I defeated the saint with a parry.

"That's even more powerful than slaying demons."

Li west chuckled as he recounted the story of the heretical cultivators at the Spirit Platform Realm, describing it vividly and clearly recounting Xu Ling's carefree battle.

"So, Master Zhao, although you fell into the underground river, you managed to escape the evil cultivators at the Spirit Platform Realm. Isn't that just good luck?"

"Absolutely! Absolutely!"

Zhao Yi wiped the sweat from his face: "If we encounter a heretical cultivator at the Spirit Platform Realm, we really won't have a chance of survival."

Madam Zhao, who was able to swim out of the groundwater, was a heroine among women. At this moment, she repeatedly exclaimed, "This business of running a trade route is really not something humans can do. My husband, you should come out on your own from now on. I will never doubt you again."

"Hehe! My dear wife, I've told you before, we're in a dangerous business, we don't have the energy to chase after women, your worries are completely unnecessary."

"Yes, yes, I won't overthink it anymore. You can go out and do your thing, I'll take care of things at home."

"I'm not running anymore, I'll leave it to the people below."

The two had truly grown up together through thick and thin, and as they talked, they began to reminisce about how they first met. With tears in their eyes, they snuggled together, publicly displaying their affection.

After the two had poured out their hearts to each other and everything was over, Zhao Yi suddenly realized what was happening and pulled out a notebook that was already soaked with sweat from his pocket.

"This is a notebook I found under the altar; it might be useful to you."

Xu Ling took it and glanced at it, and couldn't help but sigh, "It's better to arrive at the right time than at the right time." It turned out to be the diary left behind by the evil cultivator Xumi, which recorded his experiences along the way in detail, and even included how he obtained those evil arts in his later years.

It was similar to what Xu Ling had heard. He had listened to Xu Mi's self-narration of his life in the trial space, and it coincided with these accounts.

It is clear that the trial space is not a figment of imagination, but a realistic and vivid replica.

Nothing was said that night, and as dawn broke, the group set off on their journey.

After walking for about two hours along the mountain path, we entered the area of ​​the official road, and the flow of people and merchants around us increased.

Most importantly, with the troops of the Great Chu stationed there, their sense of security increased dramatically.

Various vendors strolled along the main road, doing business on both sides. Small shops selling tea and meat, and itinerant peddlers selling goods, were everywhere.

The closer they got to the bustling city, the less the sense of desolation that weighed on everyone's hearts became. From the border to here, there had been nothing but demonic or human calamities, and there had never been a peaceful time.

The more people there are, the more lively and bustling the atmosphere becomes, which actually makes people feel at ease.

By afternoon, the bustling city could be seen in the distance, and the people on the official road gradually increased from sparse to crowded on both sides.

As he approached the checkpoint, Zhao Yi regained the relaxed feeling that only locals possess.

"Is this your first time visiting Fancheng?" Zhao Yi pointed to the huge city in front of him and said with a smile, "Although Fancheng is not as wealthy as Jiangnan or the capital, it is definitely the safest and largest city in our Central Plains. Beyond Fancheng, to the north is the capital, and to the east is Jiangnan."

"Speaking of scenery, our Fancheng has something unique." Zhao Yi introduced one by one: "There is a lake in the east of the city, and in the center of the lake is the largest building, called Fanlou. It has everything, and it is especially lively at night."

"If you follow the river north, you can find the best snacks in the whole city."

"The city center is where the Demon Suppression Bureau and the prefectural government of our state are located, as well as the residences of the officials, such as the general's mansion, the garrison commander's mansion, and the governor's mansion. We usually call it the inner city."

"There's a waterway dock to the west, which is a rather chaotic area. We generally don't go there unless there's a specific reason. I occasionally go there as a trader, but I never dare to be too conspicuous."

"We're heading through the North Gate now! It's the busiest gate, and we're all hungry from the journey, so we can buy something to eat once we get into the city."

Following Zhao Yi's directions, they arrived at the city gate by following the flow of people.

Before Xu Ling and Zhao Yi could produce their travel permits, a voice called out, "Have people from the Li residence arrived?"

"Really! Look, that's a carriage unique to the Li family. See the pattern? It's one of a kind in the Li family."

"I heard it was bestowed by the Prince of Kang of our prefecture; it's a symbol of status, and no other noble family in the city receives this treatment."

"But I heard that the eldest son of the Li family has passed away and a funeral is about to be held. Why would the head of the family's carriage be here?"

"He's down! He's down! It's the Second Master of the Li family!! No wonder he dared to use the patriarch's carriage."

Looking in the direction of the sound, a procession was seen walking through the city gate, with a particularly conspicuous carriage. People around them consciously made way for it, showing that the Li family's pomp and circumstance was truly extraordinary.

Everyone at the city gate seemed to know the Li family. Xu Ling was the only exception. Among his group, Zhao Yi, being a local, naturally knew the Li family, while Li Xi, being the Li family's illegitimate son, also knew the Li family quite well.

Xu Ling turned to look at Li west and whispered, "The people looking for you are here."

Li west nodded: "That's not surprising. Although the jade pendant was destroyed, we were on the official road the whole way and didn't avoid our eyes, so naturally we couldn't hide it from them."

"Are you really not coming to the Li family with me? Although they see me as a thorn in their side, they won't treat me unfairly on the surface. If you escort me all the way, you'll definitely get a lot of benefits in return."

"No, no!" Xu Ling waved his hand hastily. "You aristocratic families are so easily tainted. I'd better go directly to the Demon Suppression Division to report for duty. I won't keep you company."

"Okay! I'll contact you again if I need anything, so please don't refuse."

"Only a fool would refuse if the money is right."

Xu Ling cupped his hands in greeting, and the two split into two groups. Li west led Hou Le directly toward the Li family's carriage.

As they approached, the man who alighted from the carriage came to greet them: "My poor nephew, let your second master see you. You must have had a very arduous journey."

Without further ado, Second Master Li pulled Li west into the carriage, showing no disdain for Li west's dusty journey.

Hou Le stood outside the carriage and drove it.

That enthusiasm didn't seem like acting; at least Xu Ling felt that none of the uncles he had met in his previous life had been this enthusiastic.

After watching the Li family leave, the city gate returned to its usual order. Judging from the flow of people at the gate, the entire city would probably know tonight that the late Master Li had a son born out of wedlock who had returned to the Li family.

"Good heavens! So Young Master Li Xi is a descendant of the Li family of Fancheng?" Zhao Yi suddenly realized, "I thought it was just a coincidence that he had the surname Li."

Zhao Yi quickly patted Xu Ling: "Sir, you're about to strike it rich! In Fancheng, with the Li family backing you up, even the Demon Suppression Division has to give you some face."

Xu Ling said irritably, "Don't talk nonsense. I'm just escorting him, not marrying into his family. It's a one-off deal. If the deal goes through, there'll be some remaining goodwill. You're a businessman, don't you understand this?"

"Besides, I'm just a demon slayer at the Body Tempering Realm. I don't have the ability to hitch a ride on the Li family's coattails."

Zhao Yi wanted to refute, but then felt that Xu Ling's words made sense. In the end, he just muttered in a low voice, "I think that young master Li Xi is fair-skinned and tender. If Lord Xu is interested in marrying into the family, it should be fine."

"I didn't realize our Master Zhao had such a taste!" Xu Ling looked at Madam Zhao: "Sister-in-law, you heard that too. You'd better be more careful in the future, and not just guard against women."

The two entered the North Gate one after the other.

As expected of a fantasy world, it was completely different from the ancient times Xu Ling had imagined. Even though it was already dusk, the unique hustle and bustle of the city had not stopped.

The road was lined with all sorts of vendors, just like the pedestrian street in his previous life. Zhao Yi wasn't lying; the North Gate was indeed bustling with activity unique to Fancheng.

"How about we grab a couple of drinks?" Zhao Yi pointed to a restaurant. "Every time I return safely, I go for a couple of drinks."

"The business of the Zhao family?" Xu Lingcai asked, referring to the restaurant's name, Zhao's Wine Shop.

Zhao Yi chuckled twice: "It's all small business. This is indeed one of my businesses. To be honest, although my family mainly does trading, that's a family tradition. Actually, eating and drinking are what I love to do."

"What a coincidence, I also crave a good meal. I won't drink tonight, I'm in a hurry to give my performance review. I'll definitely do it next time!"

Before leaving, Xu Ling specifically reminded him, "For the next business trip, it would be better for Chief Zhao to go out during a period outside of the demonic calamity."