Curious Hua Ling, Old Village Chief Relieved

"To pluck a star, one needs the hands of Kui Xing; a mountain mover doesn't move the Ever-Victorious Mountain. We burn dragon-phoenix auspicious candles and drink from the four seas and five lakes.

I am Hua Ling of the Mountain Movers. Thank you, Taoist priest, for your assistance. May I ask which immortal sect you hail from?"

While Old Foreigner and Partridge Whistle were still dazed, Hua Ling quickly approached Zhong Bai, bowing respectfully. Her previous pallor was gone; instead, her face was wreathed in smiles, as warm as spring.

Zhong Bai, however, frowned slightly. What she said was clearly cant, but he had heard of Mountain Mover Taoists.

Ah, tomb raiders, right? It's just a gimmick to differentiate themselves from ordinary grave robbers.

"Mountain Movers, Mountain Unloaders, Grave Robbers, and Gold Touchers—I've heard of them. Young lady, I am poor Taoist Zhong Bai, my Taoist name is Qianhe, and I am from Maoshan!"

Compared to Hua Ling, Zhong Bai's introduction was very simple, needing no gimmicks at all. The mere mention of Maoshan was enough!

Upon hearing "Maoshan," Hua Ling's body trembled slightly. Although she had suspected it, hearing firsthand that he was from such a renowned sect still shocked her.

Maoshan, one of the Three Talisman Sects, along with Longhu Mountain, Wudang Mountain, and Zhongnan Mountain, formed the top powers of the Taoist Sects.

And their Mountain Mover Taoists…

Heh, to be blunt, even an outer disciple of Maoshan wouldn't deign to acknowledge low-class characters like them.

Seeing the other party lost in thought and appearing dispirited after his words, Zhong Bai was also bewildered. I didn't say anything harsh, did I?

"Um… young lady, I trust I haven't been disrespectful?"

Only when Zhong Bai prompted her did Hua Ling snap back to reality, an apologetic expression flitting across her face.

"My apologies, Taoist Zhong Bai, Hua Ling was out of line. Thank you so much for saving us just now, Taoist Zhong Bai. Otherwise, my senior brother and I would truly have been devoured by wolves."

Speaking of which, Hua Ling still felt lingering fear. In the face of death, no one can truly remain unperturbed.

"It's nothing. I was the one who drove this Wolf Demon here, so it was only right to save you.

No need for thanks."

"I am Partridge Whistle, of the Mountain Movers!"

"I am Old Foreigner, of the Mountain Movers!"

"Taoist Zhong Bai is from a renowned sect. Although you said there's no need to thank you, our senior and junior siblings cannot simply forget your life-saving grace."

At this moment, Partridge Whistle cupped his hands and approached. Seeing that the other party insisted, Zhong Bai no longer refused.

If they want to thank me, let them. In the future, I'll be Slaying Demons and Exorcising Evil often, and there will be plenty of people thanking me. Hmm, after enough times, Zhong Bai will become immune to it.

However…

Partridge Whistle, Old Foreigner, and the so-called Hua Ling. Zhong Bai's thoughts couldn't help but ponder slightly.

Then, connecting it to the fact that they were currently deep within the so-called Bottle Mountain range, Zhong Bai understood.

"It really is… good luck!"

Muttering inwardly, Zhong Bai remembered that there was a Six-winged Centipede in Bottle Mountain.

Its poisonous mist, sprayed from its mouth, clearly indicated it had reached the Demon Soldier level.

Add in the White Ape and the Yuan Dynasty Poisonous Corpse—tsk, tsk, tsk, that's a whole lot of Exorcism Points!

"I thought I'd have to search everywhere for traces of evil after descending the mountain. Now it seems I was just worrying for nothing."

Partridge Whistle was unaware of the plan brewing in Zhong Bai's mind. However, seeing that Zhong Bai wasn't as cold as other Taoist disciples, Partridge Whistle also breathed a sigh of relief.

"Actually, I am very curious. You two, senior and junior siblings, have come to this Bottle Mountain. Could it be that there's a large tomb here?"

Although Zhong Bai knew the general situation in Bottle Mountain, the Bottle Mountain range was so vast. He hadn't studied Feng Shui Qimen Dunjia Techniques like Lin Fengjiao, so finding the tomb entrance would likely take a very long time.

Therefore… hmm, these three in front of him were ideal tools.

Upon hearing Zhong Bai's question, Partridge Whistle felt a bit awkward. This made it difficult for him to respond.

Say there's no large tomb? Heh, the other party's tone was calm, but that doesn't mean he's stupid. If he found out he was deceived, their senior and junior siblings would definitely not fare well.

Besides, the other party had just saved his junior siblings' lives.

But if he said there was… the Taoist Sects already had no good impression of tomb-raiding grave robbers like them. If they angered the other party, it would also cause trouble.

As soon as Zhong Bai saw Partridge Whistle's hesitant expression, he understood the other party's concerns.

"Hahaha, Brother Partridge, you needn't worry. I will not look down on you just because you came to Bottle Mountain to raid a tomb.

Mountain Mover Taoists, they don't seek wealth when entering tombs, only elixirs and techniques. The world is difficult, and merely staying alive requires all one's effort. I will not belittle you for that.

Therefore, Brother Partridge, you don't need to be so conflicted or on guard."

"So that's how it is. It was indeed my small-mindedness that judged a gentleman's heart. Taoist Qianhe, to be honest, our Mountain Mover lineage has been under a curse for generations, and only the Muchen Pearl can remove it.

We came to Bottle Mountain this time because we learned there might be traces of the Muchen Pearl in this ancient tomb."

Zhong Bai offered no comment on the so-called curse. It was just a curse from the so-called Ghost Cave Tribe. For Partridge Whistle and his group, they could only rely on the Muchen Pearl, but for Maoshan, although curses were sinister, there were ways to deal with them.

Of course, the current Zhong Bai didn't have such power; he would at least need to enter Foundation Establishment.

"You came for the Muchen Pearl, and the Ghost Cave Tribe's curse, you say? To be frank, I am equally interested in this ancient tomb in Bottle Mountain.

I've heard that there's a poisonous corpse in the tomb that often harms people, and also a monster centipede. Since I'm passing through this area, I naturally won't just ignore it.

I wonder…"

"May this humble Taoist accompany the three of you?"

Since Zhong Bai had already spoken, did Partridge Whistle and the others have the right to refuse?

"Ahem, Daoist Qianhe, you're welcome!"

Before Partridge Whistle could even speak, Hua Ling chirped happily and readily agreed.

Seeing this, Partridge Whistle could only nod in agreement, albeit helplessly. Well, the outcome would have been the same anyway…

"Miss Hua Ling is quite straightforward. But aren't you afraid that if we encounter the Muchen Pearl, this humble Taoist will contend with you for it?"

"Pfft, Daoist Qianhe, you're not that kind of person. I trust you!"

Looking at the innocent and naive Hua Ling, Zhong Bai felt he was wasting his breath somewhat. Hmm, can't tease her at all. Sincerity really is the ultimate weapon…

"Right, we're out in the wilderness, and this Bottle Mountain ancient tomb doesn't have legs; it won't run away.

It's getting late. If you don't mind, you can return to the village with this humble Taoist to rest for the night. Tomorrow, after making ample preparations, we can go up the mountain to explore the grand tomb. What do you say?"

"Oh, yes, yes! Daoist Qianhe, it just so happens that my senior brother and I couldn't find a place to rest!"

In response, Partridge Whistle and Old Foreigner simply exchanged a deep look, neither of them intending to object.

Zhong Bai didn't mind. His main concern was bringing the Wolf Demon's corpse back to the village so that the Old Village Chief, the two elders of the Zhong family, and the remaining unexorcised village souls could finally rest in peace.

Zhong Bai carried the Wolf Demon's corpse in one hand. The several hundred catties of weight felt like nothing to Zhong Bai, effortless, not affecting his speed in the slightest.

Two hours passed, and by the time they returned to Zhong Family Village, it was already dark.

At the Old Village Chief's home, the Old Village Chief, who had been waiting all day, now had a face as pale as paper. The fleeting surge of vitality had faded.

At this moment, he felt even breathing was difficult…

"Old Village Chief, Zhong Bai is back!"

Just as the Old Village Chief was suffering, Zhong Bai slowly approached with Partridge Whistle and the other two.

Seeing the black Wolf Demon corpse in Zhong Bai's hand, the Old Village Chief immediately burst into tears.

"Zhong family boy, you really did it?

Heaven, please open your eyes and see! The hundreds of wronged souls of Zhong Family Village can finally rest in peace!

My son, my daughter-in-law, my grandson, my wife, my great vengeance is avenged! I can finally come find you all!"

In his excitement, the Old Village Chief could no longer control his body and fell straight down, a look of relief on his face.

Partridge Whistle, quick-witted, caught the Old Village Chief before he hit the ground. After a quick examination, he just sighed and shook his head.

"The old man's lamp had already run out of oil; it's a miracle he held on until now…"

Zhong Bai understood this perfectly well.

After setting down the Wolf Demon's corpse, Zhong Bai and the Partridge Whistle siblings buried the Old Village Chief.

Please collect and keep reading. It's the end of the month, dear readers. If you have any monthly votes or recommendation tickets you don't need, please clear them out, hehe. To be honest, I want them, I want… monthly votes, continued reads, and tips!