"A traveling Taoist, upon reaching another temple, should do the first thing on their checklist - register in the records. Something seems to be different here."
The voice was not loud, only I could hear it, and it did not spread very far.
"Hmm." I nodded.
Tianshou Temple was not a regular temple, and its rules were different from other places, which was normal.
The information from Jiang and Kuang was indeed too little and useless, saying it was like saying nothing.
"This place requires a 'knocking brick,'" I began.
"A 'knocking brick'?" Su Yan muttered.
"It was Wang Sh ideally said," I squinted my eyes.
"Is it the rebellious disciple who should have been responsible by Xiang Ke himself?" Su Yan's voice grew even softer.
"I nodded, but did not say anything further."
However, I believe Wang Sh ideal's "knocking brick" is definitely not for the outer door, but for the inner door.
He took me for a disciple coming down from the mountain, ready to use me as a prop to knock on the door, only to be killed in my hands.
"This 'knocking brick'... we don't have one in our hands."
"Haha, both of you are new here. It seems you are not familiar with the rules of this place yet?"
A toneless voice that was neither masculine nor feminine reached my ears, and a figure approached from the right, coming closer to me and Su Yan.
"My name is Jia Jin, and I like to make friends. I'm willing to help you clear up any misunderstandings."
The man I looked at was about forty years old. His normal skin had patches of white vitiligo, a mole on his chin with fine black hair on it.
He smoothed the fine black hair on his chin, his face brimming with smiles, and his overall appearance gave off a sense of gentleness and flexibility.
My inner vigilance originally made me want to directly reject it, but since I didn't understand this place, I couldn't fit in. I and Su Yan really need to find that small path; however, we also need to find a place to rest first.
"Many thanks." I bowed respectfully and said.
Su Yan nodded slightly, very politely.
"Gentlemen, please!" Jia Jin stepped forward, and I and Su Yan followed. We quickly arrived at the front of a house in the middle of the right side.
Jia Jin pushed open the door and invited us in.
The room was actually very cramped, with a door only about five or six meters long, making the room itself only about 20 square meters. With the bed, cabinet, and table inside, it was quite tight.
By the window, there was a stove where tea water was boiling.
"Haha, please have a seat!"
Jia Jin gestured again with his hand, and I sat down with Su Yan at the square table.
Later, Jia Jin poured two cups of tea for us and one for himself. He then took a sip first.
"This place doesn't have many rules. Once you come here, you're considered an appearance disciple, but you can't act as a Taoist from Tian Shou Temple unless you're selected."
"You can move into any empty room, or if you see a house you like, just have people move out. If they don't, it's no problem to kill them."
"There are no rules here. The rules of appearance are the only rules that matter. You need both good qualifications and strong ability to be selected. Additionally, if you bring something extremely important from another temple's mountain gate or bring back live human heads, there may be exceptions, but only if they pass the internal inspection by the management."
"Haha, I've been here at the appearance for three months. In a few days, the internal observation will select people, and my chances of being selected are very high! Today we meet as friends. If there's anything you need, you can call on me."
"Further inside, there are empty rooms, so there's no need to compete with others."
Jia Jin's words were clear and logical, resolving many of my misunderstandings.
"You two, why not have some tea? Haha, this is the mingqian tea from the Wuemeng Mountain in Jianghuang City. It is delicate but not lose its fragrance and is of top quality. Both of you must be tired after coming up the mountain. Have a sip to refresh yourselves." Jia Jin was very friendly.
"No need. Thank you, Brother Jia." I stood up.
Su Yan also stood up with me.
As newcomers, it's a simple rule that we can't simply eat and drink others' food.
Jia Jin is friendly, but if someone shows excessive kindness without a reason, it's either deceit or theft.
"Don't drink the tea, have some snacks, my snacks are also quite good."
Jia Jin took out a small pastry box from the drawer under the table, opened it, and inside were exquisite pastries.
He didn't get up to stop us, but his smile on his face became even more pleasant, and he reached out to pluck at his mustache.
I didn't say much, quickly trying to leave!
Safety is the boat that sails for a thousand years!
Then there is no more politeness to be observed.
However, just taking one step, my head suddenly felt fuzzy, and my body became soft…
Su Yan groaned softly, her body collapsing limply towards me...
"Haha, it seems the two of you are really exhausted. You're about to collapse anytime now."
Jia Jin finally stood up slowly.
"After staying in the appearance for three months, both of you are the most unguarded and the most relaxed people, yet you managed to come straight into my room."
"Hahaha, it's great! Great! You haven't drunk the poison in the tea, but you haven't smelled the invisible and odorless corrosive fragrance."
"I, Jia, may not enjoy eating someone else's leftovers, but you this female Taoist, quite a taste. And you, Jia has never liked the people who are arrogant all the time. Wearing a mask, what are you trying to be? A big wolf with a tail?"
"Hmph, I'll take you for a little trip first. After I've enjoyed your woman to my heart's content, I'll send her off to find you on the road!"
"This bulging array of talismans, if you don't die, who will?"
Jia Jin was truly delighted. He twisted his mustache and excitedly approached me and Su Yan.
The fuzziness in my head intensified... Su Yan was completely powerless, leaning against me, about to collapse at any moment.
Bit hard on my tongue, numb without pain, it's impossible for me to regain consciousness...
With gritted teeth, I drew out the Yujian of the female one.
Just as I was about to flash it onto Jia Jin's face, he reached out with his hand and snatched it from mine!
The Yujian of the female one fell into his hands!
"Good jade! Oh...?" Jia Jin was slightly taken aback.
Staring closely at the Yujian of the female one, I stumbled back two steps, sat down heavily on the chair, and with great effort supported Su Yan.
Jia Jin, however, was still staring at the Yujian of the female one, without moving. His eyelids were twitching and jumping constantly.
I breathed heavily, fiercely gripping the last bit of strength, staring fixedly at Jia Jin.
In the next second, Jia Jin shivered and cursed, "What demonic thing is this..."
He threw it away abruptly, the Yujian of the female one made a smacking sound, perfectly hitting my chest. I lifted my hand with difficulty and covered the Yujian.
Jia Jin stood up and walked towards me with a changeable expression!
He pulled out a dagger from his waist, with an extremely fierce appearance!
The Yujian of the female one… didn't work?
All over me was a coldness.
Just arrived at Tianshou Temple, and I was taken down by this obscure little officer, feelings of regret and disappointment surged in my heart.
At this moment, Jia Jin stopped in front of me, but instead of looking at me, he looked to my left, at the empty chair.
"Thwack!" He stabbed out with the dagger, his excitement spreading wider.
"Hahahaha! Why don't you just die!"
After speaking, Jia Jin's eyes became vacant, and he stood there stunned.
He shivered, twisted his mustache with the other hand, turned around, and walked out of the room.
As he walked, he kept muttering something that I couldn't understand.
After he walked out, he didn't close the door. Instead, he suddenly picked up the dagger and slashed it towards his own mouth!
The action was swift as the wind!
A burst of blood shot out, splashing at least a meter high!
