With virtue

Sun, the foreman, stood on the watchtower at the eastern end of the kiln at the foot of the mountain, with two guards with long swords at their waists standing beside him.

This watchtower was originally used to observe the kiln fires; standing on it, one could have a complete view of the entire kiln site.

However, Sun Shouxin knew that although they were called guards, they were actually just watchdogs, the military governor's nails guarding the Ding kiln.

Ultimately, Ding ware was under the control of the military governor. No matter how famous a kiln was, it belonged to the powerful and wealthy, and could not possibly belong to his grandson, the head of the kiln.

In fact, he knew everything perfectly well.

The monk said the Taoist priest was a demon, but of course he knew it was a lie.

That Taoist priest looked like a novice just entering the martial arts world; that's probably the real one.

The monk guessed that he wanted to plot something against the Taoist priest, which is why he introduced him to Ding kiln.

But it doesn't matter.

When the time comes, just tell the outside world that the Taoist priest is a monster, since it was the 'master's' own judgment anyway.

As for the truth, who cares in this chaotic world?

All he cared about was the art of water and fire, and the few pieces of porcelain that the military governor had personally praised. This was the root of Ding ware's ability to survive and prosper in this world.

With this, you'll have everything.

Truth and morality are not worth mentioning.

For Ding kilns to survive in Dingzhou, they had to be adept at navigating social circles and have the protection of the military governor, which is why they are so wealthy today.

Otherwise, the number of refugees at the gate alone would be enough to give them a hard time.

The fact that the hundreds of people at Ding Kiln are able to eat their fill, stay warm, and even find sheep lungs is all thanks to Old Sun's various mediation efforts. The other craftsmen all acknowledge this contribution.

That's why he was able to become the foreman, direct the strong laborers at the kiln to do the work, and represent the Ding kiln in negotiations.

"Head Guard Sun," the guard on the left suddenly spoke up, "you assured the military governor's mansion that you could send a few fine porcelain pieces this month. Now that this whole mess has happened, with refugees, Taoist priests, and monks involved, will you still be able to send those porcelain pieces?"

Sun Shouxin hurriedly turned around, his face beaming with smiles: "Yes, yes, you two can rest assured. Once that Taoist priest dies on the mountain, and all the refugees attracted by the porridge distribution are sent into the kiln, there will be new slander and new righteous resentment. That Taoist priest's cultivation will surely reach a new level. At that time, the porcelain tempered by water and fire will definitely reach a new height. When the military governor sees it, he will surely—"

Sun Shouxin was speaking animatedly when suddenly, as if something was stuck in his throat, he bent over abruptly and let out a series of violent coughs.

This cough was even more severe than when Zhou Cheng'an was ill.

Standing on the observation platform, he could see two figures walking down the mountain path in the distance.

The two people coming down the mountain path, one wearing an old Taoist robe and the other carrying a carrying pole, were none other than Zhao Yunshu and Chen Wanchuan. The young Taoist priest was completely unharmed, except for a few burn holes in his robe!

Chen Wanchuan did have some wounds, but so what? They were completely insignificant!

The important question is, what happened to the monk?

Could it be that he really was defeated by that young Taoist priest who looked no more than seventeen or eighteen years old?

"Is there anything we can do?" the guard who had been silent asked.

"Wait, wait... I'll go and talk to them first." Sun Shouxin took two deep breaths, then went down the watchtower and walked towards Zhao Yunshu.

When Zhao Yunshu saw Sun Shouxin, he smiled, then waved and called out, "Chief Sun! You've come to pick us up? I have good news for you!"

"Master, Master, what good news? I was so worried listening to the commotion up the mountain! Are you alright? Where is the Master?"

"That monk Yuanmeng was a wicked monk who wanted to use people to train snakes. I personally killed him and brought him to justice!" The Taoist priest looked at Sun Shouxin with a grin.

The smile on his face contrasted sharply with the wry smile on Sun Shouxin's face.

Sun Shouxin took a deep breath and immediately exclaimed in surprise, "Ah? A demonic monk?! That monk is actually a demonic monk?! I've dealt with him every day and never noticed anything amiss! If that's the case, then Master Zhou's illness is also because of him?!"

"Yes, it's all because of him. Master Sun should know that too, right?" Zhao Yunshu asked.

Sun Shouxin's heart tightened, and the hairs on the back of his spine stood on end.

He used to think this Taoist priest was a novice, but now... what does he mean?

But Sun Shouxin certainly couldn't say that. He simply shook his head hastily: "This, this old man truly doesn't know! If I had known, I would have driven him out of Dingyao long ago! This wicked monk almost killed Old Zhou and nearly killed the Taoist priest—this old man was truly blind to have let a wolf into the house. I am ashamed, truly ashamed!"

Sun Shouxin loudly and confidently rebuked Zhao Yunshu, but his eyes were constantly scanning Zhao Yunshu's reaction.

However, the young Taoist priest simply listened quietly, neither nodding nor refuting.

The scene was a little awkward for a while.

Then, Chen Wanchuan spoke up: "Since everything is resolved, that's good, that's good. Boss Sun, what do you think of our kids?"

"Let's send those kids to Old Zhou for their studies. He'll definitely treat them well," said Sun, the foreman, immediately.

It's still so flawless, still so infallible.

Zhao Yunshu didn't expose anything, but simply said, "Then thank you very much, Chief Sun. But Chief Sun, do you... need some fine porcelain to send to the military governor's residence recently?"

"How did you know about this, Daoist Master?" Sun Shouxin's heart tightened, but he still asked immediately.

"That monk was skilled in the arts of water and fire, so he must have been able to fire some good porcelain. The kiln treated him with such courtesy, which must be why, right? I don't blame you, Chief Sun, since that's how things are. But now that the monk is dead, Chief Sun, it's hard to explain your situation." Zhao Yunshu asked.

Chen Wanchuan listened from the side, feeling somewhat puzzled.

Huh? When did the Taoist priest discover these things? How come he doesn't know anything about them?

Sun Shouxin sighed upon hearing this.

Then, without saying a word, the kiln owner knelt on the ground and kowtowed, saying, "Please, Taoist priest, teach me!"

Sun Shouxin knelt down decisively, his knees hitting the gravel ground with a dull thud, and his forehead slammed into the ground without any hesitation, leaving a patch of red on his head.

This put Zhao Yunshu in a difficult position.

I knew this old man Sun was slick, but I didn't expect him to be this slick!

However, the young Taoist priest only paused for a moment before immediately reaching out to help him up, saying quickly, "Boss Sun! What are you doing?! Get up, let's talk this out!"

Sun Shouxin refused to get up, but instead raised his head, his old eyes red-rimmed, filled with a look of utter desperation: "Since you've seen through me, Daoist Master, I dare not hide it any longer!"

"That evil monk did indeed use his water and fire magic to help the kiln fire several fine pieces of porcelain. The governor's mansion is pressing us hard; if we can't deliver this month's tribute porcelain, not only will I be in trouble, but the entire Ding kiln will suffer. Since you were able to slay the evil monk, you must have a miraculous method. I beg you, for the sake of the hundreds of kiln workers at Ding kiln, to show us a way to survive!"