After waiting several more days, Li Chu still had not seen any assassins from Azure Wing Tower. Instead, a professional team arrived.
That day, a group of four young Daoist priests came to the Yu Hang County Yamen.
They wore identical Azure Blue White Bottom Daoist Robes, with bound sleeves and leggings. Three were men and one was a woman, all full of spirit and energy.
Only after they presented their calling card did they learn that these people were disciples of Daoist Priest Chang Shouchong from Careful Void Temple outside Zhao Ge City.
Gongsun Zhe had been close friends with Chang Shouchong. When he left Chaoge, he had written to ask him for help.
Unfortunately, Chang Shouchong had been traveling and had not yet returned. A few days ago, he returned to Careful Void Temple, saw Gongsun Zhe's plea for help letter, and immediately sent four disciples to assist him, placing them at Gongsun Zhe's disposal.
Gongsun Zhe was immediately overjoyed.
He introduced Li Chu to them. When he mentioned that Li Chu came from Virtuous Cloud Temple on Ten Li Slope Outside the Town, the Careful Void Temple disciples all showed a faint trace of disdain in their eyes.
Careful Void Temple was a renowned Daoist sect with a thousand-year inheritance. Its status was lofty, and in the martial world it was a first-class great sect second only to the Twelve Immortal Sects. It was only natural for them to feel somewhat arrogant toward a little Daoist priest from the countryside.
Li Chu merely nodded politely.
He had always been courteous and never cared what others thought of him.
The leading young Daoist priest said directly, "Now that we are here, Lord Gongsun's safety will naturally be our responsibility. Irrelevant people would do best not to interfere any further."
As he spoke, he did not even glance at Li Chu.
Though they both belonged to the Daoist path, the gulf between their sects was like a heavenly chasm. Not just anyone deserved to be called Fellow Daoist.
Gongsun Zhe's expression shifted, and he looked slightly displeased. He glanced at his daughter beside him.
Gongsun Rou rose and said, "Little Daoist Priest Li saved our lives. He is a great benefactor to my father and me. Though you Daoist priests are elite disciples of a renowned sect, you have only just arrived and are unfamiliar with the situation here. You may still need Little Daoist Priest Li's help."
The young Daoist priest was quite gentle toward her, and he said slowly, "Our master ordered us to come here and obey your every command. If Miss Gongsun insists on keeping him, we naturally have no objection. This humble Daoist merely feels... there is no need for it."
Gongsun Rou's brows twitched as if she still wanted to say something.
At that moment, Li Chu said, "It is fine if I am not needed here. I also want to return to Virtuous Cloud Temple."
He was indeed happy to have someone take over for him.
These past few days, he had neither leveled up nor earned money. Other than desperately replenishing his kidneys, he had gained nothing...
Though Gongsun Rou was reluctant, Li Chu wanted to leave, and there was nothing she could do. She could only send him out with lingering reluctance.
An Ugly Strong Daoist among the Careful Void Temple group saw this scene and muttered resentfully under his breath, "Pretty boy."
He had probably been reminded of some unpleasant memories.
The leading young Daoist priest watched Gongsun Rou's graceful, shapely back, and a flash of cold pride passed through his eyes.
Hmph.
When Li Chu saw the flowers red and willows green of Ten Li Slope from afar, a wave of relief swept through him.
He had finally returned to his familiar home.
Spacing out in the main hall, eating with his master, then going to the Liu Family Ghost Building to level up—what a pleasant and comfortable rhythm of life.
But he was soon stunned.
It was as if he had seen some unfamiliar scene.
Virtuous Cloud Temple's renovations had been completed. It was nearly twice as large as before, mainly due to the expansion of the backyard.
But that was not what made it feel unfamiliar. What truly felt unfamiliar was...
The front courtyard was packed with people, and the line had already stretched outside the gate.
The temple was bustling with activity.
Was this still the Virtuous Cloud Temple he knew?
Especially when the women in line saw Li Chu, a chaotic burst of shrieks suddenly erupted. Some of the brave ones even rushed straight at him.
Li Chu was immediately horrified.
Danger!
He turned and ran.
After much dodging and weaving, he finally shook off the crowd and climbed into the front courtyard.
His hairpin was crooked, his robes were disheveled, and there were red stains on his face.
Good heavens.
Even when facing a Hundred Ghosts Parade at Night, he had never been this bedraggled.
Upon returning to the Daoist temple, he saw Yu Qi'an sitting cross-legged on a prayer mat, looking like he had immortal bone structure. Little Yue'er was dressed as a female Daoist, kneeling and sitting obediently beside him with a small basket in her hands.
Both looked utterly exhausted.
The crowd that had come to offer incense had all run out to chase Li Chu, so they were able to rest for a moment.
Koi Girl looked at Li Chu, fell into recollection for a while, then finally smiled. "Master? You're back."
Li Chu was quite moved to see that she still remembered him.
Looking at Little Yue'er's outfit, he asked curiously, "Miss Yue'er has become a Daoist priest too?"
"We only had her wear that outfit to help receive visitors. While you were away, everyone liked going to Little Yue'er whenever they had something to ask."
Yu Qi'an spoke with a trace of melancholy in his voice.
It was probably the kind of desolation born from a former idol of Yuhang Town's middle-aged and elderly women suddenly falling to third place in Virtuous Cloud Temple's popularity rankings.
"Why?" Li Chu asked.
"Because they all like hearing me bless them, hehe." Little Yue'er smiled.
"At first, an old woman saw Yue'er at the Daoist temple and told her about her family. Little Yue'er said, 'May all your wishes come true.' When the old woman went home, she really did get a big, fat boy."
"Hm?"
"Oh, her daughter-in-law gave birth to him," Yu Qi'an hurriedly explained. "After that, several more people received Little Yue'er's blessings, and all their wishes came true. Little Yue'er became famous around here. Now, whenever people have wishes, they come tell her about them and ask for a luck transfer talisman to take home."
Li Chu glanced at the basket in Little Yue'er's hands. Sure enough, it was filled with exquisitely folded portable talismans.
He asked in surprise, "Little Yue'er knows how to draw talismans?"
The reason he was surprised was that Virtuous Cloud Temple had never sold talismans before.
He did not know how.
And his master... had never bothered with such minor arts.
"No." Little Yue'er shook her head in denial, just as expected.
"She is a koi. Even if she just draws whatever she likes, it will work out fine." Yu Qi'an stroked his beard and smiled. "Now, a luck transfer talisman drawn by Little Yue'er can sell for five hundred copper coins each."
Li Chu was even more surprised this time.
Two such talismans made one tael of silver. Given the number of pilgrims outside, they could probably sell several hundred in a single day.
This was even faster than picking up money.
He could not help but clasp Little Yue'er's hands earnestly and say, "You've worked hard!"
Little Yue'er was a bit confused, but she felt that she was being praised, so she was happy.
Of course, among all those pilgrims, Little Yue'er's reputation accounted for only a small portion. Most had come because Li Chu had made the temple famous.
Because Li Chu's first appearance had caused such a commotion, master and disciple decided to close the temple gate for the time being.
Li Chu thought that tomorrow, he needed to put up a sign outside: "Respect Daoist Priests, Offer Incense Civilly."
Hmm... there should also be a line saying: Touching Prohibited, Violators Will Be Fined.
Heavy fines.
He had just closed the gate and was about to return to the backyard to rest when pounding knocks sounded at the door.
"Sorry, we are closed for today. Please come early tomorrow," Li Chu said.
"Li Chu? Is that you, Li Chu? Open the door! I need your help with something!" A delighted voice came from outside.
It was Wang Longqi.
Li Chu's heart stirred, as though he could see friendship sparkling right before his eyes.
Thanks to Ten-Year Meow Demon King for the hundred-point reward.
Before you continue