Regarding Zhang Chao's invitation, Zhang Wei pondered, "Alright, but how long will Wunian be gone? If it's too long, I can't help. I still need to complete my studies."
"It won't be too long. Wunian isn't organizing a wedding, but a village feast. Since it's for the Buddha Head, it might take longer than usual. I estimate from burial to the feast and cremation, it'll be about seven or eight days at most," Zhang Chao replied with a carefree laugh.
Zhang Wei nodded with a smile, "Then it's settled. I'll head over tomorrow or the day after. I have something to take care of first, and then I'll go."
Zhang Chao was taken aback for a moment, then slapped his forehead. "Right, I almost forgot you have to help train the new recruits for the Wei Dao Division. But that's also helping me out, hahaha."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Wei asked in confusion, "Zhang Chao, are you talking to me, or someone else? I don't understand, what do you mean by me training new Wei Dao Division recruits?"
Zhang Chao exclaimed in surprise, "Ah? Zhang Wei, when you said you had something to take care of, you weren't referring to helping me and Wunian train the new Wei Dao Division recruits?"
After Zhang Chao's explanation, Zhang Wei finally understood. It turned out that due to the recent events in the Northeast, the Wei Dao Division realized the shortage of personnel and decided to recruit more people to avoid future staffing issues. This recruitment was not only happening in the Fujian region but also in other areas, including Zhang Chao's home province of Sichuan. The largest source of recruits naturally came from major sects, and Lu Lianxue, Wunian, and Zhang Chao were all examples of this, having joined the Wei Dao Division for training after coming from renowned sects.
"Before today, Mount Wutai knew that Master Kong Jing's lifespan was nearing its end. To avoid a loss of high-level combat power and a lack of successors, Mount Wutai selected a group of disciples a few days ago to join the Wei Dao Division for training and to improve their strength."
"Wunian is from Mount Wutai, so the Wei Dao Division assigned him to train these new recruits."
"It's a shame that Master Kong Jing passed away prematurely, so Wunian had to return. The disciple training couldn't proceed, so it had to be handed over to other captains. Wunian recommended Captain Lin Tong to the Wei Dao Division, believing Captain Lin Tong to be capable and trustworthy to train the Mount Wutai disciples."
Zhang Chao elaborated, "I thought Captain Lin Tong would ask you for help with the training, given your good relationship with Wunian. And actually, Captain Lin Tong knows he was recommended by Wunian partly because of you."
"So, Zhang Wei, the matter you had to attend to wasn't this new recruit training."
"But it's good that Captain Lin Tong didn't ask you. Zhang Wei, you have no idea how troublesome training new recruits is. Many of these people from prestigious sects who join the Wei Dao Division only have knowledge and strength in ghost exorcism, but few have actual combat experience against ghosts. They are the hardest to manage."
Zhang Wei smiled, "What you're saying, it feels like Captain Lin Tong is about to..."
*Ring ring.*
A WeChat voice call notification chimed. Zhang Wei looked at his phone. The caller ID read: Captain Lin Tong.
He answered the call. Immediately, Lin Tong's voice came through, "Zhang Wei, are you busy? Haha, I don't know if you're busy lately. I wanted to ask for your help. Could you help me train the new recruits for a day? It's like this, the Wei Dao Division..."
Faced with Lin Tong's sincere invitation and the mention of generous compensation, Zhang Wei agreed, "Then I'll train the new recruits for a day. By the way, Captain Lin, how should I train them? I've never trained anyone before."
Lin Tong seemed to anticipate Zhang Wei's question. "Haha, this is very simple. Zhang Wei, just do your usual ghost exorcisms in front of the new recruits and explain how to exorcise ghosts effectively and quickly. Oh, and I suggest you teach them your 'muscle physical exorcism' method. I think physical exorcism is very good."
As he spoke, Lin Tong's eyes gleamed with unconcealed excitement. "Actually, the reason I'm asking for your help is twofold. First, it's because Master Wunian recommended me, and you have a good relationship with Master Wunian, so I'm benefiting from that. Second, I have a small personal motive: I want you to teach physical exorcism to others and promote it. I'm still just a novice myself, so I can't show off my limited knowledge, but you can, Zhang Wei."
"After all, think about it, these are monks who specialize in Buddhist golden bodies. Their physique is top-notch. They are the perfect candidates for physical exorcism!"
Zhang Wei was speechless, caught between laughter and tears. He was certain that Lin Tong was very excited at that moment, probably already envisioning a group of monks with golden Buddhist bodies, radiating golden light, punching ghosts to death.
After hanging up Lin Tong's call, Zhang Chao called.
"Damn, Zhang Wei, why did you hang up on me mid-conversation? Spill it, which beauty called you? Miss Lu? Xiao Mantou? Or someone else?"
"No, it was Captain Lin."
As if anticipating Zhang Chao's words, Zhang Wei responded first, "Yes, you guessed right. It was Captain Lin who called me, asking me to train the Wei Dao Division new recruits."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chao's voice boomed through the phone, "Damn, is my mouth that accurate? Hahahahaha."
...
Not long after, after finishing his call with Zhang Chao, Zhang Wei pondered, his hand supporting his chin. The new recruits he would be training were disciples from Mount Wutai. Mount Wutai had just lost its Buddha Head, and Wunian was his good friend and also a disciple of Mount Wutai. Zhang Wei dared not be careless. Adhering to the principle of either not accepting a task or doing it well if accepted, Zhang Wei decided to train these Mount Wutai disciples diligently.
However, he didn't plan to teach only physical exorcism to Wunian and his fellow disciples as Lin Tong suggested. Lin Tong had mentioned that training new recruits meant teaching them the most effective and quickest ways to exorcise ghosts. Therefore, since he had agreed to this task, he would teach them the most effective and fastest ghost exorcism methods. In his opinion, while physical exorcism was visually striking, it wasn't the most effective, fastest, or safest method to prevent casualties.
Subsequently, after a moment of thought, Zhang Wei called Lin Tong back. "Captain Lin, when will the new recruits arrive? Also, can I request some items from the Wei Dao Division for training the new recruits?"
"Yes, you can, Zhang Wei. You're quite insightful. Actually, the Wei Dao Division often requests items for training new recruits, such as defensive magical artifacts. What do you want, Zhang Wei? Tell me, and I'll apply for it now."
"I want a pair of brass knuckles."
"Brass knuckles?" Lin Tong's excitement surged upon hearing this. He immediately understood Zhang Wei's intention and exclaimed, "Good, good, good! That's violent! I like it! I'll apply for brass knuckles for you immediately. No, I have brass knuckles here. I'll bring them to you right away. By the way, besides brass knuckles, what else do you want, Zhang Wei?"
"I also want a sniper rifle, two Desert Eagles, and plenty of bullets. Oh, and I need a high-magnification scope, at least an eight-times scope."
"?????"
Echoing in his ears were Zhang Wei's words, and Lin Tong was stunned, almost thinking he had misheard. "Zhang Wei, what did you say you wanted???"