FS-novel #322 - Want to hide? No way!
#322 - Want to hide? No way!
A moment later.
Governor Pan personally came to invite Xu Chengxian to take his seat.
After arriving at the main hall of the mansion, he was invited to sit down.
At this time, several people were already seated at the table.
Among them were three beautiful women who looked to be of similar age, and a young boy of twelve or thirteen.
Seeing Xu Chengxian arrive, the group stood up to greet him.
"Daoist Xu, this is my humble wife, Madam Liu," Governor Pan introduced, gesturing to the beautiful woman beside him.
"Greetings, Daoist Xu," the beautiful woman said, bowing again.
Next, Governor Pan introduced the remaining three people in turn.
The other two beautiful women, similar in age to Madam Pan, included his younger aunt in red, and his sister in green who had married out but was temporarily staying at his home while visiting.
Because Governor Pan's parents had passed away, his aunt and sister both lived in his home.
As for the young boy, he was naturally the young master of the mansion, Governor Pan's youngest son.
The boy's complexion was a little pale, but his eyes were bright and he looked very clever.
Although he appeared dignified and respectful on the surface, he had been secretly sizing up Xu Chengxian and the others ever since they entered.
This was only natural.
On the contrary, the younger aunt in red and the sister in green behaved somewhat strangely.
"Daoist Xu, please take your seat," Governor Pan said, extending his hand to invite Xu Chengxian after everyone had exchanged greetings.
"Thank you, Sir," Xu Chengxian returned the greeting with a single palm, then waved his horsetail whisk. "However, I only feel at ease when these two are within my sight. I wonder if they can sit with us?"
"Of course, of course," Governor Pan nodded in agreement.
"That's good," Xu Chengxian said with a smile. "Oh, right, I also have a servant following me. Since there is good wine and good food today, I'll let it share in the feast as well, is that alright?"
Governor Pan naturally nodded in agreement again.
So, since the table was large enough and there were plenty of seats, Xu Chengxian simply allowed Big Black to reveal its form in front of everyone, and join in the eating and drinking.
This was to prevent it from secretly stealing food out of greed, causing the dishes to disappear into thin air and frightening people.
This fellow had recently developed a habit of playing tricks on people.
The Pan family's reactions to this varied, but since Governor Pan did not speak, no one else asked any questions.
However, seeing this big black sheep suddenly appear, sitting on a chair like a human, and using a front hoof to tap on the chopsticks, waving them around to pick up dishes everywhere, most people would inevitably reveal a bit of an unnatural expression.
Either fear, surprise, or even disgust.
Many mortals, especially those from wealthy families, had a strong aversion to demons like Big Black.
But the people in front of him, except for that young boy, all seemed overly calm.
"Interesting."
Xu Chengxian's divine sense returned to his main body, glanced at these people, and then returned to his clone, raising an eyebrow involuntarily.
He thought to himself, "Well, well."
Sure enough, this family was all deeply hidden.
And then there was their family's aunt.
Her current appearance was concealed by magic; it was not her original appearance.
"No wonder Big Black said there was a mysterious case of a true and false aunt in the Pan family," he glanced at Governor Pan, who was diligently urging him to eat and drink, and thought, "On the contrary, this head of the family is pitifully normal."
It was not easy being middle-aged.
He bore the responsibility of the whole family, young and old.
He had to worry about his own child's life, and also fret about the troubles brought by his elders.
For these things, even as a local warlord with the emperor far away, he had to endure extreme anxiety and flatter him, this Daoist.
"Governor, you received Old Qin's letter, right?" Xu Chengxian couldn't help but ask.
Seeing Governor Pan constantly trying to find the right words in his mind, and seeing him being urged by his wife to speak, he felt a little unbearable.
Watching him, so shrewd and smooth yet so timid, was simply because he was being overly cautious, afraid of offending him.
Old Pan was not having an easy time.
He decided to be a good person and offer him a ladder.
"Yes, yes, I received it," Governor Pan said immediately with a smile. "Yesterday, I received a letter from my cousin, knowing that Daoist Xu was coming. My wife and I were so happy that we didn't sleep a wink.
"We were eagerly waiting for the Daoist to come here quickly, to save my young son's life!"
Hearing Xu Chengxian call Qin Hong "Old Qin," there was a bit more relaxation in his smile.
Although Qin Hong and he were distant relatives, the two had a good relationship and knew each other well.
Since Xu Chengxian's relationship with Qin Hong was close, and he was willing to come here, then the matter of saving his son had a seventy to eighty percent chance of success.
"Old Qin has already told me about this. I have also seen your young master. There is not much karmic burden on him. I will take care of this matter," Xu Chengxian said very readily.
"That's good, that's good!" Governor Pan was overjoyed.
As for worrying about whether Xu Chengxian had the ability to do this?
Judging from the hints revealed in Qin Hong's letter, there should be no problem.
"Senior Brother Xu, I'll toast you a cup," Governor Pan's sister, Pan Ziyu, stood up with a smile at this time. Without waiting for Xu Chengxian to speak, she drank the wine in her cup and said, "I wonder, Senior Brother, where did you learn your skills?"
"Hmm? What do you mean by asking this, Junior Sister?" Xu Chengxian sensed that the other party had revealed her magical power aura and didn't pretend to be foolish, but asked in return.
"Senior Brother, I have also cultivated with my master for some years and have some magical power," Pan Ziyu said with a smile.
"Ziyu!" Governor Pan hurriedly wanted to stop his sister from speaking.
Pan Ziyu ignored him.
She continued, "Unfortunately, my master is a rogue cultivator without a sect or lineage. Therefore, the matter of extending my nephew's life, although it can pass the gate of the Underworld, cannot pass the Heavenly Court's surveillance."
The meaning of this was to inquire about his origins and confirm Xu Chengxian's background.
This was to determine whether he could accomplish the task.
"I cannot tell you my lineage," Xu Chengxian smiled. "Governor Pan, Old Qin should have also informed you of some of my origins. Therefore, you should not ask."
"Then…" Pan Ziyu wanted to say more.
"I will do my best to save people if I agree to it," Xu Chengxian raised his hand to interrupt her. "As for whether or not you want me to save him, it depends on you."
"Save him, we want to save him!" Governor Pan said, "Daoist, if it is to save my son, if there is anything you need me to do, just tell me! I also have some wealth, even if it means selling everything I own, I will…"
"It won't come to that, it won't come to that. You only need to build a temple for our Lady White," Xu Chengxian laughed. "Don't worry, whether or not I can save him won't cost you much money."
"Old Pan, don't make it seem like we're plotting to take your family's property; that's not good."
"Yes, yes," Governor Pan chuckled twice.
After laughing, he opened his mouth, wanting to say something but stopping.
But this time, Xu Chengxian saw it but didn't pick up the thread.
He had already achieved his goal and didn't want to add trouble to himself.
"Daoist Xu, I have something…" Governor Pan still opened his mouth.
"Oh, I'm a little tired," Xu Chengxian wanted to avoid it.
【Ding dong!】
【The host has a new task!】
【Task content: Please find out the truth about the true and false Pan family daughter. Task completion will be rewarded with: Refinement Points * 100】
"…"