Besides that, there was still a deep sense of confusion.

For example, how could a human without any sign of true qi fluctuation unleash such a sword strike?

Why is it that you can casually run into this kind of person even by the roadside outside an inconspicuous little town?

Even if this was retribution for his own countless misdeeds, wasn’t it a bit too exaggerated?

Tonight, appearing here... who is the real unlucky one?

But he didn’t even have the chance to find out the answer, not even enough time to finish thinking the question.

A thousand words condensed into just two characters that he shouted out.

“Misunderstanding—”

It really was a misunderstanding... He had thought it was just an ordinary mortal he could easily deal with. If he had known it was this kind of character, only a fool would jump out and seek death.

It was as if a bolt of lightning flashed across, and the sky above the forest was illuminated by a burst of white light.

That eight-armed, black figure was instantly swallowed up.

Henry Thompson blinked.

Just now... did someone shout “misunderstanding”?

Forget it.

Better to pretend he didn’t hear it.

After all, hearing that he actually wanted to harvest living souls to refine poison, there’s no way he was any kind of good or kind demon.

A large mass of rich experience points gathered onto him, and Henry Thompson was quite satisfied. Although it took a bit of time, the rewards from this sword strike were already worth several days’ worth of usual gains.

But...

It was really too dangerous.

It’s best to encounter this kind of thing as little as possible.

Although fighting monsters and leveling up increases his internal spiritual power and strengthens his mind, his physical body hasn’t improved much.

Right now, he was like a high-attack, low-defense DPS in a game. Even if he could one-shot some “weak” evil creatures, a single misstep could still cost him his life.

If that eight-armed demon hadn’t talked so much nonsense just now, he might have already been refined into poison.

What if he runs into a mute next time?

At this thought, Henry Thompson couldn’t help but feel a chill.

He made up his mind then and there—he had to find a way to toughen up his body!

……

With the death of the eight-armed demon, all the complex webs it had laid within a hundred-zhang radius fell away, turning into ordinary, fragile spider silk.

Just as it had said, the poison on these threads was connected to its soul. With its soul scattered, the magic and toxicity on the spider silk also vanished.

Henry Thompson strolled forward, continuing on his way to Deyun Temple.

He decided to put off monster hunting for now. Tonight was a bit too eventful; wandering outside might lead to trouble.

Fortunately, the rest of the journey was peaceful and uneventful.

In the night, the small temple on the slope glowed with a faint, warm yellow light.

That was the light of home.

Originally, Henry Thompson had told his master he wouldn’t be coming back tonight, but unexpectedly, he returned much earlier than usual.

But it was all the same to the old Daoist. His routine was very healthy—rising at sunrise, resting at sunset.

As usual, Henry Thompson carefully entered, nodded in greeting to the Three Pure Ones, and returned to his own room.

He was used to spending this time every day fighting monsters, so now that he suddenly had free time, he actually didn’t know what to do.

The nightlife of ancient people was truly too lacking.

But maybe it was just him.

Thinking of Zhou Dafu and the others in Yuhang Town, with all their flowers and plants, their lives should be quite lively.

But Henry Thompson always felt that kind of entertainment only lasted three or five seconds. After a brief moment of excitement came an even deeper sense of emptiness.

Poor and empty.

Just then, there was a somewhat urgent knock at the outer gate.

Dong dong dong—

Henry Thompson got up again to open the door.

Both Daoist temples and Buddhist monasteries served as shelters for travelers. Some night travelers who couldn’t find an inn, or poor people who couldn’t afford one, would choose to stay at a temple or monastery.

Deyun Temple was no exception.

He went to the front courtyard and opened the door.

The one knocking was a middle-aged scholar dressed in brown cloth, with a long scholar’s robe draped over it. His face was pale and beardless, giving him a gentle and refined appearance.

Behind him was a carriage. What surprised Henry Thompson was that, judging by its decoration and insignia, this was actually an official carriage.

Usually, only someone at least at the county magistrate level would be assigned such a carriage. Since the county seat of Yuhang was also in Yuhang Town, Henry Thompson had seen this kind of carriage before.

“Little Daoist,” the middle-aged scholar cupped his hands and said, “My daughter and I have traveled to this place and wish to stay for the night. Would that be possible?”

“Please come in.” Henry Thompson nodded and invited the scholar inside.

Seeing his agreement, the scholar turned and called, “Emily.”

The carriage curtain lifted, and a graceful young woman in a light blue dress stepped down. Her long hair was thick as seaweed, simply tied up. Her skin was as white as ivory, her face small but with distinct features, especially her eyes and brows, which were like two clear lakes. With her tall figure and elegant demeanor, she seemed like a white cloud drifting out from the mountains.

The young woman stepped forward, and when she saw Henry Thompson, her beautiful eyes sparkled.

Henry Thompson nodded in greeting, then said, “It’s just that our little temple is rather cramped, with only two bedrooms. I’ll squeeze in with my master, so I’m afraid you two will have to share a room.”

“That’s no problem. We’re already very grateful that you’re willing to take us in, little Daoist,” the scholar said with a smile.

The two of them waited for a while in the front hall. Henry Thompson poured them some water and went off to tidy up the bedding.