Chapter 33: The Shao Residence
Bai Yu and Yun Jiao spent one night in the thatched hut, and early the next morning, Old Zhou dragged the two of them to the Shao Residence. The place was easy to find—it was the largest and most luxurious mansion in the city.
As expected of the city’s wealthiest family, the Shao estate was massive, more than twice the size of Qingyang Temple before its destruction, and far grander in style. Red walls, golden lacquer, glazed tiles—it all exuded splendor. The entire residence practically shouted the words “filthy rich.” Even the doorkeepers and servants were dressed more finely than ordinary people.
Perhaps because the old man was wearing his “pretentious equipment,” the doormen’s eyes lit up when they saw the three of them. They immediately bowed respectfully. “Honored masters, you must have come to exorcise evil for our young master. Please, this way!”
Without another word, they ushered the three inside, as if everything had already been arranged. The three exchanged glances but could only follow. Soon they were led into the grand hall—where they discovered seven or eight people already seated. Most were dressed in Daoist robes with immortal-like airs, while others wore kasaya robes, holding prayer beads.
The three froze. Yun Jiao suddenly had the illusion of being at a gathering of frauds.
“Please wait here a moment, esteemed masters. The master will arrive shortly,” said the servant, before leaving them seated.
The others in the room turned their gazes on the newcomers, sizing them up. Some nodded politely, while others snorted disdainfully. Clearly, they were here for the same purpose—to exorcise the evil troubling the young master of the Shao family. It seemed that Shao Laoye had spared no expense in saving his son.
Neither Bai Yu nor Old Zhou had expected the reward to draw so many cultivators.
“Hmph, what misfortune for the arcane path! Any riffraff now dares to call themselves disciples of the sects.” As soon as they sat down, a man in a green robe sneered, his eyes sweeping over Yun Jiao. Perhaps because of her youth, his gaze was filled with contempt. “Barely trained a few years, yet bold enough to come down the mountain and exorcise evil so carelessly.”