Chapter 1417 - 711: Fleeing in Panic (Part 2)
Li He instructed people to prepare items needed for the opening, along with decorations for the Daoist Temple. His goal was to ensure the temple was lively and grand. He also had people spread the word about the opening date, so there would be crowds watching, preventing an awkwardly empty event.
The day of the Daoist Temple’s opening finally arrived, and the weather was exceptionally good—bright sunshine, a cloudless sky, and ideal temperatures.
There’s no denying that Lin Beichen chose a great day.
Under everyone’s gaze, Lin Beichen slowly walked onto the stage, gave an introduction, and began showcasing his skills.
Most attendees initially just came for fun and did not think Lin Beichen was particularly impressive. With the sun pleasantly shining, they started feeling drowsy. One by one, they appeared listless, yawning repeatedly, some almost lying on the ground to sleep.
But when they saw Lin Beichen’s skills, they were shocked, staring at him with wide eyes without daring to blink, afraid to miss any of the exciting moments.
"Wow, really? Lin Beichen is this amazing? I’ve lived so many years, and it’s my first time seeing someone this skilled." They couldn’t help but praise Lin Beichen.
Upon hearing the compliments about Lin Beichen, others joined in the praise. They felt fortunate to be there today, otherwise they would have regretted missing out.
"Thank you all for your compliments."
"With so many talents, can you teach us?" someone in the crowd shouted eagerly, wanting to learn from Lin Beichen because he was truly skilled.
"Yes, teach us, please. We’d love to learn a little." Everyone started to clamor.
Seeing the scene, Lin Beichen quickly responded, "Don’t get rowdy. What I just demonstrated can be taught to you all once you join the teaching."
Upon hearing they could join the teaching, many raised their hands to apply. Who wouldn’t want to possess Lin Beichen’s skills to feel safe from bad people?
Seeing so many eager to join, Lin Beichen was secretly delighted, which was precisely the effect he wanted.
"Don’t rush; queue up over here, and passing my interview will let you join. There’s so many people here; if everyone joined, the Daoist Temple would be overcrowded."
Lin Beichen intended to select carefully; not everyone could join the teaching.
Upon hearing Lin Beichen’s words, everyone rushed to queue, afraid they might miss the chance, letting those in front take all the spots by passing the interview.
They scrambled so hard, it almost caused a stampede.
Seeing the situation, Lin Beichen quickly maintained order: "Anyone caught cutting in line won’t be able to join, even if they pass the interview. Those at the back shouldn’t worry; based on my estimation, most will be able to join."
Following Lin Beichen’s words, they calmed down, starting to queue in an orderly manner.
The interviews proceeded swiftly, and soon most had been interviewed, with many qualifying.
When they found out they could join, each bore an expression of joyful excitement, making those yet to be interviewed envious.
But those who didn’t qualify were quite jealous, unable to understand Lin Beichen’s interview standards.
One person, full of self-assurance, thought they’d definitely succeed but failed; others who doubted their chances, however, got selected.
It made one wonder if Lin Beichen was being haphazard in his interviews.
"You jerk, thinking you can sneak in front just because you’re short! Do you think I wouldn’t notice? Get out, or I’ll make you." A burly man cursed, full of foul language.
Expressing extreme dissatisfaction towards the person who cut in front, the man made him return to the end of the queue, finally showing satisfaction while noticing fiery gazes directed at him.
"What’re you staring at? Never seen someone scolding a queue cutter? Turn your heads away, or I’ll deal with you!" The burly man’s words carried authority, making those feeling threatened quickly turn their heads, not daring to look further.
It was soon the burly man’s turn for the interview; everyone thought he’d surely fail. Lin Beichen, however, had noticed the man from the start and wasn’t surprised by his confrontation.
"You’ve passed the interview." As the burly man approached Lin Beichen, he directly informed him of the result, directing him to join the others in the subsequent process.
People were stunned upon hearing Lin Beichen’s words, surprised he would accept this foul-mouthed, temperamental man.
The burly man himself didn’t expect to pass, scratching his head and bowing to thank Lin Beichen, embarrassedly saying, "Thanks, I didn’t think I’d pass." Then, he straightened proudly and left under everyone’s gaze.
Hu Yi was puzzled why Lin Beichen would accept this man, believing his foul language would harm the temple’s atmosphere. Curious, she asked Lin Beichen, "Didn’t you notice he was all foul-mouthed and seemed like a bad person? Why did you accept him?"
Hearing Hu Yi’s words, Lin Beichen replied displeasedly, "You can’t judge someone by appearance. Although he might not look great, do you know what’s in his heart? Being foul-mouthed isn’t everything. At least when I accepted him, he thanked me, showing he has manners."
Lin Beichen despised judging people based on appearance, advising Hu Yi against it. Hu Yi was rendered speechless, knowing more words would only bring more responses, so she chose silence.
The interviews were concluding when an elderly lady appeared. She seemed kind and amiable, invoking warmth.
"Young man, though I’m elderly, I can still do some tasks. Could I join you?" she smiled at Lin Beichen, believing her success assured.
Lin Beichen glanced at her but saw through her intentions, deciding she was unsuitable, her warmth hiding potential malice, causing endless trouble if admitted.
"Sorry, you can’t." Lin Beichen rejected her decisively, without further explanation.
Li He, hearing Lin Beichen, was astounded. He thought the kind-looking elderly lady should be accepted and couldn’t understand her rejection, especially over the foul-mouthed man.
"Seeing this elderly woman here, she seems lonely, without family nearby. Why not accept her? She could do chores in the temple and maintain daily life," Li He suggested taking her in.
They lacked Lin Beichen’s skills, unable to see her heart, equating a kind look with goodness.
"My mind’s made up; refusing her is final, no one can change that. Don’t persuade me, it’s non-negotiable." Lin Beichen’s resolve was firm. He refused to take in people he chose not to, regardless of persuasion, striving to include those he liked and exclude those he didn’t.
Despite expectations that persuasion might sway Lin Beichen to accept the elderly lady, his staunch refusal prevailed, disregarding all arguments.
This left the elderly lady displeased; she traveled far to join, only for Lin Beichen to refuse her.
"Why are you like this, young man? Do you despise seniors, fearing I’ll cause problems if admitted? How could you think that?" the elderly lady began admonishing Lin Beichen.