Chapter 237: Completely Lost Any Appearance Of An Expert!
In the past two days, the Chen clan’s popularity online has had quite a significant impact.
At the very least, more and more people have come to know of the Chen clan, and because of announcements from places like Wudang, the Chen clan’s status within the Daoist sect has also clearly risen.
In a high school classroom, the history teacher was teaching about the Three Kingdoms period: “In essence, the Three Kingdoms was the result of a power struggle between the emperor and the aristocratic clans. These clans had existed for a long time, accumulating large amounts of land and hiding population…”
“So, you are very fortunate to live in a new era. Those thousand-year-old clans that devoured people without spitting out the bones no longer exist. Even those so-called thousand-year-old families that are said to survive today, like the Pei, Yan, or Dai clans, are merely surnames left behind and have nothing to do with true aristocratic clans in the real sense.”
A student asked, “Teacher, what about that Chen clan in Shangyuan village, Linhe County?”
The history teacher was clearly stunned when he heard this. Obviously, he had also seen the Chen clan’s videos, and could only say, “This question is not part of today’s lesson.”
Regarding the Chen clan becoming a thousand-year inheritance family, it was not only people who saw the videos online who were paying attention; the Chen clan members themselves cared the most.
After all, a deep foundation gave every Chen clan member an indescribable sense of honor.
For example, the Chen clan guides or clan members working there could proudly tell tourists, “Our Chen clan inheritance has lasted for over 1,000 years!”
Everyone felt proud of this foundation.
Naturally, as a new day arrived, the Chen clan became busy again, especially Chen Lin’s work hall.
Since so many Daoist priests from various Daoist sites were coming, they had to prepare a place for Dao discussions and hosting. The location was set in a side hall of the Heavenly Lord of Demon Subjugation Hall.
So as not to appear lacking in grandeur, Chen Lin did not dare relax in the slightest.
Xiao Yu was also extremely busy. With Daoist priests from various places coming to the Chen clan for Dao discussions and the online popularity reaching its peak, she had to handle the online matters.
There were also various questions and issues that needed responses. The popularity was too high, with attention from many directions, and some questions needed to be answered politely.
The most important thing was coordinating with the county.
The county had taken full responsibility for hosting those Daoist priests, so the Chen clan needed to hand over and coordinate certain things with the county.
After entrusting the related matters to his uncle and junior sister, Chen Han himself added water to the medicinal cuisine, then once again went to the artifact refining furnace.
Because the Special Marriage Stone had already been fully quenched.
Today, the one guarding the furnace was an elder from within the clan, also an old member of the work hall. Back when the work hall had only two or three people, he had been one of them.
Now that the Chen clan had developed and the work hall had more people, he had become a steward. Heavy work was no longer done by him personally; he usually just supervised others.
But today there was no choice. The work hall was very busy, so Chen Lin had sent him to watch over the stove fire.
“Patriarch.” When the elder saw Chen Han arrive, he greeted him with great respect.
The older generation had a stronger sense of loyalty to the main family. After witnessing mysterious phenomena, their sense of belonging to the clan, and their devotion, were far deeper than that of the younger generation.
“Uncle Awang, thank you for your hard work. You can extinguish the fire now, no need to keep watching it,” Chen Han said to him with a smile.
“Then I will help Patriarch put out the fire.” Uncle Awang replied with a broad smile as he began handling the furnace.
As an old villager who had worked all his life, although he was no longer young, he still handled tasks very swiftly.
Most importantly, he also wanted to show himself in front of the patriarch. After all, he usually did lighter work but could still receive over 5,000 in basic salary in the work hall.
His son and daughter-in-law together could receive more than 12,500 in basic salary.
His grandson, though only four, had already been put in contact through Chen Xiaoyan so that he could return to the Chen clan to intern in the future.
So in front of the patriarch, he genuinely wanted to show his enthusiasm.
Chen Han understood the old man’s thoughts and did not refuse. Instead, he picked up his mobile phone and filmed the furnace. “After three days and nights of continuous refinement, the Special Marriage Stone has been successfully refined. Now, the experts of the work hall are extinguishing the Samadhi True Fire of the artifact refining furnace, and very soon we will be able to see the true appearance of the Special Marriage Stone.”
After that, the furnace was completely opened, revealing the Special Marriage Stone inside. In the video filmed by Chen Han, one could see the appearance of the Marriage Stone, now completely different from when it was placed inside.
A translucent luster had appeared on its surface, and lines of profound runes had emerged on it. These represented the pure Marriage Stone runes that had been affected by the evil influences of mortal-world marriages.
Stopping the recording, Chen Han went forward to lift the Marriage Stone out of the artifact refining furnace.
Seeing this, Uncle Awang instinctively called out, “Patriarch, be careful…”
He knew that this furnace had burned for three days, which meant the stone inside had also been baked for three days. If someone reached in and touched it now, would they not be cooked on the spot?
Then, watching the patriarch directly lift the stone out with bare hands, he was dumbfounded: “????”
Holy crap!
The patriarch was that impressive?
Shocked in his heart, he subconsciously reached into the furnace to try it himself. He instantly sucked in a breath of cold air. Before his hand even touched the glowing bricks and stones, a big blister had already formed on his skin.
It hurt.
When he turned his head to look at his patriarch, he was astonished to find that Chen Han had already left, and the stone, more than one meter tall, was nowhere to be seen.
This…
He had clearly seen the patriarch lift the stone out, so how had it vanished in the blink of an eye?
Only after the patriarch’s figure disappeared did he hurriedly take out his mobile phone and send a message in the Chen clan Weixin group: “Unbelievable, truly unbelievable. I just saw the patriarch directly lift a stone that had been burning for three days with his bare hands. He did not feel hot at all, and in the blink of an eye, that stone over one meter tall disappeared. I have no idea what that stone will be used for.”
This topic immediately attracted the attention of all clan members, and those who were free all began talking.
“Uncle Awang, do you have a video?”
“Yeah, did you record it?”
“I was too shocked, how could I have thought of filming it!” Uncle Awang said.
“What a pity, but it is not strange. The patriarch knows ancient techniques; he is probably more powerful than we imagine!”
“For our Chen clan, a family with a thousand-year inheritance, it is not strange to know some things, right?”
“Exactly, we even have an ancestor.”
“I wonder when I will be able to meet that elusive ancestor who is like a dragon whose head is seen but not its tail.”
“…”
The Chen clan family group chatted for a long time. In the end, everyone became curious about where that stone had gone and what exactly it was.
Until a clan member said in the group: “That stone is the Marriage Stone, in the Matchmaker God’s Marriage Hall. It may be related to the Matchmaker God. Right now, the patriarch is leading people to set up the Marriage Stone.”
This message surprised many clan members.
Their belief in the Matchmaker God was as firm as their belief in the Heavenly Lord of Demon Subjugation.
Previously, regarding the Matchmaker God’s red thread, most people online had been skeptical, especially after quite a few people at the scene who had no red thread pretended they did and then reversed their claims, causing even fewer people to believe in the red thread.
But the Chen clan really had clan members who saw the red thread, confirming it.
Combined with the many mysterious events they had experienced and the Feng Shui arrays they knew about, their faith was only more resolute.
After all, the things they had been exposed to were not things outsiders could access.
Moreover, if the Chen clan had no mysterious elements, why would people from those Daoist places be so eager, almost flattering the Chen clan, to come here?
Was it not because of the power of the 《Ancient Quiet Heart Art》?
After hearing this news, those who were free also went to the Marriage Hall to take a look.
Uncle Awang did the same. Though old, his steps were swift, and he soon arrived at the Marriage Hall, where he indeed saw the patriarch leading people around the Marriage Stone.
A base had clearly been prepared in advance at the bottom of the Marriage Stone, and now Chen Lin had already led people to place the Marriage Stone onto the base.
Beside them, three Hall Wardens were making preparations for a ritual.
Although there was no special ritual required for setting up a Marriage Stone, and ordinary Matchmaker God temples would not deliberately erect a Marriage Stone over one meter high—many instead integrated it with the statue of god—since they were setting it up, there was no harm in performing a ritual.
So they left this matter to the three Hall Wardens.
Very soon, the Marriage Stone was set upright.
Seeing more and more clan members gathering to watch, Chen Han quickly picked up his mobile phone and began filming the Marriage Stone. “The Marriage Stone, refined from Geng Metal Meteorite, has now been erected in the Matchmaker God’s Marriage Hall and has received the Matchmaker God’s blessing. From now on, as long as you are truly in love as a couple and currently bear no fault toward each other, if you come wearing red clothes to the Matchmaker God’s Great Hall to pray for blessings, you will be able to receive the Matchmaker God’s blessing and gain unexpected rewards.”
He did not directly say that the red thread would be triggered, nor that they would see a vision of growing old together. Instead, he used the phrase “unexpected rewards.”
Those could be considered surprises. As long as someone actually did it and triggered it, what awaited them would definitely be unexpected joy.
The Chen clan members were not surprised at all by Chen Han filming an abstract video.
Many were instead curious about his words. They understood better than outsiders that sometimes the patriarch’s words carried something real.
Chen Han had already returned to his own courtyard and started editing the video material he had filmed, beginning with the discovery of a Geng Metal Meteorite three days ago.
…
Linhe County.
A video of an internet celebrity Daoist priest from Baiyun Temple appearing at the train station suddenly caused a sensation.
With the online popularity of the Chen clan’s 《Ancient Quiet Heart Art》 and the news that so many Daoist priests were going to the Chen clan, many people in Linhe County had been paying attention.
Now that an internet celebrity Daoist priest had arrived here, it was not hard to guess he had come for the Chen clan’s 《Ancient Quiet Heart Art》, which made many people in Linhe County pay even more attention.
After leaving Wudang, Daoist Priest Chen took an airplane to Qingming City, which took him half a day, and then took a high-speed train from Qingming City to Linhe County.
Many people thought Daoist priests would not take airplanes or high-speed trains, but that idea was quite mistaken.
In modern society, the lives of most Daoist priests have already integrated into ordinary daily life.
As a convenient public transportation tool, the high-speed train is used by many Daoist priests for medium- and long-distance travel, especially when they need to efficiently go back and forth between different regions （such as between palace temples, for Dharma activities, or for personal affairs）.
After all, when they need to travel very far, they cannot set out six months early on horseback like in ancient times, and they are not allowed to ride horses now anyway.
Their cultivation of the Dao emphasizes following the heart, not self-torment. They are not idiots.
Once on the high-speed train, Daoist Priest Chen quickly found his seat.
His appearance in Daoist robes naturally drew a lot of attention.
Someone who recognized him was already filming him with a mobile phone. “Daoist Priest Chen, are you going to the Chen clan in Linhe County?”
By nature very easygoing, Daoist Priest Chen responded with a smile, “Yes, I am going to the Chen clan to seek guidance on the 《Ancient Quiet Heart Art》.”
This drew even more attention. The 《Ancient Quiet Heart Art》 was extremely popular online.
Someone could not help asking, “Daoist Priest Chen, could you recite the 《Ancient Quiet Heart Art》 for us?”
Because of all the online buzz, those who had seen the videos knew that reciting the Chen clan’s 《Ancient Quiet Heart Art》 had special effects, so they were all very eager.
Even the train staff were looking over curiously.
Faced with this request, Daoist Priest Chen could only smile and say, “Everyone, reciting the 《Ancient Quiet Heart Art》 requires a relatively quiet environment. This is not suitable. Even if I recited the 《Ancient Quiet Heart Art》 here, it would have no effect.”
They had already experimented. The 《Ancient Quiet Heart Art》 only had an effect at Wudang. Beyond those few sites, once outside, it had no effect at all.
The passengers in the carriage did not press him. First, they knew it would be impolite; second, with so many people filming all around, they did not want to appear rude.
Qingming City and Youcheng are quite close, so it did not take long before the train arrived. Many people disembarked, and people from other carriages recognized him and began filming with their phones.
Some even started to move toward him.
He certainly did not think he had become that popular personally. It was the online heat around the 《Ancient Quiet Heart Art》.
It was understandable. When had the Daoist sect ever produced something like the 《Ancient Quiet Heart Art》?
Fortunately, the Linhe County side had arranged reception staff, who led him through a special passage and onto a dedicated car that took him straight to the county seat.
What surprised him was that the car took him into a clearly well-developed ancient city area and stopped before a wide ancient-style building.
A large banner hung from the eaves of the building, reading: “Chen Clan 《Ancient Quiet Heart Art》 Daoist Exchange Conference Reception.”
Daoist Priest Chen had to admit that the county leaders were very smart. With this banner hung, the dense crowd of people filming all around no longer seemed strange.
The videos of them arriving in this ancient city area would probably spread very quickly, allowing Linhe County to divert the heat around the 《Ancient Quiet Heart Art》 to promote this ancient city area.
However, since they had come to the Chen clan for guidance, and needed the local authorities to make arrangements, having accepted Linhe County’s reception, this approach was normal and understandable.
After entering, Daoist Priest Chen found that quite a few Daoist priests had already arrived. As Daoist internet celebrities who often posted videos online to promote Daoist teachings, they all naturally knew each other.
He really could not help but feel emotional at how quickly they had come.
But thinking of the miraculous nature of the 《Ancient Quiet Heart Art》, their urgency was no surprise, just as he himself was eager to know why reciting the 《Ancient Quiet Heart Art》 only worked in certain locations.
Obviously, the Daoist priests in the hall all turned their gaze toward him in unison. The emotions in their eyes made it clear they had been waiting specifically for him.
He understood. They wanted to probe about the 《Ancient Quiet Heart Art》.
Sure enough, a group of Daoist priests stood up. One who knew him offered a Daoist salute. “Daoist Priest Chen, you are here as well. I heard that Wudang has already learned the 《Ancient Quiet Heart Art》. Could you give us some guidance?”
“Daoist Priest Xuan Shi, we are going to the Chen clan tomorrow. That will be the time to exchange on the 《Ancient Quiet Heart Art》. As for the 《Ancient Quiet Heart Art》, we at Wudang do not understand it very well either.” Daoist Priest Chen returned the Daoist salute, then did not give the others a chance. Looking at the approaching waitress, he smiled and said, “Please take me to rest. I am a bit tired from the journey.”
“This way, Daoist Priest, please!” The waitress immediately led the way, handing Daoist Priest Chen a card as they walked.
Previously, when the county coordinated with these Daoist priests, their identity information had already been prepared. Since these Daoist priests were all well-known figures, there was no need to refill forms.
Daoist Priest Chen followed the waitress, and even turned back to glance at Daoist Priest Xuan Shi and the others. Seeing their anxious and frustrated expressions, he could not help but show a faint smile.
This only made the other Daoist priests more upset, and they could not help cursing.
“This bull-nosed one!”
“Old thief Daoist!”
“Boundless Heavenly Lord!”
“…”
This left the nearby waitress dumbfounded. Just now these Daoist priests had all seemed like lofty experts; how had they suddenly become like this…
But thinking about it, Daoist priests like this often appeared in film and television, and it seemed they really were like that.
Online, just as Daoist Priest Chen had expected, videos of them arriving at the reception site quickly spread, and the popularity surged again.
Besides drawing attention to the ancient city area of Linhe County, everyone now knew they had arrived in Linhe County and would soon go to the Chen clan to exchange on the 《Ancient Quiet Heart Art》.
So, many Daoist believers, as well as people wanting to join the fun, flocked into Linhe County.
In an instant, the whole of Linhe County became bustling and lively.
Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone.
