Jiang Wen listened to their conversation, finding it strange that Chang Nian was constantly frightened. However, as an outsider, he didn't inquire about the reasons.
He watched the young man pace around, muttering anxiously, "What should I do? What should I do?"
"What's wrong?" Jiang Wen, seeing his state, asked.
Chang Nian stopped and looked at him, "Ah, esteemed guest, you don't understand. This is a family trouble, alas."
Chang Nian's wife, holding their child, stood aside. Seeing that Jiang Wen and Li Xiang Yue were handsome and neatly dressed, unlike ordinary travelers or merchants, she tugged at Chang Nian's sleeve and said with a smile, "These two honored guests must be the guests my husband is hosting. How can they be left standing at the door? Please, come inside, and I will tell you about our troubles."
Then, led by Chang's wife, the two entered the Chang family's house.
The Chang family was able to run a traveler's rest, indicating they had some capabilities. Not only did they have a courtyard of decent size, but the three houses with white walls and black tiles were much better than ordinary people's homes.
There were countless thatched and wooden houses outside, and being able to live in such tiled houses was considered well-off.
During their conversation, Jiang Wen learned that Chang Nian's ancestors had held official positions and had left this property behind in the capital after a hundred years.
Chang Nian had repeatedly failed the imperial examinations, and the family had no other income. Therefore, he could only run the traveler's rest to earn some money for living expenses.
After entering the house, Chang's wife went to comfort the child. Chang Nian busied himself, boiling water and making tea for Jiang Wen.
The three sat in the main room, and Chang Nian explained the matter in detail.
"Alas, it's a long story. Let me simply tell you a thing or two."
"It all started with the God-Worshipping Society's commotion in the capital half a year ago. They were originally unwelcome, but who knew they would later receive the Emperor's favor? I heard that they are going to hold some kind of spirit-summoning ceremony and need to select three thousand two hundred children from the capital. These children must be between three and nine years old, not older than ten. Any child selected will be forcibly taken away by the God-Worshipping Society. They say they will return the children after the spirit-summoning ceremony, but who knows if they really will?"
"I heard that this group of people was previously arrested by the government in Taicang for child trafficking. Now they have come to the capital and become arrogant, searching for children everywhere. If you don't give them a child, thugs will cause trouble at your home, making it impossible to have peace."
Jiang Wen frowned as he listened to Chang Nian's story.
The God-Worshipping Society's search for children was definitely not a good thing. He had seen such villains' actions before. Those children would probably never return after being taken away.
Thinking of this, Jiang Wen tentatively asked, "Did you report it to the authorities?"
"Alas, we did. But the government doesn't dare to interfere. I heard that the previous prefect who interfered in this matter died suddenly in the middle of the night. This matter caused a great uproar, but in the end, it was dropped. The neighbors all know it was the God-Worshipping Society's doing, but it's useless to report it. The God-Worshipping Society is deeply favored by the Emperor and naturally doesn't fear these things. What can we ordinary people do?" Chang Nian said, his face showing a look of distress. He didn't know what to do now that this had fallen on his head.
Jiang Wen took a sip of the tea, which was somewhat sweet. Then, he put down the teacup and pondered, "This matter is not without a solution."
"Sir, save me!" Chang Nian was overjoyed upon hearing this. He quickly stood up and bowed to Jiang Wen, calling him "Sir" repeatedly.
"Please, dispense with the formalities. This matter can be considered something I encountered as an injustice," Jiang Wen said to Chang Nian, asking him to prepare some things.
"I need three coins' worth of old wine and half a bowl of chicken blood. Also, a lock of your son's hair, plus three coins' worth of rice. Prepare these things, and I guarantee your child will be safe."
"I'll go take care of it right away. Please rest assured, sir," Chang Nian said hurriedly and eagerly went to do as he was told.
Chang's wife, hearing Chang Nian's instructions, led the two to their residence.
They were two nice rooms, cleaned well. Better than an inn, Jiang Wen was very satisfied and paid some extra money.
Li Xiang Yue put her things away and curiously asked Jiang Wen what he needed those things for. Jiang Wen smiled without saying a word, only pointing to the sky.
When Chang Nian returned with the items, he placed them in front of him.
"Sir, I have brought you the things you need," Chang Nian said breathlessly.
"Heavenly soldiers enforce the law, left and right divine power, nine uglinesses and eight fortresses, faintly calling the wind. Kunlun shakes, jade flute and golden bell, demon kings surrender, rushing fire rises into the sky."
After finishing the incantation, he opened his eyes.
He dipped the brush in wine and touched it to the yellow paper talisman.
He recited: "Taiyi ten gods, come and kill the yellow slaves, yin and yang intertwine, the Dipper stars respectfully."
"Ju xu xu li ji!"
After reciting, he picked up the yellow talisman.
Not one mistake, one head of hair, one content, one appearance, all in sight!
He saw that the lock of hair had already turned into part of the talisman.
Jiang Wen smilingly handed the talisman to Chang Nian, finding his stunned expression quite amusing.
"Place this talisman on your son's body, and it will ensure his peace for the rest of his life."
Chang Nian accepted the yellow talisman in a daze, finally understanding that the person before him was no ordinary man. He knelt on the ground with a thud and kowtowed to Jiang Wen, saying, "Thank you, immortal, for bestowing blessings! Thank you, immortal, for bestowing blessings! !"
"Haha, get up. What immortal am I?" Jiang Wen laughed and helped Chang Nian up. "I am but a cultivator, not an immortal."
"Immortal, you saved my child. You are the immortal in Chang Nian's heart," Chang Nian said, tears and snot running down his face, completely unlike an adult.
Jiang Wen was not annoyed by the sight and joked with him to ease the awkwardness.
In the evening, Chang's wife specially slaughtered a chicken to make dishes. Because the child had been saved and a benefactor was present.
The meal was indeed much more lavish.
Li Xiang Yue ate until her stomach was full and sat down to digest after returning to the room.
Jiang Wen stood by the window, and a white-furred fox crawled out of his arms.
The fox jumped onto the table, its eyes emitting a faint light. The room suddenly became silent, and no sound from outside could be heard.
Then, it transformed into a human form and sat on the table, staring at Jiang Wen.
"You troublesome fellow, you made me stay there for so long."
"You don't want to see anyone else, so I can only ask you to stay on my body," Jiang Wen said with a helpless smile.
This white fox was Bai Jing. She had been lying in Jiang Wen's arms as a fox all the way.
However, it would be more accurate to say that she was lying in the Qiankun (universe) space. Don't underestimate the small space in Jiang Wen's arms, after cultivating the 'Sleeve Universe,' it is no longer small. If he wanted, he could now fit a large mountain inside.
Bai Jing said that she didn't want to interact with mortals, so Jiang Wen had no choice but to ask her to live in the Sleeve Universe.
