Chapter 33. Huai'an County
"Just a mischief, no one was hurt?"

"Yes." Fatty Li explained, "Actually, it's like this. The haunted family has an old relationship with my family, and their identities are somewhat special, so the government officials dare not act recklessly."

"Later, the family found out that I had joined Yuan Fu Temple, so they asked me to help with the matter."

"After the last monster incident, I know you have some kind of ability similar to reading air, so I wanted to invite you to go with me."

"Don't worry, they pay well!"

Xu Qing stroked his chin, considering whether to take on this task.

He always felt that this matter was not as simple as it seemed.

However, the incident happened in Huai'an County, and even someone as afraid of death as Fatty Li dared to deal with it, which means that there is something strange, but it will not be fatal.

"Okay, when do we leave? Is Chen Ziming going too?"

"He won't go. This matter is not like the others. It's better if fewer people know about it." Fatty Li shook his head. "Why not wait for a better day? Let's do it now. Anyway, we are at the foot of the mountain."

"Okay." Xu Qing nodded. All the things he had were stored in the Hu Tian Fu, so he could set off at any time.

The two of them got ready, changed into ordinary clothes, and after reporting all the relevant matters to the Deacon's Hall, they went down the mountain together.

After walking three or four miles, you can see the towering city wall in the distance, like a giant dragon lying on the ground, winding and stretching to the end of your sight.

The wind carrying abundant moisture from the Huaihe River and the Grand Canal blew from the north, passing over the city, brushing across the indigo-colored farmland on both sides of the road, and finally hitting the faces of Xu Qing and Fatty Li.

It is cool, and at the same time it is filled with the fragrance of grass and trees and the hustle and bustle of the world, giving people a fresh and refreshing feeling.

When he got completely close to the city gate, Xu Qing had a somewhat different feeling. A vast and solemn aura came towards him.

The city wall is gray and covered with a little moss, but the temperament it exudes seems heavy, ancient and desolate.

"what is that?"

Xu Qing looked at the big city in front of him and suddenly saw the bronze mirror hanging above the city gate.

"The magic mirror was made by the Ministry of Works of the imperial court and hung in cities across the country to prevent demons from transforming into human form and sneaking into the city."

Xu Qing nodded upon hearing this.

This is a thorough precaution.

The city is shrouded in the Yang Fire of the State, and some small-time demons and ghosts cannot get close at all, but they cannot defend against some powerful demons and ghosts.

There are magic mirrors at the city gates to prevent monsters from sneaking in, and there are government offices guarding and patrolling the city to minimize the chances of monsters and ghosts causing trouble.

This ensures that the people can live in peace.

After passing the demon-detecting environment at the city gate, Xu Qing and Fatty Li successfully entered the city.

“This is Huai’an County.”

Xu Qing was walking on the street, with the road under his feet paved with neat and square bluestone slabs. Wherever he looked, he saw cars flowing like water, horses like dragons, and pedestrians bustling about.

There are rows of shops on both sides of the street. Street vendors either push carts to set up stalls, or sit on the ground, spread a piece of cloth on the ground, put their goods on it and start selling.

"Meat buns, delicious and cheap meat buns; steamed buns, white and plump steamed buns"

"Tanghulu, three cents a piece"

"This is a treasure from the north, you won't see it often. Come and have a look!"

The atmosphere here is indeed much more prosperous and lively than Ningyang Town.

"Let's go, let's go." Fatty Li was in high spirits and waved his fat hand, "Let's go to Chunfeng Tower first. I've been thinking about the food there for a long time."

"It's a pity that I can't go down the mountain except for errands."

Chunfenglou is a famous restaurant in Huai'an County. The chef was originally an imperial chef, and his cooking skills are considered the pinnacle of mortal skills.

Whenever a wealthy family in Huai'an County needs to host a banquet, Chunfeng Tower will definitely be the first choice.

"Hey, Master Li, I haven't seen you for a long time."

As soon as he entered Chunfeng Tower, the sharp-eyed shopkeeper recognized Fatty and quickly put on a smile to greet him. Fatty Li straightened his clothes and said, "I am now a disciple of Yuanfu Temple and a serious immortal cultivator."

The shopkeeper showed an exaggerated expression of shock on his face: "Master Li has become an immortal cultivator, which is really cause for celebration. In this way, I will prepare a table of food for free, just as a congratulations to Master Li!"

The flattery hit the horse's butt just right, and Fatty Li felt as relaxed and refreshed as if he had drunk a bottle of ice water in the hottest days of summer!
"No need!" Fatty Li waved his hand. "Am I a poor man? Is my private room still available?"

"Of course I'll keep it. How could I dare to let anyone out of the private room without Young Master Li's knowledge?" the shopkeeper said hurriedly.

"That's fine."

After saying that, he walked to the private room on the third floor as if he knew the way.

The two of them sat down in the private room, and a maid came up to serve them. Xu Qing then picked up the menu and took a look, and immediately took a breath of cold air.
The dishes here are extremely expensive, with each dish costing an average of more than ten taels of silver.

Ten taels of silver, in Xujia Village, is a sum that might not be earned even after farming for more than ten years.

"Order. It's my treat." Fatty Li looked around with disdain. When he came to his own territory, his whole demeanor was different.

Xu Qing did not feel uncomfortable. Instead, he suddenly felt that the Fatty Li in front of him was somewhat amiable and approachable.

There was even a faint golden glow on his body!
"Then I won't be polite."

Soon, delicious dishes were served on the table. Xu Qing took a bite and had only one thought in his mind -

There is a reason why Fatty Li is so fat.

"good to eat!"

"The chef at Chunfenglou was a royal chef, so of course the food he makes is delicious."

Just as Xu Qing and Fatty Li were eating their meals with great effort, a quarrel was suddenly heard in the corridor outside the private room.

One party sounded like a delicate girl, while the other party's tone was a bit rude.

"But a prostitute actually rejected my young master's good intentions?"

Then the two heard a cold laugh: "Master Wan, I, Liu Sanniang, am indeed a prostitute, but I am better than a hypocrite like you."

"Our relationship is obviously based on money, but you want to talk about feelings with me. In the end, it's nothing more than you want my body but don't want to spend money."

"How despicable!"

When Fatty Li heard the names "Mr. Wan" and "Liu Sanniang", he narrowed his eyes slightly and whispered in Xu Qing's ear:
"Xu Qing, I didn't tell you the details of this incident just now."

"The haunted one is an old friend of my father's. His family is a scholarly family with two sons. The younger one died in an accident recently."

"The cause of death may be related to that Liu Sanniang outside."

"Could it be that the one causing trouble in that family be the dead youngest son?" Xu Qing raised his eyebrows.

"Yes." Fatty Li nodded slightly. "It is precisely because of this concern that the government officials dare not intervene rashly. The aristocratic families always have to consider their reputation."

"So after a lot of twists and turns, I found my father, and finally this matter fell on me."

"So, we have to take care of what's going on outside?" Xu Qing put down his bowl and chopsticks.

"That's about it."

Since he had accepted the assignment, Xu Qing should do his best. He stood up, opened the door and walked out. Both parties in the corridor looked over at him.

Liu Sanniang's eyes turned and she quickly glanced at Xu Qing and Fatty Li who walked out of the room.

One of them had a handsome face, bright eyes and an extraordinary bearing, while the other had a round face and a fat body, with two small eyes the size of green beans that looked a bit funny.

They are clearly a master and servant!
Liu Sanniang immediately came up with a plan in her mind. She moved to Xu Qing's side, completely ignoring Fatty Li who was standing beside her, and said in a charming voice:
"Master, please save me with your servants. Those people want to do something indecent to me."

What the hell?
Hearing this and seeing this scene, Fatty Li couldn't help but roll his eyes.

Ah, this dirty world where only looks matter!

(End of this chapter)