After viewing the small courtyard, Zhong Bai keenly spotted the church not far behind it.
The church looked somewhat dilapidated, but overall, it presented Zhong Bai with a sense of malevolence.
Seeing Zhong Bai look toward the church, the smile on Old Family Head Yang's face gradually faded, replaced by a solemn expression.
"Taoist Qianhe, the center of the Three Fiends Position is that very church!
Fifty years ago, the baleful qi of the Three Fiends Position erupted for the first time. Back then, my father heeded the advice of a Western missionary.
He had this church built at the converging center of the Three Fiends Position, thinking it could protect the region. In the end, that demonic disaster still could not be avoided.
Decades have passed. Ever since that incident, this church has been sealed and marked with warnings by Mount Mao immortals of that era.
For decades, my Yang Family has continuously sent people to keep watch, not allowing anyone to break the seal and enter."
At this, Old Family Head Yang's complexion turned somewhat pale.
"This old man won't hide it from the Taoist priest either. The reason I arranged your courtyard here was also so that you could observe the church seal at all times.
This was my own selfish motive, and I hope the Taoist priest will forgive me..."
Truthfully, Zhong Bai had a good impression of this Old Family Head Yang. Everyone had selfish motives, and since Old Family Head Yang confessed it to him, Zhong Bai felt there was no issue. Besides, using a Daoist temple to suppress a church—being right next to it was fine.
Zhong Bai was more than eager for the Three Fiends Position to attract more demons and malevolent spirits...
"No matter, no matter. Old Family Head Yang did it for the safety of the thousands of people in Jiuquan Town. Poor Daoist came here precisely to guard the region, and such an arrangement is very good!
Old Family Head Yang need not blame himself."
Hearing this, Old Family Head Yang finally heaved a sigh of relief.
Some might feel that as the head of a prominent town family, he shouldn't be so respectful and cautious toward a Mount Mao disciple like Zhong Bai.
Even when the small courtyard was initially built, Old Family Head Yang's own son had voiced objections.
Yet... only Old Family Head Yang himself understood that ordinary mortals like them seemingly possessed boundless wealth.
When truly facing demons and malevolent spirits, all that immense wealth couldn't save their lives!
Especially given the demonic disaster experienced decades ago, Old Family Head Yang felt from the bottom of his heart that Mount Mao disciples, as well as other disciples of the Daoist Sects and Buddhist Sects, deserved utmost respect.
As the saying goes, easy come and easy go; inspecting the courtyard was just a prelude before the banquet was ready.
Having seen what was needed, Old Family Head Yang simply proposed returning to the Yang Residence for the banquet.
Inside the Yang Residence.
Today, the Yang Residence was exceptionally lively, as nearly all the prominent figures of Jiuquan Town had come to attend the banquet.
There were gentry landlords and wealthy merchants. Although the Yang Family was based in Jiuquan Town, their influence extended far beyond Ping'an County.
Jiuquan Town was the ancestral home of the Yang Family, so to flatter them, virtually no one in the town missed this opportunity.
When Old Family Head Yang and Zhong Bai stepped into the estate, they saw a crowd of wealthy merchants and landlords surrounding the Furious Rooster in the courtyard, clicking their tongues in wonder.
They were considered somewhat knowledgeable people; usually, whether it was wild chickens or domestic fowl, they had eaten and seen them all.
Yet this was the first time in their lives they had ever witnessed a Furious Rooster radiating such an overbearing aura!
Unfazed by the crowd of ordinary people surrounding it, the Furious Rooster was used to seeing humans.
To this day, the only one who could make it feel fear was that man...
The previously overbearing Furious Rooster, upon seeing that man return, hurriedly flapped its wings and trotted over to Zhong Bai's feet, affectionately rubbing its neck against Zhong Bai's waist.
Old Family Head Yang could not suppress his curiosity either; he had originally wanted to ask what kind of spirit beast this was to be so enormous.
Yet he never found a good opportunity, and prying blindly was somewhat impolite.
However, at this moment, an opportunity had finally presented itself to broaden his horizons.
"Taoist Qianhe, this giant chicken of yours looks somewhat intelligent, and its feathers shine with five colors—calling it a phoenix would not be an exaggeration at all!
This old man has lived for over eighty years, and this is my first time seeing such a miraculous and divine beast. I can only blame my own shallow knowledge for not even knowing its name."
"Yes, yes, yes, Taoist Qianhe, you are an immortal from Mount Mao. Could this giant chicken possibly be a divine beast raised by Mount Mao as well?"
The landlords and wealthy merchants nearby, whose curiosity had long since overflowed, successively voiced their questions.
Zhong Bai smiled faintly.
"You gentlemen overestimate this poor Daoist. This is no spirit beast; to be accurate, it is a demon!"
At the mention of the word "demon," the smiling expressions of the crowd instantly froze, as if they couldn't believe their ears, and several merchants who had been standing close to the Furious Rooster hurriedly backed away.
"You need not worry, gentlemen. This demon is named the Furious Rooster. Though it has a demonic body, its crowing can suppress ghosts!
In particular, ordinary five-poison pests fear it.
As long as this poor Daoist is here, this Furious Rooster will not harm people. On the contrary, with it around, Jiuquan Town will see no more incidents of the five poisons harming people in the future."
Zhong Bai simply introduced the Furious Rooster, serving as a warning to these people not to harbor any plots against his rooster.
Old Family Head Yang shifted from initial surprise to a bright smile and hastily smoothed things over.
"Hahaha, Taoist Qianhe has come to guard our Jiuquan Town, and having such a divine beast is a blessing for us all.
Everyone, you must take this seriously from now on. With Taoist Qianhe here, Jiuquan Town is safe.
Don't let a minor loss outweigh the greater good; this old man does not wish for the events of decades ago to happen ever again!"
Old Family Head Yang's words carried three parts threat and seven parts emotion. Everyone present was a shrewd veteran and naturally understood that the Yang Family was backing Zhong Bai, making it blatantly clear that they must show him respect in the future.
He was a Mount Mao immortal who had come to protect the region, and he could not be offended.
These were all minor interludes.
After the banquet began, Zhong Bai took the opportunity to get acquainted with the prominent figures of Jiuquan Town so that future matters would be easier to handle.
Once everything concluded, Zhong Bai took a sedan chair to the small courtyard under Old Family Head Yang's arrangement.
Opening the courtyard gate, the Furious Rooster behind Zhong Bai entered its future home first. Zhong Bai followed at a leisurely pace, with two young maidens trailing nervously behind him—they were the servants Old Family Head Yang had specially found for Zhong Bai.
"Chunhua, Xiahe, you can just relax. This poor Daoist has no strict rules here on ordinary days, and I don't need you to do any heavy physical labor.
Just tidy up the courtyard normally, take care of the Furious Rooster, and cook meals."
Zhong Bai's gentle tone sounded like a shot of adrenaline in the ears of Chunhua and Xiahe trailing behind him.
The two girls, who had initially been quite apprehensive, exchanged a smile and let out a sigh of relief.
Before coming, the steward of the Yang Residence had given them countless injunctions, telling them they must serve the Taoist priest well.
Back then, they thought it would be very difficult, seeing as people of the Daoist sects mostly possessed distinct personalities.
Now it seemed they had worried too much.
"Master Taoist, we understand!"
Hearing the other party address him as Master Taoist, Zhong Bai smiled somewhat helplessly.
"This poor Daoist is only around twenty years old; there's no need to call me so old. On ordinary days, just address me as Taoist priest, or even call me Brother Zhong directly."
Hearing this, the two young women's complexions turned somewhat unnatural, but none of that mattered; they would slowly get used to it in the future.
Entering the house and looking at the brand-new, exquisite furniture, Zhong Bai understood that he had accepted this favor from the Yang Family.
If he wanted to resolve this karmic tie in the future, he would probably have to rely on the Three Fiends Position.
Of course, Zhong Bai could also send some return gifts to the Yang Residence, but ordinary items felt somewhat like tasteless chicken ribs.
As for good things, aside from the few Yuan Dynasty vases inside the Cosmic Ring, Zhong Bai currently didn't really have any worldly objects worth taking out.
He shook his head. Having dealt with people all day, Zhong Bai had no intention of cultivating tonight. Relaxation and tension should be balanced—he would rest for the night first...
Having two servants to wash clothes and cook meals is totally fine, right? Well, I think it's fine. Zhong Bai views beauties the same as white skeletons; pink skulls are nothing more than two hundred and six bones, and flesh and clothing are likewise subject to the erosion of time.
Not dwelling on this, I continue to look forward to my dear readers' monthly votes, investments, retention reads, collections, and tips. As for tipping, dear readers, please don't bother; the macro environment these days isn't good, and making money isn't easy. Once the book is on shelves, I will be more than satisfied if you support me with subscriptions. Thank you very much!
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