Qingfeng Temple had completely established its reputation and was on the right track, with no problems with cash flow. Xu Zifan then made Luo's mother and Jiang's mother nominal disciples of Qingfeng Temple, and put them in charge of bookkeeping and charity work.
Qingfeng Temple also started offering free medical treatment to one person every day. They had previously said they could treat illnesses, but no one ever came. Who would believe that a Taoist priest in a temple could practice medicine? Most people assumed that this "medical treatment" meant exorcising evil spirits.
However, since it's free, why not take a look? First, some elderly people who lived nearby came to see it, and after taking the pills Xu Zifan prescribed, they felt really comfortable. They then introduced their family and friends to see it, and after seeing it, they would introduce more. Soon, the free spots were all filled. There was only one spot a day, and some people lined up at the door early in the morning. But once it was decided, it was a one-time offer, with no exceptions.
Everyone else who wants to see a doctor has to pay upfront. Some young people were unhappy about this and took photos, posting them online to condemn Qingfeng Temple for being selfish and profit-driven. But Xu Zifan immediately posted a list of Qingfeng Temple's charitable donations online. They say all the money they earn is for charity, and you have the nerve to not pay for your own medical care? Are you beggars?
This further enhanced Qingfeng Temple's reputation, making everyone aware that Qingfeng Temple truly possessed healing abilities, and more and more people came seeking treatment there. Xu Zifan became increasingly busy. Medical skills are something that takes many years to learn, and he didn't have the energy to teach others, so he could only do it himself. Those who couldn't get an appointment had to make a reservation, and he would only make an exception for very serious emergencies, seeing patients after the temple closed at night.
Two months later, Liao Cheng wrote to say that all the people Wang Xiaofeng had implicated had been caught. Those who were too vicious were killed on the spot, while those whose crimes were less serious were sent to the First Prison.
Xuan Tong was indeed innocent and unaware of what Wang Xiaofeng had done. However, Xuan Tong's character was also questionable. He failed to properly guide Wang Xiaofeng and even resisted arrest. The Special Affairs Bureau fined him a sum of money and ordered him not to interfere in other people's affairs for three years, so that he could reflect on his actions and cultivate himself properly.
After finishing this small talk, Liao Cheng got down to business. He wanted Jiang Tianxin to investigate a case of human trafficking. The police were at a loss, and he hoped that Jiang Tianxin could find clues, calculate the location, rescue the people, and dismantle the human trafficking organization.
Jiang Tianxin was originally a policeman and abhorred this kind of thing. Now that he had even better skills, he naturally felt obligated to do so.
Xu Zifan learned about the case and estimated that she could handle it, so he let her investigate on her own. However, before Jiang Tianxin left, he called her into his room and gave her a bunch of things.
"This is the jade armor you wore last time, this is the gold silk soft armor we seized in the mountain village, this is a compass, this is a high-level talisman I drew, these are some commonly used array plates, and this is the Golden Concealment Bell. This is very important. If you encounter danger, as long as you avoid people and hide in here, absolutely no one will be able to see you or find you. When the time comes, just tear the communication talisman, and I will come over."
Jiang Tianxin looked at the huge pile of things in front of her, both amused and exasperated. "Master, how am I supposed to carry all this stuff? I can't possibly drag two big suitcases around like this. Besides, the Golden Hidden Bell can't fit in there at all."
She knew Xu Zifan was worried about her, and her heart warmed. She reached out and grabbed Xu Zifan's arm, smiling as she said, "Master, don't worry. I used to investigate these kinds of cases before I started cultivating. Now I can protect myself better, and I'll be back soon."
Xu Zifan took her hand and pulled her to sit down beside him. A scene flashed before his eyes—the image of Jiang Tianxin successfully finding her way into the mountains and leading the police to rescue people. Reassured, he released her hand. "I've brought so much stuff out; naturally, I'll find a way for you to carry it."
Jiang Tianxin silently curled her fingers, her ears burning, and lowered her head to hide her expression as she asked, "What method?" Then she suddenly looked up, her eyes wide, "Master, are you going to teach me a spell to hide things?"
Xu Zifan smiled and shook his head, "It's not magic, it's a storage magic item." He opened his right hand, revealing a simple and elegant ring in his palm. The ring setting was platinum, with a red jade the size of a mung bean set in it.
Jiang Tianxin's lips parted slightly as she stared at the ring before her, completely ignoring the words "storage magic item." Her master had given her a ring? This was the first time she had ever received a ring! Why a ring?!
Xu Zifan waved his hand in front of her eyes and said with a smile, "What are you thinking about? I'm telling you about the storage ring. You absolutely cannot tell anyone about this, not even your closest friends, understand? So you should carry a light bag to cover it up, especially so that no one from the Xuanmen sect can find out. Possessing a treasure is a crime."
Jiang Tianxin then came to her senses and quickly nodded, "I understand, Master."
It turned out that the gift wasn't specifically for her to receive a ring. She realized she had been overthinking things, but then she discovered that this treasure, the storage ring, seemed to be known only to the two of them in the whole world, and an indescribable joy welled up in her heart.
She took the ring and put it on the middle finger of her left hand. The small red jadeite had a particularly good color, as if it could drip water. It looked especially beautiful against her fair skin. She liked it no matter how she looked at it, and a smile appeared on her face.
Xu Zifan smiled, leaning against the table and propping his head up as he looked at her. "Silly girl, why don't you hurry up and try it out to see if it works?"
"Oh, I'll try it right away." Jiang Tianxin smiled sheepishly, closed her eyes, and enveloped the red jade with her divine sense, slowly permeating and refining it. Within minutes, she established a spiritual connection with the storage ring. With her divine sense, she could see the space within the ring—it was vast, like a 200-square-meter house. She could carry her home with her wherever she went. She finally understood why her master could take out so many things anytime, anywhere!
Jiang Tianxin opened her eyes, and something new appeared in her gaze as she looked at Xu Zifan. She couldn't help but...
The monk asked, "Such a treasure is probably hard to find anywhere in the world. Master, are you really giving it to me? Aren't you going to keep it for yourself? Maybe, maybe you'll have someone else you want to give it to later, like, like your child..."
Xu Zifan smiled broadly, reached out and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. Seeing her ears turn red, he said, "I made this especially for you. I started making it after we came back from Shan'ao Village, but I've been too busy lately to finish it. Do you like it?"
"I...I like..." Jiang Tianxin was a little restless, yet also happy. She couldn't quite understand her feelings. Did this mean she had fallen in love with her master? Suddenly, she felt like running away, but she was also reluctant to leave just like that. She would be out investigating the case for many days.
"Wear it if you like it. I think it suits you very well, it looks beautiful." Xu Zifan looked at her red ring, then at her red dress, and then at her red belt. They really did match, as if she were a bright and beautiful female cultivator with a fire elemental root, the most beautiful celestial master in modern times.
Jiang Tianxin blushed, unsure what to say, and quickly waved her hand to put everything Xu Zifan had given her into her storage ring. Xu Zifan then took out two medicine boxes: one containing pills and powders for various purposes, and the other containing common medicines found in regular pharmacies.
"Pack these away, and bring some clothes, food, and other things you might need as backup. It will be much more convenient when you go out."
Jiang Tianxin packed up the medicine box. "Thank you, Master. Well, I'll be going now."
"I'll see you out." Xu Zifan got up and went out with her. After seeing her to the door, he called her back and thought for a moment before saying, "Don't overthink things while you're out doing business. Be careful and come back soon."
Jiang Tianxin felt even more embarrassed. It turned out that her master had noticed her overthinking. She nodded hastily and quickly ran to the car to leave. In the rearview mirror, she saw Xu Zifan standing at the entrance of the Taoist temple, covering his burning face with his hands, then lowering them to lovingly touch the ring on his hand, an uncontrollable smile on his face.
Only after she had walked a distance did she compose herself and begin examining the case's clues, just as she had when she was a police officer, only with a more imposing presence.
She was only special to him; away from him, she was still the same Jiang Tianxin.
Xu Zifan, unable to see his apprentice any longer, turned and went back into the room to prepare medicine for the patient. A moment later, Shaohua suddenly reminded him, "[Host, a strong wind has blown outside!]"
Xu Zifan subconsciously entered the space, not forgetting to take all the pills on the table with him. A second later, the window was blown open by a strong wind, and a layer of dust fell onto the table like a sandstorm!
Xu Zifan waited for a while and, finding no further movement, went out to ask the young Taoist priest to clean the room.
He was very vigilant throughout the rest of the day, but surprisingly, he didn't choke on his water, his food, or his bath water turned ice-cold. The only thing he did was trip over the edge of the bed while sleeping at night. However, his cultivation level had increased significantly, and he immediately regained his balance without hitting the bedside table.
Lying in bed, he pondered for a while, then wondered, "Am I less unlucky today?"
[Shaohua: Yes, host. You only had two unfortunate events today, neither of which were life-threatening, and both were easily avoided. The number and severity of the events have been greatly reduced.]
Xu Zifan laughed, instantly feeling relieved. "This proves our method worked. Doing good deeds is the right path. Let's be philanthropists for the rest of our lives, and incidentally, help promote the Taoist temple."
[Shaohua: Congratulations, host! [fireworks.gif]]
Xu Zifan watched the colorful fireworks explode on the virtual screen, laughed out loud, and finally felt relieved enough to drift off to sleep peacefully.
In the following days, Xu Zifan encountered some unfortunate events, but they were all minor and common occurrences, nothing serious. He was in a great mood, which greatly improved his efficiency in treating patients, indirectly increasing the Taoist temple's revenue and encouraging more recovered patients to spread the word about Qingfeng Temple.
That day, just as Qingfeng Temple opened, Cheng Zhuang entered with the Cheng family's steward, wanting to see Xu Zifan. The young Taoist priests in the temple naturally recognized the young master of the Cheng family and hurriedly ran to ask for permission, just in time to run into Jiang Dong.
Jiang Dong frowned, strode out, and sized up Cheng Zhuang. "What are you doing here?"
Cheng Zhuang's face was pale. He coughed a few times and said impatiently, "What's it to you if I'm looking for Xu Zifan?"
Jiang Dong crossed his arms and blocked his way, coldly saying, "The abbot is very busy and has no time. If you have something to say, then say it. If not, please leave. Qingfeng Temple is not a place for you to pass the time."
Cheng Zhuang looked around, as if searching for someone. "Where's Tianxin? Call her out, I want to talk to her."
Jiang Dong laughed angrily, "You're really something. You think you can just see whoever you want? You think you can just call anyone out? Who do you think you are?"
"You! Jiang Dong!" Cheng Zhuang seemed about to explode, but he held back. He glanced back at the butler and said in a deep voice, "I have something important to discuss with Tian Xin. It concerns a life!"