Chapter 7: How to Win People Over

Qingyi Daozhang was pacing back and forth in the room, restless, wanting to go out immediately to see what exactly had happened.

But on second thought, he still had to remain composed.

Rushing out so anxiously would damage the image of a high-level master he held in the villagers' eyes.

Better to observe for a while first.

Although he did not go out, he kept paying attention to the movements outside, waiting for an opportunity.

He did not need the villagers to deliver meals here, only firewood and clean mountain spring water.

When he first came to the village, he had instructed the villagers to use bamboo to channel spring water down from the mountain.

The person responsible for delivering things to the Daoist Priest was also designated by him; this person was honest, did not talk much, and knew how to keep his eyes to himself.

But today, after delivering the items, this villager was hesitant, wanting to speak but stopping, then wanting to speak again; he was never one to hide his thoughts, and he wore a cowardly expression of extreme conflict, as if to say, "I have something to say, but I dare not."

Qingyi Daozhang had originally been thinking about how to pry information from this villager, but seeing this, he gave a calm and rather dignified glance: "What is it?"

The villager still couldn't hold back and asked cautiously: "Immortal Master, does the Daoist school have the Nine Syllables of Truth for warding off evil and eliminating wickedness? It's that 'Lin, Bing, Dou...'"

With every word the villager spoke, the Daoist Priest's complexion grew a shade uglier, and his long, groomed beard grew taut at the roots.

So much so that the villager was frightened, and by the end, his voice was barely audible; he dared not continue.

The Daoist Priest thought to himself, this is what I was waiting for!

He kept a straight face: "That is correct, it is a secret technique of my Daoist school! It is not something ordinary people can use!"

The villager could no longer care about his fear, his face flushed with excitement: "It... it really exists! What Wen Erlang wrote is true!"

Qingyi Daozhang:???

This actually has something to do with that Gou Shusheng?

After probing a few more sentences, he confirmed it: all the commotion was stirred up by that Gou Shusheng!

At least it wasn't a fellow practitioner.

The worry in his heart subsided slightly, but a sense of urgency took its place.

That Gou Shusheng is quite capable of winning people over.

When it comes to bluffing, I have never lost!

His mind whirring, Qingyi Daozhang said forcefully to the villager: "That storybook written by the second son of the Wen family? Go get it and bring it here; I must see if it damages the prestige of my Daoist school."

The villager dared not refuse, slinking out the door, and then slapped himself.

Why did you have to run your mouth!

You don't usually talk much, so why couldn't you control yourself this time?!

Look now, the storybook is gone.

He also thought, that Wen Erlang is truly worthy of being a scholar, even knowing Daoist secret techniques!

Since the Daoist Priest had ordered it, no one dared to delay; after the villager informed the village head, he took the storybook and hurriedly delivered it to the Daoist Priest.

The village head felt he had been truly wise this time, having prepared two copies of the storybook; he gave this one to the Daoist Priest, and could still keep one for himself.

On the other side, Qingyi Daozhang received the original manuscript of the storybook and flipped through it quickly.

He gave a disdainful sneer.

"As expected, it's just a trick to fool people!"

However, that Gou Shusheng really does have some substance!

Many descriptions in this storybook have similarities to the Daoist theory of the Three Corpses, and some details are things even he, a member of the Daoist gate, was not clear about.

Hmm, learned something, learned something.

On second thought, his fingers gripping the manuscript tightened.

Could it be that Gou Shusheng wants to cast me aside and take my place?

With that scholar's ability, perhaps in a few words he could turn the villagers' stance, and if he were to conjure up some "auspicious omens" or other supernatural feats...

The more he thought, the deeper his suspicions grew.

He decided to go out and investigate the matter himself.

It was just that he had only been in seclusion for a few days, and if he came out immediately after the "Nine Syllables of Truth" appeared, it would look like he was overly anxious.

No, he couldn't go out right away; that would make it look like he was afraid.

He still needed to find another opportunity.

At the village head's house, Wen Gu held a cup of medicinal herbal tea, sitting there listening to several leaders discuss the construction of the Wubao.

Now that the villagers' mental state was gradually improving and the time for seasonal changes was approaching, they were about to take major action.

The Wubao blueprints were largely complete after several revisions.

Seeing that the village head and the others intended to finalize the draft, Wen Gu seemed to suddenly remember something and said bashfully: "Although I have drawn the diagrams, my understanding of Feng Shui and Yin-Yang arts is truly limited. Should we ask the Daoist Priest to take a look before making a decision?"

When the others heard this, they all agreed.

They would choose an auspicious day for raising the ridgepole when building their own houses; now that the village was building an even more important Wubao, they had to be even more careful.

Wen Gu's words reminded them of this.

They had long heard that wealthy families in the city would hire masters to check the Feng Shui when building large courtyards, and those who were even more particular would even set up arrays!

Qingyi Daozhang had profound magic power, so he must be very good at checking Feng Shui.

They wouldn't dare bother him with minor matters, but this was a major event for the village.

It's settled!

Thus, when delivering things to the Daoist Priest again, the villager saw that the Daoist Priest was free, and thinking of the village head's instructions, he tentatively asked:

"When will the Daoist Priest come out of seclusion? The Wubao blueprints have been drawn, and the village head hopes you can help check the Feng Shui and see where changes are needed."

Qingyi Daozhang, who had been pondering how to fish for information, was overjoyed to hear this.

Just right!

However, in order to maintain his persona, after agreeing, he did not go over directly, but instead kept up his airs and had the Village send the blueprints over.

After looking at the blueprints, he walked around the Village once, and even specifically went to the room where stories were told in the Village to observe from the outside, listening to the villagers' discussions along the way to confirm that the Nine Syllables of Truth and the Storybook were indeed created by that scholar. Aside from this, there were no other abnormalities in the Village.

Only then did he slowly arrive at the Village Chief's house.

At this time, the several people in charge in the Village who had received the news were already waiting at the entrance.

Wen Gu also joined the others in giving this Daoist Priest plenty of face.

Qingyi Daozhang maintained that detached and indifferent posture, his gaze sweeping lightly over the few people, pausing slightly on Wen Gu before saying:

"Several places in the layout and orientation of the blueprints need to be changed."

Wen Gu replied: "I have prepared brush and ink."

The Daoist Priest refused: "No need."

With a flip of his hand, he fished out a pen that did not conform to current aesthetics from somewhere—a thin ink stick wrapped in paper.

The texture was just the right amount of soft and hard, it wrote clearly and smoothly, and it looked sturdy and wear-resistant.

Wen Gu stared at that pen, lingering for a moment, his tone surprised: "What is this object?"

Qingyi Daozhang's expression was arrogant: "Merely something obtained by chance during Alchemy."

Wen Gu observed Qingyi Daozhang's expression, not letting any subtle change escape him.

Perhaps, it really was something this Daoist Priest figured out himself!

He sincerely praised: "The Daoist Priest truly has extraordinary abilities!"

To be able to even refine a Charcoal Pencil, what a genius!

The idea of poaching him became even stronger.

Hearing Wen Gu's praise, Qingyi Daozhang did not feel happy; instead, he felt uncomfortable all over, always feeling that this Gou Shusheng was hiding treachery inside!

No longer looking over there, he just said to the Village Chief and the others: "Walking the world... exploring the Dao, entering the world to cultivate, such mundane objects are fine as long as they are practical."

He would not say that wealthy families look down on this sort of thing.

He took the pen, made a few more changes on the blueprints, and finished the job.

Sensing that Wen Gu was still staring at the pen in his hand, Qingyi Daozhang's tone rose slightly:

"This Charcoal Pencil, although it looks crude and simple, is not something everyone can use; ordinary scholars cannot master it."

Wen Gu reached out: "May I..."

Qingyi Daozhang did not care and raised his hand to let someone take it. Secretly, he had the intention of watching a joke.

Taking the Charcoal Pencil, Wen Gu, in front of everyone, held the pen with the posture of holding a brush, tried it twice, seemed to feel it was wrong, adjusted his fingers one by one, then held the Charcoal Pencil with a suitable posture and slowly began to write on the paper.

During the process of changing the grip, the mocking smile originally hidden on the Daoist Priest's face gradually disappeared.

By the time Wen Gu finished writing a piece of fine calligraphy.

The Daoist Priest: "..."

Wen Gu smiled modestly: "The world says, a good writer does not choose their pen."

Look at me, I write well, I can use any pen!

Qingyi Daozhang steadied his emotions, and after returning to the room where he practiced Alchemy:

"Gou Shusheng!"

Previously, this Gou Shusheng had stagnant energy and was confined to a sickbed, posing no threat.

Now...

He is even more annoying than before!

Thinking about these events from beginning to end, his thoughts churned, his eyes gloomy.

Two more days passed, and Wen Gu strolled over to the Village Chief's place. He originally wanted to hear about their next big move, but today, as soon as he entered the room, he saw the Village Chief holding a list, looking troubled.

Seeing Wen Gu, the Village Chief did not avoid him.

It seems it is not a secret in the Village.

Wen Gu walked over slowly and asked with concern: "Village Chief, what are you troubled by?"

The Village Chief forced a smile: "I am just thinking about how to gather all these things the Daoist Priest needs."

The Daoist Priest would list the supplies needed for the Village, and each time they were delivered in batches, and they prepared them in batches; otherwise, it would be difficult to gather so many things at once.

But this time, the burden was indeed heavy.

Even though the Village had many savings, seeing the types listed on the paper still put a lot of pressure on him.

A slightly rebellious thought that had just risen in his heart was suppressed by cowardice and awe for the Daoist Priest.

The Village Chief's expression looked very conflicted.

Wen Gu was curious and wanted to see.

The Village Chief hesitated slightly, but still handed it to Wen Gu.

It was not a secret; many people knew that every time the Village prepared supplies for the Daoist Priest, besides selecting them from the warehouse, they might also need to go to various households to exchange for some.

Wen Gu looked at the various supplies listed on the paper and raised an eyebrow.

"Alchemy requires so much glutinous rice?"

The Village Chief said as a matter of course: "The Daoist Priest said that glutinous rice has strong Yang energy, can restrain Yin evil, and can remove foul energy."

In ghost and god legends, as well as in the customs of some places, there are indeed similar sayings.

Wen Gu thought to himself, you all used to grow glutinous rice in the fields, so why didn't you see that the land could perform Exorcism?

There was a demand for brewing wine and making pastries in the city, so many villagers had grown glutinous rice.

It was not just this Village; other surrounding villages were the same. So many villages had been wiped out.

However, Wen Gu did not argue with the village head about this matter.

Because of the special aura of sticky rice, it has been endowed with special powers by countless strange tales, religious cultures, and local customs; every household treasures it dearly, and with limited stock, they would not easily give it away.

The only person they would actively and voluntarily bring it out for was this Daoist priest.

And every time they contributed sticky rice, their gazes were devout.

Wen Gu could understand.

It was the same even in times of peace; how many people were too poor to afford a meal at home, yet still went to temples to add incense oil.

If something happened, they would even blame themselves for putting too little money into the Merit box.

It was just that since Qingyi Daozhang entered the village, he had always maintained a certain balance, neither making the villagers feel resistant nor failing to obtain real, tangible benefits for himself.

To be like this now, however, seemed impatient; was it insatiable greed, or...

Wen Gu paused, flipping over the list to check the various items listed inside once more.

His brow twitched.

Is that dog Daoist trying to run away?!

Wen Gu looked at the village head: "Has this Qingyi Daozhang ever expressed a desire to leave?"

The village head nodded, his voice low: "Yes, when the Daoist Priest came at the beginning of the year, he said that his magic power was damaged and he was resting in our village; once his magic power recovered a bit, he would still have to go and pursue the Great Dao."

Wen Gu thought to himself: When his magic power recovers, isn't that entirely up to him to decide?

And as for pursuing the Great Dao, what Great Dao does he want to pursue? The Great Dao of swindling?

The village head continued: "That is why we must ask him to refine more evil-warding medicine for the village before the Daoist Priest leaves."

If it weren't for wanting the Daoist Priest to leave behind more evil-warding pills, they wouldn't have tried every possible way to collect various herbs and supplies to provide to him.

The items in the storehouse were all being supplied to the Daoist Priest's side first.

This was also for the sake of the villagers themselves.

Wen Gu listened to the village head's words and looked again at the list in his hand.

The dog Daoist wants to run away early?!

"Have you never thought of asking the Daoist Priest to stay?" he asked.

The village head was utterly helpless: "Qingyi Daozhang said he is to pursue the Great Dao; how could we mortals hinder him? We would suffer divine retribution!"

Wen Gu showed a worried expression: "If the Daoist Priest leaves and the remaining pills are used up, what should be done then?"

The village head was also distressed, his eyes glancing toward Wen Gu several times.

Wen Gu considerately took up the conversation: "How about I go to the Daoist Priest's place and try to persuade him? Even if I cannot stop this immortal master from pursuing the Great Dao, I will try my best to help the village secure some evil-warding items to keep for self-defense."

The village head immediately beamed, the deep wrinkles on his face smoothing out one by one, looking at Wen Gu with immense affinity, and said gratefully:

"You scholars know a lot, and you have always talked about convincing people with what..."

Wen Gu said modestly: "Convincing people with reason, convincing people with virtue."

(End of this chapter)