"Alright, alright. We've spent so many years together, did you really think I didn't know what you were up to?
Let me tell you, I haven't settled accounts with you yet for secretly sneaking away with your Patriarch Qinghe's spirit tablet!
Getting two early-stage Demon Soldier demon cores is about enough for you. Everything else counts as punishment for making this mistake!"
Hearing this, Four-Eyes did not argue and simply silently reached out...
And True Immortal Changsheng understood what he meant. He took out two early-stage Demon Soldier demon cores and placed them in Four-Eyes's palm, whereupon Four-Eyes finally beamed with joy.
"Nephew Qianhe, this is for you!"
With that, True Immortal Changsheng handed three late-stage Demon Soldier demon cores to Zhong Bai.
Seeing that he was given two early-stage Demon Soldier demon cores while Zhong Bai was given three late-stage ones, Four-Eyes felt his heart bleeding...
"Master..."
"Shut it. Two of those three late-stage Demon Soldier Red-banded Snake Demons were slain by Nephew Qianhe. You should consider yourself lucky that you even got two early-stage Demon Soldier demon cores!"
Uh, that really hurt. Four-Eyes finally quieted down.
"Thank you, Martial Uncle!"
Zhong Bai did not refuse. His expenditure this time had been massive. Three Heavenly Thunder Jade Talismans could not actually be compensated for by a mere three late-stage Demon Soldier demon cores, but it was still better than nothing.
"Well, matters are settled here. Mount Mao cannot be left without us guarding it for long. Disciple, you and Martial Uncle Four-Eyes will continue to stay here and see if there is anything useful. Your Martial Uncle Changsheng and I will head back to Mount Mao first."
True Immortal Qianyuan flicked his horsetail whisk and, speaking thus, vanished on the spot in a flash of thunder light.
True Immortal Changsheng did not linger either. With a wave of his hand, the Silver Armored Corpse King that had been standing on the ground turned into a silver light and arrived before True Immortal Changsheng, its body suddenly transforming into a stream of light and entering the bronze coffin at True Immortal Changsheng's neck.
Right after that, with a fierce grab toward Four-Eyes's universe bag, Patriarch Qinghe's spirit tablet was directly pulled out.
With a flash of his figure, True Immortal Changsheng also departed.
"Sigh, Martial Junior Qianhe, we took a loss!
It's all the fault of that damned Crimson Viper General!
If he hadn't awakened, we could have secretly made a fortune this time..."
Though he spoke of it as a pity, Four-Eyes was actually quite relieved. His own master had arrived quickly, bringing a reassuring feeling, yet his mouth simply refused to spare anyone.
To this, Zhong Bai offered no comment.
Right now, Zhong Bai only wished to return to Jiuquan Town as soon as possible. His Exorcism Panel held a full three thousand Exorcism Points!
These Exorcism Points needed to be converted into strength as quickly as possible, or else they were just a string of numbers.
Having packed up, the two men soon left the valley.
The sky was growing late by now, and Zhong Bai chose to rest for another night.
Night fell. Being situated deep in the mountains, even though this place was on an official road, it appeared desolate.
"Come, come, come, Martial Junior Qianhe. This is a rabbit I went to great lengths to catch, brother. Roast it up and it's rich and juicy. Though it can't compare to the food made by your two little maidservants, it'll still appease the stomach."
Zhong Bai smilingly accepted a rabbit leg.
"Ah, Martial Junior Qianhe, you tell me, wouldn't it be great if we had a bottle of wine right now?
Boundless night, not a soul around, a bonfire, drinking wine and eating meat. Tsk tsk tsk, Martial Brother has dreamed of days like this for a long, long time.
Speaking of which, Martial Junior Qianhe, we are both disciples of Mount Mao, yet the gap between us is becoming increasingly obvious.
Let's not even talk about Sect Master's personal disciple Shi Jian. That guy puts on airs every single day, true, but he also genuinely has strength.
Senior Brother Lin of Ren Family Town, although a bit dull in personality, is single-mindedly devoted to the Dao.
As for your martial brother here, I'm just caught in the middle between you guys, stuck in no-man's land..."
Zhong Bai did not know Four-Eyes's purpose in saying these things right now, but he replied nonetheless: "Martial Brother Four-Eyes actually doesn't need to think like that. The world is vast, and being able to master a set of skills to preserve oneself is already exceptionally good.
In the past, Junior Brother never imagined there would be a day like this..."
Zhong Bai's words were extremely sincere. If he hadn't obtained the Exorcism Panel, perhaps Zhong Bai wouldn't even have chosen to leave Mount Mao. Someone like that certainly wouldn't be as well off as Four-Eyes.
"Hahaha, Junior Brother is broad-minded after all. Don't worry, Martial Brother is just expressing a bit of sentiment. Come to think of it, being able to tightly cling to the coattails of you and Senior Brother Lin from now on is quite enough for me!"
Saying this, Four-Eyes reverted to that carefree, thick-skinned smile of his.
Zhong Bai gave a dry, awkward smile.
After finishing a mouthful of rabbit meat, Zhong Bai and Four-Eyes began to chat about plans for establishing the Daoist temple.
"No problem!
Martial Brother Four-Eyes, if Junior Brother encounters any corpses with huge growth potential in the future, I'll tie them up and bring them to you even if I have to!"
"Hahaha, Martial Brother will take your words to heart, Martial Junior Qianhe!
Rest assured, Junior Brother, wherever demons and monsters are wreaking havoc in the future, Martial Brother will also notify you at the very first moment."
Chatting away, the two of them tacitly struck a deal. Four-Eyes would travel the Jianghu performing corpse-driving.
He might know considerably more news about the mortal world than Zhong Bai, whereas what Four-Eyes lacked was a natal corpse with potential.
Each harboring their own objectives, they simply hit it off instantly.
When dawn broke, it was time to part ways.
Before coming, Zhong Bai had already given Four-Eyes a hundred liang of gold as capital to build the Daoist temple.
Therefore, when leaving, Four-Eyes actually saw him off for ten miles...
Three days later.
Jiuquan Town.
Inside the small courtyard.
Looking at the tightly shut door of the small courtyard, Zhong Bai could not help frowning slightly.
He gently knocked on the door and heard Chunhua's vigilant inquiry ring out from within the courtyard.
"Who is outside?"
"Chunhua, it's me, open the door!"
Hearing the familiar voice, Chunhua let out a complete sigh of relief.
"Sir is back!"
Relaxation was instantly followed by joy, and Chunhua quickly opened the door to welcome Zhong Bai inside.
Yet, seeing the change in Chunhua's expression, Zhong Bai frowned once more.
"Chunhua, did something happen in Jiuquan Town these past few days while I was away?"
When he arrived in the town, Zhong Bai had already sensed that something was amiss. The town, which used to be very bustling, was now empty and deserted, with every household's doors tightly shut, leaving Zhong Bai exceptionally puzzled.
Now seeing Chunhua acting the same way, he could not help asking.
Hearing her master's inquiry, Chunhua did not hesitate and said, "You guessed right, Sir!
You wouldn't believe it, Sir, but on the very second day after you left, people began vanishing inexplicably in Jiuquan Town. Every single day lately, one person has disappeared, leaving the entire town in a state of panic.
Old Master Yang of the Yang Family has already sent people to search, but there's still no clue.
That's why every household has gone into lockdown."
Hearing this, Zhong Bai's frown deepened even further. Vanishing inexplicably?
"This matter is indeed a bit troublesome. If it were because of demons and malevolent spirits, I could easily resolve it, but now... it certainly has that flavor!"
Shaking his head, Zhong Bai felt there was no need to dwell on this right now. People could not possibly vanish into thin air. Since Jiuquan Town was his Daoist temple, Zhong Bai would not allow such things to happen!
In his territory, dragons had to coil and tigers had to crouch...
"Alright, Chunhua, I understand. I will investigate this matter clearly."
Saying this, Zhong Bai temporarily set the matter aside. The top priority right now was to spend all those Exorcism Points.
"I am going into seclusion first. Same old rules."
"Mm-hm, Sir, Chunhua understands!"
With that, Zhong Bai entered his own room, and Chunhua no longer kept the courtyard gates tightly shut. Her master was back, so what was there to be afraid of!
It's so tough. I want to launch the book and start putting out ten thousand words a day; otherwise, readers won't feel satisfied, and slowly people will stop following along.
Sigh, begging for a wave of monthly votes, follows, and collections!
A daily plea, thank you to all the dear readers!
Before you continue