Chapter 99 Part 1
Wu Heng thought to himself, there were many branches of Daoism, but tracing back to their origins, most were related to ancient shamanic practices. Just like if Yan Emperor and Huang Emperor suddenly appeared today, who would dare deny their lineage?
The Xuanmen disciples, with their leader at the front, knelt, their talismans and tools scattered on the floor.
Their leader, dazed, felt like he was dreaming. How did this Wu Heng even arrive in this era? And his seniority, even higher than their ancestor!
He had encountered a formidable opponent. He often watched those short videos of arrogant sect leaders being put in their place, never imagining he would be one of them.
Chen Zhao, kneeling beside his master, his face flushed with excitement.
What an opportunity! He had latched onto a true powerhouse!
He had suggested Wu Heng get a certificate from them! Who needed their certificate when the entire metaphysics world, even their ancestor, had to call him “Grandmaster”?
If anyone was being discriminated against, it was Wu Heng, looking down on those other practitioners!
Chen Zhao, calculating the seniority, was stunned, although not officially a disciple yet, he had cheekily called him “Master” before, which meant… even their ancestor would have to kowtow to him!
Not bold enough for that yet, he turned to his master, a hopeful glint in his eyes, “Old man, call me ‘Master,’ let’s hear it.”
Let him experience this upgrade.
His master would never have imagined this day.
The old man, stroking his beard, a smug smile on his lips, “You unfilial wretch! Who was the one who suggested joining Doctor Wu’s sect first?”
He had only casually mentioned it to Chen Zhao, who, on the other hand, had asked Wu Heng directly.
Checkmate.
Chen Zhao: “…”
Damn, his master was still the wiser one, acting all aloof and dignified usually, but more eager to leave than he was!
Wu Heng, “You can all rise now,”
And as the dazed practitioners got up, the leader immediately had someone bring chairs.
As soon as Wu Heng sat down, Chen Zhao followed, sitting beside him, startling their leader, who, finally understanding, that Wu Heng had come for Chen Zhao, well… it couldn’t be helped, a special occasion, after all.
The leader, his mind racing, realizing Wu Heng’s suggestion to expel their ancestor must have been a way to take Chen Zhao with him, said proactively, “Since Grandmaster Wu values Chen Zhao so highly, then take him, he is, after all, a disciple of our Xuanmen, honored by your recognition.”
“And my master too,” Chen Zhao, overjoyed, the ancestor couldn’t refuse now! Then, remembering something important, “Leader, you have to pay us our back wages first.”
“Let’s calculate based on the local government employee salary, ten thousand after tax, one hundred twenty thousand a year, I joined the Xuanmen three months ago, officially started working at twelve, thirteen years of back pay, that’s one million five hundred and sixty thousand, I’ll forgo all other benefits.”
“And my master’s salary, he’s been here for sixty years, the wage theft started in the last decade or so, right? Just calculate it the same way.”
The other practitioners’ eyes widened, calculating their own back wages, their gazes filled with envy, truly, choice over effort.
The leader, his face paling upon hearing Chen Zhao demanding millions, “Chen Zhao, what are you saying? Making it sound like I stole your salary! And you’re not even accounting for inflation!”
Chen Zhao didn’t think he was wrong, “People earned three thousand a month back then, now it’s still three thousand, everything else getting more expensive, but our wages. One point five six million, each. Two in total.”
He raised his chin, “And mind your tone, Leader, you’re speaking to Wu Heng’s grand-disciple, technically your senior.”
The leader: “…”
This little bastard!
He was panicking. Three million? He could sell the entire Xuanmen and wouldn’t be able to afford that.
And the other practitioners, equally impoverished, also started making demands.
“Grandmaster Wu, how about me? One disciple is fine, two is also fine, how about a whole sect to care for you in your old age,”
One even rushed forward and knelt, reciting his resume, “This humble one, twenty-five years old, from the Talisman Department, proficient in protection talismans, five thunder talismans, love talismans, experienced in breaking formations, and assisting the police.”
He turned and looked at their livid leader, smiling shyly. “Leader, if I get an offer, just one hundred thousand in compensation is fine.”
The leader: “… Just kill me now.”
One after another, they started promoting themselves, right there in front of their ancestor’s statue.
Wu Heng, glancing at the statue, shook his head, so this was the result?
Exploiting their disciples, no wonder so many wanted to leave, what a poorly managed company.
Like construction workers demanding their wages.
The leader, overwhelmed by their requests, calmly said, “Chen Zhao has Grandmaster Wu’s personal invitation, I can bypass protocol, but the rest of you… ask our ancestor, if he agrees, I’ll approve it immediately.”
Instantly, they quieted down.
Chen Zhao was ecstatic, he knew it, Wu Heng’s power!
He tugged at his master’s sleeve, “Master, let’s pack our bags! Time to go home, and celebrate the New Year!”
His luggage was still untouched.
The old man didn’t reply, glancing at Wu Heng, who said to their leader, “I wasn’t joking.”
Joking? What joking? The leader was stunned, remembering his earlier words. “Are you saying… you want to expel our ancestor?”
Wu Heng took a sip of his tea, wondering which pastries looked good. “Exactly,”
The leader, even knowing Wu Heng’s status as an ancient shaman, tried to reason, “That’s unacceptable, he single-handedly built our sect, even now we enjoy our official status thanks to his legacy.”
“Our ancestor did nothing wrong, there are no grounds for expulsion.”
He looked around and raised his voice, “I understand your frustration regarding our… compensation, but that’s the curse of our profession, and it’s our ancestor who’s protecting us during these troubled times.”
He and the elders had received messages in their dreams from their ancestor, that’s why they decided to offer most of their salaries as offerings.
The situation was worsening, more assignments from the government, clearly their ancestor’s protection, although the government seemed to prefer those outsiders now, but that was their own fault.
Wu Heng asked casually, “And what positions did he promise you in the afterlife?”
The leader’s face flushed slightly, “Judges,”
Nothing wrong with that, serving his country diligently, surely he was qualified for a judgeship in the afterlife. A little ambition was normal, right?
The elders were shocked, “A judgeship? Didn’t he promise me?”
“You too?! But he told me…”
Wu Heng: “…”
So many judges… a wholesale factory.
Wu Heng asked, amused, “And who decides who gets to be a judge?”
Silence. They weren’t stupid, realizing Wu Heng’s intention. Could it…
Wu Heng’s voice turned cold. “Check your well. It’s filled with Yin qi.”
Xuanmen, the largest metaphysics organization, if they controlled them, using the master-disciple bond to control others too, imagine the chaos!
Who would suspect the officially recognized practitioners?
He figured the government must have initially trusted Xuanmen, providing funding for the vaccine development, then gradually realizing something wasn’t right, but without evidence, had no choice but to look elsewhere.
And he, Wu Heng, openly live-streaming, perhaps he was the government’s chosen one now.
He looked at the imposing statue. “Bring me your genealogy records.”
