Anecdotes at the Tea Stall

"Mister Mo, when I was investigating Steward Zhang, I heard about a village massacre in Jiang City, suspected to be caused by zombies! The imperial court is furious and wants to gather various Daoist and Buddhist practitioners to investigate. My disciples are eager to go and seize an opportunity. Do you have any advice for me?"

Huang Buyu, seeing Immortal Mo in a good mood, seized the chance to report and ask for instructions.

Although the village massacre was quite horrifying, it wasn't uncommon in this world overrun by monsters and spirits.

Didn't a Great Five-Armored Demon try to massacre Changlan City not long ago?

Therefore, if his disciples could seize an opportunity from this, it might bring him some incense offerings as a reward.

"A village massacre? Was it the village of Lord Black Armor on Tuoyun Mountain?"

Mo Chuan's gaze suddenly shifted from the new incense offering, and he looked at Huang Buyu with a frown.

"That's right! You know the place, sir?" Huang Buyu was surprised.

"It really was there. I've brought ruin upon them!"

Mo Chuan sighed with emotion, making Huang Buyu even more curious.

When I was traveling in Jiang County, I accidentally encountered a ghost marriage. Upon investigation, I discovered it involved a great deal. This thousand-year flying zombie manipulated a puppet, the black zombie, Lord Black Armor, to collect blood and sustenance in secret. I didn't expect this fiend, after being exposed by me, to be so ruthless, even killing its own kin.

Huang Buyu was dumbfounded.

He never expected that the recent village massacre that had stirred up the entire city was caused by Immortal Mo.

Even more so, he didn't expect Immortal Mo to be so formidable!

Although Immortal Mo didn't explicitly state it, Huang Buyu guessed that Immortal Mo's investigation had alerted the thousand-year flying zombie. Fearing exposure, it had destroyed the evidence, eliminating any potential threats.

"You shouldn't blame yourself, sir. Since that village received their favor, bearing the karmic consequences is also fate. What does it have to do with you?" Huang Buyu quickly replied.

"You're quite good at comforting people."

Mo Chuan chuckled. He didn't feel guilty, just a bit wistful and emotional.

As he spoke, he waved his hand, and the Sacrificial Dao Furnace, hidden within his soul, spat out one of the parties involved in the Jiang City yin marriage – the bride, Guo Shi.

It was unclear what method the ghost matchmaker had used, but Guo Shi was still unconscious, appearing as if dead.

"Here, she is the victim. Wake her up, explain the situation clearly. Her heartless parents and family are likely beyond returning. Take care of her and arrange a good place for her, don't let the young lady suffer."

As Mo Chuan spoke, he handed over a scroll of Daoist scripture:

"This is the Star Worship Technique. It uses the Big Dipper as a guide to absorb the power of the stars and temper your bones and muscles. Since you have already taken human form, don't go down the wrong path!"

Huang Buyu was overjoyed at this.

He immediately prostrated himself, raising his hands to receive it:

"Disciple Huang Buyu thanks Master!"

Unexpectedly, the Daoist scripture in his hands remained still.

Huang Buyu looked up in surprise and saw Immortal Mo's playful expression.

"Disciple Huang Buyu thanks you, sir!"

Huang Buyu felt a pang of bitterness in his heart and had to change his address.

Only then did the Daoist scripture finally fall into his hands, his joy tinged with a hint of regret.

It was like drinking a cup of top-grade Tieguanyin, with a fragrant initial taste, a slightly bitter middle, and an endlessly sweet aftertaste.

Immortal destinies were indeed not easily obtained.

However, there was no rush.

Since the sir had enlightened him and was willing to teach him, it meant he had the intention of forming a connection.

Thinking about it now, this should be a test and observation.

That was true. Daoist inheritances were handled with extreme caution, let alone immortal destinies?

Changlan City once had a Great Five-Armored Demon causing trouble. This is its relic. I've heard that Second Master Huang is skilled at hunting. You can try your luck with this opportunity.

Mo Chuan said with a teasing tone, handing over a blood-red bone fragment.

Little did he know, this address of "Second Master Huang" made Huang Buyu tremble all over. He had initially thought there was hope, but now he became uneasy again.

Come to think of it, why would arranging a peasant girl require the gift of the Star Worship Technique?

Immortal Mo clearly didn't want to owe any karma.

And he, by calling him master, might have angered the immortal.

Now, by offering an opportunity but stiffly calling him "Second Master Huang," he was likely trying to sever their connection.

Just like Steward Zhang's ten taels of immortal destiny.

Huang Buyu's heart ached, but he gritted his teeth and accepted it.

It wasn't that he was greedy for the Great Five-Armored Demon's opportunity, but rather that he dared not defy the immortal's will.

Refusing would only lead to more awkwardness.

"I had a brief encounter with fellow Daoist Yan Zhen. If you discover anything, please inform me. When I offer sacrifices to fellow Daoist Yan Zhen, I will have a few words to mention about it."

Mo Chuan noticed Huang Buyu's strange expression and, after some thought, found an excuse to give him a reminder.

Not at all, this reminder immediately made Huang Buyu's heart tremble.

Listening to Immortal Mo's words, it wasn't about buying out opportunities at all?

Could it be... this was a test?

"This disciple accepts the order!"

Lost in thought, Huang Buyu quickly responded.

After a long while, hearing no reply, he looked up and saw that Immortal Mo had already quietly departed without anyone noticing.

Seeing this, Huang Buyu felt a slight sense of relief.

His heart was filled with mixed emotions; the majesty of an immortal was truly unfathomable and made one uneasy!

"Hoo—"

He let out a soft breath, calming his agitated heart, but dared not relax his demeanor.

As the saying goes, a gentleman is cautious when alone.

Since Immortal Mo had intentions of observing him, his daily conduct and adherence to rules might very well be part of the test.

Therefore, after solemnly performing three prostrations and nine bows, he finally got up.

Instead of looking through the Daoist scriptures, he examined the blood-red bone fragment in his hand. Based on his years of experience, it appeared to be human bone.

Could it be the remains of the Great Five-Armored Demon, Lu Fengbei?

Huang Buyu subconsciously thought of this.

In fact, this was also Mo Chuan's speculation.

Such remains were often refined by the vital energy of their owner during their lifetime.

Also known as: immortal bone.

In Buddhism, it is also called the golden clavicle.

This is because for cultivators of Buddhism, the immortal bone appears golden.

The remains that Lu Fengbei carried with him even in death must have been something extremely precious to him.

Therefore, the possibility of it being his own was very high.

Mo Chuan had several pieces himself, and by giving one to Huang Buyu to follow the clues, he might discover something unexpected.

It could also be considered planting a Dao affinity.

Whether it would blossom or bear fruit depended entirely on whether heaven was willing to provide.

After arranging the trivial matters, Mo Chuan's heart stirred, and he immediately followed the lingering trace of incense offerings, sneaking into that nameless farmhouse courtyard.

The sun was setting, and the sky was dim.

Upon reaching the courtyard, Mo Chuan looked around, finding it increasingly strange.

He saw several lost remnant souls lingering around the fence, seemingly wanting to leave this place.

However, the corpse was nearby, preventing them from going far.

Seeing this, Mo Chuan silently crossed the fence and entered the yard. He saw a couplet carved on the two cracked wooden pillars in the front yard:

Wealth is insufficient for future planning, virtue can lead to lasting legacy.

Inscribed: Hua Family Charity Morgue.

Well then!

So it was a place for storing corpses.

Mo Chuan shook his head, casually flicked a few Ghost Subduing Talismans towards the fence, and then strode away.

The location of the charity morgue was quite remote. Mo Chuan followed the only official road outwards for quite some time before seeing signs of human habitation.

It was a tea stall that was preparing to close.

A group of idle men, returning from farm work, were gathered in front of the tea stall, whispering amongst themselves.

Mo Chuan quickly called out, "Old man, slow down, allow this humble Daoist to have a drink of water!"

The stall owner looked up and replied, "Daoist priest, it's not that this old man doesn't want to serve you, but there's only half a pot of leftover tea."

Mo Chuan said urgently, "It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. This humble Daoist needs to travel at night, and chewing some tea leaves will help me stay alert."

Upon hearing this, the stall owner quickly spread out the folded stool and wooden table, picked up the still-warm teapot, and poured half a bowl of strong tea.

"Daoist priest, it's not advisable to travel at night today."

From among the whispering crowd, a helpful man carrying a hoe turned his head and shouted.

"What do you mean?"

Mo Chuan walked closer, picked up the cheap tea bowl, and tilted his head to drink it down.

"Heh, Daoist priest, you might not know, but a group of corpses just passed by on the road!"

"A group of corpses? What are you talking about?"

Mo Chuan knew the man was showing off, but he still played along, feigning surprise.

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