Do You Have to Pay Protection Money to Enter the Land of Guardianship?

As they traveled onward, Ye Kong leisurely strolled along with the Lion Dog on a leash, following behind the two women. He held a telescope and turned it about, surveying the terrain.

Wen Qingxuan took a map from her Mustard Seed Bracelet and handed it to Xiuling. She herself walked in the middle, vaguely guarding against a certain person behind her. The formation of the three looked rather strange.

"Judging by Miss Xiuling's expression, you don't seem very familiar with the route. Tell me, Miss Wen, isn't this your first time going to the Land of Guardianship as well?"

After noticing the innocent beauty of Xiuling trying to find her bearings with the map, Ye Kong began doubting the two women's professionalism.

Don't tell me I paid for two inexperienced, low-grade guides?

"It is indeed our first time going to the Land of Guardianship, but don't worry. Since we accepted your essence souls, we will definitely bring you there."

Wen Qingxuan did not avoid admitting that her work record was completely blank. Instead, she pulled another two-foot-square map from her Storage Pouch and spread it out before Ye Kong, making his eyelid twitch.

So your maps are wholesale goods? There's not even a hint of class to them.

"This map was given to me by an elder of my family before I entered the Spiritual Road. We just need to follow it. Besides, even if we cannot find the place, someone will bring us there in time."

Well then, as expected of the proud daughter of the Wen Family of the Northern Region. Everything needed for travel had already been prepared for her.

Still, it was no wonder. Unlike those second-generation financiers from the entertainment circles of his previous life, with their bizarre looks and indescribable acting skills, Wen Qingxuan's talent and strength might only have been passable, but she was still the strongest among this generation of Myriad Phoenix Spiritual Academy students.

Moreover, for a core descendant of a Heavenly Sovereign family to cultivate in a novice village like Myriad Phoenix Spiritual Academy was Myriad Phoenix Spiritual Academy's good fortune. Countless people wanted such good fortune but had no way of obtaining it.

"Speaking of which, your strength is quite impressive as well. Jialan Temple was once a Great Thousand World Super Power that produced a Heavenly Sovereign. Though it has declined now, its foundation remains."

"Lay Disciples of Buddhist Sect forces who are able to go out and train have always been first-rate geniuses. How is it that you cannot even recognize the road? Have your elders never dealt with the upper echelons of the Five Great Academies?"

After showing off her own background, Wen Qingxuan turned around and began probing into Ye Kong's origins. Her tone was casual, as if she were merely asking in passing.

Sure enough, she caught a trace of unease on Ye Kong's face. A hint of amusement flashed through her slightly narrowed phoenix eyes.

Looks like this little monk really is the foolish, easy-to-deceive kind. Should I fool him a little more? Maybe I can trick him into becoming a free bodyguard?

"Ahem. After my elders spoke to me for a while, they sent me into the Spiritual Road. I suppose they did not greet the Five Great Academies beforehand."

"But Buddha once said that we Buddhist Disciples must possess unwavering resolve. We must temper ourselves amidst the secular world and forge a path of our own. One must know that all roads beneath heaven are walked by people. There is no need to cling to roads already laid before us. It is nothing strange not to recognize the way. Amitabha!"

Drawing upon more than a decade of mental cultivation, Ye Kong restrained himself from laughing. His expression was incomparably solemn.

"Mmm~ Now that you put it that way, I truly believe you came from a monk temple. A normal person could never pretend to be as foolish as you."

Wen Qingxuan's long lashes curled slightly upward, her eyes nearly narrowing into two crescent moons. Her charming, peach-blossom face was filled with laughter, while her slender shoulders shook without cease.

She could not help it, truly could not help it. This was the first time she had seen someone describe being directionally challenged with such fresh refinement.

"Miss Wen, I am being serious. I am not foolish."

Ye Kong sighed inwardly. If that bald donkey Shi Luo were not definitely watching from outside right now, did you think I wanted to put on this stupid act?

I just don't want him catching something to hold over me and tattling on me. I still have to make a living at Great Spiritual Mountain in the future.

After clearing his throat, Ye Kong began changing the subject.

"By the way, Miss Wen, is there anything to watch out for in the Land of Guardianship? Will there be any vile acts of collecting protection money?"

"There used to be quite a few, but it is nothing to worry about. Would an expert like you be afraid of that?"

"Of course not."

"Then what are you worried about?"

"If no one comes to collect protection money from me, I will have no reason to collect protection money from them. We Buddhist Disciples do not like taking the initiative to provoke trouble."

Upon hearing this, Wen Qingxuan abruptly turned around. Ye Kong stood with his hands pressed together in a Buddhist salute. His naturally handsome face had well-defined features, and his brows were filled with compassion, making him look like a young eminent monk.

That refined scoundrel appearance startled her beautiful eyes wide open, and even made her steps falter.

Could he be some kind of evil monk? Are Buddhist Disciples this wild nowadays? Or have I simply seen too little, and Buddhist Disciples have always done things this way?

"Only upon meeting Master Shi Luo today did this little woman realize that the warnings of my family elders were all true. Sure enough, men in this world can commit evil deeds while still maintaining a dignified and righteous appearance."

"Amitabha. My goal is to perform good deeds, accumulate virtue, and save wicked demons. I merely have a strong sense of greed. Miss Wen, your misunderstanding of the men of this world runs too deep. That is not right."

"Heh~ You are quite honest. Could it be that you also enjoy catching evildoers and making them listen to you preach Buddhist scripture?"

Wen Qingxuan crossed her arms and watched Ye Kong's righteous-looking face with great interest.

"My Buddhist teachings are shallow. How would I dare seize people at random and preach to them? Those with affinity may converse with me for a while. As for those without affinity, would it not be better to send them to meet Buddha, so they may listen to scripture beneath Buddha's seat?"

Ignoring Wen Qingxuan's scornful expression that said, "Just as expected," Ye Kong raised his eyes to calmly look at her face and said lightly,

"Miss Wen misunderstands men so deeply that I am now truly inclined to believe you come from the line of He Po of the Wen Clan. I have long heard that many women of your line dislike men and prefer women. Seeing you today, the reputation is well deserved."

"How did you know?"

With her origins exposed, Wen Qingxuan instinctively became wary. Her long willow-leaf brows furrowed, a chill suddenly appearing in her phoenix eyes. Her aura swiftly turned cold as she held her golden spear horizontally in her right hand, battle intent rising.

"It is nothing strange. Any force in the Great Thousand World with some intelligence-gathering ability knows that the Wen Clan stands behind Myriad Phoenix Spiritual Academy. And Miss Wen, you are so wary of men that it is difficult not to connect you with the rumors about the Wen Clan."

With a sweep of his sleeve, Ye Kong brushed aside the golden spear. He glanced toward the Land of Guardianship, whose outline was already visible, then cupped his hands in farewell to Wen Qingxuan, who kept retreating, and to the vigilant Xiuling who had hurried over.

"Thank you both for leading me to the Land of Guardianship. I hope that the next time I lose my way, I will meet you two ladies again and you can guide me for another stretch. The guide fee will certainly be fair. Mountains and rivers will meet again; until we meet next time."

With that, Ye Kong used Supernatural Footwork and disappeared with Jinjiu Master, who had been strolling along all the way.

"Sister Qingxuan, are you all right?"

The delicate-looking Xiuling supported Wen Qingxuan and asked with concern.

"I'm fine. That fellow did not truly attack; he merely pushed me away. I did not expect his movement technique to be so fast."

Wen Qingxuan, who had been sent stumbling by Ye Kong's sleeve, brushed back the loose strands of hair before her forehead. Thinking of how she had failed to probe him yet had her own identity seen through, she gritted her teeth in anger.

"But it would be best if I never meet that directionally challenged fool again. Otherwise, next time, I'll make sure to fleece him of every last thing he owns!"