Facing the gaze of Daoist Yimei, Zhang Tian coughed dryly.
"Master, we need to hurry. If we're late, there won't be any spots."
As Zhang Tian spoke, he hurried out of the courtyard under Daoist Yimei's peculiar gaze.
Daoist Yimei followed slowly, appearing aloof and like a celestial master.
Anyone who didn't know his temper might have been fooled by him.
Daoist Yimei's demeanor was much better than those fake Daoists in Panjiayuan; he looked like the real deal.
Zhang Tian and the others drove towards Panjiayuan.
Cars existed in this era, but there weren't many. For instance, the off-road vehicle Zhang Tian drove last time was a modified military vehicle from that period.
It was said to be German-made, superior to many other vehicles in terms of horsepower, speed, and durability.
Driving the green car attracted many curious glances, as it was the era of rickshaws, and foreign cars were still a rarity.
"Hmm, this is more fitting for a disciple of my status, the foremost genius of Maoshan."
"Your master is very pleased. My disciple is very filial."
Daoist Yimei held an umbrella over his head, stroked his beard, and looked at the car with a satisfied expression.
"From now on, my good disciple, this will be the standard for my outings."
Zhang Tian's face darkened, and he glanced at Fatty, even giving him a few winks.
He signaled Fatty to try and gross out Daoist Yimei.
Fatty, understanding immediately, smiled and looked at Daoist Yimei.
He feigned surprise.
"My goodness, Master, why are you carrying a mushroom over your head when you go out?"
"That's quite inappropriate, it makes you look like a 'Mushroom Daoist.' Not good, not good. Fatty suggests you cast a spell and conjure a dark cloud to hang over your head; that would be more comfortable."
Fatty chattered on incessantly.
For the first time, Zhang Tian felt that Fatty was such a caring person.
Zhang Tian was almost moved to tears.
Daoist Yimei looked at Fatty slightly, then took a deep breath.
The image of a dark cloud above his head, and the umbrella, truly resembled a mushroom.
"You ungrateful wretch, utterly disrespectful! You'll never enter the gates of Maoshan!"
Daoist Yimei wanted to scold Fatty, but realizing he couldn't win an argument, he simply turned his head away, acting petulant and ignoring him.
This made Zhang Tian feel even more delighted.
Soon, they arrived at Panjiayuan.
After parking the car, Zhang Tian and the other two walked inside.
This time, Zhang Tian wasn't wearing a Daoist robe. Instead, Daoist Yimei maintained his air of a wise master.
He slowly entered Panjiayuan.
"My good disciple, let me show you what a genius's entrance looks like."
"Remember, even when outnumbered, you can still stand out and take the enemy general's life!"
Daoist Yimei pompously lectured Zhang Tian.
Then, with a wave of his hand, his Daoist robe fluttered as if by wind.
He imagined the other Daoists in Panjiayuan looking at him with admiration, and Daoist Yimei's heart filled with joy.
With this, his status in his disciple's eyes would be as solid as a mountain!
However, the next moment, upon entering Panjiayuan,
Daoist Yimei was stunned.
Along the roadside, countless fake Daoists were lined up.
Some were even picking their toes.
Some looked at Daoist Yimei as if he were an idiot.
Especially the umbrella over Daoist Yimei's head, it looked like a mushroom.
"Huh? Why isn't anyone cheering for my arrival?"
Fearing an awkward silence, countless fake Daoists stared at Daoist Yimei, not a single word was spoken.
Zhang Tian also remained silent.
Only Daoist Yimei's Daoist robe behind him fluttered as if by wind.
It was rather embarrassing.
"Haha, this is the first time I've seen a Daoist carrying an umbrella to scam people."
"If anyone believes this Daoist, I'll worship him as my master."
"Brother, this won't work. Foreigners and tourists won't fall for this. You need to be more nonchalant; only then will they think you're an unparalleled master!"
"Hey, isn't that Young Master Zhang? Are you here for fortune-telling?"
People around started to chatter.
Daoist Yimei finally recalled something.
"Good disciple, when you said you'd seen Daoists, you didn't mean these... riff-raff, did you?"
Daoist Yimei looked around at the fake Daoists picking their toes and picking their noses.
He felt utterly humiliated.
If he had known he was coming to such a place, he would have preferred not to leave the mountain.
"No, Master. How could your disciple lie to you? I have indeed seen many Daoists."
As Zhang Tian spoke, Daoist Yimei looked unconvinced.
"Since I am here, I will spread good karma here. With my abilities, I will surely stand out among these riff-raff."
Daoist Yimei was quite confident, he said earnestly, while Zhang Tian quickly helped him set up a platform.
After all, Zhang Tian came here to make money and establish his reputation.
Since Daoist Yimei had taken the initiative to challenge, Zhang Tian wouldn't be stingy.
After the platform and other things were arranged, Daoist Yimei, holding a whisk, closed his eyes and sat in place.
He looked like a master.
"Boss, do you think he can get any business?"
Fatty said from the side.
Zhang Tian shook his head.
"When you encounter Daoists outside, who do you trust more: a Daoist in elaborate attire, fully equipped, or a simple Daoist sitting on the ground?"
Zhang Tian asked.
Fatty rubbed his cheek.
"The one on the ground. The one equipped, Fatty fears he'll scam me."
Fatty said, and Zhang Tian clapped his hands.
"This isn't going well? Even Fatty doesn't trust him, let alone others."
Soon, in the morning, a group of tourists and some bored individuals who enjoyed shopping began to enter Panjiayuan.
At this moment, Panjiayuan was like a bustling marketplace.
"Look quickly, the new Daoist is so strange, carrying an umbrella."
"This equipment looks fake. What Daoist runs around with a whisk? Don't believe him."
"Mom, what is that?"
"That's a charlatan, don't look."
On the street, upon seeing Daoist Yimei, many people began to mock him.
Even a mother, upon seeing Daoist Yimei, pulled her child away.
Daoist Yimei's face was now darkened.
His expression was grim and terrifying.
Seeing this, Zhang Tian frowned slightly. Fortunately, Daoist Yimei had a good temper, otherwise, he would have lost his temper long ago.
People walked past Daoist Yimei's stall, deliberately not looking.
Instead, those fake Daoists who picked their toes were all making a fortune.
"Boss, this can't go on. If it continues like this, we've come for nothing."
Hu Bayi said from the side.
The old master sat there like a mushroom, motionless.
He expected people to come to him; it was wishful thinking.
"Don't worry, let's wait a bit longer."
Zhang Tian waved his hand, not in a hurry.
It had only been less than half an hour; why the panic?
Perhaps it was fate, but just as he finished speaking, a beautiful woman in a qipao rushed over from not far away.
When Fatty and Hu Bayi saw the beauty, they covered their faces.
Zhang Tian looked confused.
"Old Hu, what's wrong with you guys?"
"Boss, this is the translator for that foreigner who was scammed by Master Jin last time, the one we told you about."
"Don't let her see us. We didn't mean to."
Fatty said, covering his chubby face with his hands.
Unfortunately, his hands could only cover half of his face.
Zhang Tian rolled his eyes at Fatty. Was this guy trying to fool himself?
However, Zhang Tian was curious about what had happened to the beautiful woman that made her so rushed.