Chapter 328: Wuzhuang Temple Completed

Two minutes later

At the Mingsha Labor CEO Office, Luo Peng put down his phone and took a deep breath before turning to face Daoist Master Cangshan and Canghai, who were seated across the tea table.

“Daoist Master, our leader will be here any minute,”

he said.

Luo Peng had always felt a tinge of fear toward Cangshan for reasons he couldn’t explain, but seeing the look on his face now only made that uneasy feeling even stronger.

“President Luo, whether the City Master is present or not doesn’t matter. I need to know right now—now that Mingsha City has Biyou Palace, do we still need Wuzhuang Temple?”

Cangshan snorted.

Just over ten minutes ago, the moment he returned to Mingsha City, his first move was to find Luo Peng. No wonder Canghai was still cradling a small sapling in his arms.

“No Wuzhuang Temple?”

At those words, confusion washed over Luo Peng.

“Daoist Master, what do you mean? Since when did Mingsha City decide to forgo Wuzhuang Temple?”

Snapping back to attention,

Luo Peng immediately responded.

“Isn’t it because Mingsha City now has Biyou Palace?”

Cangshan instinctively glanced at his junior fellow.

“Is there some other explanation here? Besides, our leader has already completed Wuzhuang Temple. We’re only waiting for you, Daoist Master, to return and oversee it. How could we possibly do without Wuzhuang Temple?”

Luo Peng scratched his head.

After all, ever since Mingsha City was founded, Wuzhuang Temple had been the project that consumed the most time and manpower. From the moment its foundation was dug, the very name was destined to be engraved in Mingsha City’s history forever.

“What? Wuzhuang Temple is finished? President Luo, what did you say?”

If one didn’t listen, it might have been overlooked—but upon hearing it, Cangshan was utterly stunned.

Canghai’s eyes widened in disbelief.

They had mentioned on the way that Mingsha City had only laid a foundation and that the real construction would require their own hands. Only they knew just how challenging building Wuzhuang Temple was. Now, hearing it’s complete, how could they not be shocked? “Daoist Master, I mean, Wuzhuang Temple is finished. We’re just waiting for you to come back and take charge!”

Not understanding, Luo Peng repeated himself.

“Really?”

After a long pause, Cangshan finally managed to accept the fact.

“Really! This Wuzhuang Temple was built exactly according to the blueprints you left—without missing any detail, even down to those hard-to-find materials. We spent nearly half a year just sourcing that lightning-struck jujube wood.”

Luo Peng looked at Cangshan.

He recalled how overwhelmed he had been by those materials back in the day.

“Did Daoist Yougong lend a hand?”

After another period of silence, Cangshan spoke again.

“Well, although Daoist Yougong helped for a few days, the construction was mostly overseen personally by our leader.”

After thinking for a moment, Luo Peng replied frankly.

“So, can we go take a look at Wuzhuang Temple now?”

At these words,

Cangshan’s mood visibly lifted, and he even stood up immediately.

“Now?”

“Yes!”

“Now isn’t impossible, but our leader might be coming over shortly.”

Luo Peng glanced at his watch.

“Then let’s wait. When the City Master arrives, we’ll go together—and I’ll introduce you to my junior fellow.”

Cangshan hesitated momentarily before sinking back into the sofa.

Meanwhile, in Yan City at the Cultural and Tourism Department meeting room in the Second Ring, the Chief Leader finished scrutinizing the various screenshots on the projector before turning to the Deputy Leader.

“What’s your take on this matter?”

“Leader, it’s clear that this online influencer is purposefully stirring things up. This afternoon, the Ancient Architecture Institute called, saying that Mingsha City’s decision not to admit foreign visitors isn’t out of discrimination but due to technical shortcomings. They added that if those countries allowed Mingsha City to shoot on location and keep the data in Long Kingdom, the city could accommodate those foreign visitors.”

Upon hearing this,

the Deputy Leader immediately replied.

When he first heard his subordinate’s report, his reaction was a resounding ‘impossible.’

Be it at the Cultural Expo or the International Magic Competition, fairness prevails. In fact, the Cultural Expo even set up a fast track for foreign visitors. If discrimination were truly at play, how could they act that way? Besides, the newly opened Lanruo Temple doesn’t restrict foreign visitors either.

The problem is, even foreign visitors are too hesitant to go in!

“Going abroad to shoot on location? And keeping the data in Long Kingdom? How could those countries possibly agree to that?”

The Chief Leader narrowed his eyes.

In recent years, user data has become a major issue. Some overseas nations only allow data from other countries to be transferred to them, while forbidding their own data from going to Long Kingdom. This has sparked plenty of controversies.

“So you can’t really fault Mingsha City for not opening this project to foreign visitors.”

The Deputy Leader immediately added.

“Yes! Tomorrow, give the foreign affairs office a call to explain Mingsha City’s situation and see what they have to say.”

After a long moment of thought,

the Chief Leader remarked.

“Leader, when will Mingsha City’s announcement be issued? The internet is in chaos—if nothing is done, misunderstandings could really escalate.”

The Deputy Leader glanced at the projection screen.

“With Long Kingdom’s population reaching two billion, you’d see all kinds of people. Besides a few malicious netizens, even those who fancy themselves moral authorities have started bashing Mingsha City, calling it small-minded and lacking grace.”

“Announcement? There’s no rush!”

At these words,

the Chief Leader waved his hand dismissively.

“No rush? Leader, Mingsha City has many more projects lined up. If the announcement isn’t made in time, these projects could suffer—especially since we’re currently in a standoff with Dino Park over this matter.”

The Deputy Leader paused for a moment.

“This issue is already at the epicenter of controversy. If Mingsha City issues the announcement on its own, those stirring the pot will claim it’s just an excuse. Therefore, the announcement should come not from us but from the foreign affairs office of another country! Once they issue it, we can silence the critics once and for all.

Moreover, this gives us a chance to clear out some so-called public intellectuals!”

The Chief Leader outlined his plan.

“Let the foreign affairs office issue the announcement? That’s brilliant! Not only will it close the case, but it will also completely distance Mingsha City from any blame.”

The Deputy Leader’s eyes lit up.

However, after a moment, concern still etched across his face.

“Leader, I’m worried that Mingsha City might not be able to withstand this. Aside from the upcoming projects, this incident might make Mingsha City a constant target for foreign affairs offices. If Mingsha City ever aims for international expansion and to open its own overseas branches, they could face major hurdles.”

In his view,

for Mingsha City to outdo Dino Park, aside from Haishi, it would be ideal to establish several overseas branches. That way, in both scale and project quality, they could completely dominate the market.

And Mingsha City could further cement its status as an international giant in cultural tourism.

“Not be able to withstand?”

The Chief Leader shot a glance at the Deputy Leader, “I think you’re underestimating Mingsha City. If they really couldn’t handle it, they would have issued a public clarification immediately instead of calling the Ancient Architecture Institute. Things wouldn’t have escalated this far! As expected, Mingsha City must have its own plan.”

“Its own plan?”

The Deputy Leader pondered, and after a moment he seemed to grasp the Chief Leader’s idea as he added, “Leader, Mingsha City isn’t going to demand huge compensation again, is it?”

Mingsha City’s previous claim left only a vague memory in his mind, but the compensation from H Country remained vivid.

“Hehe, so let’s first call the foreign affairs office to check their position. The later the announcement, the bigger the uproar—the more people speak out, the greater the compensation Mingsha City can secure.

We just need to help Mingsha City get the maximum compensation, letting no one off the hook.

Of course,

“Tomorrow, give the Ancient Architecture Institute a call. If Mingsha City really can’t hold on, they can issue an announcement at any time—the decision will be theirs.”

The Chief Leader nodded slightly.

This time, he intended to scrutinize Xu Hao’s abilities closely. If Xu Hao succeeded, handing over the Ancient Architecture Research Institute to him would be reassuring; if not, it meant Xu Hao needed more training.

“That works. With the decision in Mingsha City’s hands, their position is secure. I’ll call the Ancient Architecture Institute now.”

The Deputy Leader nodded as he pulled out his phone.

Before he knew it, the Deputy Leader had completely sided with Mingsha City.

Yet he seemed to forget that Mingsha City never tolerates empty praise or delegated power. Every time they are given praise or authority to manage matters on their own, chaos inevitably follows.

“Yes!”

Despite the late hour, Mingsha City still shone brightly. Qing Brick Avenue and the areas around Mingsha Fudi teemed with tourists—as if the nightlife on Ancient Snack Street for food lovers was just beginning, with no sign of closing.

“Only those who have truly tasted the authentic grilled lamb skewers of Mingsha Fudi know their worth!”

“The day before yesterday, I even had the big beef kidney washed in Mingsha Fudi water!”

Shouts like these echoed constantly.

At that moment,

in the rear hall of Biyou Palace at Mingsha Fudi, Daoist Yougong was meditating when suddenly a young temple attendant approached his door.

“Master! Master!”

“Mm?”

Slowly opening his eyes, Daoist Yougong rose and unlocked the door.

Standing at the threshold was his second disciple, Wu Ming! His first disciple, Wu Yun, was still at Lanruo Temple.

“Master, about an hour ago when I entered the city, I think I saw Daoist Master Cangshan. Judging by his expression, it looked like someone had provoked him,”

Wu Ming said after carefully glancing around.

“What? You saw Daoist Master Cangshan?”

Daoist Yougong was taken aback.

“Yes! And he was followed by another Daoist!”

Wu Ming continued,

“Another Daoist? What did he look like?”

Daoist Yougong quickly asked,

“What did he look like?”

Recalling the scene, Wu Ming replied in a hushed tone,

“He had a celestial aura, like a true immortal sage. And he was carrying a wooden bucket with a potted plant—there appeared to be a small sapling inside, though I was too far away to see clearly.”

At the recollection, Daoist Yougong’s face instantly turned grim.