Merit-based card draws, quickly become a Heavenly Emperor

Unlike the heavy snowfall outside, the inn was bustling with activity.

The room was large, with several charcoal fires burning, and twenty or thirty people gathered around seven or eight large tables.

Judging from their clothing, some were traveling merchants, while others were hunters from the surrounding area.

Fang Zheng and Guan Tieyi entered without attracting much attention.

The two found two empty seats, ordered two jugs of wine, two plates of meat, and a pot of stew.

Guan Tieyi poured Fang Zheng a glass of wine and said in a low voice, "Sir, after passing Hanya Mountain, we will reach Cangwu County in two more days."

Since deciding to follow Fang Zheng to Cangwu County, Guan Tieyi has consciously changed his way of addressing Fang Zheng as "Sir".

Fang Zheng asked him several times to change it to "Brother Fang," but the straightforward man refused, so Fang Zheng let him be.

However, he still addressed Guan Tieyi as "Brother Guan".

Fang Zheng nodded and downed the wine in his glass in one gulp. He was also quite tired after traveling around for the past two weeks.

However, he didn't stay idle during the night; he was cultivating the Myriad Manifestations Painting Spirit Technique, and he is now not far from achieving the minor completion of the eighth-grade Artifact Control Technique.

Fang Zheng put down his wine cup, his gaze sweeping across the inn, but his eyes suddenly narrowed.

This small, desolate inn is home to several highly skilled martial artists.

For example, there's an old man sitting in the corner, with a chessboard on the table.

The old man had his head drooping, as if he were dozing off. He looked like a poor woodcutter, but in reality, he was a Daoist cultivator at the ninth rank of perfection.

Although they were well concealed, they were completely exposed under the clear and bright light of Fang Zheng.

However, there are many unorthodox cultivators in the martial world, so Fang Zheng remained wary and withdrew his gaze.

Just as he was about to pour another cup of wine, a Taoist priest dressed in a gray robe came over and bowed to them.

"You two look travel-worn, are you guests from out of town?"

Fang Zheng glanced at the Taoist priest.

During the Great Qian Dynasty, faith was not discouraged. Taoism flourished and Buddhism thrived, so it was not uncommon to encounter Taoist priests.

However, only those sects that have been recognized and officially appointed by the dynasty are considered legitimate; all others are considered heretical sects or demonic sects.

Fang Zheng smiled and nodded, acknowledging the greeting. Guan Tieyi remained silent, already on guard.

The Taoist priest, unfazed, continued, "Since you are a traveler on your journey, you must be passing through Cold Crow Mountain soon."

That place is haunted by monsters; it's very evil.

We, the White Tiger Society, are merciful and hereby bestow upon you two an item.

As long as the two say "White Tiger Holy Spirit, protect all living beings", they will receive a protective talisman.

It's free, I won't charge you a single penny.

Fang Zheng frowned.

Among the sects recognized and officially recognized by Youzhou, there is no such sect as the White Tiger Society.

However, in the files of Cangwu County that he had previously reviewed, there was a vague record that there were some spontaneously organized folk societies within the Dinghu County area, the most powerful of which seemed to be called the White Tiger Society.

The reason for the existence of records is due to folk rumors that the White Tiger Society originated in Cangwu County.

Could it be like the White Lotus Temple we encountered before, a cult that operates in a gray area?

Fang Zheng was displeased.

Youzhou is a very remote place, and it was once the ancestral home of the demon race. The fortune network of the dynasty has just been established and is not yet solid.

Therefore, he was well aware that heretical sects often caused trouble, proselytizing, recruiting believers, and committing evil deeds.

I never expected to run into them as soon as I stepped into Dinghu County, and the other party even dared to preach in broad daylight.

Fang Zheng originally intended to arrest the Taoist priest directly, but this place was not under the jurisdiction of Cangwu County, and he did not have orders from his superiors and had no authority to cross the border to arrest people.

Furthermore, even if we catch just one, it will be difficult to change the current situation.

He shook his head, his tone indifferent: "I wouldn't take it even if it were free. Get out of here."

Before the Taoist priest could speak, a guest next to him stood up and said, "You are extremely rude!"

Master Yang kindly gave you these amulets to help you through your tribulations. If you don't appreciate it, you'll definitely suffer bad luck!

Several others chimed in, "Young man, don't let ignorance ruin your life."

Fang Zheng did not expect that his words would provoke such a strong reaction from the public.

The Taoist priest waved his hand to stop the crowd, indicating that he was of high status.

He narrowed his eyes and sneered, "This guest is indeed rude, but I am not angry."

If that's the case, then do as you please.

Don't blame me for not warning you; if you run into trouble when you go out, don't come looking for me.

He spoke with extraordinary confidence, as if he had something to rely on. Fang Zheng's heart skipped a beat, and he already had a guess.

Just then, the inn's outer door was suddenly kicked open, and several people staggered in.

"Help! There's a monster! The coachman has been dragged into the snow; he's probably in grave danger!"

Several men dressed as merchants looked deathly pale, as if they had seen something terrifying.

They spotted the Taoist priest at a glance and rushed towards him as if he were their savior: "Master, save us! We were blind and neglected you before!"

The Taoist priest laughed: "As I just said, Cold Crow Mountain is very evil, and demons often appear there."

I gave the amulet out of kindness.

Instead of being grateful, these people made hurtful remarks, which is truly disheartening.

However, the White Tiger Society has always helped the people. As long as you sincerely admit your mistakes, are willing to believe in the White Tiger Holy Spirit, and join our White Tiger Society, your crisis can be resolved.

The merchants hurriedly nodded: "We're willing, we're willing!"

White Tiger Holy Spirit, protect all living beings!

The Taoist priest took out several copper talismans from his robes and handed them to one of the men.

The man carefully accepted the money and was about to give it to the Taoist priest when the priest refused, saying only, "Remember your words."

The White Tiger Holy Spirit is omnipresent and omniscient.

If one breaks this oath, one will be punished by Heaven, and the consequences may even extend to one's descendants.

The merchants nodded repeatedly: "We remember!"

Upon returning, we will build a temple and establish a shrine for the White Tiger Holy Spirit, ensuring its continuous worship!

Someone nearby immediately chimed in, "We should have listened to Master Yang earlier!"

We are followers of the White Tiger Society, and we possess blessed amulets that protect us from demons.

You outsiders are so ignorant, you deserve your bad luck!

"It's because Master Yang is so magnanimous. If it were me, I would have let you fend for yourselves!"

The merchants were scolded and dared not retaliate. They could only nod in apology and step aside, clutching their amulets.

The Taoist priest always had an inscrutable expression.

Fang Zheng watched the whole scene from beginning to end. The Taoist priest turned to him and said, "Young brother, you saw it too."

Those of you, like you, used to think I was a fraud and looked down on me. But what happened?

Only after suffering losses do we realize our mistakes.

This humble Taoist priest truly does not wish to see you two follow in their footsteps.

Someone else chimed in, "Master Yang is just kind-hearted. If it were me, I wouldn't pay any attention to these two outsiders. They deserve their bad luck."

There was a little girl who had been mocking Master Yang earlier, but she hasn't returned yet; she's probably been eaten by demons.

Another person said, "That's right, a Taoist priest is a Taoist priest, he won't stoop to the level of an ordinary person."

Why don't you come and thank the Taoist priest, and shout for the White Tiger Holy Spirit to protect all living beings?

Fang Zheng watched these people singing in unison, remained silent for a moment, and then suddenly burst into laughter.

The laughter was particularly loud in the inn, and the people there looked puzzled, not knowing what was going on.

Master Yang also frowned, not understanding what Fang Zheng was doing.