From the beginning of this turbid world, the Taoist priest descended the mountain.

In Qing Shi Town, there are the "Three Powers": Heaven, Earth, and Man. Lin Zheng is a Taoist priest, and his Taoist practices represent Heaven. He represents Heaven; Zhang the hunter is a mountain guardian who receives the earth's energy from Da Qing Shan, so he represents Earth; Liu the scholar is well-versed in poetry and literature, and holds a Confucian degree, so he represents Man.

Most importantly, there is Mei Lingyun. She was born on the banks of the Qinghua River and was nourished by its waters; she also recognized Aunt Liu from Daqingshan as her godmother and was protected by the mountain spirits. She is the "spiritual root" of the entire Qingshi Town.

If Mei Lingyun were to be consumed by Ji Qian as a powerful medicine, Ji Qian would gain access to the spiritual energy of the mountains and rivers of Qing Shi Town, which would surely allow him to break through his cultivation level. He would not only be able to enter the Bridge of Longevity, but might even be able to touch the fourth realm, [Mu Yu].

However, as the price for having their spiritual roots taken away, the area around Qing Shi Town will suffer from frequent disasters, a decline in talent, and the extinction of wild animals over the next ten or even twenty years.

In the end, it was completely reduced to a barren wasteland.

This is why Lin Zheng, Liu Xiucai, and the hunter Zhang wanted to protect Mei Lingyun.

Hearing Sanbao's words, Lin Ye smiled. He walked up to his master and handed him what his master wanted.

Just then, the angry-sun chicken that had come along saw the chicken coop that Lin Ye had built earlier and darted inside.

The chickens we used to raise have long been eaten.

Before they could even buy new chickens, they unexpectedly welcomed new residents.

In response, Lin Zheng turned to his second disciple and asked, "Did this spirit creature come with you?"

"It prefers Lingyun."

Mei Lingyun carried the Angry Rooster back with her.

For the first time, Lin Zheng smiled as he looked at his second apprentice and said, "Second brother, well done."

Lin Ye nodded, then suddenly said, "Master, I have a plan."

Everyone fell silent and looked at the forestry department.

This time, the forestry department not only completed the task assigned by the forestry official, bringing back willow branches and chicken feathers, but also accomplished it exceptionally well.

Their performance throughout the journey was remarkable, simply outstanding.

But his simple statement, "I have a plan," sent a chill down everyone's spine.

Lin Zheng looked at his second apprentice. In the past, he would have scolded him, but now that he was willing to cultivate him, he asked, "Second brother, what do you want to say?"

"Master, I plan to kill Ji Qian tonight. It's better to strike first. Master, get me two powerful talismans. I also want your peach wood sword. Sanbao will be in charge of calculating the life gate of the opponent's formation, and you should also make preparations here. If I succeed, we'll beat him while he's down and completely destroy his sect. If I lose, I'll also smash Ji Qian's formation to pieces. Master can just finish him off then. Anyway, I don't think a scheduled duel is going to work. It's better to strike first."

Everyone: "..."

They looked at each other, while Zhang Huaihai glanced at Lin Hao and then at Lin Zheng.

Lin Zheng, this Taoist priest with a bull-nose, has always been pedantic and arrogant, always spouting about the righteousness of heaven and earth and the right path of humanity.

Liu Xiucai never developed that sour taste in him, no matter how much he studied.

The eldest disciple, taught by a Taoist priest, was kind, honest, and possessed all the skills of a Taoist priest, yet he acted like a gentleman. But when it came to the second disciple, Lin Ye, the style changed drastically.

From the moment he met Lin Ye, he felt that this kid was ruthless, deep, and decisive, someone who would never waste words.

Even Lin Zheng was stunned; he wasn't surprised by his apprentice's idea.

But what this kid said actually makes some sense.

Just then, Liu Xiucai coughed a few times and said, "Lin Ye, your master has agreed to a magical duel. If you rashly make a move, it might be a bit..."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Huaihai immediately interrupted and rebuked him, saying, "Old scholar, what time is it? Why are you still behaving like this pedantic scholar? What's the use of your words?"

Liu Xiucai glared at him and cursed, "You uneducated hillbilly, when will you ever finish listening to what I have to say?"

He walked over to Lin Ye, patted him on the shoulder and said, "Kid, I knew I wasn't wrong. Here, take this."

As he spoke, he revealed the object in his arms—a dark-colored foreign gun tucked into his waistband. This thing came from the Teutonic Kingdom in the West, and in the Daxin region, people called it a "box cannon."

Lin Ye was also stunned on the spot. This old scholar who taught children basic knowledge every day, who spoke in classical Chinese, had a pistol at his waist.

Uncle, I admit I underestimated you before.

Lin Ye took the thing from Liu Xiucai's hand, and then heard Liu Xiucai say, "I know this thing can't deal with those evil spirits and monsters, but people know how terrifying ghosts are, and ghosts know how wicked people are. This thing can't kill ghosts, but it's perfect for killing people. Go sneak out tonight, and don't leave a single one alive."

The Tan'er Cult not only possessed those strange and unusual things, but they also had followers. The old scholar realized this, and since they were going to launch a sneak attack, they should wipe them all out.

For killing, a gun is much faster than anything else.

Everyone: "..."

After looking at his master, Lin Hao finally realized who had led his kind-hearted junior brother astray.

Although Lin Ye was rebellious before, at least he didn't have such thoughts. Lately, besides practicing his qigong and standing meditation, he has been going to Liu Xiucai's place to read books, and he must have been learning from Mr. Liu through constant exposure.

Thinking of this, he moved a little further away from Liu Xiucai. These scholars are all filthy-hearted; he should make sure his junior brother goes there less often in the future.

Lin Ye looked at the gun in his hand and, without being polite to Liu Xiucai, put it away on the spot.

He then looked at his master, his eyes seemingly filled with a question.

Lin Zheng took a deep breath and said, "Second brother, what you said makes sense. But have you really thought it through?"

Before Lin Ye could speak, there was a knock on the door of the mortuary.

A chanting began.

"Think of that wicked Taoist priest—who didn't think about the secrets of heaven to protect the great elixir—who didn't want immortality and blocked others from doing the same."

The singing was mournful and heart-wrenching, seemingly possessing a captivating and soul-stirring quality. Immediately, Mei Lingyun, Liu Xiucai, and Sanbao became dazed.

It seemed like they were about to go outside.

The Tan'er Sect has resorted to their ghost singer trick again, trying to captivate everyone's hearts. Ji Qian had already made his move.

Just then, Lin Hao made a move, casting a "purification talisman" into the sky.

A gentle breeze swept through, clearing everyone's minds. After regaining their clarity, they all looked at Lin Zheng.

"Everyone, go inside the main room. We'll take care of the area outside the courtyard. Sanbao, take your sister with you."

After everyone had entered the main room, the knocking on the door started again, and a high-pitched female opera singer's voice rang out.

"Master Lin, if you don't open the door soon, we're coming in."

Lin Zheng sneered, made a hand gesture with his sword fingers, and summoned the peach wood sword from behind him.

"You inhuman, ghostly thing, you're giving me too much credit."

The peach wood sword lashed out of the courtyard, and screams of agony immediately erupted outside.

Lin Ye glanced at it, and his master and senior brother leaped up and jumped over the wall to get out of the courtyard.

Outside the courtyard, a woman dressed as a Peking Opera actress had been impaled on a tree by her master's peach wood sword, her throat pierced. She stared at Lin Ye, who was walking out, with a look of venomous resentment.

She wanted to say something, but no sound came out of her throat.

Lin Ye slowly walked towards her and gently pulled the peach wood sword from her throat.

The female performer hadn't expected Lin Ye to choose to release her, and immediately tried to disappear into the distance.

Suddenly, a gust of wind arose, and an iron spike, imbued with intense golden fire and yang energy, pierced through her chest.

Did I let you leave?

The female dancer exploded with a bang, turning into a wisp of dark blue-green turbidity that Lin Ye inhaled into his chest.

To be honest, he wasn't just pretending; he was just there to deliver the final blow and see if there was any reward.

(No poison, no hero! You chose to send her to deliver a message to that evil cultivator, and then killed her the moment she turned around. Heh heh heh, you are indeed wicked yet benevolent. You most enjoy the process of giving hope and then severing it. I, the Daoist, truly do not love killing, but I cannot bear to see the common people suffer!)

Bullshit, I don't have that much inner monologue.