I am about to die of old age, and I have awakened the character of longevity.

Chapter 60 Zhang Hengshui

"Another roundup of the Plum Blossom Monsters?"

Xie An was stunned for a moment.

Three months had passed since the last round of the Plum Blossom Monster. During this time, the Plum Blossom Monster had not come to the black market again. Xie An, who was so absorbed in practicing martial arts, had forgotten about the Plum Blossom Monster for a while.

Zhang Lin's words reminded Xie An: This box came from the ancestral tomb of the Corpse Refining Hall. If we go to Chen's Mansion to encircle and suppress the Plum Blossom Monster... maybe we can get the key?
Thinking of this, Xie An's eyes sparkled. While putting on his clothes, he shouted outside, "Brother Zhang, wait a moment. I'll be right back after I change my clothes."

Xie An put on his uniform robe, hung a four-stone heavy bow, put on his quiver, then threw his standard sword aside and hung the forty-jin heavy sword on his back.

In order to prevent any accidents, Xie An hid an exquisite dagger in his sleeve before going out.

"Brother, the horses are ready, let's set off quickly. If you are late, you will be scolded by the incense master." Zhang Lin was waiting outside the door early with two horses, and handed the reins of a green-maned horse to Xie An.

The blue-maned horse was well-maintained, strong and tall, with muscles bulging out and full of explosive power.

“Good horse.”

Xie An patted the horse's back and immediately jumped on it, "Gee!"

"Fight!" Zhang Lin immediately rode his horse to catch up.

The two wild horses rushed out of the canyon exit almost side by side and galloped on the mountain road.

"Brother Zhang, is the Plum Blossom Monster plundering the Chen Mansion again?"

Zhang Lin galloped on his horse while recounting what had happened:
It turned out that since the last time, the Plum Blossom Monster had killed several people in the Chen Mansion, including the bearded hunter and the fat medicine seller that Xie An had been following.

The master of the Chen family paid a large sum of money to Bai Yutang for help.

Fang Baiyu decided to take action personally tonight. He called the incense master and deacon of the hall and lurked around Chen's mansion, waiting for the plum blossom monster to arrive and strangle it to death in one fell swoop.

After hearing this information, Xie An was shocked.

Fang Baiyu actually took action himself.

But Xie An felt that Fang Baiyu was probably not after the huge sum of money, but for the magic treasure.

It was already early evening when the two arrived at the Chen Mansion in Shuideng Town.

The gate of Chen's house was tightly closed, and even the four red lanterns hanging above the door were not lit, creating a scene of dead silence.

The two men dismounted, and Zhang Lin went forward to knock on the door. Soon, a young doorman poked half his head out and looked around cautiously, "Are you from Baiyutang?"

Zhang Lin showed the token. The doorman breathed a sigh of relief after seeing it, and finally smiled. "Come in, follow me."

This guy was quite sensible. He took the initiative to lead the horses for the two men inside, and then closed the door stealthily, as if he was afraid that others would find out.

When Xie An entered the gate, he saw that all the lights in the huge courtyard were off, and there were no maids or servants. The shadows of the trees were dim and the cries of crows were heard around, giving people a gloomy feeling.

"How can you turn off the lights so late at night? Where are the people in the Chen residence?"

Menzi explained quietly, "Master gave the servants a day off tonight. I don't know the specific reason, but Master and the others are all in the ancestral hall. I'll take you there."

Seeing that Menzi spoke sincerely and did not seem to be pretending, Xie An did not ask any more questions and followed him all the way to the ancestral hall in the backyard.

When they were nearing the gate of the ancestral hall, the doorman stopped on his own initiative, stretched out his hand and gestured for Xie An and the other two to come in.

The ancestral hall's courtyard was large, with two bodhi trees planted on either side. In the center stood a meter-tall incense burner. Candles and incense sticks burned inside, emitting a pungent, burnt smell.

There were about ten people standing in the courtyard, all armed and imposing. In the hall of the ancestral hall directly ahead, rows of candles were lit. People could be vaguely seen inside, and there were even whispers of discussion.

Xie An was curious and didn't know what the Chen family was up to.

"You are here." While I was thinking, a familiar voice came.

It was Wei Dian and Lin Yun who came over.

"Master Wei, Deacon Lin." Xie An hurriedly clasped his fists and saluted, but glanced at Master Wei from the corner of his eye. He saw that Master Wei was still wearing a bamboo hat today, covering his face.

Xie An, whose five senses were enhanced due to his practice of health-preserving exercises, vaguely felt that although Wei Xiangzhu's aura was very strong on the surface, he was a little weak inside.

After some pleasantries, Zhang Lin asked why the Chen Mansion was in such a state tonight. Wei Dian explained, "The Plum Blossom Monster has been lurking near the Chen Mansion for a long time, repeatedly killing people. The hall master discussed with the Chen family's uncle and decided to set up a trap tonight to lure the Plum Blossom Monster out and capture it in one fell swoop."

Zhang Lin suddenly realized, "Has the Hall Master arrived?"

Wei Dian glanced at the main hall of the ancestral hall and said, "Well, Hall Master Fang is inside right now discussing the plan with the eldest and second masters of the Chen family. The other incense masters have also arrived. You guys go guard outside. If you see the Plum Blossom Monster fleeing, use a whistling arrow to signal immediately. Remember not to confront it head-on; the priority is to save your own life."

Xie An nodded in agreement and thanked Wei Dian for his concern, then left with Zhang Lin.

Master Fang and the eldest and second masters of the Chen family are planning to set up a trap here to lure out the Plum Blossom Monster. It's really dangerous to stay here!
When you get old, fighting and killing is not suitable for you. The right solution is to develop steadily and win steadily.

Moreover, Xie An keenly perceived a key message from Wei Dian's words: This was clearly a trap for the Plum Blossom Monster. What bait would Fang Baiyu use to ensure the Plum Blossom Monster would take the bait?

Xie An already had the answer in his mind: the immortal treasure.

But no one knew that this magical treasure had already fallen into Xie An's hands.

So, the Chen family is planning to use a fake magic treasure to fool the Plum Blossom Monster?
It seems that a bloody storm is about to come.

Thinking of this, Xie An couldn't help but quicken his pace.

Just as they were about to leave, a sturdy man came and blocked the way for Xie An and the others. Xie An did not recognize this man, but he felt that he was mighty and majestic, and the broadsword hanging from his waist added a bit of murderous aura.

Moreover, Xie An felt that the man was staring at him with unfriendly eyes, which exuded hatred.

Xie An asked himself: I have never seen this man, nor have I ever had any grudge against him. Why does he hate me so much?
Just as I was curious, I suddenly saw Zhang Linchong bow and say, "Hello, Master Zhang."

Hearing this, Xie An was stunned.

Among the four great incense masters under Baiyutang, only one has the surname Zhang.

Zhang Biao’s uncle...Zhang Hengshui!

No wonder...

Out of courtesy, Xie An also bowed slightly, "Hello, Master Zhang."

Zhang Hengshui didn't even look at Zhang Lin who was bowing to him. Instead, he stared straight at Xie An and said coldly, "Are you the new second deacon who replaced my nephew?"

The frosty voice exuded a strong murderous aura, making the air around them freeze.

If Xie An had faced this kind of pressure a few months ago, he would have felt a little weak. But now he felt...nothing special.

However, Xie An remained calm and said, "I am grateful to Elder Tang and Master Wei for their appreciation and for arranging a deacon position for me."

Humph.

Zhang Hengshui snorted coldly, "Don't try to use Tang Qingyun to pressure me. My nephew just died, and you, a stranger I've never met, suddenly appeared without warning and took my nephew's place. What a coincidence."

Then, Zhang Hengshui turned away angrily.

Only after Zhang Hengshui had walked away did Xie An lower his hands in greeting and gaze at his majestic figure. An idea came to his mind:

Zhang Hengshui, he can't stay.

(End of this chapter)