Chen Yulou of Xieling, Bandit Luo Laowai

This was the first time Partridge Whistle had felt defeated.

When he saw Zhong Bai wield lightning magic, he had thought his own martial arts were no weaker.

When he heard Zhong Bai came from Mount Mao, he had still clung to the pride of a Mountain Mover Taoist.

But now, faced with the old man's blatant difference in treatment, Partridge Whistle had an mmp in his heart that he did not know whether he ought to say.

In the end, he could only tremble as he consoled himself not to get angry.

No matter what, his bluffing with a grand banner had succeeded.

At this rate, the Furious Rooster should be as good as in hand.

As for Zhong Bai, upon hearing the old man mention the Furious Rooster, he did not beat around the bush.

"Fellow Daoist is correct. I do indeed wish to borrow Fellow Daoist's Furious Rooster, to ascend the ancient tomb within Bottle Mountain and slay that Six-winged Centipede!

"I simply wonder... whether Fellow Daoist would be willing to part with it for my sake."

Each "Fellow Daoist" left the old man feeling utterly delighted. Tsk, a direct disciple of Mount Mao was addressing him as a fellow Daoist!

Once he went out in the future, it seemed he could also fly Zhong Bai's banner... well, provided Zhong Bai became renowned throughout the land someday.

"Ahem, Direct Disciple Zhong, if anyone else had made this request, this old man certainly would not agree.

"But Direct Disciple Zhong possesses remarkable cultivation and comes from Mount Mao. Though my Furious Rooster already shows signs of becoming a demon, to Direct Disciple Zhong, it would be nothing more than a matter of raising a hand to suppress it.

"Therefore, since Direct Disciple Zhong has spoken, this old man is naturally willing to offer it with both hands, and forge a good bond with a direct disciple."

In other words, the Furious Rooster was being given away for free, but a karmic tie would be forged between them. Though the tie was slight, and the old man might never need it in this lifetime, having connections and having none gave one entirely different confidence!

This was what it meant to borrow another's influence.

Zhong Bai also understood the implication behind his words.

"Hahaha, Fellow Daoist is truly forthright. Since I have taken Fellow Daoist's Furious Rooster, if Fellow Daoist encounters trouble in the future, you may come find me in Jiuquan Town, Ping'an County.

"I will certainly not refuse!"

The Furious Rooster in exchange for a favor—both sides were more than pleased with the arrangement.

"Then all is well!"

The old man was satisfied. He hurried to the chicken coop and carried out the entire cage.

Only then did Zhong Bai get a clear look at the Furious Rooster's true appearance.

Its comb stood nearly a meter high, and its body was enormous.

Its comb was blood-red, its feathers brilliantly multicolored, and under the sunlight, its entire body radiated rosy light.

Its beak and claws were sharp as blades.

Its eyelids grew above its eyes, unlike those of ordinary roosters, and its Yang Energy was exceptionally abundant.

"Brother Partridge Whistle, now that we have found the Furious Rooster, we may explore the great tomb of Bottle Mountain."

Having said that, Zhong Bai looked again at the old man. After thanking him, he walked toward Hua Ling and resumed the banter they had left unfinished.

As for the Furious Rooster...

Of course, Partridge Whistle was the one carrying it.

Partridge Whistle had no objections. Thus, Zhong Bai and Hua Ling chatted and laughed in front, while behind them Partridge Whistle carried the Furious Rooster with a blank expression, and Old Foreigner carried the Mountain Mover Armored Beast with dim eyes.

The old man escorted them all the way to the village gate, where he finally watched them leave with blazing, reluctant eyes.

Zhong Bai merely said, "Fellow Daoist, no need to see us off," before departing the Miao Village.

Though Bottle Mountain was crawling with poisonous insects and rarely visited by people, it was not entirely without places to rest.

"Brother Zhong, farther ahead is an abandoned inn. When my two senior brothers and I first arrived at Bottle Mountain a few days ago, we spent the night there."

Hearing Hua Ling's introduction, Zhong Bai nodded.

After leaving the Miao Village, they had reached Bottle Mountain near dusk. One did not raid tombs after dark—this was the custom of the Mountain Mover Taoists. Though Zhong Bai did not care about the time, he respected it.

Just as the four of them were about to reach the abandoned inn, a faint demonic aura mixed with a dense, rank stench drifted into Zhong Bai's nose.

"Stop!"

At Zhong Bai's word, Hua Ling and Partridge Whistle were both puzzled, yet they halted and vigilantly scanned their surroundings.

"A Minor Demon is blocking the way ahead. I'll go take a look first."

Zhong Bai had actually already guessed that the Civet Cat Demon was causing trouble. Most likely, Chen Yulou, the Xieling Chief, was at this very moment facing a life-or-death crisis.

Sure enough, by the time Zhong Bai arrived, Chen Yulou had already been robbed of his senses by the toxins mixed into the Civet Cat Demon's urine.

Zhong Bai had no interest in Chen Yulou. Whether he lived or died was his own affair. What interested him was the Civet Cat Demon.

Zhong Bai merely swept his gaze over the area, and immediately locked onto the Civet Cat Demon hiding behind an old grave, poised to strike.

"Even a mosquito is meat... fifty Exorcism Points."

With a brilliant smile, Zhong Bai slowly gathered a bolt of lightning at his fingertips. Then, with a flick of his finger, the lightning shot forth, heading straight for the Civet Cat Demon's face!

The Civet Cat Demon had never expected to be ambushed by a cultivator like Zhong Bai.

In an instant, Thunder Light pierced through its forehead. Blood spurted, and its life was extinguished.

Killed one minor demon, Civet Cat Demon. Obtained 50 Exorcism Points. Current Exorcism Points: 50

After slaying the Civet Cat Demon, Partridge Whistle and the other two caught up as well.

They saw Chen Yulou lying on the ground, somewhat out of his senses.

Then they looked at the Civet Cat Demon sprawled there in a pool of blood, and Partridge Whistle immediately understood.

"This man was likely dazed by the Civet Cat Demon's urine. It is nothing serious; he should awaken soon."

No sooner had Partridge Whistle finished speaking than Chen Yulou, who had been unconscious, opened his eyes.

The first thing he saw was Partridge Whistle's calm face. Chen Yulou's gaze shifted slightly as he prepared to rise.

"I am Chen Yulou. Thank you, sir, for saving my life!"

Cupping his hands toward Partridge Whistle, the gratitude in Chen Yulou's eyes was unmistakably sincere.

But Partridge Whistle shook his head. "Chen Yulou, Xieling Chief—there is no need to thank me. I was not the one who saved you."

As he spoke, Partridge Whistle looked toward Zhong Bai.

Just as he was about to explain that Zhong Bai had saved him, he saw Zhong Bai signal with his eyes. Partridge Whistle immediately fell silent.

Chen Yulou frowned, but did not dwell on it.

In any case, one of the four people before him had saved his life.

There was little point in obsessing over who it was. He could simply repay them all together.

Zhong Bai could still associate with Mountain Mover Taoists like Partridge Whistle.

After all, though they were among the grave robbers, their intentions were pure.

They entered tombs only in search of elixirs and Taoist scriptures.

Xieling Porters, however, were different. They would stop at nothing to destroy tomb chambers.

They claimed to aid the people of the world, but how much of the wealth they took ever truly made its way into the pockets of common folk?

That was why Zhong Bai had no desire to become involved with a Xieling Chief like Chen Yulou.

Of course, Chen Yulou himself was not a bad man. The problem was that he was the Xieling Chief!

"Uh... may I ask this brother's name?"

Chen Yulou had clearly noticed Zhong Bai's cold attitude toward him. Even Hua Ling's gaze at him seemed somewhat strange.

Still, he was a man who had weathered many storms. Smiling, Chen Yulou asked Partridge Whistle. Partridge Whistle cupped his hands and replied, "Mountain Mover, Partridge Whistle!"

The moment he heard the words "Mountain Mover," Chen Yulou immediately became wary. Mountain Mover and Xieling—both walked the same road. As the saying went, fellow tradesmen were natural enemies. With Mountain Mover Taoists appearing at Bottle Mountain, one could guess with their toes what they sought.

"So it is Mountain Mover Chief Partridge Whistle himself. Chen has failed to recognize you; I hope Brother Partridge will not take offense."

Chen Yulou could not say it outright. After all, they had just saved him.

Partridge Whistle did not respond to Chen Yulou's words. He was no fool; he had seen the flash of wariness in the other man's eyes when he mentioned Mountain Mover.

Since they were clearly not kindred spirits, there was no need to become close. Of course, the main reason was Zhong Bai's attitude.

For a moment, the atmosphere grew somewhat awkward.

"Brother Partridge, let us continue on our way..."

As Zhong Bai's words fell, Partridge Whistle nodded. He then leaped over Chen Yulou, and the four continued toward the abandoned inn.

Seeing this, Chen Yulou hurriedly followed. His Xieling Porters, along with the bandits led by Luo Laowai, were all stationed at the abandoned inn.