Monk Ciren

"It's a poisonous insect that grows in the southern borders. The Gu people there like to use it to refine Gu worms."

"This Taoist must have gotten the insect from somewhere and learned the art of raising it, keeping it in his mouth to release and harm people when needed."

The old monk explained.

Song Chengan clasped his hands in a fist.

"Thank you, Master, for today. May I ask your Buddhist name!"

If it weren't for this monk today, Song Chengan might have been injured.

As expected, one shouldn't underestimate others.

These martial artists, these Qi cultivators, none of them are without their trump cards.

"Benefactor Song is too kind. This old monk's name is Ciren."

The old monk said.

"Master Ciren!"

Yu Changfu had impersonated this old monk that day. He must have seen him somewhere before.

Song Chengan felt a bit confused at this thought.

"I wonder how Master Ciren knows me?"

Song Chengan was puzzled.

No wonder it was so easy when he was haggling with the monk in the Ghost Market.

So this monk knew him.

Could it be someone his parents knew from before?

"This old monk doesn't know Benefactor Song. I just know that a warrior wearing a bamboo hat and carrying an iron staff saved the Zhao Family Village from a man-eating Fish Demon."

"And now he has saved Young Master Zhao. Benefactor Song and the Zhao Family truly have a connection."

Song Chengan suddenly understood: "So that's how it is."

"Master, why have you come here today?"

Monk Ciren said, "I was just passing by and heard sounds of fighting in the courtyard, so I came to take a look."

"Benefactor Song, Master Ciren!"

"If it weren't for you, my Zhao family's more than ten people..."

Zhao Jingjie walked over, supported by his butler.

After speaking, he was about to kneel.

But Song Chengan and Master Ciren quickly reached out to support him: "It's all thanks to Benefactor Song. This old monk did nothing."

"Benefactor Song..."

Song Chengan waved his hand: "Young Master Zhao, now is not the time to say these things. Quickly send someone to the yamen to report this matter to the County Magistrate."

"Yes, yes!"

Zhao Jingjie also came to his senses. Now was not the time for this. He immediately ordered someone to take a post to the yamen.

Soon, people from the yamen arrived.

Leading them was Xiong Huaiyi, the County Magistrate of Lingqiu County.

"Little Brother Song is truly young and promising!"

"If not for Little Brother Song seeing through these villains, who knows how many more lives would have been lost in Lingqiu County!" Xiong Huaiyi patted Song Chengan's shoulder.

"County Lord, you flatter me. I was just lucky. And I must thank Master Ciren for his help in this matter!"

"Amitabha!"

"Thank you, Master!"

"The county yamen originally planned to reward one hundred and fifty taels of silver."

"How about this: I'll add another one hundred and fifty taels of silver. Little Brother Song and Master Ciren will each receive one hundred and fifty taels!"

Song Chengan and Monk Ciren exchanged a look and did not refuse: "Thank you, County Lord!"

"You're welcome, you're welcome!"

Xiong Huaiyi said with a smile.

Fortunately, there was Song Chengan.

Otherwise, if these three villains had escaped and caused more deaths, his great merit would have turned into a great demerit.

"Then, County Lord, we will take our leave."

"You two, take care. I will have someone deliver the reward money in a few days!"

"Thank you for your trouble!"

"My Lord, why has Scholar Song turned into a martial arts expert?"

"Killed in one blow."

At this moment, Captain Ding Dahai walked over.

The smile on Xiong Huaiyi's face disappeared.

"This Scholar Song is quite cunning," he said. "I remember the Song family in Sanjiao Prefecture is quite a prominent family."

Captain Ding nodded. "It seems they are also a prominent family that cultivates both martial arts and Qi refinement."

"It seems the Song couple brought something with them back then."

Captain Ding's eyes lit up.

"Sir, are you referring to a Martial Arts Manual?"

Xiong Huaiyi glanced at him. "What, are you tempted?"

"Scholar Song defeated these three ruffians with just three strikes."

Captain Ding chuckled sheepishly. "You jest, sir. How could I dare?"

"I recall the Jiang Family's Gambling House once lured Scholar Song into losing all his fortune. This will be quite a show."

"It's just..." Xiong Huaiyi paused, a hint of confusion in his voice. "Scholar Song's current strength must have come from years of diligent practice since childhood. Why didn't he cause trouble with the gambling house before?"

"Sir!"

At this moment, Young Master Zhao walked over.

A smile appeared on Xiong Huaiyi's face.

"Young Master Zhao, you truly have a knack for survival."

"The last family involved in that matter... not a single soul survived."

"You were fortunate."

Young Master Zhao nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes. Thank you for your hard work, sir, and to all the brothers here."

"This is a small token of my appreciation. Please, have a drink on me."

In a corner where others couldn't see, Young Master Zhao took out two silver notes and handed them to Xiong Huaiyi.

Xiong Huaiyi accepted them discreetly.

"Young Master Zhao is very thoughtful."

He changed the subject.

"However, regarding the incident at your establishment, frankly, it still comes down to Scholar Song and Master Ciren of Xuanqing Temple."

"The incense money for Xuanqing Temple, and Scholar Song..."

Young Master Zhao understood immediately.

"Understood, understood!"

"I just don't know how much incense money would be appropriate?"

"Two hundred taels."

Young Master Zhao took out two silver notes. "Please trouble the County Lord to deliver this incense money for me."

"Of course, of course!"

The smile on Xiong Huaiyi's face became even warmer.

This way, he gained three hundred taels of silver for free.

As for the bounty money...

That would naturally come from the yamen's funds.

Did they expect him, Xiong Huaiyi, to pay out of his own pocket?

"I still need to buy rice."

Song Chengan left the Zhao residence and went to the west of the city to buy some rice, and also bought a pig's trotter.

"Song Chengan, is your family eating meat again!"

Song Chengan was charring the pig's trotter in the courtyard.

As soon as he finished, a head appeared over the courtyard wall.

It was Brother Dan.

Brother Dan took one look and ran to Song Chengan's house, squatting nearby to watch him char the pig's trotter.

"The fish at your place is delicious."

Brother Dan said after watching for a while.

"Isn't the fish at your place delicious?"

Song Chengan replied.

"It's not tasty."

Brother Dan shook his head.

"It's not as tasty as what your family makes."

Song Chengan patted Brother Dan's head.

He naturally knew why it wasn't tasty.

It was because oil and salt were very expensive.

And fish, to be delicious, needed a lot of oil, salt, and spice. Simply boiling it wouldn't make it tasty.

"Go help me stoke the fire, and I'll treat you to pig's trotters later."

"Yay!"

Upon hearing this, Brother Dan immediately cheered and went to tend the fire.

"I'll go find Old Man Ge later and buy this courtyard."

Song Chengan thought as he watched the stove.

He had no fixed abode in his previous life.

It was the same in this life.

He was accustomed to solitude and wandering.

But deep down, he longed for a place to belong.

Therefore, owning a house held special significance for him.

Now that he had silver, he naturally wanted to resolve this matter.

As a cultivator, he wouldn't stay here forever.

But no matter where he went, he wanted to remember that he owned a house on East Street in Lingqiu County.

"Song Chengan, is it ready yet?" Brother Dan asked expectantly.

"Wait a little longer, let it stew until it's tender."

"After you finish eating, I'll bring a bowl to your family."

"For my sister?"

"Then my mom can't see it. My mom told me to tell my sister to be careful of you."

Song Chengan: "?"