Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

It wasn't long before there were cheers and applause, as the merchants on tiptoes peered into the distance and indeed saw a luxurious carriage slowly approaching from outside, surrounded by a guard of battle-hardened soldiers.

Lu Zhang looked up at the ancient plaque of Yuzhou City and couldn't help but sigh, "When I left, I thought I would never have the chance to return here again!"

"This must be the fortune that comes after adversity. General, having survived such a calamity, your fortune is thriving—this is a great time to make your mark!" Chang Chunzi said, smiling with his festive chubby cheeks.

Hearing this, Lu Zhang naturally rejoiced, "Taoist is right, all is past now, Yuzhou City will surely welcome better development."

Amidst the crowd's shouts, Lu Zhang and his companions slowly made their way to the front of the Yuzhou Government Office.

Once the residence of the Governor of Yuzhou, after being occupied by Lu Zhang it had become their office, leaving only a small courtyard in the back as the family dwelling.

At this time, the civil and military officials of Yuzhou had already gathered at the entrance of the mansion, led by the Princely Heir Lu Chengqian, each with a radiant smile on their faces—for them, the backbone of Yuzhou had returned.

"Son welcomes father and mother home!" Lu Chengqian, still young, performed the ritual with precision.

"You've had a hard time during this period!" Lu Zhang, looking at his son's tender face showing a weariness beyond his years, said with heartfelt pity.

These simple words nearly brought tears to Lu Chengqian's eyes. With his father and mother away, he had struggled to bear this heavy burden alone and was almost at his breaking point.

"I'm not suffering, father; it's you who are unwell and still had to travel far for the ancestral rites—that's truly hard work!"

Lu Zhang looked at his eldest legitimate son with satisfaction. He was the fruit of his and his wife's love, as well as the heir in whom he placed great hopes. Although he had barely escaped death this time, the boy proved capable of carrying a heavy load, which pleased him deeply.

"This is Chang Chunzi, the Taoist. He will be our Yuzhou's Mage from now on. Come and pay your respects," he said.

Lu Zhang's words drew everyone's attention to the portly Taoist, who, thick-skinned, showed no sign of embarrassment. Instead, he adopted an air of a lofty sage and nodded in greeting to everyone with a smile.

Just then, a servant came running out of the Government Office in a hurry, whispering a few words to the leading old scholar with a wrinkled face. The elder's brows furrowed, making him appear even more aged.

"Mr. Hu, has something happened in the mansion?"

This elder, named Hu Shengliang, had been a starving commoner rescued by Lu Zhang during chaotic times, who turned out to be extraordinarily talented, versed in astronomy and geography. Since then, he had served as Lu Zhang's advisor and overseen various affairs in the mansion, becoming a famous Chief Steward in Yuzhou. Few things could make him frown like this.

"It's somewhat embarrassing to mention right now, but some unworthy descendant from my family, having heard I've settled here, has come knocking. Relying on his slight magical prowess, he's been throwing his weight around in our mansion."

Hearing this, Lu Zhang looked curious. He knew the old man was no pushover—certainly not someone who would spare the rod, and anyone with mana was unlikely to be just an ordinary person.

"Even if he has some magical prowess, with your skills, Mr. Hu, I doubt you'd be so hesitant to act?"

"General, you don't understand; the fellow is easy to deal with, but he has an elder with sky-high magic power who is extremely protective. I fear if she is provoked to come here, it would spell great disaster."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the fat Taoist's eyes lit up. This was an excellent opportunity; he was ready to show off his skills and make Lu Zhang realize his worth.

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"Hmph! You old man clearly look like a half-demon by birth, and if I'm not wrong, that descendant of yours is a demon!" Chang Chunzi stared piercingly at Mr. Hu as he spoke.

Hu Shengliang looked at Chang Chunzi in astonishment; he had not expected his own follower to be so directly exposed by such an apparently unserious Taoist, and he quickly put away the underestimation he'd held before.

"This Taoist priest does indeed have insightful eyes, but I wonder if he can handle this karma." Hu Shengliang had long regarded Lu Zhang as part of his family; he needed to test the depth of the Taoist to prevent major trouble that he could not deal with later.

The plump Taoist replied with absolute confidence, "Even if it's a huge karmic debt, I, the Taoist, will take it on for you to see!"

Turning to Lu Zhang, he saw a reassuring look in his eyes. Having known each other for many years, they had developed an understanding, and he naturally guessed that Lu Zhang had encountered a great opportunity on this trip, so he no longer obstructed and led Lu Zhang and Chang Chunzi rushing towards the mansion.

By this time, Lu Mansion was already in chaos. A young man dressed in brocade clothes was rampaging around the yard, smashing things and loudly shouting.

"Call out that useless Hu Shengliang to see me, tell him to quickly present beautiful women to this young master, or I'll smash this Government Office to pieces."

Hu Shengliang's veins popped, his gaze fixed on the crazed young man, his eyes filled with icy murderous intent.

As soon as Lu Zhang entered the yard, he smelled a strong scent of alcohol and frowned as he sized up the brocade-clothed young man.

He saw an extremely handsome youth, especially those eyes that were brimming with bewitching allure, and knowing from Chang Chunzi's earlier words that this fellow was a demon.

"Who are you to make such a racket in my home!" His words carried an unintentional aura, which instantly provoked a reaction from the Dragon Qi, and an immense Fortune and Destiny descended from the sky, sobering up the drunken and frenzied youth a bit.

"You... who are you to meddle in this young master's business?"

"You have been living in my home for quite a while and still don't know who I am?" Lu Zhang laughed in anger, as the youth in front of him was either a fool or recklessly fearless.

"Oh! You are Lu Zhang. You have come just in time, hurry up and provide beautiful women to this young master, and I'll spare your life!" The youth, bolstered by the alcohol, spoke wildly.

"Hmph! A mere fox spirit dares speak so insolently to General Lu, truly reckless and ignorant of life and death." Chang Chunzi too was taken aback by the young man's disregard, as even a Primordial Spirit True Man wouldn't dare such words upon seeing someone with such dense Fortune and Destiny as Lu Zhang, not to mention how much liquor this fellow must have consumed to be so irrational.

But this fit his desires perfectly, so he said no more. With a wave of his hand, Mana surged through his body, and a blazing Heavenly Thunder struck down from the heavens, accurately hitting the youth.

A miserable scream echoed, and the struck youth instantly revealed his true form, indeed a gray fox with two tails.

At this moment, the fox, provoked by the thunder, charged with red eyes towards the plump Taoist, opening its large mouth, aiming to swallow the one who had hurt it.

There was a clang sound as if an invisible shield had risen in front of the Taoist, and simultaneously a flash of golden light enveloped him; the Taoist raised a fist wrapped in golden light and landed a punch on the fox's head.

Dizziness surrounded the fox as it staggered and then collapsed onto the ground, its mouth gradually oozing fresh blood.

The intense pain brought a brief return to its senses; it realized it was no match for the Taoist in front of it, so it quietly crushed a Jade Slip hidden among its fur, a life-saving item given to him by his maternal aunt. Once crushed, his aunt would immediately sense it and come to his rescue.

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