Starting from his vigorous old age, he began to conquer Liaozhai.

After leaving the Cao residence, Cao Xiong left the city without stopping and headed straight for the vicinity of the ancient tomb.

When he arrived at the riverbank near the ancient tomb, Nie Xiaoqian was already waiting for him.

"You've come so early this time, it makes me seem a bit odd." Cao Xiong tied up his horse and walked to Nie Xiaoqian's side.

"I can't keep making my Master Cao wait for me forever, can I?" Nie Xiaoqian smiled radiantly.

Today, Nie Xiaoqian's attire was quite different from before. She wore a black low-cut, waist-cinching long dress, and her long hair cascaded down her back, making her figure even more alluring.

Nie Xiaoqian took small, quick steps to Cao Xiong's side, almost touching him, her nose lightly brushing against his clothes.

His tone carried a strange undertone, "Lord Cao, you've come so late today, it turns out you've been having a passionate night with your sweetheart."

Cao Xiong sensed a murderous intent emanating from Nie Xiaoqian. He thought to himself, "This is bad. Is Nie Xiaoqian really jealous?"

As their meetings increased, their relationship seemed to become increasingly unusual.

"It was just saving a little girl." Cao Xiong explained the situation to Nie Xiaoqian, otherwise she would not have let it go.

This woman is unpredictable.

"It's alright. It's normal for men to have multiple wives and concubines. I'm not that kind of old-fashioned person." Nie Xiaoqian's voice revealed grievance, and her eyes were like water.

"Ahem." Cao Xiong didn't know how to respond, so he could only pretend to clear his throat.

"Thank you for the jade pendant you gave me last time; it saved my life."

"Men are all the same," Nie Xiaoqian said angrily, then kicked and bit Cao Xiong's lip.

"Hiss~" Cao Xiong gasped. Was it really necessary to use so much force?

After taking a deep breath of yang energy, Nie Xiaoqian turned cold and turned her back to Cao Xiong.

"Next time you come to see me, remember to wash up and change your clothes. You smell like a vixen. Don't let some seductive vixen bewitch you and you won't even know how you died."

Cao Xiong didn't know what to say; this woman's expression changed too quickly.

"It really was just saving a young girl, the daughter of the Vice Minister of War."

Nie Xiaoqian turned around and stared into Cao Xiong's eyes, then sneered, "So you've climbed the social ladder. I'm afraid Lord Cao will rise to prominence in the future."

"I hope so," Cao Xiong replied subconsciously. If Nie Xiaoqian knew that the lightness skill manual she gave him had been passed on to Fu Qingfeng, she would probably tear him to pieces.

"You..." Nie Xiaoqian's eyes were filled with tears as she pointed at Cao Xiong.

Cao Xiong realized he had said the wrong thing again and quickly tried to make amends, "Who could be as generous as Miss Xiaoqian, giving away both magical treasures and secret manuals?"

"You know it, that's good." Nie Xiaoqian's expression was cold and arrogant.

"By the way, have the Tree Demon Granny and the Yaksha made any plans targeting Guo Bei County recently?" Cao Xiong asked, seeing that Nie Xiaoqian had finally calmed down. He then inquired about the main purpose of his visit.

"Do you remember the poison cultivator I told you about?" Nie Xiaoqian looked at Cao Xiong with some worry.

"Poisonous cultivator, Burial Dragon?" The name instantly popped into Cao Xiong's mind.

"That's right, it's him. He's returned from the depths of the Ten Thousand Mountains. As far as I know, he might help Grandma plunder the people of Guobei County."

"How does he compare to Yaksha?" Cao Xiong was more concerned about the strength of the Burial Dragon.

"His cultivation level is the same as Yaksha's, both at the early stage of Qi Refining. However, in terms of combat strength alone, Zangpo Dragon is far inferior to Yaksha."

"The most dangerous thing about the Burial Dragon is his use of poison. If you are not careful and fall for his tricks, even if you are in the mid-stage of Qi Refining or an Inner Strength Martial Artist, you will surely die." Nie Xiaoqian's tone was fraught with fear, clearly indicating that the Burial Dragon was not easy to deal with.

"Use poison..." Cao Xiong's eyes flashed, and he murmured softly.

"Recently, a plague has appeared in Guobei County. The infected people have lost their minds and bite anyone they see. Could this be related to the Zangpo Dragon?"

"That sounds a lot like the methods of the Burial Dragon," Nie Xiaoqian replied.

"Zang Polong is a treacherous and cunning man. I have never had much contact with him. If you encounter him, you must be extremely careful." As she spoke, a white porcelain bottle suddenly appeared in Nie Xiaoqian's hand.

"There are two antidote pills in here. Keep them just in case."

Cao Xiong took the porcelain bottle from Nie Xiaoqian and put it into his storage bag, feeling deeply moved.

Cao Xiong has truly become a kept man.

……

……

……

Guobei County, Baihu Office.

"My lord, we've found information about Vice Minister Fu's family and the rebels," Sha Huizi said excitedly to Cao Xiong.

"Tell me." Cao Xiong had just returned to the Hundred Household Office after meeting with Nie Xiaoqian when he learned that the Provincial Administration Commission had used a messenger hawk to search for the family of Vice Minister Fu in several surrounding counties, including Guobei County.

Cao Xiong then had no choice but to send out the officers and soldiers of the First Banner to continue the search. Two more days have passed, and they have finally made some progress.

"After the county government posted the notice, a hunter said that he had seen two groups of people fighting near Xiaoqingshan, including two women who resembled those described in the notice."

Cao Xiong tapped his fingers lightly on the table. Little Green Hill was near Chiping Slope. "Where are the hunters?"

"Sir, the hunter is currently at the county government office," Sha Huizi replied truthfully.

"Send someone to the county government office and have the magistrate send a team of constables to lead the hunters into the mountains with us."

"Yes, sir!"

In addition to the second commander of the Sha Hui tribe, Cao Xiong also summoned Cao Man.

No one knew the area surrounding the Hundred Thousand Mountains better than Cao Man.

About an hour later, the constables and hunters arrived at the centurion's office.

Cao Xiong mustered his men, and all officers and soldiers were equipped with muskets, and set off towards Xiaoqingshan.

"Sir, let's go from that direction."

When they reached the foot of Xiaoqingshan Mountain, the hunter pointed to a small path.

"Using small flags as units, once a target is spotted, release a signal flare. Ensure the safety of Vice Minister Fu's family before proceeding."

At Cao Xiong's command, apart from the small flag bearers, constables, and hunters led by Cao Man, the officers and soldiers of the Second Banner, led by Sha Huizi, were the first to enter Xiaoqingshan.

"Awoo~"

Just as Cao Xiong and his men were preparing to enter Xiaoqingshan from the other side.

Suddenly, a wolf howl sounded in my ear.

He turned his head and saw a gray wolf wagging its tail and staring at him from atop a huge rock.

After not seeing him for a while, Cao Xiong noticed that the gray wolf had grown even bigger, and he waved to it.

Seeing Cao Xiong's actions, the gray wolf wagged its tail even more rapidly and leaped off the boulder.

His figure moved like lightning, and in no time he was beside Cao Xiong.

"Little Gray Wolf, we're searching for a group of people. Have you spotted any trace of humans in the last few days?"

Gray Wolf tilted his head, as if he was seriously pondering Cao Xiong's question.

However, the gray wolf ultimately shook his head, indicating that he had not seen anyone else.

However, the gray wolf nudged Cao Xiong's body with its nose, repeatedly gesturing for Cao Xiong to take it with him.

Cao Xiong patted the gray wolf's head twice, then led the gray wolf and the others into Little Green Mountain.

The gray wolf walked at the front, its nose twitching constantly, as if searching for the scent of unfamiliar humans.