I wanted to interact with you as an "ordinary person," but all I got in return was indifference and disregard.

I'm coming clean, I'm not pretending anymore, my master is Han Qinhu!

"So it was Senior Uncle Bai in person! This junior has failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me, Senior Uncle!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Yang's expression changed drastically, but he immediately smiled warmly and said, "Please come with me, Uncle Master. The Guest Master is waiting for your arrival."

Upon hearing this, everyone present changed their expressions drastically and looked at Bai Cang with awe.

Those few imposing Taoist priests from the Heshan Sect who remained seated even after Xu Yang appeared.

At this moment, they all stood up, facing Bai Cang with their hands at their sides, and said, "We pay our respects to Martial Uncle Bai and wish you good health!"

It seems that "Daddy Han" has quite a powerful background!

Bai Cang was secretly pleased, but his gentle smile remained unchanged. He only uttered three words through his nose, "Lead the way."

That arrogant and domineering aura suddenly came up.

However, no one present, including the "gatekeeper" Xu Yang, felt that anything was wrong.

It seems that this is the kind of person Han Qinhu's apprentice should be.

This also shows that while Han Qinhu was indeed very intimidating at the Red Dragon General Headquarters, he was also quite unpopular.

These people are less about "reverence" and more about "fear," with only 1% feeling "forced to show respect."

"I originally wanted to be a kind and honest young man who lived in harmony with the world, so why must this world be so cruel to me?"

Seeing this, Bai Cang sighed silently in his heart: He really didn't want to be arrogant and domineering, but unfortunately, reality (background) didn't allow it!

Moreover, he could also see that Xia Guohe Mountain Cult Leader was still playing the "honest man doesn't pretend to be cunning" style.

If you are "gentle and modest," others will think you are weak and easy to bully.

Just like that young Taoist boy on duty, if Bai Cang hadn't pretended to be "Dark Jade" and had just gotten straight to the point, saying "My master is Han Qinhu" right away, would he have dared to hold back and ask for benefits or "personnel" and give Bai Cang a hard time?

The Heshan Sect was ultimately just a heretical sect, not the orthodox sect of Taoism.

That kind of "mystical demeanor" and "grand style"—smiling on the surface but harboring resentment inside, being friendly to your face but stabbing you in the back—is somewhat out of place here.

As the saying goes: blend in with the world and move with the times.

Even though "Master Bai" prides himself on being gentle and humble, once he falls into the cesspool of the Heshan Sect, he inevitably picks up some of its arrogance and ruthlessness.

"Look at that expression!"

Just then, Xu Yang bowed slightly and led Bai Cang towards the main hall at the back.

Everyone present responded with an expression of "it's only natural," showing absolutely no dissatisfaction.

We, the unorthodox ones, take the back door—no, the shortcut.

This principle applies to spiritual practice, and it also applies to conduct!

He's the disciple of Han Qinhu, the "family-annihilating maniac," and who are you? How dare you be dissatisfied with him?

As for whether Bai Cang might impersonate Han Qinhu's disciple, no one had considered that.

No one, including Xu Yang, intended to ask Bai Cang to show the token.

Seriously, buddy, are you out of your mind?

How incredibly stupid must someone be to impersonate Han Qinhu's apprentice?

Are you afraid that you don't have enough enemies, or that they aren't strong enough?

Or perhaps you're itching to move and want to test Han Qinhu's "sword sharpness"?

Impersonating Han Qinhu's disciple? Even the Nine-Headed Insect wouldn't have enough brains for that!

If you're really tired of living, you can just end it yourself. There's no need to suffer like this.

Bai Cang quickly realized his predicament.

Xu Yang, who had been "enthusiastic" in front of others, became silent when alone.

Although he was polite and humble, he showed no intention of chatting or trying to build a relationship with Bai Cang, and even kept his distance intentionally or unintentionally.

It's as if he's some kind of filthy thing, and getting involved with him will bring you terrible bad luck.

But who exactly is Bai Cang?

Could he let it go so easily? No, could he really make the atmosphere so awkward?

So he took the initiative to speak, saying, "Deacon Xu, there's something I'm not sure if I should say."

Xu Yang smiled and said, "What are your instructions, Uncle-Master? I will do whatever I can."

The unspoken message was: If I can't do it, don't make things difficult for me. Let's handle this business strictly and not bring up any personal feelings.

Upon hearing this, Bai Cang said quietly, "Steward Xu, the young Taoist on duty doesn't seem to be a sincere follower of the Tao."

"The guest hall is the face of my Crimson Dragon Sect. Are we just going to tolerate this person ruining the reputation of my Heshan Sect?"

Hearing this, Xu Yang was taken aback. He thought to himself, "He has to fuss over such a small thing. No wonder he's Han Qinhu's disciple. Like father, like son. Birds of a feather flock together."

Thinking this, Xu Yang responded decisively, "What Uncle says is very true, I will definitely punish him severely."

Although the young Taoist on duty was through his connections, what was a mere young Taoist compared to offending Bai Cang or Han Qinhu?

Bai Cang asked, "Oh? How does Junior Nephew Xu intend to punish him severely?"

Xu Yang tentatively asked, "Should I give him eighty strokes of the cane?"

Bai Cang remained silent, but his gaze turned slightly colder.

You think you can get away with offending the Taoist priest? You think you can just get away with a beating?

Didn't you know that Daoist Master is notoriously petty and takes revenge on the spot, never holding a grudge?

"Give him eighty strokes of the cane, then strip him of his cultivation, and expel him from the sect," Xu Yang said through gritted teeth, his voice filled with malice.

Don't blame the Taoist priest for being ruthless; blame yourself for being blind and messing with the wrong person.

As the saying goes: If you don't punish the greedy, you don't punish the lazy, you punish the blind.

In Heshan, especially when working in the guest hall, being blind to the dangers is the biggest sin!

"Won't this put Steward Xu in a difficult position?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Cang feigned concern and asked, "I've heard that the temple is rife with corruption and cronyism. Could this little boy also be involved with a large family?"

"I don't care, but I'm afraid of alarming my master. You know his personality..."

Before Bai Cang could finish speaking, he simply gave a knowing smile.

Of course I know! It's just going to their doorstep and wiping out their entire family!

Xu Yang cursed inwardly, but outwardly he adopted a posture of "firmly supporting his master uncle," saying, "That blind fool is just an orphan. The temple took pity on him and gave him a bite to eat."

"Don't worry, Uncle-Master, leave this to your nephew. I guarantee it will be handled perfectly."

Regardless of whether the boy on duty was an orphan or not.

From now on, he must be an orphan.

How could "Uncle Bai" be satisfied if his whole family didn't leave in a complete and orderly manner?

How could Steward Xu possibly put his mind at ease?

Upon hearing this, Bai Cang revealed an innocent and harmless smile, "That's good, that's good."

Kind people are often bullied, and good horses are often ridden.

After realizing his situation, Bai Cang had already entered a state of "high alert".

If he doesn't establish himself as someone who is "vindictive" and "petty," and make the most of Han Qinhu's fearsome reputation, who knows how much trouble awaits him in the future.

The principle is that if you strike once, you'll avoid a hundred blows later.

As for whether the young Taoist priest on duty was innocent or not, does that matter?

It's better to die for your fellow Daoist than for me!

Just then, Xu Yang led Bai Cang to the main hall where the guest master was located.

With just one glance, Bai Cang was deeply shocked!

Damn! I've never seen anything like this before!

[Thank you so much to "Amanoya of Crescent Lake", please give me a free gift]