Stop it, Taoist, Your Fight almost Ruins the DAO!

The last guy who was this honest and unlucky got sent by his master to watch gray wolves bare their teeth at the golden tents of the northern steppes.

Won't be back for twenty years, they say it's to add some weight to the shoulders of the young, toughen them up.

"Yes, master." The young man in black armor replied with practiced ease, appearing very experienced.

Picking up the documents, Yue Shuhua quietly started to review them, and after a while, he suddenly cried out, "Come quick, my dear disciple, the suitor your father, the chief of the Red Flame Army, has recommended for you is so ruthless, suspected of slaying a seventh-level cultivator of the True Person Realm."

"But it seems he used some kind of forbidden technique, and it's uncertain whether his foundations have been greatly damaged, and he's become useless."

"Tsk tsk tsk, small forces are really pitiful, unloved by daddy and mommy."

"No, wait, he doesn't even have a father or mother at Hidden Dragon Temple, they're all orphans."

Hearing Yue Shuhua's cries, Yan Ling'er rushed over with her long skirt hiked up, the third-ranked disciple of Hidden Dragon Temple, Yi Chengzi, plainly in sight.

"Master, don't talk nonsense, my heart yearns only for a peerless hero, who has countless living achievements, father is always spouting nonsense."

"That's the best, otherwise I worry you might end up a widow in the future."

"What do you mean, master?" Yan Ling'er's gossip-fire roared, like a ferret that had fallen into a melon patch under the moonlight.

"Hehe, old Yan, that sly and ruthless cur, sneaked off to a place a few days ago, stayed for a day, and then returned. With his way of doing things, he strikes with the force of thunder the moment he moves, that Yi Chengzi is doomed."

"If this person can make it to the capital alive, my dear disciple, you could actually mingle with him." Yue Shuhua suddenly sighed.

"Master, you really are so mercenary, just like my father spouting nonsense." Yan Ling'er spat repeatedly.

Yue Shuhua didn't reply, but after a moment of contemplation, he moved Yi Chen's name from third to fifth on the list.

"Master, why is this? With such achievements, why can't Yi Chengzi ascend to the top three? This seems unfair." Yan Ling'er exclaimed in astonishment.

"Silly disciple, when has this world ever had absolute fairness? It's good enough to have relative fairness."

"The first place on the Dragon and Tiger List naturally belongs to the Crown Prince of Da Yue. Buddhism is now influential, so Zhang Daoyi must be ranked second. The rankings between the Buddhist son and the demon of the Heavenly Demon Sect were decided by my roll of the dice, the Buddhist got the higher number, so he is third, leaving Yi Chengzi to only be fifth."

"I put him as the fifth, it's already a form of protection for him."

Yue Shuhua's eyes showed a touch of pity as he spoke with profound meaning.

Having finished speaking, Yue Shuhua turned to the young man standing quietly to the side and said with a smiling face, "Little Cui, if half a word of today's events leaks out, little Su over at the golden tents is awaiting someone to take his place."

"He's been undercover herding sheep for nearly ten years now."

"Covered in sheep dung, tanned as dark as night."

Upon hearing this, the young man in black armor felt as if Yue Shuhua had seen right through him, and immediately shivered, insisting that he dared not.

The setting sun was blood-red.

In the northern steppes, a young man in tattered felt clothes, with a face darkened by the sun, was looking eastward with a sullen face - towards the direction of the capital.

Back in the day, because he disclosed a bit of information from within the tower to his family, he was casually sent by the master to the great steppes as a spy.

It was supposed to be just for three years, yet after those three, it added up to another three; it's been bloody nine years already, and still no recall order.

Just then, an elderly sheep ambled up to him, one that he had raised since he first came - quite sensible, with whom he'd chat to pass the time when he was bored.

"Dolly, let's go."

"Done with bloody herding sheep, not doing it anymore."

The little sheep Dolly was now nine years old, uncaring of how much longer it could live, as its shadow clung closely to that of the man under the sunset, stretching long and thin.

Behind him, several hundred sheep were bleating away, and in a grassy patch in the distance, a big grey wolf was crouching on the path he must take back, baring its teeth.

…

…

Inside Lanxiu Tower, Fengyun County's largest human connection establishment, a young Daoist, who bore a ninety percent resemblance to Zhang Longyi, was throwing money around extravagantly.

"Gentlemen ahead, shout out Daoist titles for me; gentlemen behind, let me see the incense in your hands, shake them!"

"Tonight's expenses are on Daoist Zhang Longyi! On the house! House! House!"

"Zhang Longyi! Zhang Longyi! Zhang Longyi!"

For a moment, the calls were as tumultuous as the tide.

Some things, if not balanced between supply and demand, once restricted, will proliferate.

Like brothels, like the housing market.

Since the Longevity God incident severely damaged the human connection industry in Fengyun County, the loss of business elites cast a shadow over the entire county's amorous industry.

It was only after a period of vigorous recruitment that the industry reopened today.

The new owner of Lanxiu Building was very playful and modernized the industry for Fengyun County's current situation, not going for the highbrow route anymore but directly embracing the vulgar.

A T-stage was constructed in the main hall on the first floor, along with a dance floor, where eighteen young women sang and danced by its side, creating a sensational touch-and-sing show.

Months of suppressed demands exploded, leading to the chaotic scene at Lanxiu Building today.

And the Daoist who was causing a commotion at center stage, looking strikingly similar to Zhang Longyi, was undoubtedly Yi Chen.

Today, as he roamed around Treasure Street hoping to find a bargain, he ended up with nothing and somehow found himself at the newly opened Lanxiu Pavilion.

It must be fate that he, a high-level expert in the latter stages of True Person Realm, actually got lost.

Since it was the will of heaven, he decided to take a look inside.

As for why he transformed into the likeness of Zhang Longyi, he wanted to test his mimicking abilities.

When visiting a brothel, naturally one cannot use their own face.

So whose face would be most suitable? Without a doubt, the face of an enemy would be.

While Yi Chen was having a wild time, Chief Zhang suddenly rushed in, sweating profusely, as if looking for something.

Yi Chen furrowed his brows and left Lanxiu Building.

Immediately after, a large hand landed on Chief Zhang's shoulder.

"Rebel, what are you looking for?"

At this moment, Yi Chen, having changed his appearance again, re-entered, his face full of righteousness.

"Master, I've finally found you. Uncle Qing Yunzi said you were in Fengyun County, and I guessed you might be here."

"The Prefectural Governor has an urgent matter and is waiting for you at the county government office right now."

"Lead the way," Yi Chen said with a frown, though wondering why his good disciple would send some local products to the Prefectural Governor and somehow manage to bring the Prefectural Governor to him. But he didn't ask further, figuring he would find out soon enough.

Sometimes the local authority is more influential than distant officials. With the Prefectural Governor coming overnight, it was only proper for him to show respect.

Soon, Yi Chen arrived at a study room in the Fengyun County Government Office.

With a creak, Chief Zhang tiptoed and shut the door.

A candle as thick as an arm was the only source of light in the room, illuminating the refined and elegant face of a middle-aged scholar.

"Taoist Yi, there were too many people outside, so I'll kneel for you here." The Prefectural Governor lifted his robe and knelt before Yi Chen with a thud, holding ten banknotes of ten-thousand taels respectfully in his hand.

This scene dumbfounded Yi Chen.

An invisible force suddenly arose, lifting the Prefectural Governor from the ground.

"Your Honor, speak freely. As an official in charge of this land, any convenience that I can provide, I naturally will," Yi Chen said cordially, as there was no conflict of interest.

"Taoist, you are unaware. My son disappeared without a trace while visiting the brothel at Tianxiang Pavilion three days ago, even after having used the lavatory. The city's constables have investigated for three days to no avail."

"He is my only son; I really had no other choice but to seek your help."

"Regardless of success or failure in this matter, I have agreed to appoint your disciple Chief Zhang as the Deputy Prefect. In the future, if Hidden Dragon Temple needs any conveniences, I will open all doors for you. These hundred thousand taels are for your efforts."

"Please, Taoist, save my son. If alive, let us meet him; if dead, let us receive news and see his body." The Prefectural Governor said through gritted teeth.

As he spoke, he attempted to kneel again, but Yi Chen quickly stopped him, and with a sweep of his sleeve, the one hundred thousand taels of banknotes vanished from the Prefectural Governor's hand.

The deep paternal love of the Prefectural Governor moved him greatly; he knew he had to undertake this mission.

When you're out in the world and come across something you will ultimately agree to, there's no point in hesitating. You must act decisively and fulfill the obligation to the fullest extent.

This was Yi Chen's principle of conduct.

The Prefectural Governor's sincerity and his son's disappearance from the privy, despite numerous guards, likely indicated sorcery or foul play.

This wasn't just about the Prefectural Governor's son's disappearance; it was about saving face for Taoist Yi.

Even with the constant power shifts among the cultivators of Ping'an County, someone dared to stir trouble. Whoever they were, Yi Chen had every reason to respond decisively.

"Taoist, when will we set off?"

"Saving a life is like putting out a fire; we'll leave right now," Yi Chen replied.