The night sky was gloomy, with a waning moon half-hidden by drifting clouds, floating uncertainly among the unevenly hanging clouds, casting flickering shadows over the wild forest.

A row of lights flickered faintly along the forest path, gradually approaching, and one could vaguely see someone holding a torch aloft, and another carrying a lantern.

The cart wheels creaked, and amidst the swaying torches, tired faces were clearly discernible, occasionally glancing nervously back.

At the front of the group, a middle-aged man with a long beard and a large spear on his back let out a sigh of relief and said:

"Big brother, we should have shaken off that little thief."

Beside him, a tall, long-faced man frowned deeply, "We must not be careless, this journey concerns the life and death of our escort agency, we mustn't fail!"

The middle-aged man next to him nodded, turned to look around, "Big brother, the brothers have taken the trail for a whole day, should we find a place to rest?"

The long-faced man glanced back at the dozens of weary men, pondered for a moment, "Brothers, once we pass through this dense forest, let's find a clearing to camp."

"Yes, leader!"

The men in the back immediately showed expressions of joy.

After a while, the forest gradually thinned, and the long-bearded middle-aged man swiftly leapt up a tree, looked ahead, and his eyes widened with a hint of surprise.

He descended, clasped his fists, and smiled:

"Big brother, our luck has turned, there's actually a mountain manor ahead, and it's lit."

The long-faced man's eyes narrowed slightly,

"Let's go and take a look."

The two walked out of the forest, and saw a sizable estate nestled in the mountain cove ahead, with high gates and big courtyards, surrounded by ancient trees, with faint lights visible and the sound of silk and bamboo instruments wafting through.

The long-faced man frowned, "How could there be such a large household in this wilderness, could it be a place for some demon ghosts..."

The long-bearded middle-aged man chuckled, "Big brother, I don't think so, the environment here is beautiful, it must be the secluded home of a wealthy family, if we ask to stay for the night, they shouldn't mind."

"Hold on a second..."

The long-faced man took out a talisman from his bosom, held it between his fingers, and checked outside. Instantly, he breathed a sigh of relief, "It's not an illusion skill, go knock on the door."

The group came in front of the mansion, seeing blue stone slabs paving the way outside, neatly trimmed grass, they felt more at ease.

After three knocks, the door creaked open, revealing a kind-looking young man in a blue cap, who paused when he saw them,

"Gentlemen, what brings you here?"

The long-faced man hurriedly clasped his hands, "I am Chen Yuanbai from the Qingyuan Escort Agency in Lu City, passing by your estate, we hope to stay for the night and will leave tomorrow."

The servant gave them a deep look, "Please wait a moment, I will inform the old madam."

Saying so, he closed the door again.

After a while, the servant opened the courtyard gate wide, smiling, "You are indeed in good timing, my family's old madam is celebrating her birthday with a banquet, please come in and join the feast."

Chen Yuanbai quickly declined,

"How could we impose?"

The servant smiled slightly, his expression becoming even more amiable,

"It's nothing, our old madam loves having company..."

Unable to refuse, they were invited into the main courtyard hall, which featured scattered bamboo groves and rows of lanterns lighting up the hall brightly.

In the main hall sat an old lady in splendid clothing, leaning on a jujube-wood cane, with white hair and a kind face.

On either side below were rows of small tables, an elderly man with a long black beard on the left and a handsome scholar on the right, the three were joyfully drinking and chatting.

Nearby, maids either played music or served wine at the side.

Chen Yuanbai was startled, this was clearly the demeanor of a wealthy family, and their party was covered in mud, which made him feel a bit restrained.

New tables and cushions were set up below, the old lady kindly gestured with her hand, "Travelers, you must be exhausted from your journey, please feel free."

After speaking, she resumed talking with the scholar and the old man, seemingly paying them no mind.

Seeing the host behaving this way, the people from Qingyuan Escort Agency actually felt relieved and less restrained.

Soon, dishes and wine were served, with roasted chicken and braised duck smelling enticing, the group, having eaten dry rations for several days, immediately began salivating and devoured the food ravenously.

Chen Yuanbai, feeling a bit rude, quickly stood up with his cup of wine, "I toast to the old madam."

The white-haired old lady nodded with a smile,

"Much appreciated, guest."

Chen Yuanbai bowed, drank his wine in one go, then sat down and continued eating with his men.

The old man and the scholar looked at them with a faint smile as they held their wine cups.

Meanwhile, the young servant who had opened the door hurried to the backyard kitchen, urgently instructing:

"Prepare, the old madam wishes to eat 'drifter'."

The busy cook looked up, revealing itself as a furry giant spider, but with the head of a middle-aged man.

The spider monster complained, "The storeroom is empty, where can I find people to eat in the dead of night?"

The servant chuckled, "They delivered themselves to the door, a dozen of them, all tough-skinned Jianghu people."

"A dozen?"

The Spider Monster was taken aback, "I must prepare well for this."

As he spoke, he sharpened several knives in his many hands, murmuring to himself, "These 'drunken ones' have to be eaten alive to stay fresh. The cuts must be quick — 360 slices. I better sharpen the knives well..."

Meanwhile, the people from Qingyuan Escort Agency had already filled their bellies, yet the wine in the pot only grew more fragrant.

As the liquor went down their throats, it was sharp and aromatic, opening their pores and leaving their whole beings with a fragrant scent.

They usually drank cheap wine, so after tasting this, they kept downing cup after cup.

The Spider Monster's chef had already come out of the kitchen and was waiting behind the curtain of the side room in the hall, holding several gleaming knives, just waiting to showcase his skills.

Suddenly, he sniffed the air, "The timing is almost right, just perfectly semi-drunk."

Just as he was about to lift the curtain, a servant in green walked into the hall from the courtyard, cupped his hands, and said:

"Madam, there's a young swordfighter knocking at the door, wanting to stay over."

The white-haired old lady sitting in the hall chuckled softly,

"It's lively today, let him in."

Behind the curtain, the Spider Monster paused, "Someone else?"

He hesitated for a moment, "The madam is generous, and today there are guests, having one more is good."

Then, he continued to wait patiently.

A short while later, the servant in green led a young man through the door. The youth was dressed in rags, carrying a sword in his arms, but his face was clean, with a mischievous grin clenching a reed in his teeth.

"Ah, just in time for a feast. I'm quite hungry, thank you, madam."

The old lady on the dais was about to speak when the group from Qingyuan Escort Agency suddenly stood up with a clang, drawing their weapons, their faces showing surprise, "It's you, you little thief!"

The young swordfighter chuckled,

"It's me, what a coincidence."

"Everyone!"

The white-haired old lady's face immediately turned somber, "Today is my birthday banquet, what are you all doing with your weapons out?"

Chen Yuanbai already a bit drunk, with his knife in hand, cupped his hands and replied, "Madam, this person is a bandit, he's been troubling us along the way. I'm here to take care of him."

The young swordfighter retorted with a cold smile,

"Lu City is plagued with corpse disaster, yet the damn official embezzled the people's relief funds. Do you even know the goods you're escorting are stolen silver?"

"Nonsense!"

Chen Yuanbai shouted angrily, "This obviously belongs to Landlord Li's silk shop."

The old lady on the dais was already showing some impatience, her eyes momentarily became double-pupil before reverting back, "No matter your grievances, you should settle them after the banquet."

The young swordfighter and Chen Yuanbai glanced at each other, both snorting and taking a seat.

Like roosters squaring off, they stared at each other for a while. The young swordfighter sniffed the air, unable to resist taking a sip from his wine cup, his eyes lighting up.

"Good wine!"

Both sides stared each other down with wide eyes, not letting go of their wine cups, unwittingly drinking glass after glass...

The old lady on the dais had a glint of ruthlessness between her brows, while behind the curtain, the Spider Monster chef sniffed the air, mumbling to himself, "A little bit longer, it'll be perfect soon..."

However, just then, the servant in green burst in again, looking tense, "Mad…Madam, another wild Daoist has come…"

Before he had finished, a tall figure strode into the hall, accompanied by hearty laughter.

"Didn't expect to catch a feast in progress, am I welcome, Old Zhang?"

It was Zhang Kui.

The black-robed elder and scholar on the dais turned pale, while the white-haired old lady squinted slightly, gripping her cane tightly.

"Of course, Daoist, make yourself at home."

Zhang Kui chuckled, casually taking a seat, sniffed the air, and said with a playful smile, "The food's great, the wine's great, but it's a pity I can't partake in madam's grand feast."

"There's a grand feast?"

The young swordfighter, already a little tipsy, his eyes lit up.

"Of course..."

Zhang Kui blinked,

"The grand feast, is you…"

As soon as he spoke, the side curtain in the hall suddenly tore apart. A giant spider with a human head dashed out frantically, waving six kitchen knives.

"Overcooked, overcooked..."

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