The old man was stained with an ominous taint.
This was not the aura of inhuman demons or monsters, but the taint of karmic debts created when humans strayed onto the wrong path and recklessly committed evil. The old man must have recently come into contact with such a person.
Arriving before Xuanming, the old man cupped his hands respectfully. "I am the steward of the Tian Residence in the east of town, and a distant relative of Daniu's. He praised your Divine foresight, Daoist, so I have come on my master's behalf to invite you to our residence for a talk."
Xuanming nodded and agreed. "In that case, let me pack my things, and I shall accompany you, good sir."
After packing, however, he did not leave immediately, for the old steward had also gone to invite the old Half-Immortal and the blind beggar. Seeing that Xuanming had been invited, they were slightly surprised, but one glance at Li Daniu beside him cleared up their confusion.
The lad was this fellow practitioner's first and only customer to date, and seemed to have some connection to the old steward. With him putting in a good word, including this fellow practitioner made sense.
Despite having spent so long in the same place, the three still did not know one another's names, so they took this opportunity to exchange greetings.
The old Half-Immortal was amiable and named Zhong Neng; the old beggar was proud and called Ji Yuan. Xuanming introduced himself as a wandering Daoist named Yuan Shoucheng.
After exchanging names, the three followed the old steward. Along the way, the old Half-Immortal remained silent, a fully formed plan already in his breast. Though blind, the old beggar declined Li Daniu's offer to support him and walked on his own, his steps