As the twin suns began their ascent, a rosy glow of dawn filled the sky.
The grand doors of the Zou's Mansion slowly swung open, and the Zou Family Patriarch, accompanied by a group of people, ushered Zhao Sheng and Gui Li out.
Roar!
With the explosive roars of tigers, two White Tigers pulling a Rune Flying Car sprinted from afar, quickly coming to a halt in front of Zhao Sheng and the others.
"Zou Family Master, please wait!" Gui Li, upon seeing this, turned back and, placing a hand on his chest, bowed respectfully to the Zou Family Master.
"It's just a modest gift, please kindly accept it, honorable Mages!"
Patriarch Zou, with a beaming smile, gestured with his hand, prompting the servants at his side to step forward and present two wooden carving boxes.
There was no need for formalities. Zhao Sheng nodded slightly, and the coachman stepped forward to receive the two "modest gifts."
The practice of parting gifts is a tradition in Hufeng County and throughout the Great Gu Dynasty since ancient times. Of course, the value of the gifts varies greatly depending on the status of the guest.
At this moment, Gui Li suddenly turned to Zhao Sheng and suggested, "Sanbao, do you really need to follow them? Why not stay in the mansion for a few days? I can come to pick you up in three days, how about that?"
"Stop the nonsense, Brother. No matter what you say, I must see for myself how a True Law Practitioner exorcises demons and vanquishes evil," Zhao Sheng replied with a look of curiosity and determination.
"Brother Bao, don't leave! Why don't we go with you?" cried one of the accompanying Daoist Children, his eyes gleaming as he suddenly pleaded.
"Indeed! The Zou Family's Mansion has plenty to eat and drink, and many fun activities to enjoy. Brother Bao, why trouble yourself going to such a dirty and lowly realm?"
"Wherever you go, Brother, Fang Xing will follow!"
"Hmph, enough talk," Zhao Sheng, growing impatient with the conversation, said decisively: "I've made up my mind to go this time; nobody should persuade me otherwise. All of you stay here and behave. Don't cause trouble or screw things up. Otherwise, you'll have to answer to me when we get back to the mountain."
Having said that, Zhao Sheng turned to a round-faced young man and instructed, "Zou Qi, this is your home, so you're responsible for looking after these two. There will be benefits for you later."
"Rest assured, Brother Bao, I will take good care of the two junior brothers," the round-faced young man quickly assured, patting his chest.
"Humph, I, Fang Xing, joined the mountain a year earlier than Zou Qi, so I should be addressed as senior brother," a chubby, tall youngster commented, grumbling immediately afterward.
Zhao Sheng disregarded the two and jumped straight onto the Flying Car, reclining in the cabin.
Gui Li shook his head at this sight, nodded once more to the people of the Zou Family, and also entered the car.
Roar!
At the coachman's whistle, the two White Tigers shot forward and the Rune Flying Car quickly raced off into the distance.
It wasn't until they had traveled a dozen miles that Zhao Sheng opened the wooden carving box in the cabin.
Inside, a row of Low-grade Spirit Stones, the size of chicken eggs and a pale jade color, were neatly arranged on red silk, emitting a faint glow.
"Hehe, including mine, that makes a total of twenty Spirit Stones. The Zou Family has indeed invested quite a sum this time," Gui Li said with a hint of a smile as he opened his box and glanced inside.
"Hmm, there's also that stack of talismans. The Zou Family even paid thirty-six Spirit Stones for them, all at a price twenty percent above the market rate. Senior Brother Gui, how about we split the Spirit Stones eighty-twenty after they're delivered to the mountain?"
"Eh, Sanbao, you've changed your tune this time? Actually willing to share the proceeds with your senior brother?" Gui Li expressed his surprise upon hearing this.
Zhao Sheng closed the lid of the box, his expression indifferent, and said, "Senior Brother, I'm no longer a three-year-old child; I've long known the proper conduct. From ancient times, it's been understood that selfish greed leads to no good end."
"Sanbao, with such awareness at your young age, I have high hopes for you. In the future, it will be up to you to carry on the mantle," Gui Li replied with a faint smile, half serious and half mocking.
"Senior Brother, you flatter me, I, Sanbao..."
In the midst of their conversation on the road, the thirty-mile journey passed in the blink of an eye.
Guided by the lead traveler, the Rune Flying Car sped into a dilapidated village.
"Where's your village head, Liu Sanba? Quickly summon him to welcome the distinguished guests. The two esteemed Mages from the Soul Comforting Temple have specially come to exorcise demons and eradicate evil for you today.
Quickly call for people to come. If you dare neglect the distinguished guests, I will have you pay dearly!" shouted the Zou Family Manager, who had just jumped off the Flying Car, authoritatively at the villagers huddling fearfully by the roadside.
The more nimble ones immediately scurried into the village, while the rest, like quails, knelt trembling by the road, not daring to lift their heads.
Zhao Sheng stepped down from the cabin and caught sight of this scene. His brows slightly furrowed, but the expression was fleeting.
He looked around. All he saw were tightly packed, low-thatched cottages, most with fences crudely made of tree branches, behind which languished a few scrawny black-feathered chickens.
The village paths were muddy and narrow, riddled with potholes; filth flowed openly on the ground. The villagers appeared gaunt, many bare-chested, their lower halves roughly covered with burlap; the children, little else but skin and bones, their dark skin glistening.
"My lords, this is Liu Family's Village. Recently, the former village head and his whole family were slain by a Fierce Ghost — died most horribly," the Zou Family Manager said, seizing the opportunity to inform Zhao Sheng and his companion of the recent ghastly events.
Zhao Sheng looked around, remaining silent, while Gui Li was much more inquisitive, continuously questioning the manager.
Soon, four or five village men ran toward them from the village, led by an old man with white-streaked hair and a yellow face.
Approaching, the old man and his companions fell to their knees with a thud, their mouths bustling with welcomes for the esteemed guests, apologies for any disrespect, and other well-rehearsed courtesies.