Chapter 75

Peng Jingshan gritted his teeth and topped up for the SVIP, then tilted his head with an expectant look on his face, his eyes gleaming as he stared at Nie Chen.

To be honest, he was also quite curious. What kind of person would Mr. Nie be when he’s deceiving others? A serious man who never jokes or smiles—how would he look when he’s tricking someone?

He had never seen such a big shot acting, and all for him.

Thinking like this, the two million seemed quite worth it.

Although the divination talismans weren’t on sale, and there was an additional 10% service fee for on-site service, but after all, it was a lifetime membership! A lifetime membership to the Xiaoyao Sect, which reportedly gave priority access to purchase talismans and magical artifacts produced by the sect—just thinking about it made him feel reassured.

The local Taoist priests in Jiang City were rather doubtful as they looked at Nie Chen.

One Ke Xingzhou was enough for them to question the Xiaoyao Sect’s strength, and now there was another Nie Chen.

This person looked a little more mature and steady compared to that delicate, young Taoist, but he was only about 24 or 25, and he was the disciple of that young Taoist?

At such a young age, being so arrogant and taking on a disciple—he was simply out of his depth!

The local Taoists glanced at Nie Chen, then at his almost constant gaze at Ke Xingzhou, feeling that there was not even the slightest semblance of a proper master-disciple relationship between them.

Hmph... As expected, it was because he was too young and inexperienced, and even though he had taken on a disciple, he couldn’t even manage him properly.

At their age, they were still assistants helping their masters with miscellaneous tasks!

The Taoists became even more dissatisfied, but they also agreed with Ke Xingzhou’s statement that no one else in the room was in a position to take action, and right now, the only person who seemed to be able to help was this young man who felt completely out of place in the room.

They were also curious about how Nie Chen, who looked so serious, could lie with a straight face.

Then, Nie Chen pulled out his phone and dialed quickly—

"Assistant Liu, come up and get to work."

Everyone: "…"

The all-purpose worker, Assistant Liu, quickly found the way to knock on Ban Wen's office door.

When Ban Wen received the call from Director Zheng asking him to come out, he was a little surprised, thinking, didn't they just meet?

But Director Zheng’s next words immediately dispelled all his doubts: "Hurry up! I ran into Assistant Liu from Wanli Group here. You know him, right? He’s the trusted aide of their new chairman, Mr. Nie!"

The news of Wanli Group entering the entertainment industry was no longer a fresh topic.The recently explosive talent show "All-around Idol" is Wanli Group’s first attempt in the entertainment industry, and many had already predicted that they would soon extend their reach into even larger sectors.

Although the entertainment industry is known for its mixed environment, with the film and television sector being particularly coveted, it is typically difficult for new companies to break into this tough market. But for a giant like Wanli Group, it’s nothing at all.

Therefore, many believed that after Wanli Group’s successful first attempt, they would directly target the film and television industry.

As expected, Director Zheng's voice quieted down, and he lowered his voice to say to Ban Wen: “The talisman water you gave me really works! Guess what? I just heard Assistant Liu on the phone, saying he wants to find a suitable movie project to invest in!”

Ban Wen’s heart skipped a beat, but he cautiously didn’t immediately believe it and asked, “Didn’t you already secure investment for this project?”

“Look at what you’re saying. Just because you secured one investment, does that mean you can’t get more? With abundant funds, the costumes and props you’re preparing will be even more exquisite!” Director Zheng replied, “And as long as we get Wanli Group involved, future projects won’t lack investment, right? This isn’t a one-time deal... Alright, stop talking, hurry up and come over. Assistant Liu seems to have some trouble at home. I just mentioned your talisman water to him. If you don’t come, I’ll find someone else!”

Upon hearing this, Ban Wen was immediately flustered.

He hadn’t seen much of the big world, and his rise had only happened in the past few days. When Ban Wen heard that Director Zheng might leave him behind, all his doubts were immediately cast aside.

“I’m going now. Where are you?”

He quickly stuffed the items in front of him into a bag and rushed out. Remembering what Director Zheng had said, he thought for a moment, then called a number.

“Hello, Great Master! I’ve found a particularly rich piglet for you, but it seems like something has happened at his home. Do you want to come over?”

He lowered his voice, but inside the room, there were perceptive Taoist priests who could easily hear what he said, even the voice coming from the other side of the phone.

A low, hoarse voice came through, ominously saying, “Figure it out yourself, and bring him to this address.”

As soon as the voice fell, Ban Wen’s phone dinged, indicating he had received a message.

The other party responded so quickly—it was almost as if they had foreseen it. Ban Wen clearly enjoyed this and respectfully kept calling him “Great Master” as he walked away.

Inside the room, everyone exchanged glances, their expressions serious.

“It seems he’s definitely the one causing harm,” said the old Taoist with a goat beard thoughtfully. “From what he said, it seems he’s bringing the dark path with him tonight?”

“If that’s the case, then we’ll go along and take a look,” another Taoist priest responded.

When it involves the dark path, things are never simple.

Throughout history, the cultivation methods of the dark path are strange and cruel, but it is precisely these twisted methods that allow their cultivation to progress rapidly, quietly growing into a disaster as they diligently practice, eventually becoming a threat.

Realizing that this matter was indeed related to the dark path, the Taoists who had been targeting the Xiaoyao Sect’s people suddenly changed their expressions and became solemn.

After speaking, they gave Ke Xingzhou and the others a quick glance, furrowed their brows, and seemed about to advise them to stay put to avoid getting caught up in a fight with the dark path, in case the magical tools caused them harm.

However, Ke Xingzhou completely ignored them. Before they could speak, he had already stood up and walked out.

When they noticed he hadn’t followed them, he turned back and looked at them with a confused expression. “Aren’t you leaving? Go ahead, or the ride-hailing car will leave without you.”

The ride-hailing car...

Seeing the ride-hailing page on his phone, the Taoists fell silent.

The old Taoist with the goat beard gave him an exasperated look, but after a moment, he exchanged a glance with the other Taoists.The younger generation is so clueless about their own limits. If they insist on following us, we’ll just have to pay extra attention to them to avoid them getting caught up in it.

After going downstairs, the ride-hailing car was indeed already waiting. The old Taoist with the goat beard tried to act senior and get in first, but as soon as he opened the passenger door, Ke Xingzhou grabbed his forearm.

In that instant, the old Taoist felt his arm become heavy, as if it had hit a steel plate. Despite his years of cultivation, he couldn’t move at all under the grip of this young man, and he even felt an underlying sense of threat.

His expression changed slightly, once again refreshing his understanding of Ke Xingzhou’s strength.

Ke Xingzhou’s expression didn’t change, his demeanor relaxed as he looked at him: “This is our car. If you want to take a ride, take a taxi yourself.”

Saying that, he pulled the old Taoist aside with an undeniable force and turned to call his two disciples: “Come on, get in the car!”

Assistant Liu drove the car away, and the three of them were in one car.

The Taoists: "..."

Xiang Ting had left after dropping them off at the hotel, and now there was no one to arrange their transportation. The Taoists looked at each other, all feeling an unprecedented sense of humiliation.

What was even more humiliating was that Peng Jingshan, holding his pocket, poked his head out step by step, only to see that Ke Xingzhou and the others had already left in the car. When he realized he was supposed to get in a car with these local Taoists, his expression immediately became awkward.

“Should... should I just go back?” he said sincerely. “I’m really scared!”

The Taoists: "........"

This is outrageous! Simply outrageous!!

An hour later, in an abandoned building in Jiangcheng.

Ban Wen was leading the way, with Assistant Liu and Director Zheng following closely behind, both frowning. They didn’t even dare to breathe too loudly, covering their mouths and noses while surveying the surroundings.

Director Zheng’s gaze occasionally drifted toward Ban Wen.

He was genuinely shocked that Ban Wen had managed to bring Assistant Liu along. Although Assistant Liu was only a special assistant, in many cases, he could be considered Mr. Nie’s right-hand man.

Mr. Nie was the power behind a top-tier conglomerate, and with Assistant Liu by his side, even a tiny bit of his influence would be enough to last several lifetimes.

To think this person had come all the way to such a remote place just because of Ban Wen’s talisman water.

Director Zheng was becoming more and more convinced of what Ban Wen had said, especially remembering that Ban Wen had previously been just a nameless stand-in actor, yet now he was directly stepping on the newly-crowned Three Gold Best Actor, Peng Jingshan, to rise to prominence.

It truly seemed like there were incredible ways to change one’s fate in this world!

For a moment, Director Zheng thought of many things, but the further they walked, the more uncertain he became.

— Why is this place so desolate?

When they reached the entrance to the underground parking garage, looking at the dust and whatever else was illuminated by the phone’s flashlight, Director Zheng couldn’t help but speak up: “Ban Wen, are you sure the Master is waiting for us down here? This environment…”

He didn’t continue, but both of the other two knew exactly what he meant.

The place was incredibly shabby.The walls around them were cracked and peeling, exposing the grayish concrete underneath. Due to the humidity from the returning moisture, various green, unknown plants had grown over them, creating patches of dark and light areas, resembling the gaping mouth of some kind of monster.

Who would do fortune telling for people in a place like this?!

Director Zheng felt a little scared and stood frozen, unwilling to move.

"Why don't you ask the Master again if the address was wrong?" he asked. "If it's really not working, just have the Master come to my place. I'll host. We can't let Assistant Liu be neglected."

To his surprise, Assistant Liu waved his hand: "People with special talents always have unique temperaments, it's not a problem. But that replacement life you mentioned, it better really work. Otherwise..."

Ban Wen, after being lectured, immediately lowered his head in submission, indicating that everything he had said was true, and then respectfully invited them inside.

Although Director Zheng didn't face Assistant Liu directly, he was still startled by the sudden burst of energy from him, and now, feeling a little late to realize the situation, hesitated.

He fell behind, tugged at Ban Wen, and whispered: "Is that Master you mentioned reliable? I barely got in touch with Assistant Liu, and now he’s agreed to consider my next film. Don't mess this up for me!"

He rambled on, not exactly in a polite tone.

He was just a minor character, a stand-in actor. If he had any background, he wouldn’t have ended up in such a situation. He had only gained some attention by relying on unconventional means.

A small actor like him, wasn’t he easy to control?

But unexpectedly, the previously submissive and weak-looking Ban Wen suddenly raised his head. His eyes, inexplicably filled with bloodshot veins, stared coldly at him.

Director Zheng jumped in surprise. "W-what are you doing! I’ll tell you, our contract isn't signed yet. I can replace you at any time!"

He thought this would be enough to hit Ban Wen's weak spot, but what he didn’t expect was that Ban Wen’s whole demeanor had shifted. He looked delicate, almost like a woman, elegantly circling him twice. His gaze was cold and sharp, like that of a snake, as it fixed on him.

Director Zheng was terrified.

But with his mindset, he couldn’t even fathom anything supernatural. He thought Ban Wen was just putting on a scare because he was unhappy with the back-and-forth.

It was common for a stand-in actor to play a female role.

His face turned pale, ready to curse, when suddenly Ban Wen leaned in. His body temperature was cold, like a cold-blooded animal rather than a living person.

Ban Wen extended his tongue and licked his cheek, and a woman’s voice softly came from his mouth: “I think Director Zheng still has some charm, doesn’t he~”