"Osmanthus cake, osmanthus cake..."

"Freshly steamed pastries, rotten meat noodles..."

The bustling crowd and continuous shouting filled the air, the street's eateries' aromas mingling with the humidity, making passersby salivate.

As one of Jiangnan's foremost cities, Yingshui City was already well-off; with the locust plague resolved earlier this year and the renowned True Man Zhang in residence, it appeared even more prosperous.

Inside a cinnamon roast duck shop at the street corner, a black-faced man was eating heartily, alternating between a pastry and duck blood vermicelli soup, while the table beside him was filled with plates and duck bones.

The shop's customers stared at him, their eyes filled with fear, some with trembling legs slowly edging towards the exit.

The man looked up, frowned, then laughed heartily,

"Don't be afraid, shopkeeper, I just have a big appetite, I'm not a demon..."

The shopkeeper swallowed and carefully pointed under the table.

The man looked down and became furious.

On the ground was a large basin with several roast ducks, and a fat cat was buried in them, eating voraciously.

Feeding a cat meat wasn't strange, even if it ate a lot, you could explain it by a big belly, but this fat cat's head was crackling with electricity, moving erratically and eating even faster than him.

"Idiot!"

The man slapped the cat hard, making it pause, then slow down, look around at the eyes on it, and feign a "meow."

The man was speechless,

"Pack it up, pack it up, we're not eating anymore!"

Under the relieved eyes of the shopkeeper, the person and the cat left the small shop and slipped into a dark alley, their figures flashing and appearing in the backyard of the Astronomical Bureau.

The man was, of course, Zhang Kui, who shook off his disguise and scolded,

"You said you wanted me to take you out, and you can't even pretend!"

The fat cat smiled awkwardly,

"Taoist, I'm just not used to it yet, quickly turn me back."

Zhang Kui shook his head, raised his right hand to make a spell, and blew out a breath of spiritual energy.

The fat cat on the ground grew against the wind, quickly turning into a giant beast ten meters long, with colorful fur and crackling electricity on its body, precisely Fatty Tiger.

This creature, after gaining a fortunate promotion, was improving rapidly every day, even mastering the Celestial Thunder Divine Techniques, repelling all evil.

Unfortunately, it's just too large. Wanting to take it out with him for a snack had become a hassle, so Zhang Kui learned a new skill: Spraying Transformation.

This was an upgraded skill of the Illusion Skill, requiring just a breath of spiritual energy to transform the object.

If combined with Moving Scene and Summoning and Departing techniques, it could change anything with a wave of a hand.

But now, with all the forbidden lands sealed off, Zhang Kui didn't have a place to gain skill points, so he had to use them sparingly, only leveling up to make Fatty Tiger's body size manageable.

This shameless creature wasn't bothered by Zhang Kui's scolding, stretching comfortably and squinting its eyes.

Zhang Kui shook his head, speechless, and entered the inner room.

Now his cultivation progress had clearly slowed, but humanity was at a critical moment, and he didn't want to attract the attention of the evil spirits in the forbidden lands, so he had to find another way.

Currently, he still had over ninety skill points remaining, having looted many precious spirit medicines from the Jingjiang Water Mansion. If he mastered Alchemy Skill, even if he couldn't achieve the Golden Core Seventh Transformation, he could still significantly enhance his strength.

However, high-level pill refining took a month per session, and with the Mid-Autumn Festival a week away, it was best to wait until after the gathering to proceed.

As he pondered, Luo Jizu, the Captain of the Jiangzhou Astronomical Bureau, hurried in, bowing and cupping his fists, "True Man, you were looking for me?"

Zhang Kui nodded, "Have you heard about the matter in Lai State?"

Luo Jizu's eyes flashed with excitement,

"I have heard. Several National Guardian True Men plan to unite forces to establish the Kaiyuan Sect, governing all states, widely recruiting talents, and employing unheard-of measures."

"It's called a sect, but it impacts the people's livelihoods more, and with Divine Path assistance, there's talk in the Jianghu that it's preparing for a new dynasty, with cultivators from all over flocking there, hoping for dragon-following merits."

Zhang Kui chuckled,

"Without an Emperor, where can there be dragon-following merits?"

"Ah!"

Luo Jizu was instantly taken aback.

Zhang Kui smiled, "You'll understand this matter in time, but indeed, there will be significant change there. You're the most outstanding from the line of Imperial Uncle Li, and staying here is a waste of your talents. Go to Lai State; you'll be able to accomplish much there."

Luo Jizu's eyes gleamed, knowing Zhang Kui was hinting to him, he quickly bowed and cupped his fists.

"Thank you, True Man, I am willing to go. However, I still have two cases to handle before I leave."

"Oh... What cases?"

Zhang Kui asked casually, narrowing his eyes slightly.

He was in Jiangzhou primarily to monitor the General's Tomb and rarely intervened in the Astronomical Bureau's matters.

Firstly, because Luo Jizu was intelligent and capable, secondly, with the Divine Path talisman and the weasel Old Huang sent, the Astronomical Bureau's fighting strength had greatly increased, easily handling those little demons and spirits.

What could be so important to Luo Jizu?

Luo Jizu didn't dare delay, quickly bowing and said, "Reporting to True Man Zhang, the first case is the corpse theft and nurturing case. A gang of demons kept zombies, which we captured. After investigation, it was found that someone in the black market is transporting zombies in large quantities to Lanzhou, likely connected to the Yang Family."

"Yang Family?"

Zhang Kui's eyes filled with evil qi.

The Yang Family was the National Guardian Clan of Lanzhou, serving the evil spirits alongside the Lanjiang River God.

Jiangzhou, which he guarded, and Lai State, guarded by Helian Boxiong, were separated only by Lanzhou. If connected, it would be possible to interlink them via the canal.

Lai State is currently in a chaotic state. The Yang Family neither joins nor makes a sound, but secretly conducts large-scale rituals to refine zombies, clearly having a scheme.

However, the Yang Family is nothing; this matter may ultimately fall on Yuan Huang.

Thinking of this, Zhang Kui nodded slightly,

"No need to worry about this matter. Let them bounce around; I'll handle it when I return in mid-autumn."

"Yes, I understand."

Luo Jizu didn't ask much further and continued:

"The second matter concerns you. Since you dealt with the Wang Family for colluding with demons, most of the descendants have dispersed to the countryside. I have secretly sent spies to monitor them."

"Why monitor them?"

Zhang Kui laughed, "I have no regrets about killing Wang Chaoxian's family; the others were unaware. Besides, I said it back then; I accept if they come for revenge, but their lives are their own responsibility."

Luo Jizu smiled bitterly, "You generously spared them, but monitoring them is my responsibility."

"Most of the Wang Family members are well-behaved, but there are a handful who remain restless. Recently, the spies sent secret reports indicating they seem to have obtained something to rely on and are secretly inquiring about you."

"Rely on?"

Zhang Kui sneered, Sword Light swirling around his fingertips.

Who among the National Guardian of the human race doesn't know? What reliance could it be other than evil spirits?

He would rather they find more troublesome things to deal with. It was like someone offering a pillow when he was tired.

...

The dark night was lightless, the night wind cold and chilly, and a drizzling autumn rain began to fall.

In the darkness, a small village stood by the river, its houses low and ancient, peaceful in its surroundings. In one adobe house, dim candlelight flickered through the window.

Inside the room sat several young people; though plainly dressed, they exuded an aura of vitality and breathed with long, continuous breaths.

On the bed, a beautiful young woman was sitting cross-legged, exhaling a mouthful of black mist after practicing. She was Wang Weiling, the youngest daughter of Wang Chaoxian, the former National Guardian of Jiangzhou.

Her eyes flashed with excitement,

"The technique taught by the Immortal Master is indeed exquisite. This Yin Bone Sword Qi is several times more powerful than what I previously learned."

The other young individuals exchanged glances, also full of joy.

Only one young man with shifty eyes said hatefully, "What good is powerful? That villain's techniques are earth-shattering; there's no way we can take revenge."

The others fell silent, their faces filled with resentment.

For Zhang Kui, it was about balancing public and private matters, only killing the participants, the others were not greatly evil, so there was no need to slay them all; letting them off was no harm.

But for these former high-flyers, it was like falling from the clouds into the mud.

No more luxurious clothes and rich meals, no more ample resources for cultivation, and they had to suffer humiliation, competing for food with Jianghu people they once looked down upon, and their resentment towards Zhang Kui grew every day.

Among this group, perhaps only Wang Chaoxian's daughter Wang Weiling had her family destroyed and was single-mindedly fixated on revenge.

She asked expressionlessly:

"Zikun, how is the progress?"

A young man promptly took out a brocade box from his bosom. Opening it, inside was a precious jade with a few drops of shimmering green liquid sealed within.

He grinned proudly, "Even though Wang Family Castle was occupied by that villain, I secretly stole this jade essence through the secret passage. It will surely please the Immortal Master."

"Great!"

Wang Weiling rejoiced, "I'll take it to the Immortal Master immediately. Once she recovers from her injuries, she will surely help us eliminate Thief Zhang!"

With that, she got up, took the brocade box, and left the house, disappearing into the night despite the persistent rain.

Outside, the hidden Zhang Kui touched his nose and felt somewhat amused.

He eradicated demons, yet in others' mouths, he became Thief Zhang. Clearly, perspective shapes perception.

After clarifying the location, with nothing better to do, he decided to take this opportunity to see what troubles were brewing.

With that thought, he flew and quickly caught up with Wang Weiling.

He saw her cautiously enter a cave at the back of the mountain, then kneel and raise the brocade box.

"Immortal Master, I have obtained the jade essence. Please help us seek our revenge."

On the stone platform inside the cave, a woman wearing a black veil, barefoot with bells tied, and with a bewitching figure, opened her eyes, a flicker of surprise on her face.

"I didn't expect you truly have this item!"

As she spoke, a gesture casually summoned the brocade box into her hand, picking up the jade essence, playing with it joyfully.

The expression on Zhang Kui's face became strange as he observed from the cave entrance. This woman was actually the Third Princess of Chai Kingdom from Dianzhou.

If he recalled correctly, she fled Dianzhou to escape the Chai Kingdom Prime Minister's surveillance. Why was she injured, hiding here, and associating with these fallen nobles?

Seeing the Third Princess pleased, Wang Weiling asked expectantly, "Immortal Master, then..."

"I know, I know..."

The Third Princess of Chai Kingdom waved her hand impatiently, "Isn't it just a member of the human race's National Guardian? Just an ant-like pest; once I recover, I'll deal with him."

"Haha, such big talk!"

The sudden voice startled both women. The Third Princess, her eyes flashing green, glanced around warily, "Who is there!"

Zhang Kui slowly revealed himself, letting out a hearty laugh and showing his white teeth.

"Come on now, Old Zhang is right here. How do you intend to deal with me?"

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