Chapter 18: Uncle Nine

After resolving the zombies in Tengteng Town, Zhang Cheng and the others rested for a while before returning to Ren Family Town; the town had become very lively due to the wedding of Uncle Nine and Zhe Gu.

This time, not only had Uncle Nine's master, Daoist Jinbao, come, but most of his other fellow disciples had also arrived; for instance, the sect's senior brother, Shi Jian, wore a black-and-white Daoist robe and appeared to be around fifty, yet his expression was stern and awe-inspiring, making people fearful.

Behind Shi Jian was his son and apprentice, Shi Shaojian, who looked like a human-shaped dog, his eyes constantly fixed on Ren Tingting and Mi Nianying; later, seeing Jingjing, his eyes lit up as well.

However, with Wencai and Qiusheng by the sides of Ren Tingting and Mi Nianying, and Jiale by Jingjing's side, he did not act rashly.

The sect's second senior brother was Daoist One-Eyebrow, whose magic power was almost no weaker than Shi Jian's; he was Uncle Nine's eldest cousin and looked exactly like Lin Fengjiao, Uncle Nine. He had two apprentices, one named A-Hao and the other A-Fang.

The sect's third senior brother, Lin Fengjiao, was Uncle Nine's cousin; Lin Fengjiao was the ninth in his family and was known to the outside world as Lin Jiu. His magic power was high, but he was not as strong as the senior brother, Shi Jian, or the second senior brother, Daoist One-Eyebrow.

His two apprentices were Liu Qiusheng, and another who looked even stupider than Wencai, named Wencai. This Wencai looked timid and stuttered when he spoke.

Besides them, there was also the universally disliked Daoist Mama Di, who was very slovenly and lazy, and looked down on everyone; he was often lectured by Daoist One-Eyebrow, and at that moment, he was being scolded by Daoist One-Eyebrow for not knowing his manners.

In addition, there were Daoist Baofan, Daoist Jinsan, and Daoist Tongbo; just as their names suggested, Daoist Baofan was skilled in using a yellow banner, Daoist Jinsan used an Eight-Trigrams yellow umbrella, and Daoist Tongbo used cymbals, which could shock ghosts and gods with a single tap.

Besides these three, there were also Daoists Wu Cai and Wang Hai; these two were the youngest junior brothers.

As soon as Daoist Four-Eyes and Daoist Qianhe returned, Uncle Nine immediately came to welcome them; as their group walked in, Uncle Nine introduced them to Daoist Jinbao: "Master, this is A-Sheng, whom I mentioned to you. This Daoist friend Huang also has frequent dealings with my disciple. And this is Master Yixiu, who is a neighbor of Junior Brother Four-Eyes."

Seeing the Universe Patchwork Robe on Zhang Cheng, Daoist Jinbao nodded and smiled: "Good, one look at this young brother and I know his background is extraordinary; he has merit protecting his body."

Zhang Cheng was secretly startled and hurriedly bowed: "This junior pays respects to the Daoist. You flatter me; this is merely the legacy of my ancestors."

Daoist Jinbao nodded slightly, and after exchanging a few pleasantries with Zhang Cheng, Daoist Huang, and Master Yixiu, he went to rest.

Shi Jian nodded slightly and said: "Young and with impressive Daoist cultivation; I heard from my junior brother that you went to deal with a Jiangshi Wang?"

Daoist Four-Eyes dared not be presumptuous and lowered his head: "Senior Brother, it was not just one Jiangshi Wang, but also dozens of green-skinned zombies."

Shi Jian's eyes lit up, and he immediately asked: "Was it resolved?"

Daoist Four-Eyes was somewhat excited and said with great animation: "Senior Brother, that Jiangshi Wang was resolved by us, and the zombies in Tengteng Town were all burned."

Shi Jian frowned slightly and asked: "Oh? As far as I know, you and Junior Brother Qianhe do not have such ability."

Daoist Qianhe bowed and said: "Senior Brother, it was mainly thanks to A-Sheng's help; otherwise, neither I nor Senior Brother Four-Eyes would have been a match for them."

Daoist Four-Eyes immediately chimed in: "Senior Brother, you don't know about A-Sheng; he truly has many magic treasures!"

Shi Jian stared at Zhang Cheng for a moment and said: "I can see that; the patchwork robe on your body seems to contain a Sumeru Mustard Seed?"

Daoist Four-Eyes gave a thumbs up and said: "Senior Brother is right; this magic robe can store objects."

Shi Shaojian said with some arrogance: "Magic treasures are ultimately external objects; Daoist cultivation and attainment are the foundation."

Zhang Cheng glanced at Shi Shaojian and said indifferently: "I am ashamed, I am ashamed; I have only been cultivating the Dao for a little over two months."

The surrounding Daoists were somewhat surprised, Qiusheng and Wencai were there stifling their laughter, and Shi Shaojian was also left somewhat embarrassed.

Lin Fengjiao hurriedly smoothed things over: "It seems Master was right; Daoist friend Zhang has an extraordinary family background. It appears your father is from our Maoshan Sect?"

Zhang Cheng was still hoping to have the Profound Gate grant him a register, so he nodded and said: "That is correct; many generations of my family have been lay practitioners of Maoshan."

Lin Fengjiao smiled: "In that case, Daoist friend Zhang should join our Maoshan Sect."

Zhang Cheng naturally desired this, and he smiled: "If Daoist Jinbao agrees to this, I would naturally be willing."

Daoist Four-Eyes laughed: "Why be a lay practitioner? Why don't you talk to Senior Brother and Master about taking A-Sheng as a disciple?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Fengjiao said nothing more, but Uncle Nine was moved; after all, Zhang Cheng had extraordinary aptitude and a good temperament, so he was meant to be a Maoshan disciple.

Worried that his cousin would come into conflict with Shi Jian, Daoist One-Eyebrow immediately changed the subject and brought up the matter of Uncle Nine and Zhe Gu's wedding; everyone began to crack jokes, embarrassing Uncle Nine to the point where he could hardly show his face.

This time, hundreds of Maoshan disciples gathered in Ren Family Town, and with the addition of these disciples' own apprentices, the manor became very lively; even the Maoshan command flags could be seen everywhere in town, and the ghosts and monsters within a hundred miles were so frightened that they moved away.

This time, Zhang Cheng also left the manor to rent a place in Ren Family Town.

Back in town, Master Ren immediately sent someone to invite Zhang Cheng to stay at the town's inn, and not just Zhang Cheng, but also Shi Jian, Daoist One-Eyebrow, Lin Fengjiao, and the others.

After all, Master Ren had witnessed the abilities of the Daoists, so he naturally made proper arrangements to befriend the group of Daoists.

However, taking advantage of the gap while Ren Fa was talking to Shi Jian, Shi Shaojian walked behind Ren Tingting and reached out to grab a strand of her hair; Ren Tingting hurriedly turned back and glared at Shi Shaojian. Shi Shaojian wore a wicked smile and turned to leave.

"Snap!"

Zhang Cheng grabbed Shi Shaojian's hand, his expression very serious.

Shi Shaojian hurriedly stood alongside Zhang Cheng and whispered: "What do you want to do?"

Zhang Cheng asked coldly: "What do you want to do?"

Shi Shaojian stared viciously at Zhang Cheng and threatened: "My father is the Taoist senior brother; you dare to offend me? You are dead!"

Zhang Cheng dismissed him with contempt and smiled: "You learned some Daoist arts and now you want to harm people? If this matter gets out, Daoist friend Shi will be ruined."

Shi Shaojian said angrily: "You damn well dare to threaten me!"

The voice was a bit loud, attracting Shi Jian's attention; seeing his son's hand being held, clearly clutching something, his expression turned ugly, and he thought to himself: *This useless brat, do these things further away! *

Shi Jian hurriedly ended the conversation and came before Shi Shaojian and Zhang Cheng, saying: "Daoist friend Zhang, let's leave it at that, shall we? I will discipline him."

Zhang Cheng's other hand reached toward Shi Shaojian's hand.

Shi Jian immediately reprimanded Shi Shaojian: "No manners! Why don't you let go?"

Shi Shaojian suppressed his anger and let go; a strand of Ren Tingting's hair fell into Zhang Cheng's hand, and a flame immediately appeared in Zhang Cheng's hand, instantly burning the hair away.

Only then did Zhang Cheng let go and look at Shi Jian: "Daoist friend Shi, once Daoist arts are used to harm people, one will be taken by Heaven. This child should be taught well, lest he meet a bad end."

Shi Jian smiled: "Daoist friend Zhang is absolutely right."

After Zhang Cheng left, Shi Jian's face turned gloomy.

Shi Shaojian whispered: "Dad, he is too arrogant..."

"Snap!"

Shi Jian slapped the back of Shi Shaojian's head and whispered: "Are you crazy? If you want to do something, do it further away."

Shi Shaojian immediately shut his mouth in grievance. Shi Jian looked at Zhang Cheng's retreating back, his eyes revealing a trace of dissatisfaction.

Slightly modified; the wedding is held in Ren Family Town. Uncle Nine's master, Daoist Jinbao, is fictional. The three Daoists named after weapons are from "The Ultimate Vampire". Wang Hai and Wu Cai are from "The Vampire Returns".

(End of chapter)