Stop it, Taoist, Your Fight almost Ruins the DAO!

"Trouble for Miss Yu Yan."

Yi Chenli politely nodded slightly to the white-clothed maiden in front of him and watched her leave.

The one Yi Chen called Miss Yu Yan was the person who came out to receive them in this large estate.

Just as the white-clothed maiden was about to step out of the door, Yi Chen suddenly flashed in front of her.

"There's still one thing I'd like to ask Miss Yu Yan about."

"Please speak, Taoist."

"Are you sure that, apart from your servants and parents, you don't have brothers or the like?"

"Could it be that you've forgotten something?" Yi Chen asked in an even tone.

"Why would the Taoist say such a thing? My parents have only had me over these years. They did wish for a boy, but my mother never conceived one; as they grew older, they gave up the hope," she said.

Miss Yu Yan's eyes widened in surprise, and her tone revealed some astonishment, as if she found Yi Chen's question quite strange.

"Haha, just asking. Still, be careful at night, Miss. If you remember anything or encounter anything strange, just cry out for help,"

"I will certainly rush over posthaste," Yi Chen added, glancing at the white-clothed maiden's exposed hand and chuckling.

This eased the tension that had been in the white-clothed maiden's heart.

The tall Daoist suddenly blocked her way and asked her some odd questions, which had frightened her a bit.

Compared to the people from the Peacekeeping Office, she preferred the other group staying in the side hall, especially the sword-carrying, white-clothed young master—so handsome and upright with a charming smile. She was still unmarried; if she could become his wife and stay with him forever, that would be wonderful.

Alas, it seemed he had a junior sister.

Really, she was like a pesky fox, always clinging to her senior brother.

After thanking Yi Chen, Miss Yu Yan ran out of the hall as if flying, for the night was cold with dew, and she wanted to ask the white-clothed young master if he needed another blanket, hehe~

She would feel for gegie.

The romance novels she often read in her boudoir all played out like this: the childhood sweetheart loses to the fated arrival, and junior sisters have always been the defeated dogs. When the time comes, everyone would rely on their own schemes.

With this thought, she straightened her chest and walked even faster.

"Taoist, have you discovered anything?"

This time, the one speaking was a small ensign under Lin Baihu, named Niu Da, who couldn't help but come over and ask.

Hearing his question, everyone in the hall turned their gazes toward Yi Chen.

Yi Chen added a piece of charcoal to the brazier in the hall, sending a multitude of sparks flying and rising before suddenly dying down.

After doing all this, he then turned his gaze toward the people around him.

"Don't you guys find it somewhat odd?"

"The Miss Yu Yan just now claimed to be the sole daughter of the master of this large residence, and yet her hands seemed rough from doing frequent heavy work."

"Her clothes are quite decent, but you can see the traces of careful starching and folding, as if the owner cherishes this garment a lot."

"That does not quite fit the behavior of a young lady."

Yi Chen expressed his puzzlement in detail.

"Perhaps this Miss Yu Yan is just not so delicate in her daily life, or very frugal? Or could it be that she likes to practice with weapons?"

"Sometimes, it's better when a lady's hand is a bit rough. I, for one, like it rougher—it's more thrilling," said the ensign Niu Da with a wiggle of his eyebrows and a suggestive tone.

At these words, the men sitting on the ground in the hall burst into laughter, and some of the bolder lads even began to tease.

"Boss, is that why you always go for the madam at the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion?"

"The boss is right; old ginger is spicier, rough is indeed better."

…

For a moment, the hall was filled with a joyful atmosphere, sweeping away the previously gloomy and oppressive mood.

Even Yi Chen couldn't help but laugh.

The Office of Peaceful Townships really does have an endless supply of talented people, and Niu Da is one of them.

Those outside the circle might feel his speech is inappropriate and untimely, but only those who have truly led a team and have leadership experience would know that such talent is the real backbone.

In a few words, he revived the previously gloomy and oppressive atmosphere; it doesn't matter if someone's methods are refined or not, as long as they work.

Pressure needs to be released.

In a team, if there is a role for release, then there must also be a role for restraint.

If we say that the small banner-bearer Niu Da is the one to release,

Then Lin Baihu would be the one to restrain.

Seeing that the atmosphere had loosened up considerably, he gently clapped his hands, signaling for everyone to quiet down.

"Stop the ruckus, everyone, and listen to what the Taoist has to say first," he said.

After clearing his throat, Yi Chen finally continued to point out the doubts he had discovered one by one.

"First of all, outside Yangjia Wu Fort there are many corpses of small animals."

"These chickens, ducks, cats, and rats either had exploded heads or their eyes bulged out with blood flowing from their seven orifices."

"What kind of force had eroded them?"

"Why did they die this way?"

"Why haven't the pigs, cows, sheep, and other large livestock inside Yangjia Wu Fort shown any signs of death or escape?"

"You all saw the abnormalities with the residents of Yangjia Wu Fort during the day today; although no evil aura was detected on them, here I want to remind you all."

"Don't use the old way of thinking to speculate about the strange occurrences at Yangjia Wu Fort this time."

"The celestial phenomenon of the blood-red meteor is unprecedented; this is a change."

"No abnormalities doesn't mean there are no problems, talismans for expelling evil are not omnipotent, perhaps it's just that a certain special moment has not yet arrived."

Time took another small step forward, and the night seemed to grow even more gloomy.

Yi Chen tossed another piece of charcoal into the brazier in the hall and then spoke faintly, "Everyone, tell me, is there a difference between humans and pigs, cows, sheep, and horses?"

"Do you think, perhaps the entire Yangjia Wu Fort has no living people left, and that it will show its ferocious teeth at a certain moment?"

"So, tonight, no one should act alone; those who want to sleep should simply lay out their mats in the hall. Don't blame Daoist Yi Chengzi for not warning you if something happens."

"Let it not be said that I did not forewarn you."

After finishing his warning with a chuckle, Yi Chen fell silent and began to rest with his eyes closed. He had said all that should be said and what should not have been said. If they truly encountered an unstoppable danger, then nobody should blame Taoist Yi Chengzi for swiftly vanishing.

The night deepened further.

Perhaps out of weariness or perhaps startled by Yi Chen's speculations, the people inside the hall who had initially whispered among themselves gradually fell silent, leaving only the crackling sounds of the charcoal splitting in the brazier.

Just then, suddenly, a rasping noise erupted.

All the people in the hall were awakened, their eyes snapping open.

Some of the more violently reactive soldiers even drew their waist knives, while others placed their hands on the water bottles beside them, the cork already pulled out, and a faint scent of blood wafting from them, the smell of black dog's blood.

Indeed, even among the Office of Peaceful Townships, aside from the small banner-bearers, most of the soldiers do not possess mana. However, they are more alert than ordinary martial arts experts, and the weapons in their hands are simply more professional.

"Ma Da, what are you doing?" Lin Baihu asked with a furrowed brow, addressing a tall soldier who had made the noise.

"Lord Baihu, I... I need to relieve myself... I always feel the urge to urinate when I'm nervous," the tall soldier replied. He was one of those who had previously teased the small banner-bearer Niu Da.

Upon hearing this, the face of the small banner-bearer Niu Da darkened instantly as he said in a deep voice, "My Lord, I'll accompany him for the trip."

After pondering for a moment, Lin Baihu nodded and instructed, "Don't go to the latrine; just relieve yourself at the corner of the small garden outside. Make it quick."

Amidst Ma Da's embarrassment and words of gratitude, the two brothers, Niu and Ma Da, opened the front door of the living room and disappeared outside.

Five minutes passed.

Ten minutes passed.

The two had not yet returned.