"Brother Shen, we have been here for several days, but we still can't find the tiger monster. Why don't we go back?"
The girl in yellow who was speaking was one year older than Jiang Yuebai. She looked at the handsome young man in white beside her with stars in her eyes.
Unlike her usual arrogance and domineering self, she is now a gentle and well-behaved young lady.
"Junior Sister Lin, please be patient. I have come here specially with you this time. I will definitely help you find the tiger monster and complete this year's mission. Don't worry."
"You are still good to me. My ancestors don't care about me at all."
"Elder Lin also wants to train you. If he really didn't care about you, why would he ask me to accompany you and take care of you?"
"Then do you mind that I am just an outer disciple and not worthy of you?"
"How could that be? Elder Lin has done a favor to my Shen family, and you and I are also engaged. How could I mind your status?"
"Brother Huaixi, you are so nice."
The girl was Lin Suiwan. Jiang Yuebai had never seen the people around her. From the way Lin Suiwan addressed her, he guessed that she should be Shen Huaixi from the inner sect.
She didn't expect that Lin Sui Wan was the one who took on the mission here. What a narrow road the enemy meets.
Jiang Yuebai had a talisman on her body that concealed her aura. She lowered her hat and walked past the two people without making a sound.
Lin Suiwan felt something in his heart, stopped walking and turned around, frowning in confusion, "Strange, why do I seem to see..."
"What's wrong, who did you see?"
Lin Suiwan's eyes flickered slightly, "Nothing, let's go, let's go ask the abbot of Wuwei Temple."
…
Avoiding the mortals, Jiang Yuebai flew his sword to the woods outside Qingxi Town, gathered his spiritual energy, straightened his clothes, and walked out.
As we approached the edge of the woods, a middle-aged woman appeared in front of us. She was carrying a bundle of firewood on her back, a hoe in one hand and a basket in the other. The basket was full of wild vegetables commonly found in spring.
She hunched over, tightening the firewood behind her every two steps, and walked with difficulty.
Jiang Yuebai stepped forward and said, "Aunt, let me help you."
The woman turned around when she heard the voice. Her face was pale and thin, showing all the signs of the passing of time.
Without waiting for her to say anything, Jiang Yuebai had already taken the firewood from her shoulders and carried it easily on his own shoulders.
"I have been practicing martial arts since I was young, so I am very strong."
The woman said embarrassedly: "My name is Xu Ying, thank you, lady."
"You're welcome. I just want to ask you for directions. Is Qingxi Town ahead?"
Xu Ying nodded, "It is Qingxi Town. Are you visiting relatives or friends?"
Jiang Yuebai gestured as he walked away, saying, "I'm looking for someone. Auntie, do you know if there's a family with the surname Tao in Qingxi Town? Their ancestors should be blacksmiths."
Xu Ying smiled and nodded, "Yes, the Tao's blacksmith shop has been passed down in Qingxi Town for four generations. Now the young man of the Tao family has excellent skills in making farm tools, and the price is affordable. Neighbors like to go to his blacksmith shop to repair farm tools."
"Does Auntie know Tao Fengnian?"
Xu Ying paused, his eyes suddenly brightened, "Are you a disciple of the Immortal Sect?"
Jiang Yuebai pretended to be puzzled, "Aunt, why do you ask that?"
The light in Xu Ying's eyes gradually dimmed, and he looked lost. He sighed and then spoke slowly.
"Master Tao was very famous in Qingxi Town. When I was a child, I listened to Master Tao's lectures outside the private school. He passed the imperial examination before he was 20 and brought honor to the Tao family. Unfortunately, not long after they got married, his wife went out to buy things and was hit by a carriage and broke her leg."
"Mrs. Tao was also pitiful. She died of a high fever. Mr. Tao was depressed after that and suddenly disappeared. The Tao family said that he had found an immortal and went to seek immortals. I didn't believe in immortals in this world, but I didn't expect that my husband would be spotted by an immortal passing by and taken away."
Xu Ying smoothed the gray hair on her temples with a wry smile. She was not even forty years old, but her hair was already full of silver, just like an old woman in her fifties or sixties.
"The day he left, he said that he would come back to take me to the Immortal Gate to enjoy happiness together after he achieved success in cultivation. I have been waiting for him ever since. Unfortunately, he has not come back after waiting for more than 20 years. Ahem, I am sorry to make you laugh, little heroine. When you get old, you always like to nag."
Jiang Yuebai shook his head, "It's okay, Auntie, you can tell me whatever you want to say."
Xu Ying and Jiang Yuebai talked all the way back to Qingxi Town.
In the evening, it was foggy and rainy.
The ancient town is built by the water, with reflections of buildings on both sides and small black-sailed boats creating ripples, giving it an ancient flavor.
Walking across the small stone arch bridge, the aroma of rice wafts from the houses with white walls and black tiles, and the soft tones of Wu dialect can be heard everywhere, calling children to come home for dinner.
"Aunt Ying, is this your relative? What a pretty girl."
"No, don't talk nonsense."
"Aunt Ying, my family just ordered some tofu. Take a piece back and eat it."
"No, no, how can I eat for free at your house all the time?"
Along the way, the villagers around were all very concerned about Xu Ying. One family gave her two steamed buns, and another family gave her two sweet potatoes, which made Xu Ying very embarrassed.
Many wild cats came out from the alleys and rooftops, following Xu Ying like guards and going home with her.
Jiang Yuebai looked at the novelty and asked, "Aunt, what's going on with these cats?"
Xu Ying smiled and said, "A few years ago, I was digging wild vegetables in the mountains and saved a kitten. After that, the cats in the town have been very friendly to me. I would give them some water and food when I have nothing to do. These cats have saved me many times."
"I was almost bitten by a poisonous snake once, but a wild cat jumped out and bit the snake to death. The most dangerous time was when I encountered a big insect. A group of wild cats came up and drove the insect away. Otherwise, I really wouldn't be alive today."
"Big insect? I heard there's a tiger monster lurking near Qingxi Town."
Xu Ying nodded, "Yes, look at that house over there, the white lantern on the door has not been taken down yet. The head of that house was traveling at night last month and was seduced by a tiger demon and his minions. But as long as you don't travel at night, you will be fine. I'm here, lady, just put the firewood at the door, and I'll take you to the Tao family blacksmith shop."
Arriving in front of a dilapidated courtyard, Jiang Yuebai put down the firewood and said, "No need, Auntie, show me the way, I'll go there by myself."
"Then come in and have a bowl of water before you go. You're tired after the journey."
Unable to refuse, Jiang Yuebai went into the house to drink water.
"Danggui? Danggui, I'm back~"
Xu Ying called out everywhere, then turned around to explain, "Danggui is the kitten I rescued in the mountains. He's quite smart, and I've been raising him. I don't know where he went crazy again."
Meow~
The wild cats squatted on the wall, staring at Jiang Yuebai hungrily. She was moved and activated her Sky Eye Technique to take a look.
The Sky Eye Technique is the same as the Dust Purification Technique, both of which are functional basic spells that can detect special auras. Jiang Yuebai glanced at Xu Ying and his pupils shrank slightly.
There was a dark purple aura on Xu Ying's body, which, according to the book, should be demonic aura, but it was not very strong.
Jiang Yuebai glanced at the wild cats around him again, and found no evil aura.
Xu Ying's family was poor, and he often went to the mountains to chop firewood and dig wild vegetables and mushrooms for food. He must have been infected by accident.
After thinking it over, Jiang Yuebai went over and mentioned it.
"Aunt, I heard that an old immortal came to Wuwei Temple on the mountain today. If you want to find out where the immortal is, you might as well go to Wuwei Temple and take a look. Maybe you will get something."
Xu Ying's eyes lit up, "Really? There really is an old immortal?"
"Well, I just came down from the mountain, and many people are saying that."
"Okay, I'll go check it out tomorrow."
Jiang Yuebai felt relieved. She didn't know how to get rid of the evil spirit. Zhao Wude often stayed in the mortal world, so he must have a better way than her.
After leaving Xu Ying's house, Jiang Yuebai went straight to Tao's blacksmith shop. The blacksmith shop was already closed, but the lights were on in the back yard and laughter could be heard.
"Grandpa, give me some candy."
"I wish Taigong good fortune as vast as the East Sea and a long life as long as the Southern Mountains."
"Grandpa, I want some candy too."
"You naughty monkeys go play somewhere else, don't tire out Grandpa."
Jiang Yuebai hid his trace and jumped onto the courtyard wall, where he saw four generations living together, with a group of grandchildren, young and old, happily gathered around the table.
The old man was smiling and full of energy, using a rattle to amuse the baby in the cradle next to him.
His features and eyebrows are very similar to Tao Fengnian, so he must be his younger brother.
Jiang Yuebai felt bitter in his mouth and mixed emotions in his heart.
Is it worth giving up the joys of this mortal world, hanging your life on the edge of a knife, and struggling for immortality all your life
If grandpa saw this scene, would he regret stepping into the immortal gate without hesitation
If he could be in charge of a Taoist temple like Zhao Wude and stay with his family, would he be living a better life now? Would he live longer
There were so many questions but no answers. Jiang Yuebai sighed deeply, jumped off the wall and left.
The night breeze blows and the leaves rustle.
The old man in the yard felt something and looked towards the wall.
"Grandpa, what are you looking at?"
"I think I saw my brother."
"You must be dazzled. Uncle Gong has already become an immortal. He must be enjoying happiness in the immortal world now. Why would he come down to the mortal world to suffer?"
"Yes, he has become an immortal, living a long and happy life. He is really enviable."
"Grandpa, please tell Nian'er the story of Grandpa's immortality. I want to hear it."
"Okay, Nian'er, if you want to hear it, Grandpa will tell you again. It's in the Mixian Ridge in Leyou Mountain. Rumor has it that..."
Thanks to [Xun Ran] for the 10,000 rewards. Today is the fourth update. I will add 200 monthly tickets tomorrow.
(End of this chapter)