I am Guhuoniao, not an umbrella demon, please do not disturb me.

According to the usual practices of those sects, they would have killed this demon long ago. Sects like Tianyang Palace would suppress it under their own gates. Why leave a demon here? Aren't they afraid that evil cultivators will take advantage of this to cause trouble?

"Auntie, my sword."

"Okay, I'll get it to you right away."

Please vote

Volume 1: Chapter 58 Lodging

With a large, shelf-like bookcase on her back, Bai Qingyu led her two children and younger sister on another journey. Behind them, Kangshan Town remained chaotic and bustling. The disappearance of Master Li kept many people awake at night, and they had sent people to search day and night, but after several days, there was still no trace of him.

After killing Li Zhou, Bai Qingyu thought he would have some kind of karmic burden, but so far he has not felt any karmic burden entering his body. Of course, he has also not gained any merit. The only merit he gained was from helping Zhang Yan's soul pass on.

This girl is so pitiful that even Heaven couldn't bear to see her suffer. The merit gained from helping her pass on is more than that from helping fifty ordinary ghosts pass on.

Including the rebels killed in Fengchuan County, Bai Qingyu's accumulated merits were almost enough to clear away his own karmic obstacles. It was much faster than he had imagined. He thought it would take at least a year to clear away so much karmic obstacle after he went down the mountain, but he didn't expect to clear it away in just a few days.

A group of people walked along a country road. The torrential rain of the past few days had stopped, and the weather had been sunny and breezy for the past two days. A gentle autumn breeze blew through Bai Qingyu's long black hair. She reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, glancing sideways at the cowherds in the fields.

The cowherd sat on the back of the old ox, holding only a leaf instead of a musical instrument, yet he could still play a beautiful tune, which drifted to the ears of the group on a gentle breeze.

Bai Qingyu's eyes lit up, and she took out the bamboo flute she had just bought from her book box and began to try playing it. The unpleasant, shrill, and melody-less flute music immediately entangled the nursery rhyme played by the cowherd, completely destroying the original natural tranquility.

The cowherd and the old farmer working in the fields frowned and looked on with slight dissatisfaction.

Dongqing behind her started winking and making faces again, and when Changsheng ignored her, she simply tugged at Zhentian's sleeve.

Zhen Tian nodded slightly in agreement, thinking to herself that even Sister Bai wasn't omnipotent; there were things she couldn't do.

A moment later, Bai Qingyu coughed, stuffed the bamboo flute back into the book box, took out a wooden umbrella, opened it, and held it over her head to hide her embarrassment. Perhaps she shouldn't have bought this flute a few days ago; it was not easy to play at all.

It was harvest time, and many farmers were busy in the fields. Dongqing chattered away, asking this and that questions. When she got bored, she started humming a lullaby, the very same one that Bai Qingyu used to sing to her when she was little.

"Children make noise, cooking smoke rises. Birds return to the woods."

"The road is difficult, winding and turning a thousand times. The sun sets over another mountain."

We stopped and strolled along the way, enjoying the scenery and picking wild fruits.

We set off in the morning and by the afternoon we could see the village not far away. Fortunately, the village had not been affected by the rebels or swallowed up by the flood.

Upon entering the village, Bai Qingyu wanted to find a family to stay with for the night, believing that the money she had left would be enough for one night.

As soon as I entered the village, I saw a girl in her teens walking briskly from the other end of the village, followed by a strong young man with dark skin.

"Stop following me!"

"No, Xiaolan, that Master Li is no good. Listen to my advice."

"Get away from me!"

A girl named Xiaolan walked quickly, her eyes red and filled with tears. When she noticed Bai Qingyu and his group, she looked up, paused slightly, and then changed direction to continue walking.

The dark-skinned young man behind them also saw Bai Qingyu and the others. He was stunned, having never seen girls like them before. However, he already had Xiao Lan in his heart, so he only glanced at them once and didn't look at them any longer.

Bai Qingyu couldn't help but speak up, "Hey, young man, we've been traveling and would like to ask for lodging in this village for the night. Is that possible?"

"Do you need to stay the night?" The young man sighed as he watched Xiao Lan return home, then turned to look at Bai Qingyu and the others.

"Yes, thank you for your help."

"Well... then come with me." After hesitating for a moment, the young man slowly nodded, said nothing more, and didn't even give his name. He walked forward with his head down, looking lost and dejected.

There's definitely a story behind this. Judging from their conversation just now, it seems that Xiao Lan is leaving? To become that Master Li's concubine?

No matter how beautiful a girl is in a poor village, she can only become a concubine for the local gentry and wealthy people. Girls in the feudal world have no status; they are either appendages or playthings. Even if they go to the home of a wealthy person, their lives will be miserable. But no matter how miserable they are, it is still better than living in the village, at least they have food to eat and clothes to wear.

Life in the impoverished mountains seemed endless; unless there was a bumper harvest, people would go hungry.

"Is that girl going to marry into the Li family?" Bai Qingyu asked.

Upon hearing this, the young man walking ahead burst into tears without saying a word, making Bai Qingyu feel guilty.

Did she ask something she shouldn't have?

After an awkward journey, we arrived at a family's house in the village. The house consisted of three small thatched huts, neither too big nor too small, with chickens and ducks kept in the fenced yard.

A woman feeding chickens saw her son bring back several fairies and, for a moment, thought they were some kind of hermit masters. She quickly put down what she was holding and came out.

"Zhu Zi, who are these young ladies?"

“Auntie, it’s like this. We’re on our way and are passing by here. Since it’s getting late, we’d like to ask to stay the night and set off again tomorrow.” Bai Qingyu stepped forward with a smile on her face, carrying her book box.

"Alright, you can stay here tonight, but I only have one room available."

"It's alright."

"Alright, I'll help you tidy up."

·

Nothing happened that night. Bai Qingyu got up early to pack her things and prepare to leave. As soon as she stepped out the door, she saw a carriage swaying along. The carriage was decorated with red ribbons and colorful decorations, as if it were for a wedding. However, there was no banging or firecrackers, and no banquet was held.

The sedan chair came and went in a hurry. Bai Qingyu saw the girl named Xiaolan from yesterday get into the carriage. Her parents were in tears and refused to let go. Xiaolan forced a smile and comforted them that Master Li was a good man and would not mistreat her.

These words seemed to be comforting her parents, but even more so, they were meant to comfort herself. In truth, she knew perfectly well that a concubine's status was at most slightly higher than that of a maid; once she went there, she would be nothing more than Li Yuanwai's plaything and half-slave.

Xiao Lan only took a bundle with her. As the carriage swayed and drove away, Bai Qingyu noticed that the young man surnamed Lin from yesterday was kneeling in the distance, wailing loudly. Perhaps he was crying because he was unable to provide his beloved girl with a good life and enough to eat every day, or perhaps he was crying because the wealthy man Li had brought misfortune upon his daughter.

"Life is full of different aspects, let's go."

Bai Qingyu pulled Dong Qing, who was engrossed in watching, and patted Zhen Tian's shoulder with her other hand.

"This girl should be heading to Shimen County ahead; we might run into her again."

The journey is taken one step at a time. Bai Qingyu's target, Xianta Prefecture, is still far away, and he doesn't know how many villages and towns he will pass through along the way.

Volume 1: Chapter 59 The Great Truths of Life and Lin Yimiao

There are too many things to manage when traveling the world. If he encounters such a thing, he should step in. Bai Qingyu felt that he would kill countless bastards in a year.

"Zhen Tian, ​​do you think she's finally found a home?"

Walking along the ridge, Bai Qingyu and her group followed the carriage at a distance. Bai Qingyu looked at Zhen Tian and asked in a low voice.

“No.” Zhen Tian gazed into the distance. “I think a home is a place where you have family. Without family, it’s just a temporary place to stay.”

"Yes, family."

"Aunt." Dongqing walked quickly to Bai Qingyu. "Can you see that girl's future? Will that girl get better in the future? I heard that those who are not formally married are all concubines, and concubines have a very low status."

"It's too far. I'll try, but it probably won't be very good."

Bai Qingyu can see a person's fortune or misfortune for a period of time in the future. When he saw this girl yesterday, he felt that she was shrouded in bad luck and dark energy. If nothing unexpected happened, something bad was going to happen to her.

"Then let's..."

“Dongqing, this is her own choice.” Changsheng opened his eyes and looked at the carriage in the distance. “She wants to leave this poor little village. Even if it’s hard, she wants to live a life where she can have enough to eat. If you go there now and tell her that your future life won’t be good, what will she say?”

"She will definitely draw the curtain and ignore you. Your suggestions will have no effect on her and will only make her resentful, because she knows it in her heart and doesn't need you to tell her."

Dongqing's delicate brows furrowed, and for a moment she didn't know how to refute Changsheng. He was right; this was Xiaolan's own choice, and no one could change it. Life as a concubine was hard, but wasn't staying also hard?

Life in the small village was free and easy, but there was no food to eat. The feeling of being hungry was unbearable, and only those who had experienced it could truly understand.

Seeing that Dongqing didn't speak, Changsheng added, "Don't meddle in other people's business."

"Okay, you idiot Changsheng, nyah nyah nyah."

Bai Qingyu shook her head. She had to say these words even if Changsheng didn't. Dongqing was sometimes too straightforward, too kind, and a bit presumptuous. That was good, though, because it helped her understand the principles behind them, which would be helpful when she traveled the world in the future.

However, just saying that won't leave a deep impression on the little girl.

"Dongqing, I just saw Xiaolan's future. It's very, very tragic. She might end up like Zhang Yan."

"Huh?" Dongqing exclaimed in shock, "Then...then...then..."

"Then why don't you give it a try and tell her that freedom is the greatest treasure?"

Bai Qingyu patted the little girl on the shoulder and gave her a firm look.

Sure enough, upon seeing Bai Qingyu's gaze, all the道理 (principles/reasons) that Changsheng had told her were instantly forgotten, and she was eager to try and persuade Xiaolan to come back.

"Then let's hurry and catch up with that carriage!"

Behind him, Changsheng gave Bai Qingyu a deep look, as if he understood something. He had noticed recently that his aunt might want to let go. For example, his aunt used to help Dongqing with her hair and laundry, but recently Dongqing had been doing it herself. In addition, there were many other details that Dongqing had to handle on her own.

Holly is leaving, and I will definitely have to leave too.

Once a bird has grown strong enough to fly, it must go out and find its own food. This principle applies to both wild animals and humans.

Changsheng was very pleased to see this scene.

Auntie spoiled Dongqing a bit too much, and it's a good thing for Dongqing that she's willing to let go.

Bai Qingyu grabbed Dong Qing and leaped to the back of the carriage. He put Dong Qing down, and Dong Qing quickly ran over.

With her arm resting on the window and her cheek propped up by one hand, gazing at the receding scenery outside, Xiaolan suddenly saw Dongqing running towards her.

"Little Lan, why don't you stay? Life in the village is quite good, isn't it? You're free and easy. But what will you do at Master Li's house this time...?"

Before she could finish speaking, Xiaolan interrupted, "Who are you? I don't know you."

As soon as she finished speaking, she pulled the curtain shut. Dong Qing wanted to say something, but Bai Qingyu stopped her and she could only watch helplessly as the carriage drove away.

The girl is already upset, so it's best not to let Dongqing bother her. Just like Changsheng said, Xiaolan understands these principles herself, and repeating them to her will only annoy her.

Let Dongqing experience it firsthand; I believe the impression she gets from that will be far more lasting than a few words from Changsheng.

"Auntie, why is this happening?"

The little girl looked dejected.

"Because what you think is different from what others think. Things in the world aren't always as you imagine them to be, understand? Changsheng's words make sense: don't meddle in other people's business, especially things you can't be sure about." Ruffling the little girl's head, Bai Qingyu watched the carriage disappear into the distance.

"There's nothing wrong with chivalry, but meddling in everything is just being a troublemaker. You have to have your own judgment."

Throughout the rest of the journey, Dongqing remained silent, lost in thought about the matter, with Changsheng's words and Bai Qingyu's words constantly replaying in her mind.

Without disturbing her, Bai Qingyu stood behind her, watching her back.

The carriage had disappeared from sight. Dongqing sighed again and could only pray for Xiaolan in his heart.

Normally, knowing that Xiaolan's future wouldn't be good, one should stop her even if it goes against her wishes. After thinking about it carefully, Dongqing realized another reason: her aunt didn't want to see her do things that were thankless.