Chapter 213: The Old Scene Reappears
Jiang Ran's eyes suddenly sharpened as she recalled the time when the twins were in danger and she found traces of evil magic being practiced at the scene.
Thinking of this, a chill flashed between his brows, and his expression became even more solemn.
The obstruction of spiritual energy was clearly a deliberate act of targeting; I never expected to be caught in the crossfire as well…
The only option at present is to wait and see, but sitting idly by and waiting for death is not her style. Then, her eyes flashed, and she had already made up her mind.
Si Zuochen noticed that her brows were furrowed and she looked thoughtful, as if she was deep in thought.
Seeing this, Si Zuochen pursed his lips slightly, thinking that she was still worried about Bai Zhuwei's matter, and then said to comfort her: "Even if this matter is investigated, it was done by me alone, so don't worry."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ran was interrupted from her thoughts. She turned to look at him, raised an eyebrow, and asked in a low voice, "What?"
Si Zuochen reached out and lightly touched the tip of his nose, a hint of unease flashing across his face. He replied in a deep voice, "I mean, don't overthink it. I'll explain it to Daddy."
Jiang Ran was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, but then immediately realized the implied meaning in his words.
Are you worried that I'll be implicated and blamed by him?
Si Zuochen looked up at her, but did not deny it. He asked directly, "Wasn't that what you were worried about just now?"
"Heh..." Jiang Ran listened, her lips slightly curving upwards, and she suddenly chuckled.
Yet, a warm feeling rose in my heart because of his sense of responsibility.
A touch of warmth appeared in her eyes as she looked at him, and she explained, "Of course not, Bai Zhuwei is not worth my trouble."
His tone was extremely arrogant; he was practically saying "she doesn't deserve it."
Si Zuochen didn't feel uncomfortable at all after hearing this; on the contrary, he felt that this was in line with her arrogant demeanor.
Jiang Ran lowered her eyes to look at Si Zuochen. Seeing that he didn't say anything, she couldn't help but say, "By the way, don't tell Si Yanxiao about this for now. Wait until he asks you before you explain."
"Hmm?" Si Zuochen frowned slightly upon hearing this, then asked with a puzzled look, "Why?"
Jiang Ran pursed her lips and slowly explained, "You know how much he cares about Bai Zhuwei. Saying it now would only make us look foolish."
Even if this matter has nothing to do with you, he may still assume that you were involved because of it.
He paused slightly before continuing, "Gu Nan already knows the truth. Whether he tells anyone or how he tells them is up to him. With him laying the groundwork, Si Yanxiao will have something to consider after hearing it."
Seeing Jiang Ran's serious expression as she slowly analyzed the pros and cons, Si Zuochen's eyes flashed, and a strange feeling suddenly rose in his heart.
After a slight hesitation, he replied in a low voice, "Okay, I understand."
Jiang Ran felt somewhat relieved to see that he had clearly taken her words to heart.
Then the car fell silent. Si Zuochen turned his head to look out the window without saying a word.
After returning to the villa, Jiang Ran deliberately stayed for a short while to avoid arousing their suspicion before heading to the underground garage and driving away.
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Jiang Ran stood in front of a Taoist temple, looking up at the plaque hanging above it. Despite the passage of time, it still exuded a sense of antiquity.
As the familiar scene reappeared, Jiang Ran was filled with countless thoughts, and a hint of nostalgia appeared in her eyes.
Then I slowly walked into the temple, and everything was exactly as I remembered.
The Taoist temple in front of her was the very place where she had once cultivated herself, but she had never visited it since she transmigrated here.
Firstly, they feared being reminded of painful memories by the sight of the temple, and secondly, they worried that seeing the temple in ruins and no longer resembling its former state would breed resentment.
But this unexpected event forced her to go there again. She didn't expect that after hundreds of years, although it was not as prosperous as before, people still came and went.
Seeing this, Jiang Ran couldn't help but feel a sense of relief.
The statues of the Three Pure Ones enshrined inside the hall remain lifelike, and the air is thick with the scent of incense.
Jiang Ran walked slowly forward, passing through many halls and pavilions, and finally stopped in front of the main hall. She raised her eyes and looked solemnly at the statues of the Three Pure Ones, and respectfully bowed in the Taoist worship ceremony.
The abbot noticed her movements, a hint of approval flashing across his face. Just as she stood up, preparing to leave the hall, he stepped forward, bowed slightly, and softly called out, "Benefactor."
Upon seeing this, Jiang Ran paused and bowed slightly in return.
Just as I was about to ask, the abbot spoke up, saying, "I see you look worried. Would you like me to tell your fortune?"
Having said that, he pointed directly to the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone beside him.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ran's eyes flickered slightly, and she immediately shook her head and refused, "No need."
Even fortune-telling would be useless for her; it would only add to her troubles.
The host, though refused, remained expressionless and replied softly, "Okay."
Jiang Ran declined his offer and turned to leave.
Following the traces of the past, after wandering around the entire Taoist temple for a week, I suddenly realized that the buildings inside the temple had been renovated, but the original layout and materials had always been maintained.
This clearly shows that someone is definitely taking good care of it.
Thinking of this, a young Taoist priest, seeing her wandering aimlessly, assumed she was lost and hurriedly approached, asking in a low voice, "Benefactor, is there anything I can help you with?"
Jiang Ran looked puzzled, then slowly shook her head. Seeing this, the young Taoist priest was about to turn and leave.
Suddenly, a soft voice called from behind: "Wait a moment."
Upon hearing this, the young Taoist priest turned to look at Jiang Ran, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes. Then, he heard Jiang Ran slowly speak and ask, "Little Master, I heard that this Taoist temple has a history of at least several hundred years. How come everything looks like it has been renovated?"
Upon hearing this, the young Taoist priest's eyes lit up, and he explained softly, "This is all thanks to the tycoon behind the Taoist temple. He is now in charge of all the temple's expenses."
Jiang Ran listened, a look of surprise flashing across her face. A conglomerate?!
So there was a powerful backer supporting them? No wonder they've been able to hold on for so long.
This was clearly no secret, and the young Taoist priest was no longer going to try to hide it.
After learning the truth, Jiang Ran turned and left, heading towards the backyard.
The young Taoist priest hesitated for a moment, then quickly followed.
She navigated the alleys, even those that were off-limits, as if they were deserted, showing how familiar she was with the area.
Upon seeing this, the young Taoist priest felt a pang of doubt and secretly sent a message to the abbot.
Before long, the abbot appeared before Jiang Ran with several accompanying Taoist priests. When he saw that the person who came was the one from the main hall, his eyes flashed and he couldn't help but be a little shocked.
Having served as the abbot of the Taoist temple for many years, he had long since mastered the art of judging character. Upon first seeing Jiang Ran, he vaguely sensed that this woman was no ordinary person and that she possessed a strangely familiar aura.
His expression immediately hardened, and he walked straight up to Jiang Ran. When Jiang Ran saw him, she raised an eyebrow, nodded slightly, and said softly, "We meet again."
The abbot nodded slightly and replied, "There is a destiny at play. Are you going to offer incense, sir?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ran slowly shook her head, then asked, "It's nothing, I'm just about to go to the Purple Bamboo Forest."
"Purple Bamboo Grove?!" Upon hearing this, the abbot's expression faltered slightly, and the Taoist priest beside him also looked up at Jiang Ran with a serious expression.
Jiang Ran noticed their strange expressions, but before she could ask, the host hesitated slightly before saying in a deep voice, "How do you know about such a place?"
The Purple Bamboo Grove is a forbidden area within the Taoist temple. It has long been closed to all those inside the temple, and outsiders are even less aware that such a wonderful place exists on the back mountain of the temple.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ran looked surprised and casually made up a reason, saying, "My ancestors had a connection with this Taoist temple, and what has been passed down is something we have never seen."
Hearing her explanation, the host's expression softened slightly.
She pursed her lips slightly, then slowly explained, "I'm really sorry, but the Purple Bamboo Forest is now a forbidden area, and you can't enter it casually."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ran raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flashing across her face.
I never imagined that things would have changed so much. In my previous life, it was just a place that I had created specifically for cultivation, but now it has become a forbidden area.
"Okay." Jiang Ran nodded and left after saying a few words.
Walking alone to the back mountain, scenes of cultivating and playing with his fellow disciples flashed through his mind.
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