"Uncle Jiu, esteemed Taoist masters, I have invited the three of you here this evening to discuss a matter of utmost importance regarding the relocation of my father's grave," Ren Fa began, finally addressing the purpose of their gathering.
His tone carried both respect and underlying anxiety about the supernatural implications of what he was requesting.
"The feng shui master who originally selected the burial location for my father provided very specific instructions," Ren Fa continued, his voice growing more serious. "He stated that the coffin must be moved after exactly twenty years have passed. Now that twenty years have elapsed, and having had the fortunate opportunity to meet three such distinguished Taoist priests yesterday, I hoped to request your invaluable assistance in this delicate matter."
Ren Fa's explanation revealed both his adherence to traditional beliefs and his genuine concern about following proper supernatural protocols.
"I must confess that I am not particularly well-versed in the intricate arts of feng shui and grave relocation," Gustave replied directly, declining the request with honest candor. "I believe it would be far more appropriate to ask Fellow Taoist Yimei to provide his expertise in this specialized area."
What Gustave said was absolutely true. Although he had now achieved the extraordinary honor of becoming a disciple of the Moral Lord, the venerable master had not yet taught Gustave any specific techniques or knowledge because he had not yet met the necessary spiritual requirements. As for feng shui and geomantic arts, Gustave possessed virtually no understanding whatsoever.
"Haha! This matter clearly falls within Fellow Taoist Yimei's area of expertise and local knowledge," Zhang Zhiwei added with diplomatic grace. "I certainly wouldn't presume to interfere or steal the spotlight from such a capable practitioner."
Zhang Zhiwei's smile was warm but firm, indicating that he also would not involve himself directly in this particular supernatural consultation.
Ren Fa's expression visibly darkened when he witnessed both distinguished guests declining his request. Originally, he had invited all three of them to work together precisely because he wanted their combined expertise and power to ensure that the relocation of his father, Old Master Ren's grave, would be absolutely foolproof and free from any supernatural complications. He had never expected such a disappointing outcome!
After carefully listening to both Gustave and Zhang Zhiwei's responses, Lin Jiu performed some traditional calculations using his knowledge of the lunar calendar and auspicious timing.
"Three days from now will be an exceptionally auspicious day according to the traditional calendar," Lin Jiu announced with professional confidence. "It represents the most favorable time for conducting grave relocation ceremonies."
After hearing Lin Jiu's expert assessment, Ren Fa glanced hopefully at Gustave and Zhang Zhiwei, seeking any sign that they might reconsider their positions. However, neither of the two visitors expressed any change of opinion or willingness to participate directly. Ren Fa found himself with no alternative but to accept Lin Jiu's solo guidance. After all, Lin Jiu was the most qualified and experienced candidate he knew for handling such supernatural matters.
"Master, Master Huang is looking for you urgently," a restaurant waiter approached Ren Fa and announced with obvious deference.
"Three esteemed Taoist priests, I have some pressing business matters that require my immediate attention," Ren Fa explained apologetically. "Would it be acceptable if I ask my daughter Tingting to keep you company while I attend to this urgent matter?"
Ren Fa sighed internally with a mixture of relief and frustration. That fellow surnamed Huang had certainly chosen an opportune moment to seek his attention, providing a convenient escape from this increasingly awkward social situation.
"Please, Master Ren, attend to your business without concern for us," Gustave and his two friends replied courteously, nodding their understanding and acceptance of his temporary departure.
As soon as Ren Fa excused himself and left their private dining area, a tea server arrived with fresh refreshments. Gustave picked up the delicate porcelain cup containing Pu'er tea, blew gently across its surface to cool the steaming liquid, then tasted it carefully. He was pleasantly surprised to discover that it was actually quite good quality and definitely not an inferior product designed to cut costs.
In reality, this exceptional service occurred because the staff knew that Ren Fa had been somewhat embarrassed by his guests' refusal to fully participate in his request. Combined with Ren Fa's specific instructions to provide the finest hospitality, the Pu'er tea served to Gustave and his friends represented the absolute best stock available in the restaurant's inventory. This premium tea was usually reserved exclusively for Master Ren's most distinguished and important guests.
"Did Master Gustave came from abroad?" Ren Tingting inquired with obvious curiosity as she approached their table.
From the moment she had first laid eyes on him, Ren Tingting had found herself fascinated by Gustave's western appearance and bearing. After all, Gustave's outfit represented a typically Western style of dress in her educated opinion, and when combined with his appearance and sophisticated temperament, she couldn't help but feel intensely curious. Why would such an obviously "westerner" and educated person choose to join a local Taoist sect?
"Yes" Gustave replied with a slight nod of his head.
He had attended university in China and had only visited Europe and North America as a tourist rather than as a student.
"I believe Master Gustave must have received higher education based on your origin," Ren Tingting continued her line of inquiry with growing interest. "Why did you choose to join a Taoist sect? Why travel here? And why do you continue to dress in such a modern Western style even after joining the religious order?"
Ever since Ren Tingting had returned from her studies abroad, she had felt profoundly lonely and isolated, finding no intellectual or cultural resonance with the people around her in traditional Renjia Town. Finally meeting such a unique and intriguing person as Gustave, she was determined to understand everything about his background and motivations.
"I do indeed possess higher education" Gustave confirmed matter-of-factly.
"As for why I'm here, that occurred because I had the extraordinary fortune to meet Uncle Jiu and wanted so he his hometown," Gustave continued his explanation.
"Regarding my choice of clothing, no one has ever established a rule stating that practitioners cannot dress in this manner, have they?" he added with subtle amusement.
Gustave could only conclude that Ren Tingting remained rather inexperienced in understanding the full spectrum of spiritual practice. After all, there was a genuine Taoist saint residing at the Bamboo Staff who spent his days playing video games while wearing enormous headphones and consuming carbonated beverages. In that context, Gustave's clothing choices appeared perfectly normal and conservative.
After listening to Gustave's background, Ren Tingting's eyes literally sparkled with interest and attraction. He was both devastatingly handsome and remarkably well-educated—he represented the absolutely perfect candidate for marriage!
Ren Tingting found herself falling in love with Gustave almost immediately, but unfortunately, Gustave felt no reciprocal interest in Ren Tingting whatsoever. Ever since he had acquired the Gate of All Worlds, Gustave had gradually lost interest in romantic relationships. After becoming a disciple of the Moral Lord, his disinterest in romantic entanglements had only intensified. There were so many fascinating and meaningful pursuits available in the world—why waste precious time and energy on the complications of romantic relationships?
Ren Tingting continued bombarding Gustave with an endless stream of personal questions, asking "Why this?" and "How that?" while Gustave responded to her inquiries with increasingly perfunctory and minimal answers.
During the extended period that he endured this relentless interrogation by Ren Tingting, Gustave found himself experiencing profound regret. He should have pleaded for mercy on behalf of Qiu Sheng and Wen Cai the previous night, convincing Lin Jiu to bring both disciples along today. With those two young men present to serve as distractions and targets for feminine attention, Ren Tingting would have had no time or opportunity to focus her persistent questioning on him.
"Fellow Taoist Yimei, isn't it approaching the proper time to burn incense for our ancestors?" Gustave asked desperately, seizing a brief moment when Ren Tingting was drinking water. "Should we perhaps return home to fulfill our spiritual obligations?"
His tone carried carefully concealed urgency and hope for rescue from this social torture.
Lin Jiu looked at Gustave with obvious confusion and bewilderment. Didn't they typically perform ancestor veneration ceremonies during daylight hours rather than in the evening?
"Yes, absolutely! Fellow Taoist Yimei, we really should return home immediately," Zhang Zhiwei agreed enthusiastically, having clearly recognized that Gustave was being tormented by Ren Tingting's persistent attention and desperately wanted to escape.
After all, Gustave held the exalted position of Gustave and certainly deserved their immediate support and assistance!
"Oh yes, that's absolutely correct! It is indeed time to burn incense for our ancestors!" Lin Jiu declared with sudden understanding.
After receiving repeated hints and reminders from his two friends, Lin Jiu was not as slow-witted as Wen Cai and immediately grasped what Gustave was really trying to communicate.
"Miss Ren, we must take our leave now to attend to our spiritual duties," Gustave announced, rising from his seat with obvious relief and preparing to make his escape.
"Tingting, please convey to Master Ren that we will proceed with the grave relocation ceremony exactly as scheduled in three days," Lin Jiu added, providing the necessary conclusion to their business discussion before following Gustave toward the exit.
Watching Gustave's unhurried but determined figure as he departed, Ren Tingting pouted with obvious disappointment and stomped her right foot hard against the floor in frustration. Was she really that annoying and unpleasant to be around?
When Gustave and his friends returned to the charity cemetery, they discovered Qiu Sheng and Wen Cai snoring loudly in their sleeping quarters. The previous night, Lin Jiu had employed a Taoist punishment technique that forced both disciples to kneel with their eyes open throughout the entire night without rest. They were thoroughly exhausted and still in considerable pain, and it appeared they would probably sleep for the entire day to recover.
After dinner that evening, Gustave sought out Qiu Sheng and Wen Cai for a private conversation.
"Qiu Sheng! Wen Cai!" Gustave called out with authority.
Both young men hurried over immediately when they heard Gustave's summons. Ever since they had gained some understanding of Gustave's extraordinary abilities, they had maintained perfectly respectful behavior in his presence. They had no desire to be controlled and rendered immobile like Simu's hopping zombie guests. The punishment they had already endured from Lin Jiu throughout the previous night had been more than sufficiently uncomfortable.
"Master Gustave, what matter did you wish to discuss with us?" Qiu Sheng inquired politely after positioning himself before Gustave.
"Qiu Sheng, Wen Cai, please sit down and make yourselves comfortable," Gustave replied with a welcoming gesture. "I've sought you both out because I have some potentially good news to share."
His tone was friendly and encouraging, suggesting positive developments rather than additional punishment or criticism.
"Good news?" both disciples repeated with obvious skepticism and disbelief.
Hearing Gustave's unexpected words, Qiu Sheng and Wen Cai exchanged meaningful glances, clearly finding it difficult to believe such a claim. Since becoming Lin Jiu's disciples, had they ever actually encountered anything that could legitimately be called "good news"?
"Are you both familiar with the town's wealthiest individual, Master Ren Fa?" Gustave inquired, beginning his explanation with a foundation they would understand.
"Uh-huh!" both young men nodded vigorously in confirmation.
Hearing Gustave's question, Qiu Sheng and Wen Cai indicated their awareness of Master Ren's prominent position in their community.
"This morning, your master and I visited Master Ren's restaurant for tea as previously scheduled," Gustave continued his explanation with deliberate care. "During our visit, I had the opportunity to meet his daughter, Ren Tingting. She has recently returned from studying abroad and possesses all the qualities one could desire—she is gentle, beautiful, and exceptionally well-educated."
Gustave paused to allow this information to sink in before continuing.
"Observing that you two young men are no longer children and have reached an appropriate age for marriage, I thought I would provide you both with an extraordinary opportunity," he concluded. "I want to see which one of you might successfully court and win the affections of Miss Ren Tingting."
Hearing Gustave's incredible proposition, both Qiu Sheng and Wen Cai looked utterly incredulous and suspicious. If Ren Tingting was truly as wonderful as described, what possible chance could either of them have with such a desirable young woman?
Their immediate assumption was that Ren Tingting must be unattractive, overweight, or possess some other significant flaw. Otherwise, why would Gustave offer such an apparently golden opportunity to them rather than pursuing her himself?
Observing that Qiu Sheng and Wen Cai clearly didn't believe his description, Gustave rolled his eyes with exasperation and decided to try a different persuasive approach.
"Qiu Sheng, Wen Cai, consider this carefully," Gustave began with a more practical tone. "Ren Tingting is Master Ren's only daughter and heir. If one of you were to marry her..."
"Yes! Absolutely! We understand completely!" both disciples exclaimed before Gustave could even finish his sentence.
They began nodding frantically with sudden enthusiasm and determination. For the sake of Master Ren's substantial wealth and social position, they were definitely willing to make their best effort, regardless of any potential personal reservations about the young lady's appearance or character.
"Excellent! That's exactly the spirit I hoped to see," Gustave replied with satisfaction. "Tomorrow morning, you two will accompany me into town, and I will purchase some decent clothing for both of you."
Gustave understood the fundamental truth that clothes make the man. If Qiu Sheng and Wen Cai wanted to make any kind of positive impression in front of Ren Tingting, they absolutely could not continue dressing in their current shabby and inappropriate attire.
When Qiu Sheng and Wen Cai heard that Gustave was planning to buy new clothes for them at his own expense, they laughed with such joy that they nearly began drooling with excitement. Gustave was truly such a generous and wonderful benefactor!