章節 20: Working For Free Was Absolutely Impossible
編輯: Dragon Boat Translation
In just two days, Master Ji's swollen face, looking like a pig's head, had returned to normal.
Though her cultivation realm was not very impressive, merely at the entry level of Qi refining realm, she was not lacking in skill, especially when it came to treating injuries from fights.
In the world of wandering cultivators, who hadn't taken a beating? Without some medical skills, one might just lose their life on the road.
At this moment, Master Ji and her apprentice were standing outside the Hu residence.
In the past two days, there had been rumors about fox demons causing trouble in the Hu residence. After hearing this, Master Ji immediately brought her apprentice over to exorcise the demon.
The Daoist apprentice was very worried, "Master, should we really take on this job?"
He had developed PTSD from the fox demon, tightening up at the mere mention of the words "fox demon." The incident two nights ago had left an indelible scar on him.
"What do you know?"
Master Ji was very dissatisfied with her apprentice's timidity, "Now is the perfect opportunity to take on this job. If we wait any longer, it will be too late."
That night, after escaping from the Wang family, Master Ji witnessed a few fox demons being slain effortlessly by a woman in white.
In a single city, there wouldn't be two nests of fox demons. Since the fox demons had already been killed, the situation at the Hu residence must be safe and secure, and the people of the Hu family were likely unaware that the fox demons were already dead.
This was a golden opportunity to make easy money. Master Ji eagerly brought her apprentice here, hoping to secure this deal before the woman in white discovered it.
Fortunately, the Wang family had been busy these days and had not spread the news that Master Ji was a fraud.
Master Ji didn't think of herself as a fraud. She had real skills; it was just that her luck had been bad recently.
Under Master Ji's urging, the reluctant apprentice went forward to knock on the door and explain their purpose.
Soon, the master and apprentice were welcomed into the Hu residence, where they were greeted by a middle-aged man dressed in brocade.
Before coming here, Master Ji had already learned about the Hu family's situation. The Hu family, wealthy from their restaurant business, was unusually managed by a male member who had an even firmer hand than a woman would. This was a unique occurrence in Qingde City.
So, when this man, named Hu Zhai Ci, appeared, Master Ji's face showed no sign of surprise.
Master Ji repeated the method she had used on Wang Fulai on Hu Zhaici, quickly gaining his trust.
Hu Zhai Ci told Master Ji about what had happened at the Hu residence in recent days, including his daughter falling ill, fox demons causing disturbances, and several people being injured as a result.
"Rest assured, Mr. Hu," Master Ji confidently assured. "In our travels as cultivators, aside from refining our bodies and minds, we should also exorcise demons and benefit the mortal world. I am confident that I can set up an altar tonight to eliminate the fox demon."
"I heard that the Wang family also had trouble with a fox demon during this period, and it was dealt with by two young masters. Do you know them, Master Ji?" Hu Zhaici asked cautiously.
Master Ji almost blurted out the word "enemies," but managed to swallow the word back with great self-control. She smiled and replied, "I must not hide this from Mr. Hu; those two at the Wang family are junior members of my sect. Their cultivation is insufficient, and they have caused quite a few embarrassments since they started. Please forgive them."
Hu Zhai Ci was overjoyed, "I see, then I must trouble Master Ji."
After instructing the steward to lead Master Ji away for a rest, the smile on Hu Zhai Ci's face gradually faded.
He stepped outside and ordered a servant, "Prepare some gifts; I am going to visit the Wang family."
...
When Fang Zhou arrived at the main hall, he saw a scene of Wang Fuli and Hu Zhaici talking happily with each other.
Fang Zhou had come in place of Ling Xiaoyue because he had heard that there was a business opportunity. No, a victim had come to seek help, so he came to take a look.
Seeing that Hu Zhaici was a guy, Fang Zhou felt as though a ray of sunlight had finally appeared in the gloomy sky.
It was so hard to finally meet a man who could make decisions for the household.
The Wang and Hu families were business partners. One sold alcohol, and the other owned a restaurant. It would be strange if they didn't do business together, so their relationship was quite good.
"A few days ago, my daughter fell ill," Hu Zhaici said. "We called for a doctor, who said that she has a deficiency of energy due to overindulgence. In recent days, a demon fox has been making trouble in our house, disturbing our peace. I heard that Sister Wang's family had encountered a similar situation, so I came to ask for help, despite the shame of it. I hope Sister Wang will not take offense, as I am truly at my wits' end."
Hu Zhaici directly explained his purpose, he wanted to invite Ling Xiaoyue and Fang Zhou to the Hu residence to exorcise the demon.
"Where is this coming from, Brother Hu?" Wang Fuli said warmly. "The Wang and Hu families have been close for generations, and you and I are like siblings. Why be so formal?"
Wang Fuli was deeply empathetic to Hu Zhaici's plight. If it wasn't for her good luck in finding two masters, her own family might have already been ruined.
Wang Fuli would have liked to agree immediately, but she knew that she couldn't make the decision herself.
Although she was eager to make a decision on the spot, Wang Fuli knew very well that she couldn't make this decision on her own.
With an apologetic tone, she said to Hu Zhaici, "I'd love nothing more than to lend a hand in person. I completely agree with you, but we still need the two masters to make the decision."
As she said this, she looked towards Fang Zhou, who had been silent. Hu Zhaici also looked at Fang Zhou with a smile, his dark eyes shining brightly.
Fang Zhou, who had been idly practicing, looked at the two people and, unsure of what to say, subconsciously spoke: "Rest assured, Mr. Hu. As cultivators who wander the mortal world, besides honing our minds and bodies, we should also exorcise demons to benefit mankind."
After saying this, he immediately felt awkward. He blamed Ling Xiaoyue for always saying this phrase, which had brainwashed him.
Hu Zhaici was overjoyed and quickly bowed his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you, Master, for extending your help. I am immensely grateful."
"Um… about the… sponsorship…" Fang Zhou stammered.
Fang Zhou, after all, had his pride and couldn't be like Ling Xiaoyue, demand a high price from someone in need without any shame.
But this was something Ling Xiaoyue had specifically instructed him—never forget to ask for payment. Working for free was absolutely impossible.
Hu Zhaici, however, was very astute and immediately realized what Fang Zhou was hesitating about. He promptly stated, "All expenses will be the same as with the Wang family. After the matter is resolved, there will be significant gratitude."
Fang Zhou breathed a sigh of relief: "When will your family be available?"
"The sooner the better. I would like to invite the two masters to grace the Hu residence with your presence this evening. I will await your arrival at the house," Hu Zhaici replied.
With that settled, Fang Zhou went to find Ling Xiaoyue after Hu Zhaici left.
Seeing Ling Xiaoyue looking like she was waiting to count money, Fang Zhou couldn't help but warn her, "There's something off about this Hu Zhaici. The Hu residence might be a fox den."
Ling Xiaoyue was slightly surprised and asked, "Oh, tell your master how you figured that out."
Fang Zhou shrugged, "Aren't fox demons often surnamed Hu? I asked someone from the Wang family, and in Qingde City, the Hu family is the only prominent family with that surname. And Hu Zhaici... doesn't it sound like 'The Fox is Here'? Is this not a blatant clue?"
Ling Xiaoyue burst into laughter, patting Fang Zhou on the shoulder, "Not bad at all, my apprentice. You've improved. It's quite innovative to consider the 'Hu' surname as indicative of foxes, but you're not wrong."
Fang Zhou was puzzled, "I don't believe you didn't see this. Why did you still want me to take this job? Why not simply kill Hu Zhaici earlier and raid his family home?"
Ling Xiaoyue glanced at him, "Nonsense. Of course, it's for the money. If we kill him, who knows where he's hidden it? Cultivation is expensive, especially maintaining a sect. If we don't earn more, are we going to wait around to starve?"
Fang Zhou was somewhat touched. He hadn't expected Ling Xiaoyue to be so devoted to their sect. Perhaps he had misjudged her earlier.
Ling Xiaoyue comforted him: "Don't worry, my apprentice. Tonight, we will take both the money and the fox. Neither shall escape."
-- 收到的禮物