Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension

Chapter 1463: Chapter 792: First Signs Emerge

As noon approached, the number of pilgrims in the Ten Kings Temple gradually dwindled.

Zhao Sheng passed through a gate into the backyard and saw a little Taoist sweeping the courtyard, so he walked over casually.

"Little monk, I would like to see Qin Temple Priest. Do you know if he is here?"

The little Taoist looked up at the polite Zhao Sheng, feeling a sudden increase in affection, quickly hugged the broom, and said softly, "Our temple priest is entertaining guests in the Quiet Hall. If the Young Master is not in a hurry, perhaps you could come another day."

Zhao Sheng’s eyes gleamed, and he smiled, "No matter, my heart is sincere, please take me to the Quiet Hall. I will wait outside."

With that, he took out a piece of broken silver from his sleeve and stuffed it into the little Taoist’s hand.

The little Taoist blushed with embarrassment, holding the broken silver tightly in his right hand, looking somewhat panicked and at a loss.

But soon, he dropped the broom, turned sideways, and made a gesture of invitation: "Young Master, please follow me."

Then, under the little Taoist’s guidance, they walked through another courtyard and into an ordinary small yard.

The small yard was not large, just over twenty steps in length and width, with clumps of green bamboo growing in the southwestern corner, adding a touch of elegance.

At this moment, two men wearing black patrol uniforms were guarding the door.

Seeing an outsider approaching, a dark-faced man immediately stepped forward to intercept, saying in a deep voice, "Young Master, please go back. Qin Temple Priest is not seeing outsiders today."

Zhao Sheng felt a stir in his heart and asked, "To be honest, my family has always been on good terms with Mr. Chen. May I ask if it’s Old Madam Chen in the Quiet Hall?"

"You are..." The dark-faced man’s expression showed a mix of surprise and doubt.

Zhao Sheng smiled, "My name is Zhao Sheng, and my family runs three grain and oil shops in town, often supplying grain and oil to the River Patrol Camp."

Realizing this, the dark-faced man immediately showed a hint of a smile, "So, it’s the Young Master of Landlord Zhao’s family. My family has deep ties with Landlord Zhao, after all, you are not really an outsider."

"Mr. Zhao, I apologize. Qin Temple Priest is currently attending to my Old Madam and I don’t know when it will end. Perhaps you could come back another day?" The dark-faced man spoke tactfully, yet there was still an undercurrent of urging him to leave.

Just then, there was a sudden sound of footsteps outside the courtyard. In an instant, a pale, emaciated elderly man in hemp clothes appeared at the door, barging in without a glance.

Witnessing this, the dark-faced man became visibly angry and shouted loudly, "Hey, old man, halt!"

While speaking, the dark-faced man strode over aggressively, reaching out to shove the old man in hemp clothes.

The next moment, the old man in hemp clothes chuckled without any perceptible movement, yet before the dark-faced man’s hand could reach him, the man unexpectedly fell to the ground.

Upon closer inspection, the dark-faced man’s eyes were blank, and white foam was seeping from his mouth.

Zhao Sheng’s smile faded, maintaining a composed demeanor as he looked at the old man in hemp clothes, his gaze falling onto the old man’s hands.

The old man in hemp clothes chuckled, his eyes unintentionally drifting towards Zhao Sheng’s forehead.

In an instant, they both thought to themselves, "Another one!"

The other River Patrol soldier, seeing his companion suddenly fall ill, hurried to his side, frantically shaking him and calling his name.

The dark-faced man had already lost consciousness, unable to hear his companion’s shouts.

Meanwhile, the old man in hemp clothes stood still, his expression turning exceedingly grave, his frail hands trembling slightly, seemingly ready to unleash a thunderous strike at any moment.

"Using poison? Child’s play!" Zhao Sheng sneered suddenly, his eyes filled with contempt.

"Hehe, so long as it kills, even poison’s small game will suffice." The old man in hemp clothes responded with a sinister smile, unfazed.

"To kill, a blade is needed!"

Before the words had completely left his mouth, a Willow Leaf Saber appeared in Zhao Sheng’s hand, its blade bright and sharp, emanating a threatening aura.

The old man’s laughter stopped abruptly, placing his hands in front of him, the ten fingers gradually turning black.

Creek!

At this critical moment, the door of the Quiet Hall was suddenly pushed open, interrupting the standoff between the two.

Soon after, an elderly lady, frail and white-haired, appeared at the door, accompanied by a lean old monk in a black Daoist robe.

Zhao Sheng watched their emergence, and with a single flip of his hand, the Willow Leaf Blade disappeared instantly.

The old man in hemp clothes, upon seeing the old lady appear, reacted as if he’d encountered a natural adversary, turning away without a word and vanishing swiftly through the door.

Witnessing this, Zhao Sheng felt an increase in caution.

The lean old monk, upon seeing the dark-faced man lying on the ground, furrowed his brows slightly.

He stepped forward quickly, retrieved a white pill bottle from his sleeve, shook out an elixir pill the size of a soybean, and placed it into the dark-faced man’s mouth, helping him chew it and swallow.

Shortly after, the dark-faced man groaned and gradually regained consciousness.

Only then did Old Madam Chen walk shakily to within a few steps of Zhao Sheng, looking at him kindly.

"Young man, pay respects to Old Madam Chen," Zhao Sheng said, though making no gesture of greeting.

Unfazed by his lack of manners, the old lady only appeared more benevolent, "I remember you, you’re the child from the Chen family. Three years ago, during my birthday celebration, you came with your father to offer respects."

Zhao Sheng raised an eyebrow, noncommittal, "Old Madam’s memory is quite good. Seems you can live a few more years."

"I owe my years to King Yan’s favor! Visiting King Yan more often won’t cause any harm," the old lady replied.

Saying this, she ignored Zhao Sheng’s expression, shakily making her way out of the courtyard.

Just then, the dark-faced man, struggling to stand, noticed the old lady leaving and quickly, with the support of his companion, slowly exited the courtyard.