"Now that the city lord is dead, we've gotten the treasure and taken full advantage of it, so we can't pretend to be innocent anymore."

Jia Xitong's words were all plausible and made a lot of sense.

Shang Yanting couldn't argue with her, so he said, "...I understand."

Seeing his sincerity, Jia Xitong nodded steadily: "We will go pick up Senior Bai Yu first, and then settle these survivors in the city."

After she finished speaking, she suddenly remembered Bai Yu Zhenjun's current appearance, so she reminded him, "Senior Bai Yu's current appearance is different from before. Don't be surprised when you see it later."

Since Senior Bai Yu had suddenly become young again, Jia Xitong had given Shang Yanting a heads-up beforehand.

However, she didn't mention that Senior Bai Yu had transformed from an elderly man into a handsome young man with silver hair and light-eyed eyes, intending to give Shang Yanting a surprise when they arrived.

However, this was just her thought.

When they arrived at the destination, Jia Xitong saw a figure in white sitting in the distance.

"Senior Bai Yu!"

Jia Xitong ran towards him, only to see that he had already reverted to his old, aged appearance. "Senior Bai Yu, you..."

"Thank you for your care, young friend. I have rested well."

Bai Yu Zhenjun spoke first, deliberately adding the word "old" to his title.

Upon hearing this, Jia Xitong hesitated for a moment, ultimately not asking why he had become young again and then aged again.

Shang Yanting, who was standing next to him, remained silent, seemingly unaware of the unspoken communication between the two.

"Now that you're all better, let's go."

He stood to the side and reached out to pull Jia Xitong, who was running in the lead.

Bai Yu Zhenjun followed behind and said, "The nearest town is forty miles east of Yuncheng. It's a small town and probably can't accommodate all the refugees from Yuncheng. I'll send the Six Yimeng to the town to buy some tents and food so that the refugees can stay where they are first, and then we can discuss their next destination."

"No need for you to trouble yourself, senior. I have already sent people from Xianlong Peak to settle these refugees."

Shang Yanting replied calmly, "These refugees have lived in Yuncheng for generations, and now that the strange noises in the city have disappeared, it would be more appropriate for them to return to their old home."

Upon hearing this, Bai Yu Zhenjun looked at him and said, "Fellow Daoist Yan is meticulous and has considered things more thoroughly."

Jia Xitong nodded in strong agreement; her host was truly thoughtful.

##

Huo Rui accepted the invitation and arrived with his men that very night.

Behind them followed the workers and materials recommended by Liang Ting.

He quickly arranged a plan to renovate the houses, found a close relative of the city lord to assume the position, and stabilized the morale of the city's people. Simple thatched huts were built around the city as a form of work relief. He also assigned special personnel to keep an eye on things and ensured that everything was handled in an orderly manner.

Even Bai Yuzhenjun, who had not yet left, couldn't help but admire Huo Rui's arrangements and speed as he watched from the sidelines again.

"Fellow Daoist Yan is decisive and efficient in his actions."

That's not true.

Jia Xitong nodded when she heard Bai Yu Zhenjun praising Shang Yanting.

"My host is not very talkative on weekdays, but in reality, she is just as kind-hearted as Senior Bai Yu."

Bai Yu Zhenjun looked at the innocent girl in front of him, and then thought of the mature young man before his age, without making any comment.

"Young friend Fu, I have another request." He dismissed the six Yimeng disciples who were originally beside him, and even his expression became serious.

"Please let me know if you need anything, senior. If I can do it, I will definitely do it."

Jia Xitong looked at his expression and said.

"It's really just a small matter. Please keep my change in appearance a secret, young friend, and don't tell anyone else."

That's it?

"good!"

Jia Xitong nodded in agreement, but at the same time asked with some curiosity, "Senior, are you young or old?"

He came specifically to warn her not to tell anyone about his rejuvenation, as he always felt that his youthful appearance was his true self.

She's watched a lot of TV, and there are many characters who pretend to be ugly or old. Could Senior Bai Yu be like that? She's almost started to imagine a TV series like Yimeng Academy where someone is troubled by their beauty and deliberately pretends to be old.

"Youth and old age are merely states of life, just shells that hold the spirit and soul."

Bai Yu Zhenjun replied, "No matter what form I take, I am still me."

oh!

Jia Xitong nodded.

Actually, she didn't understand; she was just giving him a perfunctory answer.

"Your wisdom and understanding are truly profound, and I should strive to learn from you. Rest assured, I'm very discreet and will absolutely not reveal your secret!"

She patted her chest and assured him.

"Then thank you very much, young friend Fu."

Bai Yu Zhenjun smiled kindly, "By the way, I also want to thank you for the rare and precious material you gave me when my spiritual power was exhausted. This is a Pure Heart and Superior Goodness Pill, which has a miraculous effect on resisting inner demons and illusions. I'm giving it to you."

Jia Xitong accepted it with both hands.

This is a pill wrapped in wax.

Seeing Jia Xitong examining the pill, Baiyu Zhenjun assumed she had never seen it before. "Crush the outer white shell, and you can eat it directly."

"Thank you, senior."

Jia Xitong carefully put it away upon hearing this.

Seeing that she had put the medicine away, Bai Yu Zhenjun called the six disciples who had been sent outside into the house to pack their belongings. "I am leaving today, farewell, young friend."

They packed their things and left.

Jia Xitong was watching them leave from below. She and Shang Yanting had been in Yuncheng for many days, and it was almost time for them to leave.

However, as soon as she turned her head, she saw Shang Yanting standing behind her with a sullen face.

"Hey, host, when did you arrive?"

There wasn't a sound at all; it was quite frightening.

"When your gaze is glued to the magical artifact of True Monarch Baiyu and you can't tear it away."

"Huh?" Jia Xitong was taken aback. "No, I was just seeing them off."

"Is it really just to see him off?"

Shang Yanting looked as if he had seen right through her, "Tell me, what secrets are you and him hiding from me?"

"No... I'm not hiding anything from you."

There is indeed a secret, but she has promised Senior Baiyu that she will not tell anyone.

"Are you really not hiding anything from me?"

Shang Yanting blocked her at the door, preventing her from escaping. "I sensed something was wrong when you went to pick up that Bai Yu Zhenjun that day. He cultivates an approachable image for himself and likes to refer to himself as 'this Daoist.' But that day, he not only interrupted you but also called himself 'Old Daoist.'"

Are you observing that closely?

That happened three days ago.

"The way we address each other might be different sometimes."

Jia Xitong tried to cover up his excuse, but Shang Yanting wouldn't listen. He was engrossed in his own reasoning. "The word 'old' emphasizes age. Is your secret related to his age?"

"No, no!"

Jia Xitong shook her head vigorously, "Dear host, don't overthink it!"

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