Lord Shenxiu
Chapter 373: The Grand Mansion’s Door (Please Subscribe)

Chapter 373: Chapter 373: The Grand Mansion’s Door (Please Subscribe)

Jiugong Mountain was located in Si Province.

The province originally enjoyed harmonious winds and timely rains, but ever since the seal on Jiugong Mountain had started to loosen, it had been beset by continuous calamities, and there was a great multitude of people fleeing from disaster.

As Zhong Shenxiu passed through several villages, he found them all deserted, with only a few pheasants leisurely strolling around, pecking at insects to eat.

There were even some covertly operating sects among the displaced people, starting to stir up trouble.

"The world once in chaos, all manner of demons and ghosts come running out..."

Zhong Shenxiu, seeing this, could only sigh.

His escape skill was too fast, and in just a few days, he had rushed to the border of Si Province. All that he saw and heard pointed to a scene of people struggling to survive.

"I move too quickly, with the speed of a Divine Power Practitioner. It would still take a leisurely ten days to reach Jiugong Mountain. I can’t go too early..."

After thinking it over, upon entering the border of Si Province, Shenxiu let his light of escape fall and hid the Poison Dragon Sword by transforming it into a black hairpin, which he fastened onto his bamboo hat.

At this time, dressed in a Ge Huang Ma Daoist robe, stepping in Ten Directions Boots, and donning a bamboo hat, he looked like any ordinary Taoist.

In Si Province at this time, there were no less than eight hundred, if not a thousand, traveling Daoists in such attire, most without official certificates. Zhong Shenxiu blended in among them without attracting any attention.

"I’ll just take my leisurely time and walk my way there, which should take me to Jiugong Mountain just about right."

Zhong Shenxiu casually rifled through his Qiankun Sleeve, which had historically been used for killing and looting, and found a small banner.

This banner was a magic artifact, with its prohibitions impressively reaching five levels, already counted as a fine piece.

Its appearance, however, was unattractive, dark and murky. A flick of the fabric sent up a puff of black smoke that could confuse one’s Divine Soul. With just a slight pull, it could draw the Divine Soul back into the banner, then refine it using various secret and dark methods, turning it into Yin Soldiers and Demons which would be most beneficial. Over time, it could add another layer of power to this small banner.

Disdaining the unsightly appearance of the banner, Zhong Shenxiu infused a thread of mana, and in an instant, he re-refined the small banner, turning it as white as clouds. He then inscribed it with the characters for ’Ironmouthed Divine Judgment, Slaying Demons and Banishing Ghosts’ in flamboyant calligraphy, increasing its size. With banner in hand, a fresh advertisement for a Daoist’s services that covered fortune-telling, seeking medical advice, and exterminating demons and monsters was thus created.

On this day,

Zhong Shenxiu climbed over a desolate mountain, incidentally dealing with several unwise tiger and wolf demons, a number of zombies, and a dozen bandits taking advantage of the chaos, when he saw a village.

From afar, he could see wisps of cooking smoke rising from the village; around the terraced fields, farmers were working, inspiring a sense of warmth.

"In this year of famine, with entire villages of people fleeing, there are not many villages that can maintain peace."

Murmuring to himself, Zhong Shenxiu, holding the white banner, walked towards the entrance of the village.

The surrounding farmers, seeing his Taoist appearance, couldn’t help but make way.

They only pointed and whispered from a distance after he had passed.

The Daoists of this age were not only smooth talkers; many understood a trick or two of the spell arts.

Hence, righteous or evil, they were not beings ordinary folk wished to provoke.

"This Daoist, have you come traveling from afar?"

Zhong Shenxiu had just reached the village entrance when he suddenly heard footsteps.

A glitterily dressed protector, with prominent temples that indicated he was likely a skilled martial artist of Martial Arts, immediately came running up and greeted with a fist and palm salute, his words crisp and clear.

"I am Xian Yunzi, a wandering Daoist from another province, unwilling to see the chaos of this land and currently traveling about, liberating lost souls..."

Zhong Shenxiu made a Dao Jue gesture, answering with an air of an Immortal Master.

Had his face not appeared so young, someone might have even knelt and bowed down.

Xian Yunzi arrived just in time. My family head has recently been troubled by some matters that are inconvenient to mention, and is actively seeking the aid of unique and extraordinary talents. Does the Daoist wish to stay as a guest? The best estate around here is my family head’s own residence... We invite you to stay with us, all expenses covered."

The burly man hastily offered.

"Oh? That’s rather fortuitous."

Although it seemed the other party was desperately seeking help anywhere they could, a faint smile emerged on Zhong Shenxiu’s lips as he followed the great Han into the village.

As they walked, Zhong Shenxiu inquired, "May I ask the name of this village? Most of the villages I’ve passed have been desolate, but this place seems to be a hidden paradise..."

"You flatter us, Daoist. Our village is named ’Bao Guang’, said to have been founded by several Buddhist monks... It’s only because it is remote and few outsiders come here that we’ve managed to maintain a semblance of peace."

This Protector, named Zhang Tiezhong, seemed to have had his share of travels through Martial Arts, speaking with a grace that raised questions as to why he would demean himself to serve as a Protector for some country estate tycoon.

It wasn’t long before Zhong Shenxiu saw a vast estate with numerous courtyards.

Red bricks and green tiles adorned the horse-head walls. The tiles were mottled and covered in moss, exuding an ancient charm.

Whoever could afford such a grand estate in the countryside had to possess considerable wealth,

Well beyond the modest means of the few hundred acres of meager farmland beyond the village.

Zhong Shenxiu showed an interested look and followed Zhang Tiezhong through the great doors.

Upon entering, a wave of sandalwood fragrance washed over him, calming both mind and spirit.

Vaguely, Zhong Shenxiu heard the chanting of scriptures.

It was just ordinary scripture, not the alarming Black Lotus Evil Scripture he had encountered before.

"My family head is a devout follower of the Buddhist Sect and recites scriptures daily. Please wait here for a moment, Daoist."

Zhang Tiezhong led Zhong Shenxiu to a side hall to wait and excused himself, and soon, a maid with a charming smile brought over refreshments and tea.

Her eyes met Shenxiu’s, and she smiled warmly at him.

’For a plain country maid to have such beauty is truly remarkable,’ Shenxiu thought, sensing he had stumbled upon something unusual. Yet he was not panic-stricken but increasingly intrigued, as if playing a role in some immersive role-playing game.

He looked around the hall and noticed there were other outsiders present.

One was a monk, middle-aged in appearance, wearing a patched monk’s robe that seemed to have been washed countless times, as the edges had begun to whiten. He was currently meditating and chanting.

Beyond the monk, there was also a young scholar with a sharp sword at his waist. Clearly, he was no penniless scholar, but rather a refined Ranger with knowledge of poetry and martial arts and a sword that had seen many horizons.

Zhong Shenxiu was about to greet them when a sudden gust of wind swept through.

The fierce wind flooded into the hall, causing doors to swing and everyone’s clothes to flutter.

’This wind carries a stench; it’s not a good omen...’ Shenxiu shook his head, knowing another Cultivator had arrived—a Daoist with less than impressive skills. His use of the wind spell lacked any trace of Yang Gang Qi, and instead was bone-chillingly cold, fitting within the realm of Yin Evil Skill.

"Haha, this poor Daoist is a bit late."

Amidst loud laughter, a Daoist dressed in black descended from the sky.

To Shenxiu, the man’s attempt at flying down from a mere tens of meters was nothing impressive, but the villagers watched in solemn respect, with some even prostrating themselves and addressing him as Immortal Master.