The Mirror Master

The night passed without event.

After claiming over a hundred lives in the Zhou Family, the Ghostly Creatures didn’t appear again.

When Lu Bai got up in the morning and pushed open his door, he saw Xiaodie sitting on a small stool.

She was in front of a fire, her head bobbing up and down as she dozed off like a chicken pecking at rice. It looked like she had stood guard outside all night.

The sky was dim.

Lu Bai had expended a great deal of energy last night. His qi and blood were depleted, and his stomach was already rumbling with hunger. He planned to eat a big breakfast.

The sound behind her startled Xiaodie awake. She seemed to jump, rising to her feet with her sword in hand.

Her face was still heavy with drowsiness and her eyes were hazy. Only after recognizing it was Lu Bai did she finally relax.

"Morning."

Lu Bai greeted her.

Xiaodie didn’t respond, just silently followed behind Lu Bai.

Lu Bai paused his steps. "If you’re tired, go to sleep. You don’t have to follow me."

From the moment she first saw him, this girl had held an inexplicable hostility towards him.

Perhaps it was because Luo Qing had left her behind alone.

Xiaodie said, "My lady told me to protect you."

"Why don’t you head back to Bluestone County first?"

Lu Bai added, "In a day or two, I’ll find a merchant caravan heading to Bluestone County. It won’t be dangerous if you travel with them."

"I can’t do that."

Although she didn’t want to be there, Xiaodie was extremely stubborn. "I have to do what I promised my lady."

"Suit yourself."

Lu Bai couldn’t be bothered with her.

’Once we get to Bluestone County, we probably won’t have much reason to interact anyway.’

The two of them arrived at the martial hall’s front courtyard and saw Chen Tieshan and the others from the hall also sitting around a bonfire. Next to them were Copper Gongs, and they wore various Peach Talismans.

"Nephew Lu, you’re awake."

Seeing Lu Bai approach, Chen Tieshan quickly stood up and came forward to greet him.

Lu Bai asked, "Hall Master Chen, what are you all doing...?"

"The Zhou Family was haunted last night..."

Although he suspected Lu Bai was behind it, seeing him ask the question, Chen Tieshan still recounted the events of the previous night.

"So you all just stood guard around the fire all night?"

Seeing that Chen Tieshan and his men all had bloodshot eyes, Lu Bai couldn’t help but ask, "Is that effective against those malevolent spirits?"

"It’s effective."

Chen Tieshan said, "Malevolent spirits and Ghostly Creatures run rampant at night and fear sunlight. When everyone lights a fire to drive away the darkness, common spirits won’t dare to come out.

"Besides, with everyone gathered together and wide awake, our Yang Qi is abundant. The spirits can’t take advantage of any weakness."

Lu Bai said, "You’ve worked hard, Hall Master Chen."

"Not everyone is as carefree as you."

Xiaodie muttered from behind him.

After Lu Bai returned last night, he studied the Ancient Mirror for a while and then fell asleep.

With the Black Dog standing guard, he would have woken up immediately if there was any disturbance.

Lu Bai said, "I’m going out to buy something to eat."

"Wait a little longer."

Chen Tieshan said, "Every household stayed up all night, so no one is cooking. Besides, the hour isn’t right yet. It’s not safe to go out alone right now."

Just as he finished speaking, a clear, loud crowing of a rooster echoed from not too far away.

"COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!"

"COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!"

Following that, the sounds of roosters heralding the dawn rose one after another throughout the town.

Hearing this sound, Chen Tieshan and his men all let out a light sigh, as if a great weight had been lifted from their shoulders.

"The roosters are crowing. We’re safe now."

Chen Tieshan smiled.

After the roosters crowed, the sky grew brighter, and the twilight receded.

"CLACK! CLACK! CLACK!"

The sound of the night watchman striking his wooden clapper also rang through the town.

Chen Tieshan said, "Nephew Lu, there won’t be any ready-made breakfast available if you go out now. I’ll have the kitchen staff prepare something right away to save you the trip."

"Then I’ll have to trouble you, Hall Master Chen."

Lu Bai cupped his fist slightly, paused, then added, "Remember to make a lot. Plenty of chicken, duck, fish, beef, and mutton."

Hearing this, Xiaodie couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

’A guest in someone else’s home, and he’s already ordering dishes. He really makes himself at home.’

’Besides, who eats heavy, greasy meat for breakfast? Isn’t that sickening?’

Chen Tieshan was also taken aback for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Of course, of course! I’ll make sure Nephew Lu eats his fill and eats well."

During breakfast, Lu Bai once again demonstrated his astonishing appetite.

Although he ate at a steady, unhurried pace, he did so for a long time.

Everyone else had long since finished, but Lu Bai was still at the table, battling with the vast spread of meat and fish.

This meal lasted a full hour, and more than half the food on the table ended up in Lu Bai’s stomach.

Full of food and drink, Chen Tieshan ordered a servant to pour a pot of good tea and chatted idly with Lu Bai.

Lu Bai asked, "Hall Master Chen, are you still interested in buying those four pharmacies? Take a look at the situation and make me an offer."

"I am!"

Chen Tieshan asked, "One thousand taels of silver for the four pharmacies. What do you think, Nephew Lu?"

This was the normal price.

The last time Lu Bai came to discuss it, Chen Xiaofeng had tried to push the price down, ultimately settling for a fifty percent discount.

Chen Tieshan had been worried that taking over the four pharmacies would lead to conflict with the Zhou Family, so he hadn’t agreed.

But now, he was suddenly willing to take them at full price.

Lu Bai glanced at Chen Tieshan, and a thought flashed through his mind. Recalling how the man had come looking for him last night, he mostly understood.

’This Hall Master Chen has probably guessed that last night’s events were my doing.’

’He’s willing to buy them at full price now because he doesn’t want to make an enemy of me.’

"Fine."

Once Lu Bai understood the key to the situation, he agreed.

No one would complain about having too much money.

They chatted for a while longer, and before they knew it, it was noon.

Just then, a clamor arose from outside, a hubbub of voices.

While everyone in the main hall was wondering what was happening, a servant ran in to report, his expression excited.

"Master, Master! Two Daoists have arrived in town, a man and a woman! They look young and say they’ve come from Bluestone County specifically to slay malevolent spirits!"

The servant continued, "Many people in town have run over to see them, hoping to get a glimpse of the celestials’ bearing."

"Oh?"

Chen Tieshan’s expression was calm; he didn’t get up.

Every year, some monks or Daoists would pass through, but it was rare to find any with real abilities.

Chen Xiaofeng frowned. "Don’t tell me they’re frauds."

"I don’t think so."

The servant said, "The County Magistrate and the County Captain heard they were from some... Dan-something Temple, and they both went personally to receive them.

"The County Magistrate had intended to host a banquet to welcome the two Daoists, but I heard they turned it down and went straight to the Zhou Family’s estate."

"Danding Temple! It must be Daoist Li who has come!"

Xiaodie said suddenly.

Chen Tieshan asked, "You know them, miss?"

Xiaodie said, "Daoist Li is the one my lady invited. Why else would he leave his mountain and travel all this way? Hmm... I don’t know who the other Daoist is, though."

"Let’s go take a look."

Lu Bai said abruptly, then stood up and started to leave.

He was still a bit curious about and drawn to the Profound Sect and Cultivation of this world.

He just hadn’t had much chance to come into contact with it.

Now that he had a chance to witness the bearing of celestials, he could see for himself what methods these Profound Sect Daoists employed.

Besides, he felt a strange impulse to return to the Zhou Family estate for another look.

It would also be a good opportunity to see what the people from the Government Office and the two Profound Sect Daoists could find.

’No wonder I’ve heard people say that, due to some strange psychological reason, many culprits return to the scene of the crime.’

’How fascinating.’

Seeing Lu Bai get up and head out, Xiaodie quickly followed.