I Can Recognize Everything, But the Information is Wrong

"In fact, if you think about it, as long as Master Kong Wu doesn't agree, you have no choice."

Tian Lin said, "Rather than pressuring Master Kong Wu, it might be better to befriend him. In times of difficulty, seeking Master Kong Wu's assistance would be beneficial—I believe, given his character, he wouldn't stand by and do nothing."

At this moment, Monk Kong Wu also sincerely addressed the elder of the Goddess Sect, "In the future, should the Goddess Sect have any requests, as long as they don't violate the precepts of our Little Leiyin Temple, this monk will certainly do his utmost to assist."

This is probably the best solution for now, the last advantage they could gain from Monk Kong Wu.

The female elder from the Goddess Sect stepped forward and said, "Master, your nature makes you susceptible to others' persistent entreaties. I'm afraid that you'll be led into making promises everywhere, being manipulated at every turn. Eventually, you will be overwhelmed, unable to uphold your oaths to the Goddess Sect."

Monk Kong Wu paused; he had originally just been helping with minor matters for Tian Lin and Mei Xianfu.

But after killing the Nascent Soul Elder who was monitoring Tian Lin and Mei Xianfu, he inexplicably took in several elderly women, attempting to convert them.

Now he had promised the people of the Goddess Sect to protect them—

In less than a day, he seemed to have made many commitments.

The elder said his nature was soft, and it was indeed quite true.

"In the future, Master must learn to refuse others. One must know that a person's power is ultimately limited. Only taking care of one's own responsibilities and the tasks that should be done is sufficient."

Seeing Monk Kong Wu somewhat unconvinced, she continued, "I heard that this time Master came from Little Leiyin Temple intending to eliminate Shang Yu and retrieve the Immortal Sword—it's been almost two years now, have you made any progress?"

Monk Kong Wu, feeling ashamed, said, "This monk has been busy performing rites in Beiyed County over the past two years, also occupied with helping the villagers with trivial matters, so I haven't been able to explore Shang Yu's whereabouts."

The female elder, anticipating this, admonished:

"This is the result of not prioritizing tasks and lacking principles in dealings. For example, Master once made a grand vow to perform rites for the deceased in Beiyed County. Now, two years have passed, and the rites should have long been completed. Why do you still linger in Beiyed County, mingling daily with Wang Yanyu? Is it because of your infatuation with the beauty of the Su Family's matriarch?"

This truly sullied his reputation, causing Monk Kong Wu's face to flush with anger as he responded, "The reason for my staying in Beiyed County is due to the numerous requests for assistance from the villagers. Out of compassion, how could I stand by and do nothing?"

Wang Yanyu frowned, stating, "Master Kong Wu is a virtuous monk; it's fine if you slander me, but it's best not to disparage Master Kong Wu."

However, the female elder paid no regard to Wang Yanyu, as she, a Nascent Soul Cultivator, had no need to care about Wang Yanyu's feelings.

"Since Master Kong Wu is not infatuated with Wang Yanyu's beauty and solely aims to help the afflicted people—why then stay exclusively in Beiyed County? Are the people of Beiyed County the only ones deserving of your help, while the suffering citizens of other states and cities are not?"

Monk Kong Wu was momentarily stunned, feeling the elder's words were unreasonable, yet unsure how to rebut.

Beside them, Wang Yanyu couldn't help but speak up: "Master Kong Wu assists in Beiyed County, firstly because our Su family's help makes tasks easier. Secondly, since all beings are equal, and Master is in Beiyed County, there's no need to go far. Therefore, the one with ulterior motives isn't Master Kong Wu, but rather the elder yourself."

"Excellent!"

Instead of being angry at Wang Yanyu's offense, the female elder praised: "Indeed, Master Kong Wu is a venerable monk who shows compassion impartially—since that's the case, shouldn't it be the Goddess Sect's turn for some favor now?"

After saying that, she clasped her hands in salute to Monk Kong Wu and said, "The South State is in dire straits, we hope Master will show mercy, eliminate the flying locust, dispel calamities, and ensure peace for the South State's populace."

The elder had talked for quite a while, and at this moment her true intentions became clear.

"So it turns out you want to keep Master Kong Wu here to act on behalf of your Goddess Sect."

Wang Yanyu laughed with anger, confronting the elder despite lacking equal cultivation.

Behind the elder, other elders and disciples wouldn't tolerate a nobody showing disrespect to their Great Elder.

"Audacious! How dare you be disrespectful to our Great Elder?"

"Kneel and apologize, or we'll detain you in the Fairy Cave."

"You're courting death!"

A group of female disciples shouted angrily, moving forward to chastise Wang Yanyu, but the female elder stopped them.

The female elder looked at Wang Yanyu with a smile, "According to Miss Wang, didn't you keep Master Kong Wu in Beiyed County with the thought of having him work for your Su family?"

Wang Yanyu sneered, "I already explained, the Master staying in Beiyed County is because he saw the people there are pitiful, hence he wouldn't want to go far."

The female elder clapped her hands, "Exactly, now I want the Master to stay here in recognition of the plight of the South State's populace, not for personal gain. Moreover, since the Master is currently in the South State, if he returns to Beiyed County for tasks, wouldn't that indeed be going far unreasonably?"

Her words stunned everyone, unexpectedly turning Wang Yanyu's arguments against her.

Earlier, Wang Yanyu argued against going far for help! Now, the elder's reasoning for keeping Kong Wu in the South State aligns precisely with the proximity principle Wang Yanyu advocated.

Monk Kong Wu found no reason to leave the South State now, else he'd face accusations of bias.

If he dared return to Beiyed County with Wang Yanyu, the slander of lust for beauty would indeed be indisputable.

At this point, Wang Yanyu, now also recognizing the reality, laughed in resignation.

"The elder lives up to being the Great Elder of the Goddess Sect, I have nothing to say," Wang Yanyu said.

She also looked at Monk Kong Wu, saying: "Where Master decides to go is entirely up to him. Without Master's help in these two years, how could Beiyed County be so stable? In future requests, rest assured, Beiyed County will go all out."

Monk Kong Wu knew Wang Yanyu could not 'protect' him any longer.

In reality, for him, doing good anywhere is a matter of virtue.

Yet the compulsion today made him reflect on his experiences over these days and years.

He was unsure what moral coercion meant, but he felt that being forced to do good was not a happy thing.

"Very well, this monk can stay in the South State. But this monk's ability is limited and cannot reside here permanently. Perhaps before long, I will have to seek Shang Yu elsewhere."

"It's a simple matter! As long as the Master agrees to one request, I can inform you of Shang Yu's whereabouts."

Monk Kong Wu was pleasantly surprised, even Tian Lin, who had been frowning, lifted his head to gaze at the Great Elder of the Goddess Sect.

"I wonder what the noble lady wants this monk to do? Should you inform this monk of Shang Yu's whereabouts, I would be immensely grateful."

Then the Great Elder said: "The task is fairly simple! Our sect's Sect Master is currently missing, and we are in need of a leader. The Master, being virtuous and esteemed, is the perfect candidate for our Sect Master."