Chapter 83: Chapter 82: Touring Wuhe County

The carriage stopped at an inn. After they got out, they saw the townspeople outside rushing about, spreading the news. The rumor was that the River Demon was dead, and the villagers from Liu Family Village were already on their way to Wuhe County with four corpses to present to the County Magistrate.

"This has caused quite a stir," Gu Zhao remarked.

"By now, nearly a thousand people must have died in Wuhe County, and everyone was terrified. Now that the River Demon is dead, they can finally breathe a sigh of relief," Zhuo Qingyan said. "I remember my father feeling this same way when he heard the River Demon situation in Wuhe County had been resolved back then."

Taoist Yan Song added, "Back then, a single ’great beast’ in Yanggu County was enough to throw the entire populace into a panic, to say nothing of the situation here."

"Where is Yanggu County? Is it near the Young Master’s Mountain Gate? And what’s a ’great beast’? A really big bug?" the Silk Embroideress asked curiously.

Taoist Yan Song explained to the Silk Embroideress, "Yanggu County isn’t far from our mountain gate. A ’great beast’ is a tiger. This one had several hundred years of Dao Practice and had blocked all the roads out of Yanggu County. It was later beaten to death in just a few punches by a master named Wu Song."

Bai Ke flinched. "To kill a Tiger Demon with hundreds of years of cultivation in just a few punches... Does that mean Wu Song must have a thousand years of Dao Practice?"

Gu Zhao nodded with a straight face. "He was a member of the Liangshan heroes. His Power was immense. Among the one hundred and eight generals of Mount Liang from *Water Margin*, he was considered a top-tier master."

The two women and the fox all went, "Oh..."

Just then, they all froze in unison and looked up.

Even though the inn’s roof was over their heads, it didn’t prevent them from sensing an aura flash past overhead. It passed by close enough for them to feel it.

The next moment, the aura descended into the northern part of the city and vanished.

Gu Zhao mused, "The north side of the city..."

Zhuo Qingyan picked up where he left off. "Golden Wind Hall!"

"The Golden Wind Divine King is here," Taoist Yan Song said in a low voice. "How did he get the news so quickly?"

"I don’t know." Gu Zhao shook his head.

"It must have been a Divine General at the Golden Wind Sub-Temple who got the news and used an Incense and Candle Divine Statue to inform the Golden Wind Divine King," Bai Ke guessed.

The Golden Wind Divine Generals knew the events in Wuhe County were the work of Bian Palace. The moment they heard a description of the four River Demon corpses, they would realize that Bian Palace had lost its four great Commanders. A matter of such importance would naturally be reported to the Golden Wind Divine King at once.

’If the Golden Wind Divine King reacted this quickly...’

Gu Zhao looked at Zhuo Qingyan, who understood his meaning. "The Golden Wind Divine King is already on alert. We can’t make a move on the Golden Wind Hall in Wuhe County."

The Golden Wind Divine Sect had actually suffered immense losses recently. Five Guardians were dead, and even one of his two main consorts had been taken out. If the Golden Wind Divine King wasn’t already on guard after all that, he never would have reached his current position.

Gu Zhao nodded. "In that case, let’s look for other utterly wicked Demons and Ghosts in Wuhe County."

Speaking of utterly wicked, the Silk Embroideress couldn’t help but ask Zhuo Qingyan, "Back in Xiuyue County, we also found a teahouse. The stench of blood wasn’t as strong as that butcher, Zhu Da’s, shop, but it had clearly claimed the lives of many citizens."

Zhuo Qingyan replied, "The owner of that teahouse is a rat. He loves listening to stories, but just listening isn’t enough for him. He has to devour the storyteller’s Divine Soul and use an Evil Skill to view his memories."

"Ah!" the Silk Embroideress cried out, both shocked and afraid. "A giant rat?"

Gu Zhao asked, "Are there any other bad guys in Xiuyue County?"

Zhuo Qingyan thought for a moment. "As far as I know, there’s a Sword Ghost skilled at skinning people hiding in the County Yamen’s prison, using the inmates to practice its blade. There are also a few Banshees who practice Evil Techniques hiding in some of the buildings on Spring Street, feeding on men’s Essence.

"However, most of the criminals in the County Yamen’s prison deserve what they get, and those Banshees haven’t actually killed anyone. Whether they count as ’bad guys’ is something you’ll have to see for yourselves."

Her parents had died unjustly, and she had taken her own life by throwing herself into a well. That Zhuo Qingyan hadn’t harmed any innocents made her a benevolent ghost. Previously, she had just quietly remained secluded in her home, unconcerned with the lives or deaths of outsiders.

But now, having received news of her enemies and been rescued by Gu Zhao’s group, her perspective had naturally shifted. Not only did they share a common foe, but the Magic Gu Zhao practiced also required acts of Righteousness and Heroism.

...

The city was safer than the wilderness for now, so they didn’t act rashly. They each concealed their auras and waited at the inn for half a day. Only after sensing the Golden Wind Divine King depart through the skies did they head out for a walk.

They might have been there for Exorcising Demons and Evil Spirits, but doing a bit of sightseeing along the way was only natural!

With news of the River Demon’s death, Wuhe County was now bustling. The previous gloom was gone, and many people were out strolling the streets. Numerous fishermen had even taken the time to return from the Chang River and were setting up stalls to sell their catch.

Gu Zhao waved his hand grandly. "Go wild, pick out anything you want. Young Master Gu is footing the bill!"

"Yay!" The Silk Embroideress happily grabbed Zhuo Qingyan’s hand and they started exploring the street.

She had always idolized Gu Zhao, believing him to be omnipotent. While watching him directly take out the Bian Ancestor had been a shock, she had recovered quickly.

’I don’t have to worry about a thing,’ she thought. ’Finding the bad guys is the Young Master’s job. I just need to be his good little Maid, help out in fights, and take care of his daily needs.’

’Now that the Golden Wind Divine King has left, there’s nothing in Wuhe County that can threaten us. Since the Young Master told me to go have fun, I’ll just enjoy myself without a worry.’

"What beautiful sugar figures!" The Silk Embroideress spotted a small vendor selling them.

"YIP! YIP! YIP!" A little white head poked out of the bundle on the Silk Embroideress’s chest. It sniffed toward a nearby pastry shop, then craned its neck.

The Silk Embroideress looked to Gu Zhao, who gave a generous wave. "Buy them!"

"I want this one, this one, and these two!" The Silk Embroideress bought four sugar figures and gave one each to Gu Zhao, Zhuo Qingyan, and Taoist Yan Song. Then she went to the pastry shop, bought a bag of snacks, and tucked a few pieces into the bundle on her chest.

Taoist Yan Song licked the sugar figure in his hand, his eyes filled with nostalgia. "The last time I ate one of these was fifty years ago."

Upon hearing this, the Silk Embroideress bought a small bag of malt candy from a passing vendor, picked out a piece, and cheekily popped it into Taoist Yan Song’s mouth.

Meanwhile, seeing Zhuo Qingyan also looking nostalgic, Gu Zhao turned and gave her a long look.

Zhuo Qingyan’s expression didn’t change as she quietly looked back at Gu Zhao.

The next moment, Gu Zhao walked over to a nearby fan shop, picked out a round, peony-adorned fan, and placed it in Zhuo Qingyan’s hand. He then nodded gravely. "There. Now you look like a proper lady on an outing."

Zhuo Qingyan took the fan and waved it gently a couple of times. Then, she gracefully raised a hand, using the fan to hide the lower half of her face. With one hand on the fan and the other holding her sleeve, she revealed only her shapely brows and starry eyes, the corners of which crinkled with a smile. Her captivating gaze seemed to dance with intelligence. "Like this?"

Gu Zhao’s heart skipped a beat. He gave her a thumbs-up. "Hair like a cloud, a face like a flower. Utterly magnificent."

Just then, a little girl stepped in front of Gu Zhao. A Flower Basket was looped over her arm, and she held up a bouquet, looking at Gu Zhao with anticipation. "Sir, won’t you buy some flowers for your wife? They smell wonderful!"

Gu Zhao raised an eyebrow, crouched down to the little girl’s level, and asked teasingly, "And how did you know she was my wife?"

"You’re so handsome and dashing, sir, and the lady is as graceful as an orchid. You’re a match made in heaven!" the little girl chirped.

"What a flatterer! I’ll take them!" Gu Zhao laughed, handed the girl a few copper coins, and accepted the flowers.

However, the instant he took the bouquet, a flicker of understanding crossed his eyes.

Seeing the little girl happily take the copper coins and turn to sell her flowers elsewhere, Gu Zhao gently took her by the shoulder. "These flowers are lovely. I’d like to buy more to decorate my house. Could you tell me where you picked them?"