Gathering Incense and Slaying the Ox Demon

Jinlian didn't come after all; having given birth just three days ago, she wasn't able to get out of bed.

"Master, you're finally back. If you hadn't returned, Sister Jingxin and Abbess Baiyu might have been snatched away by that ox demon."

Bai Guanguan, the proprietress of the White Ape Martial Arts Hall, was also heavily pregnant at the moment, looking mature and graceful.

"Master, that ox demon is at the Second Grade level. As long as we stay in Yanggu County, we will be safe and sound. Once Master reaches the Second Grade level, you can settle the score then. You must not act on impulse right now," Jingxin said worriedly, her soul form transparent.

"Master, the matter with the ox demon is serious if you make it serious, but not so serious if you don't. At worst, we just won't leave the city from now on."

"Right, come and take a look at your newborn children. They haven't been given names yet."

Zhang Qingshi, with her protruding belly, had the servants bring over the newly born infants who had not yet been named. To Su Yang's great joy, they were all male heirs without exception.

"Master, this is our child," Meihua said, walking over with a baby in her arms and speaking first.

Su Yang tested them one by one using the [Root-Testing Technique], and to his surprise, every single one of them possessed Grade-B bone structure.

As for whether they were suited for Confucianism or martial arts, it would become apparent from their respective talents once they grew a bit older.

Su Yang named Meihua's child Su Qintian, Xichun's child Su Qindi, and Jinlian's child Su Qinxuan.

By now, he was receiving 125 strands of incense daily.

"Prepare everything, hold a full-moon banquet for Su Qinchu, and notify the seven counties."

Looking at Su Qin's child reaching the full-month milestone, Su Yang's heart was filled with excitement and joy.

"But Master...!"

Zhang Qingshi frowned, with words lingering on her mind...

"I know what you want to say. Is it about the ox demon?"

"Since I'm back, let's not delay any further. I'll go deal with it right now."

"Be good and wait for me at home."

With that, Su Yang didn't even take time to rest. Accompanied by the peach spirit, he left Yanggu County and hurried toward Peach Mountain.

...

Inside Yanggu County.

"I heard Master Su is back."

"Really? Did you see it?"

"I saw it. The steward led him back, looking all hurried. I wonder how Master Su will handle the business with the ox demon."

"How else would he handle it? Naturally, he'll beat that ox demon till it's crawling on the ground looking for its teeth."

"Alas, although Master Su has treated us well, we can't speak against our consciences, can we? Master Su is merely a Third Grade martial artist. How could he possibly be a match for a Second Grade ox demon?"

"Indeed, the Su family has really run into a disaster this time."

"That damn ox demon! The Su family is certainly unwilling to hand anyone over—there's no such logic in forcibly seizing someone else's concubine. But if the Su family refuses, these ox demons will surely disrupt the Su family's trade across the seven counties. Then the Su family's female workers will lose their livelihoods, and they all have families to feed!"

"That's right! If it comes to that, I'll be out of a job, and that soap factory will definitely have to shut down."

"That bloody ox demon truly deserves a wretched death."

"Besides, even if Master Su has genuinely entered the Second Grade, he might not necessarily be a match for that ox demon."

"The common folk of Yanggu County finally managed to catch a glimpse of a better life, with Master Su leading us to plenty and prosperity. Why is heaven so unfair, sending an ox demon to ruin everything?"

"Alas...!"

The people of Yanggu County let out successive sighs, their hearts full of resentment yet utterly helpless.

Today, if the Su family yielded and surrendered their concubine to the ox demon, who was to say that tomorrow they wouldn't demand to marry the Su family's matriarch?

...

The Wang Estate.

Seeing her daughter return, Liu Wenxiang finally set down the heavy burden in her heart. Her graceful figure hurried forward, pulling her daughter into her arms as she said, "My child, was this trip arduous?"

"How was it? You didn't run into any danger, did you?"

"It was alright. The trouble my husband stirred up was still within the scope of what I could handle," Wang Chunxiao replied with a beaming smile on her face. "Oh, right, Mother! Husband placed second in the provincial examination as the *yayuan*. In another half year, when the metropolitan examination comes around, he can head to the capital for the exams."

"Good, good, good! Back then, I said this boy Su Yang would amount to something, and he has truly brought honor to his ancestors."

A trace of gratification showed on Liu Wenxiang's face, which quickly turned slightly bitter. "Alas, if you hadn't been so stubborn back then, you would probably be pregnant by now, just like those girls in the neighboring courtyard."

Hearing her mother's sigh, Wang Chunxiao lowered her head, her eye rims turning somewhat red.

"Mistress, Master has gone to Peach Mountain to exterminate the ox demon, so he cannot come here to pay his respects to you just yet," a maid rushed over and said. "Master said that as soon as he returns from Peach Mountain, he will definitely come to pay his respects to you first."

"It's fine, it's fine. As long as the boy has this intention, that's enough." A look of contentment appeared on Liu Wenxiang's graceful face.

"I heard that ox demon is also at the Second Grade level. Husband has only just reached the Second Grade himself—if any unexpected mishap occurs, it won't be good. I think I should follow them and take a look," Wang Chunxiao said, a hint of worry rising on her face.

"Go ahead, then."

...

"Little Peach Spirit, have you missed me lately?"

Su Yang rode on the back of the Green Fox Demon Ancestor, holding the graceful peach spirit tightly in his arms.

Her pink long dress was semi-translucent, and her slender, fair legs were striking to the eye. If she weren't pregnant, Su Yang probably wouldn't have been able to exercise restraint.

"Master, this servant sees that *you* are the one who can hardly restrain yourself. Why don't you just take this old woman as well?"

"After riding her for so long, the punishment should be enough."

"Besides, this is the ancestor of Green Jade Mountain, and her graceful appearance is beyond compare."

"Although this fox demon is already a hundred years old, her lifespan can reach over three hundred years. In human terms, she's like a woman under thirty—just at her mature and graceful prime."

"During the time you were away from home recently, this green fox demon has hardly skimped on bribing you, hasn't she?"

Su Yang said, flicking the whip in his hand against the rump of the green fox demon beneath him. "Run faster...!"

Feeling the sting, the green fox demon had no choice but to exert herself and gallop wildly forward.

"Right, let me introduce you to a new sister." Su Yang spoke, allowing Xiaoqian—who had been lingering inside the necklace—to emerge. Draped in white, she looked like an immortal maiden from the heavens, untainted by worldly dust.

...

Now that Xiaoqian was an incense deity, it wouldn't be feasible for him to keep allocating his own incense to her to prolong her lifespan indefinitely. He planned to let her protect the common folk outside the city in the capacity of a mortal deity.

She would gather incense, elevate her cultivation, and extend her longevity.

Of course, he would lend a small helping hand, such as finding a suitable village for Xiaoqian first and forcibly having the locals offer sacrifices to her. Once they realized Xiaoqian could truly protect their safety and bring favorable weather, their devotion would naturally grow more pious, and the number of believers would increase day by day.

Along the way, the peach spirit and Xiaoqian chatted happily.

The Green Fox Demon Ancestor beneath them sensed that Second Grade aura and did not dare harbor any other thoughts whatsoever.

...

Author's Note: Next chapter in five minutes.
(End of this chapter)