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“Copper kettle? So he really is a Taoist, carrying a magical implement with him!” Zhang Tianci frowned slightly and asked, “What happened afterward?”

“Afterwards, Old Gong and I gave it our all. Right now, Old Gong is keeping watch from across the small building. I’ve come back to report to you,” Tian Xiaohe said.

Zhang Tianci nodded and waved his hand. “Keep monitoring. If anything happens, report back to me immediately.”

Tian Xiaohe agreed and transformed into a shadowy wind, slipping away.

“Xiaohe, be careful!” Jin Siyu called after her.

Zhang Tianci held a cup of wine, frowning silently.

“What’s wrong, Tianci? Surprised by the identity of the big bald man?” Jin Siyu asked.

“No… I’m more surprised by his little kettle,” Zhang Tianci said thoughtfully after taking a sip. “Only the Maoshan Sect uses small copper kettles as magical tools. Could this big bald man be from Maoshan, and that kettle in his hand be the Maoshan Demon Refining Kettle?”

“The Demon Refining Kettle? That sounds powerful,” Jin Siyu responded.

Zhang Tianci nodded. “Indeed. That kettle is a treasure of Maoshan. It can trap ghosts inside and transform them for one’s own use. The most incredible thing is that it can absorb two ghosts at once, merging their souls into a stronger spirit.”

“Ah? Luckily, Tian Xiaohe wasn’t sucked in just now, or she would have been transformed!” Jin Siyu exclaimed in shock.

Zhang Tianci smiled. “Just stay alert and you’ll be fine. Tian Xiaohe and Gong Ziguai both have some Taoist skill now; they’ll grow stronger in time. Besides, the Demon Refining Kettle doesn’t immediately refine spirits—it takes several days. If Tian Xiaohe were captured, I’d rescue her from the big bald man.”

Jin Siyu finally relaxed and nodded slightly.

“What I’m considering now is the identity of the big bald man. He carries a Maoshan magical tool, but is he truly a disciple? If so, at his age, he should be well-known. Yet I have never heard of him,” Zhang Tianci mused.

“Since you’re both Taoists, don’t you know Maoshan’s affairs?” Jin Siyu asked.

Zhang Tianci shook his head. “I know the Maoshan Sect leader, a man in his forties, but he’s not this big bald man.”

Just then, a shadowy wind flashed, and Tian Xiaohe returned.

“Why are you back so soon?” Zhang Tianci asked.

“Master, we saw that young man—you’re the one they call the chrysanthemum seller. He’s lurking outside the big bald man’s room. Looks like he means trouble!” Tian Xiaohe whispered.

Zhang Tianci nodded. “Keep watching. Report at once.”

Tian Xiaohe agreed and left again.

It was already ten o’clock at night, and Jin Siyu and Zhang Tianci waited.

Suddenly, a shadowy wind darted in, and Old Ghost Gong Ziguai appeared, excitedly whispering, “Master, they’ve started fighting!”

“Oh? Who’s fighting whom?” Zhang Tianci stood up.

“The big bald man and that young man—they’re brawling in the big bald man’s backyard!” Old Ghost grinned, gesturing vividly. “They’re really going at it! Both have little ghosts with them, and the little ghosts are fighting too. The scene is... a complete mess!”

Zhang Tianci grew interested. “Don’t rush, tell me slowly. Did they say anything during the fight? Any insults? Did they reveal their identities?”

“Yes, yes, yes... They said a lot,” Old Ghost nodded, describing the scene:

“The young man climbed over the wall and launched a surprise attack on the big bald man, who was tending chrysanthemums in the backyard. Taken off guard, the big bald man almost got pierced through the back by a sword! He dodged, but his back was still wounded. Then the young man sneered at him, saying, ‘Brother Rao, the master commands you to return to Maoshan for a meeting!’”

“So he’s definitely from Maoshan! It seems this young man is a fellow disciple of Rao Guanghua. This dispute is an internal feud within the Maoshan Sect?” Zhang Tianci interrupted. “Are they still fighting now?”

“Yes, Xiaohe is watching there!” Old Ghost said.

Zhang Tianci waved his hand. “You go too. Keep observing, remember every word they say. Tell me the details when you return!”

Gong Ziguai agreed and vanished.

With the old ghost gone, Zhang Tianci paced anxiously in the small private room of the restaurant, his usual calm replaced by excitement.

“Tianci, you seem quite concerned about the big bald man,” Jin Siyu observed.

“What concern have I for the big bald man? I’m concerned about this Maoshan internal strife,” Zhang Tianci shook his head.

“Maoshan is a major Taoist sect with great prestige, holding a crucial position between the yin and yang worlds. In the folk realm, Maoshan’s reputation rivals that of Longhu Mountain. As a Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain and a leader among Taoist masters worldwide, naturally I pay attention to Maoshan’s affairs,” he explained.

Jin Siyu nodded. “I understand now. You keep an eye on Taoist matters because you’re the head of the Taoist order—the chief steward, right?”

“Something like that,” Zhang Tianci replied.

“So do you hope Maoshan’s internal conflict ends peacefully, or do you want one side—the big bald man or the chrysanthemum seller—to win?” Jin Siyu asked.

Zhang Tianci smiled slyly. “As a Celestial Master, I should say I hope they reconcile and make peace. But putting aside that role, I want to watch the spectacle, analyze the situation, and support whoever benefits me.”

“You’re so straightforward. You could just say the official line and keep the rest to yourself,” Jin Siyu joked.

“No worries—you’re not an outsider. Between us, there’s no need for formalities,” Zhang Tianci chuckled.

“True, I’m not an outsider—I’m your insider,” Jin Siyu thought a moment, then asked, “If you revealed your identity, could you stop their fight?”

Zhang Tianci nodded and then shook his head. “If I reveal myself, they’d both obey me. But then I’d never have peace. They’d pester me daily to mediate. My authority isn’t strong enough yet; it’s better to stay out of it.”

Jin Siyu sighed. “To wear the crown, one must bear its weight. Being a Celestial Master in this Taoist world is no easy task.”

“I’m not afraid. When my prestige reaches a certain level, I’ll easily command respect,” Zhang Tianci said.

Just then, a chill swept through the room as Tian Xiaohe and Gong Ziguai entered together, manifesting as shadowy winds.