Fifty paths of the Great Dao, forty-nine derived by Heaven (bonus chapter for monthly votes 17)

After listening to Xie Songde's account, Chen Miao voiced his confusion:

"So, it's been a week. Why are you still living here?"

Xie Songde shook his head helplessly.

"We haven't been staying here. We're here today because my wife invited a Grand Mage over. She says he's very powerful and can deal with what's happening here."

"Besides, I noticed that thing seemed to do nothing beyond frightening people. It hasn't actually hurt us, so I'm not that nervous anymore."

Chen Miao silently marveled at how bold Xie Songde was.

Just because it didn't attack you a few days ago doesn't mean it won't attack you now!

Still, since he was already here, Chen Miao intended to take a look and see whether what Xie Songde's family had encountered was real.

But just as Chen Miao was about to speak, the villa's door opened.

"Grand Mage, please come in!"

Chen Miao, Xie Songde, and his son all turned to look.

A well-dressed woman was inviting a man with gentle features through the villa's front door.

The man's long hair was gathered into a topknot secured with a hairpin. He wore gray, wide-sleeved clothes, with both hands concealed beneath his sleeves.

Below that, he wore matching trousers cinched at the ankles and a pair of black cloth shoes.

The only accessory on his entire person was the hairpin in his topknot. He could certainly be described as "neat and tidy"!

Then there was the way he walked.

His arms hung at his sides without swinging as he walked. If Chen Miao hadn't spotted a few fingertips peeking out beneath the sleeves, he would have thought they were empty.

"Songde, what are you standing there for?"

Xie Songde snapped out of his daze, rose, and walked over with a smile.

"We're deeply grateful