Bai Suzhen, I really need to punish you properly.

Zhouzhi County.

The Zhongnan Mountains are covered in lush greenery, with winding streams, verdant vegetation, and clouds and mist often swirling around their waists, creating a serene and rustic mountain landscape.

There is no Quanzhen Sect or Ancient Tomb Sect here.

All that remains are one quiet, unassuming village after another.

This is the hometown where Wang Xuan grew up.

When Wang Xuan first realized that this place was called Zhongnan Mountain, he was still not satisfied and searched everywhere for traces of the Ancient Tomb Sect.

As it turns out, he was overthinking it.

There is no Li Mochou here, no Xiaolongnu, only wild vegetables and game covering the mountains and fields.

Later, he completely let go of his thoughts and devoted himself to his studies, which led to his becoming the third-highest scorer in the imperial examination.

Wang Xuan landed slowly, carrying rouge and pearls.

Instead of heading straight to his old residence, he went to the market in a nearby town first.

One should not go to the grave to pay respects empty-handed.

Incense, candles, paper money, and other offerings should be prepared in advance.

Even though my mother-in-law may have already been reincarnated, this sentiment should not be forgotten.

Rouge and Pearl flanked Wang Xuan on either side, and the three of them walked down the street, their handsome looks and beautiful appearance attracting much attention.

Rouge asked, "Husband, since you're back this time, would you like to visit your old friends?"

Wang Xuan smiled and shook his head: "I've been surrounded by books since I was a child, and I don't have many friends."

He was, after all, a time traveler, and psychologically a mature adult, so naturally he wouldn't want to play with children.

Rouge sincerely praised, "No wonder you were able to pass the imperial examination with flying colors and become the third-ranked scholar."

Recalling the past, Wang Xuan sighed, "When I was a child, my family was poor, and I focused all my attention on studying. I rarely had contact with girls. I never expected that after becoming the third-highest scorer in the college entrance examination, my popularity with women would suddenly explode."

Mingzhu chuckled and said, "Young master, you are handsome, knowledgeable, and open-minded. It's no wonder you attract girls' hearts."

Rouge added, "I have a feeling that my husband's charm is far from over."

Wang Xuan casually put his arms around the two women's waists and chuckled softly, "You're so good with words. I'll treat you well tonight."

The two women's cheeks flushed slightly.

The three of them walked together into a funeral supplies and incense shop on the street. The shop was filled with all kinds of sacrificial items, such as paper money, paper figures, and paper houses.

A graceful young woman stood in front of the counter, talking quietly with the shopkeeper.

Even just a glimpse of her back reveals her slender figure and elegant beauty.

"Boss, I'd like to buy another haunted house." The girl looked at the exquisitely crafted large paper house and asked, "How much is this one?"

The shopkeeper chuckled and held up four fingers: "This burial site will cost four taels of silver."

The girl looked troubled: "It's so expensive! Can you make it cheaper?"

The shopkeeper pointed to the smaller paper house next to him: "Then buy this one, it's cheaper."

The girl gently shook her head, her tone earnest and pained: "That won't do. My brother has lived in a low house his whole life. I want my brother to live in a better place down here."

Wang Xuan paused in his tracks as he gazed at that slender and graceful figure.

Name: Zhong Li

Age: 18

[Realm: Mortal]

[Note: Zhong Li is Zhong Kui's younger sister. Four years ago, her brother committed suicide by hitting his head against a pillar in the imperial palace, filled with resentment. Since then, she has lived alone in her old house at the foot of Zhongnan Mountain. She makes a living by needlework, and her life is poor and frugal. Every now and then, she goes to town to buy paper money, paper houses, and other offerings to pay respects at her brother's grave.]

Wang Xuan never expected that he would encounter a girl from the "Record of a Hundred Beauties" in the very place where he grew up.

In the first eighteen years of his life here, he had never encountered Zhong Li even once.

It's hard to say whether his luck is good or bad that he only met him now.

He had never heard of Zhong Kui committing suicide in front of the emperor.

It seems the news was intentionally suppressed by the imperial court and did not spread.

After all, this is a bad scandal for all scholars in the world.

The innkeeper's tone was somewhat troubled: "If you want better accommodations, you'll have to spend more money. You want to treat your brother well, but you're unwilling to spend money. There's no such thing as a free lunch."

Zhong Li looked embarrassed and quickly explained, "No! It's just that I don't have enough money. Boss, could you...?"

This money was all she had saved up through frugality, but it was ultimately limited. She only hoped that her brother could live a better life in another world.

The shopkeeper slowly shook his head: "This is a small business with clearly marked prices. If you lower your prices today, someone else will lower theirs tomorrow. How am I supposed to do business like this?"

Wang Xuan found it amusing; it was indeed a small business, but it generated enormous profits.

However, each industry has its own way of surviving, and Wang Xuan wouldn't interfere too much.

Zhong Li wanted to plead a few more times when a gentle male voice sounded from behind him.

"Since the shopkeeper is unwilling, young lady, please don't force him."

Wang Xuan slowly walked forward.

Zhong Li was taken aback, turned around and looked back, a sense of helplessness welling up in his heart.

Their eyes met, and a beautiful and gentle face came into Wang Xuan's view.

Zhong Li was dressed in a light blue, simple cloth dress. She had a slender figure, fair skin, and a somewhat frail and charming temperament.

In fact, her brother Zhong Kui was originally very handsome as well.

On his way to the capital for the imperial examination, he stayed overnight in a deserted temple. Because he was too handsome, he aroused the jealousy of a little demon, who then possessed him and caused his appearance to change drastically.

Later, because of his ugly appearance, he was stripped of his title as the top scholar by the emperor. In grief and indignation, he committed suicide by crashing his head against a pillar in the Golden Palace.

Wang Xuan smiled gently, took out a silver ingot and placed it on the counter, saying, "I'll lend it to you."

"No, no, no."

Zhong Li waved his hands repeatedly in refusal.

She has always been of good character and is unwilling to easily accept help from others.

"Miss Zhong Li, there's no need to be so polite with me."

"You recognize me?"

Wang Xuan spoke without hesitation, his expression calm: "I live in Qingxi Village not far away. I've seen you and your brother a few times, and I've heard about your brother's experiences before. Your brother, sigh..."

He gently shook his head, saying nothing more, unintentionally yet precisely striking a nerve with Zhong Li's tender heart.

Zhong Li felt a lump in his throat and said softly, "Thank you for thinking of my brother, young master."

"During this trip back to our hometown to pay respects to our deceased brother, I never expected to run into the younger sister of an old friend, Miss Zhong Li. Would you mind taking us to pay our respects to your brother?"

She hesitated for a moment, looked at the handsome and upright Wang Xuan before her, and slowly nodded: "My elder brother's tomb is on a hillside in the suburbs, and the road is not easy to travel. If you are willing to go and pay your respects, I will take you there."

Wang Xuan nodded slightly and gently patted the counter: "Shopkeeper, we'll take this haunted house. Also, I want a copy of everything she bought."

The shopkeeper immediately beamed with joy: "Alright!"

The four walked out of the paper shop.

Zhong Li asked softly, "Young master, what is your name?"

"My name is Wang Xuan."

"Are you Wang Xuan?"

"You know me?"

"You live in Qingxi Village... I heard from Brother Du Ping that a third-place scholar came from there last year, named Wang Xuan."

"It is indeed me." Wang Xuan raised an eyebrow slightly. "Who is Brother Du Ping?"

"He was my brother's best friend when he was alive. He also secretly helped me when I encountered difficulties in recent years."

As Zhong Li grew older, she gradually blossomed, and in recent years she has become increasingly beautiful.

Several wealthy businessmen in the town took turns sending matchmakers to persuade her to give in. When their attempts failed, they cut her needlework wages and sometimes raised daily prices, putting pressure on her to force her to comply.

But Zhong Li always firmly guarded his bottom line and never compromised.

Wang Xuan repeated, "In secret?"

Zhong Li explained, "If those people find out, Du Ping will also face retaliation."

Wang Xuan nodded slightly and said nothing more.

According to the original plot, Zhong Kui's sister's marriage was to Du Ping.

Zhong Kui, despite his thick eyebrows and big eyes, is quite shrewd.

They waited until Du Ping passed the imperial examination before entrusting their younger sister to him.

However, now that Bai Mei Lu is involved, Du Ping will naturally have no chance.