Chapter 235: The One Who Couldn’t Be Seen

“Which one are you talking about?”

The black-robed elder’s expression froze for a moment as he recalled the five people he had just seen.

A woman in her thirties, skilled and nimble, with a long whip at her waist.

Two sturdy men wielding iron shields, as imposing as small mountains—likely the vanguard of the group.

The young man who led the conversation carried a faint yet unmistakable aura of ruthlessness—probably a difficult opponent.

And the most ordinary of them all was the one wearing… Wait.

What did that ordinary one look like again?

He seemed to have a blade at his waist, but beyond that…?

At this realization, the black-robed elder’s face darkened. With his level of cultivation, no matter how unremarkable someone was, he should have been able to remember at least their appearance after a single glance.

Yet, the group had only just left, and he already couldn’t recall that person’s face?

He couldn’t even remember what color clothes they were wearing!

Seeing the elder’s grave expression, Qiao Min hesitated before asking, “Elder Huang, you didn’t seem to like those Golden Guard External Agents. What exactly do they do?”

At her question, the black-robed elder explained, “Oh… they’re an organization established by the Great Wu dynasty to handle demons and other supernatural threats.”

“The founder was from one of Great Wu’s immortal sects—also the youngest daughter of a certain prince.”

“It started off well, but the constant battles against demons resulted in heavy casualties… As time went on, corruption spread within, and the Golden Guard turned into nothing more than a paper tiger, all bark and no bite.”

“There are some truly skilled people among them, but their talents are rarely used against demons anymore…”

“As for those we just saw, they’re part of an expansion scheme dreamed up by some incompetent official. That’s what the Golden Guard External Agents are.”

“To put it simply, the higher-ups want results without paying the price.”

“External Agents are sent to the front lines against demons and take the blame when things go wrong… but when it’s time to claim rewards, they get the smallest share.”

“Now tell me, which fool would risk their life to protect the people when all they earn is a few scraps of silver?”

“To put it bluntly… who would throw their life away for mere pocket change?”

Hearing this, Qiao Min frowned. “Then why do they even take the job? It’s dangerous, and the pay is low…”

“Silly child…”

The black-robed elder sighed. “In Great Wu, finding a way to make a living isn’t easy. Even with all its downsides, being an External Agent is still a stable job—as long as you don’t die, that is. The pay is far better than street vending or farming, and it comes much faster.”

“If they weren’t desperate for those few taels of silver, who would willingly live a life where each day could be their last?”

Qiao Min nodded, half-understanding. “Then what are we doing next?”

“What else?” The black-robed elder chuckled. “We’ll spread the influence of the Universal Temple, gather faith for the master, and bless the people!”

“Unless… you had something else in mind?”

Qiao Min grasped the hilt of her sword and said calmly, “Killing demons.”

A chill ran down the black-robed elder’s neck. He quickly gestured for her to calm down. “Alright, alright, first let’s get you settled… You’ll have plenty of chances to kill wicked demons in time.”

Qiao Min nodded. “Mm!”

…

Since the yellow weasel’s return, incense offerings at the Universal Temple in Four Corners Town had flourished once more.

On his day off, Gu Ning’an didn’t bother visiting the teahouse. Instead, he spent most of his time at the temple, observing how the yellow weasel handled those who came to offer incense and pray.

Four days passed in the blink of an eye.

Throughout this time, the yellow weasel remained in the public eye as the temple’s caretaker.

Most of the people who came seeking blessings only had minor, everyday concerns—household disputes, trivial matters.

Matters such as hoping for a harmonious relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, making a husband unwaveringly devoted, or even finding a lost rooster—these small requests came in an endless stream.

Despite this, the weasel remained patient. For every sincere supplicant who burned incense and prayed, he would find a way to help fulfill their wish.

Finding lost livestock was easy for him, but matters like mother-in-law relationships and securing a partner’s devotion were beyond his expertise. He could only offer “clever tricks” to see if they might work unexpectedly.

At this moment, the weasel was advising a daughter-in-law.

She said, “I’ve always treated my mother-in-law well, but no matter what I do, she is never satisfied. Over time, it’s worn down my spirit.”

The weasel replied, “Then do the opposite!”

The daughter-in-law hesitated. “You mean I should treat her badly?”

The weasel said, “Yes and no… For example, you mentioned that your mother-in-law enjoys cosmetics, but every time you offer to buy them for her, she refuses and even gets angry. Why not just buy them and give them to her directly?”

“Would that really work?” she asked. “What if she refuses? Wouldn’t that be a waste?”

“Forget about waste for now,” the weasel replied. “Buying it shows your sincerity, doesn’t it?”

The daughter-in-law nodded. “That makes sense. I’ll go do it now!”

The weasel waved a paw. “Ah, but remember, all of this wisdom comes from the Universal Immortal. If it works, you must return to offer incense in gratitude!”

“Of course!” she promised.

Watching this, Gu Ning’an couldn’t help but chuckle. He thought that if this weasel lived in later times, he could definitely be a community mediator.

The advice was unconventional, but it might just be effective.

However, no matter what the weasel did, he always credited the so-called Universal Immortal. Even though Gu Ning’an himself didn’t acknowledge the title, the power of incense offerings did not care.

The laws governing the divine path still deemed him the true recipient of the incense offerings…

The path of incense and divine worship was no trivial matter.

To bear the faith of the people meant carrying the weight of their karma.

A strong following meant greater cultivation and power, but if things ever backfired, the consequences ranged from a weakened spirit to complete annihilation.

Still, Gu Ning’an’s reluctance to accept the incense power was not due to fear of karmic burden.

It was simply because he did not follow the divine path of incense worship. Even if he received it, he couldn’t make proper use of it…

As he pondered this, a deep and hearty voice suddenly spoke from behind.

“Brother Gu, I’ve been searching all over for you. Finally found you!”

Turning around, he saw that the speaker was Liu Feng.

Gu Ning’an looked puzzled. “What’s wrong? Isn’t today a rest day?”

“Huh?”

“If trouble arises on a rest day, we still have to gather!” Liu Feng shrugged and continued, “Come on, hurry up. Everyone’s already there—we’re just waiting on you!”

With urgency in his expression, Liu Feng pulled Gu Ning’an out of the temple.

Meanwhile, the black-robed elder, who had just sent off the young daughter-in-law, glanced at an empty corner of the temple and murmured,

“That External Agent officer just now… when did he even come in?”