I'm Ximen Qing, living in a ghost story!

Just as Ximen Qing was brazenly setting fire to Lanruo Temple, fifty li away in Guobei County, at the foot of Tiecheng Mountain...

The sun was setting in the west, and the autumn wind was brisk.

Yuantong and Guyunzi had actually arrived outside the mountain by noon.

However, there were many forks in the mountain road, and it took a long time to determine the location of the Naked Cult and capture the mountain people.

By the time everything was ready, it was already sunset.

The Naked Cult's Gu worms are impossible to defend against; under the cover of darkness, the situation is truly hellish.

Just as the monk, the Taoist priest, and Constable Xu were discussing whether to set up camp first and then go up the mountain the next day.

A figure was rushing towards me from afar.

With a light touch of his toes, he displayed remarkable agility. Upon closer inspection, who else could it be but Qing Songzi?

"Disciple? What are you doing here? Weren't you supposed to be in charge of the temple?"

Upon seeing the green pine tree, Gu Yunzi hurriedly asked.

The monk Yuantong beside him also showed a thoughtful expression.

When Qing Songzi saw Gu Yunzi and Yuan Tong standing side by side, he was greatly alarmed and immediately cried out:

"Master, be careful of Yuantong..."

Gu Yunzi subconsciously turned to the side.

At the same time, a string of red prayer beads was thrown over!

In the distance, a deafening buzzing sound filled the air.

……

"I never expected you to agree to come with me!"

"Don't overthink it. I'm with Sister Aji. Who's traveling with you?"

Nie Xiaoqian glanced at Ximen Qing and said arrogantly.

Ximen Qing shrugged and didn't say anything more.

Nowadays, being arrogant and haughty is no longer popular; such a trait is not well-liked.

Besides, if Nie Yunhai hadn't insisted, he really wouldn't have taken this nominal "fiancée" away.

Indeed, the Ximen family had already set off for Qingzhou Prefecture overnight.

Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Lanruo Temple, the team had plenty of riders, and almost everyone was given a horse, while the supplies were also distributed among the group.

According to Simonda's calculations, if the caravan travels at full speed, it will be able to reach the prefectural city in two days and one night.

"By the way, will those demons really not reappear? Can Daoist Guyunzi stop Yuantong?"

After a while, Nie Xiaoqian's eyes darted around, and she asked Ximen Qing beside her.

Are you worried about your father?

"Yes!" Nie Xiaoqian nodded.

This was also the reason why Nie Yunhai handed his daughter over to Ximen Qing.

There are indeed practitioners in this world. The Wutai School is a heterodox sect. Monk Yuantong has exposed such a huge scandal, so retaliation is inevitable.

Ximen Qing was naturally a thorn in the side of the first-rank officials, but even Magistrate Nie could not guarantee his own safety.

Therefore, he chose to stay behind to defend the territory for the court, but sent his daughter to a relative's home in Qingzhou to avoid trouble.

To be fair, this county magistrate does indeed have some sense of responsibility.

"Don't worry, Master Guyunzi is a righteous Taoist of Laoshan, and Qingsong has already informed him. He should be able to get away unscathed. Besides, the Wutai Sect doesn't have the guts to kill an official of the imperial court. As long as we can get Judge Yan involved, everything will be fine."

Ximen Qing spurred the horse's flanks, stopped to think, and said...

Judging from the balance of power, once Monk Yuantong is exposed, he should have no chance to turn the tide. Otherwise, Lanruo Temple would not have gone into hiding and secretly colluding with the tree demon.

Those unorthodox masters of the Wutai School probably had no intention of turning against the imperial court at this time.

The imperial court still wields considerable power. Although those otherworldly immortals who roam freely are untouched by worldly dust, they still rely on mortals to recruit disciples and gather resources.

However, Ximen Qing always felt that there was something he had overlooked.

However, he couldn't remember what it was, so he simply stopped thinking about it for the time being.

"Um!"

Nie Xiaoqian nodded, but she was still in low spirits.

Having no other choice, Ximen Qing could only immerse himself in the system interface, looking at his 24 Soul Points, and hesitating whether to go for a satisfying card draw.

Suddenly, a commotion arose at the front of the convoy, and torches were lit.

"Young master, the master wants you to go and take a look!"

"good!"

Ximen Qing winked at Nie Xiaoqian, signaling her to return to Cui Ji's carriage. He touched the gold brick at his waist, then spurred his horse forward.

There were two paths ahead, one blocked by a giant tree, and the other leading to an unknown place in the mountains.

Simon had dismounted and was discussing something with the steward.

"Father, what happened?"

"Son, look, this road has been dug up. I just sent men to go around it lightly, but there are huge trees and traps lying on the road ahead. We've run into a roadblock."

A ruthless glint flashed in Simon's eyes.

He'd seen it all before and immediately recognized the intricacies of the situation.

When the steward saw Ximen Qing's bewildered expression, he offered an explanation: "Young master, you may not know this, but these roadblocks are local bandits and farms that block the official roads, forcing caravans to change course and take their routes! They then take a cut and collect taxes!"

"Bandits and highwaymen?" Ximen Qing couldn't help but mutter to himself.

This kind of thing is rampant and difficult to stop, but he didn't expect to run into it so soon after leaving Guobei County.

Simonda's eyes lit up: "That's right, that's exactly what I mean. My son is quick-witted."

"What should we do then? Can we go around it?"

Ximen Qing glanced at the starry sky above. He still carried the evidence of the tree demon's remains on his back. If he delayed any longer, things might change.

Moreover, no trace of the Tree Demon Granny was found in Lanruo Temple; who knows if she was following them?

The trip can't be delayed!

Simon shook his head: "Since this place is blocked, it means all the roads around us that are passable by cars are closed, unless we cross mountains!"

They have so much furniture, they couldn't possibly throw it all away, could they?

"Let's go check this roadblock and see who this guy is! We'll just have to pay the toll!"

Ximen Qing made the final decision.

"As you say, young master, let's go!"

The team set off again.

Ximen Qing, on the other hand, put the card-drawing matter aside and stood at the front of the line, staring wide-eyed as he looked around.

In the darkness of night, one must not only guard against people, but also against ghosts; among so many people, only he possesses this ability.

Fortunately, it was a close call.

Taking a different route was indeed much faster. After about half an hour, we saw a mountain stronghold standing at the end of the road.

They were situated right above a mountain ravine, in a strategically important location with towering walls and brightly lit fires illuminating the night sky.

It looked as if someone was walking back and forth on the wall.

"They saw us a long time ago!"

Simonda said.

"Let's go, we'll deal with whatever comes our way! Dad, should I go scout ahead first?"

Ximen Qing was eager to try. Ever since he had pulled off the heist at Lanruo Temple, he had grown to like this feeling more and more. Could it be said that the "heroic" bloodline within him was awakening?

"What are you trying to find out! I'm not old enough to hide behind my son. Besides, while you might be attractive to girls, you'll only get hurt in this kind of situation!"

As Simonda spoke, he glanced mockingly at the two carriages behind him.

Ximen Qing, however, was so thick-skinned that he didn't even blush.

The group headed towards the mountain stronghold in a grand procession.