Bai Yichen took out a black medicinal vial from the package, shook it, and brought it close to smell. A look of surprise flickered in his eyes.
With a light laugh, he opened it to find exactly ten Huaiqi Earth Maturation Pills inside.
As the saying goes, sometimes fortune comes without effort. He had thought he would never receive this payment, especially since the Zhang family would probably be in chaos after tonight.
Naturally, Bai Yichen would not be responsible for the escort anymore.
Three items remained.
First, a stack of silver notes printed with "Datong" coins. He flicked the edges with his fingertips, and the ten notes totaled ten thousand taels. As expected from the chief, he carried a fortune of silver with him.
It was truly a case of a pillow being sent just when one needed it; Bai Yichen had nearly exhausted his silver during his recent worldly experiences.
To some extent, this was one of the reasons he had chosen to stay at the Daoist temple.
It was a pity that he didn't know who would benefit from the yellow and white items left behind by Hei Lin in his lair.
Although he held the esteemed position of Dao Child from Xuanzhen Temple, comparable to the status of the Three Capitals, his monthly stipend was only twenty taels—ten times more than during his time as a Daoist, but still considerably less compared to the assassins who engaged in risk-free trades.
Bai Yichen then reminded himself that his purpose in life was to seek immortality and the way of the Dao, not to chase after fame and fortune.
One should always keep their surroundings clean and not let dust gather.
Clear away the trivialities, and one's spirit will be lifted, as if made of glass, enhancing the refinement of the heart method.
After savoring this clarity, Bai Yichen turned his gaze to the remaining two items.
One was a mask, and the other was a letter.
The mask was made of red wood, with a color that was red mixed with purple, darkening toward black. The vertical pupils were vivid, and the snake's mouth bore two fangs, with individual scales of the snake clearly visible, resembling the king cobra, the ruler among venomous snakes.
Seeing this snake mask under the flickering candlelight, and recalling the previous events, along with Chen Long's words about the changes of the twelve zodiac animals, Bai Yichen couldn't help but smile slightly, a hint of enlightenment flashing through his mind.
So that's how it is!
From this perspective, the upcoming 80th birthday celebration of Qing Song Zhenren on Yukun Mountain might hold significant events.
Next, Bai Yichen opened the letter, drawing out the paper, which was blank.
Yet he maintained a calm expression, then poured the liquid from the vial onto the paper and heated it. Gradually, lines of text began to emerge from the formerly blank sheet.
After reading it, disappointment flickered in Bai Yichen's eyes; it contained none of the plans regarding Yukun Mountain he had hoped to find from Heishi, just a report on their regular operations.
Well, it can't be that he catches every secret.
Of course, even so, this information would still cause quite a stir in the martial world.
However, Bai Yichen lit the candle, incinerating everything completely.
...
In the blue sky above the clear river, water birds soared and fish flicked their tails.
Upon closer inspection, a finely crafted small boat floated over, with a single person standing at the bow. It had no oars or sails, yet it seemed to be drawn by an invisible force beneath the surface of the water, effortlessly arriving at the nearby shore.
A figure lightly swept onto the shore, disappearing into the forest.
Within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the figure arrived at the familiar green stone steps, noticing that the leaves on either side had already started to turn slightly yellow.
"The morning wards off the scorching fire, the cool autumn winds have already startled; The sky collects the colors of summer, while the rustling leaves announce the sound of fall."
As he reached the courtyard gate, he heard the two welcoming Daoists on either side bow and greet, "Greetings, Dao Child."
Bai Yichen did not act arrogantly; instead, he politely returned the greeting and then gracefully disappeared from their view.
That night, Bai Yichen had already bid farewell to the long-bearded Daoist. By early the next morning, he quietly left Dongjiang County and returned to Xuanzhen Temple.
Staying there any longer would likely result in further entanglements, and under the clarity of mind achieved through the Sitting and Forgetting Heart Refinement method, he had no interest in engaging in false pleasantries with those people.
Staying behind to argue with them, or playing the role of a righteous detective to save the Zhang family from the clutches of Heishi, seemed less appealing than returning to the temple to meditate and cultivate in peace. That was the true path.
Furthermore, Bai Yichen had just killed Heishi's top assassin on this journey.
Although the body of Hei Lin was likely erased by the pack of wolves that came later, Heishi would eventually uncover the truth with time. When the rumored leader of Heishi learned of this, he would surely be enraged.
Even though the looming event of Qing Song Zhenren's 80th birthday celebration might delay any action, there was still the risk that the leader, out of personal anger, might seek revenge.
If he were to come after Bai Yichen personally, and Bai Yichen was alone outside the temple, he would indeed be in great danger.
Thus, returning to Xuanzhen Temple might even make Heishi hesitate to act.
Moreover, on his way back to Xuanzhen Temple over the past few days, Bai Yichen followed Chen Long's instructions and completed his monthly secret contact at a Twelve Zodiac organization's contact point.
He also left a secret letter for Chen Long, suggesting they meet near Qingkong Mountain in a few days, though it was uncertain whether Chen Long would come.
Before long, Bai Yichen arrived at the rear courtyard of Xuanzhen Temple, at the residence of Yunshou Zhenren.
After knocking and entering, Yunshou Zhenren greeted him with a wide smile and teased, "Isn't this the charming Daoist everyone in the martial world has been talking about lately, Dao Child Shaochong?"
Upon hearing this, Bai Yichen nearly stumbled.
What kind of title was that?
After walking into the stone pavilion, Bai Yichen didn't rush to explain but instead picked up some tea leaves from Xuanzhen Temple's century-old tea trees and started brewing tea.
He rinsed the utensils, warmed the cups, awakened the tea, and carefully brewed it, offering two cups to Yunshou Zhenren and himself, before finally savoring the aroma and tasting the tea.
Every movement was as fluid as flowing clouds and water, appearing both effortless and natural.
Though simple, it carried a deep serenity, an enduring sense of calm and depth like still waters running deep.
Yunshou Zhenren, being well-versed in many things, immediately recognized the profoundness within.
Forgetting the rumors from the martial world, he quickly asked, "Shaochong, have you made progress with your Sitting and Forgetting Heart Refinement method?"
After finishing the tea, Bai Yichen, his mind clear and calm, was perfectly ready for conversation.
He nodded slightly and replied, "I've made some modest progress."
Hearing this, Yunshou Zhenren straightened up, exclaiming "Excellent!" three times in a row.
Bai Yichen then gave a mysterious smile, and a surge of innate inner breath burst from within him.
Yunshou Zhenren was instantly dumbfounded, speechless in shock.
In the letters Bai Yichen had sent back to Xuanzhen Temple, he had only briefly mentioned the events of those few days:
He had saved Zhang Feiyan, then been invited by Master Zhang to act as her escort, later being ambushed by an assassin disguised as Zhang Feiyan, who he then killed.
He hadn't mentioned his breakthrough in cultivation, nor had he said that Hei Lin, the top assassin, had died at his hands.
Yunshou Zhenren, still in shock, began muttering, "It must be the blessing of the Dao Ancestor that our Xuanzhen Temple has a successor like you!
A sixteen-year-old innate master—there are probably very few martial arts grandmasters who could compare to you at the same age!"
"We must pray and give thanks to our ancestors!"
A moment later, seeing Yunshou Zhenren had somewhat calmed down, Bai Yichen felt a moment of hesitation but soon decided to proceed with the matter he had to discuss.
He took out a purple-gold token from his package and waved it in front of Yunshou Zhenren.