**Where to Go?**

1. Wander the world with Da Chun, seeking more martial arts opportunities.

2. Take Da Chun to Baiyun County and join Third Sister.

3. Return to the Black Stone Gang and claim the river demon went mad and ate the Fourth Master.

Taking Da Chun along is clearly unrealistic.

Chen Yi can't take care of him forever; he must learn to fend for himself.

"Let's go see Third Sister then. There's a good place in Baiyun County Town where Da Chun can settle."

Baiyun County is upstream on the Qing River, while Qing River County is downstream.

After escaping the Black Stone Gang, you and Da Chun follow the river upstream.

This return journey is much more confident than before.

Now, you're a strong practitioner at Body Refining Stage 3!

Ordinary beasts and roadside bandits are no longer a threat to you.

As you near Baiyun County Town, you encounter a familiar face.

"This mountain was planted by me! This tree was opened by me..."

A familiar opening line, a familiar barrel-shaped beauty.

Xu Linglong.

"Oh! You handsome young man, aren't you afraid of us, with our heads hanging by a thread? Still able to smile? Are you scared stiff?"

Xu Linglong is still smitten with you at first sight, her big eyes brimming with charm.

You still have memories from a previous life simulation, so you know that among these bandits blocking the road, only Xu Linglong has martial arts skills at Body Refining Stage 4, while the others are mere mortals.

You chuckle lightly and walk away with Da Chun.

"Stop!"

The bandits are enraged when you ignore them and immediately draw their blades to attack.

Their movements seem like slow motion to you, their strength like that of children.

You take on five bandits at once, knocking them all to the ground.

Out of respect for Xu Linglong's genuine treatment of you in a previous simulation, you spare their lives.

Xu Linglong realizes you're a martial artist, and seeing how effortlessly you handle the fight, she's unsure of your true strength.

To be safe, she decides to back down.

"We offended you, sir. Please forgive us! Here's some silver; if you need it on your journey, feel free to take it!"

Xu Linglong is quite savvy, collecting all the silver from the bandits and placing it on the ground, then stepping back ten paces.

You smile, walk over, and pick up the silver.

Only a fool would refuse money.

"In exchange for this silver, I'll give you a tip: keep an eye on your Second Master; there's something off about him."

Xu Linglong is puzzled, not understanding why you say there's something wrong with the Second Master.

While she's still confused, you leave with Da Chun.

"This time, I didn't fall into the bandits' trap, so I should reach Third Sister's house earlier than last time. I should be able to find out what really happened to Brother-in-law."

In the previous life simulation, Brother-in-law Chen Qingshan turned into a murderous madman.

He was beheaded, the family was investigated, and relatives were exiled.

It truly left Chen Yi baffled.

Third Sister's judgment of people can't be that poor, can it?

The next day, you and Da Chun arrive in Baiyun County Town and find Third Sister's house.

Fortunately, there's no seal on the door this time.

In the yard, a toddler, about two or three years old, is babbling.

Third Sister Chen Yun is hanging clothes in the yard.

She turns her head and sees you and Da Chun walking in from outside, bursting into tears on the spot.

"Fourth Brother? Is it really you? I thought..."

Chen Yun had already heard about the massacre in Luoding Village and thought you had perished like the villagers.

Seeing you today, she cries tears of joy.

Upon learning that Da Chun saved you, Chen Yun immediately bows to him, thanking him for saving you; otherwise, she would have no family left in this world.

At night, Brother-in-law Chen Qingshan returns, and seeing you alive, his eyes also well up.

Chen Yun prepares a full table of dishes to celebrate the family's reunion.

Da Chun eats heartily, his mouth covered in grease, extremely happy.

For Da Chun, as long as he has enough to eat, he has no other desires; even watching ants climb trees all day would satisfy him.

The next day, you take Da Chun to the Yuelai Inn.

"Welcome, sir. Are you here for a meal or to stay?"

A familiar voice.

The innkeeper is as enthusiastic as ever.

"Innkeeper, I'd like to introduce my brother to work as a handyman for you. Although he's a bit slow, he can handle washing dishes and sweeping the floor, and he's strong enough for some heavy lifting."

"Though I'm kind-hearted, if he's not bright, I'm afraid..."

"He doesn't need a salary, just enough food to eat."

"I'm afraid if I don't hire him, my conscience won't be at ease!"

You know Mei Sanniang is a good person and won't mistreat Da Chun.

Settling Da Chun at the Yuelai Inn is very suitable.

On the way back, a startled horse almost runs into you.

You slap the horse, causing it to foam at the mouth.

"Hmph, lousy horse!"

The townspeople witness this and praise you as a hero.

Outwardly, your clothes are slightly dirty, but inside, you feel immensely satisfied.

This scene is witnessed by the patrolling Chen Qingshan, who recognizes you as a martial artist.

That night, he has a conversation with you.

You can't tell the truth, so you say that a year ago, an old man with a white beard passed through the village, discovered your potential, and gave you a book on external martial arts training and a sword, which is how you achieved some Body Refining Stage skills.

"Since you have potential, Fourth Brother, don't waste your talent."

Chen Qingshan hands you some martial arts manuals.

"These are the Chen family's ancestral martial arts manuals. Unfortunately, many have been lost by my generation, leaving only these four. However, they're all mid-rank techniques, and mastering them could easily land you a good position in this small county town."

"Brother-in-law, your great kindness and virtue..."

"We're family; there's no need for such words. It's rare to have potential without ancestral roots, so don't squander the opportunity given by fate."

Having obtained Chen Qingshan's martial arts manuals, you don't plan to leave in the short term.

This way, you have a free mentor to guide you, one who is very familiar with these techniques.

You also don't want to freeload at your sister's house all the time; you need to find something to do.

Chen Qingshan suggests you take the Demon Slaying Division's demon slayer exam and, like him, work for the division.

Explore the extended edition on pawread.com.

"You and I, slaying demons together and protecting the people, wouldn't that be great?"

You think this is a good proposal.

But first, you need to improve your martial arts skills; passing the Demon Slaying Division's exam with just Body Refining Stage 3 skills won't be easy.

You also inquire with Chen Qingshan about the massacre in Luoding Village, wondering if the authorities have discovered anything.

"No clues at all. The perpetrators were well-prepared and highly trained, leaving no trace."

"Why would they massacre Luoding Village? We're just a bunch of farmers; how could we provoke such enemies?"

"I don't know... But from what I've seen over the years, if the killers targeted innocents, it's often to silence them. Perhaps a villager knew something they shouldn't have."