Chapter 20

"I'll distract him, and you grab a weapon and run for your life, understand?"

Jing Tao took the sword, drew it, and tried it out.

Dongfang saw that the girl in front of him seemed to have completely ignored him and waved his hand in front of Jing Tao's eyes.

Why are you ignoring me?

Jing Tao blinked at Dongfang, then turned to go find the demon.

Seeing that she was about to leave, Dongfang immediately stopped her, saying, "You can't beat him; your life is more important."

Just as Dongfang was speaking, the eaves were lifted by the golden toad's claw.

Seeing this, Jing Tao leaped up and thrust her sword, but she was unharmed.

The golden toad flicked its tongue towards the east, but Dongfang dodged to the side. Seeing this, Jing Tao immediately thrust her sword, causing blood to splatter. The golden toad, in pain, immediately withdrew its tongue, but Jing Tao wouldn't give it that chance. She flipped over and stepped on the tongue, then drew her sword and thrust again, pinning the golden toad's tongue firmly to the ground.

Dongfang, standing nearby, stared wide-eyed: What's this girl's background? She's way stronger than the demon hunter he's raised!

Sensing something was wrong, the golden toad immediately shrank and escaped, sacrificing half of its tongue as it leaped into the sky.

Jing Tao drew her sword and leaped up, piercing the heart with a single blow.

The lifeless toad collapsed to the ground with a thud, while the thorn peach slowly fell.

Dongfang watched as the girl slowly landed before him. Under the moonlight and firelight, Jing Tao's clothes shimmered. As she landed, a spark ignited fireworks, and a new round of fireworks burst forth, illuminating their faces. The moment the sword was sheathed, Jing Tao turned and met Dongfang's gaze. Only then did Dongfang clearly see the girl before him. Her eyes, which had previously seemed unreadable, now shone brightly in the light. Her eyelashes were tinged with a warm gold, and her long hair, which fell over her shoulders, was blown by the wind. She tilted her head slightly, and the light in her eyes was brighter than the fireworks. Although her face was not exceptionally beautiful, it was still very pleasing to the eye.

Dongfang could clearly hear her heart pounding wildly, and instinctively clutched her chest.

Jing Tao frowned and immediately reached out to pull open Dongfang's clothes.

Dongfang looked down at the girl staring at his chest, then instantly pushed Jing Tao away, frantically taking several steps back. "You! What are you doing!"

Dongfang straightened his clothes and ran home, turning back as he went. He hadn't gone more than a few steps when he was bumped into. "Who's there? Can't you watch where you're going?"

Dongfang rubbed his shoulder where he had been bumped and looked closely. "What, it's you guys again?"

Su Mu wasn't very friendly either, saying, "I was about to ask you the same thing."

"Why are you with Xiao Tao?" Ren Dong ran past Dongfang to check if Jing Tao was injured.

"Do you know her?" Dongfang asked, though a little shy.

"Huh?" Su Mu was asked, "Didn't you just see the three of us at noon?"

Dongfang was bewildered by this answer, and it took him a while to react before he pointed at Jing Tao and said, "What? She's that little beggar?"

Ren Dong led Jing Tao over and said, "I'll say it again! Xiao Tao is not a beggar!"

Dongfang stared at Jing Tao again. He had actually been attracted to a dirty girl! No, not attracted, it must have been because he was too happy to have escaped death! Yes, that must be it!

The demon hunters who had come from afar also found Dongfang. "Young Master, are you alright?"

"A bunch of useless trash, not even a single girl is of any use."

Although it was uncomfortable to be criticized, it was the truth.

"All the repairs in the city will be reimbursed by the government." After saying this, Dongfang prepared to leave, but after taking a few steps, he couldn't help but turn back. "These three are our benefactors in the city. Please come to the government tomorrow." This time, Dongfang glanced at Jing Tao before leaving.

The demon hunter bowed to the three of them. "Someone will pick you up and take you to the Eastern Mansion tomorrow."

Su Mu nodded. "Okay."

The next day, the three were invited to the Eastern Mansion.

"There's even a horse-drawn carriage!" Honeysuckle exclaimed in surprise.

"Come on up quickly!" Su Mu was the first to go up and then went to help Ren Dong.

The carriage was pulled by a pure white horse, its saddle adorned with gilded ornaments and its reins woven from gold thread. The interior was filled with gilded pearls that swayed gently as the carriage moved. Soft couches were placed on both sides of the carriage, covered with Shu brocade cushions, and agate cups were placed on small tables in front of the couches, exuding luxury in every detail.

The three of them rode in a luxurious carriage toward the Eastern Mansion. Along the way, Ren Dong kept lifting the curtain to look outside.

With the help of exorcists, the houses destroyed by the monsters are gradually being restored.

The further you go in, the more demon hunters you see. By the time you reach the Eastern Mansion, there are countless demon hunters guarding the gate.

Led by the three, they entered the Eastern Mansion. Turning right after entering the main gate, they found themselves in a huge garden. The garden entrance was a white jade archway with carved flowers. Inside, the path was paved with bluestone slabs and lined with precious peonies. Various roses were interspersed among the hedges, and vines climbed up the carved wooden frames, blooming profusely. A sweet fragrance wafted in the breeze. After walking for a while, they finally arrived at the main hall.

Along the way, Su Mu and Ren Dong had marveled at the luxury of the Eastern Mansion countless times.

Upon entering the main hall, Master Dongfang was sitting in the main seat, while Dongfang Ye leisurely drank tea beside him.

"Thank you, three heroes, for saving Dongfang City!" Master Dongfang immediately stood up to greet the visitors, and Dongfang also stood up.

Su Mu quickly waved his hand, "It has nothing to do with us, it's all thanks to Jing Tao." He then pointed to the girl behind him.

"Please have a seat, everyone," Master Dongfang said with a wave of his hand. "I am Dongfang Yang, the master of this city, and this gentleman beside me is my son, Dongfang Jin. Thank you all again for saving my son."

"It was nothing," Su Mu replied modestly.

"Have you all had breakfast yet?"

Su Mu and Ren Dong both shook their heads.

"Then please, everyone," Dongfang Yang led the three ahead, while Dongfang Jin followed quietly behind.

After going around several turns, we finally arrived at the restaurant.

"Please have a seat, everyone," Dongfang Yang said, taking the seat of honor and inviting everyone to sit down.

The table, over ten feet long, was made entirely of sandalwood and placed in the center of the hall. A gold-embroidered tablecloth covered the tabletop, with intricate cloud patterns on it. The bowls and plates on the table were all made of white porcelain with gold trim, and the soup spoon was made of pure silver with a small piece of jade inlaid at the end of its handle.

Su Mu and Ren Dong sat to Dongfang Yang's left, while Dongfang Jin and Jing Tao sat to Dongfang Yang's right.

After everyone was seated, Dongfang Jin nodded to the maid beside her.

One dish after another was served.

Five maids walked in at the same time and served dishes to everyone in turn.

Su Mu and Ren Dong looked at the small bowl of reddish-brown liquid in front of them and were puzzled.

"This is bird's nest soup," Dongfang Jin explained. "It's very expensive and only served to distinguished guests."

Su Mu and Ren Dong nodded and slowly enjoyed their meal.

As soon as Dongfang Jin finished speaking, Jing Tao had already finished a bowl of food.

"Haha, it seems this young lady has a good appetite. She's not satisfied with just a little more," Dongfang Yang joked.

Looking at Jing Tao eating beside her, Dongfang Jin confirmed that she was indeed the little beggar she had seen before, and handed her bowl of bird's nest soup to Jing Tao.

Jing Tao accepted it without any surprise.

Next, under Dongfang Jin's introduction, everyone enjoyed shark fin soup, camel hump soup, and ginseng soup.

Honeysuckle couldn't help but exclaim in amazement: I never thought I would actually be able to eat these things that I had only seen in books. Little Peach, you are truly our lucky star.