Dao Qi Wu Zang Guan Guan: I became a Daoist Master in the 1990s

Chapter 117 Welcome-Away Banquet, Liaison Officer

This sleep was dreamless and profound.

Six hours later, Qi Yun woke up naturally.

I opened my eyes to find the room dimly lit, with only the city lights streaming in through the window casting blurry shadows on the ceiling.

He did not get up immediately, but lay quietly, feeling the natural flow of qi and blood in his body. The rich true qi nourished his limbs and bones like a warm current. The fatigue accumulated over the past two days had been washed away, and a refreshing feeling of being full of energy spread throughout his body.

He stretched comfortably, and his joints and bones made a series of crisp and pleasant "crackling" sounds, like springs that had not been used for a long time returning to their original positions, feeling extremely relaxed.

She threw off the covers, got out of bed, walked to the window, and with a whoosh, pulled open the heavy curtains.

Outside the window, the mountain city had completely succumbed to the embrace of night.

In the distance, layers of buildings are built against the mountain, and countless lights light up one after another, outlining a magical and three-dimensional urban silhouette, like a giant bonsai adorned with jewels.

Nearby, the streetlights cast soft glows in the government compound, and the shadows of the trees sway gently. A slightly damp river breeze blows in through the window, carrying the unique freshness of the river and the lively atmosphere of the city night, brushing against my cheek.

The breeze might feel slightly cool to an ordinary person, but Qi Yun felt it was refreshing and invigorating.

When I went downstairs to the lobby, I saw Song Wan and Li Fang sitting on the sofa against the wall.

Li Fang was the first to see Qi Yun. He immediately stood up and greeted him with a warm yet respectful smile: "Master Qi, have you rested well?"

Qi Yun nodded slightly.

Song Wan, who was standing to the side, also stood up, her expression showing obvious embarrassment and awkwardness, and her cheeks were even slightly red.

She seemed to struggle for a moment before lowering her head slightly and speaking in a somewhat stiff voice, several octaves lower than usual: "Greetings, Abbot Qi."

Qi Yun noticed her unease, simply smiled calmly in response, and then asked, "Where are Captain Zhong and Daoist Gongyang?"

Li Fang quickly replied, "Team Leader Zhong, Master Gongyang, and our Team Leader Song have already prepared a welcome-home banquet for you at 'Yuzhou Banquet,' and are just waiting for you to arrive."

We've been waiting here to show you the way.

"Thank you for your trouble." Qi Yun nodded.

The three of them left the guesthouse, walked through the quiet compound of government offices, and arrived at a riverside restaurant in just five or six minutes.

Upon reaching the top floor, a waitress in a cheongsam bowed and led the way to a private room called "Jiangshan Pavilion".

Pushing open the heavy solid wood door of the private room, a bright and spacious view suddenly appeared before me.

The private room was extremely large, elegantly decorated yet grand, with a full wall of floor-to-ceiling windows offering a dazzling and expansive view of the Yuzhong night scene, where the river water was as black as ink, neon lights were reflected, and the room was filled with colorful lights.

In the center of the huge round table sits a nine-compartment copper pot with the soup base already prepared, its red oil bubbling and the mushroom broth delicious. Surrounding it are layers upon layers of various hot pot ingredients and local snacks.

Zhong Weiguo, Master Gongyang, and Song Dingqian were chatting at the table when they saw Qi Yun enter and they all stood up to greet him.

"Abbot Qi, did you rest well?" Zhong Weiguo greeted him with a smile, his attitude friendly and natural.

Master Gongyang also smiled and bowed: "May the Heavenly Venerable grant you boundless blessings. Your complexion is radiant and your inner spirit is abundant; this is truly a cause for celebration."

Song Dingqian also stood up, forcing a smile, but the smile was a little stiff, not as natural as Zhong Weiguo's and the other's: "Abbot Qi, please take a seat."

After exchanging pleasantries, everyone took their seats. Qi Yun sat in the main seat, with Zhong Dingguo and Master Gongyang sitting on his left and right respectively, and Song Dingqian, Song Wan, and Li Fang sitting in order.

Zhong Weiguo picked up the teapot and personally poured Qi Yun a cup of hot tea. He said, "Some brothers from the Shancheng branch have to be on duty and can't all come. So this welcoming banquet is a bit quiet. Please forgive us, Abbot Qi."

Qi Yun picked up his teacup: "Captain Zhong, you're too kind. Business is important." "I understand." Zhong Weiguo put down the teapot and got to the point: "According to the rules, the abbot can now choose the site for the Taoist temple."

The bureau has several ready-made construction drawings for palaces and temples, all designed by famous artists. They are traditional in style, modern in materials, sturdy and impressive.

Of course, if the Abbot has any special ideas, please feel free to mention them, and we will modify them according to your wishes. I wonder if the Abbot currently has any aspects he prefers?

Qi Yun gently stroked the warm teacup with his fingers, then looked up and asked, "Oh? Really, anywhere is fine?"

Upon hearing this, Zhong Weiguo laughed heartily: "In principle, that's how it is. You can choose whatever you want from our beautiful motherland! However..." He then changed the subject.

"It is not recommended to set up the temple in a remote mountain forest, where transportation is inconvenient and it is difficult to maintain the incense offerings, which may cause inconvenience in the early stages of the inheritance."

The city center is too noisy and the land is expensive. Even though the bureau is paying for it, it's still too conspicuous.

Additionally, the provinces of Tibet, Qinghai, and Xinjiang are not recommended at this time.

Qi Yun raised an eyebrow, a hint of interest in his expression: "Oh? What's the situation in those three provinces?"

Master Gongyang gently interjected, "Master Qi, you may not know this, but the mainstream of Buddhism in those three places is the Esoteric School."

They did not sign the "Golden Code" or join the Xuan Yi Alliance back then, but made other agreements with the higher authorities based on their local customs and traditions.

Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, we members of the Xuan Yi Alliance generally prefer not to get involved with them further, to avoid unnecessary complications.

Qi Yun nodded in understanding: "I see. Thank you for your explanation, Daoist Master."

He pondered for a moment, "As for the location of the Taoist temple, I have no clue at the moment. May I have a few days to think about it carefully?"

“Of course!” Zhong Weiguo readily agreed. “This matter concerns the foundation of the abbot’s lineage, so we must be cautious. Just let me know when you’ve made up your mind.”

After finishing this matter, Zhong Weiguo's expression turned slightly serious, and he added, "There is one more thing."

Now that you are the head of the temple, according to the rules of the bureau, you are required to be assigned a dedicated liaison officer.

Firstly, it facilitates timely communication between us; secondly, if we need to mobilize resources, process documents, or apply for expenses in the future, there will be someone to run errands for us.

Originally, this liaison officer should have been stationed at the temple, and could be considered your secretary, Abbot.

But now that the abbot has no fixed abode, the liaison officer has to stay by your side.

Of course, if the abbot dislikes outsiders following him, he may refuse, but it would inevitably cause some inconvenience in future contact. What is the abbot's opinion?

After a moment's thought, Qi Yun realized that his current plan was to travel around the country, and having an official contact person to handle miscellaneous matters would indeed save him a lot of trouble. So he nodded in agreement: "Then I'll trouble the bureau to make the arrangements."

Zhong Weiguo's smile widened: "That's excellent."

He casually changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over everyone at the table, "Previously, Song Wan and I discussed privately her desire to serve as your liaison. I wonder if you... think she's up to the task?"

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere at the table suddenly fell silent.

Qi Yun looked at Song Wan with some surprise. She had been keeping her head down and silent ever since she sat down.

Li Fang was also taken aback and looked at Song Wan beside him in surprise.

The one who reacted the most was undoubtedly Song Dingqian.

(End of this chapter)