Cheng Family Town

Chu Zhe led the resident elders and a group of disciples out to slay demons and eliminate evil. Back at the Taoist temple, Xu Ling was like a pig poking out of a fence, running up to the roof to look, then to the front hall, and even mingling with the common folk to offer incense and pray.

Although Mount Hua had a divine shrine for worship and prayer, the mountain was high and the paths treacherous, with very few climbers. Those who ascended to pray were either devotees with great perseverance or royalty performing imperial sacrifices. It was nothing like this place, which was close to Du City, with a constant stream of people and flourishing incense, making it always good for anyone, regardless of their business, to come and offer incense.

Xu Ling, mingling with the crowd, had an ethereal and transcendent aura that the common folk praised.

Bai Yujun lay on a chair reading a book, with two plates of desserts on the table beside her. These were gifts from wealthy families from the foot of the mountain to the cultivators of the Taoist temple, hoping to foster closer relations and protect their families from harm by evil paths.

Recently, Bai Yujun had been researching how to control flying swords.

Sword Control Technique was a foundational skill of Chunyang Palace, and it could be learned at Zuowang Peak. Sword Control Technique required a certain level of cultivation as a basis, and controlling flying swords to kill enemies was very powerful. However, it was difficult for Bai Yujun, whose cultivation was currently only at the snake demon level.

Instead of wasting a large amount of spiritual energy playing with flying swords, it would be better to learn swordplay for close-quarters combat like Yang Mu. At least the consumption would be lower and the endurance longer. Last time, Xu Ling was lectured by the senior disciple for consuming a large amount of spiritual power when using a powerful move.

She drew her treasured sword and looked at it. The one Chu Zhe gave her was no ordinary item, but it wasn't suitable for close combat. She decided to seek help from a Golden Void disciple to forge a saber when she returned to the mountain; a Hengdao from the Tang Dynasty would be excellent.

Feeling bored, she picked up a flute and practiced playing.

The courtyard was filled with harsh and unpleasant flute music. Yang Mu could no longer meditate and cultivate. Then, he witnessed with his own eyes Bai Yujun angrily grab the bamboo flute and smash it fiercely onto the ground...

With a crack, the flute shattered into pieces.

Yang Mu's mouth twitched.

"Big White, I remember you bought fifteen bamboo flutes in Liu City, three in Qingyun County, bought one from a cowherd on the road, and stole three in Liuyun Market, for a total of twenty-two. So far, you've broken eighteen, and there are four left. Green bamboo grows with difficulty, so cherish what you have."

Bai Yujun was stunned, her small mouth slightly ajar, not even noticing the dessert that had fallen.

The reason she wanted to practice the flute was at Yu Rong's urging. According to Yu Rong, Bai Yujun, as a fierce beast from the Hundred Thousand Mountains, had a naturally heavy tendency towards killing, being too ferocious and bloodthirsty. If she didn't cultivate her state of mind, she would easily go down an evil path in the future. Practicing singing, dancing, and musical instruments could temper her state of mind and pacify the beastly nature within her.

Bai Yujun felt uncharacteristically embarrassed.

The front hall.

A constable from the yamen, dressed in dark clothing, was anxiously speaking with the temple keeper in charge of incense at the front hall of the Taoist temple, his expression worried and flustered.

Afterward, the temple keeper led the constable to the backyard.

"The Chunyang cultivators went to Mount Luoyun to eliminate demons this morning. There are only three young cultivators who went down the mountain on business. I'm not sure if they can help you. Please come this way."

The temple keeper and the constable arrived at the backyard.

"Three esteemed immortals, this is the constable from Du City who needs your help," the temple keeper said respectfully to Yang Mu.

Although Yang Mu didn't know what was happening, he maintained his icy demeanor, making it impossible to discern his true feelings. Those who didn't know would think Yang Mu was a detached master.

"Oh? What is it? Tell us about it."

The constable stepped forward and bowed. Although the three opposite were only about fifteen years old, he had no other choice. He could only grasp this straw of hope and pray it would be useful.

"Reporting to esteemed immortals, about half a day's journey from Du City, there is a Cheng Family Town. Last night, more than a dozen people died in the town, an entire family. Preliminary investigations suggest it was the work of demons. We are helpless and can only seek help from Chunyang Immortal Palace."

The secular world called cultivators "esteemed immortals," and cultivation sects were called "immortal palaces." To ordinary people, the methods of cultivators were no different from those of Immortals.

"More than a dozen people dead, an entire family..."

Yang Mu pondered, trying to analyze what had happened from his studies.

Xu Ling ran back from somewhere. Upon hearing that demons were causing trouble, she immediately clamored to go down the mountain to eliminate the evil. She hadn't accomplished much on her journey and was bored. Now that there was finally something to do, and it was urgent, how could she not go?

"Quick~ let's go~ before the demons escape." Xu Ling held a few talismans in her hand, eager to fly there immediately.

After some thought, he decided it was worth checking out, and it wasn't a major demon. With that in mind, Yang Mu looked at Bai Yujun. Having an extra snake demon might be useful.

Bai Yujun shrugged and said only one word.

"Okay."

The three rookies left at the Taoist temple unanimously agreed. They immediately took their weapons and followed the constable down the mountain. There were official horses at the foot of the mountain, which would allow them to reach Cheng Family Town faster. Yang Mu and Xu Ling could only glide for a short distance when flying on swords. Their cultivation was insufficient, so they had to ride horses.

Only Bai Yujun's horse kept trembling from time to time.

Animals have very strong senses. The horse clearly knew that the creature on its back was definitely a fierce beast, and one that particularly enjoyed eating meat...

Cheng Family Town.

The remote Cheng Family Town was very peaceful, with crowing roosters and barking dogs, a small bridge and flowing water. The town was located between three green mountains arranged in a triangular formation. A river flowed through the town. There was an ancient, mottled stone archway and smooth stone slab roads. A few women carried wooden basins to the stream to wash clothes, and flocks of ducklings walked by. It didn't look like a place where demons would cause trouble.

"This way, please."

The constable led the way.

"The family that was wiped out was a local gentry, surnamed Cheng. Most people in Cheng Family Town are surnamed Cheng. The courtyard with people crowded at the entrance is the murder scene."

The appearance of Yang Mu and Xu Ling, dressed in Chunyang Taoist robes, immediately put the uneasy common folk at ease.

After dismounting, a group of constables stepped forward to pay their respects. Upon seeing Bai Yujun and Xu Ling, they were not surprised and were amazed. It was understandable, as in the harsh environment of ancient times, apart from the pampered young ladies of wealthy families who rarely left their homes, beautiful women were seldom seen. If it weren't for their Chunyang disciple status, some men might have taken risks.

The constable led the two and the snake into the courtyard.

"Three esteemed immortals, the deceased are all in their respective rooms. They were likely killed by demons last night. All the deceased have two bite marks on their necks, and demon beast fur was also found at the scene."

A constable handed over a small clump of gray fur wrapped in white cotton cloth.

Yang Mu looked at it and passed it to Xu Ling and Bai Yujun. The two fellow disciples confirmed that it was demon beast fur. The fur of demons and ordinary wild beasts were quite easy to distinguish. However, Bai Yujun held the fur and sniffed it for a long time, then sniffed the scent. The constables didn't understand what she could smell, but Yang Mu had great confidence in Bai Yujun.

They entered a bedroom, presumably the master's residence. A middle-aged couple lay on the bed, their faces ashen.

Bai Yujun stepped forward, examined the wounds of the two, and touched the bodies. She then carefully sniffed with her jade hands after touching the corpses. The room had been visited by many people, and the scents were somewhat chaotic. If no one had been there, Bai Yujun could have found more clues with her sense of smell.

"Are there any other rooms belonging to the deceased that haven't been entered yet?" Bai Yujun asked.

The constable thought for a moment.

"Yes, the maid's room. It faces away from the sun, so it's very gloomy and dark."

"Lead the way."

The group left the master bedroom and headed straight for the maid's room.