Yichan looked in the direction of the sound and was immediately stunned.

She was wearing a cool outfit with bells, and the sound of the bells was pleasant as she ran.

The moment she saw him, it was as if she had seen someone who had come specifically to save her.

The dazzling light in her eyes left him speechless, so engrossed in the starry sky within them that he didn't even notice her throwing herself into his arms.

"Why did you take so long to arrive? They're trying to force you into prostitution, little Taoist priest. I regret coming down the mountain. Please take me back quickly."

The moment the little fox's terrified, tearful voice rang in his ears, a cold glint appeared in Yichan's eyes, his gaze like a knife piercing towards the people behind Yun Lian.

"Are you disregarding etiquette and law in broad daylight?"

When Zuishenglou's mother saw that the usually cold-hearted and aloof young Taoist priest was now firmly guarding the waist of the money tree, she noticed that he was actually holding it tightly.

The smile on his face vanished completely.

“Master Yichan, since you know each other, Zuishenglou is not an unreasonable place. When we found this girl, she was in a very sorry state.”

Now that we've fed and clothed her, we should at least lose ten taels of silver. With her appetite, it's barely enough to cover costs.

Ten taels.

Yichan looked at Yun Lian with a puzzled expression. He couldn't believe that someone as small as her could eat so much.

Yun Lian was able to discern the meaning he was trying to convey from his almost unchanging face.

He nodded obediently.

"Okay, then I'll take my leave."

Yichan took out some silver from his pocket and handed it to her, with a small tail slowly following behind him.

His aloofness carried a hint of restlessness.

Yun Lian skipped and hopped to him, the little bells tied to the ends of her hair making a melodious sound as she moved.

"Little Taoist priest, are you angry?"

Yichan sighed.

Why do I always lose money every time I meet you?

"Hehe, losing money is a way to avert disaster. This means I've unknowingly protected you from a lot of trouble, little Taoist. You should be happy. This is a blessing from heaven."

"Heh, here's some good fortune for you, do you want it?"

The little fox rubbed her hands together shyly, stealing glances at him.

"Okay, okay, I'll pay you back when I start earning money again tomorrow. I'm really good at making money."

Yichan's cold and hard features softened a little, and a smile unconsciously appeared in his eyes when he saw the little fox's adorable appearance.

"Then I'll wait for your good news."

He led Yun Lian all the way to the steamed bun stall.

As soon as the old lady at the steamed bun stall saw her, she quickly came out and pulled her aside to look her over.

"Why are you so temperamental? What if a bad person picks you up?"

Yun Lian let her linger around her, her smile carrying a hint of warmth.

This old lady is actually a really nice person.

"Don't be afraid, ma'am, I'm very strong!"

Yichan silently complained from the side.

"That's impressive. He got captured and couldn't escape. I even had to pay money to redeem him."

"Young Taoist priest, you've gone too far! How could you expose my shortcomings in front of this old lady?"

"I am merely stating the facts."

The old woman stood to the side, watching the two bickering and joking with a look of satisfaction.

"Alright, alright, it's good that you're back. Come and eat."

“Here I come!”

The two responded crisply in unison.

Happy times are always short-lived, and Yichan soon received a mission from his master.

Yun Lian came out rubbing her eyes and immediately saw the dough that Yi Chan had fermented in advance.

"Little Taoist priest, why are you being so diligent today?"

The lady at the steamed bun shop had just bought fresh vegetables and meat. "Why are you two up so early today? It's like the sun has risen in the west!"

Yichan put the lid on the last bowl of noodles.

"Auntie, I have to go out for a while, and I don't know when I'll be back. Please remember to take good care of yourself."

"It's alright. I got by before without you guys, didn't I? Besides, I still have this girl with me."

Yichan looked troubled.

"She's coming with me too."

He was worried about leaving the little fox in the human world, fearing she might cause trouble.

Yun Lian was overjoyed. "Little Taoist priest, you took me with you when you went out to play! You're such a kind person, where are we going?"

"You'll know when the time comes."

The old woman placed the vegetables and meat she was holding on the table, and awkwardly wiped her hands on her clothes again and again.

"It's alright, you guys go ahead. I was even saying I could cook you a nice meal tonight. But seeing how much of a rush you are, I doubt you'll be able to stay until tonight."

"Then I wish you a safe journey and a speedy return. When you do, I'll definitely show off my cooking skills and let you taste my culinary artistry."

"good."

Yun Lian had been well taken care of by her aunt during this time. The sudden separation was inevitably bittersweet.

She immediately threw herself into the old woman's arms.

"Auntie, I'll miss you. When I come back, I'll bring you lots and lots of delicious food and fun things."

"Okay, I'll wait for you to come back."

Despite her reluctance, Yun Lian and the young Taoist priest embarked on their journey away.

Yun Lian chattered incessantly along the way, while the young Taoist priest was extremely sparing with his words.

"Little Taoist priest, where are we going? Why didn't you tell me before?"

"You'll know when you get there."

"Little Taoist priest, I'm tired. I don't want to walk with you anymore. Let's part ways here."

"No." Who knows what will happen after she leaves me?

He had never seen a demon as foolish as the little fox. She possessed immense demonic power but had never used it. Whether it was the villagers or the people from the Drunken Life Pavilion, they could all bully her.

What Yichan didn't know was that, in places he couldn't see, the villagers who beat Yunlian the most that day were either caught on a date with their lovers or were caught stealing chickens and dogs and were despised by everyone.

The thugs from Zuishenglou who beat her up also met with retaliation from their enemies not long after she left, and never appeared again.

Yun Lian had already replaced one blade of foxtail grass after another, and she was lying on the donkey's back, half-dead.

"Little Taoist priest, how much longer until we reach our destination? I'm so bored."

Yichan felt a sudden, inexplicable panic as he thought about his upcoming task.

"After crossing another mountain, we will reach our destination."

"Silly fox, can't you use your demonic power?" As soon as Zen asked the question, he regretted it deeply.

He should have taken it upon himself to vanquish demons and monsters, instead of reminding the little monsters how to improve their own strength.

Yun Lian, however, instantly became like a puppy smelling meat, eagerly urging the donkey to carry her to the little Taoist priest's side.

"How do I use it? Little Taoist priest, I used my demonic power once right after I transformed into human form, but the cave I was lying in completely collapsed, almost burying me inside. I was so scared that I never dared to use it again. Why don't you teach me?"

He's not stupid, how could he possibly teach a monster how to become stronger?

But an hour later.

"Feel the demonic power flowing through your body, try to concentrate the demonic power at your fingertips, and forcefully shatter the stone in front of you."

Following his instructions, Yun Lian held her breath for a long time, but the stone in front of her didn't budge.

"I must be doing it wrong, let me try again!"

The young Taoist priest watched her almost wrestling with the stone, his eyes filled with a doting affection he himself hadn't noticed.