"Master Wuxiang, and this young monk, please get into the carriage!"

The man was about forty years old, somewhat overweight, with a kind and approachable face. But for some reason, when Xiang Wan looked at his forehead, it seemed as if a wisp of blue smoke was shrouding it, somewhat like the legendary darkening of the forehead, an ominous sign.

But upon closer inspection, something seemed amiss. She wasn't a fortune teller, so how could she possibly see this?

The young apprentice sat obediently next to Xiang Wan, with his bundle placed at his feet.

Besides Xiang Wan and her disciple, the middle-aged man who had invited them into the carriage also got in. With outsiders present, Xiang Wan couldn't reprimand her disciple, so she sat upright with her eyes closed to rest, leaving the task of gathering information to Tu Hongye.

"Esteemed benefactor, the mayor has invited my master over. Is there some trouble he has encountered?"

The man glanced at Xiang Wan, cupped his hands, and said, "Young master, my master has indeed encountered some trouble. Today, having heard of Master Wuxiang's profound magical powers, he sent me to invite him. I am the steward of the Zhang family, named Wang Fu. You can call me Steward Wang."

The town mayor, Zhang Yun, was not a native of Pingkang Town, but a scholar who was over fifty years old and was directly dispatched by the government to help manage the nearby villages and towns.

When Zhang Yun first arrived in Pingkang Town, he was nearing thirty and all alone. Later, he married Ping Yajun, the only daughter of Ping Jun, a wealthy merchant in Pingkang Town, and became an adopted son-in-law of the Ping family. After Ping Yajun's parents passed away, Zhang Yun took over the household, managing all of Ping Jun's land, shops, and businesses. Not long after, the Ping family changed its name to the Zhang family.

After Ping Yajun got married, she had no children, and Zhang Yun did not divorce her or remarry. The neighbors all praised him for being loyal and righteous. Even if the Ping residence was changed to the Zhang residence, Ping Yajun did not mind, and naturally no one would jump out to criticize her.

However, Ping Yajun rarely went out, and the neighbors seldom saw her leave the house. Zhang Yun, on the other hand, would often bring back cosmetics, hairpins, and other ornaments. People naturally assumed that he was bringing them for his wife, Ping Yajun, and their goodwill towards him only increased.

Since Zhang Yun's actions were perfectly normal, there must be some hidden reason why he sent someone to invite Xiang Wan.

In a moment of reflection, Xiang Wan thought of many stories written in traditional Chinese novels, about sons-in-law who plotted to kill their in-laws, revealing their true nature as beasts in human form.

If none of these things happened, what else could a Taoist priest do besides exorcise ghosts?

However, she has watched too many TV dramas and read too many novels, so it's inevitable that her thoughts will become somewhat distorted.

"Madam has been unable to sleep at night lately, her face is pale, she has no appetite, and she is gradually becoming thinner. Master is extremely anxious and has consulted many doctors, but none of them can diagnose the problem. Today, having heard that you, Taoist priest, are here, I have come uninvited. I hope you will not take offense."

Wang Fu raised his hand in a bow, and Xiang Wan could no longer pretend. She opened her eyes and returned the bow, saying, "It's alright. It is my duty as a person outside the secular world to enter the mortal realm for training, to exorcise demons and eliminate evil."

"Master Dao is of noble character. When we enter the mansion, if the lady behaves inappropriately, please forgive her."

"It's alright."

Wang Fu turned his face outward to check the road conditions. Xiang Wan secretly glared at her little apprentice, who was always causing her trouble. Her little tricks could at most drive away a harmless ghost; any more than that, and it would be like throwing a meat bun to a dog—gone forever. She was that meat bun.

Tu Hongye remained calm, as if he wasn't the one who caused the trouble, and even gave Xiang Wan a look that suggested he was taking advantage of a wealthy family.

If you're going to kill her, you should at least see if she has the ability to do so.

The decision has already been made; there's no use regretting it now.

When the carriage stopped, they had arrived at the side gate of the Zhang residence.

"Master, things happened suddenly, and the main gate is inevitably crowded and noisy. I took the liberty of opening the side gate. Please!"

Wang Fu bowed respectfully and invited her, but Xiang Wan thought for a moment that if she couldn't handle it, she could always slip away quietly through the side door. Those destined for greatness didn't need to fuss over such trivial details. And if she succeeded in exorcising the ghost, would the Zhang family dare to slight the master and disciple?

Before she could take a step, Tu Hongye went inside first.

The Zhang family mansion was quite large, with pavilions, towers, houses, and flower gardens—truly befitting a wealthy merchant family.

Xiang Wan kept her eyes straight ahead, which, in Wang Fu's eyes, meant she had no distracting thoughts. Indeed, she possessed profound Taoist skills and was an enlightened person.

This scene is nothing compared to the inner palace. Xiang Wan has seen it eight hundred times already, so it's no wonder it's not new to her.

As he walked, Xiang Wan observed the busy servants around him and hardly saw any maids.

Perhaps his residence was different from others. Xiang Wan kept her doubts to herself and followed Wang Fu to the main hall to see Zhang Yun.

As the head of a town, Zhang Yun had many official duties. Upon hearing from his servants that Xiang Wan had arrived, he hurriedly came from his study to the main hall, greeted Xiang Wan, and sat down to have tea served.

Zhang Yun was well-preserved, and his refined air was not overshadowed by his merchant demeanor. His eyes were bright and his features were distinct; one could imagine how attractive he must have been to women in his youth.

"Is Mayor Zhang here to exorcise a ghost, or a demon?"

As soon as evening fell, they got straight to the point.

Zhang Yun was stunned for a moment, then immediately realized what was happening and said with a smile, "Why is the Daoist Master in such a hurry?"

Is she in a hurry? If she weren't in a hurry, she probably wouldn't be able to leave.

Zhang Yun walked with a synchronized pace, spoke crisply and decisively, and his every move exuded decisiveness and competence. He didn't seem like an ordinary scholar, but rather like a ruthless and decisive soldier.

Furthermore, there wasn't a single maidservant in the entire mansion, and none of the servants were of lowly status. If this wasn't enough to explain the situation, then the most obvious thing was that Tu Hongye's eyes were fixed on Zhang Yun as if he had seen a ghost.

Having spent so much time with her apprentice, Xiang Wan could understand the situation with just a glance. How could she not know?

Tu Hongye could see ghosts with ease, but Xiang Wan had to use her spiritual sense first if she wanted to. Spiritual sense wasn't something you could use at will; it consumed mental energy, and how would she be able to deal with unexpected situations later?

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