Great achievers of ancient times generally possessed excellent mental fortitude.

Yi Chen considered himself capable of accomplishing great things, boasting truly remarkable mental fortitude.

As the sages said, those with thunder in their hearts yet calmness on their faces could rise to the rank of a high general.

Yi Chen felt he was up to the task.

For instance, in the current situation, where most people would panic, becoming flustered and stuttering, he remained indifferent. Despite feeling as anxious as a distressed dog internally, he maintained his composure and even managed a perfectly timed smile, stating:

“Not bad, Master and I indeed share similar views.”

“However, as I am new here, and Master has been investigating the bodies for a long time and is a senior, he surely knows more. It would be best for the Master to explain to everyone.”

This is professionalism – not just anyone can sell a Domineering King Chicken. This is Yi Chen’s strength; you have to respect it.

His words were perfectly phrased, instantly establishing the image of a humble Taoist Master who doesn’t seek recognition or rush forward.

Master Lianhua’s eyes shone with admiration, praising Yi Chen for his prudent actions and humility, reminiscent of Bai Yunzi’s manner.

Knowing how to praise someone is an art, and Yi Chen could tell.

“Amitābha.”

“Bai Yunzi has found himself a good disciple, truly a kind heart.”

In Master Lianhua’s view, while Yi Chen’s cultivation level was not immediately apparent, his temperament was undoubtedly admirable. He respected his elders, didn’t fight for recognition, and wasn’t the type to boast everywhere.

It’s difficult to learn how to express oneself, but even harder to learn when to keep silent.

Master Lianhua must have thought that Yi Chen saw his hard work in investigating and did not want to steal his thunder.

After reciting a Buddhist chant, Master Lianhua continued to explain to the crowd:

“I had been puzzled by these two mysteries, but when Taoist Master Yi entered and surveyed the surroundings, a flash of insight led me to a realization.”

“This desiccated corpse phenomenon in Qingyuan Town must be the work of a jiangshi.”

“And not just any wild jiangshi, but one that is being cultivated by someone, clearly a novice, and very likely a resident of Qingyuan Town or someone with old ties to it.”

After finishing his analysis with a compassionate smile and focusing on Yi Chen, Master Lianhua asked, “Taoist Master Yi, do you have anything to add?”

No additions, it was excellently stated.

Yi Chen nodded slightly towards Master Lianhua and said:

“My master always spoke highly of Master Lianhua’s deep cultivation and insight.”

“Seeing it firsthand today, I find it to be true.”

“Indeed, I thought the same.”

Yi Chen confidently met Master Lianhua’s gaze without any hesitation, even throwing in a well-timed compliment.

What use was panicking? At a crucial moment, one cannot falter.

With that exchange, Master Lianhua felt a deeper appreciation for Yi Chen, as if he had found a kindred spirit, and then glanced disdainfully at his own two naive disciples.

They were good for nothing, except for eating.

After further discussion and consensus on a strategy, Qingyuan Town’s mayor, Wu Changshou, arranged a lavish meal for everyone before they dispersed.

…

…

As the night grew dense with autumn dew, mosquitoes became rampant.

*Slap!*

With a soft sound, Yi Chen, expressionless, moved his hand away from his face and gently brushed off the mosquito’s corpse.

He thought, even though it’s said that all lives are precious, this mosquito dared to bite him, clearly courting death (Editor’s note: Yes, we know it’s a meme, and so does the original author, who was trying to mock this overused phrase, which is also a meme in China )

After a day of analysis, the group decided to spread out in teams of ten, signaling each other upon any abnormal discovery for a thorough search.

They also tightly controlled the sale of livestock in the town, centralizing their care to force the person behind the jiangshi to reveal themselves.

Jiangshi need blood, and neglecting that could cause significant problems.

Since Qingyuan Town wasn’t built on a mountain, and even if it were, the local wildlife, having been hunted repeatedly, would have long since fled.

The plan to centralize livestock care and clear the fields was proposed by Yi Chen and approved by everyone.

“Let’s move on to the next intersection.” Yi Chen calmly instructed the nine men behind him, including Constable Zhang and eight local youths.

At the next intersection, still desolate apart from the occasional fog caused by the cooling night air, they found nothing.

Except for a few mosquitoes that Yi Chen killed.

Looking up at the dark sky, Yi Chen couldn’t help but ask Constable Zhang, “In your opinion, where is the jiangshi most likely to appear, and where is it least likely?”

Constable Zhang pondered before responding, “In my humble opinion, the most likely place would be Coach Ji’s home.”

“After all, all the town’s livestock are concentrated near his home.”

“Master Lianhua and a group of local youths are lying in wait there.”

“The townspeople have been notified to keep doors and windows closed, ready to shout at any disturbance. For the jiangshi seeking blood, Coach Ji’s home would be the most accessible and fastest location.”

“That makes sense. And the least likely place?” Yi Chen continued.

“That would surely be Mayor Wu Changshou’s home. Mayor Wu is a local gentry, wealthy and influential. The emergence of the demonic entity has greatly concerned him, and he has personally funded Master Lianhua’s visit from Moon Wheel Temple,”
“His home is also guarded by many family guards on the outside, making it the safest place.”

Yi Chen nodded in response: “Constable Zhang, true to your criminal investigation background, your analysis is indeed professional.”

However, that’s still a bit naive. The person behind the scenes is very cunning, I’m afraid they might have plans within plans, creating darkness under the lamp for us. Let’s patrol near Mayor Wu’s residence.”

Yi Chen’s intention was naturally to avoid a direct confrontation with the evil spirit of Qingyuan Town. It would be best if Master Lianhua engaged the evil spirit first, and then Yi Chen would act according to the situation.

If the fight was winnable, he’d join in, ready to snatch the victory.

If not, let Master Lianhua suffer a bit more.

“Ah?” Constable Zhang, looking at Yi Chen with a skeptical eye, inwardly wondered if the renowned Bai Yunzi’s foremost disciple could actually be a coward.

Impossible, absolutely impossible.

How could Bai Yunzi choose a coward to be the new master of Hidden Dragon Temple?

Then, as if a lightbulb went off in his head, Zhang suddenly smiled and said, “The Taoist Master sees further ahead, indeed. Zhang here was thinking too simply. We’ll follow the Taoist Master’s lead and patrol near Mayor Wu’s residence.”

The young men behind him also smiled and agreed, “The Taoist Master speaks wisely. It seems Constable Zhang, is on the first level, the hidden enemy on the second, and Taoist Master, you are on the third.”

“The Taoist Master from Hidden Dragon Temple indeed has insight.”

Compliments flowed like a tide, everyone agreeing with Yi Chen’s suggestion, whether sincerely or not, it does not matter as his decision aligned with their interests.

As the saying goes, “where you sit determines where you stand.” The reason doesn’t matter; what’s important is how to unite the majority’s interests, representing the majority. Your supporters will definitely not be few.

Like now, no one dares to question Yi Chen’s decision, whether in terms of identity or otherwise.

Everyone was wholeheartedly convinced.

Near Mayor Wu’s residence, someone was burning mosquito repellent grass, significantly reducing the number of mosquitoes and enhancing safety. It was indeed fantastic.

“Then let’s set off immediately.” Yi Chen, taking the lead with a grand gesture and carrying the Dragon-Slaying Sword, strode towards Mayor Wu’s residence.

He was fed up with these mosquitoes, buzzing annoyingly.

At this moment, right before dawn, the sky was dimly lit.

Yi Chen walked briskly, quickly outpacing the others by more than ten meters. Just past the next corner, Mayor Wu’s residence would be in sight.

Just as he was about to turn the corner, a sudden gust of foul wind came his way, accompanied by an abrupt change and the startled cries of his followers:

“Damn, Taoist Master, be careful!”

“Taoist Master is truly a divine figure, able to predict and calculate. I thought you were just trying to avoid the evil spirit and slack off.”

…

Yi Chen: “…” Able to predict and calculate, huh? I’d like to strangle you.

What the hell.

How did it become my fight while Master Lianhua slacks off? This wasn’t the script.

At the corner, Yi Chen came face-to-face with a Jiangshi
dressed in a red wedding gown, with a green face and sharp teeth.

Fate has a way of bringing people together unexpectedly.

Without any preparation or concern, you appeared …(Editor’s note, this is a lyric from Qu Wanting’s song https://youtu.be/w0dMz8RBG7g?si=0jcCHwi-tpnt7_UB )

Faced with the foul-smelling, wedding gown-clad jiangshi, both were momentarily taken aback.

Caught off guard.

Yi Chen paused for a second before reacting, shouting loudly:

“Demon, where do you think you’re going!”

“Eat my Hundred Pace Fist!”

Then, surging with his Pure Yang Internal Energy, he delivered a devastating kick to the chest of the wedding gown-clad female jiangshi.

Almost simultaneously, the female jiangshi, with her green face and sharp teeth, reacted. Her already long nails grew slightly longer, and her body was surrounded by a faint black mist, aiming straight for Yi Chen’s face.

As the saying goes, “an inch longer, an inch stronger.”

Especially since Yi Chen was tall, his kick, covered in the energy of the Fifth Level Minor Pure Yang Technique, landed squarely on target just as the jiangshi’s nails nearly reached him.

The female jiangshi flew backward faster than before, crashing heavily into the wall of Mayor Wu’s residence.

Her entire body was embedded in the wall.

Struggling and emitting incomprehensible sounds, a size 46 shoe print suddenly appeared on her chest, even as the black mist surrounding her faded slightly.

Whether this was due to the exorcizing effect of the Minor Pure Yang Technique or simply the force of the blow, or perhaps both, was unclear.

“Effective? Haha, another one!” Seeing this, Yi Chen was delighted, preparing to chase down the weakened enemy, when another round of discussions emerged from behind.

“Such a powerful leg technique, landing squarely on target!”

“Damn, didn’t the Taoist Master say ‘Hundred Pace Fist’? Why did it look like a devastating kick? What kind of technique is that?”

“My goodness, Old Want, are you an idiot? The Taoist Master was clearly deceiving that female jiangshi. It’s a tactic,” someone in the crowd retorted.

“So, you’re saying the Taoist Master doesn’t even spare jiangshis, setting traps for them?!” Wang Lao Si looked horrified at the imposing Yi Chen, shrinking his neck and shifting away from the center of the battlefield.

Using dirty tactics, what a schemer!

Unexpectedly, the seemingly rough and straightforward Yi Chengzi Taoist Master resorted to little tricks against the jiangshi.

Too brilliant, this kick nearly finished the jiangshi off, and despite being so powerful, he still played tricks on the jiangshi… impressive.

This Taoist Master is overpowered but overly cautious (Editor’s note: yes, that one anime)

(End of the chapter)