Ji Yuan's expression changed drastically. He immediately got up from the futon, ready to rush to Baiyun Temple.
However, as soon as he lifted his foot, he stopped in mid-air and then firmly stepped back onto the ground.
He clearly came to his senses. Even if he rushed to Baiyun Temple now, it would not change what had already happened. Instead, it would put him in danger.
Even then, it wouldn't just be him facing the dangerous situation, but also Shen Lang, Zhao Yuansong and his fellow disciples who were present.
"What happened to Baiyun Temple?"
Shen Lang quickly got up, a trace of anxiety on his brow.
Hearing this, Ji Yuan sighed, "It was my oversight. I thought Huixin would listen to me, stay shut in the temple these few days, and cultivate diligently."
"But just now, when I thought of Huixin, my state of mind was like a stormy sea. I suddenly realized that if he could truly listen to my words, he wouldn't be the Huixin I know."
While Zhao Yuansong and the others were still confused and didn't understand the meaning of his words, Shen Lang beside them suddenly looked enlightened.
The three of them had known each other for six or seven years, and they knew each other thoroughly. At first hearing, they understood the meaning behind Ji Yuan's words.
Although they didn't know what he had said to Huixin, based on Shen Lang's understanding of that 'stubborn' person, if the latter heard about what had happened in the county town that day, he would definitely not remain idle.
At the very least, he would have gone to Xuantian Temple or to the slums to find either him or Ji Yuan.
Now, with no news from Huixin and the current situation in the city, it was not difficult to guess that something had happened at Baiyun Temple.
"What do we do now? Do we just rush to Baiyun Temple?"
Xu Qiqi's eyes lit up, she seemed eager to try.
As soon as she spoke, a group of people subconsciously looked at Shen Lang. It was clear that his previous deduction had won everyone's trust.
However, this time, the dishevelled scholar was looking at the young Taoist who was deep in thought, waiting for him to speak.
Seeing this, several people were surprised. Without needing to follow Shen Lang's gaze, they all looked at Ji Yuan.
"Xuantian Temple might already be under surveillance."
After a long period of thought, he finally frowned and said, "Perhaps from the very beginning, or perhaps after fellow Daoist Zhao arrived. In any case, if I were the mastermind, I would definitely send someone to watch this place."
After all, whether it was a coincidence or not, it was because of these people that the illicit shrine that had been planned for a hundred years was discovered and eventually smashed by the yamen.
Even if they were to tolerate it for the time being and not retaliate, as the planner, they would definitely send people to watch this place, for fear that these people would disrupt their plans again.
"With just a few of us, it's probably difficult to achieve much. We need to find some help."
Ji Yuan looked up, his expression solemn, and said, "Fellow Daoist, I need your help!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuansong's expression became serious, and he nodded without hesitation, saying that if there was anything they could do, they should just command.
He nodded slightly and did not stand on ceremony. He directly said, "Please trouble fellow Daoist Zhao to go to the City God Temple. You don't need to go deep inside, but you must find out the situation there."
"Also, please trouble fellow Daoist Zheng to go to the Sandao Association, present my calling card to visit the head of the three associations, Xu Liuqing, and explain the current dangerous situation in the city, asking for his assistance."
"Please trouble fellow Daoist Li, to take my letter and go out of the city to a place called Luohun Slope, to find a ghost cultivator named Song He."
Li Junxian and Zheng Wanrong cupped their fists at the same time, having no objection.
His gaze shifted, past the boy and girl who looked eager and expectant, and he looked solemnly at Shen Lang, "I need to go to the Zhao family. Baiyun Temple will have to be up to you then."
Shen Lang smiled slightly, telling him to go to the Zhao family with peace of mind. As long as Huixin was still breathing, he would save him even if it meant risking his life.
This statement immediately earned Ji Yuan a roll of his eyes. He spat three times before stopping.
"What about us?"
Jiang He stepped forward, looking very serious.
Beside him, although Xu Qiqi said nothing, the expectation in her eyes grew even stronger.
Seeing this, Ji Yuan felt a headache. He really didn't know how to arrange them. Although he hadn't fully understood their true identities, he could guess one or two things from the attitudes of the others.
If nothing unexpected happened, Xu Qiqi and Jiang He were definitely direct disciples of the Jiuxuan Sect, and even likely the personal disciples of some elder or peak master.
With such noble identities, if anything were to happen to them, even if they could safely get through the current crisis in the city, the subsequent accountability from the Jiuxuan Sect would be deadly.
"Fellow Daoist, please assign us. If Jiuxuan Sect disciples are to slay demons and eliminate evil, they will have no regrets even if they die."
Zhao Yuansong said in a deep voice, stating frankly that if the two of them died while slaying demons and eliminating evil, the elders of the sect would only say that they died honorably. Even if there was any anger, it would only be directed at the perpetrators, and would not involve others.
With this, Ji Yuan could arrange them with peace of mind.
"Since that is the case, you two will accompany me to the Zhao family."
He looked at Xu Qiqi, who was naturally close to thunder spells and had the greatest deterrent effect on evil spirits and ghosts.
Moreover, although Zhao Yuansong had clearly stated that the Jiuxuan Sect would not hold others responsible if there were any losses during the process of slaying demons and eliminating evil,
such words were just for listening. They could only be half-believed. If they truly believed them, it would be fine if nothing happened, but if something did happen, they would inevitably be held accountable by the Jiuxuan Sect.
Only by keeping them by his side could Ji Yuan reduce some of his worries. After all, in terms of trump cards, he was probably the safest among them all.
"Since everything is arranged, shall we set off now?"
After Ji Yuan wrote a letter and solemnly handed it to Li Junxian, Zhao Yuansong asked.
Hearing this, Shen Lang immediately shook his head, "I'm afraid there are people watching outside the Taoist temple. Our actions still need to be cautious."
He looked towards the gate of the Taoist temple, his gaze finally settling on the entrance of the alley in the distance, as if he were thinking about something, with flashes of brilliance in his eyes from time to time.
The two most crucial points of this trip were Ji Yuan's trip to the Zhao family and Zhao Yuansong's trip to the City God Temple.
If the mastermind discovered their intentions, they might resort to desperate measures, either killing them directly or activating their plan in advance.
As for less critical matters, such as seeking help from the Sandao Association and Luohun Slope, they did not need to worry about being discovered. At most, it would only arouse the suspicion of the mastermind.
After a moment, Li Junxian and Zheng Wanrong left the Taoist temple with hurried expressions, heading towards the Sandao Association and the city gate respectively.
Under Shen Lang's instructions, they tried their best to appear frightened, constantly looking around nervously, keeping as far away from places where people could hide as possible.
However, after the two of them gradually disappeared at the end of the street, nothing happened outside the Taoist temple. No one seemed to be lurking in the shadows.
After waiting for another quarter of an hour, Shen Lang cautiously approached the alley entrance, his eyes vigilantly scanning his surroundings. After a long while, he then rushed towards Baiyun Temple.
However, even long after Shen Lang had left, there was still no movement outside the Taoist temple, as if they had overthought it and no one had been watching them.
But whether someone was watching or not, it no longer mattered, because the others had already climbed over the back wall of the Taoist temple and quietly left the area.
"Why didn't we all leave from the back wall at the beginning?"
On the way to the Zhao family, Xu Qiqi couldn't help but ask in a low voice.
Ji Yuan, who was walking ahead, smiled and explained in a low voice, "If there were indeed people watching, they would naturally not be foolish. If there was no movement in the Taoist temple for a long time, do you think they would try to peep?"
Since that was the case, it was better to create some movement to distract their attention, making the watchers guess what the people who had left were doing.
It was even possible that they might split their forces and report any unusual sights to the mastermind, delaying the discovery of their intentions.
"When we get to the Zhao family later, you must obey orders."
Ji Yuan did not look back. His eyes were constantly scanning the surroundings. He said in a low voice, "I know you are all the pride of the Jiuxuan Sect, and even personal disciples of some elder or peak master. But at least at this moment, do not act impulsively."
Behind him, Xu Qiqi and Jiang He nodded solemnly. In fact, without him saying anything, they would have done the same.
Although they were the pride of the Jiuxuan Sect and had traveled through several prefectures with their seniors, they still lacked experience in the martial world.
Even Jiang He had to admit that compared to the young Taoist in front of him, he was lacking in many aspects.
The journey was uneventful. Ji Yuan led the two of them to the Zhao family mansion. It was only when they arrived here that they understood how serious the situation had become.
The entire Zhao family mansion was shrouded in a gloomy atmosphere. Even in the dark night, one could clearly see a sinister aura circling above the entire mansion.
This kind of aura was invisible to ordinary people. Only those who had embarked on the path of cultivation and possessed pure vital energy could catch a glimpse of it.
"The Zhao family might have already met with misfortune. Even if there are survivors, their numbers are likely not many."
Ji Yuan said in a deep voice.
The main gate of the Zhao family was tightly shut. The two lanterns that should have been burning all night were now without any candlelight. As for the stone lions in front of the gate used to ward off evil, they were shrouded in a grey mist, having lost their original function.
Not only that, but even the two door god paintings pasted on the main gate had lost their spirituality. The divine generals that should have been majestic now looked eerie and terrifying.
"What should we do now?"
Jiang He asked.
Since leaving the Taoist temple, Xu Qiqi had become much quieter, her attention focused on perceiving her surroundings.
On the other hand, the young Jiang He, who was originally taciturn, had suddenly become more talkative, mostly asking the people around him how to proceed with various matters.
Hearing this, Ji Yuan pondered for a moment and then pointed to the alley in the distance, "We'll climb over the wall and go in from there."