Chapter 397

Yuan Jiaqi also felt a bit emotional, "In such a short time, the world really changes in many ways. It really won't do if we don't keep an eye on things."

"I can't watch over them for a lifetime; they have to walk their own paths."

"Then, are you still going into seclusion, Wife?"

"No, I'll leave the household to you. I plan to take a trip to Taihang Mountain and then visit the Dark Saint Temple. This grudge must be avenged no matter what."

Yuan Jiaqi pouted, "Your husband wants to go too."

"You can go to Taihang Mountain, but I cannot take you to the Dark Saint Temple."

"Then Taihang Mountain, and then I return by myself?"

"So clingy."

Qiao Mai gave him a coquettish look and shook her head helplessly.

Generally, those who come to offer incense must abstain from alcohol and meat for three days before they can climb the mountain.

"Master, do you need to wash up? We saw a natural hot spring in the back courtyard."

Qiao Mai and her group followed the local customs, eating only vegetarian food from morning till night, though they did drink a few sips of wine.

"Mm, if you like it, eat more."

"Okay."

"Although subduing demons is your duty, do not be blind. People have good and bad; when bad, they are more detestable than demons. Demons also have good and bad. If you act willfully, you will reap evil consequences. Doesn't your Daoist school emphasize cause and effect?"

Do not lament that fate is unfair, because you clearly had a choice, yet you accepted your fate.

"Shopkeeper, give us six of your best guest rooms."

"Heh, I was just planning to go up the mountain to find you."

The four little servant girls, ever since following Qiao Mai, changed every year. At such a young age, they already had sixty years of inner strength.

"Then after we wash up, let's go order a table of local vegetarian dishes. I heard they are very famous."

"Good."

"We must look around here properly."

Qiao Mai stayed at the inn for three days and planned to climb the mountain on the fourth, but unexpectedly, the Old Daoist Qingfeng arrived early in the morning.

On the mountain, inside a large hall at the peak, an old white-haired Daoist sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion in the center.

Three days later, six fast horses emerged from Jixiang Yuan. They didn't take a carriage; each person had a horse, and they set off on the official road heading south before dawn.

The four, Xiyu and the others, heard their master was going out and immediately ran to Qiao Mai.

"This poor Daoist is ashamed."

"Distinguished guests have arrived, and they are extremely noble guests."

A master who doesn't lack money is only met once or twice a year. The shopkeeper smiled, took the keys, and personally led them to the back.

Qiao Mai nodded with satisfaction and headed straight for the main house. Inside, all the furniture was made of sandalwood; there was no need to light incense, as the scent was exceptionally pleasant.

Drinking a few sips of rice wine made from grain is nothing; after all, even monks have the saying that wine and meat pass through the intestines, while the Buddha remains in the heart.

"Master, this place is so prosperous."

"We will stay for ten days."

"Following Master, we can learn many things."

It provides you with many paths; whichever you choose, you will appear on that kind of road.

Xiyu was not surprised when she heard this, but turned to look at Qiao Mai, who nodded.

The next day, Qiao Mai and her group were not in a hurry to climb the mountain, but instead took her husband and the girls for a stroll around the small town.

Especially Xiyu, who acted like an adult; she arranged all the food and lodging along the way.

It must be said that Qingfeng Temple's incense is flourishing; many pilgrims come and buy large amounts of incense, climbing the mountain piously, with some kowtowing every step of the way.

It is much faster and less strenuous than climbing the mountain like a normal person.

This inn is truly large, covering a full hundred mu of land.

"It is this poor Daoist whose skills were not refined, almost causing a bitter result. I apologize."

"Who are you?"

Fate is just a track calculated in advance; otherwise, there wouldn't be the saying that success lies in heaven, but planning lies in man.

It is called a town, but it looks larger and more bustling than a county seat.

"Without those two clingy bugs, it's all up to you."

The shopkeeper looked at her with a smile, "Little girl, we don't have guest rooms here, only guest courtyards."

"The heart method I gave you is the best."

Yuan Jiaqi checked the tea set, "Are you thirsty, Wife?"

Two Daoist boys knocked on the door politely, and Xiyu and the others walked out.

"Oh? Then the best guest courtyard it is."

Xiyu spent some silver to ask the locals about some things, and then led them to stay at an inn called Shengwu on the most prosperous street.

There are many restaurants here, most of which serve vegetarian food, but there is also wine, all prepared for ordinary people.

"Mm, you wash first, we will wash later."

"Originally, when guests stay here, we are supposed to provide six servants. If the guests need them, I will have them come over right now."

"Let's sit inside and talk."

"One hundred taels of gold per day."

"A group of old Daoists on Taihang Mountain, what is there to see?"

"Mm, go ahead."

He led two Daoist boys, appearing at the very back of the inn with a Daoist-like, immortal air.

He suddenly opened his eyes and calculated with his fingers.

Although she doesn't know how to calculate, her spiritual power had long since circled Taihang Mountain, so she ignored the old Daoist's words.

It seems these four little girls were determined to follow; Qiao Mai was speechless and had to agree.

"It smells pretty good."

Once the shopkeeper left, Xiyu and the others closed the courtyard gate and arranged their own living quarters.

Qiao Mai was in the living room and, hearing this, came out with Yuan Jiaqi to welcome them.

This time it wasn't for sightseeing, so they traveled as fast as possible, choosing a route they hadn't taken before.

Six days later, Taihang Town at the foot of Taihang Mountain.

"Your skills are not refined."

Qiao Mai was also intrigued and ate a few more bites of the dishes on the table.

It was exceptionally elegant; this courtyard connected to Taihang Mountain, and besides the beautiful scenery, there was a path leading up the mountain.

Entering the living room, they sat down as host and guest, and Qiao Mai looked at Old Daoist Qingfeng.

"Master, can we follow you too?"

Originally, she planned to stay in the capital to take care of Ling'er until her postpartum recovery before leaving, but after returning home in a fit of anger, there was no need to take care of her anymore.

"No, you should rest too."

Just as he opened his eyes, Qiao Mai, eating her food, curled her lips and smiled as well.

"I'm not tired. Don't look at me as having weak martial arts, but I can see that the old man is an expert, right?"

The shopkeeper led them there, then asked with a slight bow.

"I heard their inner strength heart methods have unique aspects."

The girls were clever and observant; despite their young age, they knew how to take care of people very well.

"In this small town, few don't know martial arts. Without some foundation, would one dare to open such an inn here?"

As they were talking, Qiao Mai couldn't help but close her eyes and doze off.

Xiyu was the eldest girl, specializing in lightness skills and medicine; the other three studied arrays, poisons, and manufacturing, each having a specialty.

From the outside, it didn't look like an inn, but rather like a deep mansion. Xiyu stood in front of the inn's counter.

"Greetings, big sister."

A flash of brilliance appeared in the old Daoist's eyes, then he closed them again and continued meditating.

The girls had all left, and Qiao Mai went to the second floor, saw the large bed, and tilted her body to lie on it.

"No need, we don't need it."

The girls saw their master pick up her chopsticks and immediately began to eat ravenously.

"Mmm, Master, the tofu tastes just as good as meat, maybe even better than meat."

It was worthy of being the best inn in the small town; the garden scenery alone was no worse than Jixiang Yuan, and the further back you went, the more beautiful it became. That guest courtyard costing a hundred taels of gold per day was at the very back.

"A martial arts holy land, everyone comes here for its reputation."

"I hope the Princess Consort of Prince Fu will give us some guidance."

The girls' efficiency was very high; an hour later, the vegetarian meal was laid out downstairs.

Qiao Mai yawned and was pulled to the table by her husband.

"Qingfeng Temple, Daoist Qingfeng requests an audience with the Prince and Princess Consort of Fu."

"That's fine. If you need anything, you can come directly to the front to find me."

"When you left the capital, did anyone ask you anything?"

"At that time, I was recuperating from injuries in the palace for a few days before leaving the city. On the way, I met several princes traveling together. After meeting them, we spoke a few words. Seeing their foreheads glowing, I advised them a few times."

"So you told them about the demon at Jixiang Yuan?"

"I didn't say it; they guessed it. I even told them not to let their imaginations run wild, saying it wasn't a demon, just a kind of beast, nothing more."

(End of Chapter)