Zhou Huan’s question rather amused the elder who had come out. After all, Zhou Huan wasn't related to the young woman, so why was he suddenly showing concern for her affairs? That was typically a question asked by family. In the elder’s view, Zhou Huan seemed quite taken with this young woman named Fang Fang.

“You rascal, I just saved your life! A moment ago you were calling me benefactor, and now you don’t even recognize me?” The elder feigned anger, which only made Zhou Huan feel more embarrassed.

“Elder, I apologize, I meant to say…”

Before Zhou Huan could finish, the elder stopped him. “Nothing to be embarrassed about. Tell me, what brings you all here?”

Just as he finished speaking, a small rabbit hopped and skipped out of the room. This was the same rabbit that had just killed three tigers. The moment it saw Zhou Huan’s two crimson eyes, it stared intently, then sprang high into the air and landed squarely on Zhou Huan, gnawing fiercely at his clothes with its two long rabbit teeth.

“Hey, little fellow, what are you doing?”

“He likes you! Hmph, don’t touch my little rabbit!” Another person emerged from the house—it was Xiao Yun, the girl Zhou Huan had seen on the mountain earlier.

This grandparent and grandchild actually shared the surname Yun. They were all that remained of the family: the elder was called Old Yun, and his granddaughter was Xiao Yun. Though it sounded a bit unconventional, it was rather charming.

Seeing that the whole family—except for the old lady—was gathered, Zhou Huan casually said, “Xiao Fang, didn’t you mention there was a grandmother?” With that, Zhou Huan finally found a legitimate excuse for himself. He wouldn't have to reveal his true purpose of seeking tutelage, thus saving face, while also explaining his presence: “I have come to pay my respects to your grandmother. To encounter a family like yours in this remote mountain wilderness is truly rare, so I must pay a visit regardless. If possible, the few of us would like to request lodging for another night, and we shall depart tomorrow after making our proper preparations.”

After speaking, Zhou Huan looked quite pleased with himself, feeling he had found a proper and reasonable justification.

However, the young woman named Xiao Fang frowned. “You know my grandmother? I’ve never heard of that. I only know that my grandmother and my Grandpa Yun were fellow disciples, but as for you all, who exactly are you?”

“This!” Zhou Huan hesitated for a moment, then thought, since they were staying overnight, he might as well reveal his purpose. After all, these people didn't seem malicious. He continued, “Oh, we are heading toward the Capital. Traveling day after day has left us quite weary, and on top of that, we fought tigers today and received quite a scare. We are certainly exhausted. If we were to sleep outside again, I fear my apprentices would suffer!”

“Oh? You have apprentices? And what lineage do you hail from?” the elder inquired. Just then, another person emerged from the house. This individual appeared extremely aged, struggling to walk; it was the old woman, her hair entirely white, finding it difficult even to keep her eyes open.

“Why is it so lively today? Two more people heading to the Capital have arrived. This place is truly strange; perhaps it is a blessed spot that everyone wishes to come to and absorb some spiritual essence!” The old lady spoke with profound kindness. Though her face was a tapestry of wrinkles, it was easy to see she was an exceptionally benevolent soul.

When Zhou Huan and Tian Lang saw them appear, the entire family, including the little rabbit, had gathered, which made them feel a bit awkward.

The old lady then said gently, “Ah, since you’ve come, you are guests. Come, let’s go inside and talk!”

At the old lady’s word, everyone followed them into the house. Zhou Huan and Tian Lang felt genuinely sheepish but went in nonetheless.

Upon entering, the old lady asked, “What are the two of you going to the Capital for? Judging by your appearance, you must be going to participate in that so-called ‘Dharma Assembly’?”

When Zhou Huan heard this, he realized this elder was truly remarkable. He hadn't mentioned the assembly, so how could she possibly know?

“Don’t be surprised. That assembly is the biggest event in the Capital this year. Moreover, anyone from the north traveling to the Capital must pass by here. I see many travelers, so I deduced it.” As she spoke, the old lady picked up two pieces of fruit and handed them to Zhou Huan and Tian Lang. “Attending the Dharma Assembly is a good thing for young people like you. My grandson went there long ago. However, I suspect you are rather late. If you go now, you probably won’t even find lodging.”

“What? Elder, you aren’t joking, are you? If we arrive in three days, there are still over half a month until it begins. You mean there’s no place to stay?” Zhou Huan asked, only to see the old lady and the elder begin to laugh.

“It seems this is your first time attending the Dharma Assembly. Usually, those planning to go reside there half a year, or even a full year, in advance to familiarize themselves with the situation, or they book rooms ahead of time. For people like you, you’ll likely end up sleeping in the main square of the assembly grounds.”

Listening to them, Zhou Huan realized they seemed intimately familiar with the Dharma Assembly. Perhaps this trip hadn't been in vain; gaining more insight into the assembly was certainly beneficial. Zhou Huan then said, “The elders speak the truth. It seems we might indeed have to sleep in the square. Might the two esteemed elders enlighten us juniors about what you know concerning the Dharma Assembly?”

“Hahaha, very well! But we also plan to set off tomorrow to join the fun!” the elder said with a smile.

Zhou Huan felt a surge of hope. These two elders seemed very approachable and held no ill intent. This made Zhou Huan think that perhaps traveling alongside the elder earlier had been a good thing after all. It seemed his luck was turning for the better after slaying those tigers.

“Regarding the Dharma Assembly, the very first thing you must know is something extremely important!”

Just as the elder began to speak, everyone in the room suddenly smelled a foul, acrid odor of burning paper. The wind outside the small courtyard began to howl fiercely, causing the branches in the surrounding woods to crash against each other with a loud swish-swish.

The moment Zhou Huan smelled it—he was a Diviner (Shoushi)—even if his abilities were diminished, he knew the basic principles. If this smell wasn't man-made, it definitely meant some ghostly entity was manifesting. Combined with the violent wind, it certainly indicated something like a demonic spirit, something far more potent than mere wandering ghosts.

“Elders, do you smell anything?” Zhou Huan asked tentatively. He didn't want to state it outright; after all, he couldn't reveal too much of himself in front of two senior figures.

Of those in the room, only Zhou Huan and the two elders reacted with discernible tension to the smell; everyone else was completely oblivious.

Tian Lang spoke ignorantly, “Isn’t that the smell of burning paper? Is someone burning offerings here?”

The two elders remained silent. Their previously relaxed and amiable expressions instantly soured with worry. “Ah, the smell of burning paper. Master Zhou, it seems you are truly an exceptional person. In this room, besides the two of us, you are the only one reacting so strongly. Everyone else is just listlessly reacting based on crude instinct.”

Truly, the older the ginger, the spicier it is. The two elders immediately saw through Zhou Huan’s state of mind, which compelled Zhou Huan to admire their worldly experience.

“May I ask the two seniors, what exactly is happening with this smell?” Zhou Huan asked with utmost humility.

Elder Yun closed his eyes and remained quiet for a long moment. “It seems our old acquaintances have arrived. They always bring a strong smell of burning paper wherever they go. It’s truly troublesome; they still haven’t kicked that awful habit after all this time.”

“Old acquaintances? Grandpa Yun, then let’s invite them in! Since we are taking in Master Zhou and his group, we certainly don't mind a few more people!” Xiao Fang sounded quite naive, lacking social experience.

The old lady smiled at this moment. “Child, you don’t understand. How about this, Master Zhou, it seems we cannot shelter you today. Not only that, but we also need to entrust you with a matter. I can see that you are a person of some standing, so I can only entrust this task to you.”

Hearing this, Zhou Huan immediately felt a sense of importance. What exactly was happening?

For more novels, visit storyread.net.