Saving the Common People from Dire Straits

The four members of the Yang family concluded their discussion.

That very night, Elder Yu made a trip to Qinghe Town and conveyed the Yang family's stance to Tian Yu.

"What! Senior Yu, do you not trust me?"

When Tian Yu learned that the Yang family would not accept the Marrow-Washing Pill and was unwilling to intervene in the Sanglu Valley matter, a strange light immediately flickered in his eyes as he asked with urgency.

Elder Yu took note of this change, which further confirmed Yang Lingqing's speculation.

He shook his head and sighed. "Alas... Town Chief Tian misunderstands. It is not that we are unwilling, but that we truly cannot..."

Elder Yu then brought out his prepared remarks, explaining that Yang Lingrui had returned from the Golden Scale Dharma Assembly and brought the Yang family a large Talisman order.

"That person is a bamboo grove Rogue Cultivator at the ninth level of Qi Gathering from Fengling. Our family needs to refine thirty-six Fire Talismans before the Day of Great Heat this year. Time is tight and the burden is heavy; we truly cannot spare any hands to assist."

As he spoke, Elder Yu produced the Talisman contract that Yang Lingrui had signed with the bamboo grove cultivator.

When Tian Yu saw the seal of the Immortal Patrol Office upon the contract, he could no longer press the matter.

After Elder Yu left, anxiety surfaced on Tian Yu's face.

"How could this happen so coincidentally! What am I to do..."

With the contract as proof, he had no reason to doubt Elder Yu's words.

He had originally thought that drawing the Yang family into this matter was a certainty.

Once involved, whether they chose to suppress the yin energy or were provoked into slaying the evil creatures in the valley, they would have helped him weather his current crisis.

But now that the Yang family could not act, relying solely on the strength of Qinghe Town would make it very difficult to suppress the leaking yin energy. He would have to find another way.

"Sir! Ghosts and monsters have been found causing trouble in the southeast again!"

"If they are found, go kill them! Why are you telling me? Send everyone in the manor out! This matter must be suppressed!" Tian Yu shouted.

After leaving Qinghe, Elder Yu made a trip to the Fish Ridge River Market to replenish the family's stock of Talisman paper and spiritual mediums.

Twenty days later.

Gao Hui returned to Baishi Town from Wangyue City.

On this trip, he had indeed encountered a good opportunity, meeting with a young master from an aristocratic clan, and even had the honor of attending a banquet hosted by Wangyue City Lord Song Kaiyang.

Unfortunately, what the other party sought were things he either did not possess or could not bear to sacrifice. In the end, he could only return in disappointment.

"Alas... another wasted journey. I exhausted my energy and spirit, only to gain nothing. I really should have returned with Lingrui back then."

Muttering to himself, he arrived at the town gate and looked up, only to see the very person he had been talking about.

"Lingrui!"

Gao Hui approached joyfully. "I was just speaking of you. Even if you came to visit, you did not have to wait at the gate like this!"

Yang Lingrui smiled. "Greetings, Town Chief Gao. This trip was arranged by my Family Head. She has words she wishes me to personally convey to you."

Upon hearing that it was Yang Lingqing's arrangement, Gao Hui quickly brought Yang Lingrui back to his manor.

After a secret exchange, Gao Hui's expression shifted from curiosity to solemnity, then to shock, followed by joy, and finally to eyes full of deep gratitude.

"That is the gist of it. What do you think, Town Chief Gao?"

"What more needs to be said!"

Gao Hui said with excitement, "Please convey to Family Head Yang that I will certainly lend my full support!"

After seeing Yang Lingrui off, Gao Hui sat in his room, his emotions unable to calm for a long time.

He had never expected that the opportunity he had racked his brains to find at the Golden Scale Dharma Assembly would be delivered right before him today by Yang Lingqing.

Yang Lingrui's earlier words-"Since its establishment, the Yang family has received much care from Town Chief Gao, and now it is time to offer some return"-truly moved Gao Hui deeply.

Looking back over the many decisions he had made since being transferred to Baishi Town, befriending the Yang family and establishing mutual trust was indeed the most correct choice he had ever made!

"Family Head Yang's great kindness! I, Gao Hui, will remember it in my heart! One day, I will repay it handsomely!"

Gao Hui's return completed all the conditions Yang Lingqing needed. They now only had to wait for the right moment.

As time passed, the leaking yin energy from Sanglu Valley grew increasingly severe. A little over a month later, a Qinghe merchant convoy was attacked by mountain ghosts on the main road, causing the matter to spread throughout the entire town.

For a time, the common people were plunged into fear and endless anxiety.

Tian Yu tried many methods and contacted several nearby families, but their strength was simply too weak. With only one or two cultivators each, they were completely incomparable to the Yang family and could accomplish nothing.

The frequency and intensity of the ghostly disturbances continued to rise, and casualties among the people under Qinghe's jurisdiction increased by the day. Tian Yu found himself stretched perilously thin trying to cope.

Seeing that the situation had grown too dire to suppress, he was left with no choice but to report the matter to the Wangchao.

Songshan Yang Family.

"One hundred... two hundred... three hundred..."

Yang Linghu counted aloud in the ancestral hall. Before him sat several large stacks of completed Evil-Repelling Talismans, ranging from inferior to fine quality.

"Lingqing, I've finished counting. Exactly four hundred, more than enough," Yang Linghu said.

With the set of Qi Gathering Spiritual Treasures obtained from the scholar, Chen Yang's speed in refining Talismans had greatly increased.

After hearing Yang Lingqing's plan, he gave his utmost support. Over the past month, he had worked tirelessly, refining four hundred Evil-Repelling Talismans of various qualities at the initial stage of Qi Gathering in one breath, ensuring the success of the Yang family's upcoming action.

"By my calculations, the time is about right. Contact Town Chief Gao. We set out immediately for Qinghe to save the common people from dire straits."

"Yes, Family Head!"

Yang Lingqing issued the Family Head's decree. Every cultivator of the Yang family mobilized in full force, joining Gao Hui and carrying the four hundred Evil-Repelling Talismans as they rushed toward Qinghe.

Qinghe Town, a village to the southeast.

The residents here had taken refuge in Qinghe Town during the Beast Tide, returning only after the disaster passed to rebuild their homes.

But who could have imagined that the Beast Tide would be followed by roving bandits, and after the bandit threat was pacified, they would now face the resurgence of ghosts and monsters.

In this world, it was truly too difficult for ordinary mortals to live a peaceful life.

"Everyone, light your torches!"

"Keep an eye on the rooftops! Those ghostly things can climb the walls!"

Able-bodied villagers brandished homemade weapons, having spontaneously formed a defense team to fight against the foul creatures.

Phweee!

Following the sharp whistle, someone shouted, "Five are coming! Five!"

The defense team immediately stood ready, guarding the entrance in that direction. Soon, they saw several humanoid creatures with glowing red eyes charging forward with low growls.

"Don't panic! Hold your formation!"

Over the past month, they had gained experience in dealing with these mountain ghosts. Against ordinary-level mountain ghosts, their makeshift weapons were entirely sufficient.

But today, the village seemed to have terrible luck. The fifth mountain ghost, aside from its crimson eyes, also emitted a dark, purplish aura of evil yin energy.

This yin-infused mountain ghost possessed immense strength. With a single charge, it shattered the fence, and with a sweep of its palm, it sent two villagers flying.

Such strength clearly indicated it had reached the Qi Gathering realm. Mere mortals simply could not withstand it.

"Damn it! Our weapons can't pierce it at all!"

A burly man tried to launch a sneak attack from behind, but his pitchfork proved useless. The mountain ghost spun around and swatted him to the ground.

"Ah! My leg!"

That single blow had broken the man's left leg. He collapsed to the dirt, unable to stand.

The other villagers rushed forward to save him, but their attacks could not slow the mountain ghost in the slightest.

Just as the mountain ghost's mouthful of sharp teeth was about to sink into the burly man, a figure suddenly descended from the sky!

Bang!

Dropping from midair, the figure smashed the mountain ghost's body to pieces with a single punch.

The surrounding villagers and the fallen man stared in utter shock. Before they could even register what had just happened, they saw several feather-white Talismans floating down before them.

"I am an immortal cultivator of the Songshan Yang Family. Seeing ghosts and monsters wreaking havoc in Qinghe, I have come down the mountain to slay demons and eradicate evil. I now bestow these Evil-Repelling Talismans upon you!"

Yang Linghu looked at the gathered villagers and declared, "If you encounter a yin-infused mountain ghost again, raise this Talisman high and shout, 'By the Immortal Venerable's divine power, expel evil and banish demons!' The mountain ghost will destroy itself!"

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