Chapter 490: Chapter 482: Where Did This Flying Thief Come From?

Ding Shouxin did not err in his assessment, that spending wealth can ward off disasters. After he gave the so-called incense money, Qin Liuxi withdrew her hand.

At nightfall, Qin Liuxi went to the Ding Mansion and took back the few talismans she had placed, also eavesdropping at the corner of the wall for a while. Hearing their deep fear and speculations about her, she then gracefully departed.

It is good that they harbor fear; it will ensure they proceed with caution and not bring about their own demise through foolish actions.

The next day, indeed, the Ding family sent over quite a few medicinal herbs and New Year’s gifts, but the Qin family returned them all, stating that they would not accept rewards for which they hadn’t worked. This infuriated the Ding family to no end.

The Qin family had no intention of providing them with an easy way out, nor the slightest interest in saving the Ding family’s face.

Fortunately, nothing unlucky happened afterward; those who were sick recovered, and did not feel the heavy exhaustion of the previous days. This realization allowed everyone to breathe a sigh of relief but also increased their frustration and caution.

Such an obvious difference, it had to be the work of Qin Liuxi, the practitioner of the Demon Path, who had silently cursed them before.

And she indeed had the ability to do so.

Upon considering this, Ding Shouxin immediately issued an order to the Ding family, instructing that they must avoid conflicts with the Qin family, or else they would be severely punished according to the family laws. No matter how discontented the Ding Family felt, they had no choice but to obey. Who would dare to confront a practitioner of the Demon Path head-on?

With the Ding Family no longer causing trouble, the Qin family’s days once again became quiet. If it weren’t for Old Mrs. Qin still recovering, everyone would have thought the earlier incident of the Ding family’s arrogant visit was but a dream.

Meanwhile, far in the northwest, the elder members of the Qin family looked at the bright and clean courtyard in front of them, feeling as if they were in a dream.

A new house that did not leak, with several rooms that were more than enough for a family of six, even including a kitchen. The small courtyard was just a street away from the well where they could fetch water, which was very convenient.

With a pale face, Qin Boqing looked towards the steward who had led them there, and asked with some disbelief, “Housekeeper Zhao, is this really the house provided for us to live in?”

“What, do you find it not splendid enough?” Housekeeper Zhao glanced at him.

Qin Boqing quickly shook his head and said, “Not at all, I just feel unworthy.”

The house they used to live in was also habitable, though dilapidated compared to what they were being offered now. And yet, he was just a servant. Why would the steward arrange such fine lodging for him?

Not only that, but his family had also obtained better and easier jobs. His eldest brother was able to work as an accountant in a restaurant, and although his second brother’s job was a bit inferior, he didn’t have to do the perilous work in the mines and instead worked in a tavern as a laborer.

As for himself, he was taken up by Housekeeper Zhao to work as an errand boy.

Housekeeper Zhao, looking at the several men both old and young before him, said, “It’s nothing but fulfilling a request to take care of you.”

What merits or virtues? Of course, it’s because their family’s ancestors are showing signs of blessing, having born a good daughter.

Fulfilling a request?

Qin Yuanshan straightened his back and stepped forward to bow, “May I ask the surname and name of this benefactor? We would surely like to repay this kindness in the future.”

Housekeeper Zhao said, “You will be informed when it’s time for you to know. Just live your lives peacefully and avoid causing trouble. Regarding Qin Boqing…”

He glanced at Qin Boqing’s empty left sleeve and continued, “After the New Year, follow me and carry out errands. Of course, if you can’t accept the great downfall from being a respected master to an errand boy at the beck and call of others, you don’t need to come.”

Qin Boqing hastily replied, “I dare not disobey the opportunity Housekeeper Zhao is giving.”

Housekeeper Zhao nodded, then unhooked a wallet from his waist and threw it to him, “Spend a peaceful New Year. Oh, by the way, inside there are also the letters and tokens sent from your Qin family.”

After he finished speaking, he began to leave, and Qin Boqing quickly saw him out.

After sending off Housekeeper Zhao, the men looked at each other. Qin Yuanshan said, “It’s unknown who has been looking out for us from the shadows, bestowing us with such fortune. Let it be. According to Housekeeper Zhao, we will learn when it’s due time. Third brother, be more vigilant when you follow Housekeeper Zhao. Let’s go inside and see what the family has sent us.”

A group of people supported each other into their new home, and as they looked around at the clean and spacious rooms, the gloom of the past seemed to have dissipated quite a bit.

If nothing unexpected happened, they would probably live here for many years, or perhaps, for a lifetime.

…

The snow was flying; Da Feng saw considerable snowfall in many places, which was precisely why many roads were blocked.

At the foot of Qingping Temple’s mountain, a few people riding horses, wearing thick cloaks, almost cried tears of joy upon seeing the Daoist Temple halfway up the mountainside.

They had finally arrived.

Swoosh.

The thick curtains of the carriage they were protecting in the middle were lifted, revealing a face full of beard. Looking at the golden roof gleaming with golden light, he gave a heavy thump on the side of the carriage.

Inside the carriage, a man shouted, “Xiong Er, use some more strength, and you’ll break apart this only carriage we have.”

Xiong Er sniffed his red, frozen nose, and said, “Aren’t I allowed to be excited? We’ve finally made it. Jing Xiaosi, if we hadn’t arrived, we’d probably be spending New Year on the road, how miserable that would be, boo hoo.”

Jing Xiaosi snorted and glanced disdainfully at the golden roof, “Hurry and close the curtain, it’s freezing to death.”

He said, before sneezing twice.

It took them more than two months to travel from Xiangnan Village to Qingping Temple, an ordeal filled with twists and turns, beset with difficulties. Either they had to stop due to sickness or were stranded halfway because of heavy snow blocking the mountain roads. There was even a stretch where the carriage slid into a ditch, completely wrecking one of them; their bad luck seemed boundless.

The group was so tormented they began to question their lives, even the delicate Jing Xiaosi ran out of patience. If the road back to the capital wasn’t even more arduous, he would have considered turning back.

However, the more he thought about quitting halfway, the more it felt like a loss, so they endured the bumpy journey and pushed on with determination.

Now, at last, they had arrived.

It wasn’t just Xiong Er who was excited; even Jing Xiaosi felt the urge to cry.

If this got back to the playboys in the capital, they would probably die laughing at them. His tortuous journey, all for the sake of adding incense oil, and the difficulty, after so many hardships, wasn’t it just as challenging as the fanciful tales of ascending to heaven?

“We have to have Miss Qin give us a good treatment now that we’re at Qingping Temple. I’m at the end of my tether,” Xiong Er said, rubbing his hands.

Jing Xiaosi thought to himself, who isn’t? This year’s winter was colder than ever; they say heavy snow signifies a bountiful year, but now it was turning into a disaster.

The group moved up the mountain road accessible for the carriage towards the Daoist Temple, but it seemed deserted all along the way.

When they finally stopped at the rear gate, they found it closed.

“Could it be that the incense isn’t thriving and the Daoist Temple has closed down?” Xiong Er lamented inside. They couldn’t possibly be this unlucky!

Jing Xiaosi slapped him, “What nonsense. With a golden roof that shiny, how could it possibly close down? Shuangqi, you guys go and knock on the door.”

The servant named Shuangqi stepped forward and knocked hard on the door, but no one answered.

“Should I climb the wall and have a look?” Xiong Er looked at the high wall, eager to try.

Without waiting for Jing Xiaosi’s response, he took a few steps back, then ran up and climbed the wall. Just as he barely reached the top, a cold voice rang out.

“Who’s this vagabond thief, thinking to steal at the Daoist Temple?”

Xiong Er shivered in fright, fell off the wall, and landed face-first.

Indeed, their misfortune hadn’t passed; damn, that hurts!