Chapter 23: The upcoming cohabitation life (2)

Zhang Xianyu pondered for a moment, then shook his head.

“No sect, just a small Daoist Temple. My master’s name is Zhang Jianguo.”

Xie Dingxin tried to recall, but couldn’t think of any sect that had someone by that name.

To have trained a disciple like Zhang Xianyu, the master’s cultivation must be impressive, but why had she never heard of him?

“What’s your Daoist Temple called? I’ll check on the APP. All the Daoist Temples are connected nationwide now. You can search on the Daoist App.”

Zhang Xianyu gave her the name.

Xie Dingxin typed it into the search bar, clicked search, and waited as the little loading circle spun.

Then the screen displayed: “The Daoist Temple you searched for does not exist.”

Zhang Xianyu watched her operate the phone with curiosity and naturally saw the message.

“It can’t be found? That’s normal. Our temple’s in a Village, so it’s not surprising.”

But Xie Dingxin was unwilling to give up.

“That’s impossible. No matter how small or remote, as long as the Daoist Temple is registered with the Daoist Association, it should show up here. Do you remember the temple’s registration number?”

“Registration number?”

Zhang Xianyu vaguely sensed something was wrong.

“Is that given by the Daoist Association? What happens if you don’t have one?”

“If you don’t have a registration number, then it’s an illegal Daoist Temple. If someone reports it, it’ll be shut down…”

Xie Dingxin trailed off, looking at him in horror.

“Don’t tell me your Daoist Temple was never registered with the Daoist Association?”

In this day and age, you could apply for registration online—she never imagined there were still temples that weren’t.

Zhang Xianyu gave a sheepish laugh, feeling a bit guilty.

He finally understood.

The Daoist Association managed all the legitimate Daoist Temples—probably all people like Xie Dingxin.

The little Daoist Temple Zhang Jianguo left him was really just a way to make a living.

Now he realized it was actually illegal.

If he did anything superstitious, he might even get labeled as a cultist.

“Is it still possible to register now? My master was old, maybe he didn’t understand this stuff…”

That made sense—many highly cultivated old Daoist Elders really couldn’t get used to modern devices.

Xie Dingxin said enthusiastically,

“You can still register! Give me your Taoist Certificate and tell me the basic information about your temple. I’ll help you register an account and apply to the Daoist Association.”

Taoist Certificate…emmmm, another pitfall.

Zhang Xianyu had no way out, so he rubbed his nose and admitted honestly,

“I don’t have one.”

Xie Dingxin stared at him like she’d seen a ghost: …………………………

After a long silence, Xie Dingxin forced a laugh.

“Didn’t your master have you take the Basic Examination? If you pass, you get a Taoist Certificate.”

As she spoke, she took out her own Taoist Certificate—a small metal card about the length of a pinky and twice as wide, with intricate cloud patterns engraved at the bottom and the words “Five Thunder Register” stamped in gold in the center, dignified and impressive.

“These days, the Taoist Certificate is an electronic chip. The cloud pattern is a special QR code. If you scan it with the Daoist App, it pulls up your personal information.”

She demonstrated, scanning the front of her card with her phone.

Sure enough, her personal info popped up.

The page had three sections: basic info; a profile of her Daoist Temple and her title; and a record of exams, scores, mission points, and honors.

Zhang Xianyu hadn’t expected being a Daoist to be so high-tech.

He scratched his face, his ears turning red.

“I don’t have one. It’s just me and my master at the temple. After the Daoist Elder passed, the temple was left to my master. When my master passed, he left it to me. Now it’s just me.”

Xie Dingxin opened her mouth to say something, but was left speechless.

The one to break the silence was Lin Wushui in the next bed, who shoved her aside and consoled,

“It’s just a dumb certificate. If you don’t want it, don’t get it. If you want one, I can get you a pile.”

Back when Xie Dingxin’s master wanted her to take the exam, she’d refused.

She was half-human, half-ghost—mixing in with Daoists all day, how was she supposed to get any sleep?

“Go away, don’t lead the kid astray. Money isn’t everything!”

Xie Dingxin rolled her eyes.

Lin Wushui leaned back against the headboard and snorted.

“Money isn’t everything, but buying a Taoist Certificate and a Daoist Temple isn’t a problem.”

Xie Dingxin: …

So what if you have money?

I have money too!

Did I say anything?

She ignored him and focused on trying to recruit this promising seedling for her own temple.

The speed at which Zhang Xianyu drew Talismans that day had really shocked her.

Given time, he’d soar to the top—he was a hidden gem.

If she didn’t try to poach him, she’d be an idiot.

“So you’re the only one left in your temple?”

Xie Dingxin’s eyes spun and she smiled slyly.

“Why not come to our Taiqing Temple?”

Unexpectedly, Zhang Xianyu shook his head firmly.

“My master raised me. The Daoist Temple is the only thing he left me. If I get the chance, I want to repair it properly.”

So there was no way he’d join another temple.

Seeing his determination, Xie Dingxin didn’t press further.

Instead, she grew curious about who taught him his skills.

Based on his story, his master didn’t sound like a reclusive expert.

“Who taught you your Taoist Techniques and Talisman Drawing?”

“I taught myself.”

Zhang Xianyu lowered his eyes, a bit embarrassed.

“My master…didn’t believe in this stuff. I just liked flipping through the old things in the temple. The Daoist Elder left lots of books and notes. I read them a lot and eventually learned.”

According to Zhang Jianguo, all those things were left by the Daoist Elder.

He couldn’t understand them, so he just stored them away.

He never expected Zhang Xianyu to dig them out and study them from time to time.

Xie Dingxin was shocked speechless for the umpteenth time that day.

Just reading books on his own, he’d become this skilled, while she, who had a master since childhood, couldn’t even draw Talismans as well as him.

She wanted to cry.

Taking a deep breath, Xie Dingxin decided not to torture herself anymore and changed tactics.

Since she couldn’t recruit him, befriending him was the next best thing.

“What are your plans for the future?”

“Plans?”

Zhang Xianyu was puzzled.

“Study, learn, graduate, get a good job. If I have money, I want to repair the temple.”

Xie Dingxin: So you really are just here to study.

Zhang Xianyu looked bewildered.

Even though he was more mature than others his age, he was still young and had spent his life in Union Village, with limited experience.

He knew nothing about the Daoist Association, so he didn’t realize that with his skills and cultivation at his age, other temples would fight over him.

Possessing such talent, yet completely unaware.

Xie Dingxin could tell and sighed.

“For those who cultivate the Dao, improving your cultivation is more important than studying.”

Struggling with heaven for longevity was hard enough—who had the energy for mundane affairs?

“But if I don’t study, how will I find a good job?”

Xie Dingxin was speechless.

Why was he so hung up on finding a job?

“Why do you have to get a job?” she asked sincerely.

“To make money,”

Zhang Xianyu replied, just as sincerely.

“…Are you really that short on money?”

Xie Dingxin asked. “…ft.”

Zhang Xianyu muttered.

Xie Dingxin took a few deep breaths to calm herself.

She just couldn’t understand it.

With his cultivation and Talisman Drawing skills, he could live comfortably for a lifetime.

How could he still be short of money?!

Wait!

Suddenly, Xie Dingxin thought of something and asked, heart sinking,

“Do you know where to find work? Where to do business?”

“???”

Zhang Xianyu shook his head.

Just as she thought.

Xie Dingxin gave him a disappointed look, then opened the APP to give him a basic introduction.

The Daoist App, in addition to networking information, had a Trading Platform regulated by the Daoist Association.

There were many sections: one for buying and selling magical tools and Talismans, and a Commission Board for posting or accepting jobs, with payment in cash or items, depending on negotiation.

Most jobs were dealing with supernatural incidents, with the level of danger rated by moderators.

Low-ranked Daoist Disciples couldn’t take high-risk jobs.

There was also an Official Task Board.

The Daoist Association regularly posted official missions, such as solving supernatural incidents or eliminating monsters or ghosts harming people.

All unnatural events nationwide were posted by the Daoist Association, and Daoist Disciples could accept tasks according to their grade, earning points upon completion.

Zhang Xianyu checked the Talisman prices on the Trading Platform and was shocked.

“They’re so expensive?”

A regular Golden Vajra Talisman was listed for two thousand.

He scrolled down to see ordinary Yellow Talismans priced between a thousand and five thousand; Red Talismans were rare and cost over ten thousand; there were no Purple Talismans, but judging from the others, they must be even pricier.

Zhang Xianyu’s eyes lit up.

“Can I sell mine on here?”

“Of course.”

Xie Dingxin coaxed,

“But first, you need to get a Taoist Certificate.”

She’d realized nothing else could tempt him—except money.

“The Daoist Association’s benefits are great. Once you have your Taoist Certificate and take the Talisman Drawing exams, you’ll be assigned a grade, and get monthly benefits—the higher the grade, the better the benefits. Higher grades can take on high-paying jobs.”

She showed him a three-star Commission Board task.

“See, this one requires the ‘Five Thunder Register’ to accept. The reward is a hundred thousand.”

The one- and two-star tasks paid even more, but those who could draw “Three Caverns Five Thunder Register” or “Shangqing Register” Talismans already had high status and wouldn’t lower themselves to the Commission Board for money.

Usually, low-ranked Daoist Disciples teamed up for these jobs.

Zhang Xianyu’s eyes sparkled.

Xie Dingxin put away her phone, smiling.

“There’s a Basic Examination this month. Want to take it?”

Zhang Xianyu nodded vigorously.

“Yes.”

Seeing her trick succeed, Xie Dingxin was delighted.

Before being shooed back to her own ward by the nurse, she grabbed Zhang Xianyu’s hand and urged,

“Until you get your Taoist Certificate, you can sell your Talismans to me. I’ll buy as many as you have, at market price!”

After she left, Zhang Xianyu was still lost in the joy of soon becoming rich.

Earning money was too easy!

Even a single Yellow Talisman sold for a thousand at the lowest.

How many could he draw in a day?

As he calculated, the total was so high he actually felt a little guilty.

Drawing a Talisman only took a few seconds, but selling it for a thousand—was that fair?

“Don’t listen to Xie Dingxin’s nonsense. What’s so great about being a Daoist?”

Lin Wushui, who’d been ignored for a while, said sourly.

“Making money is easy. You don’t have to be a Daoist to make money.”

Zhang Xianyu replied seriously,

“But I think making money is really hard.”

Lin Wushui opened her mouth, then closed it, muttering in dissatisfaction,

“Fine, do what you want. Just don’t get too close to Xie Dingxin. That fox is sly—one day she’ll sell you off and you’ll even help her count the money.”

“But you and Daoist Xie seem to get along well,”

Zhang Xianyu said.

Lin Wushui thought to herself: If I didn’t owe her master a life, I wouldn’t bother.

All she does is make trouble for me.

Zhang Xianyu stayed in the hospital for a week.

Midway through, Luodanqing found out which hospital and ward he was in, and dragged Zheng Pang to visit.

Military training was almost over; both of them were tanned dark, while Zhang Xianyu, living comfortably in the hospital, was fair and had even gained some weight.

Zheng Pang pretended to cry,

“You heartless guy! We’ve been worrying about you at school, and you’ve just been hiding in the hospital getting fat.”

Zhang Xianyu had actually already recovered, but Lin Wushui insisted he stay so she’d have someone to talk to.

Back in the air-raid shelter, Lin Wushui had protected him twice—

Zhang Xianyu remembered this and decided to stay and keep her company.

After chatting for a while, Luodanqing and Zheng Pang had to return to school.

Once they left, Lin Wushui’s eyes lit up as she recalled her earlier proposal,

“Are you still living in the dorm?”

“Mm.”

A sly smile flickered in Lin Wushui’s eyes as she gently coaxed,

“I just bought a place in the Family Quarters. I plan to rest there for a while. Why don’t you move in with me? The dorm can be inconvenient.”

Zhang Xianyu instinctively wanted to refuse, but then remembered what Wushui had said about her brother: picky eater, obsessed with cleanliness, and didn’t like servants at home.

Judging by her days in the hospital, she really was very particular.

Looking at her legs in casts, Zhang Xianyu thought that if she hadn’t protected him, he might have been even more badly hurt.

After hesitating a moment, he said,

“Then I’ll trouble you for a while. Once you’re better, I’ll go back to the dorm.”

Lin Wushui raised her eyebrows slightly, a fleeting smile on her lips.

“Alright.”