They all became female demons after being reborn.

Chapter 8 White Robe

One thousand taels of silver?

The guests who were queuing up to register their congratulatory gifts all looked over in astonishment.

What does one thousand taels mean?

An ordinary family of four could only save a few taels of silver a year.

Among the martial arts sects present, few could afford to bring back several hundred taels of silver in cash; the highest congratulatory gift this time was only one or two hundred taels of silver.

But this fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy in front of me asked for a thousand taels of silver the moment he opened his mouth?

The guests' gazes shifted from astonishment to suspicion, then quickly to disdain, with many whispering among themselves.

"Who's this pretty boy? He's dressed quite well, but he has no sense of propriety when it comes to his mouth."

"A thousand taels of silver? Are you kidding me!"

"Let's say less, in case they actually can produce it."

Wu Cheng ignored the crickets, but the steward was sweating profusely.

The young man was handsome, dressed in fine Shu brocade, and possessed an extraordinary air about him. Even when people talked about him behind his back, he remained unfazed, suggesting that he was not as simple as he seemed.

His main concern right now is whether people are genuinely there to offer birthday wishes or to cause trouble.

He was hesitating whether to announce his arrival when he saw a middle-aged scholar with a goatee, dressed in a gray-blue long robe, stride out of the door.

He walked over to the steward and whispered a few words in his ear. The steward's expression changed slightly, but he quickly put on a smile and bowed to Wu Cheng, saying, "Young Master Mei, your presence is truly an honor to our Shen Family Manor! You are a distinguished guest, please come inside!"

Qingque frowned slightly, but seeing Wu Cheng happily going inside, she gripped the umbrella handle and followed him.

Passing through the gatehouse, you are greeted by a very spacious courtyard.

At this moment, no less than forty or fifty tables of banquet tables had been set up in the courtyard, where heroes from all walks of life were toasting and laughing, creating a lively atmosphere.

The middle-aged scholar led Wu Chengqingque around the crowd to a side hall in the main hall, where they sat down. There were only three tables there, and the people sitting there were all people who looked extraordinary.

The scholar arranged for Wu Cheng to sit at the left side of the main table, while he himself sat beside him, introducing himself as Ji, the manager of Shen Family Manor.

After personally pouring Wu Cheng a cup of tea, Steward Ji began to probe, "I observe that Young Master Mei possesses such an air of refinement at such a young age. May I ask what kind of business your family runs?"

Wu Cheng picked up his teacup, took a sip, and didn't reply.

Standing behind him, Qingque coldly said, "My young master was instructed by the master not to make a fuss when he went out."

The moment she opened her mouth, the temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees.

Those who had initially looked down on Wu Cheng after hearing about what happened at the gate couldn't help but glance at her a few more times, and even their disdain subconsciously disappeared.

Such a beautiful and refined woman is actually just a maid; Megan Sheng's background must be quite impressive.

Manager Ji chuckled twice and didn't press the matter further, simply serving tea and chatting with the other person.

Before long, a hearty laugh came from the inner room, followed by the sound of footsteps.

As everyone looked, they saw an old man dressed in a bright red birthday robe walk out, surrounded by his disciples and servants.

The old man was short and stout, with a ruddy complexion and a kind, smiling face, resembling a wealthy, easygoing country bumpkin.

He walked to the head seat at the main table, then bowed to those around him and said, "I am deeply grateful to all of you heroes for gracing me with your presence to celebrate my birthday! I have prepared a simple meal and wine today, which is hardly a token of my appreciation, and I hope you will forgive me!"

The guests all stood up and raised their glasses, and the hall was filled with congratulatory and lively sounds.

Wu Cheng also stood up and raised his glass.

Qingque's voice rang in his ears at this moment, "Your Highness, this Master Shen's steps are steady and his breathing is even and long. The distance between each step he took when he came was only a millimeter apart. This person is a master."

Wu Cheng sat down without changing his expression.

After receiving toasts from a group of people, Master Shen finally had some free time, and his gaze naturally fell on Wu Cheng.

He smiled and sized up Wu Cheng for a moment, then raised his cup and said, "Young Master Mei, I am a few years older than you, please don't take offense at my presumption."

Wu Cheng nodded. "Please speak, Master."

"Then I will speak," Master Shen said after a moment's thought. "I see that you, young master, possess such a refined demeanor at such a young age, and the young lady beside you is also an exceptional person. May I ask where you reside, young master?"

Come again?

Wu Cheng smiled slightly, "I am from Lin'an. I am traveling here to see the world of martial arts."

"I never imagined it was a prominent family from the capital!" Master Shen exclaimed with delight, immediately asking, "May I ask if the young master is married?"

His question immediately created a subtle atmosphere in the side hall.

Wu Cheng was taken aback. When he looked up, he saw that Master Shen was smiling at him. The enthusiasm in his eyes made him think that he had arrived in Rongcheng.

There's definitely something wrong with Shenjiazhuang!

At this moment, Wu Cheng sensed a faint killing intent emanating from beside him.

He glanced at Qingque and saw that her eyes had turned cold, and her right hand was only inches away from the handle of the oil-paper umbrella leaning against the stool.

Wu Cheng kicked her foot without making a sound, and Qing Que pursed her lips and lowered her eyes.

Then Wu Cheng laughed and said, "You jest, Master. Marriage is arranged by parents and matchmakers; I cannot make my own decisions."

"What's the harm in that—"

Master Shen laughed heartily, and just as he was saying something, a loud announcement suddenly came from outside the main hall.

"The White Fairy of the Asking Heaven Sect has arrived!"

Master Shen's expression changed slightly, then disappeared.

The clamor in the hall seemed to be instantly cut off by an invisible hand, and everyone's eyes turned to the door.

Even those burly men who were spouting vulgarities and playing drinking games put down their glasses and fell silent.

Wu Cheng looked in that direction and saw a beautiful figure in white slowly walking in from outside the main hall.

The girl, who looked only seventeen or eighteen years old, was extremely tall, with her long hair tied in a high ponytail that hung down her back.

Her eyebrows were not the typical willow-leaf eyebrows of women, but rather slightly upturned sword-like eyebrows. However, what impressed Wu Cheng the most were her beautiful eyes that shone like stars. This unusual temperament gave her the carefree spirit of a young swordsman whose gender was hard to discern.

That's fucking cool!

The young girl strolled leisurely in the courtyard, seemingly unconcerned as the scabbard of her sword, engraved with exquisite cloud patterns, lightly tapped against her side, as if this were her own backyard.

But none of the hundreds of martial arts practitioners present dared to breathe loudly as she passed by.

Only then did Wu Cheng gain a new understanding of the Wentian Sect.

No wonder the imperial court sent its own prince as a hostage in exchange for cooperation. It's likely that all the sect leaders and elders in this manor combined don't have the same prestige as a single inner disciple of the Wentian Sect.

The girl in white glanced around the side hall, and apart from giving a polite nod when she looked at Master Shen, her expression remained unchanged when she looked at the others, as if she were looking at a pile of stones and saplings.

But the next moment, her gaze fell on Wu Cheng's face.

The arrogance that had been hidden beneath the surface of casual politeness vanished instantly.

It wasn't that she disappeared, but rather that a more turbulent emotion burst forth from beneath her inner pride and outward politeness.

Wu Cheng clearly saw her pause for a moment, then her eyes reddened, and then her originally dashing eyebrows softened, the candlelight reflecting in her shining star-like eyes like a handful of scattered gold.

She stood in the center of the side hall, and under the gaze of all the guests, she gave Wu Cheng a genuine smile.

Then she whispered something that only she could hear.

"Junior brother, it's been a long time..."