320: Return to Baishi County

Within a mysterious, large mountain, a cluster of bamboo houses was nestled, offering beautiful, well-arranged scenery, complete with fertile fields, lovely ponds, and mulberry trees.

The plaque above the entrance read two large characters: 'Thatched Cottage'.

A white-robed old man with a full head of silver hair and a gaunt face, whose deep-set eyes seemed to perceive everything in the world, exuded a faint, ethereal aura.

This person was none other than Celestial Mystery Old Ancestor.

Legend has it that he was the founder of Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, but in reality, he had no connection to Heavenly Secrets Pavilion whatsoever.

Just then, Celestial Mystery Old Ancestor was departing from his reclusive abode, seen off by his seven Disciples.

"My Disciples, watch the house well. The Old Ancestor is going on a long journey and will return soon!" Celestial Mystery Old Ancestor said indifferently.

"Disciple obeys!" The Disciples bowed, their brows furrowed, assuming that trouble was coming again. Every time the Old Ancestor left, it meant someone was coming to seek his divination of Celestial Mystery.

Each time he divined Celestial Mystery, the Old Ancestor would receive a considerable reward.

However, he would steer clear of anything that posed a threat to him.

Clearly, this time, the Old Ancestor had already sensed that things were not simple.

"After I leave, no matter who comes, do not divine for anyone," Celestial Mystery Old Ancestor added before his departure.

"Old Ancestor, rest assured, we understand!" The Senior Brother said.

Celestial Mystery Old Ancestor nodded.

He then rode a white cloud and vanished into the heavens in an instant.

Three days after Celestial Mystery Old Ancestor left, the Thatched Cottage welcomed its first guest, Tianqiao Xing, sequence fifteen, one of the Seventy-Two Stars of Earth Fiend Hall.

"Tianshang seeks an audience with the Old Ancestor; please announce me!" Tianqiao Xing said, cupping his hands outside the Thatched Cottage.

A moment later, a young Daoist boy walked out of the Thatched Cottage and said, "The Old Ancestor went on a long journey three months ago, and his return date is uncertain!"

Tianqiao Xing frowned. He went on a long journey three months ago?

What a coincidence.

But, with Celestial Mystery Old Ancestor absent, he could only leave.

On the way, he encountered the Evil King Pavilion's Left Envoy, Poison Dragon Monster, who was also looking for Celestial Mystery Old Ancestor.

"Not here?" Poison Dragon Monster frowned, guessing that Celestial Mystery Old Ancestor wasn't truly absent, but deliberately avoiding them. Celestial Mystery Old Ancestor was unfailingly astute; he probably anticipated their arrival and left in advance. However, the Evil King's command was to find the precise location of Demon Slayer Old Man at all costs.

"In this Great Chu Dynasty, besides Celestial Mystery Old Ancestor, who else can divine the exact location of the Divine Hall's people?" Tianqiao Xing inquired.

The Divine Hall was elusive, appearing out of nowhere. To truly search for them in the vast world was as difficult as finding a needle in a haystack.

Unless Yun Province Pacification Envoy Chu Jiang was captured, forcing the person behind the scenes to reveal themselves.

However, this was a last resort.

Chu Jiang's identity was no longer what it once was; unless absolutely necessary, he could not be touched. In any case, no matter how much he could jump around, he only had this year left to live.

"I remember Celestial Mystery Old Ancestor also had a Senior Disciple, whose Celestial Mystery divination skills were not much weaker than Celestial Mystery Old Ancestor himself, but for some unknown reason, he was expelled from the sect!" Poison Dragon Monster said in a deep voice.

"Qianji Zhenren?" "I almost forgot about him!"

"Since we have a common enemy, why don't we form a temporary alliance?" Tianqiao Xing was overjoyed.

"Good, that should be the case!" Poison Dragon Monster readily agreed.

The two journeyed together, then disappeared into the vast horizon.

...

White Stone County.

The entire White Stone County was bustling, with streets and alleys full of people enjoying themselves.

Its popularity was greater than before.

The county's largest restaurant, Wangxiang Tower.

First floor.

"Did you hear, Lord Chu is back in White Stone County?" "Really?"

"I'm a turtle's grandson if I'm lying. Sun Erniang, Manager Li, Hao Erniu, many people saw him with their own eyes."

"Lord Chu now manages the Yunzhou Demon Suppression Division, handling countless affairs every day, and still has time to come to White Stone County."

"The way you put it, Lord Chu doesn't deserve a break just because he got a promotion, huh?"

"I didn't say that. Lord Chu can rest however he wants; I have no objections."

"Ever since Lord Chu became the Yun Province Demon Suppression Commissioner and initiated various reforms, our living standards have soared. Developed counties are exempt from taxes for three years, and our backward counties are exempt for ten years, allowing us to recuperate."

"I've lived eighty years and have never seen such a good official. He is truly a blessing to White Stone County, a blessing to Yun Province, and also a blessing to our Great Chu."

They increasingly felt how difficult it was for Lord Chu to infiltrate the demon realm, lie dormant for several years, endure countless hardships, and face life-or-death situations.

As the saying goes: as long as a person succeeds, great scholars will naturally debate on his behalf. Even if he had done bad things in the past, they would find ways to rationalize, or even sanctify, them.

In chaotic times, a god was precisely what was needed to end all these evil spirits.

"Lord Chu also brought back a beautiful woman, as lovely as a fairy. I saw her from afar, and she is truly beautiful. Lord Chu really has good taste!"

"I think I saw her once before; she seemed to be Lord Chu's subordinate. It's only been half a year since I last saw her, and she's changed so much. Why hasn't Lord Chu taken her down?"

Everyone was discussing; Chu Jiang had always been a popular topic in White Stone County.

Because of him, White Stone County would leave a significant mark in history.

Simply because this was Chu Jiang's hometown.

No one dared to cause trouble here, unless they were tired of living.

Chu Residence old house.

It was still spotless, clearly indicating that someone regularly came to clean it.

Sunlight filtered through the bamboo leaves, scattering onto the ground.

Chu Jiang lay on a rattan chair in the courtyard, while Fu Yunxuan was massaging him.

"My Lord, why did you think of returning to White Stone County?" Fu Yunxuan extended her delicate hands, gently yet firmly pressing Chu Jiang's Acupoints.

"No reason, just simply wanted to come back and see," Chu Jiang said with a faint smile.

"Comfortable..." "Xuan'er, your massage skills are truly becoming more exquisite!"

Chu Jiang let out a soft groan, feeling a great sense of ease upon entering White Stone County. With Fu Yunxuan's massage, he felt even more relaxed.

"Haha, if My Lord likes it, Xuan'er can keep massaging you!" Fu Yunxuan laughed.

"How can that be? Wouldn't that be too unfair to you? How about you massage me during the day, and I massage you at night?" Chu Jiang chuckled.

"My Lord..." Fu Yunxuan's pretty face flushed. The embarrassing scene from the last time her Lord massaged her was still vivid in her mind; she dared not imagine the future.

"Alright, let's go to Greedy Wolf Martial Hall!" Chu Jiang got up and stretched his body.

"Greedy Wolf Martial Hall, okay!" Fu Yunxuan didn't ask why; she simply followed wherever her Lord went.

Chu Jiang's return to White Stone County was naturally not for enjoyment, but for another reason.

It was to... resolve an old Karma.