PCJ – Chapter 51 What Goes In Must Come Out

Song Dachao was also startled by Zhang Jiaohua’s actions. Although Zhang Jiaohua understood the rules of the Meishan Dao School, he was still just a child. Back in the day, he began learning the Meishan dao techniques at the age of ten and only completed his apprenticeship in his twenties. Even if this child had exceptional aptitude, it was impossible for him to have completed his apprenticeship from his mother’s womb. How could he have already completed his apprenticeship? Furthermore, whether it was Lanshexi or Meizi Village, there had never been any mention of formidable dao masters!

Song Dachao quickly scooped up a bowl of water from the water tank and hurriedly transformed it into another bowl of water, handing it to Zhang Jiaohua. “Quickly, drink this bowl of water. Please, don’t let anything happen.”

If Zhang Jiaohua were an adult proficient in Meishan dao techniques, it would be one thing, but he was just a child. If today’s events were to spread, Song Dachao’s reputation would be tarnished. If Shiqing Wang found out, he might even expel him from the sect. This was clearly an act of bullying a minor, something expressly prohibited by the sect’s rules.

“Heh heh, you want me to drink the water you transformed?” Zhang Jiaohua chuckled coldly, pushing aside the water bowl Song Dachao held out to him. “Do I look like I’m in trouble to you?”

The three chopsticks had already dissolved in his stomach. This aspect of the Meishan Dao School was indeed beyond reason. Transforming a bowl of water out of thin air, drinking it along with three sharpened chopsticks, and yet nothing happened. The water was just ordinary water, but after being transformed by water techniques, it could even turn chopsticks into noodles. (This scene was witnessed in reality, not fabricated out of thin air by Lao Yu.)

“Are you really okay?” Song Dachao asked in astonishment.

“Are you blind?” Zhang Jiaohua rolled his eyes. With that, Zhang Jiaohua reverted to being a brat once again.

Song Dachao, being good-natured, didn’t take Zhang Jiaohua’s words to heart and chuckled awkwardly, scratching his head.

Wait, isn’t the senior on their side? Why does it seem like he’s not on my side, but rather on their side? Guo Daogui panicked. If this continued, he’d be like Zhu Bajie in the mirror, neither human nor ghost.

“Senior Brother, Senior Brother, you’ve definitely been fooled by that brat. He definitely didn’t eat chopsticks; he used something fake. Remember the examination for apprenticeship that year? Didn’t I also make something that looked like chopsticks? If Master hadn’t found out, I would have definitely become an apprentice.” Guo Daogui pulled Song Dachao’s hand, willing to reveal his own shortcomings to salvage the situation. He was really going all out.

“Are you suggesting I eat chopsticks again just to prove it to you? If you want me to eat them, there’s no problem. I can satisfy you. Later, you can even sharpen the chopsticks yourself. Even if you cut one chopstick into two pieces, I won’t blame you. But we have to be reasonable. Those of us in the Meishan Dao School are reasonable people. Whether it’s inviting gods or ancestors, if someone isn’t reasonable, can they be successfully invited? If you want me to eat, I’ll eat, but if I do, you can’t say nothing happened.” Zhang Jiaohua refused to cooperate.

“So what do you suggest?” Guo Daogui couldn’t help but shout.

“I’ll wait for you to say that.” Zhang Jiaohua clapped his hands.

Guo Daogui suddenly felt like he’d been duped, but what’s said is said, and water once spilled can’t be recovered. Moreover, there was a straight-laced senior standing next to him. Even if he wanted to back out, he probably couldn’t pass this test set by the senior.

“Do whatever you want with killing or torturing.” Guo Daogui gritted his teeth, hoping Zhang Jiaohua had indeed cheated earlier.

“People are executed by firing squad for murder. I won’t kill you. Later, if I manage to swallow the chopsticks unharmed, you’ll have to bark like a dog three times on the ground.” Zhang Jiaohua found this quite amusing.

“You, you, you…” Guo Daogui pointed at Zhang Jiaohua, suddenly realizing that he was just a child of a few years old. It was reasonable for him to come up with such a bet, but how did he end up at odds with a child of just a few years old? Suddenly realizing what he’d gotten himself into, he wondered how this child could have prepared fake chopsticks in advance. Could he calculate?

Guo Daogui naturally regretted it. “I won’t stoop to the level of a brat like you. I came here to seek justice. Even if you’re a dao master, how dare you steal my incense footprints?”

“You’re not a dao master, so where did your incense footprints come from? Does your master know?” Zhang Jiaohua countered.

At this, Song Dachao’s expression changed. Their master did indeed know about this matter, but this little apprentice was usually very obedient, so the master pretended not to know. However, if taken seriously, what Guo Daogui did was tantamount to disrespecting the master and ancestors, as one cannot have incense footprints without completing apprenticeship.

“Who said I haven’t completed my apprenticeship? I completed it long ago.” Guo Daogui was a bit at a loss for words.

“Alright. I just swallowed the chopsticks, now it’s your turn.” Zhang Jiaohua handed the bowl to Guo Daogui and passed him another chopstick.

Guo Daogui hadn’t completed his apprenticeship at all, so how could he dare to swallow the chopsticks? Swallowing three sharp chopsticks like that, piercing the digestive tract without harm, would be unbelievable.

Song Dachao approached with a forced smile. “This master, my junior brother really hasn’t completed his apprenticeship. He only does some simple rituals in the village. How about we let this matter go based on my face?”

“Do you think you can just let it go by saying so? Do you know, my cousin almost died because of him? Taking money without doing the job is not only a matter of greed but also of endangering lives!” Zhang Jiaohua slammed the table, angrily reprimanding.

Although Zhang Jiaohua’s voice was childish, it was filled with authority, causing Guo Daogui to retreat several steps and sit on the ground.

Song Dachao also felt a headache coming on and deeply regretted getting involved. He now had a clear understanding of this junior brother. He vowed that no matter how Guo Daogui might pester him in the future, he would never come to his aid again.

“Young junior brother, how much incense money did you take from them? Quickly return it and apologize.” Song Dachao pushed Guo Daogui and then apologized to Zhang Jiaohua, “I’m sorry. I hope you can give me face and let Guo junior brother off this time. If he dares to collect incense money again before completing his apprenticeship, I will tell our master. Guo junior brother, what’s wrong with you? Go back and get the money to compensate them!”

“Uh, I’ll go right away.” Guo Daogui said as he prepared to leave. However, he was grabbed by Song Dachao. “Forget it, I’ll go with you.”

Although Song Dachao was simple-minded, his brain wasn’t stupid; otherwise, how could he have become a water master?

Zhang Yuping, being an equal, couldn’t interject a word. He watched with a complex expression as Zhang Jiaohua handled the two formidable individuals without the slightest hint of anger. At first, everyone was worried for Zhang Jiaohua, but then they realized he had completely seized control of the situation.