Temple Master of Bai Yun Guan (Please bookmark and vote monthly!)

The next day, daylight shone bright, and the sky stretched cloudless for miles.

Having gone through a fierce battle the night before, coupled with the aftereffects of having the Blood Fiend Saber Technique forcibly poured into him, Chen Yan rose later than usual today.

After washing up, Chen Yan patted Facai on the head and said:

"Are you coming out with me, or staying home to guard the house?"

"Meow~"

Facai yawned and let out a lazy cry, then jumped into the tree, basked in the sun, curled into a ball, and dozed off. Clearly, he had no intention of going out.

Seeing this, Chen Yan smiled and shook his head, no longer paying him any mind.

He had thought adopting Facai would add to his food expenses, but unexpectedly, Facai was remarkably easy to raise.

When he got up that morning, Chen Yan had not even needed to prepare food for him. He found Facai with a fat rat in his mouth—and he had even brought one for Chen Yan, though Chen Yan politely declined it.

He was far easier to feed than those pet cats from Chen Yan's previous life. There was no need to prepare special cat food; he was entirely self-sufficient.

With that thought in mind, Chen Yan pushed open the door and stepped outside.

Before he could cross the threshold, he spotted two figures approaching head-on.

The one in front was an old man. The moment he saw Chen Yan, his eyes lit up, and he hurriedly said:

"Ah, Little Yan, you came at just the right time. I was about to look for you."

"Uncle Lin? What is it?" Chen Yan asked.

The old man's full name was Lin Quande. He was the head of Ping An Fang. It was not an official post, merely a position elected by the residents of Ping An Fang, with duties somewhat akin to the director of a neighborhood committee in Chen Yan's previous life.

"It's like this. Didn't Old Li's family suffer an accident two days ago? I was thinking of finding some accomplished master to perform a rite, drive away evil, and offer prayers for the residents of Ping An Fang, so that everyone might remain safe and sound."

As he spoke, Lin Quande stepped aside and introduced the figure behind him:

"This is Daoist Master Zhang Yuanlin, Temple Master of Bai Yun Guan, a renowned accomplished master throughout Shanxi Town. His Magic Power is profound, and I specially invited him here today to perform a rite for Ping An Fang."

Chen Yan looked over and saw that the visitor wore a Daoist robe. His hair was snow-white, yet his complexion was rosy. With white hair and the face of a child, he looked vigorous and bright-eyed, carrying the air of an immortal sage.

Though he was already nearing seventy, his skin was as fair and tender as a baby's, without the slightest trace of age.

Chen Yan had also heard of Zhang Yuanlin's reputation. He knew the man was a famed philanthropist in and around Shanxi Town, often providing disaster relief and handing out porridge to impoverished commoners.

Opposite him, Zhang Yuanlin stepped forward and gave Chen Yan a long, searching look. Resting his fly-whisk over his left arm, he performed a Daoist salute.

"Boundless blessings. This humble Daoist is Zhang Yuanlin. Greetings, Layman Chen."

Chen Yan did not dare neglect courtesy and hurriedly returned the salute.

"Daoist Master Zhang is too courteous."

At the side, Lin Quande urged, "Little Yan, don't just stand there. Quickly invite Daoist Master Zhang inside to perform the rite. We still need to go to the next household."

At this point, Lin Quande turned to Zhang Yuanlin again.

"Little Yan is a child with a hard fate too. His mother passed away early. Daoist Master Zhang, you must bless this child well and keep him safe."

Seeing that he could not refuse Lin Quande's goodwill, Chen Yan could only smile bitterly and open the door.

"Uncle Lin, Daoist Master Zhang, please come in."

"Meowrr..."

The three entered the courtyard. Seeing strangers come in, Facai immediately rose from the tree, lowered his body warily, and let out a warning growl.

"Little Yan, when did you start keeping a Black Cat?"

Lin Quande could not help asking when he saw Facai in the tree.

"Oh, there were rats in the house a couple days ago, so I raised one."

Chen Yan casually explained. Behind him, however, Zhang Yuanlin's eyes lit up upon seeing Facai in the tree.

"What fine naturally different-colored eyes, and paws white as snow stepping upon plum blossoms. Layman Chen, would you be willing to part with it? This humble Daoist is willing to pay one hundred taels of silver."

"Meow!"

Facai cried out warily, then leaped down with nimble ease and turned into a black shadow that vanished from the three men's sight.

"One hundred taels of silver?!"

Lin Quande exclaimed, his face full of disbelief. He had clearly never expected a Black Cat to be worth so much money.

Chen Yan was equally surprised. His entire fortune amounted to only one tael, after all. It would be a lie to say he was not tempted by one hundred taels of silver.

Yet Chen Yan ultimately calmed down, shook his head, and refused.

"Daoist Master Zhang need not mention it again. I will not sell Facai."

Seeing the firmness in Chen Yan's tone, Zhang Yuanlin said regretfully:

"If Layman Chen changes his mind, you may come to Bai Yun Guan to find this humble Daoist. My offer will always stand."

Having said that, he began examining the entire small courtyard. After sweeping his gaze around, he paid particular attention to the shattered bluestone paving. A strange glint flashed through his eyes as he asked pointedly:

"Did Layman Chen discover anything last night?"

Since he had gone to sleep in a hurry, he had only briefly washed away the bloodstains, and traces of debris still remained in the courtyard. Chen Yan had not forgotten to put away the human skin, though. Naturally, he would not admit to having destroyed a Skin-Peeling Puppet, or else it would expose the fact that he had changed his blood overnight. Thus, he shook his head.

"I slept too soundly last night. I didn't know anything."

Zhang Yuanlin neither said whether he believed him nor not. He merely nodded noncommittally before turning to Lin Quande.

"Then this humble Daoist shall begin."

"Please, Daoist Master Zhang."

With their consent, Zhang Yuanlin stepped through the Seven Stars' Pace, tracing strange footwork through the courtyard. He flicked his fly-whisk, his expression solemn, then opened his mouth and chanted:

"Malefic stars, retreat from your abodes; auspicious luminaries, shine upon us. Disperse calamity, banish disaster; celestial immortals, save the people..."

Strangely enough, as Zhang Yuanlin chanted, it was not long before swarms of mosquitoes, flies, centipedes, and vermin emerged from every corner of the courtyard, fleeing outside as though escaping a disaster.

Seeing this, Lin Quande's expression grew even more reverent. Even Chen Yan wore a look of shock, his gaze toward Zhang Yuanlin tinged with something unusual.

Could the Temple Master of Bai Yun Guan be one of the legendary immortals?

Or perhaps a cultivator?

While Chen Yan's thoughts churned, Zhang Yuanlin's rite had reached its end.

As Zhang Yuanlin's voice fell silent, the entire courtyard became empty and still. Not even the faintest insect chirp could be heard, as though it had been cleansed.

After finishing the rite, Zhang Yuanlin approached Chen Yan and drew a yellow talisman paper from his sleeve, offering it to him.

"This humble Daoist observes that Layman Chen may soon encounter a bloody calamity. I shall give you this Amulet of Warding. It can help you turn misfortune into fortune and, when things have reached their darkest point, bring a turn for the better."

Chen Yan was still hesitating when Lin Quande at his side could not help urging him:

"Little Yan, why aren't you quickly thanking Daoist Master Zhang?"

Helpless, Chen Yan could only accept the talisman paper and thank him.

"Many thanks for Daoist Master Zhang's kindness."

"No need for courtesy. It is this humble Daoist's duty." Zhang Yuanlin performed another Daoist salute.

"Alright, the rite is done. Little Yan, go attend to your business if you have any. Be more careful from now on. If anything happens, come find this old man. Daoist Master Zhang and I won't stay any longer; there's another household waiting."

"Uncle Lin, Daoist Master Zhang, take care."

Chen Yan saw Lin Quande and Zhang Yuanlin to the door. Watching their departing backs, his gaze turned thoughtful.

He wondered whether he should visit Bai Yun Guan and privately ask Zhang Yuanlin if he truly was a cultivator. But after thinking it over, he felt it would be too abrupt, so he decided against it.

"Meow~"

Suddenly, a cat's cry sounded behind him.

As though he knew Zhang Yuanlin and the other had left, Facai came out from the house and approached Chen Yan. His amber vertical pupils stared fixedly at Zhang Yuanlin's retreating back, while low growls occasionally rumbled from his throat.

"Alright, alright. He only asked. Wasn't I unwilling to sell you?"

Chen Yan stroked the back of Facai's neck and comforted him.

Only after Zhang Yuanlin's figure had completely disappeared from view did Facai finally relax his fighting stance.

Chen Yan smoothed Facai's fur and teased:

"I never expected you little fellow to be worth so much."

"Meow!"

Facai rolled his eyes at him and would not let himself be petted anymore. In a flash, he jumped onto the treetop, stretched lazily, yawned again, and resumed his nap.

"You ungrateful cat!"

Chen Yan laughed and scolded him. Seeing that it was already late, he did not delay further. He shut the door and headed toward the old woman's home.

Thanks to Kuqiao 6 for the 500 Qidian Coins, Ke Ba Ni Neng De Le for the 1,500 Qidian Coins, and Reading by Lamplight at Midnight for the 100 Qidian Coins~