Chapter 26: Volume One: Mountain Ghost Rumor, Chapter 26: Designation

Volume One: Mountain Ghost Rumor, Chapter 26: Designation

When Zhao Chan slashed the ox demon into two halves with the "Sword Trace" form in Taoli Lane, the two outsiders standing on the high ground of Youju Town turned their eyes toward him at the same time.

One was dressed in luxurious palace attire, with a phoenix crown, rosy cape, Zhaiyi, back-garment, large sleeves, and so on, all complete. Under the Jiulong Sifeng Pearl Crown was a beautiful and delicate face.

The other was also a woman, wearing only a clean and tidy dark Daoist robe, holding a whisk in one hand, with an ordinary face but an otherworldly aura.

Neither of them spoke, watching Zhao Chan push the door and enter Chen Xianggu's house. Before long, he ran to Caiyan Street. Next, A Ping jumped from the window of the Xizhao Inn and killed the wolf demon with one sword, and Zhao Chan ran to Daguan Lane with Wang Huan.

It was not until Wang Huan let Zhao Chan rest, and the youth ran back to Chen Xianggu's house in Taoli Lane before sunset, that their eyes moved away from Zhao Chan.

During this time, Zhao Chan passed by them without even noticing.

"Even a small place has a youth like a Jiao dragon," the palace-attired woman couldn't help but sigh from the bottom of her heart. "It's a pity that both of our sects are mainly for women, otherwise, we would definitely make this youth join our sect."

"Doesn't Baoyu Studio have several male consultants? Perhaps we can recommend this youth to them," the Daoist-robed woman suggested after deep consideration.

The palace-attired woman laughed: "They? They have already been dismissed by the Studio Master."

"Why?"

"They teased the female cultivators of Baoyu Studio," the palace-attired woman smiled.

"Shameless. Since they are consultants of Baoyu Studio, they should strictly guard their Daoist heart."

"Your family also has a male consultant; why not bring this youth to apprentice under him?"

The Daoist-robed woman thought for a full stick of incense's time before saying clearly: "If the Pavilion Master finds out, she will definitely not spare me."

"The Pavilion Master of Hengwu Pavilion is indeed... indeed as the rumors say, deeply in love with one person," the palace-attired woman admired. "Our Baoyu Studio is always accompanied by green lamps and ancient Buddhas, extinguishing desire."

The Daoist-robed woman looked at the Jiulong Sifeng Pearl Crown she was wearing: "I haven't asked you, where did this palace ceremonial dress come from?"

"The Xitang Kingdom Imperial Palace. I chanted scriptures for the Empress for three days to pray for blessings, and she gave it to me."

"Could it be that she doesn't know this ceremonial dress contains the luck of the Xitang Kingdom for one year?"

"She knows."

The Daoist-robed woman frowned, carefully weighing her words: "Huangfu Changqiu, did you have dog-shit luck?"

Huangfu Changqiu, wearing the Empress's ceremonial dress, retorted: "No wonder your name isn't on the Xiangyun Ranking of Hengwu Pavilion."

Xun Lan shook her whisk and took half a cup of tea's time to think about what to say. She smiled: "Fortunately, I didn't make it onto the Xiangyun Ranking. The Hengwu Pavilion fairies who are on the list have now become lambs for others to hunt."

Huangfu Changqiu really didn't want to argue with Xun Lan. She spoke slowly, and even if she was slow, the words she said made people angry, so Xun Lan had a very poor reputation in Hengwu Pavilion, with only Huangfu Changqiu as a friend who wasn't quite a friend.

The two met by chance in Fengzhou City of the Xitang Kingdom and traveled together, specifically looking for places where few people went, walking and stopping, and arrived in Youju Town before sunset.

After bickering, they talked about business.

"The girl outside the town belongs to Baoyu Studio," Huangfu Changqiu said unquestioningly.

Xun Lan pointed to the house where Chen Xianggu lived: "She comes with me."

"Don't let your Hengwu Pavilion corrupt others. She has a sweetheart."

"The sisters on the Xiangyun Ranking may be flirtatious, but everyone is self-respecting. All the large and small Mountain Sects know that unless you win their favor, don't even think about getting close. Besides, our Pavilion Master hates women who are flirtatious and fox-like." This time, Xun Lan thought for two sticks of incense's time.

"This small place surrounded by mountains and rivers actually has three young men and women with excellent cultivation talent, which is truly unexpected. Look at that youth; at such a young age, he has touched the edge of the Upper-Grade Body Refining Realm, and his foundation is solid and firm, far from those sect disciples who rely on heavenly materials and earthly treasures."

"The girl you and I have our eyes on has a big gap with him. The path of cultivation is one step slow, every step slow. I don't know if they can catch up to him."

Xun Lan pondered for a long time and said slowly: "The sword strike the youth used to kill the ox demon reminded me of Senior Sister Lin. Senior Sister Lin's sword technique is also crisp and clean, not dragging her feet at all."

"Lin Wei of Hengwu Pavilion?" Huangfu Changqiu asked in surprise.

"Hmm."

Lin Wei is known as the "Guye Sword Immortal" in Hengwu Pavilion. Although she is far from the realm of a Sword Immortal, this title is enough to show her transcendence in sword Dao as a sword cultivator.

"The youth's strike to kill the ox demon used the strength of his muscles and bones wonderfully, and not a single bit was wasted, and it had an unstoppable momentum. In the Body Refining and Qi Gathering realms, he might be hard to find a match. Compared to the Guye Sword Immortal, it's not appropriate, too inappropriate," Huangfu Changqiu shook her head.

"Is that so? When Senior Sister Lin was in the Body Refining Realm, she was not as good as him," Xun Lan's eyes flashed with a bit of incredulity.

She and Huangfu Changqiu both thought Zhao Chan was stunning, but she used Senior Sister Lin to compare with him, and the conclusion she reached was more accurate than Huangfu Changqiu's view.

Huangfu Changqiu's shocked expression flashed and disappeared. She changed the subject: "There are more outside cultivators in this town. Do you want to take action?"

"I am not the Demon Slaying Division," Xun Lan looked up at the bright moon that was about to be full, and stopped for a long time before saying.

After waiting for her to finish speaking, Huangfu Changqiu laughed: "I am not the Demon Slaying Division either."

"Let the girls we choose experience some setbacks?"

"That's fine; it's good for their cultivation."

"After this matter is over, we will take them away. By the way, let's discuss how to settle that youth. It would be a pity to abandon such good gold and jade in the wilderness."

The two "floated" to Caiyan Street and walked into the Xizhao Inn.

The landlady Xie Wan welcomed them with a kind smile: "Two guests..."

Before she could finish, Huangfu Changqiu interrupted: "A table of good dishes, two high-class guest rooms. She will pay."

She pointed to Xun Lan beside her.

Until they sat down and the brewed tea emitted a fragrance, Xun Lan said slowly: "I have been paying for the whole journey. Huangfu Changqiu, are you an iron rooster that doesn't pull out a single hair?"

Huangfu Changqiu smiled: "I know you have saved quite a bit of silver over the years..."

Mentioning the silver, she suddenly said: "The youth should not know the preciousness of the Mountain Ghost Flower Money, yet he gave it away just like that to the girl."

Xie Wan brought two crisp and refreshing small dishes and placed them on the table: "This is our inn's secret appetizer. Please enjoy, two guests."

Xun Lan couldn't wait to pick up a sugar-sprinkled radish and swallow it. She said slowly: "Huangfu Changqiu, you have become stupid from chanting scriptures! Rather than saying he doesn't know the preciousness of the Mountain Ghost Flower Money, it is better to say that he cares more about the girl."

"It seems... I am indeed much stupider," Huangfu Changqiu's body trembled heavily, and she let out a long breath, tearing off the Empress's ceremonial dress to reveal the elegant robe she was originally wearing. She grabbed the purple sandalwood Buddhist beads on her wrist and turned them, her smooth black hair hanging down to her waist like a waterfall.

"Congratulations on refining the luck of the Xitang Kingdom for one year," Xun Lan said slowly.

Huangfu Changqiu laughed happily: "Congratulations, congratulations! I will pay this time! Next time, I will change to you. Speaking of the youth, this is the first time I have seen a cultivator who doesn't care about Mountain Ghost Flower Money. It is truly rare. For the sake of Mountain Ghost Flower Money, Mountain cultivators don't lack heartless people who betray their Dao, kill their wives, and kill their children."

A Ping leaned against the door frame with a small book, glanced at Huangfu Changqiu and Xun Lan, and saw that they were ordinary. His attention immediately shifted to the small book. The plot of this chapter was exceptionally exciting, telling the story of a powerful Zhenren who set a plan for the demon cave, wiped out the demons, and saved the common people.

Zhang Cui Cui didn't let Yang Yun hang the red lantern. Youju Town had just suffered from demons, and she was afraid that the red lantern would attract the attention of demons.

Yang Yun was unwilling and insisted on hanging the red lantern in front of the door. He said that he hadn't heard any cries for help for a long time, and the Demon Slaying Division must have driven away the demons. Tonight is our beautiful evening; why ruin a good thing because of fear?

She turned her back in anger.

Yang Yun, holding the red lantern, had to persuade her in a low voice. Thousands of words were useless, so he had to beg for mercy and not hang the red lantern.

But Zhao Chan, covered in dried demon blood, came to help Yang Yun out of the siege.

"Brother Yang, after the demons who broke into Youju Town were executed, Brother Wang and I patrolled the town for more than an hour, and there should be no demons harming people."

Yang Yun was overjoyed. Looking at Zhao Chan, who was stained with demon blood, he gave him a long shirt that he hadn't worn much.

Zhao Chan felt really embarrassed and apologized: "Brother Yang, I was afraid that I would be late for your and Sister Cui Cui's wedding banquet, so I didn't change my clothes and ran over in a hurry."

Zhang Cui Cui boiled hot water: "What are you saying? Eat something to cushion your stomach first, and the hot water will be ready soon. You should wash up properly and change into your Brother Yang's long shirt."

"Sister-in-law... Sister-in-law, I..."

"You are already hanging a wine gourd, so you must have started drinking. If you don't have some unconventional chivalry, I will look down on you."

Zhao Chan smiled helplessly: "Thank you, Sister-in-law."

The youth called her sister-in-law one after another, making Zhang Cui Cui's cheeks as red as the fire burning in the stove.

Yang Yun asked about the details of the demons.

Zhao Chan told the truth; there was nothing to hide.

Zhang Cui Cui, who was boiling hot water, listened intently.

"The water is boiling."

Zhao Chan carried the long shirt, went into the side room, washed himself clean, changed into the long shirt, hung the wine gourd at his waist, tucked the three-foot peach branch, and stood the Green Snake Sword by the door for the time being, walking out feeling relaxed.

"Virtuous brother is truly a talent," Yang Yun praised sincerely.

Zhang Cui Cui looked at him and said: "As the saying goes, people rely on clothes and horses rely on saddles. Although your Brother Yang's long shirt is not silk or satin, it has a unique style of elegance when worn on you. What a handsome young man."

"Virtuous brother, take your seat. The food and drink are all ready," Yang Yun said with joy, his eyebrows dancing.

This was something Zhang Cui Cui had searched for from her house, and with her superb craftsmanship, she had made a few dishes.

The wine was the inferior wine Yang Yun had bought to keep from getting sleepy while studying late at night.

Plus the wine in Zhao Chan's gourd, it could be considered to have both wine and meat.

"That's right, Brother Yang and Sister Cui Cui are getting married, so my congratulatory gift cannot be missing." Zhao Chan walked to Zhang Cui Cui and took out that Mountain Ghost Flower Money. "Brother Yang, I have to ask clearly first: who will be in charge of the house from now on, you or sister-in-law?"

Yang Yun laughed heartily: "I am a scholar who cannot even truss a chicken; how could I have the talent to be in charge of the house?"

"Good, then my congratulatory gift will be handed to sister-in-law."

Zhang Cui Cui saw that Zhao Chan's gift was a Mountain Ghost Flower Money, and she suppressed her shocked emotions, asking with slight surprise: "Zhao Chan, what kind of gift is this? It doesn't look like a copper coin."

"Sister-in-law, just keep it. By the way, it's better to carry it close to your body."

"Is there a reason?"

Zhao Chan placed the Mountain Ghost Flower Money in her hand: "It should be able to bless sister-in-law and Brother Yang to be together for a hundred years and grow old together."

Zhang Cui Cui hurriedly returned the Mountain Ghost Flower Money to him and pushed it away: "No, no, it's too precious."

"I am hearing for the first time that a host doesn't want a guest's gift," Zhao Chan avoided it and joked.

"Alright, I will accept it!" Zhang Cui Cui sighed. "You child, in just one or two days, it's as if your character has changed, and your way of dealing with people has become more smooth."

"Sister-in-law, 'smooth' is not a good word."

Yang Yun smiled: "It is just enough when used on you. In the past, you were too dull. Although you were always thinking of pleasing others when talking to them, you were actually in a lower position. Virtuous brother, take your seat! Tonight is a happy event for your sister-in-law and me. Let's eat meat and drink wine!"

"I have no choice but to obey!"

The wedding was simple.

The three people at the table felt very satisfied.

With Zhao Chan as a witness, Yang Yun and Zhang Cui Cui could be considered married, and from now on, they should call each other husband and wife.

The moon was in the middle of the sky.

Zhao Chan, who had lost the protection of the Mountain Ghost Flower Money, went home drunk.

Yang Yun was also drunk and swaying, saying a long string of words, but it was impossible to understand what he was saying.

Zhang Cui Cui's eyes were bright, and she supported Yang Yun, watching Zhao Chan lean against the wall and leave Zhecao Alley.

She sent Yang Yun to bed, and Yang Yun fell asleep as soon as he touched the bed.

She took out the Mountain Ghost Flower Money Zhao Chan had given her, sat on the bed, and looked at Yang Lang—no, she should call him husband—whose snoring was getting louder, her eyes full of affection.

"Husband, your Zhao virtuous brother really sent us a great gift! You don't know, this is Mountain Ghost Flower Money that even Mountain cultivators covet and envy. With it, I can make you live a long life!"

Zhang Cui Cui said in a low voice.

"Husband, husband, I am so happy." She held the Mountain Ghost Flower Money tightly, lay on Yang Lang's chest, and listened to his heartbeat and his heavy breathing after drinking. "I have waited for this day for a long, long time. Oh, what am I saying? Actually, it hasn't been many years, but I felt like a day was like a year, wishing I could stick to your side day and night, and be a pair of connected branches and wing-to-wing birds that will never be separated."

She reached out and touched Yang Lang's face: "Husband, if one day you find out my identity, will you abandon me?"

"No... you won't. I have already told you. You said you only worry that you can't accompany me for a long time... Husband, with your words, I am willing to die for you."

Yang Lang's arm suddenly rested on her waist, startling Zhang Cui Cui: "Husband? Are you listening?"

He said in a daze: "Wife, it's time to sleep. Don't blow on my face."

She laughed, curled up in Yang Lang's arms, and drifted into a dream without knowing it.

Zhao Chan lay on the bed, swaying.

He closed his eyes.

The Mountain Ghost, with its strange features—monkey brows, dog eyes, ox ears, leopard nose, and tiger mouth—appeared in his dream again.

The Mountain Ghost was still enthusiastically introducing how to eat people.

When it said, "Hard work can't make you a person above others; only by eating people like me can you become a person above others,"

The young man sneered and scolded: "Go to hell!"

The dream shattered and returned to the tattered, yellowed old book with cracks all over it in his mind.

Having reached the Middle-Grade Body Refining Realm and knowing a little bit about the cultivation world, he was particularly longing for the line of characters in the lower left corner of the first page of the tattered book.

On this page, the brush lines depicting the Mountain Ghost occupied a large space.

In the lower left corner was a line of characters that were almost indistinguishable—【Sword Qi Pointing to Mystery Chapter】. ===== CHAPTER 27 =====