Chapter 666: Too Many Suspects

Who Let Him Practice Cultivation! Main Text Volume 666: Too Many Suspects

"Donor Xu, your residence is quite grand."

Xu An smiled somewhat self-consciously. "My parents were both cultivators, and they left behind a substantial fortune before they passed. Unfortunately, my own natural talent is limited, and I have never been able to step onto the path of cultivation. I must apologize for making a fool of myself before the three of you."

Since he could not cultivate, studying the words of the sages diligently to trade for worldly honor and official rank could still be considered a way to avoid bringing shame upon his parents' name.

What was rather unfortunate was that he had achieved nothing of note in the imperial examinations either.

Xu An generally did not speak of these matters with others, but the trio of Lu Yang was an exception.

He had heard from his elder brother Zhong Ming that Shi Zhan and the two protectors were highly likely to be great cultivators of the Foundation Establishment or even the Golden Core stage; individuals of such cultivation would not cast a covetous eye upon his meager property.

On the inner side of the Xu family's main gate, a yellow talisman was affixed. This had been posted previously by a ghost-expelling cultivator; though it was essentially useless, having it posted here offered at least some peace of mind.

As the four entered the Xu household, it happened that a young lady was currently sweeping the courtyard. Judging by her rather plain attire, she was a maidservant.

Seeing the master leading three guests into the house, the maidservant hastily dodged to one side, lest she collide with and offend the visitors.

The maidservant possessed a rather fine appearance, causing Meng Jingzhou to steal a few extra glances.

"This is Xiao Cui," Xu An said with a smile.

"Last year, when I went to take the examinations, I rested for a night in a mountain temple. I happened to encounter Xiao Cui in that temple. She said that wicked men were pursuing her and wished for me to help conceal her. Sure enough, several fierce and sinister individuals burst into the temple afterward. Following Xiao Cui's words, I covered for her and saved her life. She declared that such monumental kindness could never be fully repaid, and thus she became my maidservant."

"Greetings, masters," Xiao Cui said timidly, her tone soft and delicate.

Meng Jingzhou nodded; this was a female ghost.

The four crossed the festooned gate and entered the second courtyard. A sumptuously dressed woman stepped out from the chamber. "Husband, you have returned at just the right moment. The three-hundred-year-old glossy ganoderma you purchased has already been stewed into a broth... And these three are?"

The elegant woman froze for a moment upon seeing Lu Yang's trio. A Buddhist monk accompanied by two lay disciples?

"Xiangyu, quickly offer your greetings to the three masters."

"Previously, was I not constantly mentioning that my sleep of late has been poor, as if I were possessed by an evil ghost, leaving me in a trance all day? I invited several cultivators, yet none showed any effect."

"And so, Brother Zhong Ming, who frequently associates with cultivators, recommended these three masters. They are all highly capable experts who possess true skill."

"Allow me to introduce her; this is my humble wife, Liu Xiangyu."

"So it is Donor Liu."

"Greetings, three masters." Liu Xiangyu performed a formal, blessed bow.

"As a mere woman, seeing my husband suffer every day pains my heart, yet I am entirely powerless. I must trouble the three masters."

"Amitabha. This poor monk shall do his utmost."

Shi Zhan did not dare to speak with absolute certainty; this was a snake demon.

"Come, three masters, please step inside." Xu An warmly invited the three into the grand hall, intending to entertain them properly.

"There is no need for that. We need to thoroughly examine your residence, the better to make arrangements."

"Very well, very well." Xu An was overjoyed. Experts were indeed experts, acting with thunderous efficiency.

"Xiao Zhu, come here for a moment."

Xu An called out into the open. Before long, another maidservant set down the work at her hand and came hurrying over.

"Xiao Zhu, take the three masters to tour the courtyard."

"Y-Yes, sir."

Xiao Zhu was of pleasing appearance, her eyes carrying an affectionate charm.

Lu Yang saw through Xiao Zhu's true form; she was a fox demon.

Just before the three were led away by Xiao Zhu, Liu Xiangyu happened to carry out a bowl of black soup—precisely the medicinal broth brewed from the three-hundred-year-old glossy ganoderma.

With Xu An's constitution, it was impossible for him to consume an entire ganoderma in one breath; the portion used for the soup was but a tiny fraction of it.

Meng Jingzhou twitched his nose, his brow furrowing slightly. He could not tell if it was an illusion, but he detected a faint trace of bloodiness from within that black broth.

The three walked carefully through the Xu estate, gaining a general grasp of the situation within the household.

The residence, consisting of three successive courtyards, harbored a total of five residents, including the couple Xu An and three maidservants.

To put it simply, Xu An was the only human.

The third maidservant was named Xiao Qiu, and she was an artifact spirit.

When evening arrived and it was time for the vegetarian meal, Xu An looked expectantly at the three. "Three masters, have you discovered anything?"

Shi Zhan chanted a verse of Amitabha. "We have indeed made some discoveries, though the concrete situation will still depend upon tonight."

There were simply too many suspects; they could not be certain which person was responsible.

"The three of us shall keep watch beside Donor Xu tonight, protecting you."

"Then this Xu expresses his prior gratitude to the three masters!"

The candles were blown out, and the three masters sat in meditation beside Xu An's bed. Xu An possessed a sanguine mindset and was already fast asleep.

Suddenly, a gust of fragrant wind blew past. The consciousness of Lu Yang's trio lightened, and they drifted into slumber.

A graceful silhouette pushed open the chamber door, looking at the three with a beaming smile.

"And here I wondered what sort of experts my benefactor had invited; turns out they are merely three little fellows of the Golden Core stage."

Under the probe of the silhouette's divine sense, she had detected that the cultivation of all three resided within the Golden Core stage.

"I wonder when I will finally be able to reveal my true identity to my benefactor."

Gazing upon Xu An's sleeping face, the silhouette licked her lips, shed her garments, and gently pressed her lips against his.

The two did not physically touch, yet a wisp of yang energy drifted from Xu An's lips and was absorbed by the silhouette.

Following this, her hands began to roam over his body.

Lu Yang's trio feigned deep sleep, while in truth, they all covertly observed this spectacle, communicating via divine sense.

"Xu An is blessed with no small measure of romantic fortune; this female ghost's cultivation is by no means low."

"No wonder he feels a deficiency in his yang energy; it would be a marvel if his yang energy could ever be sufficient under these circumstances."

"So the one devouring Xu An's yang energy is the maidservant Xiao Cui."

"She certainly disguised herself thoroughly enough."

Ghosts could not come into contact with physical objects. When she was sweeping the courtyard during the day, she was actually merely mimicking the posture while controlling the broom with her intent; the three had discovered this point the moment they laid eyes upon Xiao Cui.

At this moment, it was the same. Xiao Cui was merely consuming Xu An's yang energy while lingering intimately with him within his dreams—a method frequently employed by seductive ghosts.

Meng Jingzhou was particularly sensitive to spirits, which was precisely why he had cast those few extra glances at Xiao Cui earlier.

After a bout of cloud and rain, Xiao Cui departed from the Xu estate in thorough satisfaction, and the three immediately trailed after her to investigate.

At this hour of the deep night, many shops had already closed for business.

Xiao Cui arrived before the entrance of a closed shop. Scanning her surroundings to ensure no one was present, she rapped lightly upon the wooden door.

The other party seemed to know someone would arrive; the moment the knocking sounded, the door opened instantly.

Xiao Cui stepped generously into the shop.

Lu Yang raised his gaze to look up: The "Let's Do It Again" Barbecue Shop, Chunjiang City Branch.

"Welcome, Helmsman, to inspect our establishment!" the shop assistant said with profound respect.

"How many times have I told you? Our Jiuyou Sect runs a legitimate business now. You are to address me as the shopkeeper."

"Yes, of course, mistress—shopkeeper."

The clerk pulled out the ledger: "Here are today's earnings."

Xiao Cui opened the book and reviewed it line by line; the barbecue tavern was the main enterprise of the Jiuyou Sect, and there was no room for error.

Seeing that the helmsman was in high spirits, the clerk suddenly ventured: "Shopkeeper, do you truly intend to remain that Xu An's handmaiden forever?"

"Given your exalted status, why must you endure this? If you ask me, we should simply reveal your identity, bind him up, and drag him here. He would have no choice but to submit to everything."

The clerk watched on with mounting anxiety; their helmsman was a grand Nascent Soul cultivator, yet she humbled herself within the household of a mere mortal, serving as a lowly maid.

Xiao Cui rejected the notion instantly: "Absolutely not. Master Xu saved my life; how could I treat him with such cruelty?"

"As for revealing my true identity, that is even more out of the question. If he ever discovered who I am, he would be branded with the crime of harboring a demon sect disciple. How then could he ever sit for the imperial examinations in the future?"