"Regarding this matter, I believe my lifelong goal should be to promote Longguo Taoist philosophy, to spread Taoist ways and ideologies throughout the world, thus making the profound essence that Longguo has inherited for thousands of years from ancient times to the present known to all." The old Taoist priest was dressed very ordinarily. His yellow Taoist robe had several patches, and the fabric had faded from yellow to off-white.
Beside him were over a dozen reporters from various media outlets, including traditional media, modern new media, and even self-media.
Lin Xiao stood in the distance, watching the old Taoist priest. He blinked, surely he wasn't mistaken?
Was the transition this fast?
And how could he forget this old Taoist priest?!
This was the same old Taoist priest who had told his fortune that day!
"Master Zhang, my last question. How do you view the current perception among young people that practicing Taoism is simply feudal superstition?" the reporter asked, handing the microphone over.
"This question, it's actually not entirely wrong. It is the 21st century, and we should all believe in science. Our Taoist ways emphasize conforming to the will of heaven and the laws of nature. In essence, it is also a form of natural science, merely expressed in classical Chinese, making it appear more mysterious."
Master Zhang still wore a smile, seemingly accustomed to such questions.
As Master Zhang spoke, behind him, a young Taoist acolyte, about five or six years old, excitedly ran out from the Taoist temple. He wasn't paying attention and tripped over a stone, about to fall. Then, the acolyte's body twisted unnaturally in mid-air, executing a front somersault and landing steadily.
Furthermore, in an instant, two adult Taoist priests appeared beside the acolyte.
"Oh dear, Junior Brother, you're too careless! If you had fallen just now, Master would have scolded us," said a senior brother, checking on the junior disciple from head to toe.
Another senior brother pointed to the cameras not far away and quickly lowered his voice, "Senior Brother, Junior Brother, let's hurry. Someone is recording over there. Master has said that we must let the world believe in science, and we cannot let them know we know martial arts."
With that, they hurried away.
The expression on the old Heavenly Master's face remained unchanged, still smiling. However, the reporters holding microphones in front of him were flustered.
What in the world was that just now?
It was one thing for that child to do such a cool somersault, but what about those two senior brothers? They appeared and disappeared like phantoms! When they left, did the three of them just fly away?
What was that?
"Old Heavenly Master, what was that just now?"
One reporter, mustering his courage, asked.
"Nothing happened just now," the old Heavenly Master stated with conviction, as if he genuinely knew nothing about what had occurred.
"But there were three Taoist priests just now..."
"Were there? How would I know?" The old Heavenly Master, with his advanced age, had seen it all. He insisted nothing had happened, his face impassive. "Esteemed reporters, you are all here regarding the promotion of Taoist culture. Why don't we discuss Taoist culture? Of course, it is the 21st century, and for the strength of our nation, we must believe in science."
Lin Xiao opened his mouth slightly. What a champion of believing in science.