The Su Residence

In the western part of Yongzhou, in Huai'an Lane, this area was mostly inhabited by minor officials and small merchants.

Su Yao, dressed in a Daoist robe, stood at the entrance of the alley, feeling uncertain. After entering Yongzhou City, he didn't need to inquire too much.

Under the wondrous operation of the Immortal Foundation "Draped in Rosy Radiance," and with the help of the divination Law Technique of the Heavenly Governance Dao, the location of this physical body's biological parents has been found.

I thought I was free of worries, but I still felt uncertain inside.

After agonizing over the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Su Yao headed into the alley. Although it wasn't the residence of high-ranking officials, it was exceptionally quiet, unlike the noisy place before.

On both sides were small, detached houses. He thought to himself: It seems that his parents did alright after they came to Yongzhou. Although they were not prominent, they lived a peaceful life.

As for why two mortals were able to travel thousands of miles to this place without relying on their clans, he had no interest in investigating. It was nothing more than whether Daozheng or someone on Qixia Mountain had intervened, or perhaps someone thought that by controlling their parents, they could control Su Yao in the future.

After walking for a mile, they came to a house with a small gate, which looked like the home of a small merchant. There were two osmanthus trees in front of the gate. The threshold was not high, but it was kept very clean, without a single fallen leaf. On each side of the gate hung an old-fashioned lantern. The ink on the lantern paper had faded, but the two characters "Su Residence" could still be faintly made out.

Su Yao looked around the Su residence but did not knock on the door, as he clearly sensed that no one was inside.

He turned and followed his senses, heading straight towards the end of the alley.

At the end of the alley, there was an open space paved with bluestone, with an old well in the middle. At this moment, three or five women were gathered by the water, some washing clothes, others chatting in hushed tones. When Su Yao approached, some of them looked up and caught sight of him. Their eyes were first filled with curiosity, then their faces showed surprise. They muttered a few words in hushed tones. The people next to them looked up, then looked down again, picked up their wooden basins, and dispersed one after another.

In a short while, only one person remained by the well.

The woman was around seventy years old, thin but still quite healthy, and was bending over to wash an old shirt.

She hadn't joined in the gossip, focusing solely on her own tasks, the well water gurgling softly, as if she were more detached from the others.

Only when everything quieted down did she raise her head, her gaze following the departing woman's back before landing on Su Yao.

When she saw Su Yao's eyes, eyes she would never forget, she froze instantly.

Su Yao saw it all clearly. His eyes first showed panic, then fear, disgust, and hatred, but there was not a trace of love in them.

She was stunned for only a couple of moments, then lowered her head, hurriedly cleaned the basin, wrung out her clothes, and stood up to take a detour to avoid him.

Su Yao watched, his mind calm, but his body and blood were restless.

Tears welled up in his eyes, but he was certain they weren't his, but rather those of this body.

Cultivators cultivate immortality and profound mysteries; the more they cultivate, the more profound their understanding becomes, naturally making them sensitive to all causes and effects. Su Yao is currently only at the Foundation Establishment, so his perception of other things may not be deep, but this body of his was conceived by the woman before him, so how could he not be sensitive to it?

Moreover, after he mastered the "Draped in Rosy Radiance" Divine Ability, he acquired the Rainbow Clouds Divine Ability [Rosy Cloud Feather Wanderer], possessing dual Divine Ability of body and life! Naturally, he was even more acute in sensing these things.

At this moment, the woman suddenly turned around and glanced back. Seeing Su Yao with tears in his eyes, staring at those familiar yet unfamiliar eyes, she stopped, paused for a moment, and said:

"Does the Daoist priest know how to save the dead?"

Su Yao was puzzled by this, but he still managed to control his body and said:

"I know a little bit, but I wonder who you intend to guide?"

The woman was taken aback, but ultimately said:

"We had a son when we were young, but he was possessed by an evil spirit and died. My wife and I barely survived, but we couldn't find a suitable Daoist priest. Either they were too expensive, or they weren't capable enough. We couldn't afford to hire one to perform the ritual."

Su Yao felt a chill in his heart, but still said:

"I can certainly help with the journey to the afterlife. I've traveled here and don't charge any money. All I need is a guest room to rest in and some vegetarian food."

Upon hearing this, the woman hesitated, wanting to refuse, but looking at Su Yao, she knew that if the matter wasn't resolved today, he would likely come knocking again in the future, and if it wasn't resolved once and for all, the consequences would be endless.

So he said:

"My children are currently away on business, but there are empty rooms in the house. If you don't mind, you can stay for a few days."

Su Yao nodded.

Seeing this, the woman, carrying a wooden basin, passed by Su Yao and turned her head to say:

"Daozheng, please follow me."

After speaking, he headed towards the Su residence, with Su Yao following behind.

Upon arriving at the Su residence, the woman opened the door and looked at Su Yao:

"I don't know how to address you, sir?"

Su Yao smiled and said softly:

"My secular surname is Su, and I have not yet attained enlightenment, therefore my master has not yet bestowed upon me a Daoist name."

The woman nodded, stepped into the courtyard, and gestured for them to enter.

Su Yao stepped into the courtyard. The courtyard was not large, with five or six rooms, a small stage on the west side, and a jujube tree with lush branches and leaves on the east side.

There was also a well nearby. Su Yao asked curiously:

"The layperson's house clearly has a well, so why would it...?"

The woman waved her hand:

"As I get older, I can't stand the loneliness of being home alone. Going out allows me to enjoy some lively entertainment."

After speaking, he led Su Yao to the innermost room on the east side and said:

"This is where my grandson lives, but he is currently traveling with his father as a merchant. Please don't find it offensive, Daoist priest."

Su Yao shook his head:

"I'll have to trouble you again, layman."

The woman did not respond to this, but instead said:

"My husband has gone to visit a friend and will be back later. Please wait until he returns before we discuss when to perform the ritual for his passing."

Su Yao nodded, and the woman left upon seeing this.

Su Yao was left alone in the room. Su Yao let out a long sigh. Although he didn't know why the woman recognized him so quickly, at least for now, she seemed to have no ill intentions. After thinking for a moment, he sat down cross-legged on the couch.

As night fell, a knock sounded at the door. Su Yao opened his eyes, slowly got up, went to the door and opened it, only to see a woman following behind an old man.

Su Yao bowed upon seeing this:

"I have met you, layman, but I have troubled you."

The old man looked at Su Yao, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, but he still waved his hand with a smile:

"It's alright, we still need your help, Daoist Master."

He paused and then said:

"Daoist priest, why don't you have some vegetarian food?"

Su Yao nodded and followed the two into the courtyard.

A vegetarian meal had been set out in front of the stage on the west side. The old man invited Su Yao to sit down, while the woman returned to her room.

The old man looked at Su Yao and tentatively asked:

"From what my wife says, are you from the same clan as me, Daoist Master?"

Su Yao nodded.

Seeing this, the old man asked again:

Are your parents still alive?

Su Yao shook his head and replied:

"He had little connection with his family, was abandoned at birth, and knew nothing of his parents."

The old man was taken aback upon hearing this. He sighed first, and was about to speak when he was interrupted.

Su Yao looked over upon hearing the sound and was utterly astonished.