Staying up all night, yet feeling no parched throat, no weariness or drowsiness—truly miraculous. However, Ngụy Hạo immediately surmised it was due to Ngọc Nương, and thus inquired, "How did you manage this? To keep me awake all night without feeling any fatigue?"

"As an envoy of the divine, this one naturally possesses spiritual essence. Benefactor, have you not heard the saying that spirit jade nourishes people? This one is merely a Table-Serving Envoy within the mansion of the Four Poisons Dragon God."

"Table-Serving Envoy?" Ngụy Hạo was stunned. "What sort of position is that?"

"When a Daoist cultivator is favored by the Dragon God, they will naturally be invited to the mansion to discuss the Dao. All manner of rare treasures, exotic delicacies, and fine foods must, after all, be brought to the table by someone."

"Isn't that just a server?" "What does Benefactor mean?" "Oh, nothing, nothing at all. That's not the point."

Seeing that Ngọc Nương still seemed rather proud, Ngụy Hạo decided not to pursue the matter further. He changed the topic and inquired about her future, "So, what will Ngọc Nương do now? Does this one intend to remain in Ngũ Phong County? Or return to the abode of the Four Poisons Dragon God?"

"This one was part of the ceremonial escort on this journey, originally meant to travel to Đông Hải to deliver gifts. Alas, we encountered audacious Great Demons who attacked our gift-bearing procession, and it is unknown whether the gifts were stolen..." Ngọc Nương's spirits dampened somewhat. "If I return now, I will surely be held accountable. Thus, this one believes it best to first travel to Đông Hải, pay respects, and inform them of the actual situation, so as to have a proper explanation."

"From Ngũ Phong County to Đông Hải isn't terribly far, but it is still three to four hundred *li*. If you can travel swiftly through the water, once I see you out of Ngũ Phong County's jurisdiction, it would be much more convenient for you to simply leap into the river and make your escape."

"..." Ngọc Nương remained silent. Ngụy Hạo, seeing her lack of reaction, tapped on the snail shell. "Well?"

"This, this one's magical power is weak. Without a Tân Độ spiritual token, entering the great river, this one cannot display her true abilities. If this one were to use her true form, I fear it would be several years before I reached Đông Hải. It would be faster to travel in human form..."

"Then travel in human form."

"But if I am in human form, this one is but a frail young woman. Should I encounter strong individuals, I would have no means of self-defense."

"You are a spirit, yet you fear mortals?"

"There are many powerful individuals who slay demons and banish evil. How dare I underestimate the heroes of this world."

"My imperial examination is approaching..." Ngụy Hạo raised an eyebrow, pondering inwardly.

Truth be told, he was extremely eager to pass the imperial examination. For as long as he succeeded, his social standing within the Great Xia Dynasty would immediately elevate him to a member of the ruling class. Many matters would become simpler then. Passing the examination was important, but becoming an official was even more so.

Furthermore, the "Snail Maiden" herself, was she not proud to be a serving attendant in the revered mansion of the Four Poisons Dragon God? It was quite clear she held an official position. Everyone, it seemed, was much the same in this regard.

However, Ngụy Hạo's conscience would not allow it. Whether before or after his transmigration, he had always been a champion of the weak. To aid the vulnerable, punish evil, and promote good was second nature to him.

After a moment of silence, Ngụy Hạo slammed the table, causing the Green Jade Snail Shell to sway wildly. "Very well, a good deed should be seen through to the very end. I shall escort Ngọc Nương to Đông Hải. It is a journey of three to four hundred *li*, but I can return by boat in a few days."

"Benefactor, you must not! The imperial examination is swiftly approaching; you must prioritize your scholarly achievements above all else! You absolutely cannot lose sight of the greater goal for the sake of a small one."

Hearing that Ngụy Hạo was a *tú tài*, a licentiate who would soon take the provincial examination, Ngọc Nương was thoroughly startled. Yesterday, when she had turned her head in the main chamber and seen a burly man, she had nearly been scared out of her wits, merely taking Ngụy Hạo for a peasant or a common ruffian. Who could have imagined he was a respected *tú tài*? Indeed, one cannot judge a book by its cover; even a strong man can be a scholar.

"If I travel swiftly, I can still make it in time for the provincial examination. Perhaps I might even absorb some of your spiritual essence and pass the examination in one go, haha." Ngụy Hạo was utterly nonchalant. Having made his decision, he promptly gathered his belongings and immediately set off.

Seeing Ngụy Hạo act on his words instantly, Ngọc Nương fell silent, yet was deeply touched. She thought to herself, *Everyone speaks of mortals chasing fame and profit, yet there are also such extraordinary individuals among them. No wonder the Human race prospers...*

He checked to find some silver and copper coins, then strapped on his ancestral treasured saber. Wrapping a square cloth around his head to secure his hair, he hoisted a box onto his back. Inside the box, besides a few changes of clothes, there was also a water pot, in which Ngọc Nương was temporarily submerged.

"Master Ngụy, where are you bound?" "Little Hạo, why do you appear to be embarking on a distant journey?" "Young master, are you leaving home?" Even before he had left Ngụy Family Cove, many neighbors had already greeted him. From inside the box, Ngọc Nương heard clearly and immediately thought to herself that this man surely wasn't a bad person, otherwise his relationships in the village wouldn't be this good.

"I am embarking on a distant trip. A friend wishes to go to Đông Hải, and how can I be at ease letting her go alone? I am merely seeing her off."

Upon hearing his explanation, everyone in the village wished him smooth sailing and urged him to take care. This made Ngọc Nương even more certain that Ngụy Hạo was a good person. In her heart, she pondered, *The world speaks much, often swayed by whispers and rumors, yet true goodness is so rarely appreciated...*

Ngụy Hạo himself owned a small boat. He initially planned to row it eastward along the river, and then, upon reaching the neighboring Ngũ Đàm County, he would board a larger vessel. This way, it would be significantly faster.

"Benefactor, this one has heard that scholars often carry swords. Why does Benefactor carry a saber?" "Because my family is poor, and I cannot afford a sword."

"..." It was a very straightforward answer. Ngụy Hạo himself did not care, but Ngọc Nương thought to herself: *When fate allows, I must present him with a treasured sword as a gift.*

"Having grown so old, I have yet to leave Ngũ Phong County alone. Only when taking the prefectural examination did I journey to the prefectural city, and even then, I was always accompanied." Mentioning this, Ngụy Hạo still felt a little excited, a sense of brand-new adventurous thrill.

Previously, when he heard tell of demons and monstrous spirits, it was always from the mouths of others, or from the scholars in the academy. And never having seen them with his own eyes, there was a great sense of distance. Now, it was different. With the certainty of spirits, that world was vibrant and colorful, truly worth exploring.

The most important point, after communicating with Ngọc Nương, was his firm belief that while spirits could slay people, people could also slay spirits. After all, it was simply a matter of who possessed greater physical strength and stronger magical power. If monstrous creatures were still within the realm of living beings, then it was simple. Power was relative. There was no logic in a monstrous creature being able to harm a person, but a person being unable to contend with a monstrous creature.

Punting the boat along the way, Ngụy Hạo was extremely skilled. Although he wasn't particularly familiar with the specific routes, fortunately, he only needed to discern the general direction. In this Jiangnan region, the waterways were all intricate and well-connected; reaching Ngũ Đàm County would take at most half a day.

Passing through riverside towns, many private docks and boatmen hailed him. The entrances of houses faced not the main roads, but the river itself. Winding his way forward, a long wake formed behind the small boat. Seeing this scene, Ngụy Hạo immediately felt his spirits lift.

"That passing gentleman, are you perhaps heading to Ngũ Phong County?" Inside a riverside eatery, a female cook, her head wrapped in a blue floral cloth, wiped her hands on her apron. She then beckoned to Ngụy Hạo and said, "The sky is already dark, gentleman. Why not dine here and then find an inn to stay for the night? These past few days, beyond Ngũ Đàm County in the lakes and waterways, many demonic and monstrous spirits have been sighted. It is very dangerous to travel by boat at dusk; gentleman, please be careful."

"There are also demonic and monstrous spirits here?" Ngụy Hạo's eyes immediately lit up. Perhaps they were Ngọc Nương's colleagues?

This particular narrative, in its English form, finds its exclusive home on truyen.free.