Chapter 9

After the female disciple finished the ritual, her expression calmed down a bit, but the anger in her eyes was still evident. Watermark GG test Watermark GG test

The fish demon had already appeared outside of Bixia City, and no one had noticed it. What a pity that this child was so young and had already entered the cycle of rebirth.

After a while, the three of them finally calmed down and turned to walk towards Su Fan, their steps heavy.

Su Fan's expression was calm. Over the years, he had encountered such situations countless times and was already used to it.

Zhang Shanfeng comforted them, saying, "Don't take it to heart; this isn't your fault."

The reason for bringing the disciples out to train was to let them experience more things.

The disciples nodded, but the resentment on their faces remained.

If they had arrived earlier, perhaps...

Su Fan didn't say anything more and led the way towards the city gate, with Zhang Shanfeng and the three disciples following closely behind.

At the city gate, two rows of people stood neatly on either side of the blue stone road. In the middle stood a middle-aged man in a green floral robe, his face stern and somewhat plump.

Seeing Su Fan and his group enter, the middle-aged man hurriedly came forward, his face now wearing a fawning smile.

"May I ask if you are the immortals from Huatian Sect?"

The middle-aged man came directly to Zhang Shanfeng and asked respectfully.

Zhang Shanfeng nodded and replied, "We are indeed from Huatian Sect. May I ask who you are?"

"I am Yan Yuanhao, the mayor of Bixia City. I have been waiting here every day to welcome you, knowing that you would arrive at any time." The middle-aged man explained hurriedly.

Su Fan glanced at Yan Yuanhao, who had no demonic aura and was just an ordinary person.

However, this mayor stood at the gate waiting for them, while a few hundred meters away, a fish demon was eating people, and this mayor did nothing about it.

What a "good" mayor.

Yan Yuanhao continued, "You must be tired from your journey. Why don't we go rest first? I have already prepared the best guest rooms for you, and the food and drinks are specially prepared."

"That can wait. You sent for help, but the city doesn't seem to have any demonic presence. What's going on?" Zhang Shanfeng asked, frowning.

Indeed, there was no demonic presence in the city. The only abnormality was the fishy smell mixed with the incense.

"You are overthinking it. Our Bixia City is now safe. When I sent for you, a new land god arrived in the city, ensuring the safety of the area," Yan Yuanhao explained. "Since you have come all this way, why don't you enjoy some food in the city? It would be my pleasure to show you around."

Zhang Shanfeng frowned, thought for a moment, and then said, "Alright, let's do as you suggest."

"Master, I'll go buy some food. I haven't been down the mountain in a long time, and I'm really craving something." Fang Qingming said hurriedly and then walked towards the street vendors.

The other two disciples did the same. Since the city was safe, they decided to explore a bit.

Su Fan didn't say much and followed Fang Qingming and the others. He was also craving something, having been in seclusion for so long and wanting to taste some worldly food.

Seeing Su Fan go with them, Zhang Shanfeng didn't stop him and instead asked Yan Yuanhao for more details.

The streets of Bixia City were bustling with numerous vendors calling out their wares.

"Ice sugar haws, delicious and free!"

"Spicy pork knuckles, just out of the pot, don't miss it!"

"..."

The group came to a vendor selling ice sugar haws.

The vendor was startled by the sudden crowd and quickly said, "Would you like to try? My ice sugar haws are delicious and free."

"Free? Won't you lose money?" Fang Qingming asked suspiciously.

"Can't lose money. I always make a profit with my ice sugar haws." The vendor said proudly.

Hearing this, the group became even more curious. Su Fan frowned, sensing that something was not right.

"Give me four skewers to try."

Fang Qingming ordered four skewers, gave one to Su Fan, and then the others shared the remaining three.

Looking at the red and shiny ice sugar haws, Fang Qingming couldn't resist swallowing his saliva and took a bite.

The sweet and sour taste of the hawthorns exploded in his mouth, but after a few chews, a bitter taste came, and it became more bitter the more he chewed.

"Phew!"

Fang Qingming spat it out and said with a bitter face, "Your ice sugar haws are not good. They are so bitter and have a strange smell."

The vendor smiled and said, "That's right. I never said my ice sugar haws were delicious."

Fang Qingming: ???

The vendor said righteously, "Delicious and free, but if it's not delicious, of course, I have to charge. Five coins per skewer, twenty coins for four. Pay up."

He extended his hand in front of Fang Qingming.

Fang Qingming thought about drawing his sword but then realized that it would be too degrading for a cultivator to argue with an ordinary person.

Besides, his uncle was right there.

Fang Qingming had no choice but to take out a string of coins.

The vendor was almost laughing out loud.

Just then, Su Fan suddenly reached out and blocked Fang Qingming.

"Uncle?" Fang Qingming was surprised.

Su Fan took the ice sugar haws, took a bite, and his face showed a look of ecstasy.

"These ice sugar haws are really delicious!"

The dreamy eyes and the ecstatic expression almost made Fang Qingming and the others believe.

No way? Are these ice sugar haws really that good?

The vendor was also stunned.

Su Fan finished one hawthorn and said, "Boss, you are really kind. These delicious ice sugar haws are free, so I won't be shy."

With that, Su Fan took all the ice sugar haws.

"Leave one for yourself, and we'll be on our way."

Su Fan said and pulled Fang Qingming and the others away.

By the time the vendor reacted, Su Fan was already far away.

Vendor: ???

"Uncle, are these ice sugar haws really that good?" Fang Qingming asked, puzzled.

Su Fan spat and said, "Not good."

"Then why did you say they were good?" Fang Qingming asked.

"I didn't want to spend money," Su Fan said.

Fang Qingming and the others understood.

"Uncle is truly Uncle!" they said admiringly.

Su Fan smirked and put the ice sugar haws into his spatial ring.

Trying to trick me out of money? Dream on!

After the group wandered around the street for a while, they returned to Zhang Shanfeng.

Seeing them back, Yan Yuanhao smiled and said, "Honored immortals, it's getting late. Why don't you come to my place?"

Zhang Shanfeng looked at Su Fan but saw him looking up at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle.

His eyes were distant, dreamy, deep, and沧桑 (沧桑 means "weathered" or "aged," but in this context, it's more about a sense of depth and experience).

"Uncle's eyes must have a deeper meaning! It seems Uncle wants me to handle this. I must not let him down!"

Zhang Shanfeng read the meaning from Su Fan's eyes.

Su Fan shook his head and thought, "These ice sugar haws are really bad."

Zhang Shanfeng looked at Yan Yuanhao and said, "Then we'll trouble you to lead the way."

Yan Yuanhao smiled and waved his hand, "Please!"

The group headed to the mayor's residence and were arranged to stay in their respective rooms. Su Fan's room was the most secluded, in a corner of the small courtyard.

This small courtyard was specially prepared for the Huatian Sect, and it was very clean, without a speck of dust.

Yan Yuanhao asked the other servants to leave and walked to Zhang Shanfeng, smiling, "Honored immortals, how long do you plan to stay?"

"What do you mean?" Zhang Shanfeng asked, puzzled.

Yan Yuanhao laughed dryly and explained, "The city is now safe, and we ordinary people don't want to delay your cultivation, so..."

Zhang Shanfeng became even more puzzled by Yan Yuanhao's reaction.

Logically, when cultivators appear in the mortal world, the mortals should be eager for them to stay, hoping to be discovered to have cultivation potential.

But Yan Yuanhao seemed to want them to leave as soon as possible.

"Rest assured, Mayor. We will leave once we investigate this matter."

Zhang Shanfeng said slowly, "Besides, the mortal world can also help us cultivate our hearts. This is beneficial for us."

Yan Yuanhao was stunned and could only bow to Zhang Shanfeng, then to Su Fan and the others, before leaving.

After he left, Zhang Shanfeng came to Su Fan.

"Uncle, there's something wrong with this mayor."

"Hmm." Su Fan said indifferently.

Zhang Shanfeng continued, "As an ordinary person, he shouldn't know about our cultivation, but his attitude towards us is very strange, as if he knows I am the sect leader."

"He was trying to subtly ask us to leave, which suggests he has some secrets."

Zhang Shanfeng was worried.

"Hmm, handle it as you see fit." Su Fan said casually.

"Yes, Uncle."

...

At this moment, in the back courtyard of the mayor's residence, in a beautifully decorated room.

Music played, and a beautiful girl danced gracefully in the middle. On both sides were neatly arranged sandalwood tables, with steaming hot dishes.

The main seat was occupied by a soft-spoken young man in a blood-red robe, looking very sinister.

A figure walked in, it was Yan Yuanhao, who had just left the courtyard.

Yan Yuanhao walked hurriedly to the young man and said respectfully, "Mr. Xiao, I have arranged for them to stay as you instructed, but they don't seem to want to leave."

"Not leaving?" Mr. Xiao narrowed his eyes.

"Yes, the one with the flat head said they want to find the truth before leaving." Yan Yuanhao replied nervously.

Mr. Xiao looked at Yan Yuanhao, his eyes full of disdain.

"Since they won't leave, it can't be blamed on me."

Mr. Xiao said coldly, "Tonight, I will send someone to incapacitate those disciples. Tomorrow, you can visit them under the pretense of checking on them and deal with them. As for the peak Golden Core cultivator, I will handle him. Tomorrow, you should do this..."

Yan Yuanhao nodded repeatedly, his eyes gleaming.

After Mr. Xiao finished his instructions, Yan Yuanhao hurriedly agreed, "Rest assured, Mr. Xiao, I will do it for you."

"Alright, go and arrange it. Don't disturb me again." Mr. Xiao waved his hand coldly, dismissing Yan Yuanhao.

After Yan Yuanhao left, Mr. Xiao dismissed the dancing girls and took out a red bell, shaking it gently.