341: Chapter 340: Jianghu Taoist Priest 341: Chapter 340: Jianghu Taoist Priest In the vast garden, numerous black-clad bodyguards were stationed every three steps, and sentries posted every five, all in preparation for the possibility of an unexpected attack from He Fangtuo.
Having suffered consecutive defeats at the hands of He Fangtuo, the Du Family had grown thoroughly frightened of him, an intimidation not usually present without such a formidable array.
Within the garden, Du Dewei’s second uncle, Du Sanjiang, stood inside a pavilion.
Clad in grey, with a tall and straight figure, Du Sanjiang’s square face exuded an air of authority even without anger.
He held a teacup in his hand, his face adorned with a faint smile.
Moreover, inside the pavilion sat another figure, dressed as a Taoist Priest, holding a horsetail whisk, with a young boy standing beside him—both possessing an aura of a transcendent being.
“I wonder if the tea is to Taoist Priest’s liking?” Du Sanjiang’s tone carried a hint of reverence; the Taoist before him was a master whom he had taken great pains and pulled many connections to find.
With He Fangtuo released from prison and his old rival’s power a cause for concern, Du Sanjiang couldn’t help but feel apprehensive.
The masters he had recruited previously were all defeated by his adversary, and some had even vanished without a trace, likely meeting a grim fate.
This time, he had put all his bets on the Taoist Priest before him.
Assessing the Taoist Priest across from him, Du Sanjiang was very pleased with the other’s transcendent demeanor; at the very least, it confirmed the Priest was no ordinary individual.
“Not bad,” the Taoist Priest opened his eyes and uttered these brief words, his manner somewhat haughty.
Yet Du Sanjiang was not annoyed; he understood that great individuals had their idiosyncrasies.
This was a master he had sought after strenuously, a self-proclaimed Cultivating Taoist Priest with some reputation in Jianghu.
It was this very reputation that made Du Sanjiang hold him in high esteem.
With so many bodyguards within the Du Family estate, and with the presence of this master, Du Sanjiang was brimming with confidence.
If He Fangtuo dared to come here, he would surely be sent back by this individual—with no return!
Simultaneously, Du Dewei, accompanied by Ning Fan, arrived in the garden, and upon seeing Du Sanjiang in the pavilion, he immediately ran up with Ning Fan.
“Second Uncle, let me introduce someone to you!” Du Dewei excitedly said to Du Sanjiang, not noticing the Taoist Priest and the young boy sitting opposite his uncle.
The Taoist Priest snorted coldly, dampening Du Dewei’s enthusiasm as if doused by a bucket of cold water.
Just as Du Dewei was about to reprimand the Priest, his second uncle interrupted him.
“Dewei, do not offend the Taoist Priest.
Speak your business,” Du Sanjiang said, shaking his head to halt Du Dewei’s impulse to chastise the Taoist Priest, while he apologetically glanced at the latter.
“Please don’t mind the young ones, Taoist Priest.”
Standing aside, Ning Fan glanced at the Taoist Priest, then at Du Dewei’s frustrated expression, and instantly understood the situation.
He remained silent, deciding to be an invisible presence.
However, Du Dewei was anxious to introduce Ning Fan to his second uncle, Du Sanjiang.
In his view, how could this Taoist Priest compare to Ning Fan?
He had personally witnessed Ning Fan’s formidable skills.
“Second Uncle, this is God Doctor Ning.
He’s here to help us deal with He Fangtuo!”
Du Dewei enthusiastically introduced Ning Fan to Du Sanjiang.
Only then did Du Sanjiang take notice of Ning Fan beside Du Dewei, his gaze showing a touch of surprise.
Facing Du Sanjiang’s scrutinizing look, Ning Fan nodded in acknowledgment and smiled, his expression composed and sparing.
Observing Ning Fan and then looking back at Du Dewei, Du Sanjiang couldn’t help but frown.
Ning Fan was indeed quite young, and compared with the Taoist Priest opposite him, the impression he gave off was vastly different.
But remembering this was his nephew’s guest, and presuming the young man must possess some skill, he politely greeted, “God Doctor Ning, I am Du Sanjiang.
Pleased to meet you!”
“Ning Fan, if you need my help, I’ll lend a hand,” Ning Fan said dispassionately.
Although Du Sanjiang’s tone was very polite, Ning Fan could tell that Du Sanjiang didn’t really think highly of him, and the courtesy was merely lip service.
In fact, while Du Sanjiang felt that Ning Fan had some skills, he didn’t believe he could handle He Fangtuo and was merely being polite to him.
After all, having an extra friend was much better than having an extra enemy, especially when there was a chance for future cooperation.
As a businessman, he naturally had a more transparent perspective than others.
“Dewei, I appreciate the thought.
Don’t worry about He Fangtuo.
With this Taoist Priest here, plus the bodyguards in the manor, He Fangtuo won’t be a problem!”
Du Sanjiang’s gaze was filled with immense enthusiasm when he looked at the Taoist priest, which was completely different from when he looked at Ning Fan.
By now, Du Dewei also understood the situation.
He frowned and was about to explain.
But the Taoist priest sitting opposite Du Sanjiang didn’t give him any chance as he laughed and said, “The younger generation is well-intentioned too, but this is not something you can participate in.
You can’t just do as you please.
Isn’t that right, Patron Du?”
The Taoist priest smiled and when he looked at Ning Fan, a trace of disdain appeared on his face.
To him, Ning Fan was just a young man, someone Du Dewei had casually brought over.
“Moreover, these days people are very slick talkers, everyone must be careful not to be deceived!”
With that one sentence, the Taoist Priest implied that Ning Fan might be a charlatan.
With a snort of laughter, the young acolyte beside the Taoist priest couldn’t help but laugh out loud, looking up at Ning Fan with a mocking look in his eyes.
Du Dewei’s expression changed, becoming extremely grim.
Ning Fan was someone he had asked Qian Nengde to find through connections.
How had he become a charlatan in this Jianghu Taoist’s mouth?
Furious, Du Dewei’s eyes flashed with anger, and he pointed at the Taoist priest: “You!”
“Dewei, stop it!”
Du Sanjiang hastily intervened.
“Hahaha, it doesn’t matter, it’s just a junior after all.
But speaking of which, if He Fangtuo dares to come, it’s enough to leave it to me, I will make sure he leaves without a return, and show him what true strength is!”
The Taoist priest said, glancing at Ning Fan again, his words not only targeting He Fangtuo but also mocking Ning Fan at his side.
However, Ning Fan was expressionless, not even sparing him a glance, effectively treating him as if he were thin air.
At this time, Du Sanjiang was also pleased, hearing such confidence from the Taoist priest, he added, “If the Taoist Priest makes a move, a mere He Fangtuo will certainly be no trouble!”
“Hmph, he’s merely learned a few years of basic skills, nothing to make a fuss over, nothing at all!”
The Taoist Priest laughed, and it was unclear whether he was mocking He Fangtuo or someone else.
By now, Du Dewei was completely infuriated and quickly said to Du Sanjiang, “Uncle, I’m telling you, God Doctor Ning, he is…”
“Dewei, why don’t you take God Doctor Ning to rest first?
It’s getting late, and as our guest, we must not neglect him!”