Jiuquan Town Yang Family, Zhong Bai Views the Abandoned Inn

Zhong Bai paid no mind to the surprised looks from the people of Jiuquan Town.

After all, the Furious Rooster did look rather abnormal. A normally fed rooster weighing over ten catties was considered good, but the Furious Rooster behind Zhong Bai stood a full 1.2 meters tall and weighed nearly a hundred catties.

If Zhong Bai hadn't been wearing a Taoist robe, and if the Furious Rooster hadn't been so incredibly well-behaved, the people of Jiuquan Town would have long since killed it under the pretext of slaying a demon.

Jiuquan Town was large. When Zhong Bai stopped at a teahouse for a drink, he asked where the town's responsible family resided.

During the chaotic late Qing Dynasty, the Qing court was too preoccupied to manage its own affairs and could only maintain control over the north.

But in the southern regions, like Jiuquan Town, the local influential families held sway.

The prominent family in Jiuquan Town was the Yang family, who had been rooted there for hundreds of years. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them "rulers of a hundred li."

However, Zhong Bai regarded such worldly power lightly.

Even a powerful family like the Yangs had to humble themselves and sincerely seek help from Maoshan.

Was it only by leveraging the safety of thousands of people in Jiuquan Town that they could persuade a disciple to come and reside there?

Standing before the red-gated mansion of the Yang family, Zhong Bai looked at the two servants standing guard at the entrance.

After half a month of travel, Zhong Bai showed none of the usual signs of weariness.

Most of the impurities in his body had been expelled, and his skin was exceptionally smooth and delicate.

Combined with his blue Taoist robe, anyone taking one look at him would know he was extraordinary!

"Gentlemen, I am the humble Taoist Zhong Bai, my Taoist name is Qianhe, and I have come from Maoshan. Please be so kind as to inform your master of my arrival."

Upon hearing the words "Maoshan," the two servants instantly jolted. Their master had instructed them to wait at the gate for a true Maoshan immortal to arrive.

But after waiting for over ten days, no one had appeared. They had thought their master might have misremembered due to old age, but now it seemed a Maoshan immortal truly had come to their door!

"So you are the Maoshan immortal! Immortal, please wait a moment; allow this humble one to go inside and inform my master!"

One of the servants, smiling, said this before scurrying into the residence.

Zhong Bai was in no hurry, and neither was the Furious Rooster behind him, who obediently squatted at Zhong Bai's feet, eyes narrowed, quietly waiting.

Less than the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, the servant returned with an old man with a weathered face and white hair, hurrying towards them.

"Taoist Qianhe, this old man has been awaiting your arrival for many days, and now, you have finally come! Cough, cough, Taoist, please do not be offended. This old man is now riddled with ailments and likely won't live much longer. Just now, my servant came to report while I was resting in bed, which is why there was a slight delay."

They say old people become shrewd, and the Old Family Head Yang before him spoke impeccably.

Zhong Bai, however, wasn't too concerned with such matters.

"It's no bother, Family Head Yang. This humble Taoist's journey to Jiuquan Town is a mission from my sect. That Family Head Yang would come out to personally greet this humble Taoist is already enough for me.

Compared to greeting me, Family Head Yang's health is more important. The thousands of people in Jiuquan Town need Family Head Yang's leadership."

"Hahaha, Taoist Qianhe, you jest. Come, come, please, come inside!

Speaking at the main gate is not the way to treat a guest."

Zhong Bai didn't decline Family Head Yang's invitation. After entering the Yang Residence, as soon as he sat down, a servant brought tea.

Sitting opposite Family Head Yang, the two chatted idly, but their conversation consisted only of harmless pleasantries.

However...

Soon, Family Head Yang got to the point.

"Taoist Qianhe, as you know, although Jiuquan Town has thousands of residents and appears prosperous and stable now, it is ultimately located in the heart of the Three Fiends Position.

In recent years, the seal on the Three Fiends Position has become unstable, and instances of demons harming people have begun to occur in the villages surrounding Jiuquan Town.

This old man is incompetent; I can only watch as demons claim lives. Thankfully, Taoist, you have deigned to come from Maoshan. With the Taoist here from now on, the thousands of people in Jiuquan Town can live in peace."

From the outset, Old Family Head Yang flattered Zhong Bai and also explained the situation of the Three Fiends Position.

As if recalling something, Old Family Head Yang quickly displayed a bitter expression and said, "This old man is eighty-two. Fifty years ago, Jiuquan Town was just as prosperous as it is today, but a demonic disaster tragically claimed hundreds of lives.

Only after a Maoshan immortal passed through fifty years ago and sealed the Three Fiends Position did Jiuquan Town begin to recover.

This old man implores the Taoist, after this old man passes away, please, Taoist, for the sake of this old man's sincerity..."

"Old Family Head Yang, what are you saying? It's just minor illnesses and ailments; Old Family Head Yang will be fine.

As for Jiuquan Town, this humble Taoist has orders from my sect. As long as my sect does not permit me to leave, I will not leave Jiuquan Town!"

Zhong Bai interrupted Old Family Head Yang. This old man, at his age, was trying to use death as a means of moral blackmail, and Zhong Bai wouldn't stand for it.

Although Jiuquan Town had the Three Fiends Position, Zhong Bai wasn't a fool. Did they really expect him to protect Jiuquan Town for the rest of his life?

Moreover, he could probably eliminate the demons around Jiuquan Town in short order. It was impossible for him to reside there permanently.

Not only was it for the demon-slaying points, but Zhong Bai also disliked being constrained.

Realizing that his words were somewhat inappropriate, Old Family Head Yang quickly dropped the subject.

"Oh, by the way, Taoist Qianhe, according to Maoshan's rules, we in Jiuquan Town have already renovated a new residence for the Taoist to live in.

I just don't know if the Taoist will be satisfied. Perhaps this old man should accompany the Taoist to see it now?"

When it came to accommodation, Zhong Bai was also happy to go and take a look.

"That would be excellent, Old Family Head Yang! You've gone to a lot of trouble!"

They say flattery gets you everywhere, and Zhong Bai's "you've gone to a lot of trouble" immediately swept away Old Family Head Yang's earlier awkwardness.

"Alright then, while you're looking at the courtyard, I can have my servants prepare a banquet. Once you've seen the courtyard and returned, I must properly fete Taoist Qianhe!

To welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey!"

In the heart of Jiuquan Town.

All around were bustling commercial shops, yet this particular spot was remarkably quiet.

The small courtyard was called "small" only in comparison to the Yang Residence; for most people, this newly built courtyard was quite large.

When Zhong Bai and Old Family Head Yang arrived by sedan chair, Zhong Bai flashed a brilliant smile as soon as he dismounted. He had to admit, the importance Jiuquan Town placed on him was somewhat beyond his imagination.

The courtyard before him had an empty plot of land suitable for growing fruits and vegetables, and besides that, there were over a dozen rooms available for use.

"Quick, quick, Taoist Qianhe, come see the Abandoned Inn that our townspeople have prepared for you!

I heard it was prepared for a Maoshan immortal. The town's craftsmen didn't even ask for wages; they meticulously carved and crafted, all just to ensure Taoist Qianhe could live comfortably."

As Zhong Bai looked at the small courtyard, he nodded and said, "Old Family Head Yang and the townspeople have gone to great lengths. With such treatment, it would be difficult for this poor Taoist not to exert effort to protect the town from now on, hahaha!"

Zhong Bai's playful remark, to Old Family Head Yang, was a flash of insight.

It seemed he had done the right thing; the painstakingly built courtyard had greatly pleased this Maoshan immortal.

"Taoist Qianhe, this courtyard is already furnished. You can move in anytime you wish.

Oh, and at that time, I'll find a few girls from respectable families to serve you, to pour tea, fetch water, wash clothes, and cook for you."

Hearing this, Zhong Bai did not refuse.

He wasn't a masochist.

If the Yang family wanted to send maids, then let them.

It would certainly be nice if Zhong Bai didn't have to do his own laundry and cooking.

With no lustful thoughts in his heart, women were merely "pink skeletons" to him.

"Old Family Head Yang is too kind. This poor Taoist will not decline, but ordinary people wouldn't dare stay in this Taoist's dwelling. It requires maids with greater courage."

"Don't worry, Taoist Qianhe. You can rest assured with my arrangements!"