He put on a bamboo hat and waved his hand, opening the big door.
Then Lu Shanjun said in a muffled voice, "Who are you?"
"Why are you inviting us here?"
The portly old man personally offered fine wine, showing utmost respect and humility. He gestured to those behind him to leave, wiped his cold sweat, and said, "I am a local squire here, surname Lu, given name Yuan."
"My ancestor saw the Mountain Monarch yesterday and instructed me in a dream to entertain you well."
"Also, I have a few small gifts to offer."
A dream visit?
The young man seemed to have thought of something.
Lu Shanjun frowned, his voice resonant, "I have no dealings with the City God or Land God here."
"Who is your ancestor?"
He was a shape-shifting demon beast, often cultivating in the mountains and forests, with those mountain gods and land gods avoiding him.
The portly old man cautiously said, "My ancestor was a wandering deity under the City God."
The young man seemed to have guessed who it was.
However, for the other party to send a dream instructing descendants to meet him suggested that the connection between humans and deities in this world was still very close. These dark deities in the world seemed less like gods and more like officials.
Indeed.
They were like celestial officials.
Lu Shanjun seemed a little interested as well; the worldly experiences he encountered were completely different from his days of roaring in the mountain forests.
A wandering deity under the City God arranging for descendants to send him gifts.
Interesting.
The portly old man was actually quite frightened; although he practiced martial arts, his life of comfort had dulled him, making him no different from ordinary third-rate martial artists.
If his ancestor hadn't been appointed as a wandering deity, he would never have encountered such a thing in his lifetime.
His ancestor really put the descendants in a difficult spot.
Squire Lu carefully brought over a tray covered with a red cloth, quite heavy, likely filled with a notable amount of gold and silver, and respectfully presented it: "A small token."
"To assist your travels."
Lu Shanjun was indifferent, having slain many bandits, he was not lacking in gold or silver.
Squire Lu wiped his cold sweat, offering another tray full of books. Lu Shanjun glanced at them with interest because they were martial arts manuals.
"My ancestor built a library, there might be some books that interest you two."
Lu Shanjun flipped through them and picked up a book titled "Five Tigers Soul-breaking Blade," showing some interest.
Squire Lu, seeing the sharp tiger claw illustrations, quickly lowered his head, pretending not to see anything, internally cursing his ancestor.
Is this something to leave to the descendants?
Trying to end the family line?
He was so frightened that his heart was in his throat and cautiously said, "In this Xiayi County, I have some reputation; I can speak for you in the yamen."
"If there's anything you're unhappy about."
"Just tell me."
"There's no need to handle it personally."
The implication was very clear.
It seemed that behind the scenes, not only was there a commanding martial wandering deity, but the City God of Xiayi County was quietly observing.
He could turn a blind eye, but you couldn't mess around.
If there's any dissatisfaction, tell them, so as not to damage harmony. After all, these city and land gods also have face, and everything should follow human rules. If a tiger demon were rampaging in the county, they would have to act even if they didn't want to.
The young man realized he underestimated the city's City God who turned a blind eye.
This too was an old hand.
Duncan seemed to have found some new fun beyond just fighting and killing. He picked up a book and skimmed it, quickly frowning upon discovering that many cultivation techniques recorded were entirely different from what Lu Shanjun taught.
The Demon Sect's blood child was a consumption item, treated purely as material, without teaching any serious techniques.
"Appreciated."
Duncan accepted the books the old man offered, turned to Lu Shanjun, and said, "Should we leave today?"
Lu Shanjun nodded.
He had initially wanted to travel the world but didn't expect to be respectfully sent off by the City God and Land God shortly after coming down the mountain. He didn't quite understand worldly matters, but the other side being able to do this was already quite respectful.
It's not easy for demons to walk in this mortal world.
Going it alone.
It's doable.