Suspects Abound

"Benefactor Xu, your residence is quite spacious."

Xu An smiled sheepishly. "My parents were both cultivators, and they left behind a considerable fortune when they passed away. Unfortunately, my talent is limited, and I've never been able to embark on the path of cultivation. I'm afraid I've made a laughingstock of myself before you three."

Since he couldn't cultivate, he could at least study the sages' teachings and earn a name for himself through scholarly honors. That would be a fitting tribute to his parents.

Unfortunately, he hadn't made any headway in the imperial examinations, either.

Xu An didn't usually tell people about these things. Lu Yang and the other two were exceptions.

He'd heard from Big Brother Zhong Ming that Master Shichan and his two attendants were very likely Foundation Establishment Realm or even Golden Core Realm cultivators. Experts of that caliber wouldn't covet his meager possessions.

A yellow talisman was pasted on the inside of the Xu family's gate. A cultivator who specialized in driving out ghosts had put it there before. It probably didn't do any good, but having it there offered some peace of mind.

The four entered the Xu residence. A young woman happened to be sweeping the courtyard. Judging by her rather plain clothes, she was a maid.

When the maid saw her master leading three guests into the house, she quickly stepped aside to avoid getting in their way.

The maid was quite pretty, and Meng Jingzhou took a couple of extra looks.

"This is Xiaocui," Xu An said with a smile.

"Last year, when I went to take the exams, I spent the night resting at a mountain temple. I happened to meet Xiaocui there. She said some wicked men were chasing her and asked me to help hide her. Sure enough,