The more you believe me, the more real it becomes.

Chapter 23 There are even demonic cultivators?!
Those men who couldn't see the purple smoke looked at their companions curiously and asked:

"what happened?"

"Didn't you see it?"

"What do you see?"

"I saw it! Several wisps of purple smoke flew onto Young Master Qian!"

"It seems that Young Master Qian is truly blessed."

"You guys haven't seen enough. Did you notice those few wisps of smoke on Young Master Qian?"

The men, who had been vying to ask what they had seen, immediately turned to the speaker and asked:

"What do you mean?"

The man smiled confidently:

"I counted them with my eyes wide open, and there were three strands in total!"

The other person was immediately surprised upon hearing this:

"Wouldn't that be exactly the same as the three taps the Taoist priest struck on Young Master Qian's shoulder?"

At first, they thought that the Taoist priest had given Qian Youcai some guidance, so the purple smoke, which represented the Qian family's good fortune, was attached to the second young master of the Qian family.

It turns out that it was actually the Taoist priest who performed the supernatural power!
At this point, several men whispered:

"It seems that the Taoist priest saw that Young Master Qian had truly repented, so he gave him a break. This time, the evil spirits really won't be able to cause trouble for the Qian family!"

"Of course! I've heard from the older generation that the Qian family used to be incredibly charitable. Whenever there was a disaster, countless people survived thanks to the free rice and food provided by the Qian family!"

"Wow, that's incredible!"

Although it was spoken softly, Du Yuan and Qian Youcai both heard it in the quiet of the night.

Originally, Du Yuan herself didn't take the matching numbers of Fu De Zi Yan seriously, thinking it was just a coincidence.

Now, Du Yuan is beginning to wonder if it really has something to do with her.

Even with Du Yuan in this state, Qian Youcai, whose mind was already completely consumed by her emotions, was even more moved, tears welling up in his eyes as he frantically kowtowed to Du Yuan, saying:
"I will never forget your great kindness and virtue, Master!"

Holy crap, you're so excited.

"Don't do that, it should be this way."

Feeling a little embarrassed, Du Yuan reached out and helped Qian Youcai up, saying:
"It's getting late, everyone should get some rest!"

Just then, the night watchman outside struck the gong to signal the start of the fifth watch.

Qian Youcai, who had been helped up by Du Yuan, hurriedly said:

"Please, Taoist priest, stay at my Qian family's house for the time being so that I may return the favor. I also need to call my father and brothers to express our gratitude to you for saving my Qian family!"

After speaking, Qian Youcai didn't forget to cup his hands in greeting to the men and say:

"It was my fault tonight, Qian Youcai, that caused everyone to be unable to get a proper rest. My Qian family's old house is too small to accommodate so many of you. Those who live nearby, please go home first and come to my Qian family tomorrow to receive your donations."

"If you live far away, please speak up and my Qian family will do our best to make arrangements!"

"Young Master Qian, you flatter me!"

Everyone expressed their gratitude.

Du Yuan glanced at the sky and said:
"Okay, I should get a good night's sleep too!"

Qian Youcai quickly stepped forward and said:
"Then I will certainly prepare a quiet little courtyard for you so that you can rest well."

Then, Qian Youcai turned to the crowd and said:

"As you all have heard, the Taoist priest wishes to rest well, so please come quietly tomorrow morning."

"That's certainly true."

And so, tonight comes to an end.

The crowd dispersed in a noisy commotion.

A small number of them stayed with the Qian family, while Du Yuan was arranged by Qian Youcai to live in the innermost courtyard.

Looking at the antique-style furniture and bedding.

Du Yuan sighed, realizing that this was the first time he had ever slept in a proper room after traveling through time for so long.

For the past few days, I've been sleeping on the floor in the shack.
After her initial surprise, Du Yuan looked at the bed and became happy.

I thought to myself that I could finally get a good night's sleep tonight.

The kind that won't get up until the sun is high in the sky!
-
Du Yuan slept well that night, but some people did not.

For example, in a mass grave on the outskirts of Qing County.

The waning moon was almost completely devoured by thick clouds, and phosphorescent light flickered incessantly among the tangled weeds. A large black python gazed back and forth at Qingxian, its jagged back repeatedly brushing against the broken tombstone, its dark scales easily sparking against the granite.
Although it was inhuman, one could still see the anxiety, shame, and anger in it.

It really wanted to rush over and challenge that bull-nose guy who appeared out of nowhere.

However, it was quite wary of the opponent's calm and collected throwing knife technique.

In a daze, it even felt the blade light with its trailing flame explode inside its skull.

He suddenly shook himself, smashing several tombstones in the process.

Only then did it suppress its apprehension.

Then it cautiously looked at a small bronze cauldron that it had placed on top of countless skulls.

The cauldron was covered in copper rust, yet in the pitch-black night, it exuded the unique bluish-black sheen of the taotie pattern.

The handles of the cauldron are adorned with two relief sculptures of three-eyed demon kings, their fangs holding rusted rune chains. The nine holes in the cauldron's belly emit dark purple mist, and the edges of each hole are covered with human-faced verdigris.

Moreover, the entire small cauldron exudes an indescribable charm.

Compared to this bizarre and divine aura, the grotesque skulls and the blood-red talismans pasted on them seemed utterly insignificant and laughable.

There was no response even after the incense burned out.

The black python gritted its teeth and spat out another incense stick soaked in blood from its mouth.

It feared this cauldron more than the bull-nosed creature.

Because everything it has comes from this cauldron, and it has experienced the power of this cauldron more than once.

"This lowly demon begs the immortal to return to his cause!"

The fragrance of blood instantly ignited, and its indescribable charm grew even stronger.

But even as the incense stick was almost burned out, there was still no response.

This left the python completely baffled.

Meanwhile, deep within an ancient, rustic hall hidden underground, a voice echoed from behind a massive bronze door at the heart of the hall:

"What are you hesitating for? It's just a useless piece; you can just give it up."

"Follow the law!"

As soon as the voice fell, the black python that had been waiting anxiously in front of the small cauldron finally received a response.

"You're just a humble hermit in the mountains, why should I bother you? If you have nothing important to say, don't bother me!"

The earth-shattering sound crashed directly into the giant python's soul.

It smashed its body, causing it to thrash wildly and shattering countless tombstones.

Once the pain from the explosion subsided, it gradually calmed down. After glancing at the small cauldron in fear, it hurriedly crawled down and said:

"This little demon knows its mistake, this little demon knows its mistake, and will never dare to do it again!"

After speaking, it spat out a bright red talisman from its mouth. It was taught to draw by the immortal Dinghou. It only required ordinary yellow paper and the blood of a warrior to create a divine talisman that could be hidden from the eyes and ears of mortals.

After respectfully placing an empty skull on the object, the python, feeling relieved, glared venomously at Qing County.

With a flick of its tail, it disappeared into the dense forest, rushing towards Qing County.

But once it entered Qing County, it turned into a cloud of black smoke and headed straight for the backyard of the county government office.

As the black smoke dissipated, the giant python transformed into a beautiful young woman of sixteen or seventeen, and gently knocked on the door of Magistrate Fang's house.

"Master, it's me!"

The magistrate of Fang County, who was working on official documents by lamplight, said without looking up:
"What can't we talk about tomorrow since it's so late?"

"I know I shouldn't have done this, but I've heard that a sorcerer has come to my Qing County!"

Magistrate Fang laughed and said:

"I've already taken that person."

"It's another one!"

With a creak, the door was suddenly opened from the inside.

The young woman had intended to make a strong first impression, but upon seeing the blue official robe and the mandarin ducks on it, she quickly lowered her head.

"There is still one?"

"Yes, I heard from the maid that earlier in the day, the prominent Qian family brought a Taoist priest who claimed to be very skilled."

It bit very hard at both the prominent Qian family and the Taoist priest's place.

(End of this chapter)