Chapter 112: Chapter 106: The Return of the Big Shot, Seeking Changchun Temple’s Incense Offerings
Just at this moment, a familiar voice spread from the gate of Changchun Temple:
"Daoist Ning."
Ning An turned to look upon hearing it, and saw Elder An standing there with a smile.
However, this time Elder An was not accompanied by a wheelchair, nor by the beautiful An Xiaofu, but rather by another elderly gentleman with gray hair.
The old gentleman exuded not only an elegant scholarly aura but also a commanding presence.
"Interesting."
Ning An silently noted to himself, then welcomed the two inside.
Elder An laughed as he walked:
"Little Daoist, you’re not going to mind this old man disturbing you, are you?"
Ning An laughed along and said:
"How could that be, I regard you as family."
"Please, make yourself at home."
Saying this, Ning An turned his gaze to the person behind Elder An, displaying a trace of curiosity:
"Elder, who is this?"
Elder An extended his hand to bring Elder Lin forward, lightly coughing as he introduced:
"He and I are both leaders of research projects in Dragon Country."
Whoa...
Just this simple introduction caused countless viewers in the livestream to gasp.
"Wow, another big shot like Elder An!"
"Oh my gosh!"
"In other places, you’d watch livestreams your whole life and never see such influential personalities. I’ve made it big!"
"Isn’t Elder An promoting the incense of Changchun Temple, so he specially brought an old friend over?"
...
This dramatic comment suddenly enlightened the livestream audience.
"Makes sense! Otherwise, there would be no reason for a national research project leader and a deputy minister of the Technology Bureau to come here."
"I boldly speculate, could it be because of that Korea incident?"
"Very possible. If our country develops it, we won’t tolerate it flaunting its power there..."
The audience couldn’t sit still.
And at this critical moment, it was likely only the Korea incident.
As the viewers eagerly awaited, Elder Lin extended his hand with a smile:
"Daoist Ning, my name is Lin Hai, it’s an honor to meet you."
Ning An shook his hand with a silly grin, "You flatter me. It’s my honor to meet you."
"For what reason has Elder Lin come to our humble place?"
Elder Lin smiled, playfully slapped Ning An, and said:
"We’ve come to your Daoist Temple, and you’re playing dumb? Surely we aren’t here just to have a free meal."
Ning An chuckled, invited the two to sit in the side hall, then served them two cups of black tea.
Elder An took a sip. Initially, it was slightly bitter, but the bitterness gradually dissipated, replaced by a faint, unique fragrance.
"Good tea!" Elder An never hesitated to praise.
"Indeed, good tea," Elder Lin agreed.
Hearing this, Ning An felt quite proud and took a sip himself.
Elder Lin seemed to enjoy the tea, sipping it slowly, the wrinkles on his face smoothing out considerably.
Watching the two elderly men savoring their tea and remaining silent, Ning An hesitated for a moment, then tentatively asked:
"Elder Lin, if there’s anything I can help with, just say the word, and I’ll do what I can."
Elder Lin’s wrinkles gathered again, and with a troubled expression, he hesitated to speak.
After all, as an official of Dragon Country, it was inappropriate to directly state his purpose.
Seeing his old friend in difficulty, Elder An put down his tea cup and sighed:
"A few days ago, Korea’s Han Xiuxian refused to supply our country’s aircraft carrier arrestor locks and later demanded a significant price increase. Are you aware of this, young friend?"
Ning An nodded, also sighing:
"Yes, I heard he is in the late stages of cancer. Facing death, one can become truly desperate."
An Ruolin and Lin Hai exchanged a glance, then looked away.
Elder An stared intently at Ning An and said, "Since young friend knows, I won’t beat around the bush."
"His desperate goal is to come and extend his life at Changchun Temple after hearing about us. According to flight information, he could arrive in Z City by noon tomorrow at the latest. What are your thoughts on this, young friend?"
Ning An replied without hesitation, "Living under the Spring Breeze and the Red Flag, I will firmly obey the leadership’s command and follow the country’s orders without a second thought!"
"Good!"
These words made Lin Hai clap and cheer uncontrollably.
The smile on his face was both comforting and excited.
Yet, the viewers were left exchanging confused looks.
"Wait, weren’t those lines just used by Gao Xiaoning earlier?"
"Okay, okay, actively learn and apply, right? I got it, I got it."
"Though the words were borrowed, the attitude is commendable. It’s my favorite Brother Sect Leader."
...
With a loud snap, Lin Hai patted the back of his seat, anxiously and excitedly asking:
"Daoist Ning, I’ve heard that the incense at our temple is always effective. If I burn incense here, will it really work?"
Ning An’s eyebrows twitched, then he replied firmly: "As long as incense is burned at Changchun Temple, all wishes will be granted."
"And if it’s for a technological breakthrough in aircraft carrier arrestor locks?"
Lin Hai leaned in, eyes bright like a hawk.
"Matters of the human realm, the Patriarch has always granted every wish."
Ning An took a sip of tea and smiled warmly; "The aircraft carrier arrestor lock is no exception."
"Good, good, good! Is what the little Daoist said true?"
Lin Hai was more excited than anyone else.
According to his thoughts, coming here to wish was just to get Ning An’s assurance.
Unexpectedly.
It’s truly like the rumors say, such a delightful surprise.
It’s known that the technology for aircraft carrier arrestor locks wasn’t something their team couldn’t develop; there simply wasn’t enough time for Dragon Country to delay any longer.
Previously, Dragon Country could trade space for time, but now surrounded by wolves, that route was no longer viable.
Purchasing aircraft carrier arrestor locks from elsewhere?
With Yingjiang’s pressure, no group or country would dare attempt it.
Clearly a deadlock, yet here at Ning An, there seemed to be a turning point. How could Lin Hai not be excited!
Seeing the system feedback, Ning An also stood up, his robes gently swaying, smiling calmly:
"I am willing to vouch with my life and livelihood."
It’s true!
It’s true!
Hearing this, Elder An could no longer sit still and stood up excitedly.
"Young friend, since this is the case, let’s not waste any more time. Let’s go directly to the Prayer Hall to burn incense, regardless of the price of the incense, we accept!"
However.
Ning An looked at Elder An a bit puzzlingly, then shook his head:
"No, you can’t use that incense."
These words hit Elder An like a bucket of cold water.
He hesitated for a moment, then awkwardly opened his mouth: "Mr. An, why is that..."
Beside him, Elder Lin seemed thunderstruck, his spirit crumbling as his eyes widened:
"Why can’t we use it?"
"Isn’t it just the price? I’m not afraid. If young friend has concerns, I’ll write a liability guarantee now, promising not to..."
Ning An silently took out the pre-prepared divine invitation incense from his robe, awkwardly explaining:
"This incense doesn’t require a price, why use ordinary incense..."
