Zhong Bai paid no mind to the looks of wonder carried in the gazes of the people of Jiuquan Town.
After all, the Furious Rooster indeed looked rather abnormal; a normally raised rooster doing well might hit over ten catties, yet the Furious Rooster behind Zhong Bai stood a full meter and twenty centimeters tall, coupled with a weight approaching a hundred catties.
If not for Zhong Bai wearing a Daoist robe and the Furious Rooster's exceptionally docile appearance, the people of Jiuquan Town would have long since beaten the Furious Rooster behind Zhong Bai to death under the pretext of executing a monstrosity.
Jiuquan Town was large; when Zhong Bai stopped at a teahouse to drink tea, he inquired where the town leader's family resided.
In the turbulent late Qing era, the Qing Court was overwhelmed and could still barely manage the north.
Yet as for the southern lands, like this Jiuquan Town, local prominent clans called the shots.
The prominent clan of Jiuquan Town bore the surname Yang, and having rooted themselves in Jiuquan Town for several hundred years, calling them local sovereigns was no exaggeration.
However... Zhong Bai viewed such worldly power very lightly.
As powerful as the Yang Family was, did they not still need to act submissively and earnestly enter Mount Mao?
Could they only enlist a disciple to come and be stationed there by relying on the safety of the several thousand to ten thousand people of Jiuquan Town?
Standing before the scarlet-painted gates of the Yang Residence, Zhong Bai looked toward the two servants standing in front of the door.
Having journeyed for half a month, Zhong Bai lacked the weathered look of ordinary people.
The impurities within his body were basically expelled, and his skin tone was exceptionally delicate and smooth.
Coupled with a set of azure Daoist robes, anyone at first glance would know this person was extraordinary!
"Two sirs, this poor Daoist is Zhong Bai, Daoist name Taoist Qianhe, coming from Mount Mao. I ask that the two of you go inside to announce me."
Hearing the two words "Mount Mao," the two servants instantly started with a jolt. They had been guarding the entrance precisely because the old master of the house had instructed them to await the arrival of a Mount Mao immortal.
Yet waiting and waiting, more than ten days passed, and still no figure was seen. They originally thought their old master had grown old and remembered incorrectly, but now it seemed a Mount Mao immortal had truly come calling!
"So you are the Mount Mao immortal. Immortal, please wait a moment, and allow this lowly one to go inside and report to our old master!"
One of the servants wore a smile, and after speaking, he trotted all the way into the estate.
Zhong Bai was not in a hurry, and the Furious Rooster behind him was the same, obediently squatting by Zhong Bai's feet and waiting with narrowed eyes.
Not even the time of half an incense stick passed.
That servant hurriedly approached with an old man whose hair and beard were white.
"Taoist Qianhe, this old man has awaited you for many days, and today, you have finally come!
Cough, cough. Daoist, do not blame me; this old man currently has all sorts of ailments and will likely not live long. Just as the servant came to report, this old man was resting in bed, and thus I delayed for a moment."
They said old people grew wise, and the Yang family head before him spoke without a single flaw.
Zhong Bai was not particularly concerned about these things either.
"It is no matter, Family Head Yang. This poor Daoist coming to Jiuquan Town is naturally a sect assignment. Since Family Head Yang is able to personally come out to greet this poor Daoist, this poor Daoist is already satisfied.
Compared to welcoming this poor Daoist, Family Head Yang's illness is far more important. The several thousand commoners of Jiuquan Town all require Family Head Yang to lead them."
"Hahaha, Taoist Qianhe jests. Quickly, quickly, please enter!
Standing at the main gate to talk is not the way to treat a guest."
Regarding Family Head Yang's invitation, Zhong Bai did not decline. Following him into the Yang Residence, just as he sat down, a servant served tea.
Sitting opposite Family Head Yang, the two exchanged idle chatter, yet all of it was innocuous topics.
However...
Family Head Yang soon began to get down to business.
"Taoist Qianhe, you are also well aware that although Jiuquan Town possesses several thousand commoners and currently appears prosperous and stable, it is after all situated right in the center of the Three Fiends Position.
In recent years, the seal of the Three Fiends Position has grown somewhat unstable, and villages around Jiuquan Town have already seen monsters emerge and harm people.
This old man is incompetent and can only watch helplessly as demons harm lives. Fortunately, you, Daoist, have descended from Mount Mao; with you here from now on, the several thousand commoners of Jiuquan Town can also live in peace."
Opening his mouth, Old Family Head Yang heaped praise upon Zhong Bai while conveniently detailing the specific situation of the Three Fiends Position.
Seemingly recalling something, Old Family Head Yang quickly wore a bitter expression as he said, "This old man is eighty-two. Fifty years ago, Jiuquan Town was just as prosperous as it is today, yet an evil disaster ruthlessly killed a thousand or more people.
Ever since a Mount Mao immortal passed by fifty years ago and sealed the Three Fiends Position, Jiuquan Town recovered.
This old man implores you, Daoist, after I die, please consider this old man's sincerity and..."
"Old Family Head Yang, look at what you are saying. These are merely minor afflictions, and Old Family Head Yang will be fine.
As for Jiuquan Town, this poor Daoist has orders from my sect; as long as the sect does not forbid this poor Daoist from leaving, this poor Daoist will not leave Jiuquan Town!"
Zhong Bai interrupted Old Family Head Yang. The old man was at such an advanced age yet still wanted to use life and death as a means of moral kidnapping—something Zhong Bai would not stand for.
Although Jiuquan Town held the Three Fiends Position, Zhong Bai was not some fool willing to be taken advantage of, expecting him to protect Jiuquan Town for a lifetime?
Besides, he would likely be able to sweep away the demons around Jiuquan Town before long, and he could not be stationed in Jiuquan Town permanently.
It was not only for Exorcism Points; furthermore, Zhong Bai did not like being bound.
Realizing that his words contained some improper elements, Old Family Head Yang quickly halted this topic.
"That's right, Taoist Qianhe, according to the rules of Mount Mao, our Jiuquan Town has newly built a residence for you to inhabit.
I only wonder if you will be satisfied with it. Why don't this old man go with you to take a look right now?"
Speaking of living quarters, Zhong Bai was quite willing to go and take a look.
"That would be for the best. Family Head Yang has put thought into this!"
They said that people mutually lift each other up like a sedan chair; Zhong Bai's remark that he had put thought into it instantly swept away the awkwardness in Old Family Head Yang's heart.
"Very well, taking advantage of the trip to view the courtyard, this old man can also have the servants prepare a banquet. Once we return from inspecting the courtyard, this old man must properly entertain you, Daoist!
To wash away the dust of your journey!"
The central area of Jiuquan Town.
The surroundings were exceedingly bustling commercial shops, yet this single place appeared exceptionally tranquil.
The courtyard was said to be small, but compared to the Yang Residence, for ordinary people, this newly built compound was already exceptionally large.
When Zhong Bai and Old Family Head Yang arrived riding in a sedan chair, the moment he stepped out, Zhong Bai smiled brightly. One had to admit that Jiuquan Town's emphasis on him somewhat exceeded expectations.
The courtyard before him possessed an open space where they could plant melons, fruits, and vegetables; besides that, there were over a dozen rooms available for use.
"Quickly, quickly, Taoist Qianhe, see how the abandoned inn prepared by our town's commoners for you is?
Hearing it was prepared for a Mount Mao immortal, the artisans in the town refused even their wages, crafting it with exquisite detail just so you could live somewhat more comfortably."
As Zhong Bai observed the courtyard, he nodded and said, "Family Head Yang and the town's commoners have put in thought. For this poor Daoist to receive such treatment, it will probably be difficult for me not to exert effort to protect the town from now on, hahahaha!"
Zhong Bai's banter flashed brilliantly in Old Family Head Yang's eyes.
It seemed he had done the right thing; the courtyard he had painstakingly crafted left this Mount Mao immortal very satisfied.
"Taoist Qianhe, this courtyard is already furnished; whenever you wish, you can move in at any time.
Right, when the time comes, this old man will find a few daughters from clean families to serve you, pouring tea, fetching water, washing clothes, and cooking for you."
Hearing this, Zhong Bai did not refuse.
He was not some masochist.
If the Yang Family wanted to send maidservants, let them send them.
As for washing clothes and cooking, of course it was quite nice if Zhong Bai did not have to do it himself.
Without lustful and depraved thoughts in one's heart, those women were merely pink skeletons.
"Family Head Yang is too polite, and this poor Daoist will not decline. However, ordinary people do not have the courage to inhabit this Daoist temple of mine; the maidservants must be somewhat bolder."
"Rest assured, Daoist; with this old man handling things, you may rest easy!"
Before you continue