Stop it, Taoist, Your Fight almost Ruins the DAO!

Chief Zhang, who should now more accurately be called Head Chief Zhang, had already been waiting at the entrance of the office for quite some time.

Guided by his new student, Yi Chen entered a secluded study in the backyard of the county office.

Yi Chen detailed their guesses and decisions to Master Zhou of the county once over.

Instantly, a cold sweat broke out on the forehead of Master Zhou.

"Taoist, you mean to say that even though the evil spirits that annihilated the Wang family have been executed, there is still a mysterious master behind them, and Fengyun County may still be troubled in the future?"

Yi Chen nodded gently.

"This matter is too significant, it's no longer something that can be resolved by just one or two households in Fengyun County. Master Zhou, you had better start preparing early."

"Disaster does not rest on the blessings, and blessings do not lie in disasters. Master Zhou, you need not fear the arrival of the peacekeeping officials too much. Fengyun County has transformed from a lower county to a middle county under your governance, which is ample proof of your ability."

"Perhaps because of this incident, Master Zhou may turn misfortune into fortune and even catch the eye of a higher official," Yi Chen said reassuringly.

Having dealt with Master Zhou, Yi Chen found he held no ill will towards him. The chubby Master Zhou, who always wore a forced smile, might be corrupt, but he also got things done.

Whether it was the armored corpse incident in Qingyuan Town or the eradication of the Wang family's evil spirits, Master Zhou had always been the first to try to settle the matters, which was more endearing than those who sat quietly discussing righteousness and would report to the emperor at the sight of danger.

The common people are simple. As long as you lead them to better days, they won't mind if you take a little more for yourself.

However, one thing belongs to one category.

Yi Chen had resolved the evil spirits that had wiped out the Wang family, and he would not return the silver notes given by the county master.

Asking him, Yi Taoist, to take out the money from his pocket was more painful than killing him.

After ensuring he would speak a few good words for Master Zhou to the peacekeeping officials in the future, Yi Chen bid farewell to Master Zhou and left the county office.

Now, with a huge sum of 3,500 taels of silver notes on him, he planned to buy some fine wine and food to treat his junior brothers back at Hidden Dragon Temple.

When one has money, one should treat oneself well.

First off, candied haw sticks. Yi Chen bought a whole two sticks' worth, making Old Li, the seller, smile so broadly that his face was all creased.

Today, he had encountered a big spender. He could close shop just after opening in the morning; could there be anything better?

The answer is, there could be.

Wang, the butcher who had sold pork in the market for decades, received a large order today: to deliver half a fat pig to Hidden Dragon Temple every two days.

The chicken seller, the vegetable vendor, the dried fruit and preserved fruit sellers, and the liquor dealers were all jubilant because they had also received large orders.

Except for the fishmonger...

Because there was too much to carry, Yi Chen simply rented a horse-drawn carriage to transport the goods he had bought, ready to leave the city and return to the temple.

This time could truly be called a bountiful harvest. He had not only made a breakthrough in his cultivation, but he had also almost recouped the travel expenses.

Rich in travel, the Yi Taoist could not bear to suffer.

"Giddy up! Giddy up!"

The coachman cracked his whip and steered the carriage toward the city gates, with Yi Chen following behind. When they passed by the Wang residence halfway, Yi Chen couldn't help but stop his steps.

At that moment, many bailiffs were busy going in and out of the Wang estate, carrying either corpses or belongings, and the leader in the courtyard was none other than Yi Chen's head apprentice, Chief Zhang.

The newly appointed Head Chief of Fengyun County had been tasked by the county master with disposing of the corpses from the Wang family's residence and sealing away the property deeds, valuables, and other items found inside.

A chubby corpse with a dark green face was being carried into a thin red coffin. Yi Chen took a closer look and couldn't help but laugh.

Wasn't this the same boss who had previously bought his King Rooster?

Yi Chen didn't enter the inner courtyard when he first went to inspect the scene; he really didn't know that it was this person who had died.

"Wang Yuanwai, oh Wang Yuanwai, when you bought my 'Overlord Chicken,' I helped you avenge the extermination of your family. Now we're even. As a personal gesture, I'll recite a 'Rebirth Mantra' for everyone in your household, wishing you a smooth journey on the road to the Yellow Springs," he said.

After pondering for a moment, Yi Chen began to recite from outside the door.

By the supreme decree, I lead your lonely soul, and all ghosts and apparitions, touched by grace in all four forms of life.

Those with heads are lifted high, those without are raised; those sentenced by spear or sword, drowned or hanged.

Deaths seen and unseen, victims of injustice, debtors and foes, seeking their children's lives.

Kneel before my altar, where the Eight Trigrams shine; rise from the Trigram Kan, reborn elsewhere.

…

All gifts from fate come with a price tagged in the dark, for everything is interconnected. Yi Chen's freely given 'Rebirth Mantra' was because he knew that his own appearance fee was ultimately paid for by the 'sheep's wool from the sheep's back'.

Who knew that the thin coffin in which Wang Yuanwai lay, when recorded by Chief Zhang, was a treasure worth a city's ransom? These expenses were advanced by the government office and were to be deducted from the Wang family's estate; Yi Chen was well aware of this.

All this was considered having a nice 'eating appearance,' but deeper waters lurked within.

After reciting the 'Rebirth Mantra,' Yi Chen shook his head, didn't enter to chat with Chief Zhang, and left straight away with an air of ease.

Wang Yuanwai's death struck a chord with him.

What use is a wealth of ten thousand coins? In a world where evil spirits exist, only power is fundamental. He must never mistake the root for the branch.

...

...

Noon, Hidden Dragon Temple.

Qing Feng and Ming Yue were reciting scriptures in the main hall under Qing Yunzi's guidance.

Suddenly, a knocking sound at the door interrupted them.

The ever-playful Qing Feng raised an eyebrow and hurried to the door, leaving behind the words "I'll go open the door" echoing in the air.

The door opened to reveal a stranger's face.

"Is this one of Hidden Dragon Temple's young Daoists? I'm a coachman hired by Taoist Yi Chenngzi to deliver goods. Where would you like these items placed?"

Qing Feng eyed the coachman warily, then glanced at the large carriage outside, his mind filled with puzzlement. Why was his eldest brother buying so many things unexpectedly, were they short on provisions?

He was about to ask.

At that moment, a familiar figure appeared; Yi Chen sauntered up to the gate, scooping Qing Feng onto his shoulder.

Delighted, Qing Feng shouted, "It's Eldest Brother, Eldest Brother is back!"

Upon hearing this, Ming Yue also ran over quickly and was smoothly pulled onto Yi Chen's right shoulder.

Yi Chen directed the coachman to move the goods to the kitchen, while his arms wrapped around the legs of the two little ones, cautious to prevent them from tumbling off.

"Eldest Brother, why did you buy so many things?" Qing Yunzi emerged and walked up to Yi Chen, bewildered.

Just last night, he had received three century-old ginseng roots and two eighty-year-old astragalus roots from someone claiming to be sent by the county magistrate, and now his eldest brother had brought back a great deal of supplies.

What on earth had happened in this day and a half?

Yi Chen set the two little ones down from his shoulders and patted their heads with a smile, "Junior brother, we won't have to eat fish anymore, our temple is wealthy now."

"We'll discuss the details tonight, but for today, let's cook up an extra meal!"

"Hooray!" The two little ones cheered immediately, their joyous notes filling the courtyard, and even the coachman unloading goods couldn't help but smile, touched by their happiness—and because Yi Chen had tipped him a handful of silver.