Longevity: Starting From Getting Down The Mountain And Marrying A Wife

Three days later.

Wutong Lane.

A girl in a blue dress walks towards the entrance of the Zhong Mansion.

Coincidentally, a woman in a yellow dress comes out from inside.

The girl in the blue dress stops and waits for her to approach, respectfully bowing and greeting, "Fellow Daoist Chen."

The woman in the yellow dress looks her up and down, her gaze flickering, and smiles, "So it's Fellow Daoist Gu. Master Zhong is not here, Fellow Daoist may come another day."

"That's really unfortunate. I happen to have other matters to attend to. Farewell, Fellow Daoist Chen."

Gu Baiyu nods with a smile and turns to leave.

As a cultivator at the second level of Qi Refining, she is considered the lowest among the Independent Cultivators in Qingyang City, and she is always cautious.

Fifteen minutes later.

She returns and steps into the ninth courtyard of the Zhong Mansion. "Please inform Senior Qingyao that Gu Baiyu requests an audience."

The maid sees that the visitor is unfamiliar and asks cautiously, "Is the guest a cultivator?"

Gu Baiyu smiles kindly and says, "Yes, please."

"Please follow me, Senior."

As she walks through the corridors and courtyards, Gu Baiyu secretly observes and sighs in her heart that the houses in the southern district are truly different.

She enters a side hall.

Dongcao comes to greet her and instructs the maid to prepare spiritual tea and spiritual fruit snacks.

"Please have a seat, Senior Gu. Lady Yao will be here shortly."

"Thank you." Even when facing mortals, Gu Baiyu feels a bit nervous.

Before long.

Gu Baiyu quickly stands up, bows deeply, and says with sincere respect, "Baiyu pays respects to Senior Qingyao! I apologize for disturbing your cultivation, it is truly my fault!"

Yao Qingyao had just sent someone away and was feeling a bit annoyed, but seeing Gu Baiyu's attitude, her mood suddenly improved.

"Fellow Daoist Gu, there's no need for such formalities. Please sit."

Gu Baiyu's face shows embarrassment as she says, "As a poor junior, I didn't bring any gifts. I hope Senior Qingyao won't mind."

Yao Qingyao smiles and says, "We are fellow cultivators in the same city, there's no need to worry about these things."

Gu Baiyu says, "To avoid taking up too much of your time, I'll be straightforward. I learned yesterday that there are demonic beasts appearing in Changle Town. I would like to ask Senior Qingyao to inform Master Zhong and allow me to go on a mission."

Yao Qingyao is surprised, "Those are Qi Refining fourth level demonic beasts."

Gu Baiyu says seriously, "Senior, please rest assured. I guarantee that I can handle it, and I will offer all the demonic beasts I obtain as a tribute to you."

Yao Qingyao ponders for a moment and says, "I can't make the decision on this matter. My husband should be returning to the city today, I will ask him."

Gu Baiyu stands up and bows, "In that case, thank you, Senior Qingyao. I won't disturb you any longer."

Yù Qīngyáo hesitated for a moment, then got up to see him off. "By the way, Fellow Daoist Gu, where are you staying? If I hear any news, I'll let you know."

"I'm temporarily staying in the western district. If it's convenient, I'll come again tomorrow."

The western district... Yù Qīngyáo nodded.

"Qīngyáo sister, please wait!"

Watching his departing figure, Yù Qīngyáo was momentarily distracted, as if she saw her own reflection in him.

Many guest cultivators look down on the task of slaying demons. It's laborious and time-consuming with little reward. But she had actively sought out tasks from the city lord's mansion.

The difference was that she only chose simple tasks, weak demonic beasts, while Gu Baiyu dared to confront even higher-level demonic beasts.

As Dōng Cǎo saw him off and returned, she glanced at the untouched spiritual tea on the table and blinked. "Qīngyáo sister, this Gu Baiyu is quite different."

Unlike the two female cultivators who had just come and yesterday, they chattered on and on, trying to establish a relationship. Yù Qīngyáo was getting impatient and only agreed to leave after a while.

"Qīngyáo sister, what's her cultivation level? Why is she still living in such a chaotic place in the western district?"

"Second level of Qi Refining. I guess she doesn't have enough spirit stones to rent a house in the southern district. With such low cultivation, she has no means of livelihood, and her mortal money has no legitimate source."

"No wonder..."

Yù Qīngyáo thought for a moment and said, "When she comes again tomorrow, I'll give her some silver, spirit rice, and some demonic beast meat. Also, ask Xiào Zhōng to give me a copy of her information."

"Alright."

...

In the afternoon.

Zhōng Yán returned to the mansion and sat at the head of the main hall, summoning a few people.

Zhōng Xiàozhōng said, "Master, news of your encounter with bandits in Fùyáng Town has spread throughout the city. Yesterday, Wèi Chángfēng and Liú Zhèngchūn visited the Yáng Mansion and didn't come out..."

Lǐ Shàngwén smiled. "Uncle, I reckon Yáng Bófù will come to visit in the next couple of days and act as a mediator to resolve the conflict."

Zhōng Yán nodded. "It's just a small matter. I won't clash with them. But the bandits in Shízhú Mountain are somewhat useful."

"Yǔnníng, consider them as the first training task for the War Hall. Half a year later, go up the mountain to eliminate the bandits and protect the people. Remember, you can't use talismans or powerful crossbows. Limit it to thirty people, and those who survive can enter the mansion."

"Understood, husband!"

They chatted for a while.

Zhōng Yán dismissed the others and left Lǐ Yángshì behind, asking, "How is it going?"

"Uncle, all three hundred members of the Death Guards' undercover agents have been mobilized, but we haven't found any clues in Qīngyáng or the eighteen surrounding towns."

"But we can confirm that the person left through the west gate in March last year. The specific whereabouts are unknown."

"Uncle, should we continue searching?"

Zhōng Yán pursed his lips and sighed inwardly. He estimated that the day the spiritual root had completely left the Qīngyáng area, even the northwest territory, and even the borders of Yān Kingdom.

"Not for now."

Zhōng Yán shook his head and asked, "How many Death Guards are currently in the city?"

"Approximately one hundred and sixty."

"All scattered, separated in the maple forest, Pingqi Village..."

After a detailed explanation, Li Yang nodded earnestly and hurriedly left.

...

In the evening, Yu Qingyao mentioned the matter of assigning tasks to Gu Baiyu.

"Gu Baiyu?" Zhong Yan had no impression of this Qi Refining Second Layer.

He knew about several female cultivators who came to the mansion as guests, either with questionable backgrounds or entangled with other male cultivators in the city, and he wouldn't want them.

"Last year, during the New Year, when we held the ceremony, didn't more than twenty people who didn't receive the invitation come? She was one of them."

Zhong Yan nodded, indifferent, and said, "If she wants to go, let her go. It's not difficult to kill a Qi Refining Fourth Layer monster with soldiers accompanying her. Do you think everyone is as afraid of death as you are?"

When he first entered the Qi Refining First Layer, he only learned gravity manipulation and fireball techniques, yet he dared to follow his fellow disciples to hunt and kill mid-level Qi Refining monsters.

Yu Qingyao rolled her eyes and pinched her husband's waist, not elaborating on Gu Baiyu's matter.

The next day.

Yang Yanqing indeed came to visit, accompanied by Wei Changfeng and Liu Zhengchun.

After some pleasantries and friendly words from both sides.

Yang Yanqing smiled and said, "The three of you can be considered as having met without fighting. Fortunately, no losses were incurred. Why not shake hands and make peace? Speaking of which, Fellow Daoist Zhong Yan and Fellow Daoist Liu are from the same sect!"

"Oh?"

Zhong Yan was surprised and suddenly realized, "No wonder I felt that Fellow Daoist Liu looked familiar, but I couldn't remember where I had seen him. When did Fellow Daoist come down from the mountain?"

Liu Zhengchun sighed, "It was three or four years earlier than Fellow Daoist. I wandered around, and I only arrived in Qingyang recently. It's been almost ten years since I left the sect, and I haven't manifested my Law like Fellow Daoist."

Pausing for a moment, he continued, "Fellow Daoist Zhong Yan may not know, but we actually live in the same courtyard, but I usually stay in my room to cultivate and haven't had direct contact. However, I have often heard of Fellow Daoist's name."

Zhong Yan showed a hint of embarrassment and changed the subject with a laugh.

The acting skills of the two were exceptionally exquisite.

True and false, after so many years, who can say for sure? Outer disciples change every year, and there's no way to investigate.

After a feast, the grievances were resolved.

In the end, Yang Yanqing said, "At the end of the month, there will be an auction in Liufang Market, where many cultivators will gather. We are preparing to set off in three days. Why not go together, Brother Zhong?"

Yu Qingyao's heart moved as she looked at her husband. She wanted to see the world.

Zhong Yan smiled and said, "I won't join in the excitement. Even if I go, I'll just watch others bid and drool."

Yang Yanqing seemed to have a meaningful look in his eyes. Others may not know, but he knew very well that Zhong Yan made over ten thousand spirit stones just by selling "Sword Condensation Technique."

Zhong Yan laughed and said, "Brother, don't doubt it! With my poor aptitude, how do you think I broke through to the fifth layer? It's all thanks to the pile of elixirs! Those things have long been used up..."

Yang Yanqing was speechless and somewhat believed it. He had heard from Bai Siyuan that he also relied on consuming elixirs to break through to the eighth layer.

After the banquet, the three of them left the Zhong mansion.

Yang Yanqing said, "Don't worry, although Zhong Yan is ruthless, he is relatively easy to talk to. As long as you don't provoke him again, there won't be any problems."

In fact, if Wei Changfeng and Liu Zhengchun truly have conflicts and hatred towards Zhong Yan, and they still want to mix in Qingyang City, they must make this trip.

Not to mention Zhong Yan's own strength, just the title of a follower of a mage is not something the two of them can contend with.

On the other hand, Zhong Yan held the wine glass and sighed in his heart. It's still best when old friends cooperate and understand each other with just a glance.

With Liu Zhengchun in the Yang Residence, they can learn a lot of information.

The key is to figure out where the hostility towards 'Zhang Yufu' comes from. They can't just act without knowing the reasons and end up being sneaky.

Yu Qingyao asked, "Zhong Lang, why don't we go to Wangliu Fang Market?"

"I heard that besides the auction, there is also a trading fair that lasts for half a month, gathering countless cultivators from the past. There must be a lot of resources to exchange."

Zhong Yan smiled and asked, "Do you want to go?"

Yu Qingyao nodded her head, "Besides the small auction during the Qingyang mid-year trading fair, I haven't participated in an auction yet. Besides, we have so many herbs, it's a good opportunity to exchange some of them there."

Zhong Yan said, "There will be opportunities in the future."

In the following days, Zhong Yan frequently left the residence to visit many cultivators in the city, actively promoting talismans.

Naturally, the news spread.

Coupled with the recent discussions in the city and many cultivators already going to 'Wangyi City' to join in the fun, it was speculated that Zhong Yan was raising spirit stones and planning to participate in the auction.

However, Zhong Yan still didn't make a move and told some cultivators that he had no money and didn't plan to go.

In the southern district, Zheng Residence, five cultivators gathered.

"What a great opportunity!"

"Now that most of the late-stage and many mid-stage cultivators in the city have left, if Zhong Yan leaves the city, it's almost certain that he will be intercepted!"

"I heard that his talisman-making level is good, and the success rate is high. After saving up for over a year, he should be able to sell for over a thousand spirit stones!"

"Don't get too excited, who knows if he will leave the city!"

"If it were me, I would take this opportunity to go to the market. It's not easy to be targeted by others, and not just Qingyang, many cultivators from other places will definitely go to Wangyi to join in the fun."

"Shouldn't we go and take a look? This is a grand event. I heard that there will be at least fifty thousand people participating, with representatives from various sects and families..."

"It's useless to go if we don't have money! There will be plenty of opportunities to broaden our horizons in the future."

"Speaking of Zhong Yan, if we want to rob him, it's best to do it during this time. Wait for Bai Siyuan and the others to come back, and when he goes to the market again, he will definitely invite people to accompany him. Then it will be impossible."

"Let's take the initiative to invite him to Yangquan Market!"

The group of people looked at each other, their eyes flickering.

"We need to plan and prepare well, and also deal with Yu Qingyao without any mistakes. After completing this task, we'll leave Qingyang and find another place!"

...