Chen Xu believed that most coincidences in the world, when they become too coincidental, often have the possibility of being man-made.

The main reason was that the timing of Xie Huaizheng's death matched too seamlessly with Lady Xie falling into the water.

Of course, conclusions cannot be drawn based purely on conjecture.

Therefore, after sending off the Tray Ghost, Chen Xu immediately brought the little hedgehog and little mouse to find a secluded courtyard for temporary lodging in Pingyang City.

The darkness before dawn had passed, and everything that happened in the Ghost Market dissipated like a dream.

A rising sun leapt on the horizon, with winding rays of light dyeing the clouds like layers upon layers of an Immortal Mountain.

Occasional birds chirped, their clear cries echoing under the morning eaves and treetops.

The South City was relatively less crowded, and the landlord was a woman in her thirties, quick-witted and decisive in her actions.

She handed over all the furnishings and the key to the courtyard to Chen Xu, then left happily with three taels of silver coins.

When neighbors asked her who she rented the courtyard to, she just smiled and said, "How would I know who he is? We are not the Government Office checking household registrations.

He looked cultured, with an extraordinary aura, probably a scholar, right?

Or perhaps a young aristocrat on a study tour?"

"Oh my," the neighbor exclaimed in surprise, "a young aristocrat? I don't believe it. If he really were a young aristocrat, why would he stay in our South City?"

The landlady laughed and said, "Isn't the North City about to open the Imperial Examination Hall for local exams? That area used to be quiet and elegant, but not now.

With so many people, there are bound to be problems, so why not come to our South City?

Isn't our place peaceful, aren't our folkways good?"

The neighbor lady immediately straightened her chest, slightly tilted her chin, and said proudly, "Indeed, our Xinrong Lane, even if not everyone is prominent, they are well-known figures.

Who isn't from an affluent family? Who isn't easy to get along with?"

The landlady's few words established an image of Chen Xu as someone not easy to provoke, and also boosted the ever-curious neighbor.

Then she walked out of the neighborhood satisfied, thinking about buying a piece of pork for her children at the morning market for a feast at home.

Alas, her deceased husband had his leg broken over a dispute, what could she do?

She had to stand firm by herself, hoping that the old house was truly peaceful now, and wouldn't cause any trouble for the tenant, Mr. Chen.

The so-called old house of the landlady was the courtyard Chen Xu rented this morning.

He chose this small courtyard from the vast South City area because using the Tide Watching Technique, he sensed that the Spiritual Qi here was slightly more abundant than other places.

Of course, it was just a bit more abundant, a small fluctuation that most cultivators wouldn't even notice.

Only Chen Xu, with his exceptionally keen perception, chose this place.

Once he moved in, Chen Xu discovered that the abundance of Spiritual Qi might be coming from the pomegranate tree in the courtyard.

Or perhaps it's the well under the pomegranate tree.

Indeed, the well had long dried up, otherwise the landlady's family wouldn't have moved out and gotten another place.

Chen Xu carefully sensed that the pomegranate tree did not have full spiritual intelligence to become a tree demon.

The slight abundance of Spiritual Qi here might be because of the well in the courtyard.

The water vein below the well was once connected to the main spiritual vein of Pingyang City, hence a slight overflow of Spiritual Qi.

But now, with the water vein dried up, only a residue of Spiritual Qi remained.

As people often say about auspicious places, this small courtyard once had excellent feng shui.

Since the water vein dried up, the feng shui was destroyed and its former advantages disappeared.

Nevertheless, lodging here to prepare for exams is better than elsewhere.

After settling down, Chen Xu released the little hedgehog and little mouse from the Demon Heart Lotus Room.

The Demon Heart Lotus Room was transformed by him using the Omniform Talisman into a lotus-fruit-shaped hairpin, combined with the Water Soul Pearl turned into a hairband. Carrying these two treasures made Chen Xu appear like a wealthy young master.

That was unexpected for him.

The little mouse stretched lazily and stood on the windowsill, joyfully exclaimed:

"Scholar, is this our residence in Pingyang City? The houses here are better than the old house we had in Jichuan County."

Indeed, in Jichuan County, Chen Xu rented a rundown small courtyard.

Now, although this courtyard is also not large, it is well-kept, clean, and tidy, with the buildings repaired, looking fresh and elegant.

With dark tiles and white walls, green trees in the courtyard. Even the window frames are simply carved, with sunlight casting patterned shadows through.

The little mouse cheered, but then added, "But somehow, I still feel Jichuan County's house is the best, it was our home.

The porridge Scholar cooked was sweet, and he was kind, willing to leave us two bowls of porridge at night even though we are mice."

Speaking this far, thinking of Master Jiu who turned into Shejun Sand in the stomach, made it melancholic.

The little mouse didn't want its sadness to affect Chen Xu, so it quickly changed the topic, saying: "But this pomegranate tree is really well-grown, Scholar, let me pick a blossom for you!"

It excitedly squeaked and leapt from the window onto the pomegranate tree outside.

The pomegranate blossoms were as red as fire, blooming on the strong, verdant branches.

Bright breezes carried a garden's full fragrance.

Chen Xu opened the window wide, gazing at the sunlight, the pomegranate tree, and the little mouse on it, a slight smile appeared on his face.

Wei Yuan, carrying its book box, stood on the table by the window, sometimes looking at the mouse outside, sometimes at Chen Xu who seemed to be about to read or write.

It seemed hesitant, pondering whether to go outside and play or stay inside and study with Chen Xu.

Chen Xu couldn't help but smile again and said, "Ah Yuan, diligent study doesn't all happen at once, balance between work and leisure is important.

If you don't want to idle, why not take Ah Shi to thoroughly check this courtyard?

If there's anything unusual, report it to me promptly. If not, consider it familiarizing with the territory and leave some marks."

Upon hearing this, Wei Yuan's eyes immediately lit up.

It quickly responded, "Don't worry, Brother Chen, I'll go right away!"

Saying so, it leapt and swiftly climbed the pomegranate tree with its book box.

But before leaving, Wei Yuan didn't forget to take out the "Talisman" book and the "Chronicles of the Strange and Mysterious" for Chen Xu.

These two books contained many mysteries, always fresh for Chen Xu no matter how many times he read them.

Chen Xu accepted them with a smile.

After the two little demons ran off to play in the courtyard, he thought about how he should chop wood soon and make some toys like swings for the two little demons in the courtyard.

At the same time, Chen Xu took out the Spiritual Cicada Jade Robe.

After over a month, it was time to once again activate the Spiritual Cicada Jade Robe.

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