Chapter Six: The Portly Taoist Who Once Held a Divine Office

From her earlier reaction, it was clear she had already accepted my methods.

A true master who summons the divine banner would never let go of a great chef.

My retort was meant to remind her that I wasn’t here to seek a job at Xu Pharmaceutical Group. Our relationship was one of collaboration, and I had no patience for endless interviews.

Though Xu Qingguo was taken aback by my words, her face remained defiant as she appraised me from head to toe.

“Are you flirting with me?”

“No interest,” I replied coldly.

She snorted disdainfully.

“Good! Those who spoke rudely to me last time have already passed several Qingming Festivals.”

Huh?

A pharmaceutical group’s female CEO acting like a gangster queen—what nonsense was she spouting?

I ignored her and waited for her response.

Xu Qingguo’s expression hardened, her tone calm and indifferent.

“Once this is done, do you want money or goods?”

I shook my head.

“Neither. Use your Qimen acupuncture technique to treat a patient for me.”

At this, Xu Qingguo was momentarily stunned, hesitating as if deciding something difficult.

I found it strange; it was just acupuncture treatment—why the deep contemplation as if selling one’s soul?

After a long pause, she bit her lip fiercely, tore off a piece of white paper, quickly scribbled an address and contact number, and handed it to me.

“Fine! See you at Qingshan Lake Truck Stop in two days!”

The pact was sealed!

I pocketed the note, ready to leave, but remembered something and turned back to ask.

“Did you forget something?”

She had promised during the bet that if I passed the knife skill test, she would carry me down from the seventh floor.

Xu Qingguo laughed softly, a gentle tremor beneath her chest, her brows arched as she gave me an OK sign and picked up the phone.

“Wu Ping, come carry a brain-dead person downstairs.”

I widened my eyes.

After hanging up, she tilted her smooth, silk-like chin toward me, whispering with a voice full of provocation and flirtation, her breath scented like orchids.

“Think carefully. The bet only said someone would carry you down, not who.”

“Trying to take advantage of me? You’re too naive!”

I was speechless.

Unbelievable!

She even caught such a loophole!

I reached out and lightly patted her back.

“President Xu, taking advantage of you is too easy.”

In an instant, Xu Qingguo took two hurried steps back, clutching her back tightly with a flushed face, her pupils a mix of shock and anger.

“You shameless!”

I undid the buttons on her blazer.

With five hundred yuan’s worth of acupoint techniques, practiced hand skills demand a balance of firmness and softness, subtlety and speed.

Her blazer was thin, the buttons strained against her curves, just a simple pinch and tug through the fabric combined with the elasticity of her proud silhouette caused the buttons to pop open.

Wu Ping had entered the room.

I smiled at Xu Qingguo.

“See you at the truck stop!”

---

Outside in the corridor, Wu Ping crouched slightly, expressionless as ever.

“Master Meng, please go ahead.”

I glanced at Wu Ping’s back; no clothing could hide the sheer muscle mass on his wingspan.

This man was definitely a kung fu expert!

I pressed the elevator button.

“Just joking, don’t take it seriously.”

My sister-in-law told me not to return before completing the task. After leaving Xu Pharmaceutical Building, I wandered the streets for a while. With little money on me, I found a modest inn near Hongcheng Market.

Fifteen yuan a night, with a private bathroom.

Bored that evening, I watched TV and came across a local Chang City program on traditional Chinese medicine health preservation. The female guest looked familiar—it was Xu Qingguo!

A small caption introduced her.

CEO of Xu Pharmaceutical Group, primary inheritor of Xin’an Medicine, expert in Qihuang Dao Medical Prescriptions, Master of Medicine from Berkeley, skilled in ancient methods like medicinal plasters, guiding exercises, and fumigation to treat various difficult diseases.

She wore light makeup, looked beautiful, intellectual, and elegant. Sometimes, at the host’s invitation, she personally demonstrated the Five Animal Frolics, resembling a charming, outstanding young lady from the neighborhood—completely different from the defiant, cold woman in the office.

I noticed the introduction omitted her secret skill—the Qimen acupuncture technique.

A famous female doctor with a vast empire, hiding her ultimate skill and even hiring tomb robbers by hanging a divine banner.

This girl was intriguing!

Two days later, early morning, I arrived at the Qingshan Lake Truck Stop.

In the 1990s, truck stops by the national highway were chaotic places, offering food and lodging to truck drivers along with karaoke, foot baths, and hostess services.

Many tomb robbers met or sold goods here, favoring quick, discreet transactions.

I entered a shabby karaoke box, where besides Xu Qingguo and flat-top Wu Ping, a round-faced, plump man wearing a felt hat and tattered coat emerged from the bathroom, carrying an erhu, looking like a street performer.

Wu Ping introduced him.

“Master Dong Chuan, Taoist priest from Meiling Zhenjun Temple.”

The plump Taoist grinned broadly and stretched out his chubby hand.

“Kid, so young and already robbing graves, you’ve got a hell of a future!”

I noticed his hands were stained with faint yellow urine, which disgusted me, so I didn’t shake.

Realizing this, Dong wiped his hands on his worn coat.

“Damn! This Taoist once held a divine position in heaven; my urine is nectar, and you still despise it!”

I turned to Xu Qingguo.

“President Xu, why didn’t you inform me in advance about adding a new member?”

Adding someone last minute is taboo in tomb raids.

Xu Qingguo replied calmly.

“Master Dong is a friend’s recommendation, trustworthy. Don’t doubt him.”

I answered coldly, “I don’t trust him.”

Dong was already unhappy that I hadn’t shaken his hand. Hearing this, his temper flared; he reached to grab my shoulder.

“You’re so cocky…”

I quickly twisted his arm and pulled him forward, then swiftly swept his legs out.

“Crack!”

“Oi, damn it!”

Dong fell flat on the ground like a dog eating dirt.

Furious, he rolled over, face red as a beet, and grabbed a nearby beer bottle.

“You sneaky bastard! Taoist will smash your head!”

Wu Ping immediately stepped between us, grabbing Dong’s arms firmly, his voice loud and eyes icy.

“Gentlemen, calm down!”

I was a bit shocked.

Though the Taoist was fat, he was strong and agile; yet Wu Ping’s simple hold rendered him powerless, his feet rooted like stakes.

Dong realized the pressure and, backing down, gave me a thumbs-up.

“For President Xu’s sake, Taoist will endure for now. Don’t leave before we settle this properly.”

Xu Qingguo gestured for Wu Ping to release Dong, then turned to explain to me as a boss justifying an unquestionable decision.

“Master Meng, we’re heading to Wuyi Mountain’s Medicine King Ridge. The environment is complex, with wild beasts and many ghost stories, so Master Dong will accompany us to drive away evil and disasters—nothing else.”

I couldn’t truly refuse the last-minute addition.

After all, as the host, Xu Qingguo had the right to decide who to invite, what food to serve, and whom to bring along.

If I wasn’t willing, she could find someone else.

But as the chef uncovering the divine banner, having an assistant suddenly added meant I had to assert my authority sharply; otherwise, the team wouldn’t function.

I clapped my hands.

“I don’t believe in ghosts or gods. Bring whoever you want!”

“But remember, a tomb raid is no dinner party. I say one thing during the operation—no arguments!”

Dong’s eyes widened; he’d had enough and lunged forward with the bottle.

“Taoist’s temper…”

Wu Ping stepped forward two paces.

Xu Qingguo smiled faintly.

“You’re the chef; that’s natural!”

Fuming, Dong smashed the beer bottle on the ground, glass shattering everywhere.

Ignoring him, I sat down and asked Xu Qingguo to brief us.

Wu Ping explained on behalf of his boss.

“The Medicine King Ridge tomb of the Hu Mountain ghost doctor in Wuyi Mountain was located after great effort by President Xu. Months ago, the divine banner was hung to seek skilled helpers but no suitable chef was found until Master Meng arrived recently, convincing us to proceed.”

“The plan is simple: Xu only wants the medical texts and tools from the ghost doctor’s tomb. The yellow and white items are Master Dong’s to take freely. As for what Xu promised Master Meng, it will be fulfilled after.”

“Gentlemen, any objections before we depart?”

We all had none.

Wu Ping hung the divine banner on the wall, handed each of us a cup, filled them with clear tea, and lit several incense sticks, passing them around.

“Why does the talented one reveal the banner?” he asked.

Together, Xu Qingguo, Dong, and I answered loudly, “To seek gold, unearth jade, and dig for the immortal altar!”

Wu Ping added, “A pot of clear tea to honor the sun and moon.”

We replied, “Ten thousand taels of yellow and white, no secrets kept!”

We placed incense, raised our cups, clinked, and drank it all.

Three sharp cracks echoed as we smashed our cups on the floor simultaneously.

We swore by heaven to keep this cooperation as pure as clear tea, free of selfish motives, united in purpose.

Xu Qingguo unpacked a pack of Red Double Happiness cigarettes, gave one to Dong and me, slightly bowed, and lit them for us.

This was the ritual of the divine banner: the boss offering Red Double Happiness symbolizing good fortune, the bow signifying the gods’ descent, entrusting the mission to our hands.

After smoking, I crushed the cigarette butt hard.

“Let’s go!”

This ragtag team was now set to head into Wuyi Mountain!