Wen Runjin arrived early at the guest house, waiting to pay respects to Feng Rugu. Seeing the scene before him, his face turned ashen and cold sweat beaded his forehead.

Four young demon cultivators stood in a row in front of the courtyard, each holding a cup of hot tea, a small incense burner wafting plum fragrance, a bamboo smoking pipe, and a bamboo smoking lamp.

They had been changed into the attire of ordinary children, looking neat and tidy, but each of them had their heads tucked in like little quails.

The moment Wen Runjin saw these four, his refined smile instantly vanished.

At this time, only Hai Jing and Master Ruyi were in the courtyard. Feng Rugu was still in the main hall, while Luo Fuchun and Sang Luojiu were packing luggage in the main hall.

Wen Runjin thought that Buddhist monks should not be so tactless as to interfere in Daoist affairs. He hurried a few steps forward and whispered fiercely, "Is this a place you can come to? Do you not want your lives anymore?"

The four young demon cultivators all stammered, unable to utter a coherent sentence.

Wen Runjin scolded in a low voice, "Get back!"

Unexpectedly, although the few young demon cultivators were afraid, their minds were clear. Each of them played deaf and dumb, holding the things in their hands even more steadily.

"You--"

Before Wen Runjin could get angry, Feng Rugu came out from the main hall.

The Fengling Daoist robe was mainly pale in color, with a white jade Daoist crown and pale hair ribbon. The sleeves had auspicious cloud hidden patterns. It should have had a solemn appearance, but Feng Rugu was influenced by his master, resembling his teacher. He wore the proper Daoist robe with the air of a dashing young chivalrous hero.

Moreover, he was an exceptionally refined and particular chivalrous hero.

He walked to the side of the first young demon cultivator, took the tea at the right temperature from his hands, took a sip, and said leisurely, "Sect Leader Wen, good morning."

With that, he tucked his sleeves and slowly waved them over the incense burner held by the second young demon cultivator, allowing the sleeves to be infused with a faint plum fragrance.

This natural demeanor of a noble son, and the casual attitude as if in his own home, left Wen Runjin speechless for a while before he managed to squeeze out a sentence, "Lord Yunzhong, these young disciples..."

Feng Rugu scented his sleeves with the cool fragrance and joked, "Sect Leader Wen, you feel distressed lending your Wenshi Sect disciples for use?"

Wen Runjin's heart had already gone through a hundred twists and turns, but his face still showed complete thoughtfulness, his smile still enthusiastic, "This is my lack of hospitality. I only thought that Lord Yunzhong would be more comfortable with familiar disciples serving, but I didn't expect there to be insufficient manpower. I've been negligent, negligent indeed."

Luo Fuchun inwardly muttered, old fox.

The four demon cultivators were obviously brought to the courtyard by the master as a warning to Wen Runjin. With the ready-made evidence placed right in front, what was he waiting for if not to apologize and admit his mistake?

But Luo Fuchun was not in a hurry.

Since the master said there was a way to punish the Wenshi Sect while protecting these four demon cultivators, it all depended on how the master would handle it.

At this moment, Wen Runjin's heart was already a scene of stormy waves.

To be safe, he had clearly sent away the young demon cultivator who was cleaning in the guest house. Where did these demon cultivators get the audacity to run to Lord Yunzhong?

No, perhaps Lord Yunzhong discovered something and captured them.

Was he pulling these four demon cultivators in front of him, intending to make an issue of it?

While Wen Runjin was considering countermeasures, Feng Rugu, who had scented both sleeves with plum fragrance, leisurely walked to the third young demon cultivator, picked up the bamboo smoking pipe, placed the bamboo silk tobacco inside, then lowered his body and used the smoking lamp held by the fourth young demon cultivator to burn out wisps of clear smoke.

He said to himself, "Sect Leader Wen, last night I took a stroll under the moonlight and wandered into a small courtyard where I happened to meet these four children. We had a very agreeable chat, so I thought of taking them out to broaden their horizons. I wonder if Sect Leader Wen is willing to part with them?"

Luo Fuchun: "..."

What kind of casual excuse is this?!

Taking a stroll under the moonlight, happening to meet demon cultivators, and encountering four at once?

Such an excuse would be difficult to fool even children, let alone deceive a fox?

However, after a brief contemplation, Sang Luojiu looked at Feng Rugu, revealing a somewhat complex expression.

Even with Wen Runjin's level of composure, he was stunned for a moment before smiling, "These are people of my Wenshi Sect. Lord Yunzhong can't just take them away as he pleases, right?"

"What's wrong with that?" Feng Rugu said, "They are willing to come with me to broaden their horizons."

Wen Runjin: "The Wenshi Sect has its own cultivation lessons. When the time comes, they will naturally be able to go out and see the world. Lord Yunzhong must still have important matters to attend to, so why add this burden?"

Feng Rugu: "Not so. You've also seen that I'm a man of particular tastes. Whether waking, sitting, or reading, I need people to hold things for me. I never mind having many people around."

Wen Runjin: "These few children, how would they know how to serve someone? Why don't I select a few alert and quick-witted ones for Lord Yunzhong..."

Feng Rugu: "Quick-witted is good, but this Feng Er values intuition above all else. I don't mind if people are stupid, I only fear quick-wittedness that misses the point, adding feet to the snake, turning cleverness into clumsiness."

From the back-and-forth between these two, Luo Fuchun gradually tasted some underlying meaning.

It seemed the master wanted to force Old Man Wen to swallow this bitter pill?

Thinking of this, when he looked at his master's face again, it seemed even more perfect. His face couldn't help but flush with excitement.

Wen Runjin indeed had grievances he couldn't voice.

He had already seen that Feng Rugu knew early on that these four were from the demon sect, and today he was determined to take them away from here.

But how could Wen Runjin agree?

Firstly, the four young demon cultivators had brought quite a bit of benefit to the Wenshi Sect. In recent years, in order to save their children's lives, their parents had indeed sent over many treasures and books. Secondly, if these four were publicly taken away by Feng Rugu, once he used this as leverage, wouldn't the Wenshi Sect have to be at his mercy in the future?

Lost in surging thoughts, Wen Runjin unknowingly allowed Feng Rugu to approach him.

Feng Rugu held the smoking pipe level with one hand in front of his chest and lowered his voice. As he spoke, it carried a faint bamboo breath that made one's ears hot, "...Sect Leader Wen is so reluctant to part with them, could it be that one of them is Sect Leader Wen's illegitimate child?"

Wen Runjin felt a chill in his heart and blurted out, "Nonsense!!"

Feng Rugu laughed, "Just kidding, just kidding."

With that, he turned and walked to the side of the four young demon cultivators, with the air that everything was already settled, "Aren't you going to thank Sect Leader Wen for his care over the years?"

Staring at Feng Rugu's back, Wen Runjin's heart seemed to be frying in oil, sizzling and crumpling into a ball. For a moment, evil thoughts sprouted. He could no longer care about much else. He stepped forward, wanting to grab Feng Rugu--

A deep black wooden sword fell three inches in front of his feet. A flash of ethereal light, and the sword drew a white ash mark on the ground beside the blade.

Wen Runjin turned his head in shock, only to see Ruyi resheathing his drawn "Nature of All Beings" sword back to his side, his expression not showing the slightest ripple, nor did he speak, but his meaning was already clear enough.

...Cross this line, and bear the consequences.

Wen Runjin instantly sobered up, stopped in his tracks, sweating profusely, and said no more.

Ruyi's action shocked quite a few people. Hai Jing's mouth gaped open, Sang Luojiu and the others were also a bit dazed, only Feng Rugu glanced at Ruyi from the side, pursed his lips in a smile, but almost got his fingers burned by the lamp.

...Fortunately no one noticed.

By the time Wen Runjin respectfully escorted Feng Rugu's group to the Sword Stone, his face was already a bit stiff from smiling.

Feng Rugu, on the other hand, maintained his usual demeanor and even had the mind to talk about other things, but uniquely did not tell Wen Runjin about what Wen Chen had confided in him the night before.

Since Wen Chen came to confide in him, he had no reason to betray him.

Moreover, as an outsider, there was no need to let Wen Runjin know the heart-wrenching matter of his son beheading his daughter.

When bidding farewell to Wen Runjin, he happened to turn his head and spotted the Second Young Master Wen, who had shouted to beat and kill him when he came to the mountain yesterday, behind a tree not far away.

He had probably been scolded, as his gaze towards Feng Rugu was a bit flickering.

And after being caught red-handed by Feng Rugu, he flashed back behind the tree with a whoosh, pretending he had never appeared.

Feng Rugu found it quite interesting and just assumed he had been frightened by the scolding. He walked straight to Sang Luojiu's side.

Sang Luojiu was about to board the sword, and seeing Feng Rugu walking towards him, he couldn't help but be surprised: "Master is not going on Master Ruyi's sword?"

Feng Rugu said with a tired look: "I didn't sleep well last night and want to sleep a bit on Luojiu's body."

When Ruyi was releasing his sword, he had stepped forward to make room for Feng Rugu to stand, but hearing this, he looked at Feng Rugu, then at the space he had made, seeming a bit displeased, as if he was sulking.

Sang Luojiu had long been used to Feng Rugu's erratic way of speaking and was about to invite his master to come up when he was distracted by Master Ruyi's light cough.

Ruyi pointed to his sword, indicating for him to come over.

Feng Rugu saw him not speaking and pretended not to understand, tilting his head in imitation of him.

It was Hai Jing who understood Ruyi's meaning. Scratching his little bald head, he explained embarrassedly, "Lord Yunzhong, I have only learned the basics of sword riding and my cultivation is still shallow. I can only carry myself on the sword."

Feng Rugu let out an "ah".

He had originally arranged it quite well, with the little monk carrying two little demon cultivators, the disciple surnamed Luo carrying two, and his little Hongchen not liking demon cultivators, so letting him carry one less person would be easier for him.

...It seemed that was not to be.

He was in a hurry to sleep and didn't refuse. Raising his hand to wipe away the tears at the corners of his eyes, he said lazily, "Luojiu, you carry two."

He sauntered behind Ruyi and leaped onto the sword: "Master Ruyi, sorry for the trouble."

Ruyi lowered his head, smelling the plum fragrance mixed with some borneol on his body, and did not speak.

The soft and form-fitting monk's robe draped down from his shoulder peaks, outlining the arc of his shoulder blades, making his neck appear even longer.

...It must be comfortable to lean against.

In just a few short moments, Feng Rugu had studied all the places on his body that could serve as a pillow.

After leaving the Wenshi Sect's gate, Sang Luojiu looked at the four little demon cultivators who were riding a sword for the first time and scared out of their wits, and said, "Is this the method Master spoke of last night?"

Feng Rugu said lazily, "How is it? If you want to praise your master's brilliance and valor, keep it concise, three to five hundred words will do."

Sang Luojiu was momentarily speechless.

Luo Fuchun took over: "Master, this move of yours is truly wonderful. Sect Leader Wen has nothing to say now! Are we going to Mizhi now to investigate the murder of the people from Hanshan Temple?"

Feng Rugu contentedly rubbed against Ruyi's back, stretching like a cat: "No rush, let's go to Jiangling City first. These four little beans..."

He opened his eyes and glanced at them lazily: "...We have to find a place for them first."

Sang Luojiu replied with a heavy heart: "...Yes."

Yes. This move by Master was indeed brilliant.

This way, the four little demon cultivators could escape unscathed. Wen Runjin couldn't openly go back on his own words and could only grudgingly accept it. From now on, he would definitely be cautious and not dare to make similar moves against demon cultivators again. He would also have to be on tenterhooks every day, fearing when Feng Rugu might use the little demon cultivators to make trouble for him, suffering torment daily.

With the demon cultivators gone from the Wenshi Sect, Wen Chen could also be spared from the condemnation of his conscience and take a few steps closer to the "Dao" in his heart.

This idea had thousands upon thousands of advantages, but there was only one disadvantage—

Wen Runjin would put all the blame and resentment squarely on Feng Rugu's head.

Master was using his own body to bear all the implications and grudges.

What Sang Luojiu could think of, how could Ruyi not think of it?

Logically speaking, for the Buddhist sect to meddle in the affairs of the Daoist sect was very unwise.

His move against Wen Runjin was even more inappropriate.

But Ruyi believed that generating unnecessary complications was always bad. Resolving the trouble early and leaving the Wenshi Sect early could also allow the wrongfully killed disciples of the Buddhist sect to eliminate their obsessions and ascend to the Pure Land early.

He thought, he was not doing it for Feng Rugu.

Thinking this way, he closed his eyes, dispelling the slightly tipsy Feng Rugu in front of him, whose eyes were brimming with tears under the lamplight.

However, his playful and teasing voice still echoed in his ears—

"I am a genius at being disliked."

...Making it difficult for him to calm his mind.

Before long, Feng Rugu had already fallen fast asleep, using his shoulder hollow as a pillow. It was the most comfortable spot he had carefully chosen to lean against.

But he was not standing very steadily. Even with his arms hooked around his waist, his body was still imperceptibly slipping down.

Ruyi found it inconvenient to use his hands, so he lightly used his prayer beads to hook onto his waist belt, propping him up, almost carrying him on his back.

They spent half a day and arrived at Jiangling City.

Feng Rugu slept contentedly the whole way, his jade-like cheeks flushed with a hint of red. He led the group and sauntered into Jiangling.

Although he had not descended the mountain for ten years, he had a mouth and feet. Along the way, he inquired and asked where the home of that Daoist priest in Jiangling City was located, the one who was known only for his three short spears and did not advertise himself.

As soon as the three short spears were mentioned, Luo Fuchun and Sang Luojiu's expressions turned subtle.

Hai Jing hurriedly asked in a low voice about what kind of person this Daoist priest who wielded three short spears was.

Luo Fuchun said softly, "You know that the three most prosperous Daoist sects nowadays are Fengling Mountain where my master is, as well as Yingtian River and Danyang Peak, a total of three places, right?"

Hai Jing was eager to hear the gossip and nodded incessantly.

"This person, he used to be a direct disciple of Yingtian River, with exceptional talent but a very fiery temper. Nine years ago, he had a falling out with his master, Lord Yingxu, Zhou Beinan, and in a fit of anger, he took off his Daoist robe, removed his name from the Daoist registry, and left the sect. However, he maintained a good relationship with his master and would often visit the mountain to chat with him."

Hai Jing listened in disbelief, "...Just because of an argument?"

"Yes, an argument. As it happened, the master and disciple had the same temperament, neither willing to give in to the other. They would fight at the slightest disagreement, and he always lost to his master, which made him very angry... I remember his name was..."

After many twists and turns, the group arrived at a quiet three-entry courtyard in the southern city.

Feng Rugu entered as if he was familiar with the place, pushing the door open, "Jing Sanchai! Feng Er is here to visit, come out and greet your guests!"

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a sharp sound of something cutting through the air.

Ruyi reacted extremely quickly, deflecting it from Feng Rugu with a palm.

However, the incoming object was well-aimed and controlled, not meant to hit anyone.

It was an exquisitely carved silver hairpin, pinned directly onto the door panel.

Attached to the head of the hairpin was a hastily written note—

"Feng Rugu and dogs are not allowed inside!!!"

Author's Note: Everyone truly hates Feng Rugu lol

But Sanchai is actually a lucky charm haha