Chapter 31: I’m An Actor
Xuan Xia returned to the library to check the applicant’s information.
To be honest, she didn’t fully understand it.
However, the applicant’s work resume seemed very rich.
The resume showed that he had been in the profession for more than seven years, having worked in Taoist palace temples in multiple provinces.
He had even worked at the Heavenly Master Mansion on Longhu Mountain.
Looking again, it was shocking; it stated that his master lineage was the Heavenly Master Mansion.
Xuan Xia had only one thought: Family who knows! This applicant was perfect!
Before inheriting Changsheng Temple, Xuan Xia had done her homework and knew that modern Taoism was divided into two sects: Zhengyi and Quanzhen.
The Heavenly Master Mansion led the Zhengyi sect.
Her great grandfather and Daoist Master Qin both belonged to the Zhengyi lineage.
The Zhengyi sect focused on talismans and rituals, emphasizing exorcism and subduing demons.
Since this applicant came from the Heavenly Master Mansion, he must have real skills. Even if Daoist Master Qin left, she wouldn’t worry about having no one to consult.
Moreover, the applicant said he had experience independently hosting rituals, which made him a High Master in Daoism!
Ordinary Daoist priests or Daoist masters couldn’t serve as High Masters. The “Golden Register Great Ritual Repentance Ceremony” records that a High Master must have “inner virtue full, outer dignity complete. Heaven and man turn toward him, ghosts and gods all gaze upon him.” In short, he had to be excellent, exceptionally excellent.
The more she looked, the more satisfied Xuan Xia became.
Afraid the talent might slip away, she couldn’t care less and immediately downloaded the applicant’s resume and sent it to Daoist Master Qin shamelessly.
With a note: “Daoist Master Qin, this is the resume for the Temple Master applicant. What do you think?”
She had already decided to invite him for an interview.
Daoist Master Qin soon replied.
‘Daoist Master Qin: No.’
The wording was concise, but the content wasn’t what Xuan Xia liked.
Xuan Xia: “?”
Xuan Xia: “Why not?”
‘Daoist Master Qin: He’s a fraud.’
Xuan Xia: “…”
How was he a fraud? It couldn’t be just because his resume looked good, right?
And it really was!
Daoist Master Qin asked if Xuan Xia was convenient to take a call, but she said she was in the library and it wasn’t convenient.
A few minutes later, Daoist Master Qin unusually sent a very long message.
Xuan Xia summarized: First, Daoist Master Qin knew people from the Heavenly Master Mansion and had a good relationship, but he had never heard of this person.
Second, the applicant’s resume mentioned working at Shangqing Temple in the past two years. Coincidentally, Daoist Master Qin had frequent interactions with Shangqing Temple, but he also hadn’t heard of this person.
Moreover, most importantly, if this person could truly independently host rituals, he couldn’t be so low-profile that Daoist Master Qin hadn’t heard his name.
So, either he had worked at all these places but was nameless and had no experience hosting rituals.
Or, this person was lying and purely treating Xuan Xia as an outsider fool.
Daoist Master Qin’s explanation was clear and logical, so Xuan Xia believed him.
But she still had some reluctance.
She messaged Daoist Master Qin: “We’ll do an online interview. Will you come?”
‘Daoist Master Qin: Okay.’
Xuan Xia quickly replied to the applicant, saying an online interview was needed, and if no problem, he could come to the temple for the second interview. She asked if the applicant had any questions.
The other party quickly replied that it was fine.
Xuan Xia then set up an online interview room on the internet and separately sent the interview time and room address to the applicant and Daoist Master Qin.
She set the interview time an hour later, considerately giving the applicant time to prepare.
After doing this, she packed her things to change locations; the library wasn’t suitable.
Yan Xiaowen saw her leaving and looked at her puzzled.
Xuan Xia whispered to them to keep it up and said she had something else to do, so she left first.
Yan Xiaowen thought: Damn top student!
Coming to the library and not studying properly for half a day, now leaving early!
***
After leaving the library, Xuan Xia entered the coffee shop on campus.
Although the coffee sold at the school was always complained about as bad by students, quite a few still came every day.
Because something was better than nothing, and the shop had tables and chairs. When seats were unavailable at the library, this was the best choice.
Xuan Xia picked a corner seat. Seeing the time was almost up, she entered the interview room first.
She then messaged Daoist Master Qin again, afraid he might be busy and forget.
One minute later, Daoist Master Qin also appeared in the interview room.
As soon as he appeared, Xuan Xia felt a bit awkward.
She had just been bullied by her unfilial parents who took advantage of her, and now she had to ask him to help with the interview without pause.
The purpose of the interview was still to replace him.
Xuan Xia somewhat despised herself. She didn’t know if it counted as villainous, but it definitely wasn’t the behavior of a good person.
Just considering how to make awkward small talk, fortunately, the applicant entered the interview room early.
Good, saved.
The applicant who entered, like Daoist Master Qin, had long hair in a bun, but he wasn’t wearing Daoist priest clothing.
Seeing two people in the interview room, the applicant first exclaimed “whoa,” then asked: “I’m the applicant. Which one is conducting the interview?”
After asking, he looked at Xuan Xia.
He thought Daoist Master Qin might be like him, also applying.
This beauty seemed more like the one responsible for the interview.
He grinned at Xuan Xia, aiming for a good impression.
Xuan Xia called: “Daoist Master Qin.”
Daoist Master Qin said “Mm.”
Then the applicant knew he was wrong; this male Daoist priest was conducting the interview.
“Mister Zou.” Daoist Master Qin called.
“Yes.” The other party responded.
“Your resume says you have experience hosting rituals. Can you elaborate?”
Xuan Xia thought he would first ask about the master lineage or about working at Shangqing Temple, since Daoist Master Qin had determined he was a fraud based on those two points.
Unexpectedly, Daoist Master Qin started by asking him to describe in detail his experience hosting rituals.
“Oh, that.”
Xuan Xia was very curious and perked up her ears.
“Every year on major festivals, like New Year Festival or the patriarch’s birthday, the temple requires holding religious ceremonies. Also to attract tourists.” The applicant surnamed Zou said this.
“Mm.” Daoist Master Qin faintly acknowledged, “So which ritual and which event did you host?”
“Oh, there was one Mid-Autumn Festival when I was the lead actor hosting the temple’s celebration ritual. Chanting sutras, stepping void verses, Gait of the Dipper, presenting the memorial—I did all of them, all by myself.” The other party spoke confidently.
Xuan Xia had only a half-knowledge of rituals, but hearing this Mister Zou say so much, she felt something was off.
She didn’t know how Daoist Master Qin felt. Xuan Xia looked at Daoist Master Qin.
Daoist Master Qin’s expression didn’t change at all. After listening, he lowered his eyes and pondered briefly.
When he raised his eyes again, he asked: “So your ritual experience was all performances for tourists?”
Applicant surnamed Zou: “Yeah.”
Xuan Xia: “???”
Not sure if it was an illusion, but Xuan Xia felt Daoist Master Qin deliberately glanced at her after the other’s response.
Xuan Xia turned on her mic: “Mister Zou, are you actually a Daoist priest?”
Applicant surnamed Zou said: “I’m an actor.”
Went to the dentist again today. The doctor said there might be some discomfort at home. Sure enough, now it’s very uncomfortable, feeling like all teeth are aching. Temple throbbing with pain.
