The Two's Deal, Jiuquan Town's Anomaly

"Alright, alright, we've known each other for so many years. Do you really think I don't know what you're up to?

Let me tell you, I haven't even settled the score with you for secretly taking out Patriarch Qinghe's spirit tablet this time!

Giving you two Demon Cores of early-stage Demon Soldiers is already more than enough. The rest is punishment for your mistake this time!"

Hearing this, Four-Eyes didn't argue, but simply extended his hand…

True Immortal Changsheng understood his meaning and, after placing two Demon Cores of early-stage Demon Soldiers in Four-Eyes' palm, Four-Eyes finally beamed with joy.

"Qianhe, this is yours!"

With that, True Immortal Changsheng handed three Demon Cores of late-stage Demon Soldiers to Zhong Bai.

Seeing that he received two early-stage Demon Cores while Zhong Bai received three late-stage Demon Cores, Four-Eyes felt his heart bleeding…

"Master…"

"Silence! Two of these three late-stage Red-banded Snake Demons were killed by Qianhe. You should be laughing that you got two early-stage Demon Cores!"

Ouch, that stung. Four-Eyes finally quieted down.

"Thank you, Uncle-Master!"

Zhong Bai didn't refuse. He had expended a lot this time; three Heavenly Thunder Jade Talismans. Three late-stage Demon Cores wouldn't truly compensate for that, but it was better than nothing.

"Alright, the matter is settled. Maoshan cannot be without us for long. Disciple, you and Four-Eyes will remain here to see if there's anything useful. Your Master and your Uncle-Master Changsheng will return to Maoshan first."

True Immortal Qianyuan flicked his horsetail whisk and transformed into a bolt of lightning, disappearing from the spot.

True Immortal Changsheng didn't linger either. With a wave of his hand, the Silver Armored Corpse King, which had been standing on the ground, turned into a silver light and appeared before True Immortal Changsheng. Finally, its body transformed into a streak of light and entered the bronze coffin hanging around True Immortal Changsheng's neck.

Immediately after, he sharply squeezed Four-Eyes' Qiankun bag, and Patriarch Qinghe's spirit tablet was directly pulled out.

With a flash, True Immortal Changsheng also departed.

"Sigh, Qianhe, what a loss!

It's all because of that damned Crimson Viper General!

If he hadn't woken up, we would have secretly made a fortune this time…"

Though he spoke of regret, Four-Eyes was actually relieved. His Master had arrived quickly, which was comforting, but his mouth just couldn't let go.

Zhong Bai offered no comment.

Right now, Zhong Bai only wanted to return to Jiuquan Town as soon as possible. His Exorcism Panel now had a full three thousand Exorcism Points!

These Exorcism Points needed to be quickly converted into strength; otherwise, they were just a number.

After tidying up, the two quickly left the valley.

As dusk approached, Zhong Bai decided to rest for another night.

Night fell. Being deep in the mountains, even though this was on an official road, it felt desolate.

"Come, come, Qianhe, this rabbit was a lot of effort for your senior brother to catch. Roasted, it'll be tender and juicy. While it might not be as good as what your two little chefs make, it'll satisfy our hunger."

Zhong Bai smiled and took a rabbit leg.

"Oh, Qianhe, if only we had a bottle of wine right now.

In the vast night, with no one around, just a bonfire, drinking and eating meat… Tsk, tsk, tsk, your senior brother has dreamed of days like this for a very long time.

Speaking of which, Qianhe, we are both Maoshan disciples, but the gap between us is becoming more and more obvious.

Let's not even mention Shi Jian, the sect leader's personal disciple. That guy acts all high and mighty all the time, but he truly has the power.

Senior Brother Lin from Ren Family Town, while a bit boring, is wholeheartedly devoted to the Dao.

And me? I'm stuck between you two, neither here nor there…"

Zhong Bai wasn't sure why Four-Eyes was saying this at the moment, but he still replied, "Senior Brother Four-Eyes, you really shouldn't think that way. The world is vast. To learn a skill that can protect yourself is already excellent.

I never thought a day like this would come…"

Zhong Bai's words were very sincere. If he hadn't obtained the Exorcism Panel, perhaps Zhong Bai would never have chosen to leave Maoshan. In that case, he certainly wouldn't have been as capable as Four-Eyes.

"Hahaha, you're quite open-minded, junior brother. Don't worry, I'm just lamenting a bit. To be honest, in the future, being able to tightly cling to the coattails of you and Senior Brother Lin will be enough for me!"

With that, Four-Eyes reverted to his usual carefree smile.

Zhong Bai gave a bright smile.

After a bite of rabbit meat, Zhong Bai and Four-Eyes began discussing the planning of the Daoist Temple.

………………………………………………

"No problem!

Senior Brother Four-Eyes, if I encounter any Zombies with great growth potential in the future, I'll even tie them up and bring them to you!"

"Hahaha, Qianhe, I'm taking you seriously on that!

Don't worry, junior brother, whenever demons cause trouble anywhere, I'll notify you immediately."

As they chatted, the two tacitly made a deal. Four-Eyes would continue to travel the world, controlling corpses.

He would likely be much more informed about the world's news than Zhong Bai, and what Four-Eyes lacked was a potent, potential-filled natal corpse.

Each with their own agenda, they quickly found common ground.

Dawn marked their parting.

Before coming, Zhong Bai had given Four-Eyes a hundred taels of gold to fund the establishment of his Daoist Temple.

So, when Zhong Bai left, Four-Eyes insisted on seeing him off for ten li…

Three days later.

Jiuquan Town.

Inside the small courtyard.

Zhong Bai frowned as he looked at the tightly shut door of the room in the courtyard.

He gently knocked on the door, and from inside, he heard Chunhua's cautious voice.

"Who's out there?"

"Chunhua, it's this humble Taoist. I'm back. Open the door!"

Hearing the familiar voice, Chunhua let out a sigh of relief.

"Sir is back!"

Relief turned into joy, and Chunhua quickly opened the door to welcome Zhong Bai inside.

Zhong Bai couldn't help but frown at the change in Chunhua's expression.

"Chunhua, has something happened in Jiuquan Town these past few days that this humble Taoist was away?"

Upon arriving in town, Zhong Bai had already sensed that something was amiss. The once bustling town was now deserted, with every household's door tightly shut, which greatly puzzled him.

Now, seeing Chunhua's reaction, he couldn't help but ask.

Hearing her sir's question, Chunhua didn't hesitate, saying, "Sir, you've guessed correctly!

You wouldn't believe it, Sir, but the day after you left, people in Jiuquan Town started disappearing for no reason. Every day since then, one person has vanished, and the whole town is in a panic.

Old Master Yang of the Yang Family has sent people to search, but there's still no clue.

That's why every household has tightened security."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Bai's frown deepened. Disappearing for no reason?

"This matter is truly a bit troublesome. If it were a demon or evil spirit, this humble Taoist could easily resolve it, but now… it seems that way!"

Shaking his head, Zhong Bai felt there was no need to dwell on it now. People couldn't just disappear into thin air. Since Jiuquan Town was his Daoist Temple, Zhong Bai wouldn't allow such things to happen!

In his territory, even a dragon must coil, and a tiger must crouch…

"Alright, Chunhua, this humble Taoist understands. I will investigate this matter thoroughly."

Saying this, Zhong Bai temporarily put the matter aside. The most urgent task now was to spend all his Exorcism Points.

"This humble Taoist will enter seclusion first, same as always."

"Yes, Sir, Chunhua understands!"

With that, Zhong Bai entered his room, and Chunhua no longer kept the courtyard gate tightly shut. Her sir was back, so what was there to be afraid of!

It's so hard to bear. I want to put it on shelves and start writing ten thousand words a day, otherwise everyone will feel unsatisfied, and slowly no one will continue reading.

Sigh, begging for some monthly votes, continued reads, and collections!

My daily plea, thank you, esteemed readers!