Chapter 1626: I, Gui Cang the Humble Monk, Have Come to Seek Donor Zhou (First Update)

Before long, the news of Zhou Qing’s appearance at the Third Tail spread rapidly.

Particularly, rumors about his severe injuries attracted countless covetous eyes, and various factions secretly searched for his whereabouts.

While Zhou Qing was playing with Yaoyao, he was astonished when he heard the news Yu Yan brought back.

Ever since he arrived at the Third Tail, he had never shown his face to outsiders, so how did the Yan Family know he was here?

“It seems they deduced it from the traces of my battle with Yan Wuxin,” Zhou Qing muttered thoughtfully, “I underestimated their abilities.”

However, there was no need to worry.

As long as he didn’t expose himself, finding him in the vast Third Tail would be like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Moreover, he still had the Transforming Puppet given by Second Uncle as a backup plan.

…

A month quickly passed.

The injuries Zhou Qing incurred during his fight with Yan Wuxin were mostly healed, and the golden petals began to slowly rotate, replenishing the lost vital energy and spiritual power.

However, the atmosphere at the Third Tail was as taut as a drawn bowstring, growing more tense by the day.

On the streets and alleys, suspicious strangers were everywhere. Their clothing varied, but their sharp eyes were as keen as knives.

They scrutinized every passerby, as if anyone could be Zhou Qing in disguise.

In this oppressive atmosphere, a figure quietly appeared at the end of the main street.

He was a youth, around seventeen or eighteen years old, dressed in a plain white cassock, spotless.

His features were refined to the point of ethereal, with delicate eyebrows, a high nose bridge, and lips of a light color yet appearing gentle.

Most striking was a cinnabar mark on his brow, bright as coagulated blood, contrasting sharply with his fair skin, yet not seeming garish at all.

His eyes were particularly unique, as clear as an ancient well undisturbed for a thousand years, calm and waveless, able to reflect the essence of all things, filled with the compassion unique to Buddhist disciples.

Strangely enough, no spiritual power fluctuations could be sensed around him.

Yet, when approached, a solemn and tranquil aura emanated from him, compelling others to gather their heart and spirit, refraining from a casual attitude.

Upon seeing him, the people on the street suddenly displayed complex expressions.

Some were drawn by his demeanor, their eyes filled with curiosity and awe, sparing several glances at him.

Others seemed to guess something, whispering among themselves, their tone a mixture of confusion and a hint of subtle anticipation.

Nonetheless, the young monk was oblivious to the surrounding stares, continuing to walk steadily through the crowd.

He traversed through the bustling district, finally stopping in front of a somewhat quiet manor outside the city.

Raising his hand, he gently knocked on the door.

In a moment, a silhouette flashed past the wall.

The person had a head full of yellow hair, strands boldly spread, a black mask on his face revealing only vigilant eyes, staring intently at Gui Cang outside the door.

His voice was slightly hoarse: “Master, could you have come to the wrong place?”

The monk lifted his gaze towards the figure on the wall, pausing briefly on that striking yellow hair.

Then he clasped his hands together, slightly bent in salute, a gentle smile curling at his lips: “Donor Shen, we meet again.”

Shen Yunzhou on the wall was initially stunned upon hearing the voice, full of doubt, then carefully examined the youth below.

Soon, his heart skipped a beat, his brows furrowed instantly, eyes filled with disbelief, voice trembling slightly: “Are you… the young Buddha Son from back then?”

Gui Cang nodded slowly, tone still calm: “Donor Shen has a good memory.”

Unable to hold himself back any longer, Shen Yunzhou flipped off the wall, landing smoothly, and quickly approached the door, opening the main entrance from inside.

This manor was a temporary hideaway they had rented; a few of them had sensitive identities, and if outsiders detected their whereabouts, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Thus, Zhou Qing had long laid hidden restrictions around the manor, preventing ordinary people from approaching.

At this moment, Shen Yunzhou stood inside the restriction, looking at Gui Cang outside, unable to help but click his tongue in wonder.

The last time he saw Gui Cang was when Lady Li had taken him to Taiqing Sect to thank for the Wood Attribute Spirit Stone.

Back then, Gui Cang had just been born, yet appeared around five or six years old, taken by Jue Ming and Kong Chan to Jiyuan Temple to practice, it had been nearly two hundred years in passing.

Seeing him again now, the infant had grown into such a handsome and exceptional youth, truly making one feel how time flies.

“By rights, you should call me Second Father,” Shen Yunzhou couldn’t resist teasing, with a hint of playfulness in his tone.

That Wood Attribute Spirit Stone was clearly lent by himself to Zhou Qing, in the end taken by Xiao Cancan and Li Shitao to give to Lady Li.

In the end, he himself gained nothing, making him feel a loss upon reflection.

Gui Cang merely smiled gently at his words, tone still benevolent: “Donor Shen jests.”

The joke aside, Shen Yunzhou wasn’t so rash as to let him in just for old acquaintances.

He stepped back half a step, blocking in front of the restriction, tone becoming more serious: “Why have you come here today?”

Gui Cang retracted his smile, demeanor growing a touch more solemn as he gazed deep into the manor, as if his sight could penetrate walls to see the people inside.

Then he spoke softly: “This humble monk has come to ask Donor Zhou for a small favor.”

Shen Yunzhou’s pupils shrank instantly, heart skipped, hurriedly waving his hands in denial, tone holding deliberate aloofness.

“What Donor Zhou? You must be mistaken, there’s no one you’re looking for here.”

Yet Gui Cang remained calm, his gentle smile still hanging on, his gaze steady as he spoke to Shen Yunzhou word by word.

“The person this humble monk seeks is Donor Zhou Qing, who is presently inside this manor.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Yunzhou’s face turned immediately thunderous.

Gui Cang was so sure, evidently he had already confirmed Zhou Qing’s whereabouts!

He abruptly turned his head to scrutinize the surroundings of the manor, eyes sharp, fearing that others were lurking in the shadows, revealing this location.

“Donor Shen, do not worry,” Gui Cang seemed to understand his concerns and softly reassured him.

“I came alone this time, no other outsiders accompany me, and I assure you there will be no unnecessary trouble for you.”

Still, Shen Yunzhou unrelaxed his guard, watching Gui Cang closely, using a questioning tone: “How can you be so certain Zhou Qing is here?”

Gui Cang clasped his hands together, bowed slowly, reciting “Amitabha.”

Then lifted his gaze and said: “Buddha says ‘When conditions arise, they gather; when they cease, they disperse,’ the bond between this humble monk and Donor Zhou is yet to be completely severed.”

Having heard Gui Cang’s words, Shen Yunzhou’s furrowed brows remained, had this been calculated?

This matter is of great importance, I must seek advice from the brother-in-law first.

After brief contemplation, he pulled a Communication Jade Scroll from his Storage Bag, gathered spiritual power at his fingertips, intending to inject it into the Token to contact Zhou Qing.

Yet at that moment, the sound of steady footsteps approached from behind…