Furious Rooster Catches the Eye, Chunhua and Xiahe

After surveying the small courtyard, Zhong Bai keenly noticed the church not far behind it.

The church looked somewhat dilapidated, but overall, it gave Zhong Bai a sense of something sinister.

Seeing Zhong Bai look towards the church, Old Family Head Yang's smile gradually faded, replaced by a grave expression.

"Taoist Qianhe, the center of the Three Fiends Position is that church! Fifty years ago, when the Three Fiends Position first erupted with malevolent energy, my father listened to the advice of foreign missionaries. He built this church at the convergence point of the Three Fiends Position, thinking it would keep the area safe. But that evil calamity still couldn't be avoided. Decades passed, and ever since that incident, this church has been sealed with warnings by the Maoshan immortal master of that time. For decades, my Yang family has always sent people to guard it, preventing anyone from breaking the seal and entering."

At this point, Old Family Head Yang's face was a little pale.

"I won't hide it from you, Taoist. The reason your small courtyard was set here is so you can constantly monitor the church's seal. This is my selfish motive, and I hope the Taoist won't be angry..."

To be honest, Zhong Bai had a good impression of Old Family Head Yang. Everyone has selfish motives, and since Old Family Head Yang was frank with Zhong Bai, Zhong Bai didn't see any problem. Besides, using a Taoist temple to suppress a church, being neighbors was fine.

Zhong Bai was even hoping the Three Fiends Position would attract more evil spirits...

"No matter, no matter. Old Family Head Yang is concerned for the safety of thousands of people in Jiuquan Town. This humble Taoist came here precisely to guard this area, so this arrangement is excellent! Old Family Head Yang needn't blame himself."

Hearing this, Old Family Head Yang finally breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps some might think that as the head of a prominent family in the town, he shouldn't be so respectful and cautious towards a Maoshan disciple like Zhong Bai. Even when the small courtyard was being built, Old Family Head Yang's own son raised objections. But... only Old Family Head Yang himself understood that these mortals, seemingly possessing vast wealth, had no way of saving their lives when truly facing demons and evil spirits! Especially after experiencing that evil calamity decades ago, Old Family Head Yang almost wholeheartedly believed that Maoshan disciples and other disciples from Taoist Sects and Buddhist Sects should be revered.

As the saying goes, "come quickly, go quickly." Observing the small courtyard was just a way to pass the time before the banquet was ready. After seeing what he needed to see, Old Family Head Yang simply suggested returning to the Yang Residence for the feast.

Inside the Yang Residence.

Today, the Yang Residence was exceptionally lively. Almost everyone of note in Jiuquan Town had come to the banquet. There were gentry and landowners, wealthy merchants and magnates. Although the Yang family was located in Jiuquan Town, its influence extended beyond just Ping'an County. Jiuquan Town was the Yang family's ancestral land, so the people of Jiuquan Town, eager to support the Yang family, would almost never miss this opportunity.

When Old Family Head Yang and Zhong Bai stepped into the residence, they saw a group of wealthy merchants and landowners gathered around the Furious Rooster in the courtyard, exclaiming in wonder. They were all people with some experience; whether it was wild chickens or domestic chickens, they had seen and eaten them. But a Furious Rooster so domineeringly impressive was truly a first for them!

The Furious Rooster wasn't afraid of these ordinary people staring at it; it had seen plenty of humans. So far, the only one who could make it feel fear was that man...

The originally domineering Furious Rooster, seeing that man return, quickly flapped its wings and scurried to Zhong Bai's feet, affectionately rubbing its neck against Zhong Bai's waist.

Old Family Head Yang couldn't suppress his curiosity. He had wanted to ask what kind of spirit beast this was that was so large. But he never had the chance, and inquiring so bluntly would have been impolite. However, now was an opportunity to broaden his horizons.

"Taoist Qianhe, your giant rooster seems quite intelligent, and with its iridescent feathers, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a phoenix! I've lived for over eighty years, and this is the first time I've seen such a divine beast. It's just that my knowledge is shallow; I can't even name it."

"Exactly, exactly! Taoist Qianhe, you are an immortal master from Maoshan. Could this giant rooster also be an immortal beast raised by Maoshan?" The landowners and merchants, whose curiosity had long been overflowing, expressed their doubts.

Zhong Bai smiled faintly. "You all think too highly of this humble Taoist. This is no spirit beast; to be precise, it's a demon!"

Upon hearing "demon," the faces of the originally jovial crowd instantly froze. They seemed unable to believe their ears, and the few merchants who had been close to the Furious Rooster immediately backed away.

"Everyone, there's no need to worry. This demon is named Furious Rooster. Though it's a demon, its crowing can suppress ghosts! Common venomous creatures fear it even more. As long as this humble Taoist is here, this Furious Rooster will not harm anyone. On the contrary, with it here, Jiuquan Town will no longer suffer from harm caused by venomous creatures in the future." Zhong Bai simply introduced the Furious Rooster, which served as a warning to these people not to covet his Furious Rooster.

Old Family Head Yang, from initial surprise to a subsequent beaming smile, quickly smoothed things over. "Hahaha, Taoist Qianhe has come to my Jiuquan Town to protect this area. For us in Jiuquan Town to have such a divine beast is truly a blessing!"

"Everyone, from now on, you must take this seriously. As long as Taoist Qianhe is here, Jiuquan Town will be safe.

Don't let one thing overshadow another. I truly hope what happened decades ago doesn't repeat itself!"

Old Family Head Yang's words held a third threat and two-thirds sentiment. Everyone present was shrewd and naturally understood that the Yang family was backing Zhong Bai, making it clear that they should treat Zhong Bai with more respect in the future.

He was a Maoshan immortal, here to protect the region, and not to be offended.

These were just minor interludes.

After the banquet began, Zhong Bai took the opportunity to get acquainted with all the influential people in Jiuquan Town. This would make things easier for him in the future.

After everything concluded, Zhong Bai, as arranged by Old Family Head Yang, rode a sedan chair to a small courtyard.

Opening the courtyard gate, the Furious Rooster, following Zhong Bai, was the first to enter its future home. Zhong Bai, however, took his time. Behind him, two young women looked a little nervous. They were servants Old Family Head Yang had specially found for Zhong Bai.

"Chunhua, Xiahe, just relax. I don't have many rules here on a daily basis, and I won't require you to do any heavy labor.

Just tidy up the courtyard, look after the Furious Rooster, and cook meals."

Zhong Bai's gentle tone was like a shot in the arm for Chunhua and Xiahe behind him.

The two, who had been somewhat anxious, couldn't help but exchange a relieved glance and smile.

Before they came, the Yang Residence's butler had given them countless instructions, emphasizing that they absolutely had to serve the Taoist priest well.

They had initially thought it would be very difficult, as most people from the Taoist Sects had strong personalities.

Now, it seemed they had worried too much.

"Dao Ye, we understand!"

Hearing them call him "Dao Ye," Zhong Bai gave a helpless smile.

"I'm only about twenty years old. There's no need to call me something that makes me sound so old. You can just call me Taoist priest on a daily basis, or you can even call me Brother Zhong."

Upon hearing this, the two women's expressions immediately became a little unnatural, but that didn't matter. They would slowly get used to it.

Entering the house and seeing the brand-new, exquisite furniture, Zhong Bai understood that he had accepted this favor from the Yang family.

To repay this karma in the future, he would probably have to rely on the Three Fiends Position.

Of course, Zhong Bai could also send some gifts in return to the Yang Residence, but ordinary items would be somewhat useless.

Currently, besides a few Yuan Dynasty vases in his Cosmic Ring, Zhong Bai didn't seem to have any valuable secular items that he could present.

Shaking his head, after a long day, Zhong Bai decided not to cultivate tonight. It was important to balance work and rest, so he would rest tonight and resume later...

Is it okay to have two servants to do laundry and cook? Hmm, I think it's fine. Zhong Bai views beautiful women as mere skeletons, rosy-cheeked skulls are nothing more than two hundred and six bones, skin and flesh are just clothing that time can erode.

Not dwelling on that, I continue to look forward to everyone's monthly votes, investments, continued reading, collections, and as for rewards, dear readers, please don't bother. The general economic environment hasn't been good these past few years, and earning money is not easy. I'll be very satisfied if readers subscribe and support me after the novel is available for purchase. Thank you, thank you!