Setting up a show

Yun Jinglu led her into the temple, saying to her as they walked: "You are my love. In our territory, you are a noble being above all others. You do not need to bow to anyone. Be careful at the threshold."

Many temples are square in structure. The main hall is square, and the outer courtyard, houses and the roof are also square.

Only here, it is not like that. The houses are not connected to the walls. Standing in the courtyard and looking up at the sky, you will never feel that you are framed. Even the hall where the statues of gods are enshrined has been shaped into a fresh arc-shaped pagoda.

The temple was a splendid spectacle; even the statue was crafted from pure gold. The shawl draped over the robe of the Broom Star God was carved into a three-dimensional form, surrounding the statue. Before the table, plum blossoms were placed in vases, incense was burning abundantly, and six rows of various fruit and snacks were laid out. The cushions before the altar were woven from gold thread, embroidered with a single peach blossom.

"Where can I buy incense?"

“No need to buy it.”

Yun Jinglu slightly turned his body and stretched out his hand, and a clever disciple with quick eyes and hands handed him six incense sticks.

"The incense here is provided by me for free. Anyone who comes to burn incense can take as much as they want. Many people come here to burn incense, even homeless beggars can come. They don't have to pay for incense, and they can also eat free vegetarian meals."

"Why?"

"Because I want more people to have the opportunity to become believers of the Broom Star God. At least, in the Broom Star God temples that I know of, there are always prosperous incense and pilgrims coming in an endless stream."

"Brother, do you also believe in the Broom Star God? I see that this temple is quite old and doesn't look newly built."

"Yes. This temple existed here before the Demon Control Sect. The temple I promised you isn't here. I built one in Yuehua Creek, exactly like this one."

The two of them bowed and burned incense reverently. Facing the statue, she silently recited the words of fulfillment of her vow in her heart and thanked her for her appearance again.

"Thank you, A-Lu, for helping me advance the money to repair the temple. I will work hard to earn money to pay you back. But this... may not be enough for me to pay it back for a while."

Yun Jinglu did not refuse because she had said that she had to be the one to fulfill the vow.

After all, everything he had belonged to her, and if he paid her back, it would go into her own pocket. However, throughout the entire period of earning money, she would be very happy, which was something he could not buy with money. He still knew what was important.

"Then why not become my disciple? The demon catchers of the Demon Control Sect are well-paid for their big cases. If you learn well and have a bit of luck, you might even land a case involving a royal family member. Money will flow into your pocket like water. How's that? Are you tempted?"

"Don't you plan to teach me if I don't become your disciple?"

"Of course it has to be taught."

Yun Jinglu tugged at her sleeve and shook it, smiling, "I'm just trying to take over the position of Master. Then you'll only have me in your life. If you're determined to become a demon catcher, you'll need a disciple to learn the skills. My skills are definitely worthy of your apprenticeship. Don't miss me if you pass by~"

"Don't make a scene in front of the gods. Go outside and talk."

"The gods won't blame you."

Yun Jinglu said this, but he still walked out of the hall dedicated to the Broom Star God with a very honest attitude.

Outside the hall, he was still trying hard to promote himself. Even though the disciples who he had lied to him about being deaf and dumb were there, he didn't think it was a big deal.

"You are the Chief Closed Disciple of the Demon Control Sect. You receive a subsidy from the Sect Master. I think you have good qualifications. Would you really not consider me?"

"Subsidy? What subsidy?"

"We have everything from high-level demon-catching talismans to high-level spiritual tools. All expenses are paid by the sect master, who provides priority. We also provide a monthly living allowance of one gold ingot, which goes into your personal account. Ordinary disciples only get 70% of the proceeds from demon cases, 30% goes to the sect, and 100% for major cases. However, the chief disciple of the Demon Control Sect can get 90% and 100% for major cases, and their living allowance will be doubled next month. How's that? Better than the treatment at Canghua Mountain, isn't it?"

If you don’t make money when you have the chance, you’re a fool!

"Master, please accept my disciple's greetings!"

She knelt down without hesitation and performed the apprenticeship ceremony, "I'll give you some apprenticeship tea when I get back, hehe."

Yun Jinglu couldn't stop laughing and bent down to brush away the dirt and dust on her skirt.

"Since you have accepted me as your master, you can't have another master in this life."

"Uh-huh!"

Yun Jinglu took out a gold ingot and stuffed it into her hand. "Since you respect your teacher, even though this month is not a full month, I will make up for it privately and give you an ingot."

The disciples beside him were extremely envious after hearing what they heard, but they still had to maintain the persona that their sect leader had forced upon them, suppressing their envious looks and pretending not to hear or know.

She took the gold ingot and took a bite to see, hey, it’s real gold, she smiled brightly.

"Master, the month isn't even over yet, and you're already giving me the subsidy? Aren't you afraid I'll break the contract and run away?"

"Of course, the so-called subsidies must be paid out first. Every disciple of the Demon Control Sect receives their subsidies on the first day of the month. Is it reasonable for a disciple to pay for monster hunting first? However, if you break your promise and run away, I can't stop you even if your legs are on your body. However, Master's heart will be shattered. Can you bear it?"

"I can't bear it."

"I knew that my good disciple was the most conscientious. I am very happy today and will take you to my treasury to select some talismans and spiritual tools. They are all my personal collections, so you can choose whatever you want."

"Your property has been confiscated and given to me. Doesn't that mean I can choose whatever I want?"

"Madam, you are very aware of this. Come on, I will take you to your private treasure trove."

She felt a little embarrassed to be called this, after all, there were other pilgrims who were not deaf and dumb, and other members of the Demon Control Sect nearby.

"We haven't gotten married yet! Even if we're outside, even if they can't hear us, you can't call me Madam. I'm your disciple now, so you have to call me Disciple. Oh, and there shouldn't be this kind of awkwardness between a master and a disciple."

Having said that, she let go of his hand and walked out of the temple keeping a distance from him.

Yun Jinglu, who had shot himself in the foot, was left standing there helplessly holding his forehead.

Yun Jinglu caught up with her, forced his hand into hers and asked her to hold it, and also wrapped her hand with his other hand to prevent her from letting go of his hand.

"Master, there shouldn't be any arguing between a master and a disciple. This is not good."

"They say you've been closed down as the chief disciple, but even if you haven't, you're still my Sect Master's wife. We can pull each other around and flirt with each other. Hold my hand, hold my hand. The Demon Control Sect is so big, what if you get lost?"

"The chance of getting lost is almost zero."

"Then I'll change my excuse. I need Madam to hold my hand."

His words attracted many glances and smiles from the people nearby.

"Shh! I told you not to call me Madam now!"

"baby."

Embarrassed, she slapped his chest and lowered her voice: "This one won't work either!"

"Why? Didn't I tell you? You and I are each other's most precious treasures."

This sentence made the people around them "almost prick up their ears", and the pilgrims nearby even laughed out loud. The pilgrim grandmother who was closest to them praised them: "The young couple has a great relationship."

Yun Jinglu responded, "Grandma really has a keen eye."

After saying this, he gave his mother-in-law a silver ingot.

The disciple nearby ran over to explain to the confused old woman, "Take it, old woman. This is the Sect Master and his wife from our Demon Control Sect. The Sect Master is happy because he thinks you spoke well, so he gave them as a reward. Please take it."

"Oh, thank you, Sect Master, and thank you, Madam Sect Master. I wish you two a long and happy marriage and a son soon."

Yun Jinglu's smile widened after hearing this, and he gave the old woman another ingot of silver as a reward. After giving it to her, he took her hand and went up the mountain.

On the forest path, the shadows of the trees are mottled, and the sun is shining brightly, making people feel warm.

"The mother-in-law mentioned earlier has a husband who is seriously ill and beyond medical help. His son is relying on his hard work to earn money to buy medicine to keep him alive. Every day, she walks long distances up the mountain to worship the gods, praying for the gods to protect her husband. Life is nothing more than a wish. Even if she knew how to worship the gods, her husband would still die. The money I gave her can't buy a miracle cure, but at least it can make her spiritual support more stable."

"So you gave her two ingots of silver in a row?"

"That's not entirely true. Her kind words made me very happy and deserved the reward of two ingots of silver."

Yun Jinglu summoned the crane again and asked it to fly straight to his residence in the Demon-Controlling Sect.

From the outside, it looks like an ordinary wooden building, except that it is a little too big. However, the inside is so luxurious that it can be said to be comparable to a palace. It is very grand and the furnishings seem elegant, but each piece exudes priceless nobility.

The footstool in front of the bed was a whole piece of carved Hetian jade. The couch was covered with a soft ivory mat and a dragon-patterned pillow. The quilt was embroidered with floral scenes in gold thread. Curtains cascaded from the top to the ground, and a lot of them were piled on the ground, embroidered with pictures of mountains and rivers, with the outside showing daytime scenes and the inside showing night scenes.

"Brother! Are you crazy? This is the Central Plains. Dragon patterns and this yellow color are only used by the emperor. No one else can use them! Put them away quickly."

"No need to collect it. I've cast a spell here. Even if outsiders barge in rashly, what they see is just an illusion created by the magic."

"Jiahe, shall we get married in this room? Let's decorate this place with joy, and light a pair of dragon and phoenix candles over there. Let the candles reflect the shadows of the dragon and phoenix on a beautiful night, and burn until dawn, a time of enduring love. I want to set up all the customs in the world that are said to bring about a long life together. Jiahe, you and I must grow old together."

The complex emotions in his eyes when he said these words made her inexplicably feel that Yun Jinglu in front of her was a little crazy about the desire to grow old with her, and his eyes and tone made people feel that it was not entirely expectation and longing, but also regretful sadness.

"It's all good, I'll listen to you. My brother and I will grow old together."

Yun Jinglu pulled her to sit on the edge of the bed, and he knelt at her feet, holding her hands.

"I haven't touched or used anything here, so you can live here without worry."

"What are you talking about? It's as if I'm disgusted with anything you've touched and don't want to touch or use it again. You can sit on the bed too. It's so soft and comfortable."

She pulled him up and sat beside him, leaning on his shoulder. She looked at the luxurious things in the house and sighed, "Alu, our family is truly wealthy enough to rival a country. Tell me, how much good deeds must I have done in my past life to have such a good and wealthy person like you?"

"You don't need to do anything great. Just being you is enough. You deserve the best of everything in the world. You should be as rich as a kingdom and live the life of a princess. What I give you is far from enough."

"Hey, Alu, you're so nice."

"You are the best. You light up my entire dark life."

"Eh? You also said this when you were telling the story of Xiao Yan'an and Princess Jiahe. You said that for Xiao Yan'an, it was more than just a cuju. She was like the only warm light shining into his dark life."

"I think I said something like that, but I can't remember exactly."

She sat up straight in surprise and asked worriedly, "Are you sick? You said that last night. And when you told their story, you put yourself in Xiao Yan'an's perspective, and it was as if you had heard Xiao Yan'an tell you his true feelings in person. And yet you can't remember it clearly."

"I'm not sick, don't worry. I really don't remember it clearly, but how could I possibly know the inner thoughts of an emperor? I'm not the emperor himself, or perhaps I'm just a worm in his stomach. You just think your brother knows too much, and you're mesmerized by his stories, right? Of course, it's also possible that I'm just born with a natural talent for storytelling."

"Yeah?"

She always felt something was wrong. She was worried whether Yun Jinglu was really sick. Otherwise, how could he, who knew everything, remember so many things and forget what he said last night today?

"You only told me half the story. I want to hear the other half now. Please tell me now."

"I remember last night we talked about how the princess finally became Xiao Yan'an's empress. Later, on the day of their wedding, the empress mysteriously died in the Liangzhu Imperial Palace. Liangzhu was also destroyed on that day. Afterwards, Liangzhu retained its name, but it was already part of Western Xinjiang. Xiao Yan'an expended a great deal of national resources on building an extravagant shrine for the empress, earning him the reputation of a tyrant. Xiao Yan'an could not forget the empress. At the time, there was even a trend of finding women who resembled the empress and presenting them to the emperor in hopes of promotion and wealth. The most favored one at the time was the Imperial Noble Consort. She even moved into a side hall of the empress's palace, but sadly, she didn't live long."

"Is that all?"

"Yeah, that's all."

Just one night later, the way Yun Jinglu told the story of Xiao Yan'an and Princess Jiahe was... completely different.

Last night's Yun Jinglu told the story from Xiao Yan'an's perspective, and it felt like seeing and hearing what Xiao Yan'an said with his own eyes and ears.

And the man in front of me seemed to be telling a story from the perspective of an outsider who knew little.

She still has many concerns.

It seems that I have to pay close attention to Yun Jinglu's condition in the next two days.

"Okay, stop imagining it. I'm really not sick. Speaking of the emperor and empress's stories, most of these luxurious treasures actually came from the Emperor and Empress's Palace in the Western Xinjiang Imperial Palace. However, the Emperor and Empress never lived in the Emperor and Empress's Palace for a single day, and no one has ever used these things, not even the previous emperor."

"How do you know the late emperor didn't touch it?"

"I heard that. If you're bothered, I'll replace them."

"No, these are all carefully prepared by you. I like them very much. They are so beautiful. I just asked casually. I don't mind if the late emperor touched them, and I don't mind if you touched them. The emperor, the emperor, is such a noble person. Of course, you are also a noble person in my heart."

"My Jiahe's words are becoming more and more sweet."

"Speaking of sweet things, that day, you said I was always like this, slapping you and then giving you a sweet date to coax you into doing whatever I wanted. I even forgot to ask you that day, am I really always like this to you? I feel like I went too far, and I have to apologize to you. I will pay attention in the future and won't bully you like this anymore."

Yun Jinglu looked puzzled and said, "No, no, you didn't bully me like this. You always went along with me and made me happy. If I said I couldn't remember why I said such things to you without thinking, would you believe me?"

"I believe that if we can't remember, we won't think about it anymore."

Now, she was not the only one who was worried and confused.

Yun Jinglu carefully recalled his recent words and actions. Since he brought her back to the Western Regions, many of his emotions, words, and behaviors were strange and weird, and some of them were not like himself.

"Don't think about it, let's get down to business."

"Business?"

"Uh-huh."

Yun Jinglu first took her to a secret underground room, which was fully furnished with all kinds of supplies. Twelve women lived there. They were all extremely beautiful, with skin as white as if they had never been exposed to the sun. They were also very well-educated and spoke softly and gently.

After just taking her around the dark room, Yun Jinglu brought her out.

He said that these women were bought from a young age by Yunqi Que to be raised as future marriage partners. They were all orphans, and when they came to the Yuyao Sect, they were still too old to remember anything.

Yunqi Que, whom he married to the prince as a concubine, was one of them.

He said that although they had no choice in their lives, they would never live a miserable life.

They were raised with fine clothes and delicious food, and were proficient in reading and calligraphy, playing the piano, chess, calligraphy and painting. One of them could even marry the prince, and become his concubine when he ascended the throne. Even if the rest could no longer be free and could no longer see the sun, they could still continue to live a life with enough food and clothing.

After dinner, Yun Jinglu took her to learn about the entire Yuyao Sect and told her about the good and bad things that the Yuyao Sect did.

The Demon-Controlling Sect has never claimed to be a famous and upright sect, nor have they denied the outside world's discussions. They are not practicing Taoism, they are just learning skills to earn money.

After discussing the plan and meeting the masters who cooperated with her, they rushed back to their home in the Western Regions overnight through the teleportation array.

After all, if the interval is too long, it is no longer true.

On the way, Yun Jinglu also told her about his hatred.

When his parents were alive, Cang Hua Mountain was not yet the leading sect of demon catchers. On the contrary, they were almost an unknown small sect. Lan Jinchuan was not from Cang Hua Mountain either. He was originally an inner disciple of the Yun family, Chen Hu, and was a fellow disciple of Yun Jinglu's father.

Not long after Yun Jinglu's father became the sect leader, he got involved in the business of the royal family of Western Xinjiang. At that time, they became famous for a major case of eliminating demons for the royal family. The title of "the chief demon catcher" was originally used to describe the Demon Control Sect.

However, after the Demon-Controlling Sect started doing business with the Central Plains countries and even the royal families of the Western Regions, its power and status did not change his father, but changed Chen Hu.

Chen Hu was no longer content with the status quo and often had quarrels with his father due to disagreements.

Not long after, the parents were invited to go to the Central Plains. Chen Hu, as the person they trusted the most, united with many demon hunters and bandits to kill everyone inside and outside. No one survived this trip.

Chen Hu's identity also died along with the Yun family caravan at that time.

Chen Hu was found by his biological parents in Canghua Mountain and renamed Lan Jinchuan. Lan Jinchuan failed to do business with the royal family as he wished, as they only recognized the Yun family. He plotted against the Yuyao Sect and Yun Jinglu more than once.

He dreamed of annexing the Demon-Controlling Sect. During the years when he was still young and unable to take charge of Canghua Mountain, he had harmed countless disciples of the Demon-Controlling Sect, both openly and covertly.

Therefore, he wanted Lan Jinchuan to die and let Lan Jinchuan taste the suffering that their Yu Yao Sect had suffered in the past.

That night, she no longer hesitated to tell him whether Lan Zhuochi was Lan Jinchuan's biological son, because in Yun Jinglu's eyes, even if it was a dog that Lan Jinchuan had raised, he would kill it all, and the killing would always get into Lan Jinchuan's heart.

What's more, anyone who has eaten a bite of the living creatures that Canghua Mountain obtained as food by harming the Yuyao Sect deserves to die.

To Yun Jinglu, who was filled with hatred, there was no such thing as innocent people. Weren't those who were killed in the Yuyao Sect innocent too?

late at night.

She stood outside Guan Lanzhuochi's room for a long time, trying to calm herself down. Recalling the time Yun Jinglu had shared his hatred and longing for his parents in the carriage on the way back, his hardships and loneliness, and his broken sobs, she felt so distressed that tears quickly fell, and her mood was low.

After brewing the mood, she walked in and started acting.

There was only a small candle lit in the room, and the light was dim. After she entered, she stood at the door in a daze.

When Lan Zhuochi found out that it was her, he immediately got up and wrapped the quilt around her body, as she was not even wearing a cloak in the winter night and was wearing thin clothes.

"Why are you wearing so little?"

When he was folding the corner of the quilt over her collar, a tear that had been brewing fell on the back of his hand.

He immediately asked nervously, "Why are you crying? Is it because of him?"

She no longer tried to suppress her tears, and they burst out one by one. Without saying anything, she walked into his arms, hugged his waist and cried.

Lan Zhuochi hugged her and patted her back gently, "Okay, okay, I won't ask anymore, I won't ask anymore, let's not talk about sad things."

She choked and said, "Lan Zhuochi, take me away, take me away...I..." As soon as the word "I" came out of her mouth, the emotions that were too deep in her mind completely collapsed, and she sobbed, unable to control herself.

"Okay, I'll take you away, and we'll go back to Canghua Mountain. Don't cry, Ah Que, don't cry, I'm here."

The crying scene was almost over, and the purpose was achieved, so it ended.

She calmed down and Lan Zhuochi wiped the tears from her face. She noticed that in the dim light, his eyes were also sparkling with tears.

"I'm the one who's wronged, why are you crying?"

"I feel so sorry for you. You're crying so hard. My Ah Que must have suffered so much."

"Don't think I'm forgiving you just like that."

Lan Zhuochi pinched her wrist and used her hand to slap himself.

"I know I was deeply wrong, but I will never dare to lie to you again. You can beat me, hit me, or scold me as you please. As long as you can forgive me, I will ask you to do anything."

"You can do anything?"

"Yeah, anything is fine."

"Okay, I'll owe you money for now."

"Then let's get out of here and go home now."

"Wait! Lan Zhuochi, are you still deceiving me or hiding something from me? If so, I advise you to tell me everything now, and I can still forgive you. After tonight, if I find out, I will never talk to you again no matter what."

"There's only one thing. I lied to you. I'm not a fox demon. That was just a trick I used to scare you into coming home with me. Later, you weren't afraid of me anymore, and I didn't tell you in time. It's because... you only liked to touch me when I had ears and a tail. I wanted you to like me a little more."

"That's no reason for you to lie to me."

"I know I was wrong... Ah Que... You said you'd forgive me. Although the ears and tail were transformed by my magic spell, as long as you want to touch them, I can transform into many creatures you like to touch. I can also transform into the white puppy you like. If you think about it this way, isn't it a little bit good? Hmm?"

"Anything else?"

"I swear, no more."

"Let's go home."

Lan Zhuochi nodded vigorously, "Yeah!"

"You look so sick, it's freezing outside, and Canghua Mountain is so far away. How are you going to take me away from Yun Jinglu? I ran away to find you without telling Yun Jinglu."

Lan Zhuochi took out a peach blossom from the pouch on her waist and silently recited a long string of incomprehensible spells to him. Then a thick snake crawled out from the dark corner, spitting out red tongue.

She fainted immediately from fright.

When she woke up again, she was already on the bed in the room prepared for her by Lan Zhuochi in Canghua Mountain. Lan Zhuochi was sitting on the floor, sleeping on the edge of the bed, still holding her hand tightly.

She still couldn't help but be moved by him.

She kept cursing herself in her heart, wondering how she could fall in love with a man who called her brother's enemy his father.

She hated herself and also hated calling Lan Jinchuan father.

She decisively pulled back the hand he was holding, and woke up Lan Zhuochi in the process.

"Aque, are you awake? Are you hungry or thirsty? I'll bring you some food."

He rubbed his arms and legs that were numb from being pressed, and supported himself on the edge of the bed, but he was too numb to stand up.

As the saying goes, send the Buddha to the west and perform the play to the end.

Getting information was the most important thing. She asked, "I'm not thirsty or hungry. How did we get back? What was that snake?"