Jiu Shu led everyone to a room, its door tightly shut, resembling a warehouse.
Jiu Shu pulled out a key and unlocked the door. Inside, numerous weapons were neatly arranged.
“Come in.”
The group, filled with curiosity, stepped inside. Many of these objects were unheard of, let alone seen by them.
Jiu Shu took a few peachwood swords and copper coin swords from a shelf, then turned to look at the blade strapped to Hu Yi Fei’s back. “Your blade seems to be crafted from fine steel. It looks quite good.”
Hu Yi Fei, unsure of the material of her blade, drew it. “It should be as you said.”
After a close examination, Jiu Shu took a box from another cabinet and gently stroked it. “Well, it seems like fate. Here!”
Hu Yi Fei took the box, curiously looking at Jiu Shu. She didn’t understand what was going on.
“Open it.” Jiu Shu didn’t elaborate further, simply saying this.
As the box was opened, a Tang Dynasty saber lay inside. The scabbard was black and engraved with golden cloud patterns, the hilt similarly designed.
Hu Yi Fei’s face lit up with joy. She drew the blade, and instantly, the air felt colder. Yi Fei was even happier now. She casually twirled the blade, this was far better than the beginner weapon from the system.
After a careful inspection, she sheathed the blade, closed the lid, pushed the box forward and said with reluctance, “Jiu Shu, this blade is too precious. I can’t accept it.”
Jiu Shu thought to himself: It seems I didn’t misjudge her.
“Take it. I am not proficient with blades, and my two useless disciples are even more clueless. This blade has been gathering dust here. It’s better to find a worthy owner.” Jiu Shu pushed the box back. He was telling the truth; his skills had nothing to do with blades.
“This blade is called Xue Ying. It was forged by a general of the Tang Dynasty from an extraterrestrial meteorite he found, then crafted by skilled artisans with various precious materials. After its completion, the blade followed the general through countless battles, its sà qì (煞气) remains undissipated. It’s unparalleled in vanquishing evil and slaying demons.” Jiu Shu obtained this blade by chance many years ago and had kept it in this warehouse ever since.
“Hu Yi Fei thanks Jiu Shu for the generous gift. From this day forward, whatever Jiu Shu requests, I will go through fire and water without hesitation.” This was no empty promise. Yi Fei was genuinely grateful to Jiu Shu. After his words, a system notification popped up.
“Congratulations to team member Hu Yi Fei for obtaining the treasured blade Xue Ying (Purple).”
Xue Mo Yin felt a buzzing in his head. Thankfully, he had obtained a golden-tier item earlier, otherwise, he might have suspected if the protagonist aura had shifted.
The others’ reactions were similar. They stared at the blade in Hu Yi Fei’s hand, their eyes almost popping out. But they weren’t greedy, just simply envious.
After leaving the warehouse, Xue Mo Yin handed Wen Cai a piece of gold. This startled Wen Cai, who had never seen so much money before, especially since the master had already said he wouldn’t take money. He quickly waved his hand, indicating he couldn’t accept it.
In the end, Xue Mo Yin forcefully stuffed the gold into his pocket. Whether he wanted to accept it was one thing, whether Xue Mo Yin gave it was another. Besides, for the blade Jiu Shu gave Yi Fei, even if he gave away all the gold he brought, it would be worth it.
“Wen Cai, take the guests to the guest rooms. Everyone, put your things down, we’ll eat soon.”
“Understood, master.”
Wen Cai led the group to the guest rooms. “Here you are, please rest. I’ll call you when it’s time for dinner.”
Watching Wen Cai walk away, Mei Jia questioned, “This Wen Cai seems a bit dazed, compared to Qiu Sheng just now, he feels much less impressive.”
“Eight Grandma, I think you’re crushing on Qiu Sheng!” The one who retorted was undoubtedly Zi Qiao, these two couldn’t seem to live a day without arguing.
“Mind your own business, old hag! I like it!”
Zi Qiao scoffed, “Cut it out. You’re clueless. Just watch, even though Wen Cai isn’t as sharp as Qiu Sheng, he’s the one who will ultimately preserve Jiu Shu’s lineage.”
Xue Mo Yin nodded. This fellow Zi Qiao really had an eye for people. In fact, that’s exactly what happened. In the end, only Wen Cai preserved the lineage.
“Alright, let’s talk business. Judging by the situation, the plot hasn’t started yet. While we still have time, familiarize yourselves with your new weapons. Don’t end up cutting a zombie when you’re trying to cut yourself.”
Looking back at Hu Yi Fei, who was still immersed in joy, Xue Mo Yin pushed her playfully, “Alright, alright, we know you’re happy. But try to be a little considerate of our feelings, alright?”
Hu Yi Fei ignored him and went straight to her room, holding the blade. It seemed like she would sleep with it tonight. Thinking about it, he felt a bit envious of the blade. Shaking off the random thoughts in his head, he also entered the room. He needed to organize his thoughts for this mission.
Their mission objective was to kill Ren Lao Tai Ye. Currently, Ren Lao Tai Ye’s coffin was still in the graveyard. Finding it shouldn’t be difficult, but they couldn’t just go dig up someone’s ancestral grave in broad daylight. It’s hard to do that without being noticed.
As for going at night, yes, it would be less likely to be discovered at night, but remember, in the film, the coffin was always opened during the day. At night, the guy would find his own way to come out. If they dug up Ren Lao Ye at night, it would be good if he stayed quiet and let them burn him, but if he started jumping around, it would be a disaster.
So this idea was immediately discarded by Xue Mo Yin. Another way was to wait until the coffin was transported to the Yì Zhuāng (义庄), then secretly replace the body inside, quietly burn Ren Lao Tai Ye, and then just find an excuse to say that the coffin can’t be opened, bury the body somewhere, and that would be it.
Xue Mo Yin thought this plan was feasible and excitedly called the others over to tell them.
Everyone agreed, and this would make the mission much easier.
Wan Yu suddenly thought of a problem, “This plan is good, but there’s one crucial point. Will Jiu Shu agree to this?”
This question made Xue Mo Yin calm down. Jiu Shu probably wouldn’t agree. After all, secretly burning someone’s ancestor and burying someone else for the descendants to pay homage to, even thinking about it is morally wrong. It’s likely to attract a heavenly retribution.
“Forget it. Let’s talk to Jiu Shu about it later.”
At this time, Wen Cai’s voice came from outside, “Everyone, it’s time for dinner.”
“Coming.”
The group got up and walked outside. When they reached the living room, they saw a row of zombies in the courtyard. They were dressed in Qing Dynasty official robes, wearing hats, and had a talisman pasted on their foreheads, just like in the film.
Mei Jia, true to her oblivious nature, grabbed Wan Yu, who was bursting with curiosity, and ran towards the zombies. She looked here and there, occasionally pinching them.
Wen Cai reminded them from the side, “Ladies, be careful. Don’t accidentally pull off the talismans on their foreheads.”
Xue Mo Yin saw the zombies and understood. Judging by the situation, it must be Jiu Shu’s junior brother, Si Mu Dao Chang, who had arrived.
Sure enough, a bespectacled Taoist priest came out from the living room. He clasped his fists together, “You must be my senior brother’s guests. Call me Si Mu Dao Chang.” Then he shook the bell in his hand, and the zombies lined up and followed the bell’s sound, jumping towards the place where the corpses were stored.
“Carrying corpses?” Zi Qiao said.
Jiu Shu appeared from somewhere, “That’s right. My junior brother has always done this. Come on, dinner is ready.”
The group had just started eating when Si Mu Dao Chang returned. He found a stool and joined them for dinner. Wen Cai and Qiu Sheng were nowhere to be seen. Since Jiu Shu didn’t mention them, Xue Mo Yin didn’t ask either.
Si Mu Dao Chang looked curiously at Xue Mo Yin and the others. He had heard his senior brother talk about them and couldn’t help but wonder about something.