Wait a minute, where is my master?

The sun was already high, just outside Gusu City.

The vast city exuded a majestic aura, its borders stretching beyond what the eye could see.

The walls all around, crafted from black iron, were embedded with Star Pattern Crystal Stones and inscribed with Talismanic Secret Codes, making them impenetrable.

Within the city were three governmental institutions: the City Lord Mansion, the Night Watchmen's Station, and the Prefecture Yamen.

The City Lord Mansion was in charge of the city's defense and controlled the city guard.

The Night Watchmen, directly subordinate to the imperial dynasty, were responsible for maintaining order, expunging demons, and secretly monitoring officials.

The Prefecture Yamen handled commoners' affairs and managed mundane matters within the city, having the lowest martial capability among the three.

It is worth mentioning that commoners and cultivators coexisted within the city, with very few cases of oppression.

This situation was uncommon outside the central and spiritual provinces.

Under the rule of the Great Xia Dynasty, the city prohibited flying and the use of weapons. Wealthy families even employed cultivators below Golden Core to serve as tutors or protectors.

Outside the city, one's survival was in their own hands.

Each year, there were rumors of commoners leaving the city and being murdered by the cultivators they had hired.

...

At this moment, outside the East Gate of Gusu City, two lines formed for entry.

One long, one short.

The long one was for the ordinary people, the short one, for cultivators.

In the distance on the horizon, four figures appeared.

On the back of a gigantic Wolf Demon, stood a Taoist who looked like a banished immortal, and a beautiful woman in a golden red dress.

The Wolf Demon dashed swiftly.

Following behind was a burly, muddy, and breathless fatty.

The fatty ran while shouting, "Little White, wait for me, Elder Zhao."

Originally, Zhao Dabao was also standing atop the husky.

However, on their way there, while chatting with Jin Xu and others, he mentioned that some sons from local noble families seemed decent but were actually clueless.

That's when he was asked to dismount.

Initially confused, it soon dawned on him.

"Aren't you a wolf?"

When they first left Xuanxu Temple, Little White suddenly transformed into a giant dog, startling Zhao Dabao.

He marveled internally that for a spirit to shape-shift, it must be at least at the Nascent Soul Realm, reflecting the unimaginable cultivation level of anyone accompanying Jin Xu.

Jin Xu, recalling the details Yu Yaoer had explained to him, earnestly informed Zhao Dabao that although Little White resembled a dog, it actually belonged to the Snow Wolf Clan.

Fatty Zhao quietly noted to himself, recognizing that this appearance was characteristic of a Wolf Demon.

Such profound knowledge among hermits!

....

The group entered the city, and following Zhao Dabao, Jin Xu and the others headed to East Market Street in West City.

The Zhao family's residence was located on that street.

As usual, a banquet was laid out there.

"I'll change my clothes; Jin Xu, please wait here a moment," said Zhao Dabao.

Being the eldest son of the Zhao family, it wasn't suitable for him to appear at the occasion covered in mud.

Fatty Zhao initially wanted to take the others to Zhao Mansion first, but Little White insisted on enjoying the banquet first. Seeing no objections from Jin Xu and Yu Yaoer,

he led them there first.

The usual place, the usual setup, Jin Xu and company comfortably took their seats, Little White and Yu Yaoer began to devour their food eagerly.

Jin Xu pondered whether he should borrow a cook from Zhao Dabao to take back with him.

The food indeed tasted exceptional.

As they were eating, the Taoist suddenly overheard the diners at the next table speaking.

"You say, why does the Zhao family have these banquets every other day?"

"Oh brother, you don't know and still come to eat?"

"I'm from West City. There's food, why not eat?"

"Well, now that you're here, let me explain that although these banquets appear to memorialize Zhao Yan, there's actually a hidden reason," said a patron with a sharp face and monkey cheeks.

Hearing this, Jin Xu paused while picking up his vegetables, joining the dots that this banquet was in memory of Zhao Yan.

Elder Zhao didn't mention a word about killing someone before coming to enjoy their banquet.

He felt rather uncomfortable about it.

The conversation at the next table continued.

"What hidden reason?"

Perhaps curiosity is a fundamental human trait.

Upon hearing there was gossip, the eating pace at the nearby tables slowed.

"It's said Zhao Yan's master is a rabbit lord, and Zhao Yan died because..." The sharp-faced patron gradually lowered his voice.

Pff!

Hearing this, Jin Xu spurted the mouthful of tofu he had just eaten right onto Yu Yaoer's face across the table.

Fatty Zhao had mentioned on the way that to confuse the public, several false rumors had been deliberately spread throughout the city.

But there definitely wasn't one like the one just mentioned.

Little Fish Demon blinked her clear yet slightly silly big eyes, not understanding what had upset her master again.

"Cough, I'm sorry."

The young Taoist cleared his throat and reached out to wipe the white tofu residue from Yu Yaoer's face.

Just then, a sudden gust of wind attacked.

Heading straight for Jin Xu… and the table next to him.

The sharp-faced diner, along with his chair, was thrown into the shop by the street with tremendous force.

Whether he was dead or alive was unknown.

This incident caused the diners at several nearby tables to stop moving their chopsticks out of fright.

"Who let this pest in, tarnishing the reputation of my family!"

An angry voice resounded.

The one who acted was an elder, who bore a strong resemblance to Zhao Yan.

After the strike, the elder bowed to the guests and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, my son Zhao Yan died while trying to save his master. This man was spouting nonsense, and I had no choice but to discipline him. I apologize for the disturbance."

Having said this, he bowed to the guests all around.

"Elder Zhao, you are too polite!"

"That man was talking nonsense, I was thinking of teaching him a lesson myself if you hadn't stepped in."

"Great Elder, no need for such formalities, your son's loyalty and righteousness are known to everyone in the city!"

After the elder spoke those words, people at the feast responded in agreement.

Then, servants from the Zhao family entered the shop and carried the man out piece by piece.

Now, it was confirmed, he was dead.

Once the Zhao family's servants had cleaned up.

The young Taoist looked around and noticed that the people sitting nearby had all left.

Maybe they were afraid of being held accountable later.

At any rate, their table now stood out conspicuously.

Jin Xu felt a bit uncomfortable, he had social anxiety.

He was considering asking Little White and Little Fish Demon to move to another table to continue eating.

But the elder approached them and stood by the table.

"I am Zhao Weide, the Great Elder of the Zhao family. Are you three acquaintances of Yaner?"

The Great Elder of the Zhao family spoke politely.

The young Taoist did not have the heart to admit he knew him—how could he not know him, as he was the one who had directly caused his son's death.

Little White, who was just picking up a chicken leg, suddenly noticed an old man standing by the table. She didn't catch what he said, but his expression seemed rather pitiful.

She remembered what the temple master had taught her back in Xuanxu Temple, that the rules of survival from the Demon Realm didn't apply in the Nine Provinces Realm.

Here you had to abide by the laws, respect the elderly and love the young, and especially be polite.

So, she handed the chicken leg to the old man and asked.

"Sir, would you like to eat this?"

Zhao Weide was stunned.

He thought the young Taoist looked like an immortal descended to earth, possessing an aura befitting those from the Great Immortal Sect or a prominent family. The two girls also had extraordinary appearances, only their table manners were somewhat lacking.

He had also known that these three were brought back by Zhao Dabao and approached them to strike up a conversation, intending to probe their backgrounds.

"Ah, haha...haha, you are very courteous, young lady." Zhao Weide's lips twitched as he took the chicken leg.

Little White pouted, thinking she was just being polite, and this old man was really not returning the favor.

"Great Elder, you seem to have quite an appetite,"

Fatty Zhao walked up, wearing a brand-new golden yellow silk robe, appearing out of nowhere.

He had just returned to the mansion to change clothes when he heard from his subordinates that the Great Elder had made a move at the banquet. Without even telling his father that he had invited Jin Xu, he hurried back.

It wasn't that he was worried about Zhao Weide harming Jin Xu. He was more concerned that Jin Xu, if upset, might strike Zhao Weide down.

Weapons were forbidden in the city after all.

Of course, for a powerful family like the Zhao family, whether flying or fighting was banned in the city made little difference—as long as they didn't attack the City Lord Mansion or the garrison, the Zhao family could handle it.

But if he really struck down Zhao Yan's father, that would be a big issue.

The Great Commander of the Gusu City Guard was a close friend of Zhao Weide, said to have a life-and-death friendship.

Jin Xu might have superior cultivation, but once the City Protection Array was activated and the military formations were deployed.

Could the young Taoist really blow up the entire Gusu City?

Fortunately, when he arrived, he saw that both parties were getting along well.

Little White had even offered Zhao Weide a chicken leg?

And he took it!

Fatty Zhao swore, his casual remark was just that, with absolutely no intention of mocking the Great Elder for being able to eat after his son had just died.

"Haha, are these friends of yours, Dabao?" Zhao Weide asked, holding the chicken leg, his smile more a grimace.

"Speaking to my uncle, yes, they are my friends. I was just looking for them urgently, so I'll leave you be,"

Zhao Dabao hastily replied, not even bothering to make up an excuse as he wanted to quickly get Jin Xu and the others out of there.

Conveniently, the socially anxious Taoist heard this.

He stood up with the two women and followed Zhao Dabao out without hesitation.

Yu Yaoer was indifferent, she simply did whatever the young master did.

As for Little White, she kept looking back, seemingly reluctant to part with that chicken leg.

ps: I wrote a bit more today, so I won't cut it off here; I'll post it all.

The report on results is in the readers' comments.