This martial arts tournament is time-stopping.

"Perfect timing! The village is plagued by evil spirits; it would be a good thing if we could seek refuge with martial artist Ye Hao in Shuanglong City!"

Ye Chu scooped out the remaining grains from the grain jar and put them into a grain bag. He then took out a small string of copper coins from a hole in the corner of the wall, as well as the most important iron pot!

Ji Meng then packed up their few clothes, quilts, scissors, needles and thread, sickles, hoes, and other belongings, and stuffed them all into a large basket.

As for their large belongings, Niu Da and his men smashed them and converted them into one or two taels of silver, allowing the two to travel light and escape.

When going out,

Ji Meng carried a basket on her back, while Ye Chu was tidying up the money bag, two quivers, and two bows and arrows hanging in front of her, so that they could be used at any time and to guard against bandits!

As for chickens, ducks, and dogs, there are none at all.

They're barely able to feed the people, and Ye Hao needs flesh and blood to nourish himself for martial arts practice, so even if they grow up, they'll just end up in someone else's stomach.

"Let's go find my father-in-law."

When Ye Chu and Ji Meng pushed open the door and stepped out, the once bustling threshing ground was now deserted.

Because Madam Yang and some village elders had looked at the village from afar, they found that not only did the dogs not dare to enter, but even the birds did not chirp; it was eerily quiet!

The villagers scattered in a panic, packed their belongings, and fled the village for their lives.

Just like the turbulent period more than ten years ago when a great demon appeared in the mountains, leaving people homeless.

When Ye Chu and his companion arrived at Ji Shiyu's house, the Ji family had almost finished packing up. In addition, the Ji family had a donkey and a donkey cart to help transport valuables and other supplies.

Ye Chu, Ji Meng, Ji Shiyu, his mother-in-law, and Ji Shan, the 12-year-old brother-in-law chosen by the Yang family, were among the first five to evacuate.

As Ji Shan sat on the donkey cart, watching the village gradually recede into the distance until it disappeared from sight, a sense of melancholy for leaving his hometown began to stir in his heart.

"Brother-in-law, will we come back again? I haven't said goodbye to Cuihua, Erlengzi, Shitou, and Ergou yet."

"They should be able to come back, right?"

More than a decade ago, after the great demon that ravaged the human world was beheaded, many people who had left their homes eventually returned.

Similarly, once this evil spirit is removed, everyone can go back to farming as usual.

Furthermore, the Yang family has already annexed two-thirds of the land in Qingniu Village. A landlord who has reached this level will never easily give up his ancestral property!

During their journey, they encountered someone from the Yang family who had ridden to Shuanglong County to inform Master Yang and report to the authorities to exorcise the demon.

Meanwhile, news of the theft at the Yang family's home also spread among the crowd.

By noon, when the five entered Shuanglong County, they still hadn't seen any government officials sent to deal with the evil spirits.

At the entrance of Shuanglong County,

Ji Shiyu's family was heading to the Yang residence in the east of the city:

"Xiao Ye, the Yang family has taken a liking to Ji Shan and will support his martial arts training. Since my wife and I know how to raise livestock, they've arranged for us to work for the Yang family raising horses. What are your plans?"

Ye Chu wanted to buy a house, but that would reveal his wealth and make Mrs. Yang, who had lost her money, think of something else:

"Let's see what my uncle and his family say first."

After the two families parted ways at the city gate, Ye Chu and Ji Meng went to the West City Delicacies Pavilion for a banquet.

However, when the two arrived at the entrance of the Zhenxiu Pavilion with their belongings, they were unable to enter.

The reason was that the two had come with their belongings as if they were fleeing famine, and the people at Zhenxiu Pavilion were afraid that something might go wrong and delay the banquet for their distinguished guests.

A moment later, Uncle Ye arrived at the door and saw the two carrying their belongings. He assumed that the two were planning to stay at Ye Hao's place as a burden!

"Nephew, what are you doing, bringing your whole family along?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Chu knew that his uncle was worried that the two of them would hinder Ye Hao's future, and also knew that relying on Ye Hao was unreliable.

However, he still explained the matter of the evil spirits in the village.

"Even the Yang family ran away?"

Uncle Ye was shocked.

Since Huangtian Temple was built, there haven't been any incidents in the surrounding area for more than ten years!

Moreover, Ye Chu wouldn't lie to himself; he only needed to ask at the city gate to find out the truth.

"Oh dear! My house isn't cleaned yet..."

Uncle Ye slapped his thigh in frustration, but he didn't dare go back to pack up his belongings at this time.

He arranged for the two of them to sit in a corner for the meal, and then hurriedly went to discuss it with his son, who had become a martial artist.

The meal was filled with fine wine and delicious food, including chicken, duck, fish, and meat. The dishes were fresh, spicy, and flavorful. Ye Chu ate to her heart's content, and even kept putting food on Ji Meng's plate, who was too shy to eat.

As for the few apprentices from the Eight Directions Martial Arts School at the table, they didn't look down on Ye Chu, because they were also from poor backgrounds and that's why they were at the table. Their eating manners weren't much better either!

So, having found common ground, Ye Chu actually managed to ask some questions about the martial arts school during the meal.

For example:

Bafang Martial Arts School has many rules for master-disciple relationships, and you also need to sign a master-disciple contract, working for the martial arts school for free for 8 years.

The Overlord Blade School has close ties with gangs, and many students join gangs after completing their apprenticeship.

After graduating from the Mo Family Martial Arts Academy, students must work in government-run construction projects until old age.

Changxing Escort Agency requires signing a life-or-death waiver before they will provide training;

Zhuifeng Academy is fast-paced and has many collaborations with prominent families;

Dragon Tiger Hall is neutral, has no entry requirements, and teaches anyone who pays...

"No wonder the Yang family sent Yang Heng to the Dragon Tiger Hall to learn martial arts; it turns out there were fewer restrictions."

When Ye Chu asked about Huangtian Temple, everyone sighed. Huangtian Temple had been spreading the "Yellow Turban Warrior" for over ten years, but not a single person had mastered it.

Therefore, Huangtian Temple has never accepted any formal disciples since its establishment.

Upon receiving this news, Ye Chu immediately abandoned the idea of ​​going to Huangtian Temple!

Both Tang Zhou and Huang Tian Temple have problems, but they can't find any other way to remove the ghost handprint. Plus, there are too many demons and monsters in this world.

I'd better learn martial arts first, so I can at least have some ability to protect myself!

After the banquet,

After Ye Hao saw off his fellow disciple, Ye's eldest uncle approached Ye Chu to discuss the follow-up arrangements:

"Nephew, the village being beset by evil spirits is indeed an undeserved disaster, but the Yang family won't let so much land lie fallow. They should actively cooperate with the government by providing funds and gathering skilled martial artists to exorcise the evil!"

"Maybe in a couple of days, we'll be able to go back to the village."

As Uncle Ye spoke, he glanced back at Ye Hao, whose face was tense, and gritted his teeth, saying:

"But your cousin was only accepted as an inner disciple by the Bafang Martial Arts School yesterday, and he was only allocated a small courtyard. Your aunt and I live in a side room, and your grandparents live in the woodshed. There's really no extra room..."

"How about you guys go to the City God Temple area at night for the next few nights and try to make do?"

Ye Chu understood.

They're afraid of being blamed, so they kick people out!

However, I could already tell from my uncle's attitude when we came in for the meal!

Only after confirming the information that I was "about to be kicked out" did I feel a sudden sadness. I felt even more distressed because I had worked so hard to nurture myself before I awakened my innate wisdom, only to be rejected and abandoned in return.

"Hahaha, he uses those who are useful and discards those who are useless! No wonder he's the eldest son of that old man who only deserves to live in the woodshed!"

After Ye Chu relentlessly mocked the old but biased grandfather, he pulled Ji Meng and walked straight out of the Treasure Pavilion, leaving the family members pale with anger.

This affection,

That's the end of it!

But it's good that it's over, I feel free now!

This is exactly what Ye Chu thought when he awakened his innate wisdom: let's not talk about the past, and look to the future!

"Ye Lang, why don't you go and seek refuge with my parents?" Ji Meng looked at Ye Chu with some concern.

"It's alright," Ye Chu patted Ji Meng's hand, "Let's go to the Dragon Tiger Hall first to ask how to learn martial arts before making any plans."

During his conversation with the apprentices from the Eight Directions Martial Arts School at the banquet, Ye Chu had already figured out that the Dragon Tiger Hall was also located in the West City.

After asking for directions several more times, the two finally found the entrance to the Dragon Tiger Hall.

After Ye Chu explained his purpose for coming to learn martial arts to the gatekeeper, he was welcomed through the gate.

A moment later, the gatekeeper emerged from the inner courtyard, where heavy breathing and shouting were heard, to greet a burly man with broad shoulders and a thick waist.

"Which of you two wants to learn martial arts?"