I am a full-level celestial master, you let me enter the strange talk of rules?

Zhang Yangqing made this judgment because the old village chief had a string of old copper coins tied with a red cord around his waist. The coins had a dull metallic luster and their edges were worn smooth, indicating that they were quite old.

This is no ordinary ancient coin. Zhang Yangqing could clearly sense that it was imbued with an extremely weak but real "exorcising" power, which must have been formed after being consecrated by some simple ritual or after long-term offering of incense.

The old village chief was also wearing an obsidian ring on his hand, the stone polished into a simple animal head shape, which was believed to have the function of absorbing negative energy.

In addition, he exuded a faint fragrance, a mixture of incense ash and the scent of burning herbs, which he had picked up from long-term activities in specific places, such as small shrines where household spirits or local deities were worshipped.

In summary, this old village chief was probably an ordinary person who had come into contact with some folk magic and knew a little about exorcism and warding off evil, but did not have any real magical power.

He relies on these inherited tools and rules to deal with some minor and major paranormal events in the village.

Zhang Yangqing believed that Xiao Xuan could easily see this with his keen eyesight.

Conversely, the old village chief couldn't see through Zhang Yangqing and Xiao Xuan's true nature.

The reason is simple: Zhang Yangqing and Xiao Xuan are true orthodox Taoist practitioners, possessing either innate Taoist bodies or acquired true essence. Their ability to subdue demons and monsters relies on their own cultivated magical power, Taoist arts, and understanding of the laws of heaven and earth, having long since transcended the rudimentary stage of relying on external objects.

Their auras were restrained, and they were no different from ordinary people. They did not have any obvious magical artifacts or unusual phenomena on their bodies. In the eyes of folk sorcerers like the old village chief who relied on props and experience to make judgments, they seemed ordinary, or even a little strange.

After Chen Wen recounted how they met, the old village chief's brows furrowed even more.

He was filled with doubt: Going into the mountains to look for something at night? What a lame excuse! Everyone, not just the locals, should know how dangerous it is in the mountains at night.

Unless they are monstrous creatures that cannot be seen in the light of day or newly emerging "weird things", they do not like to be active at night!

Could these two young men be one of those things?

The more he looked, the more suspicious it seemed! Alarm bells rang in the old village chief's mind.

But having lived to such an old age, he understood the principle of "speaking human language to humans and ghost language to ghosts," and absolutely could not alert the enemy.

Immediately, an even warmer smile spread across his face. He slapped his thigh and scolded Chen Wen, "Oh dear! Xiao Wen, you silly boy! Our guests have come from afar, and it's nighttime in the mountains—how dangerous! Why didn't you say so earlier? Although our Chen Family Village is remote, we've always been hospitable! We can't afford to neglect our guests!"

He turned to Zhang Yangqing and Xiao Xuan, his tone sincere: "Young brothers, since you're here, you're guests! Please stay here with Xiao Wen tonight! I'll go back now and have my wife prepare some good dishes and some good wine! We must treat you well!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xuan thought the old village chief was a kind-hearted person and quickly waved his hand politely, saying, "Village chief, you're too kind! We're really just passing through and asking for lodging for the night. We've already troubled Brother Chen Wen enough. Please just have something to eat and don't bother you and your family any further!"

The old village chief glared at him, as if Xiao Xuan's politeness was a sign of disrespect for their village: "How can that be! Guests are guests, and we must treat them well! Don't worry about it, just wait!"

He turned to the two middle-aged men who had come with him and winked, "Da Niu, Er Zhu, you two stay here and help Xiao Wen greet the guests and chat with them. I'll be right back!"

"Alright, village chief!" The two middle-aged men immediately agreed, standing casually on either side of the entrance to the main room, but their eyes were intentionally or unintentionally glancing at Zhang Yangqing and Xiao Xuan.

They seemed to understand the village chief's meaning: don't let these two troublesome guys get away.

Zhang Yangqing and Xiao Xuan didn't think much of it, assuming it was just the villagers' simple and warm hospitality. They even thought the Chen family villagers had a really good character, which increased their positive impression of the place. The old village chief hurriedly left Chen Wen's house. As soon as he stepped outside, the smile on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a solemn expression and a hint of ruthlessness.

He hurried back to his home, rummaged through drawers and cabinets, and carefully took out a few things from an old wooden box under the bed: a pot of "realgar wine" that he had prepared long ago, made with realgar and various exorcising herbs.

Several pieces of "specially made cured meat," specially soaked in cinnabar water and sun-dried, are said to cause demons and evil spirits to suffer excruciating abdominal pain and reveal part of their true form after eating them.

There are also a few demon-suppressing talismans that I kept at the bottom of my drawer, drawn crookedly.

He was thinking to himself: When we drink later, I'll persuade them to drink this realgar wine and eat this cured meat! If they really are monsters or strange creatures, even if they don't immediately reveal their true forms after drinking this wine and eating this meat, they'll at least give themselves away!

Then we'll shine the talisman on them again and see how they can still pretend!
These are props that the village chief usually wouldn't use, but the effect is quite good.

It can also be seen that the village chief actually cares about Chen Wen, and is willing to use this.

Soon, the old village chief, accompanied by several village women who had come to help, returned to Chen Wen's house with a basket of steaming food and a pot of wine.

A small square table was moved to the center of the main room and set out a sumptuous feast of farm-style dishes: stewed free-range chicken, homemade smoked pork, fresh stir-fried vegetables, and a large bowl of wild mushroom soup.

The jar of realgar wine was placed beside Zhang Yangqing and Xiao Xuan.

"Come, come, young men, don't be shy! Make yourselves at home here! Eat and drink well!"

The old village chief personally accompanied them, warmly serving food to Zhang Yangqing and Xiao Xuan, especially the few pieces of specially made cured meat, which he almost entirely put into their bowls.

Then he raised his glass and said, "There's nothing good in the mountains, but this wine is homemade. It's not very strong, but it tastes mellow. Come on, let me toast you both!"

During the meal, the old village chief and the two middle-aged men took turns urging the villagers to drink and eat, creating a seemingly warm and harmonious atmosphere.

The old village chief had one hand under the table, tightly gripping the demon-suppressing talisman, and muttered to himself: "Eat and drink, wait until you reveal your true forms, then I'll see how I deal with you! Dare to harm our village's little Wen? No way!"

However, things took an unexpected turn.

Zhang Yangqing and Xiao Xuan accepted all the food offered, eating large mouthfuls of meat and drinking large bowls of wine.

Ordinary people definitely can't drink that realgar wine, even if it's diluted with some liquid. But Zhang Yangqing and Xiao Xuan are no ordinary people; they love it. It was definitely the right gift.

The table of dishes was devoured in no time, especially the special cured meat, which the two of them ate with great relish.

But nothing happened!

Zhang Yangqing and Xiao Xuan were breathing steadily, chatting and laughing, showing no signs of abdominal pain, demonic energy leakage, or unbearable suffering.

The old village chief was dumbfounded! This isn't right! This isn't how the script was written! (End of Chapter)