Chapter 7: The Pretentious Taoist, Yang Ping

The trip to Haicheng was naturally focused on the Yundong District; the reason it was called Yundong District was simply because it was just one of the districts in Haicheng. Cao Kun had been rushing about across the country these past few days, eager to liquidate his gold, all in preparation for Yundong District.

His journey to Kun City in Yun Province, however, was for the sake of Yang Ping. At this moment, Yang Ping was serving as a Taoist priest in a small temple in Kun City. If he took a flight, Cao Kun could reach Yang Ping’s temple before nine in the evening. This meant that, provided everything went smoothly, he could secure the secret manual he had spent seven or eight years practicing tonight. However, this would mean he wouldn’t be able to reach Haicheng tonight and would have to set off tomorrow instead. Calculated out, it would cost him an entire day.

Because of this, he hesitated. Should he head to Haicheng, or go find that dog Yang Ping? Eventually, as the taxi arrived at the airport, Cao Kun made his decision. He would go find that dog Yang Ping first and get the manual! Besides, thanks to the evening rush hour, they had been stuck in traffic for a while, and his flight to Haicheng had already departed. Therefore, there was no choice left; heading to Kun City to find Yang Ping was the only option.

...

8:55 PM.

On the outskirts of Kun City, a taxi pulled up in front of a small temple, barely twice the size of an ordinary farmhouse. Cao Kun stepped out of the car, looked at the already-closed temple gates, and walked straight up, knocking on the door with a series of loud thuds. Before long, a Taoist priest in his early twenties opened the door.

"Honorable believer, our temple is closed for the day. If you have any business, please come back tomorrow."

As he finished speaking, the priest moved to close the door, but before he could, Cao Kun reached out and blocked it. "Young priest, I know your abbot, Yang Ping. I have urgent business with him. Please, show some courtesy."

"This..." Seeing how natural Cao Kun sounded—not at all like he was lying—the priest hesitated for a moment before finally letting him in.

Because the temple was small, it didn't take long for Cao Kun to follow the priest to a room. The priest knocked gently twice and said, "Master, a believer who knows you says he has urgent business. I have brought him here."

"Hmm, let him in."

A voice familiar to Cao Kun drifted from the room. The young priest pushed the door open, stepped aside, and gestured for Cao Kun to enter. Cao Kun didn't stand on ceremony; he strode right in while the young priest turned and left. Inside the room, an incense burner was lit, and a middle-aged man in Taoist robes was sitting cross-legged on a cushion, eyes closed. It was Yang Ping.

Watching Yang Ping put on this pretentious act—refusing to open his eyes even after he had entered—Cao Kun almost couldn't stop himself from kicking him. *Stop the act, you prick! Do you think I don't know exactly what kind of trash you are? Back in prison, weren't you the one licking boots and calling everyone 'Brother Scar'?*

Yang Ping didn't make Cao Kun wait long. After exactly three minutes, he opened his eyes. Perhaps it was because he caught a glimpse through his eyelids of Cao Kun impatiently picking up the incense burner. He realized the man before him was no pushover; if he kept pretending, his skull might get cracked open.

Yang Ping offered an apologetic smile and said, "My apologies, I was just finishing my devotions. I hope you'll forgive the neglect."

Cao Kun set the incense burner down with a cold, insincere smile. "No, no, the apology is mine for disturbing you so late."

"It is no matter." Yang Ping waved his hand magnanimously and stood up. "By the way, what urgent business does this benefactor have?"

Taoist priests had many ways to address laypeople, such as "benefactor," "believer," or "lay practitioner," so they all meant the same thing.

"Actually, it's not exactly urgent," Cao Kun said, cutting straight to the point. "I came to find Abbot Yang because I want a book you have."

"A book?" Yang Ping looked surprised.

"Yes," Cao Kun nodded. "A nameless book that records some techniques for strengthening the body."

When he heard Cao Kun mention a nameless book, a flash of surprise crossed Yang Ping's eyes. It was fleeting, but Cao Kun caught it. Yang Ping pretended to ponder for a moment and shook his head. "Benefactor, I do have some books here, but they are all Taoist classics. There is no book without a name as you described. Perhaps you have come to the wrong place?"

Seeing Yang Ping deny it, Cao Kun wasn't surprised at all. After all, in his current timeline, they were total strangers. A man of unknown origin demanding something from him—anyone would be hesitant to hand it over.

"I can pay," Cao Kun said. "Abbot Yang, name your price. I am willing to buy that book." Having just received 22.45 million, Cao Kun felt very confident.

Hearing this, Yang Ping shook his head with a bitter smile. "Benefactor, it is not a matter of money. I truly do not have the nameless book you are looking for."

Seeing that Yang Ping still denied having the book even after he offered to pay, Cao Kun grew irritated. *You dog, are you getting too big for your boots? You don't even practice that stuff, why are you hiding it? You won't give it to me, huh? Fine!*

Cao Kun chuckled, stepped forward to close the distance between them, and whispered, "Yang Ping, would you like me to help you tally up how many innocent women you've violated over the past four years?"

Cao Kun knew Yang Ping’s situation inside and out. His string of crimes had lasted seven years, meaning that up until now, he had been active for four. Of course, Cao Kun didn't know exactly how many victims there were, nor did he know them personally, but for Yang Ping, this was enough to strike terror into his heart.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Yang Ping shuddered as if he had seen a ghost. His eyes widened, and he stared at Cao Kun in sheer panic.

Cao Kun smiled slightly and continued, "According to the laws of our country, do you want to guess how many years you'll be sentenced to?"

That sentence was the final straw. After Yang Ping swallowed hard, he didn't say a word; he scrambled out of the room in a panic. Two minutes later, he came rushing back, looking frantic. Unlike before, he was now holding a yellowed, tattered book in his hands.

Yang Ping handed the book to Cao Kun with both hands, his voice trembling. "I was blind and failed to recognize a superior man. Please, benefactor, give me a chance. I swear, I will turn over a new leaf and start life anew."

Watching Yang Ping, now like a startled bird, Cao Kun felt a surge of satisfaction. *Damn it! See what happens when you try to act tough with me? You didn't want to drink the toast willingly, so now you have to drink the forfeit.*

Cao Kun didn't speak; he just gave a faint grunt through his nose and took the book from Yang Ping's hands.