68: Wind and Thunder Hidden Ancient Sword

Just then, Zhao Xiaowen's somewhat hurried voice came from outside the slightly ajar door of the quiet room: "Abbot! There's... there's a guest, who says they're from the provincial capital and have an urgent matter to discuss with you!"

Li Muchen and Huiming exchanged glances, both seeing a hint of understanding in the other's eyes. What was destined to come, would come eventually.

"Please invite the guest to wait in the front courtyard," Li Muchen called out, then said to Master Huiming, "Master, it seems today's tea can only end here."

Master Huiming stood up and pressed his palms together: "Abbot, please do as you wish. This old monk... should also be returning." He looked deeply at Li Muchen, as if there were a thousand words unspoken, which ultimately turned into a low sigh, "The mountains are high and the road is long, Abbot... take care."

Li Muchen saw Huiming off to the Mountain Gate. The old monk's back looked slightly hunched as he walked step by step into the morning mist descending the mountain. His grey monastic robe quickly blended with the mountain scenery and disappeared.

In the front courtyard, it wasn't just one person waiting, but three. Besides Deputy Director Sun of the Religious Affairs Bureau, who had visited last time, there was also a capable-looking middle-aged man in a well-fitting suit, and a technician in a white lab coat, wearing glasses and carrying a case of precision instruments.

Deputy Director Sun's expression was a bit unnatural. He stepped forward and introduced them: "Daoist Master Li, this is Director Wu Yuanshan from the Provincial Special Office. And this is Engineer Liu from the Provincial Environmental Monitoring General Station."

Wu Yuanshan stepped forward, actively extending his hand, his smile gentle yet with the firmness of official business: "Daoist Master Li, I've long admired you. Please forgive our abrupt visit."

Li Muchen shook his hand, feeling the warmth of his palm and a moderate grip. His gaze was sharp but not overbearing, clearly not an ordinary official. "Director Wu, you're too kind. May I ask the purpose of your visit today?"

Wu Yuanshan got straight to the point: "I wouldn't dare instruct. Daoist Master Li, the test reports for your temple's spirit well water have been released by both the Provincial CDC and the General Station." He gestured to Engineer Liu.

Engineer Liu opened the tablet he carried, brought up an electronic report stamped with a red seal, and stated in a flat tone:

"We conducted a comprehensive test of the submitted water sample for a total of one hundred and twenty-seven indicators, including microorganisms, heavy metals, radioactive indicators, and conventional chemical pollutants. All indicators meet, and even far exceed, the national 'Sanitary Standard for Drinking Water.'"

"The water sample has extremely high purity, is rich in various trace elements beneficial to the human body, and contains a... weak special energy field fluctuation that current instruments cannot fully analyze. It is preliminarily judged to be related to the unique local geological structure. Comprehensive conclusion: this well water is extremely high-quality, safe natural drinking water, and the so-called 'toxic and harmful' claims are pure nonsense."

This result was both expected and somewhat surprising—they actually detected "energy field fluctuations," even if they couldn't analyze them.

Deputy Director Sun quickly said: "Daoist Master Li, you see, the results are very clear, it's completely a rumor! We will immediately issue an official announcement through official channels to clarify the facts and clear your temple's name!"

Wu Yuanshan, however, raised his hand to stop him, his gaze fixed on Li Muchen's face, his tone still steady: "Daoist Master Li, the report is scientific, and the rumors are absurd. But the matter, I'm afraid, is not over yet."

Li Muchen looked at him quietly: "Director Wu, what do you mean?"

"The test report can silence some people, but it cannot reverse the public sentiment that has been eroded by rumors," Wu Yuanshan slowly said. "Furthermore, according to some information we've gathered, the incident behind this may not just be simple online defamation or religious competition."

He paused, his voice dropping a few octaves so only Li Muchen nearby could hear: "Recently, we have noticed some... 'special individuals' of unknown identity and complex backgrounds operating within Jin Province. Their targets seem to be related to locations or individuals exhibiting 'unusual' phenomena."

"Qingfeng Temple's rising fame and certain 'special characteristics' it has displayed have probably attracted the attention of these people. This public opinion storm, with its professional methods and rapid promotion, might... just be a beginning, or a test."

Li Muchen's eyes flickered. The information revealed in Wu Yuanshan's words was far more than what appeared on the surface. This "Special Office" clearly handled "special affairs" that regular departments did not. And his references to "special individuals" and "unusual phenomena" had already touched upon another layer of the world.

"Director Wu, you didn't just come here to deliver a test report, did you?" Li Muchen asked.

Wu Yuanshan nodded frankly: "Indeed. First, it is to represent the relevant departments in apologizing for the trouble caused to your temple by this false public opinion and to officially clarify the facts. Second, it is to establish direct contact with Daoist Master Li. Nowadays, such 'unusual' incidents are on the rise, and we need more individuals like Daoist Master Li, who possess genuine talent and integrity, to provide consultation or assistance. Of course, this is entirely voluntary."

He handed over a plain business card with only his name and internal phone number: "This is my contact information. If Daoist Master Li encounters any unusual or difficult-to-handle matters, or makes any discoveries, you can contact me at any time. Likewise, if we need to consult with the Abbot, we will contact you through this number."

Li Muchen took the business card; it felt cool to the touch and was made of a special material. He nodded: "Alright."

Seeing his prompt agreement, the smile on Wu Yuanshan's face became a bit more genuine: "Additionally, regarding your temple's spirit well water, although it has been tested as safe, given the current public opinion, directly resuming large-scale use might still attract unnecessary attention and controversy. We suggest that it be temporarily limited to internal use within the temple and small-scale supply to trusted nearby villagers, and then reconsidered after the storm completely subsides. Of course, this is just a suggestion."

This suggestion was, in fact, a protective compromise.

"Understood," Li Muchen replied.

Wu Yuanshan and his companions did not stay long, departing down the mountain after their discussion.

After seeing them off, the courtyard fell silent again. Zhao Xiaowen and Zhao Desheng, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, both had looks of relieved joy on their faces. With the official clarification, the crisis seemed to be resolved.

But Li Muchen stood alone beneath the ancient cypress tree, looking at the specially textured business card in his hand, feeling little relief.

Master Huiming's worries and repentance, Wu Yuanshan's revelations about "special individuals" and "tests," and that invisible hand hidden behind the scenes, pushing all of this... The storm had not ceased; it had merely shifted from an overt tempest to an undercurrent vortex in the shadows.

He put away the business card and looked up at the deep sky above Yuntai Mountain.

Since some people wanted to test the depth of these waters, to see if wind and thunder truly lay hidden in these mountains.

Then, let them see.

One can only hope they are capable of seeing, and... capable of handling it.