The path to immortality through martial arts begins with being forced into marriage!

Cui Yi was also surprised to run into Zhou Wenyuan here, and was slightly taken aback: "I, Cui, greet Lord Zhou."

Zhou Wenyuan waved his hand repeatedly: "Between us, there's no need for such formalities."

"I came here today to routinely inspect the spring plowing preparations in various villages. I happened to pass by Xujia Village and saw so many people gathered under the old locust tree at the village entrance, so I came over to take a look."

His gaze swept over the gifts in Cui Yi's hands and Xu Yunyan, whose face was slightly flushed, and then he looked at the villagers with different expressions and Xu Dashan blocking the doorway. He understood what was going on.

He deliberately raised his voice and said loudly, "Brother Cui, you have slain the tiger demon that has plagued Black Wind Ridge for many years, ridding the people of a scourge. You have rendered a great service to Qinglin County!"

"I have already reported your achievements to the prefectural government, and the commendation order and the recommendation letter from the Demon Suppression Division will be issued soon!"

"How about you take those four hundred taels of silver as a reward?"

"If you need more for household expenses, just tell me!"

Slaying the tiger demon?!

Four hundred taels of silver as a reward?!

The Demon Suppression Bureau recommended him?!

Zhou Wenyuan's words were like thunderclaps, exploding loudly at the entrance of Xujia Village!

They could understand every word, but why did Liancheng's words sound so unfamiliar to them?

The news of Cui Yi slaying the tiger demon only came yesterday, so it is currently only spreading within Qinglin County and has not yet reached Xujia Village. They have no idea that Cui Yi has already undergone a complete transformation.

Xu Dashan suddenly raised his head, looking at Cui Yi in disbelief, then at the smiling Zhou Wenyuan, his old face instantly turning bright red.

So that's why... I was just overthinking things, and all I was doing was making myself miserable!

How could he do this?

That's inhuman!

Cui Yi understood that Zhou Wenyuan was trying to build momentum for himself, and couldn't help but give him a few more points in his mind.

For ordinary people, a county magistrate is already a figure of great authority, akin to a parent or guardian.

Having Zhou Wenyuan speak for him is definitely much easier than proving it himself.

If it weren't for the fear of putting Xu Yunyan in a difficult position, Cui Yi would have already used the "Three Subduing Demons" technique to send the most talkative person to their doom, making an example of them as a warning to others. This would be a thousand times more effective than mere verbal sparring.

"Thank you for your praise, Lord Zhou. My contribution is but a small matter and not worth mentioning."

"My elder brother passed away early in the past, and Yunyan has devoted so many years to the Cui family. I, Cui, dare not forget her. I am willing to protect her for the rest of my life and hope that Uncle Xu will grant my request."

"Great news! Fantastic news! Young Brother Cui is a promising young man, and a man of great loyalty and integrity!"

"The Xu family's daughter is virtuous and kind, and she has never abandoned anyone; this is a match made in heaven!"

"Now that I've arrived in this place, I must ask for a cup of celebratory wine!"

"Old Master Xu, you've raised a fine daughter and gained a fine son-in-law! Why don't you invite us in?"

Xu Dashan would be foolish to continue blocking the doorway, so he quickly threw aside what he was holding and said, "Please come in, sir! Nephew Cui, please come in! Quickly, please come inside!"

"Old woman, what are you standing there for? Go make some tea!"

After Cui Yi and his entourage were welcomed into the courtyard, the neighbors and relatives who had been watching the play outside all dispersed with dark faces, afraid that if they were too slow, they would be remembered and punished later.

After such an embarrassing incident, the happiest person was none other than Zhang Cuihua.

The mother and daughter hadn't seen each other for a long time, and now that they knew their daughter's big day was coming, they took Xu Yunyan's hand and led her into the inner room, showering her with concern and care.

She even mistakenly thought that Cui Yi was in such a hurry to propose marriage because Xu Yunyan was already pregnant, and rattled off a whole bunch of things pregnant women should pay attention to, which made Xu Yunyan blush.

But the honest and simple-minded Xu Dashan was upset. He finally mustered up the courage to vent his anger, but ended up blaming his future son-in-law. The presence of a county magistrate sitting next to him made him even more nervous.

For a moment, Xu Dashan was unsure whether to stand or sit.

In the end, it was Cui Yi who pressed him down into a chair before he chuckled mischievously twice.

"My dear nephew, please don't take offense at my snobbishness, it's just that..."

Cui Yi nodded. What Xu Dashan wanted to say was nothing more than that rumors can kill people.

These days, a girl's reputation is more important than her life.

"Uncle Xu, since I escaped death, I have also comprehended the family's Qi-guiding technique and have now become a cultivator."

"Cui Family Village is too small after all. I plan to take Yunyan and Tang'er to Donghai City to develop in three days. I don't know how long it will take to return."

"Therefore, I thought I would leave Yunyan and Tang'er here to keep you two company for two days, and then I will come to pick them up when the time comes to leave."

Xu Dashan nodded hastily in agreement: "Yes, now that you've become a Celestial Master, you'll naturally want to see a wider world."

"Yunyan, that child, has finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel after all her suffering.

"Being able to leave our poor, remote place is a blessing in disguise."

"Nephew Cui, our two families have a long-standing and intimate relationship. As your uncle, I have a word of advice for you."

"You must take good care of Yan'er for me. If he suffers any injustice at your place, I won't care whether you're a Celestial Master or not; I'll fight you to the death!"

"Uncle, rest assured, once I have settled down in Donghai City, I will marry Yunyan."

Zhou Wenyuan chimed in with a few words, and the three of them chatted more and more enthusiastically, which eased the atmosphere considerably.

After everything was arranged, Cui Yi exchanged a few more pleasantries with Xu Dashan before getting up to take his leave.

Xu Yunyan was naturally happy to learn that she could stay at home for a few days. Tang'er was a little reluctant to part with Cui Yi, but she also knew that she couldn't delay the young master.

The two women insisted on seeing him off to the village entrance, watching him board Zhou Wenyuan's blue cloth sedan chair before leaving together.

On the official road back to the city, the sedan chair was spacious, and only Cui Yi and Zhou Wenyuan were seated in it.

"Brother Cui, the recommendation letter from the Demon Suppression Division has been processed according to procedure and should be on its way. If all goes well, it should arrive by tomorrow evening."

"Thank you for your trouble, Lord Zhou."

"Hey, there's no need for such formalities between us."

Zhou Wenyuan waved his hand, his smile widening. He leaned closer and lowered his voice, "Speaking of which, I should thank you, young brother!"

"Oh?"

Cui Yi looked up, glancing at Zhou Wenyuan with some confusion.

"The tiger demon of Black Wind Ridge has been causing trouble for a long time, but reporting it to the Demon Suppression Division involves many issues, which is why there has been a stalemate and no major action has been taken to deal with it."

"Young man, you acted swiftly and decisively, eliminating them in one fell swoop. The news has caused a great stir in the prefectural city!"

Zhou Wenyuan chuckled twice, unable to hide his delight: "To be honest, young man, we've already heard word from above. This achievement is enough to make me stand out in this year's performance evaluation!"

"Maybe we can move it up a bit."

"Lord Zhou is diligent in his duties and loves the people. He governs the county effectively, and his promotion is only right and proper."

Cui Yi followed up with a compliment.

"Haha, thank you for your kind words, young man!"

Zhou Wenyuan laughed heartily, then said seriously, "But your identity as a cultivator can no longer be hidden, little brother. There are signs of monsters becoming active in Qingya County as well."

"Although no civilians have been injured, many people have reported hearing strange cries near the Fallen Soul Gorge, and even occasionally seeing the sun and moon shining together."

"The magistrate of Qingya County is my classmate and good friend, and I couldn't refuse his request."

"I wonder if you'd be interested in taking the trip, young man? Don't worry, the compensation will be more than you expect!"

"Besides the one from Qingya County, I'll send another one from here!"