Chapter 29

The Xu family’s residence appeared more luxurious than the Shen family’s. However, the stone lions guarding the entrance were quite worn out.

Stepping inside, there were few plants and no flowing water or artificial hills, leaving only the grandeur and splendor. Shen Lian felt an inexplicable irritation rise within him.

His expression remained calm, not revealing any of his inner turmoil.

The Xu family had risen to prominence earlier, and their compound was vast, but there were no ingeniously designed structures, much like any other wealthy household.

The deeper Shen Lian went into the Xu family’s residence, the more agitated he became. The air was filled with various turbulent thoughts, like damp miasma, constantly invading him.

This was partly because he had long practiced the "Supreme Clarity Spirit Treasure Natural Heart Locking and Mind Stabilizing True Explanation," which helped him focus and calm his mind, reducing the number of distracting thoughts. Therefore, he was more sensitive to the evil aura in the Xu family’s residence.

Ordinary people, unable to control their thoughts, were easily swayed by greed and desire. Even if they were disturbed by evil spirits, they would not feel much.

In front of him was a flower hall. Shen Lian sat quietly, and to the southeast, he seemed to see a constant stream of black smoke.

This was not actual black smoke but his perception of the evil aura in the Xu family’s residence, which manifested as black smoke in his mind.

What the human eye sees is processed by the brain before it becomes what we see. There is still a slight difference between what we see and what actually exists.

The real world is far more complex than what we see or hear, even immortals and Buddhas cannot perceive everything.

If all this information flooded into the mind, it would be overwhelming.

Perceiving things with the mind, though not complete, can provide corresponding information from a unique perspective.

Xu Hong entered the flower hall with a woman in her late twenties. She had a slender waist, narrow shoulders, smooth and fair skin, and a face that exuded springtime charm. Her eyes were like spring water, and her beauty, though originally seven parts, seemed to be enhanced by one more.

The beautiful woman couldn’t help but let her eyes sparkle when she saw the handsome young Shen Lian.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Lian. It’s all your aunt’s fault. She heard you were coming and spent a long time getting ready. I told her you’re family and there’s no need for such formality, but she insisted that it’s precisely because you’re family that she can’t be careless," Xu Hong said, a proud look on his face. Anyone who married such a beautiful wife would feel proud.

At this moment, he subconsciously ignored the matter of the Five Pass Deity.

The sight of the beautiful woman approaching, with her fragrance, did not bring Shen Lian any enjoyment; instead, it made him even more agitated. The evil aura emanating from Lady Yan was even stronger than that from Xu Hong.

Shen Lian calmly dealt with Xu Hong and his wife, becoming more certain that the evil presence he sensed that day was in the Xu family’s residence.

Later, Shen Lian suddenly asked, "Uncle Xu’s home is indeed grand. When I entered, I was quite impressed. However, I noticed that the southeast side seems to be uninhabited and very quiet."

The southeast side was where he had sensed the most concentrated evil aura, as if hiding some kind of monster.

There was no sound of people or birds, and no birds flew over. Only a corner of a roof, resembling a temple, was visible.

Lady Yan’s beautiful face lost its rosy hue, turning pale. Xu Hong also seemed surprised, thinking to himself: "Shen Lian has been practicing Dao in the mountains for two years. Although he is still young, could he have developed some Daoist powers and discovered the location of the plague deity?"

He became even more convinced that Shen Lian’s injury in the Shen family was related to the plague deity. However, Shen Lian was too young, and even after two years of being a Daoist, he might not have the power to subdue the demon.

Perhaps Shen Lian had help from someone else. Xu Hong decided to test him further. If Shen Lian had a powerful mentor, it would be best to remove the great evil from his home.

"It’s just that the house is too large and the family too small, so the southeast side has been abandoned. If you’re curious, you can take a look after dinner," Xu Hong said with a smile.

Lady Yan, however, unconsciously tightened her grip on Xu Hong’s hand, her forehead breaking out in a cold sweat.

Shen Lian did not go there on his own, and Xu Hong treated him well.

He was not exaggerating; the food at the Xu family’s residence was indeed excellent.

The same dish, prepared with different knife skills, cooking times, and fresh ingredients, would have a different taste.

For example, the tender beef was taken from the most delicious part of the cow, and the blood was removed using a special method. The cooking time was just right; a little more would make it tough, and a little less would make it too raw.

It melted in the mouth, leaving a lingering fragrance.

Even though Shen Lian had tasted many delicious dishes in his past and present life, he still praised it.

There were more than just one excellent dish.

Lady Yan said, "Why do you still carry a sword while eating, Lian? Isn’t it cumbersome?"

She noticed the small sword, less than two feet long, hanging from Shen Lian’s waist. The scabbard was green and had no patterns, looking quite new.

Xu Hong had already noticed it and asked Lady Yan to inquire.

"It’s actually made of wood," Shen Lian said, unsheathing the sword, which was indeed a wooden one, emitting a faint sandalwood scent.

Lady Yan covered her mouth and laughed, "Lian, you’re so big now, and you’re still using a toy."

"Scholars carry swords, and I am merely emulating the ancients," Shen Lian said with a graceful demeanor, his youthful and handsome face making Lady Yan laugh again.

"My little heart, what’s so funny?" A sharp male voice rang out, causing the temperature in the hall to drop suddenly.

A handsome young scholar walked in, making Lady Yan’s face pale.

Xu Hong was also startled, not expecting the plague deity to come at this time.

The young man was extremely arrogant, directly grabbing Lady Yan’s waist, kicking Xu Hong away, and sitting on the table like a bandit, not at all like a scholar.

Such a sudden change did not surprise Shen Lian. His inner irritation reached its peak.

"You may not know, but I really hate it when someone interrupts my meal," Shen Lian said calmly to the young man.

The groans of Xu Hong on the ground and Lady Yan’s frightened expression did not affect him in the slightest.

In the dream, their confrontation was inconclusive, as Shen Lian had a significant advantage at the time.

Now, facing the evil presence directly, Shen Lian felt not the pressure from the young man but intense irritation.

The aura from this person was too repulsive.

In theory, cultivators should maintain a clear and focused mind to avoid being trapped in desires and delusions.

The young man’s mental strength was very powerful, but it was filled with evil desires, constantly emitting chaotic and evil thoughts.

Shen Lian couldn’t understand how this person had not gone insane, given his impure senses. He managed to maintain his self without being overwhelmed by those chaotic desires.

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PS: Thank you to Zuishixin7243 for the 20,000起点币 (Qidian coins) donation, congratulations on becoming the first hall master of this book. I will add an extra chapter when I have time tomorrow or the day after. Also, thank you to Chuwudeyijian for the 1,888 donation and Longke for the three 588 donations.