Although this was just a guess, one can never be too careful.
Zhu Xiaosuo pondered for a moment; he needed to prepare a backup plan.
However, his mind was blank for the time being.
The Zhu Clan was large, but there was nothing new to inspire him.
Since becoming a cultivator, Zhu Qigao and Zhu Liude's knowledge and thinking had somewhat fallen behind his pace.
Managing the Zhu Clan was fine, but if he wanted them to help with his cultivation, they still needed training.
It was time to see the outside world.
Currently, he had mastered the "Spirit-Nurturing Technique," and could also use the "Sound Transmission Talisman," "Wind-Chasing Steps," "Artifact Control Technique," and "Crumbling Stone Force."
In truth, he no longer needed Zhuang Yun's guidance.
Thus, Zhuang Yun's presence these days wasn't that important to him.
It would be better to go out and relax, to see if he could gain new insights.
After about ten days, he informed Zhuang Yun and Madam Feng of his plans and prepared to set out.
Although Zhuang Yun was supposed to ensure Zhu Xiaosuo's safety, he didn't restrict him from leaving the Zhu Clan.
After all, Zhu Xiaosuo was a well-known cultivator in Mountain Chicken County, and no one would dare to provoke him.
As long as he stayed nearby, there was no need to worry about any life-threatening danger.
Zhu Xiaosuo still needed people to accompany him on his journey.
Zhu Qigao and Zhu Liude held high positions and couldn't leave.
Zhu Sangao arranged for Zhu Sixiu to lead the group, borrowed Shen Zhuo from Shen Ma, who had just been promoted to County Constable, and selected a few trusted followers and Zhu Liude's disciples to accompany them.
They were all trustworthy acquaintances.
A group of about ten people, dressed in plain clothes, left the Zhu Clan early in the morning.
This month, apart from attending funerals, he hadn't left the Zhu Clan much.
He had been cultivating diligently, successfully exhausting the seventeen Spirit Stones he had.
He didn't dare keep any Spirit Stones on hand.
Sure enough, the day after he used up the Spirit Stones, Zhuang Yun came to borrow some.
Though he said "borrow," both of them knew it wouldn't be returned.
Zhu Xiaosuo had no choice but to show him the dozen or so depleted stones.
Zhuang Yun left, disgruntled.
Zhu Xiaosuo had used up twelve Spirit Stones in front of Zhuang Yun.
The fact that Zhuang Yun still came to borrow from him indicated that Madam Feng had informed him about the transaction involving three Spirit Stones.
To prevent Zhu Xiaosuo from cultivating, he immediately came to borrow Spirit Stones from Xiaosuo.
But he was a step too late.
Moreover, Madam Feng had started meddling in the Zhu Clan's business.
With Zhuang Yun's support, Madam Feng's business accounts didn't need to be shown to Zhu Xiaosuo.
However, Zhu Xiaosuo's business still had to give half a share to Madam Feng.
As a result, Zhu Xiaosuo barely broke even.
It's like being a dog and not getting fed.
This made Zhu Xiaosuo determined to find a way out and make a breakthrough in the short term.
Madam Feng and Zhuang Yun were like a wolf and a tiger watching him, leaving him defenseless.
The problem was right in front of him, and Zhu Xiaosuo couldn't solve it.
His thoughts were a tangled mess.
Perhaps it was better to set it aside for now and relax.
He thought of the young monk Jieku at the Empty Form Temple.
Maybe he could go cheer him up.
It wasn't that Zhu Xiaosuo hadn't considered bringing Jieku to the Zhu Clan.
But he felt the Zhu Clan was too complicated, and he wasn't yet capable of fully controlling it.
It was better to let Jieku stay in such a simple environment and live carefree.
At most, he might cry a bit, but he wouldn't suffer much.
Now it was time to see how the young monk was doing.
Additionally, he should offer a stick of incense to Old Huang, the Shop Assistant, the Old Monk, and his stand-in.
Zhu Xiaosuo and his group arrived outside the Empty Form Temple, not yet stepping inside.
They heard the sound of crying.
It sounded even more vigorous than before.
It seemed Jieku was doing quite well.
He probably hadn't gone hungry.
The temple was wide open, with a dozen or so horse carriages parked outside. Many male and female servants were maintaining order outside, but there wasn't a single monk guarding the gate, which was rather odd.
Since when were the incense-offering pilgrims at the Empty Form Temple so enthusiastic?
If the temple's incense had been this prosperous back then, Zhu Xiaosuo wouldn't have had the chance to stay here.
Seeing no familiar faces, Zhu Xiaosuo didn't bother announcing himself and prepared to enter directly with his group.
"Please hold on, young master."
Before they could approach the temple gate, a maid stopped Zhu Xiaosuo.
"May I ask what brings you to the Empty Form Temple, young master?"
Zhu Xiaosuo found it strange:
"Do I need to report my business to you first? Has the Empty Form Temple started accepting female disciples with hair?"
The maid replied:
"You jest, young master. This humble maid is of lowly status and cannot enter the sacred grounds of the Empty Form Temple. If you're just here to offer incense, you can proceed directly to the main hall, offer incense, and then leave. However, if you're here to propose marriage to the abbot, you'll need to queue here."
"What, propose marriage to the abbot?"
Even with Zhu Xiaosuo's unusual train of thought, he couldn't keep up with this maid's pace.
Wasn't the Old Monk abbot deceased over a month ago?
Propose marriage? A ghost marriage?
"Is this proposal for a legitimate marriage?"
Seeing Zhu Xiaosuo's imposing demeanor and his entourage that didn't seem like they came from a small household, the maid dared not offend him and patiently explained:
"Although it's not very common, there are precedents."
Zhu Xiaosuo nodded; ghost marriages were indeed uncommon.
"Do the monks in the temple agree?"
"The monks believe that the Buddhist Order is a personal restriction, not a restriction on others. So as long as the abbot is willing, they have no objections."
They seemed like disciples taught by the Old Monk, pure followers of the Buddhist Order.
But Zhu Xiaosuo didn't quite understand how they could know if the deceased abbot was willing.
Perhaps some mystical elements were involved.
"I'm not here to propose marriage; I'm just here to offer incense to old friends and meet some acquaintances."
"Please proceed, young master. While you offer incense, there will be several servants accompanying you, not to supervise, but to ensure you're not disturbed."
Though they claimed it wasn't for supervision, Zhu Xiaosuo understood that they were worried he might sneak in and cut in line to propose marriage.
After she finished speaking, five or six servants followed them.
These servants wore different attire, clearly from different families.
So many families had organized a cooperative team to manage the proposal queue.
Zhu Xiaosuo was indeed seeing something new.
"Thank you."
After entering the temple, Zhu Xiaosuo heard Jieku's crying even louder.
He decided to see the young monk first before offering incense to Old Huang and the Shop Assistant.
Just as Xiaosuo was about to follow the sound of crying to find Jieku, he was immediately stopped by a few servants.
"Young master, the incense offering is in the main hall. This direction leads to the side hall."
"What, I can't go see an old friend?"
The servants felt that Zhu Xiaosuo was indeed trying to do something behind their backs and immediately put on a stern face.
"Young master, you can go to the side hall, but you'll have to queue at the entrance."
"I'm not here to propose marriage; why should I queue?"
"We don't know what you're going to do in the side hall. If you do something inappropriate, it won't be good for anyone."
Zhu Sixiu, standing by, was displeased.
"Move aside quickly. Why would our master come to the temple to propose marriage for no reason? Is there any need to deceive you?"
It wasn't that Zhu Sixiu had a bad temper.
After working with Zhu Qigao for years, doing all sorts of ruthless tasks, any temper he had was worn away.
But Zhu Xiaosuo was now the head of the family and a cultivator; how could he argue with mere servants?
These blind servants had spoken harshly, and someone had to respond, or else where would the Zhu Clan's dignity be?
As the chief guard, Zhu Sixiu had to be a bit more assertive.
"What, can't deceive us, so you're going to force your way in? Finally showing your true colors! Everyone, get to work; there's someone shameless trying to cut in line!"
A servant shouted.
In an instant, dozens of servants and maids surged from outside, surrounding Zhu Xiaosuo and his group with a menacing air.
The maid who had spoken with Zhu Xiaosuo at the gate came out, looking displeased:
"Young master, you clearly said you were here to offer incense, so why are you heading to the side hall?"
"I told you, I'm here to see an old friend, not to propose marriage."
"No, if you want to go to the side hall, you must queue."
Zhu Xiaosuo found that after his status rose, he had unconsciously developed a bit of a temper and didn't want to continue arguing with this maid.
But years of upbringing made him hold back and ask:
"How long is the wait?"
"About three days."
Three days?
He couldn't tolerate that.
Zhu Xiaosuo snorted disdainfully.
That snort was a signal, and Zhu Sixiu sprang into action.
"I've seen it all now. In Mountain Chicken County, who dares to stop our master from going anywhere? We've been talking to you for so long, and you're still pushing it. I want to see if you can really stop us."
With that, Zhu Xiaosuo's entourage, except for Shen Zhuo, all drew their long blades from their waists in unison.
Zhu Sixiu didn't announce the Zhu Clan's name.
If he were to announce it, Zhu Xiaosuo would signal him to do so.
The Zhu Clan was a universal pass in Mountain Chicken County, and if Zhu Xiaosuo wanted to use it, there would be no need for this argument at the gate.
He probably didn't want his whereabouts to be immediately known to too many people.
"Hey, what's so great about being a liar? You dare to use force?"
A servant immediately flew into a rage.
"You have blades, huh? Everyone, grab your weapons; who doesn't have a blade?"
Zhu Xiaosuo instructed:
"Don't cause any fatalities."
With that, he continued walking towards the side hall.
Zhu Sixiu led the way, protecting Zhu Xiaosuo as they moved forward.
Although they were outnumbered, the difference in strength was too great.
These surrounding servants were all show and hadn't really seen blood or killed anyone.
Shen Zhuo occasionally blocked flower pots and stones thrown their way.
Before long, Zhu Xiaosuo reached the entrance of the side hall.
Injured maids and servants from various families lay along the way.
The instigator from the beginning was chased by Zhu Sixiu and stabbed thirty-six times, each strike avoiding vital points.
After sheathing his blade, Zhu Sixiu counted the numbers and spat:
"With their level, they managed to injure two of ours? You two, get lost and stop embarrassing the master."
The two injured followers looked extremely embarrassed.
They had only been scratched on the arm, and it wasn't bleeding much.
If they really went back like this, Zhu Qigao would likely personally expel them from the Zhu Clan.
The two quickly knelt and begged for mercy.
Zhu Xiaosuo said:
"Forget it, Sixiu. They're old comrades; give them a chance."
"Yes, master. Hurry and thank the master, you two disgraceful ones! If it happens again, leave on your own!"
"Yes, yes! Thank you, master, for your mercy!"
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Hearing the master, who had become an immortal, still call them "old comrades," warmed everyone's hearts.
Zhu Xiaosuo listened to Jieku's increasingly loud cries, feeling puzzled.
Then he heard a clear, angry voice from a little girl:
"Abbot young monk, stop crying! I'm not ugly; do you have to cry just because you saw me?"
Zhu Xiaosuo's steps halted.
Hmm...
Abbot young monk?
Could it be...?
It shouldn't be; what could they want from him?
Do they like rubbing his little bald head?
The side hall was filled with people from various families, all seemingly of high status.
But without exception, each family had a four or five-year-old girl with them.
Seeing Xiaosuo and his group approaching, the people in the side hall cast disdainful glances.
Shameless queue cutters.
But Zhu Xiaosuo remained silent, watching with interest.