After fishing, the person was not yet satisfied, so they continued to use this fool as a puppet, also marking the time and place to meet.

Ha,

Over and over again, their actions are so standardized, is it really for this fool to see?

People walk each step so 'upright and honest', as if they do it for the Heavenly Dao to see.

Tell me, what kind of person would walk this way?"

Zhao Xilu was at a loss for words.

"Go arrange a feast; since they have the confidence to come here like this, then I... might as well kneel down in my demeanor first."

...

Mr. Tian carried his young master out of the Old Zhao Family first. As soon as they left the Zhao's gate, they started running wildly.

After running out of the village, they intentionally avoided the main road and specifically ran towards the fields by the creek.

They only slowed down when sweat began to appear on their bodies. He could still run, but the young master on his back was almost unable to withstand the bumping.

"Young master, are you alright?"

"I'm fine..."

"Young master, that place is dirty, stinks to high heaven, and it's no wonder you dislike it there, so do I. It feels suffocating."

"It's dirty indeed, using living people to refine cursed objects; relying on supporting the lonely elders and adopting children as intermediaries, transferring backlash.

All these methods, that branch of our family has clearly learned to exploit."

"So, that's why our main house cut them off back then. It was a decision personally made by the Dragon King of our Zhao family when he was still around, and he established a family precept that descendants of the main house shall not practice spell Magic.

If it wasn't to find a cure for your ailment, the Family Head wouldn't have allowed me to carry you here to try our luck.

It's just strange; this branch has been separated for so many years. Originally, landing at Shizhuo Village, we thought it would become a Zhao Family Village, but who knew after arriving we found out there's only this one household of Zhao surname, and the population is so sparse."

Zhao Yi: "That old woman is prolonging her life using the life expectancy borrowed from her descendants; how could her lineage not be sparse?"

"This..." Mr. Tian showed a shocked expression, "She actually does such things!"

"Grandpa Tian, we must not get involved with this branch again."

"I understand, young master. Don't worry, once we return, I'll report to the Family Head that if we do not sever ties with such a branch, it might become a major hidden danger when you attempt River Crossing in the future.

For the success of your River Crossing, we might even have to ask the Family Head..."

"There's no need for that. When we first entered, we met Zhao Xilu, who is just like that old woman, filthy through and through, not leaving a single shred of decency.

However, when I saw him a second time, his face was steaming with the aura of a violent death, and that aura also transitioned to the old woman.

This branch, I'm afraid, is facing great disaster."

"So you had me run out quickly, young master?"

"Yes, if we didn't run, were we supposed to stay and shield them from calamity?"

"Do they deserve it? Pah!"

"It's just that my illness, I fear it will be difficult to find a suitable remedy. I too wish to undertake the River Crossing for the family, sigh."

"Young master, no need to worry. If we can't find a solution downwards, then our Family Head will surely search upwards. Our Jiujiang Zhao may be well-known in Jianghu, but the river flows on, with dragons hidden beneath its depths.

If worst comes to worst, we will seek the genuine Dragon King family. Such families with deep heritage should have a way to cure your illness."

"Grandpa Tian, those real Dragon King families are not so easy to approach, and besides, why would they bring out their heritage to cure me, to facilitate my future River Crossing?

I've read the notes left by our ancestor the Dragon King; the path of River Crossing, it suppresses not only evil spirits. Sometimes, the people you suppress are no less than the spirits."

"Young master, other Dragon King houses might not, but there are one... no, two houses that could be possible."

"Oh?"

"Those two houses were like fire together after their marriage alliance, but then it suddenly broke off. Although they still hold their status high, essentially, they are now just holding up their name with a few widows and orphans.

Your illness is an ailment, yet it's also an opportunity and qualification; if our Family Head brings you to their door, seeking a foster relationship, or even a marriage alliance, even if it means entering their household.

Given that old lady's disposition, she might wager her heritage on you, assisting you in your River Crossing, soaring to great heights."

"Ha... Haha..."

"Young master, what are you laughing at?"

"Eating the family clean, even considering devouring two generations of the Dragon King family's heritage, you really dare to dream, without fear of bursting at the seams."

"Young master, success comes from striving for opportunities."

"Hm, people who seek death also run headlong with vigour."

"Young master, this attitude of yours..."

"If you really plan to do so, then go ahead with your plans. It seems I no longer need to undertake River Crossing; I'll just stay at home, enjoying life, waiting for our house to fall, that too wouldn't have been a wasted trip in this world."

"Young master..." Mr. Tian wanted to say something else but then saw smoke rising ahead; upon closer inspection, it was someone by the river starting a fire, cooking in the wild.

"Grandpa Tian, I'm hungry, go buy some food, I smell roasted sweet potatoes."

...

"The sweet potatoes are ready."

Li Zhiyuan poked the sweet potatoes with a stick, rolling them out.

Run Sheng came over, grabbed a few, and squatted back down.

Lin Shuyou followed suit, taking a few and returning to his squatting position.

Each one a distance apart, they squatted on their respective small slopes, using them as vantage points to keep watch over the surroundings.

Tan Wenbin and Yin Meng had already entered the village to investigate that Zhao household.

Leaving a clumsy talker and a blabbermouth behind, accompanying Li Zhiyuan.

In fact, everyone had rations in their bags, things like compressed biscuits, dehydrated vegetables, and such, always replenished immediately after any consumption during an operation.

The main thing is, those rations are really unpalatable.

Plus, at this moment there really wasn't much to do, so they bought some sweet potatoes from a nearby farmer, roasting them to pass the time while nibbling away.

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