Chapter 158: Chapter 151 Flame Cloud Sect_4 Chapter 158: Chapter 151 Flame Cloud Sect_4 “Old housekeeper, I, Wang Lang, am a man of Jianghu and know very little about the affairs of the Taoist sects. Having not achieved anything since I arrived at the Cen Residence a month ago, I wish to perform well in front of the master this time, and I hope the old housekeeper can give me some guidance,”

Wang Lang said as he discreetly slipped ten taels of silver into the butler Cen San’s hand, then took the initiative to lead the way with utmost eagerness to please.

Butler Cen San weighed the ten taels of silver in his hand a few times before responding with satisfaction,

“Protector Wang is indeed an ambitious man, but you arrived late and are unaware of the master’s dealings with the Taoist Flame Cloud Sect!”

“I would be grateful for your esteemed guidance!”

Protector Wang Lang stopped at the entrance to Xikua Yard, listening intently.

Butler Cen San, with his arm around Wang Lang, pointed to the house where Flame Cloud Sect’s Xie Wenren was staying and explained,

“The Imperial Clan of Chang’an City, as well as the officials’ families, all have intricate connections with both the Buddhist and Taoist communities.”

“This is because there are too many rebels in the world today, who seek to win over the hearts of people by assassinating greedy officials to raise their banners in rebellion, and among these rebels are quite a few cultivators.”

“For the sake of peace, the powerful officials in Chang’an City secretly collaborate with the Buddhist and Taoist sects, and our master is one of them.”

“Think about it, our master, as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue managing the empire’s finances, is naturally a thorn in the side of those rebels. Every time he steps out, he faces risks. To ensure his safety, he recruits Jianghu experts and Taoist cultivators like you to protect him.”

“And the Sect Master of the Flame Cloud Sect has a deep relationship with our master, donating five thousand liang of incense money to the sect every year. The sect not only named our young master but also did some dirty work for our master.”

“Recently, there’s been the Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master, right? Taoist sects with some reputation from all over the world send disciples to participate, but most of them stay in their own Taoist temples in the city.”

“Xie Wenren, a cultivator from the Flame Cloud Sect, which is one of the Four Great Sects of the world, is situated in the hottest part of the Southern Continent. Their sect is particularly proficient in the Fire Element Techniques, Artifact Refining, and Formations. They have brought quite a number of people this time because there are too many of them, the sect’s own temple couldn’t accommodate them all, so they asked to have the disciples who couldn’t fit stay at our master’s house.”

“So that’s how it is. I was wondering why a cultivator suddenly moved in a few days ago…”

Now that Protector Wang Lang understood the reason, he inquired further,

“I’m thinking, since Xie Wenren has been sent to stay here, his status within his sect must be low, and his mana weak. Is that correct?”

“Hahaha! You, oh you, you must be crazy with the desire to show off your merit in front of the master!”

After teasing him, Butler Cen San seriously said,

“You guessed right, but even a cultivator of his status could easily capture someone like you. You’re dreaming if you think you can compete with him for merit!”

Not wanting to appear disappointed, Protector Wang Lang continued to ask,

“Then what did the master mean by ‘using the Dao to extinguish the Buddha’?”

“You don’t understand even this? It’s a wonder you’ve been living in Chang’an for a while.”

Butler Cen San, considering the ten taels of silver, continued to patiently explain,

“In the Three Auxiliaries of Chang’an, the Buddhist and Taoist sects are allowed to commit three crimes without punishment, but this pertains to commoners and officials. If they kill someone, the Imperial Court will help them escape the blame. However, when the Buddhist and Taoist sects fight amongst themselves, the Imperial Court does not intervene. Life and death are determined solely by the skills of the individuals involved. So…”

“I understand!”

Protector Wang Lang immediately gave a thumbs-up:

“The master’s plan is really wicked.”

“Enough, I know what you’re thinking…”

Housekeeper Cen San immediately smirked at Protector Wang Lang, making a gesture of counting money:

“This time, going to avenge the young master, with a Taoist disciple making the move, it’s a sure win. I reckon there won’t be any need for you, but considering that you’re new here, I intend to promote you. Once you return from avenging, I’ll naturally speak of your merits in front of the master. However…”

Protector Wang Lang wished he could kneel down to old Housekeeper Cen San, and immediately replied with great gratitude:

“As long as the old housekeeper puts in a few good words for me in front of the master, I’ll deliver the benefits immediately.”

“Hahaha! After all, you’re a man from Jianghu, well acquainted with the ways of the world. Let’s go, don’t keep the master waiting!”

“Yes, yes, yes!”

After a thorough discussion, they summoned Xie Wenren, a cultivator from the Flame Cloud Sect.

In the bedroom of Cen Fuda, Cen Wenjin sat upright with an anxious expression. A group of idle followers and ruffians stood outside the house, while the Flame Cloud Sect’s cultivator Xie Wenren, housekeeper Cen San, and Protector Wang Lang stood respectfully in front of Cen Wenjin.

“I wonder what matter brings Lord Cen to summon me here? Is it to meet my Sect Leader?”

Xie Wenren, the cultivator from the Flame Cloud Sect, asked respectfully.

“Housekeeper, go ahead.”

“Yes.”

Only then did housekeeper Cen San recount the incident where Cen Fuda had his legs broken by Mahaparinirvana, the Monk Who Broke Precepts, deliberately omitting the fact that Cen Fuda publicly committed adultery with a young woman.

“Such an audacious act! What a thieving monk! Truly bold!”

Upon hearing this, Xie Wenren from the Flame Cloud Sect was uncontrollably angry, and naturally understood the purpose of Cen Changjin summoning him. After cursing as if for show, he proceeded to heal the bedridden Cen Fuda.

Coming to the bedside, he pulled down Cen Fuda’s pants and saw that one of Cen Fuda’s legs was directly smashed, the whole left leg loose and deformed. He immediately commented:

“Such great strength in that monk!”

He then turned to look at Cen Fuda’s other leg and saw two bloody holes at the knee, with half a chopstick embedded inside. Xie Wenren instantly became suspicious:

“Hmm? To pierce through the knee with a chopstick, that’s a remarkable technique, but it should not be from that monk. Could there be someone else?”