This took me by surprise. After living with Grandpa for years, I knew his temper—if murder weren't illegal, he'd have hacked those scoundrels with a knife. How could he be friends with Old Wang?
Old Wang pointed to my dojo. "Aren't you inviting me in?"
"Can't—about to close. Have you eaten, Master Wang? Join me if not." I offered politely, though his tooth - sucking made him look like he'd just devoured a pork knuckle.
"Fine! Since you're so sincere, I'll do you a favor. I haven't eaten enough anyway."
I sweated—never seen someone mooch so brazenly. We hit a noodle shop, where he wolfed down two bowls of noodles and three chicken frames. Burping, he picked his teeth. "Not bad, kid—worthy of being Li Xiaozhang's grandson. I'll level with you: I'm the 107th patriarch of the Maoshan Sect."
I laughed. "Last week you said you were Quanzhen Sect. Changed sects already? Aren't you afraid Qiu Chuji will come for you?"
But seeing his son abuse him, I pitied him. "You know nothing," he sniffed. "All Taoist paths are one. The Quanzhen Sect has no heirs, so I took over."
"Right, Patriarch Wang. How many Maoshan disciples are left?"
"The Tao is dying. They opened a Buddhist academy in Harbin, but no Taoist university. I'd recruit better than Shi Yongxin." He stroked his thinning hair.
This guy was clearly a blue path charlatan posing as red path (authentic metaphysics). Suddenly, he whispered: "Li Xiaozhang's feng shui is superb. Let's team up to solve that tomb curse." He handed me a phone. "You handle feng shui, I handle evil curses. Also, that yin technique for Madam Dong will bring karma."
My blood ran cold. How did he know? Was this slob actually a hidden master? But watching him gnaw chicken bones, I doubted it.
He stood. "Call me. I know the curse, but need backup." Just then, his son stormed in. "Old bastard! Where's my money?"
The son dragged him out, kicking and cursing. "No money but eating out? You old fool!"
Old Wang cowered on the ground. "Son, stop! I'll get you money in a week!"
I stepped forward, but the son waved a stick. "Mind your own business!"
"Have you no humanity?" I yelled, others chiming in. When someone threatened to call the police, Old Wang begged for his son.
After the son left, I helped Old Wang up. "You okay?"
"Deserved," he sighed.
"Let's talk somewhere else," I offered.