"Where is the Supervisor, come out and answer."
An unexpected guest has arrived!
This was Ning An's first reaction, and the viewers in the live stream also sensed that the visitor had ill intentions.
"Oh wow, judging by that voice, this isn't a good person. Little Daoist, be careful, after all, your Daoist temple is indeed a bit remote."
"Heh, it's a rule-of-law society now, there's no such thing as monsters and ghosts. If you ask me, it's because the little Daoist's paper dolls are too realistic, they must have attracted mountain spirits, haha."
Ning An also frowned; just as he was about to get up and greet the guest, a burly figure barged into the temple hall.
Wearing Martin boots, sweatpants, a jacket zipped up to the top, a flashy baseball cap, and the exposed arms full of tattoos.
After a quick glance around, the man quickly focused his gaze on Ning An.
More precisely, it was on the paper doll Ning An was tireless crafting, especially since he was just at the delicate stage of pasting the face...
Ning An blushed slightly and stopped his work, awkwardly speaking:
"What can I do for you, lay believer?"
The man was silent for a moment, then finally spoke in a low and hoarse voice: "Burning incense, making a wish."
Not just Ning An, even the viewers in the live stream sensed something was off.
"Something's not right, it's just the start of summer, and it's almost noon. Even if it's a bit chilly in the mountains, there's no need to dress like that."
"Could it be a midnight mountain hike from yesterday?"
"I'm a local, there are plenty of mountains, but they're just average in height. I've never heard of a need for a midnight hike!"
"Damn, Little Daoist, be careful! Don't all Daoists know Palm Thunder? Quickly strike him down with it!"
...
"What is it that you wish for?"
Ning An discreetly hid the two long needles from the paper dolls in his sleeves.
"Burn the most expensive incense, wish for some stability recently."
Oh wow… the most expensive incense?
Ning An's eyes brightened, this person is indeed fated with my Daoist temple!
Ever since Ning An crossed over, not to mention head incense, even the ordinary ones weren't selling much. Finally, a big spender has come, how can one not be excited!
Ning An stepped forward briskly, speaking energetically: "Dear lay believer, you have come to the right place. Though my temple is small, its blessings are many. I guarantee you will get your money's worth from wishing here!"
The baseball cap guy looked at the suddenly excited Little Daoist with an odd gaze, remaining silent for a moment, then spoke calmly:
"If it doesn't work, I'll smash this temple."
Looking at the information from the system in his mind, Ning An chuckled: "Don't worry, lay believer, you will definitely get your wish."
What a joke, as someone who just got a system, I at least have this much confidence.
Ning An led the baseball cap guy ahead, and he followed closely behind.
At the same time, his eyes darted left and right, as if he wanted to memorize the surroundings.
When they reached the main hall, Ning An stopped, pointing to the meditation cushion in front of the incense burner:
"Lay believer only needs to burn incense here and then go inside the hall to make a wish."
Ning An entered the hall, took out three long and thick sticks of fragrant incense, and handed over a QR code.
"One stick is 150 yuan, thank you, lay believer."
The baseball cap guy lifted his head strangely, wanting to say something, but finally squeezed out a few words:
"Your hustle is a bit disgraceful."
Upon hearing this, the live stream viewers burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, this is the first time I've heard of a place to throw money being looked down upon."
"150 yuan per incense stick, and it's the most expensive one. Should I say this little Daoist is sincere or just plain sincere?"
"Haha, it's killing me, if this were at the Dragon and Tiger Temple, if you talked about burning a stick for 150, it might not even be of this quality, you might even get a dirty look from the host."
"Heh, for 150 yuan, your Buddhist connection isn't happening."
Ning An calmly explained:
"Lay believer, my incense may be cheap, but it is a gift from the founder to the people."
"If everywhere in the world sold fragrant incense for a thousand or ten thousand per stick for praying, how many ordinary folks would be barred from their faith by such pricing?"
"For those big bosses and elite professionals, maybe only at the Dragon and Tiger Temple does spending money sound satisfactory, but what about the general public?"
"There may be a wealth gap, but not a gap in people's hearts! Faith should be pure and must not be restricted by worldly muck!"
After Ning An finished speaking, the live stream viewers were momentarily stunned.
"Goodness, why does it feel like he's saying something profound, but also a bit odd?"
"No kidding, seeing him speak such nonsense with a straight face reminds me of my friend who sells insurance."
"Great Sage and Master: Good descendant!"
The baseball cap guy was speechless, didn't say much, and just tossed a stack of money into the Merit Box.
"The rest is a greeting gift for the Founder."
Seeing the offering money go into the Merit Box, Ning An's radiant smile reappeared.
"Lay believer, many gifts do not burden the gods! When the Founder sees your sincerity, he will surely bless your wish to come true, go ahead and light the incense."
Baseball cap guy: ...
It felt like being scammed but had no way to fight back.
Not saying more, the baseball cap guy lit the incense, inserted it respectfully into the incense burner, and then performed an exceptionally standard Meridian Technique bow amid the swirling smoke, remaining prostrate.
Watching the baseball cap guy performing a Meridian Technique even more standard than his own, Ning An felt a bit uneasy.
Just then, the system suddenly rang.
[Ding! Singular point detected conforming to system operation, initiating information detection.]
Soon after, a virtual panel appeared above the baseball cap guy's head.
[Gender: Male]
[Occupation: Former Daoist Master of Huichun Temple, Current Criminal]
[Name: Li Tie]
[Wish: A Stable Rest of Life]
[Alternate Wish-fulfillment Method: In ten minutes, being arrested outside the temple by the police, thereafter entering a government agency, leading a life more stable than a civil servant!]
Goodness!
Seeing the information about the baseball cap guy, Ning An broke into a cold sweat, his mind racing!
"No wonder he invoked the Founder, so he was a fellow Daoist from the same sect, but what decent Daoist Master drives pregnant incense burners to miscarry, or resorts to knives if they don't comply?"
Ning An knew about this case purely by accident.
The Daoist circle is small, usually, everyone just gets by, not skilled in true arts, but devouring gossip is their forte.
When the case happened, the police didn't even have time to cover it up before the video spread in the Daoist circle.
An enraged Daoist Master, axe in hand, tearing open the belly of a pregnant woman, chopping the not yet formed baby to pieces...
The video impact was more thrilling than anything.
Never expected this guy to evade capture for half a year, and now he comes here to make a wish.
Headache.
But looking at the system's provided wish-fulfillment method, Ning An felt assured.
Seeking stability?
Is there any place more stable than a government agency!
If it were someone else, Ning An might hesitate to stop him from continuing his bow, but with a murderer?
Sorry, even if we're fellow Daoists, I'd still have to send him to the police station!