"I think I can share half with you, you need some nourishment too." Wang Congshan said defiantly, quickly adding before the Wolf Demon could retort, "Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore. If you have time, come visit me. If you plan to visit my home, I’ll take down the protective charms in advance."
"We’ll talk about it later." Bai Huan smiled.
"I’ll be waiting for you." Wang Congshan also smiled, climbed onto the carriage, waved to everyone, "Until we meet again."
After Wang Congshan left, life at the Daoist Temple returned to peace.
Day by day passed.
Yan Zhengya felt like he had picked up two treasures when he found those two supernatural beings. At first, he thought Bai Huan was just nervous in front of Kong Hou and only talked nonsense about knowing carpentry. It turned out to be true.
Yuanyuan was dexterous and a good cook, handling chores like washing, cooking, and cleaning, taking care of everything at home. As for Bai Huan, he truly had great strength, could repair things, and was skilled at carpentry. The fence around the Daoist Temple, which had been dilapidated and crooked, now was a neat row of new wooden fences. Bai Huan painted all the doors of the Daoist Temple. He repaired all damaged areas.
On top of that, Bai Huan made several sets of furniture and even crafted a small set of furniture suitable for Maomao the pig: a small bed, a small chair, a small bathtub... so exquisite that Yan Zhengya found himself a bit envious.
The situation Yan Zhengya worried about, where the Wolf Demon would bully the Rabbit Demon, never happened. The wolf and the rabbit got along surprisingly harmoniously. You help me wash vegetables, and I’ll help you pass tools. Yan Zhengya watched as Maomao the pig ran after the chickens in the yard, smiling benevolently.
Ah, life is complete. Master, do you see this? I have a family now too.
However, it seems like I have the mindset of an old father; am I not even twenty yet? Yan Zhengya gazed at the sky, his emotions becoming complicated again.
Maomao the pig’s daily routine was just eating, sleeping, and playing. A pig’s life so blissful that Yan Zhengya envied it.
The peaceful days were disrupted one day.
Yan Zhengya received a summons from the Taoist Alliance.
To be precise, all Demon Exterminators received a summons from the Taoist Alliance, instructing all Demon Exterminators to gather at one place for an important matter.
At this moment, Tianmiao sat on a chair, looking at a letter in her hand, presented by the Alliance Hierarch. Her brows were tightly knit. Kong Hou and Dong Xiao stood beside her, feeling a bit uneasy. How long had it been since they last saw Tianmiao with such a grave expression?
In the Daoist Temple, Yan Zhengya looked at the letter in his hand, speechless for a long time.
He remembered the last time the Taoist Alliance issued such a notice, summoning all Demon Exterminators to deal with a powerful demon. Back then, he was still young, waiting at home for his master’s return. His master entrusted him to the care of a family in the village and only returned after more than a month.
When his master returned, his complexion was very bad. It was only later that he learned the demon extermination mission resulted in considerable casualties. His master survived because a senior had sacrificed themselves to save him. This event became a lifelong regret and heartache for his master.
"He told me I was still young, with room to grow, and to be a good Demon Exterminator and protect people. He said he was old, had lived long enough, and it was worth it." His usually carefree master, when speaking of this, couldn’t hold back the tears in his eyes.
Yan Zhengya put away the letter and went to find Yuanyuan and Bai Huan. He let Maomao the pig run freely among the chickens.
"I have to go out for a while, you both behave at home." Yan Zhengya said to Yuanyuan and Bai Huan, "I’ve put silver in the cabinet in my room, here’s the key, Yuanyuan you take it. I’ve buried the gold in a jar under my bed. If I don’t come back, please help take care of Maomao the pig."
"Where are you going?" Yuanyuan and Bai Huan asked simultaneously.