This humble Taoist priest wants to take the college entrance exam.

Chapter 7: The God of Literature Descends to Earth, You've struck Gold (Thanks to Honey Princess for being the Alliance Leader)

This was Chen Shi'an's first time stepping into a high school campus, and as a Taoist priest at that.

He knew that September 1st was the usual start of the school year, but he never imagined that after being a Taoist priest on the mountain for so many years, he would have a day when he would return to school.

Compared to the rural primary school I spent a few days in as a child, Yunqi No.1 Middle School is much larger, and the teaching environments are worlds apart.

From the moment I stepped into the school gate, the noise from the bustling traffic outside began to gradually decrease, and this auditory change was quite noticeable.

Looking around, he saw that the campus was mostly filled with students of similar age to him, and the expressions on their faces were different from those of hurried passersby in the city.

This place is like a special 'barrier', located in the middle of a metropolis, yet temporarily isolated from the disturbances of the outside world.

As Chen Shi'an looked at these students, they were also looking at him.

Upon seeing this person in a blue Taoist robe appear on campus, the students couldn't help but feel curious. In the midst of their dull and boring school life, even the smallest thing outside of studying could spark their keen interest.

"Hey, look! Is that a Taoist priest? Why is a Taoist priest at the school?"

"Could it be a student who does cosplay...?"

"Doesn't look like it... Holy crap! It's in the administration building! It looks like it's going to the principal's office on the third floor!"

"What's going on?!"

Some people were secretly observing, while others were whispering among themselves. Before the bored students could find out more, the security guard had already led the young Taoist priest into the administration building and headed towards the principal's office.

Some nosy students followed and stood near the stairwell, peering out, until the head of student affairs passed by and shouted at them, at which point they scattered...

"Master Chen, we've arrived. This is Principal Lin's office."

"Okay, please."

"No trouble, no trouble."

Chen Shi'an withdrew his gaze from the group of students, straightened his Taoist robe, brushed off the dust, and stood upright in front of the door.

The principal's office door was ajar, and the cool air from the air conditioner flowed out from the crack like water.

The security guard knocked on the door.

"Chief Lin, Master Chen has arrived."

"Okay, come in."

The gatekeeper pushed open the slightly ajar door, and Chen Shi'an went inside.

At the same time, the middle-aged man sitting behind the desk also stood up to greet him.

He had an ordinary appearance, looked younger than his position suggested—no more than forty-something—was thin, wore glasses, and had a few gray hairs at his temples. He wasn't particularly robust, but his voice was very loud.

"Master Chen is here, come inside and talk."

"The journey was quite long, which took some time. I apologize for keeping Principal Lin waiting."

Chen Shi'an politely bowed with his hands clasped.

Principal Lin returned the gesture with a cupped-hand salute, his movements and posture quite standard.

The principal's office is quite large. At first glance, the layout is not much different from other offices, but the grandeur of the decoration is hidden in the details. For example, the materials used for the desks, chairs, doors, and cabinets are much higher-end than those used in other offices.

Although Chen Shi'an would soon be a student at Yunqi No. 1 Middle School, Principal Lin did not simply treat him as a student. After Chen Shi'an sat down, he kindly brewed tea and handed it to him.

"I met your master more than 20 years ago. Back then, I was about the same age as you are now, Master Chen. Time flies so fast, so many years have passed in the blink of an eye."

Principal Lin sighed, "When your master called me, I was on a business trip out of town and was already on my way back, but I still couldn't make it to see him off. I hope Master Chen won't be offended..."

"Principal Lin is very kind."

Chen Shi'an accepted the tea. "Master often said, 'Life and death are like the alternation of day and night.' He always took life and death lightly, so Principal Lin doesn't need to blame himself too much for this."

"Master Chen is indeed extraordinary; few people can match his state of mind."

"..."

Only Chen Shi'an knows whether his master has truly taken life and death lightly, but he certainly wouldn't embarrass his master in front of outsiders.

Chen Shi'an had already looked through the account book left by his master. The name 'Lin Ming' was a long-time creditor. His master had borrowed a total of 38,000 yuan from him, plus a degree and two years of tuition and fees.

Perhaps his master had already paid off such a "borrowing" with his unreliable skills, but since his master called it a "borrowing," Chen Shi'an naturally had to express his attitude. "Principal Lin, my master has kept records of the accounts you have borrowed from the Taoist temple over the years. Although my master is no longer here, rest assured, I will pay off every penny for you without any discrepancy."

"what?"

Upon hearing Chen Shi'an's words, Principal Lin was momentarily puzzled, but after realizing what he meant, he waved his hand and smiled:
"Compared to the help your master has given me, this little bit of money is nothing. Your master is stubborn and refuses to accept it. Little Master Chen, you don't need to take it to heart. You don't need to return it."

"That won't do. A favor is a favor, but since Master said it's a loan, then it's a loan. Besides, much of it was used for me, so as his disciple, I naturally have to repay it. But..."

Chen Shi'an looked embarrassed, but his tone was firm: "It's just that I'm not well-off right now, and I may not be able to repay your debt to Principal Lin until later. Please give me some more time, Principal Lin."

As the saying goes, like master, like disciple.

That's incredibly principled!
Principal Lin hadn't expected Chen Shi'an to pay off the debt anyway, and upon hearing this, he smiled and said:
"It's alright, it's alright, Master Chen, don't put too much pressure on yourself. Just let things take their course. Master Chen, do you have enough money for this trip? If not, I can lend you some more. I'm not in a hurry anyway, so just use it if you need it. Don't be shy!"

“Principal Lin is very kind. Although my master didn’t leave me much, it’s enough for now.”

"Okay, just tell me what you're missing."

"..."

What creditor would eagerly hand over money to someone?

Chen Shi'an didn't know what favor Principal Lin owed his master back then. After all, it was a story between Principal Lin and his master, and neither of them had brought it up. As a junior, he naturally didn't feel comfortable asking too much.

However, I imagine the other creditors are probably in a similar situation.

"Come, Master Chen, have some tea."

"Principal Xie Lin, these are all excellent teas."

"It seems that Master Chen is quite knowledgeable about tea!"

"I only know that tea is good, but I don't understand it as well as Principal Lin does."

A cup of tea goes down, leaving a sweet aftertaste and a pleasant lingering sensation in the mouth.

Chen Shi'an praised the tea, while Principal Lin praised him in return.

People who actively seek favors from others are annoying; but those who come to repay debts on behalf of their teachers truly earn the best impression.

There are many ungrateful people in the world, but there are also many kind and righteous people, such as Principal Lin. Even though Master Chen is no longer here, what harm is there in repaying the favors owed to his disciple over the years?

Most creditors would probably not mind repaying the favors they owed Chen Laodao to his disciple, and these favors are probably the most secret legacy their master left him.

In fact, Chen Shi'an didn't care whether the creditors would repay the favors on behalf of his master. He only hoped that he could pay off the debts after saving up the money, so that he could have a clearer and more open mind.

If the creditors truly feel indebted to their master, they would be extremely grateful if they could burn a couple more incense sticks for him.

Once things settled down at school, Chen Shi'an planned to visit each of his creditors one by one, using the contact information left in his master's ledger.

The money can't be repaid for the time being, but at least the attitude should be shown!

Since the creditors are scattered all over the country, visiting them would be like having a destination during my travels.

After catching up for a while, Principal Lin and Chen Shi'an started talking about school.

“I’ve heard about the association’s requirements for inheriting the Taoist temple. I believe that even if the disciples taught by Master Chen don’t have diplomas, their skills will definitely be excellent.”

"Principal Lin flatters me; I am not even a fraction as good as my master."

“Master Chen is being modest. Do you think I don’t know your master? If he didn’t have confidence in you, even if you were his own son, he probably wouldn’t have handed the Taoist temple over to you so easily.”

Principal Lin sighed and continued, "However, Master Chen may not know this because he has lived in the mountains for so long. In this day and age, everything must be done according to the rules. We have been running the school for so many years, just so that students can have a piece of paper as a stepping stone."

"That's true. My master was a very disciplined person when he was alive, which is why he asked me to take the exam for a diploma."

"Yes."

Principal Lin laughed and said, "When your master contacted me that day, he said that Master Chen was a reincarnation of the God of Literature, and that I had struck gold!"

Chen Shi'an: "..."

Master, you're so outspoken! How many people have you told that I'm the reincarnation of the God of Literature?
Do you have no idea whether I'm a scholar or a loser?
Seeing Principal Lin's unwavering belief in this, the young Taoist priest felt inexplicably guilty...

(Thanks to Lord Chicken for being the patron! I'm speechless. From now on, I'll share half of my daily writing quota with you! My words are your words!)
(End of this chapter)