The Beautiful Boss's Personal Bodyguard
Chapter 236

Chapter 236: 236

A sudden voice pierced through the quiet crowd, and Shen Xuepei glanced at Ye Tian standing beside her, giving a slight shake of her head. It wasn’t that she was dissatisfied with Ye Tian, but rather a habitual shake at the impetuosity of youth.

Young mouths that speak prematurely lead to unreliable actions. Elders tend to habitually glance at or guide the younger generation’s trivial actions. This is not a bad thing.

The master, who had been waiting for applause with his eyes closed, heard this remark and opened his eyes calmly. Upon seeing the speaker was just a callow youth, he felt an instant contempt but still maintained a composed master’s demeanor. He shifted his body slightly, flicking a leaf from his hand that flew parallel for a good distance, drawing more astonishment from the crowd. Ye Tian curled his lips; these were all petty tricks, after all. Anyone present could do the same with the right finger movements, and even more flamboyantly than the master.

"This young friend, it seems you have a limited understanding of our Huaxia swordsmanship. What you see on TV is merely to satisfy visual thrills. Real Soft Sword is an integrated art and knowledge, meant for cultivating one’s vitality and spirit, not for showing off in public to catch people’s eyes. That’s not swordsmanship; the ones performing are no different from monkey show performers."

The surrounding crowd nodded in agreement, not understanding the master’s words, but feeling they must be right precisely because they did not understand.

Ye Tian nodded thoughtfully. "Ah, I see, I have learned something new." Though his words were of learning, the smirk revealed at the corner of his mouth showed that the young man had no intention of admitting any fault, as if he was still mocking the master.

Having seen many like Ye Tian, the master did not show any particular emotion. Just then, a person in a white practice outfit came over—a boy of about fifteen or sixteen, with a sword slung diagonally across his back. He approached the master, bowed respectfully, and said, "Master, Grandmaster sent a message that we must return to Wutai Mountain before today ends, or else we will face severe punishment."

As the master stroked his beard in thought, someone with small eyes stepped out of the crowd and asked, "Master, what will we do if you leave? I’ve always wanted to learn the way of swordsmanship from you. You can’t just leave like this."

"Yes, master, we’ve always been following your teachings. What will we do if you leave?"

Four people stepped forward one after another, earnestly begging the master to stay, their expressions sincere and their tones filled with the resolve to follow the master.

Ye Tian wanted to escape; this little trick wasn’t worth bringing in the group of extras. He guessed that next would be recruiting students and then collecting tuition.

Restlessness began to build among others in the crowd, seemingly eager to detain the master. Ye Tian secretly pitied these people; they were not lacking the ability to discern truth from falsehood but were merely longing for bodily health and seeking some joy in their lonely lives. This was the same reason young people enjoyed clubbing and karaoke. The lives of the elderly weren’t as colorful as those of the younger generation, and to dispel loneliness and solitude, they preferred to find things to do, even if it cost money. It seemed that the master had tapped into the psyche of the elderly, which is why he was there, shamelessly boasting about swordsmanship and Wutai Mountain.

As expected, upon seeing so many people sincerely begging him to stay, the old master let out a long sigh to the heavens, "Ah, since everyone wishes me to stay, I can only defy my master’s orders and remain here for a few more days, for everyone’s sake, and out of consideration for your health."

"I’m very thankful to the master then."

"But master, we still need to raise incense money for the repair and renovation of the temples on the mountain, how can we afford to stay here for a few more days?" The child’s tone was very urgent, and his voice was loud enough that Ye Tian, standing on the outskirts of the crowd, could hear every single word clearly. It seemed he had been briefed beforehand.

This time, it was the same few people who had initially stepped forward that began to clamor about donating, and they patted their chests promising that they definitely wouldn’t make things difficult for the master.

"Everyone, think about it. This master comes here early every morning just to interact better with everyone, to create a better atmosphere for practicing. And as far as I know, he also gives out porridge to the beggars at the City God Temple every day. He’s a truly good person in today’s world. Now he’s facing severe punishment from his sect for staying here for our sake. Everyone, shouldn’t we do something?"

Very appropriately, the small-eyed man took out a Merit Incense and began to circulate among the crowd, despite the master’s objections.

It was an old trick, but it always worked.

Ye Tian originally thought this man was simply dressing up as a master for his own amusement and hadn’t exposed him. But at this point, it was outright deception. If those around him were young people, Ye Tian would not have said anything; young people being deceived is due to their own foolishness, and they deserve it. But the people here were kind elderly men and women, most likely out and about because their children were too busy. Ye Tian couldn’t stand by and watch.

"Old sir, you’d better keep your money for yourself. The master has the whole world in his heart, and your little bit of money, he surely couldn’t bear to accept. Isn’t that right, master?" Ye Tian intercepted an old man who was about to take out two hundred yuan from his wallet and also took the red paper-wrapped Merit Incense from him.

The small-eyed man glanced at Ye Tian with fear in his eyes. Ye Tian was a head taller than him, and that wasn’t even the main issue. The Merit Box was made of iron, essentially a pigeon cage, temporarily turned into a Merit Box by wrapping it in red paper. Although it wasn’t heavy, it was made of solid steel. Yet when Ye Tian took it, he did so effortlessly, almost twisting his own wrist in the process. This was much more impressive than the master’s abilities.

The master looked at Ye Tian but remained silent.

"Where did this ignorant kid come from? Don’t make trouble here and delay everyone’s important matters. Can you bear the responsibility? The master’s time is very precious; don’t waste everyone’s time here."

"Master, I have some questions regarding swordsmanship and would like to ask for your guidance on a few techniques. I wonder if you’d be willing to instruct me?"

Ye Tian placed the Merit Box on the ground, stepping on it with a domineering look.

The people around seemed to realize something as the money that was clutched in their hands slowly went back into their own wallets. The few individuals who had first stepped forward now looked at Ye Tian unfriendly. Setting up such a scam took a significant amount of time, effort, and resources, and the chances of success were extremely low, especially when they encountered meddlesome individuals like him.