He always wore a warm smile on his face, paired with a brand-new Taoist robe and handsome features, he somewhat resembled an enlightened master untouched by worldly dust.
Ignoring the boy whose words were brimming with provocation, He Qingfeng found that the young man didn’t want to let him off so easily.
Apparently wanting to prove his "Eyes of Golden Flame" to his girlfriend, or perhaps to mock He Qingfeng, the young man, Jia Xiaoming, approached He Qingfeng’s stand.
"Master, tell my fortune, please!"
Jia Xiaoming came over with a mischievous grin, deliberately stretching his neck forward, his mocking demeanor looking somewhat contemptible.
"Do you see if my forehead is darkened, indicating a Blood Disaster?"
As he said the words "Blood Disaster," Jia Xiaoming suddenly burst into laughter; the scorn and provocation were all too clear.
He Qingfeng, however, acted as if he didn’t feel the malice, still maintaining a gentle smile.
It wasn’t that He Qingfeng had trained himself to "spit on the face and dry it"; rather, this situation was merely a small case for him.
He and his wife had been adventuring in the Itinerant World since their youth, encountering all sorts of people.
It wasn’t just bear-like children’s verbal abuse they’d dealt with—they’d been chased by dogs and pursued by assailants more than once or twice.
Experiences aplenty led naturally to equanimity.
Even if he cursed in his heart, He Qingfeng could still maintain the serene facade of an expert.
He Qingfeng had even decided that he would certainly swindle this "warrior" who did not believe in Ghost and God, and if he didn’t fleece him for a good few hundred, then he’d consider his twenty-plus years in the business a waste.
However, Jia Xiaoming’s provocation might be tolerable for He Qingfeng, but not for the protective He Tiantian.
She trotted over with her little short legs to the stand, first giving her father a sweet smile; before her father could greet her, she turned her head and looked at Jia Xiaoming seriously.
The nine-year-old girl, though skinny, had fair skin and delicate features, especially her big, dark, and bright eyes.
When she stared straight at him, one couldn’t help but feel a shiver down the spine.
Jia Xiaoming instinctively stepped back, but quickly realizing his retreat, he grew even more embarrassed and angry.
He, a grown man, had been frightened by a child!
Embarrassed and incensed, Jia Xiaoming lashed out in his anger.
But Tiantian was faster in her response, "You truly have a Blood Disaster!"
Tiantian said gravely, a weird glint flashing in her clear, bright eyes.
Jia Xiaoming caught that eerie flash and shivered again.
This child was somehow sinister; her gaze and tone were just like a mini-boss out of a horror film.
"You say it’s a Blood Disaster; well, I say you’re going to face major misfortune!"
Jia Xiaoming bellowed with false bravado, "And another thing, you little brat, instead of learning something worthwhile at your young age, you indulge in this deceiving spirits and monsters nonsense—"
Before Jia Xiaoming could finish his sentence, He Qingfeng’s demeanor abruptly shifted from cordial to stern as he stood up.
Damn it, you little bastard, curse me as a swindler or a cheat all you want, I don’t care.
But, but you damn well cannot bully my Baobao!
Tiantian quickly grabbed her father, about to roll up his sleeves. Dad, sigh, you can’t hit people.
Even if you were to hit someone, not at our own Taoist Temple.
Besides, you’re an "Enlightened Master," after all. There’s no need for you to personally deal with someone who’s shamelessly spouting nonsense, a delusional patient.
There are so many spirits and monsters in our mountains, not to mention the old ghost from the desolate village. Just commanding any of them can scare this brave young man to death.
"It has always followed you; haven’t you noticed?"
Tiantian held her father’s hand, successfully calming his anger.
She turned back around, continuing to stare directly at Jia Xiaoming.
This time, however, her focus wasn’t Jia Xiaoming’s face, but over his right shoulder.
Seeing Tiantian’s eerie gaze and hearing her sudden statement, Jia Xiaoming became extremely anxious.
He seemed to think of something, and his face turned deathly pale.
But he was still defiant, roaring out, "You bear child, what nonsense are you spouting?"
"This brother here, you’re quite heartless. How could you bear to kill such a cute Big Dog?" Tiantian continued to focus on Jia Xiaoming’s right shoulder as if there really was something there.