"Benefactor Xu’s residence is quite large,"

Xu An smiled apologetically, "Both of my parents were cultivators and left behind a considerable fortune. Unfortunately, I have limited talent and have never been able to embark on the path of cultivation, which I’m afraid has become a jest among you three."

Since he couldn’t cultivate, he devoted himself to studying the scriptures and sought to earn a name and fortune to not disgrace his parents.

Regrettably, he had no achievements in the imperial examinations either.

Xu An rarely spoke of these things to others, but Lu Yang and the other two were an exception.

He had heard from his elder brother Zhong Ming that Shi Chan and the two Protectors were very likely cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Stage or even the Golden Core Stage. Such individuals of high cultivation level wouldn’t covet his paltry possessions.

On the inside of the Xu family’s gate was a yellow talisman, posted there previously by an exorcist. Although it was said to be of little use, it provided some peace of mind.

As the four entered the Xu residence, they happened to see a girl sweeping the courtyard. Judging from her plain clothes, she was a servant girl.

Upon seeing her master bring three guests inside, she quickly stepped aside to avoid disturbing the visitors.

The maid was quite attractive, and Meng Jingzhou took a second look at her.

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

"Last year, when I went to participate in the examination, I rested overnight at a mountain temple and happened to meet Xiao Cui there. She said someone malicious was chasing her and asked for my help in covering for her. Soon after, several fierce and evil men burst into the temple, and I covered for her as she had instructed, saving her.

She insisted that she could not repay my great kindness with anything else, so she became my maid."

"Greetings to the masters," Xiao Cui said timidly, her voice soft and gentle.

Meng Jingzhou nodded, recognizing her as a ghost.

The four walked through the flower-hanging gate into the second courtyard, where a richly dressed woman came out of a room, "Husband, you’re back just in time, the three-hundred-year-old glossy ganoderma soup that you bought has been prepared... and who might these three be?"

Upon seeing Lu Yang and the others, the opulent woman paused, a monk accompanied by two secular disciples?

"Xiangyu, hurry and greet these three great masters."

"I’ve been telling you that my sleep has been terrible of late, as if a malevolent ghost were haunting me, leaving me feeling dazed all day. Several cultivators have been invited but to no avail."

"Just now, elder brother Zhong Ming, who often deals with cultivators, recommended these three great masters to us. They are truly skilled and capable individuals."

"Allow me to introduce my wife, Liu Xiangyu."

"So, you are Madam Liu."

"Greetings to the three great masters," Liu Xiangyu performed a respectful curtsy.

"As merely a woman of the household, it pains me to see my husband suffer daily, but I am powerless to help. Thank you, three great masters, for your efforts."

"Amitabha, this poor monk will do his best," Shi Chan replied cautiously, not wanting to be overly confident. She was a Snake Demon.

"Please, this way, great masters," Xu An warmly invited the three into the hall to be properly entertained.

"There’s no need, we must take a good look around your residence to prepare accordingly," the visitors responded.

"Very well, very well," Xu An was overjoyed. True experts indeed acted decisively.

"Xiao Zhu, come here," Xu An called out. Before long, another maid, who had been busy with her chores, hurried over.

"Xiao Zhu, please show the three great masters around the courtyard."

"Yes, of course," Xiao Zhu complied.

Xiao Zhu was pretty, with a lively sparkle in her eyes.

Lu Yang saw through Xiao Zhu’s true form; she was a Snake Demon.

Right before the three were led away by Xiao Zhu, Liu Xiangyu brought out a bowl of black soup, which was the medicinal broth made from the three-hundred-year-old glossy ganoderma.

Given Xu An’s constitution, he couldn’t possibly consume an entire glossy ganoderma at once. The soup was made only with a small portion of it.

Meng Jingzhou sniffed, furrowing his brows slightly. He wasn’t sure, but he thought he smelled a hint of blood in the black broth.

After a careful inspection around the Xu residence, the three had a good understanding of the situation.

The residence with three entries and exits housed five people, including Xu An and his wife, along with three maids.

Simply put, only Xu An was human.

The third maid was named Xiao Qiu, and she was a Spirit Device.

When it was time for the vegetarian dinner in the evening, Xu An looked forward to the trio, "Great masters, have you discovered anything?"

Shi Chan recited an Amitabha, "We have made some discoveries, but the specific situation will depend on tonight."

There were too many suspects, and they weren’t sure who was responsible.

"Tonight, the three monks will stay by Benefactor Xu’s side to protect him."

"Then Xu would like to thank the three masters in advance!"

The candles were blown out, and the three masters sat in meditation by Xu An’s bedside, while Xu An, his mind at ease, had already fallen sound asleep.

Suddenly, a fragrant breeze blew through, and the consciousness of Lu Yang’s trio lightened, and they fell into a deep sleep.

A beautiful figure pushed open the door, smiling and looking at the three of them.

"I thought the benefactor had invited some remarkable experts, but it turns out they are just three little Golden Core Stage youngsters." Find your next adventure on freewebnovel

Under the investigation of the figure’s Spiritual Sense, she determined that all three had Cultivation Levels at the Golden Core Stage.

"I wonder when I can reveal my true identity to the benefactor."

The figure, seeing Xu An’s sleeping face, licked her lips, took off her clothes, and gently kissed him.

The two did not touch, but a wisp of Yang Qi floated out from Xu An’s lips and was absorbed by the figure.

Afterward, the figure ran her hands over him.

Lu Yang’s trio pretended to be sound asleep, but in fact, they were all secretly observing the scene and communicating with each other through Spiritual Sense.

"Xu An really has enviable fortune, this female ghost’s Cultivation Level is not low."

"No wonder he feels a lack of Yang Qi, it would be strange if it wasn’t deficient."

"So it turns out that the one absorbing Xu An’s Yang Qi is the maid Xiao Cui."

"She’s pretending quite earnestly."

Ghosts can’t touch physical objects, so when they cleaned the courtyard during the day, they were just posing and controlling with their intent, which the three of them noticed when they saw Xiao Cui.

It was the same at this moment, Xiao Cui was just absorbing Xu An’s Yang Qi and was entwined with him in a dream, a common method used by lustful ghosts.

Meng Jingzhou was particularly sensitive to ghosts, which is why he took an extra look at Xiao Cui.

After a while of intimate contact, Xiao Cui left Xu’s residence contentedly, and the three of them immediately followed to investigate.

It was late at night, and many shops had already closed.

Xiao Cui arrived at the door of a closed shop, looked around to ensure no one was there, and lightly knocked on the wooden door.

The person inside seemed to expect someone and opened the door immediately upon the knock.

Xiao Cui walked into the shop confidently.

Lu Yang looked up and saw: Here we go again, Chunjiang City Barbecue Restaurant branch.

"Welcome, Rudder Master, to inspect our store!" said the restaurant’s waiter respectfully.

"How many times have I said it, we in the Jiuyou Sect run a legitimate business, call me store owner."

𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"Yes, yes."

The waiter took out an account book, "This is today’s revenue report."

Xiao Cui opened the account book and checked each entry one by one. The barbecue restaurant was the main project of the Jiuyou Sect, and no mistakes could be afforded.

Seeing the Rudder Master in a good mood, the waiter suddenly said, "Store manager, do you really want to continue being that Xu An’s maid?"

"With your status, why bother? If you ask me, just reveal your identity and capture him, bring him here, and he will comply with everything."

The waiter was anxious, as their Rudder Master, who was at the Nascent Soul Stage, condescended to be a maid in a mortal’s house.

Xiao Cui flatly rejected the idea, "Impossible, the young master saved my life, how could I treat him in such a manner?"

"As for revealing my identity, that’s even more impossible. If he knew who I am, he would be accused of harboring a member of the demonic sect, how would he proceed with his imperial examinations then?"