The sky was shrouded in heavy leaden clouds, with snowflakes swirling thickly.

Beside the desolate ferry dock lay a large ship, while on the shore nervous horses pawed the ground, steaming in the cold. Workers busily loaded and unloaded goods, and travelers shivered in line, preparing to board the vessel.

Since the founding of the Qian dynasty, Emperor Qianyuan has prioritized the connectivity of the canal as a key national policy. By now, there are various ferries along the route, and official ships crisscross back and forth, providing convenient passenger services.

At the bow of the ship, a man in a small dog-skin hat cupped his hands, breathed warmly on them, and shouted loudly:

"Hurry up, everyone! It's freezing today, and if we miss the time-slot, we'll have to spend the night on the river."

Nobody wanted to freeze all night on the boat in this weather, so people quickened their pace. In no time, the shore was empty, even the horses were coaxed onboard.

Just then, a shout echoed from afar,

"Boatman, wait for me!"

From the snow-covered woodlands on the mountain slope, a figure rushed swiftly towards them, a tall, fearsome Daoist in a black robe, riding a fierce, striped tiger. They moved like a gust of wind, leaving a long trail of snow mist behind.

The man at the ship's bow turned around, rubbed his eyes in disbelief, and then his face twisted in terror as he screamed hoarsely:

"Demon!"

"A demon is coming, hurry, set sail!"

A panic erupted on board with cries and people stumbling, while the boatmen rowed with all their might.

Zhang Kui reached the riverbank, staring in amazement as the large ship quickly sailed away, its passengers' faces marked by fear, gazing at him.

Fatty Tiger let out a low growl, shook off the snow clinging to its face, and grumbled discontentedly: "Taoist, these common folks are really easily frightened."

Zhang Kui shook his head slightly. Born with a striking appearance, and riding a demon tiger, it was no wonder ordinary people would be terrified upon seeing him.

It was over a thousand miles to the Capital City, and taking the land route was even more arduous with mountains to cross. He was no wildling; trudging through endless snow was indeed tedious.

"Oh!"

Suddenly, Zhang Kui's eyes gleamed as he took out a bone flute from his personal space and blew into it, channeling his mana.

The battle in Qingzhou brought rewards to many.

He and Zhu Sheng were a different story.

Wu Siyuan had completely secured his position in Qingzhou, and having accomplished much would be promoted to a major role in one of the Six Departments after three years.

Eunuch Yin was in a similar situation.

The one with significant gains was Old Huang, the patriarch of the Qingzhou yellow weasel clan, who was granted a mountain by the Court as a clan territory.

Moreover, Wu Siyuan appreciated their intelligence capabilities and wrote a confidential letter to nurture them.

In this world rampant with demons, the Huang family's days weren't easy, with low mana, many had to secretly serve as family guardian immortals to make a living.

Not only did they have to evade demons, but also avoid the Astronomical Bureau.

Now they had a backing; it was said that when Old Huang established their mountain territory, yellow weasels from nearby states came to join them.

The ferry dock lay on the border of Lai State and Qingzhou, it should still hold some sway.

Sure enough, after a quarter-hour, a small head popped out in the snow — a yellow weasel wearing a padded jacket.

Seeing Zhang Kui and Fatty Tiger, the little creature was not fearful but rather excited, quickly running over to bow deeply.

"Little Huang Sanmei pays respects to True Man Zhang."

The Huang family named themselves simply, usually ranking by litter size, males called 'Lang' and females 'Mei.'

"You know me?"

Zhang Kui chuckled wryly, "Old Zhang is not a True Man."

Huang Sanmei smiled obsequiously,

"Ancestor Huang showed us your portrait, said it's only a matter of time before you become a True Man, and notably, you're a great support for our Huang family."

This Old Huang really knows how to curry favor…

Zhang Kui was a bit speechless.

Huang Sanmei beamed with excitement, "True Man Zhang, what commands do you have for summoning me?"

Zhang Kui thought for a moment, no longer courteous,

"I need to go to the Capital City, can you help find a ship?"

"Yes, yes, please wait a moment, True Man."

Huang Sanmei nodded quickly and disappeared into the storm.

Zhang Kui wasn't concerned; if the Huang family associated with someone, even simple small spells could bring prosperity to their host family.

Of course, these guys are very clever and typically discreet. If discovered and reported for overstepping, it would draw the Astronomical Bureau's attention.

Soon, an upstream boat arrived, though battered, it was large enough and had a boat pavilion to shield from wind and snow.

Once moored, a chubby man in a padded coat disembarked, greeted Zhang Kui with a bow, "Little Zhao Fugui meets True Man, the boat is ready, please proceed."

Zhang Kui nodded, boarded with Fatty Tiger into the boat pavilion.

Zhao Fugui's preparations were meticulous, not only stocking wine and meat, but also coaching the boatmen, who, despite trembling at the sight of Fatty Tiger, diligently performed their duties.

The boat drifted slowly away from the dock, on the shore Zhao Fugui and Huang Sanmei were still bowing and gesturing farewell.

Zhang Kui slightly shook his head; initially, he intended to give some silver, but the other party wouldn't accept.

Unlike Zhu Sheng, Old Huang was still of the demon race. If advantages were taken too much, it might lead to future conflicts.

However, once at the Capital, there would be no more worries.

He planned to start alchemy and would have plenty to reward them with.

"Three Mountains, Four Caves, and Five Water Mansions," he couldn't provoke now, but the mundane evil demons were well concealed, Qingzhou, due to its particular circumstances, gathered so many demons and evil spirits.

In the future, leveling up might slow down considerably.

Yet, increasing strength had another method, which was through alchemy, consuming pills. Though slower than using skill points, it was still a path.

Alchemy is laborious, time-consuming, and costly.

But truth be told, he wasn't short on money. Not to mention, the silver earned from exorcising demons, he'd also amassed burial gold from the Tian Mountain Ancient Tomb Secret Realm, and fiery wine "Heroic Blood" was a hot seller in the Capital.

Liu Mao'Er had been helping acquire rare medicinal herbs, enough possibly to start the pill furnace.

Thinking of this, Zhang Kui used his last two skill points, clicking twice mentally.

Stone Boiling Skill (Level 1): Passive Skill

Skill Description: For all sorts of Five Metals and Eight Stones, refine them into medicinal substances for consumption, learn the skill of metal-stone alchemy.

Eating Skill (Level 1): Passive Skill

Skill Description: Gather Essence of Yin Wood to refine spirit pills for ingestion, seeking immortality, cure all ailments or neutralize various toxins. Learn the alchemy of herbs and trees.

Indeed, in the "Seventy-Two Demons Technique," alchemy was divided into metal-stone and herb-tree kinds, and soon all pill formulas, refining methods, and mastery seeped into his mind.

Zhang Kui sat cross-legged, closing his eyes in contemplation.

"So that's how a pill furnace works… don't know if there's one of those here; tsk… if not, I'd have to build one myself…"

"The 'Celestial Nine Pills' requires jade shavings, cinnabar, sea soul, mercury… tsk, hope it doesn't poison…"

"The 'Yellow Jade Pill' formula seems more dependable, but what in the world is Blood Jade Ginseng…"

Unconsciously, when Zhang Kui opened his eyes again, the night had already fallen outside the cabin, Fatty Tiger was snoring soundly on the floor.

The outside was pitch black, the wind and snow still raging.

Even though neither he nor Fatty Tiger feared the cold or heat, the boatman lit an oil lamp and warmed the wine on a small stove, respectfully asked, "True Man, would you like some food?"

"No need, it's cold today, you all take care."

"Thank you for your concern, True Man, we're used to it."

After the boatman left, Zhang Kui leaned by the window, sipping his wine, half-closing his eyes with a yawn.

Suddenly, a boatman exclaimed outside,

"What… what is that?"

Zhang Kui frowned, instantly darted out of the cabin, standing on the deck.

Looking out, he saw a faint blue glow on the river's surface in the distance, as if something was illuminating from beneath the waters.

Nearby, a small boat was moored, an old woman was kneeling on the deck, repeatedly kowtowing, her face greenish pale, dark liquid streaming from her hollow eyes…

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