine." An Wuyang comforted her, his voice gentle, and took out an evil-repelling talisman from his hoodie pocket and handed it over.

"Go home, take a good hot shower, then hang the evil-repelling talisman at the head of your bed, you'll be fine in a couple days."

"Thank…… thank you." The girl took it, clutching it tightly in her hand, as if grasping the sole lifeline.

The counselor looked at the talismans he used to scoff at, also asked An Wuyang for one; he wasn't stingy, producing another two.

After this little incident was settled, the two walked back side by side, passing through the crowd of students after class; once they left the school gate, with hardly anyone around, An Wuyang finally had a chance to ask.

"Brother Chen, you said you had Sun Daqiang help draw souls for cultivators— who are you helping?"

"Far away in the heavens, near at hand."

Jin Chen responded teasingly, tugging at his cowlick, feigning sorrow: "Turns out you actually didn't know, wasting all my effort."

"Wronged!" An Wuyang immediately protested, beginning to defend himself: "The Ancestral Master is so powerful, I thought you personally helped me retrieve the evil soul."

"If you quit the Qinghan Temple now, I can help you."

The action of tugging his cowlick turned into tapping his head, the force slight but not ignorable: "It's precisely because I am your Ancestral Master that I cannot personally help you retrieve it."

Oh right……

An Wuyang found, from some obscure corner of his mind, the words his master once warned him about, spoken while shaking his head and swaying.

Any disciple of the Qinghan Temple, when making offerings to the Ancestral Master, must be sincere; when praying for the Ancestral Master's manifestation, one must not directly state what they wish to do, otherwise it's a major taboo, and the underworld will judge it as using a back door.

In plain speech, that means even if you go through the back door, you can't do it openly.

An Wuyang had an epiphany, instantly understanding that Jin Chen had gone to great trouble to help him retrieve the evil soul— a mere Director serving under the Great Emperor of Fengdu actually lowered himself to search for a scattered wandering spirit!

He was deeply moved, rubbing against Jin Chen's arm, his voice soft: "You treat me too well, I have no way to repay, I can only……"

Jin Chen raised an eyebrow, "Promise yourself to me?"

His tone actually held a hint of anticipation.

The next second, a youth's body lunged into his embrace, voice babbling: "All I can do is hug."

Jin Chen: "……"

He endured the gazes of passersby on the street, pulled An Wuyang out, and held him in his arms while continuing to stroll.

"Are you planning to go home and cook for lunch, or eat out?"

After thinking about the balance in his card, An Wuyang instantly became bold, waving his hand: "Eat out! Eat luxuriously!"

Ten minutes later, An Wuyang led Jin Chen to the school snack street and ordered a luxurious top-tier mala tang, total cost 150 yuan.

Indeed luxurious, Jin Chen had nothing to say.

——

The school isn't far from home, just two streets away, which is also why An Wuyang initially chose this school; after all, if home were nearby, his master could rush over immediately if a sudden task arose.

After finishing the luxurious top-tier mala tang, the two walked home to digest.

As they neared home, An Wuyang watched the passersby on the street, then suddenly turned his gaze to Jin Chen.

"Brother Chen, after this soul‑drawing is over, will you capture the Ghost King and take him back to the Underworld?"

No, at most I'll severely wound him; half a month later, the Dao Association together with the prominent Daoist priests of Didu will jointly go to a tomb in the suburbs, where there is a very important Precious Spirit Pearl that can keep Didu's barrier intact, preventing fierce ghosts from invading.

Jin Chen explained to him, "Fu Xizhou will definitely come along too, since the tomb also contains what he's looking for, making it the most suitable place to act."

"I see." An Wuyang pursed his lips, mulling it over in his mind.

That means there's still half a month for Brother Chen to remain in the mortal realm.

After half a month, only I will be left.

It's often said that going from frugality to extravagance is easy; just a few days ago, I already felt a bit unaccustomed to living alone, even though for these years since my master's death I've always lived by myself, and because of my special profession I dare not share a rental, let alone live in a dormitory.

Jin Chen reached out and grabbed the boy's collar, preventing him from directly hitting the utility pole.

"Want to go down early to reunite with me?"

An Wuyang came to his senses, sheepishly scratching his head; the complex emotions in his eyes hadn't faded, noticed by Jin Chen.

"Thinking about something unhappy?"

"No no, I'm not unhappy!" An Wuyang shook his head vigorously, as if dispelling the emotions in his mind, and broke into a bright smile.

【Detected Villain Heartthrob Value +10, total 25!】

Whatever, anyway Brother Chen hasn't left yet; now lamenting spring and mourning autumn is a bit premature.

Back home, An Wuyang faced the pile of magical artifacts stacked at the doorway, falling into endless contemplation.

He turned to look at the unfazed Jin Chen, speaking solemnly.

"Brother Chen."

"Hmm." Jin Chen thought he was about to be praised, already ready to listen attentively.

"Did you go out and rob the Dao Association while I wasn't home?" An Wuyang's tone was panicked, even trembling.

"... Would I even bother?"

He snapped, pinching the boy's cheek, "Only someone with your weird brain circuits would need these magical artifacts to stabilize your meridians, to prevent the evil soul from being summoned back; after I lifted the seal, your meridians couldn't handle the surging spiritual power."

"Oh……" An Wuyang, his cheeks pinched, gave a muffled acknowledgment and nodded.

He took out the key and opened the door.

As the Main Gate opened, a white-clad, tall-hatted White Impermanence stood in the dim room; the black characters of 'wealth' were especially noticeable, and upon seeing the visitor, he cheerfully raised a hand in greeting, his narrow eyes squinting into a slit.

Hi~

Bang!

An Wuyang forcefully shut the door again.

He turned his head, looking at Jin Chen with a face full of terror, his cowlick standing straight up, "Oh no, my Main Gate leads to the Underworld!"