Wu Songlin paced back and forth in the room, occasionally putting his fingers in his mouth to bite his nails. Only those who had been on the battlefield with him knew this habit of his when he felt anxious and uneasy.

Just now, standing on a high platform, he had clearly seen three green sparrows flying out from the center of the Six Bamboo Sea, which had almost scared him to death.

Green sparrows.

For a minor general of the fifth rank like him, facing two monsters that had entered the Sea of Fog, even with the city walls and military formations to back him up, they were no match for these creatures.

The appearance of the green sparrows from the bamboo forest spelled disaster for Guanlin Village.

He activated the city's protective formation, ready to fight to the death.

However...

The three green sparrows did something he thought was absolutely impossible: they rushed into the Forbidden Ground within the Forbidden Ground—the Old Tree Courtyard. In the Xuanyuan World, who didn't know that this place was a forbidden zone?

When he first took office, the Left and Right Prime Ministers had called Wu Songlin in and carefully instructed him about the Old Tree Courtyard.

No one was to be sent there...

It was even more forbidden to monitor the place...

If these orders were not followed, would perish.

Thus, although Wu Songlin had guarded this place for over ten years, he did not know what the scenery inside the Old Tree Courtyard looked like, how it was furnished, or what was inside. He was a soldier, and for soldiers, orders were as unyielding as mountains and could not be disobeyed.

Until today...

Wu Songlin disobeyed his orders.

He deliberately used his far-seeing ability to see how the three green sparrows would react and what the outcome would be after they rushed into the Old Tree Courtyard.

When Wu Songlin saw with his own eyes that the three green sparrows had rushed into the courtyard and then, within a few breaths, two of the larger ones quickly flew out in a panic and hurried back to the depths of the Six Bamboo Sea, he realized that they were clearly scared out of their wits.

Wu Songlin swallowed hard and thought, "It truly is the Old Tree Courtyard."

Then, he saw something even more terrifying.

Someone came out of the Old Tree Courtyard, bringing two large demons, one dog and one cat, to his Guanlin Village. When he peeked at them, the black dog even slowed down and glared at him with its head tilted.

Its gaze felt like it had thrown Wu Songlin into an ice cellar.

"Could it be that the great figure residing in the Old Tree Courtyard is dissatisfied with my spying and has personally come here to warn me?"

He was startled and could not imagine what kind of hell the city would endure if this were true.

Guanlin Village... was doomed.

The two large demons brought by that person, although Wu Songlin could not discern their true strength, were certainly capable of crushing the two green sparrows.

Afterward...

He observed more closely and found that the person entered the market, ostentatiously buying things. Seeing his kind and amiable demeanor, there was no trace of the arrogance of someone who had lived at the top of the world for a long time.

Could it be... he had mistaken the person?

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Not knowing what to do, a young man in white robes suddenly appeared beside him. His handsome face, with features so well-proportioned they looked like a sculpture, had an added touch of arrogance from his slightly raised eyebrows.

The young man pulled up a chair, sat down, and poured himself a drink.

Wu Songlin swallowed hard and respectfully turned to ask, "May I ask... who are you..."

"Cabbage. Ah no, I should be called Bai Choufei in this form."

The young man raised the corners of his mouth, then placed the wine cup on the table with a clink. He smiled slightly and continued, "No need to look. This is just a manifestation of true energy. My real body is in that vegetable basket."

So it was true!

He really was that great demon!

He came here... could it be to retaliate against me for spying on the Old Tree Courtyard?

Wu Songlin tightly clenched his hands, trying to stop himself from trembling. Even though the young man in white was just an incarnation, his power far exceeded Wu Songlin's. If they were to fight, Wu Songlin had no confidence he could survive more than thirty moves.

"Please, spare the people of the city. I am willing to die to atone for my sin," he said, raising his hand to strike his forehead and commit suicide.

"Stop! Who said I want you dead?" Bai Choufei waved his hand, effortlessly neutralizing Wu Songlin's attempt. He then stood up, brushing his sleeve, and said, "Listen. In a moment, send someone to call your master and hand over the contract for the Old Tree Courtyard to them. Give them an identity, let's say, Mr. Bimo. Remember, treat your master as you would an ordinary citizen. If they get angry, prepare a memorial tablet for yourself. Understand?"

"Understood! Understood!" Wu Songlin nodded repeatedly, mentally reciting Bai Choufei's instructions over and over, not daring to forget a single word. His own life was a small matter, but the lives of the people...

Bai Choufei smiled, seemingly satisfied with his reaction, and said, "Remember to visit the Old Tree Courtyard during the Spring Festival. Bring a bottle of white wine, a sour-sweet fish, and a piece of sticky rice dumpling. Perhaps the master will reward you with a small opportunity."

Wu Songlin felt immensely relieved and quickly thanked him.

oOo

Ruan Dongqing gathered his courage and strode into the City Lord's mansion. Just moments ago, he had heard the fish and shrimp sellers boasting about General Wu's impressive feats and outstanding military achievements, and now he was about to meet him.

"Please, sit..."

"Thank you, General."

Wu Songlin, a nearly sixty-year-old man, had a beard streaked with silver and graying hair that draped over his shoulders. Even when receiving guests, he wore armor, making him appear even more imposing.

Ruan Dongqing sat down, placing the black dog and white cat from his arms onto his lap, and asked, "May I ask why the General has summoned a commoner like me?"

Wu Songlin cleared his throat and said, "No need for formalities. Please, have some tea first."

"I wouldn't dare disturb the General. Also, if I may be so bold, General, why are you wearing heavy armor and sweating profusely? Isn't it hot?"

"Ah, it's a habit... just a habit..." Wu Songlin laughed.

Ruan Dongqing couldn't help but feel that this General was indeed very kind. Friendly, approachable, without airs, and very conscientious.

Wu Songlin picked up his teacup, gestured for Ruan to drink, and then took a sip himself. Stroking his beard, he said, "There's a small courtyard outside the city that's been vacant for a long time. The court has ordered me to find someone to take over..."

Hearing this, Ruan Dongqing was shocked...

It's over! Illegal occupation, now they’re going to take back the land!

He quickly clasped his hands and said, "I didn't know. Please forgive me, General. If the General has found a suitable person, I will move out immediately."

"No, no! Ah... please, calm down. I noticed you've already settled there, so why not let you manage the Old Tree Courtyard? After all, it's been vacant. Here is a letter along with the deed, please accept them."

With that, he handed the prepared letter to Ruan Dongqing.

The letter was long and more ornate than the primers Ruan was currently studying, but fortunately, he recognized enough characters to roughly understand its contents.

Learning that not only was he not being evicted, but the court had also entrusted him with the management of the courtyard, with a monthly salary exceeding one tael and six coins, he was overjoyed.

For more than a year, Ruan Dongqing had been living in hiding, fearing that if discovered by the soldiers, he and Hongyun would be left homeless.

He had to admit, luckily this world was vast and sparsely populated. He remembered, before traveling to this world, land was extremely valuable where he came from. After working for more than a decade, he might not have even owned a piece of land.

But here?

The court had given him a small mountain, only three miles from the big city. And not only for free, but they also provided him with a salary.

It truly was a blessing in disguise.

Ruan Dongqing was so overwhelmed by the unexpected good fortune that he hadn't yet fully grasped it.

He bowed to Wu Songlin and then, elated, left the General's mansion. As he exited, he vaguely heard someone say, "Get me a new pair of pants."

But he didn't pay much attention, thinking he might have misheard. Or, if General Wu Songlin really said that, it must be because his clothes were soaked with sweat and he wanted to change.

At the gate, he saw the soldiers had already brought his cart around, neatly reorganized the items he had bought at the market, and covered them with a tarp to shield from the sun. Ruan Dongqing quickly clasped his hands and thanked the soldiers, who returned the gesture, saying, "Safe travels, Mr. Bimo."

Ruan Dongqing placed his two animals on the cart, then flicked the reins, driving the ox cart slowly back to the Old Tree Courtyard.