Chapter 2: The Beauty Trap of Temporary Workers

He walked leisurely to the side door, reached out to lift the brass door knocker, and began to knock on the door with a "clang clang" sound

Could it be that my illusion has come true? Has a scion of a wealthy family appeared? However, he does not have a bun in his hand...

She immediately glared with fury, thinking that even though her remaining strength was minimal, it would be sufficient to gouge out the eyes of this blind fool and eat them raw

Stop dawdling!" Zhang Kuangyun tugged at her sleeve, "Let's go!"

He now feels that everything is proceeding as planned, with a beautiful and unique courtesan introduced by a matchmaker following closely behind him. This clearly increases the success rate of his scheme significantly, so he confidently leads the way towards the residence of the wealthy Gou.

In recent years, all of Zhang Kuangyun's efforts in capturing demons have been aimed at identifying the demon clan that harmed his family and mentor in the past; therefore, when he recently discovered that the wealthy Geng was often causing trouble at night, he felt a surge of excitement.

Perhaps it was the man who grasped her sleeve, the once invaluable princess of the demon clan immediately seemed to awaken as if from a dream

The young man in white, Zhang Kuangyun, is a lay disciple of the Xuanling Sect of Jiuyishan, the third sect in the world, and belongs to the lay disciple hall "Fan Zong Tang" of the five major halls of the Xuanling Sect

If Master Gou is so astute, he has indeed put the arrogant Yun in a difficult position. In the end, he had no choice but to devise a plan, targeting the only notable flaw of this demon, which is his lecherous nature. He hired a beautiful courtesan through a matchmaker, using her as bait to lure him in.

Soon, the two of them arrived at the gate of Mr. Gou's residence

Just as she thought of this, her gaze fell downwards, and she happened to see Zhang Kuangyun stuffing silver coins into the hands of the plump servant...

"What?" Bai Binglan exclaimed, almost driven to madness by the words.

I originally thought there was no chance to get close, but unexpectedly, after practicing the techniques of the Emperor of Humanity, Taihao Fuxi, I became obsessed and misaligned my energy, temporarily diminishing my power. In the process, I also managed to dispel the chilling demonic aura from my body. Isn't this a perfect opportunity to infiltrate their sect?

"Who am I?" The young man was taken aback and immediately replied, "I am your employer! What’s the matter? Did that old woman not explain it properly, or have I mistaken the person? Isn’t this task meant for you to do?"

Seeing this situation, Zhang Kuangyun felt a plan forming in his mind and secretly smiled to himself

As Bai Binglan suddenly appeared at the door, a strange sound of "whoosh" was heard; both Zhang Kuangyun and Bai Binglan were startled, and when they looked again, it was the plump servant, drooling all over the ground!

So he is a disciple of Taoism. Now Bai Binglan finally understands where the particularly bright and elegant demeanor on the young man's face comes from

At a time when he felt utterly helpless, being able to enter the third gate of the world and receiving the care and instruction of a compassionate mentor was, for Zhang Kuangyun, akin to a timely assistance in the midst of snow, a step into paradise

In fact, disciples of the Daoist sect, especially those who conceal their deadly weapons, have always been the great enemies of the demon clan. In Bai Binglan's view, these arrogant and self-important mortals, relying on their meager cultivation of some rudimentary techniques, go around shouting "acting on behalf of heaven to uphold justice, slaying demons and eliminating evil." If it were merely empty boasts, it would be one thing; however, over the past thousand years, countless demon compatriots have perished at the hands of the Daoist disciples.

This is because Zhang Kuangyun was born on the shores of the rivers and seas of Shenzhou. He has been an orphan since childhood, as his parents died of a plague. From the age of two or three, he was taken in by his aunt's family.

Unexpectedly, before he had the chance to grow into adulthood, at the tender age of seven or eight, he witnessed his beloved uncle and aunt being brutally disemboweled by a ferocious monster not far from him, blood gushing everywhere. One can only imagine the immense shock and profound sorrow this must have caused the young Zhang Kuangyun

This plump servant is indeed foolish; in just one sentence, he has revealed his master's unusual lifestyle habits

While Princess Tianhu was forcing a smile, she saw the chubby man wipe his saliva, retract his lewd grin, and leisurely said: "Young man, it is commendable that you brought the girl here to actively apply, but your sister's looks are somewhat lacking..."

It can be said that when his parents passed away, he was too young to understand what sadness was; however, after living with his uncle and aunt for five or six years, he had developed a deep emotional bond with them, treating them almost as his own biological parents

At the moment of her utmost anger, she heard the plump servant in front of her exclaim: "Oh dear! I was blinded by dust just now and misjudged; upon a closer look, your sister is indeed quite beautiful. Not to mention coming to my master's residence to apply for a maid, even if she were to go to the palace to be selected as a beauty, she would surely be chosen immediately to become a consort!"

"Of course it's me." Suddenly, Bai Binglan seemed to have an epiphany, her expression changed, and she said with a smile, "It's that... right, it's Wang Po who came to find me. What was it you just mentioned about work?"

However, unexpectedly, this seemingly ordinary and kind master was once again brutally killed by the demon clan, having his heart and lungs ripped out on a dark and windy night in a canyon of Mount Jiuyi

His goal today is none other than the master of this grand estate, Mr. Gou.

Indeed, within the Xuanling Sect, most people still look down upon him. Zhang Kuangyun generously interprets this as a temporary situation where no one among his peers truly understands him yet

At that time, Zhang Kuangyun was already able to remember events. He, who had narrowly escaped, witnessed with his own eyes the tragic scene of his aunt's family being slaughtered by the suddenly appearing dark-clad demon clan on that gloomy night

"It's very simple, let's talk about it later." The young man in white was only focused on gazing at the front gate of a house facing the street.

However, Bai Binglan wanted to use Zhang Kuangyun to get closer to the human Daoist gate, secretly feeling pleased in her heart, yet she did not know that this person, whom she regarded as a stepping stone, was in fact a staunch "Demon-Hating Ideologist".

When two fragrant meat buns were consumed, it felt as if all the strength and intelligence had returned to the body. At this moment, Bai Binglan looked around and felt that the sky was bluer, the trees greener, the flowers redder, and the people more pleasing to the eye. The youth before her—an ethereal princess of the demon clan—had eyes that flowed like spring waves, and when her gaze fell upon the young man in white, she was suddenly taken aback.

Zhang Kuangyun secretly chuckled, yet pretended not to know, putting on a smiling face and said: "This elder brother, I have heard that your esteemed residence has been recruiting maids for many years, so I brought my younger sister here to apply for the position."

Do not be deceived by the residence of Mr. Gou, located in the bustling eastern market of West Lake in prosperous Hangzhou; in fact, Zhang Kuangyun has already discerned his true identity, which is that of a dog demon disguised as a wealthy man

"Don't go anywhere!" The girl's melodious voice floated with the wind, "Just go across the street and buy two buns!"

The young man in white, Zhang Kuangyun, misjudged the background of Bai Binglan, yet Bai Binglan was also unaware that this boy, whom she encountered by chance in the streets, had an extraordinary origin as well

However, the words of the young man immediately made her laugh again—she heard the handsome youth say: "Very well; I, Zhang Kuangyun, have never concerned myself with trivial matters; here, young lady, this sum of money, one hundred wen, you should take it first; after the matter is accomplished, I will give you the remaining four hundred wen. You can count it first... Huh? Where are you going?"

This had a profound impact on Zhang Kuangyun's character development later on

Seeing him engage in such lowly misdeeds, it was evident that he could not possibly be the enemy from years past. While Zhang Kuangyun felt disappointment in his heart, he was nonetheless unprepared to let this lewd and vile dog demon go unpunished

"You can talk later. However, this young lady always collects payment before starting any work, so bring it here—" Bai Binglan extended her hand towards the young man, making a gesture that indicated she wanted the money.

What? The young man was once again taken aback, "Has that old woman not given you the money yet? How unfortunate! I have long seen that the old woman is unreliable; she actually pocketed the money I gave for the young lady's tea!"

Seeing her expression change, Zhang Mu Yun was indeed surprised, and then said: "So it turns out you were hungry earlier? This is the professional smile that you courtesans should have!"

Watching the beautiful girl who left without a word, the white-clad youth Zhang Kuangyun was once again taken aback

As he spoke, he stepped forward and walked towards the stone lion gate over there

"What? A courtesan?" Bai Binglan's smile froze on her face

Upon hearing these words, Bai Binglan, who was originally smiling, suddenly had her charming face fall.

The famished Bai Binglan is now truly consumed by a whirlwind of thoughts

Seeing the hidden blade beneath the boy's clothing, Bai Binglan was taken aback; at that moment, when she looked again at the youth who called himself "Zhang Kuangyun," her impression was vastly different from the fleeting glance she had taken earlier.

This princess's journey is precisely to understand the customs and culture of the world, yet these detestable sects are the enemies that our demon kingdom's military and civilians have been longing for day and night

Thus, the young man originally named "Zhang Xiaoyun" had his name altered by his master upon entering the Xuanling Sect, becoming "Zhang Kuangyun"

The demon is indeed a demon, even hiring a servant is so unreliable Zhang Kuangyun thought disdainfully as he swiftly moved aside and pulled Bai Binglan over, pushing her to the front of the door

At this moment, the previously sullen Princess Tianhu suddenly beamed with joy, her face radiant with a smile as beautiful as a flower, gazing at Zhang Kuangyun.

It turns out that just now, feeling dizzy from hunger, she did not pay much attention, until now she has discovered that beneath the slightly oversized white shirt of the young man, there is actually a hidden blade!

Fortunately, although he was living under someone else's roof, his uncle and aunt treated him with relative kindness; unfortunately, the misfortunes of Zhang Kuangyun had not yet come to an end. Having lost his parents at a young age was already quite tragic, but unexpectedly, the family that took him in, his aunt's family, was killed by the demon clan when he was around seven or eight years old

"Who are you?" shouted the stout servant, "What are you knocking for in broad daylight? Be careful not to disturb my master's good dreams!"

Thus, Zhang Kuangyun's hatred towards the demon clan is exceedingly profound; as soon as he made slight progress in his sect's techniques, his daily routine transformed into descending the mountain to hunt demons, whether there was a reward or not.

In a single sentence, it revealed the Guo family's intention to recruit maids, clearly indicating their ulterior motives

Seeing him like this, Bai Binglan felt quite helpless and had no choice but to temporarily suppress her doubts and displeasure. She gracefully and swiftly followed behind Zhang Kuangyun.

Ha! She rejoiced inwardly, thinking, "I initially believed I had fallen into madness and was at the lowest point of misfortune, yet unexpectedly, after the worst comes the best, I have actually gained the opportunity to approach these earthly paths of enlightenment!"

Seeing her dazed expression, the young man furrowed his brows and couldn't help but mutter softly, "What is that old woman doing? She took my money but gave me such a decorative pillow. The person I have to meet later is not someone to be trifled with; if this is not suitable, it could ruin my important plans"

However, this dog demon acts in a lowly manner, yet its character is extremely cautious; several times, when Zhang Kuangyun attempted to approach it to kill it with a single sword strike, it was early on aware and ran away with a "Woof".

Oh? Upon hearing this, the impatience on the house servant's chubby face faded slightly, and he raised his voice, shouting, "Step aside! Step aside! Let me see what your sister looks like."

Seeing Bai Binglan like this, the young man in white was taken aback and felt somewhat suspicious

Thus, it became evident that Zhang Kuangyun was a young Taoist priest, and Bai Binglan truly felt a deep-seated hatred and aversion towards him. The slight goodwill she had just accumulated by spending money to buy steamed buns was instantly wiped away.

At this time, the foremost sects of the world are as follows: the first is the Upper Clear Palace of Mount Laofu, the second is the Heavenly Master Sect of Mount Heming, the third is the Xuanling Sect of Mount Jiuyi, the fourth is the Miaohua Palace of Mount Weiyu, and the fifth is the Qingwei Sect of Mount Heng

However, Zhang Kuangyun had long since devised a plan

However, after further investigation, he was somewhat disheartened to discover that the actions of this Mr. Gou were merely petty thefts and casual flirtations with the village women, showing no discernment between beauty and ugliness, and having an insatiable appetite.

"Huh?" Upon hearing this, Bai Binglan's anger dissipated completely, and a smile spread across her face as she thought, "So it was just dust that clouded my vision. You are quite perceptive; although you look rather unsightly, your judgment is excellent, and you are very honest."

Oh. Zhang Kuangyun nodded and hurriedly followed, muttering to himself as he walked, "I think you should eat something; from the look of you just now, it seems like you haven't eaten for several days."

However, even though she felt a surge of resentment in her heart, a sudden joy unexpectedly filled her as her eyes darted around.

Even during the day, the Gou residence remains tightly shut.

Although Zhang Kuangyun is not very conspicuous in the Xuanling Sect, his youthful age is accompanied by great ambition and wisdom, as well as a bold and chivalrous spirit. This has led those within the sect who truly understand him not to underestimate him due to his lowly status within the sect

In recent days, having grown accustomed to the ordinary and the mundane, and having daily interactions with coarse and boorish women, Bai Binglan was momentarily stunned upon seeing such a remarkably elegant young man amidst the crowd

Bai Binglan felt quite displeased, thinking to herself that she had heard that employment for the human race was not good, and indeed, money was hard to earn. For the sake of a few coins for buns, she had to face this extremely lewd and ugly face of a human.

Therefore, although his master was inherently kind-hearted, both in terms of martial arts and teachings, he was quite mediocre and ordinary, holding little status within the sect. However, Zhang Kuangyun had always held him in the highest regard and was very dependent on him, projecting all his feelings of admiration for family elders onto his master.

"Um, um!" Bai Binglan nodded while stuffing a bun into her mouth, expressing her agreement with the boy's judgment

This dog demon, self-styled as Mr. Gou, usually appears to be charitable and benevolent in Hangzhou, but often takes advantage of the night to speed away to remote villages, causing havoc in the countryside

Though unwilling, at this moment, upon glancing at the sky, the young man in white seemed to have made up his mind. He stepped forward, grasped Bai Binglan's sleeve, and said: "Let's go! Today's task isn't difficult. Just follow my instructions later and it will be fine"

Soon, a creaking sound was heard, and a small crack appeared in the black-painted side door, revealing an impatient chubby face.

Standing before her was a young man in white, around eighteen years of age; he had a handsome appearance and a tall, upright posture. Particularly striking were his sword-like brows and starry eyes, which, under the bright spring sun, resembled beautiful jade and precious gems from the celestial realm, radiating a divine light and exuding an unparalleled elegance and grace

Originally, given his hometown, he was likely to grow into a refined and cultured scholar. However, when he was taken in by the master of the Xuanling Sect of Jiuyishan, this Daoist master keenly sensed that within the boy's gentle disposition, there was already a hint of rebellious and fierce spirit.

However, he does not know that while he is wholeheartedly eliminating demons, the "fallen girl from the brothel" behind him is actually the leader of the demon clan in the world

"Boldly! Who are you?" A commanding reprimand instinctively burst forth.

The various sects of the Sword Heroes of Shushan and the Immortal Heroes of Kunlun, although not lacking in excellence, are ultimately situated in the remote western wilderness, far from the world and unknown to the public; at this time, the most renowned Daoist sects in the world are led by these five major Daoist schools.