I Outworked the Entire Cultivation World

Chapter 84: Chapter 73: (Revised) Demon Energy

”Senior Brother Shen, we’ve been here for several days and still can’t find the Tiger Demon. How about we go back?”

The girl in yellow, a year older than Jiang Yuebai, looked at the white-clad youth beside her with eyes full of starlight.

Unlike her usual arrogance, she was now just a gentle and well-behaved young lady.

”Junior Sister Lin, please be patient. I specifically accompanied you this time and will definitely help you find the Tiger Demon to complete this year’s task. Rest assured.”

”Thank you, Brother Huaixi. My Old Ancestor really doesn’t care about me at all.”

”Elder Lin aims to train you. If he truly didn’t care, why would he instruct me to accompany and look after you?”

”Will you mind that I’m just an Outer Sect disciple and not worthy of you?”

”Elder Lin has done a favor for my Shen Family. How could I mind your status?”

”Brother Huaixi, you’re so nice.”

The girl was Lin Suwan. The person beside her was unfamiliar to Jiang Yuebai, but judging by Lin Suwan’s address, he should be Inner Sect’s Shen Huaxi.

She didn’t expect Lin Suwan to take on the task here. Truly, enemies are bound to meet on a narrow road.

Jiang Yuebai had a talisman to conceal her breath. She lowered her conical hat and passed by them inconspicuously.

Lin Suwan felt something and paused, turning around in puzzlement, frowning, ”Strange, why do I feel like I saw...”

”What’s wrong? Who did you see?”

Lin Suwan shook her head with frowned brows, ”It’s nothing, let’s go. We should inquire with the host at Wuwei Temple.”

...

Avoiding mortals, Jiang Yuebai controlled her sword and landed in the woods outside Qingxi Town, suppressing her spiritual light and tidying her clothes as she walked out.

Nearing the forest edge, a middle-aged woman appeared ahead, carrying a bundle of firewood alone, with a hoe in one hand and a vegetable basket in the other, filled with wild vegetables common in the spring.

She hunched, tightening the firewood on her back every two steps, her pace labored.

Jiang Yuebai approached, ”Auntie, let me help you.”

The woman turned back at the sound, her face waxy and thin, marked by years.

Before she could speak, Jiang Yuebai had already taken the firewood off her shoulder and easily carried it on her own.

”I’ve practiced martial arts since childhood, my strength is great.”

The woman said awkwardly, ”I’m Xuu Ying, thank you, heroic lady.”

”No need to be polite. I also wanted to ask Auntie for directions. Is the place ahead Qingxi Town?”

Xuu Ying nodded, ”Indeed it’s Qingxi Town. Is the heroic lady visiting relatives or friends?”

Jiang Yuebai suggested they talk as they walked, ”I’m looking for someone. I wonder if Auntie knows any Tao family in Qingxi Town, whose ancestors were blacksmiths?”

Xuu Ying smiled and nodded, ”Yes, Tao’s Ironsmith Shop has been in Qingxi Town for four generations now. The young man from the Tao family is excellent at making farm tools, and at a fair price. Neighbors all like to go to their shop for repairs.”

”Then does Auntie know Tao Fengnian?”

Xuu Ying paused, eyes suddenly bright, ”Young lady, are you a disciple of an Immortal Sect?”

Jiang Yuebai feigned puzzlement, ”Why does Auntie ask that?”

Xuu Ying’s eyes dimmed gradually, her expression crestfallen, and she sighed before speaking slowly.

”Mr. Tao was quite renowned in Qingxi Town back in the day. When I was young, I heard from my mother that he became a scholar before twenty, bringing honor to the Tao family. Unfortunately, not long after his marriage, his wife was struck by a carriage, her leg broken while out shopping.”

”Mrs. Tao was unfortunate; she succumbed to a fever and passed away. After that, Mr. Tao became despondent and later suddenly disappeared. The Tao family said he received an immortal’s fate and went to seek the Dao. I didn’t believe there were immortals in this world, but then my husband was also taken away by a passing immortal.”

Xuu Ying wiped her temples’ greying hair with a bitter smile. She wasn’t yet forty but already had a head of white hair, akin to a woman in her fifties or sixties.

”The day he left, he said that once he achieved in cultivation, he would return to take me to the Immortal Sect to enjoy life together. I’ve been waiting, but after more than twenty years, he hasn’t come back. Ahem, forgive this foolish old woman, always rambling.”

Jiang Yuebai shook her head, ”It’s alright, Auntie. Anything you want to say, feel free to tell me.”

Xuu Ying walked with Jiang Yuebai, talking all the way back to Qingxi Town.

By dusk, a foggy rain shrouded the place.

The ancient town, built by the water, had reflections of pavilions on both banks, and little black-roofed boats stirred gentle ripples, reminiscent of old times.

Crossing a stone arch bridge, the aroma of food drifted out from the white-walled, black-tiled houses, and everywhere were soft, Wu dialect tones calling children home for dinner.

”Aunt Ying, is this your relative? What a lovely young lady.”

”No, don’t talk nonsense.”

”Aunt Ying, I just made some fresh tofu. Take a piece home to eat.”

”No need, no need. Always eating at your house for free isn’t right.”

Throughout the journey, neighbors showed great concern for Xuu Ying, offering her two buns here and a couple of sweet potatoes there, making Xuu Ying quite embarrassed.

Meow~

Many wild cats emerged from the alleyways and rooftops, following Xuu Ying like guardians as she made her way home.

Jiang Yuebai, curious, asked, ”Aunt, what’s with all these cats?”

Xuu Ying laughed, ”A few years ago, I was digging for wild herbs in the mountains and saved a kitten. Since then, the town’s cats have been very fond of me. I often give them some water and food, and these cats have saved me many times.”

”Once, I almost got bitten by a venomous snake, but a wild cat jumped out and killed it. The most dangerous time was when I encountered a tiger; a group of wild cats drove it away. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be alive now.”

”A tiger? I’ve heard there’s a Tiger Demon around Qingxi Town.”

Xuu Ying nodded, ”Yes, there is. Look at that house over there; the white lanterns are still hanging on the door. The head of the family was returning home late last month and got his soul hooked by the Tiger Demon and a Chang Ghost. But as long as you don’t travel at night, there’s no danger. I’m here, just leave the firewood at the door, and I’ll take you to Tao’s Ironsmith Shop.”

Upon reaching a dilapidated courtyard, Jiang Yuebai set down the firewood, ”That’s not necessary, Aunt. Just point me in the right direction, and I’ll go myself.”

”Then come in and have a bowl of water before you leave. You’ve been traveling all this way.”

Feeling it was hard to refuse, Jiang Yuebai went inside for a drink of water.

”Danggui? Danggui, I’m back～”

Xuu Ying called out everywhere, turning to explain.

”Danggui is the kitten I saved in the mountains. It’s very spiritual, and I’ve been raising it. Just don’t know where it’s wandered off to again.”

Meow～

Wild cats were perched on the wall, staring intensely at Jiang Yuebai, who felt a stirring inside and activated her Heavenly Eye Technique for a glance.

The Heavenly Eye Technique, like the Dust Cleaning Technique, is a functional basic spell that detects special auras. Jiang Yuebai scanned Xuu Ying, her pupils shrinking slightly.

Xuu Ying carried a dark purple aura, which, according to the books, was Demon Energy, albeit not strong.

Jiang Yuebai scanned the surrounding wild cats and found no Demon Energy.

Xuu Ying, being poor, often went to the mountains to chop wood and dig for wild herbs and mushrooms, likely came into contact with something by accident.

After some thought, Jiang Yuebai deliberately went over to mention.

”Aunt, I heard that an Old Immortal arrived at Wuwei Temple on the mountain today. If you want to inquire about the Immortal’s traces, perhaps you should visit Wuwei Temple for a chance of insight.”

Xuu Ying’s eyes lit up, ”Really? Is there truly an Old Immortal?”

”Yes, I just came down from the mountain, and many people are talking about it.”

”Alright, I’ll go take a look tomorrow.”

Jiang Yuebai felt relieved. She didn’t know how to dispel Demon Energy, but Zhao Wude, frequently active in the Mortal World, surely had more knowledge.

After leaving Xuu Ying’s house, Jiang Yuebai headed straight for Tao’s Ironsmith Shop, which was already closed. Behind the courtyard, lights were bright, and laughter came forth.

”Great-grandpa, give me some sweets.”

”May great-grandpa’s blessings be as vast as the East Sea and his longevity like the Southern Mountain.”

”Great-grandpa, great-grandpa, I want sweets too.”

”You little monkeys, go play elsewhere. Don’t tire out great-grandpa.”

Jiang Yuebai concealed her trace and leapt onto the courtyard wall, witnessing a four-generation family gathered happily around a table.

The old great-grandfather, joyful and spirited, was playing with a rattle drum, teasing the baby in the swaddling clothes beside him.

His features bore a strong resemblance to Tao Fengnian, likely his younger brother.

Jiang Yuebai tasted bitterness in her mouth, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

Was it worth forsaking a life of mortal joys, hanging one’s life on the edge of a blade, and struggling for Immortality?

If grandfather saw this scene, would he regret his resolute decision to step into the Immortal Sect back then?

If he could have lived like Zhao Wude, overseeing a Daoist temple and staying by his family’s side, would he have had a better life now?

Would he have lived longer?

These questions had no answers; Jiang Yuebai sighed sorrowfully and jumped down from the courtyard wall to leave.

The night breeze whispered through the rustling leaves.

Inside the courtyard, the old great-grandfather sensed something and looked towards the wall.

”Great-grandpa, what are you looking at?”

”I seemed to have seen my brother.”

”You must be seeing things; Uncle has long become an Immortal. He must be enjoying the bliss in the Immortal Realm, not coming down to the Mortal World to suffer.”

”Yes, he became an Immortal, living long and free, truly enviable.”

”Great-grandpa, great-grandpa, tell us the story of Uncle becoming an Immortal again. We want to hear it.”

”Alright, if Nian’er wants to hear, great-grandpa will tell it once more. It all began in the Mist Immortal Ridge of Leyou Mountain, where it was said...”