A major incident occurred in the town. People fearfully closed their doors and shut their windows. Shops didn’t open, and there were few pedestrians on the streets.
Master Cao was unusually busy, investigating everywhere day and night. Even Xiao Yan followed along to help and lend support. Without her teacher, Xiang Su was very bored.
Because the grandfather and grandson still came to “the Su house” to mooch meals, Xiang Su understood the entire incident very well. Several men and women had consecutively died at home from having their vital yang and yin essence absorbed. Xiang Su also had a vague impression—absorbing mortal essence could quickly supplement one’s cultivation, but if done improperly it would contaminate one’s own spiritual consciousness. Immortals would fall into demonic ways, demons would go mad. In both the immortal and demon realms, this wasn’t considered righteous practice.
Those who could do such things were often small immortals or demons eager for quick success, definitely not great demon lords. Therefore, Xiang Su dismissed Master Cao’s horrifying descriptions.
Compared to his grandfather’s irrelevant boasting, Xiao Yan didn’t speak much, but every sentence hit the point. He judged that the perpetrator should be a small demon of undetermined gender—a very low-level monster. Xiang Su actually very much agreed with his view, but still couldn’t help mocking him: “Oh, do you even understand what hermaphroditic means?”
Ten-year-old child Xiao Yan glanced at her and said calmly: “Looking at you, you seem quite like one.”
Xiang Su was instantly choked, so angry she couldn’t think of a retort. Master Cao hurriedly glared at his grandson: “How do you talk to Auntie Su? No manners—just because someone is old and ugly, you call them neither male nor female?”
The corner of Xiang Su’s mouth twitched. Master, is this how you scold your grandson?!
Hearing his grandfather’s words, Xiao Yan showed very fake remorse. “I’m sorry, I was wrong. Even though she’s both old and ugly, I should still respect her a bit.”
Xiang Su had the urge to flip the table.
Master Cao, having picked up another chopstick of food, was very gratified, praising his grandson: “Knowing your mistakes and correcting them—you’re behaving well.”
Xiang Su stood up preparing to roll up her sleeves and take action. Auntie Ma stumbled running in from outside, her voice changed: “Terrible, terrible! At Yong’an Bridge by the Li family, the daughter-in-law was drained of essence and blood by a monster and died!”
Master Cao slammed the table and stood up. His chopsticks knocked against the plate edge and bounced far away. “Audacious evil demon, you dare commit murder again!” As he spoke, he drew his peachwood sword, as if the monster were right before his eyes, swishing and waving it a few times. “Let’s go, to the Li house!”
Xiao Yan didn’t move, frowning in contemplation: “Acting before nightfall—its magical power has increased.”
Master Cao, who had just been imposing, instantly deflated, looking earnestly at his grandson. “Then what do we do?”
Xiao Yan shook his head. “Bring enough spiritual talismans, see the situation before deciding.”
Xiang Su observed coldly, feeling that the short and tender one was actually the grandfather, while the one gesticulating wildly without ideas was the foolish grandson. “Need me to go take a look too?” she said coolly. Though she had no combat experience, she had magical treasures in hand. Even Chilin couldn’t do anything to her. Dealing with a small monster that could only attack mortals shouldn’t be a problem.
Master Cao wore an expression of not taking Auntie Su seriously. “Bah, Auntie, you should stay home and enjoy your blessings. Going along won’t help much.” He also silently moved his lips, clearly indicating “don’t cause trouble.”
Xiao Yan hesitated, then said firmly: “Good, you come along too.”
Master Cao was dumbfounded, completely unexpected. Because he usually relied on his grandson for subduing demons, though full of questions about Xiao Yan’s decision, he didn’t object.
Xiao Yan’s tender little hand pulled out a cinnabar talisman from the cloth bag slung over his shoulder. Before Xiang Su could react, he had already slapped it on her forehead. Xiang Su was furious, tearing it off in one motion. “What are you doing? I’m not a monster!”
Xiao Yan was unmoved by her anger, instructing her in a mature manner: “Keep it on you. I’m afraid you’ll be affected by demon aura and transform into a demon yourself before you can even help.”
“I…” Xiang Su was about to declare that she was a pure and kind wood spirit, and even a immortal attendant of Shenghuan Dijun! The words reached her lips, but glancing at Master Cao and Auntie Ma looking at them full of confusion, she could only resentfully swallow her defense, saying angrily: “You’d transform before I would!”
Auntie Ma was very worried, blocking Xiang Su and urging her not to take the risk. The spoon perceptively came out to explain to her, saying: “My mother also learned some rudimentary demon-subduing and monster-eliminating skills in her youth.” Xiang Su looked at him approvingly—after all, he was conjured by Junshang, quite clever indeed.
When they arrived outside the Li house, the sky had already darkened. Surrounding neighbors’ doors and windows were tightly shut, but the Li family’s main gate was wide open. Not a bit of lamplight could be seen in the courtyard. The night wind blew the dilapidated door panels, making creaking sounds, making the surroundings seem even more lifeless like a dead city. A broken bamboo basket was blown by the wind, rolling out from a corner. It startled Xiang Su so much she nearly jumped, but fearing Xiao Yan would laugh, she forcibly suppressed making a sound, her face instantly turning deathly pale.
“Useless officials, not a shadow of them at this time!” Master Cao had seen big scenes after all. In such an eerie environment, his tone remained relaxed as he lifted his foot to enter the courtyard.
“Wait.” Xiao Yan stopped him, very skillfully taking out a box of cinnabar. He dipped his index and middle fingers in it, closed his eyes, and dashingly smeared it on his eyelids.
Watching him, Xiang Su had to admit this move looked quite cool. Even though he was a child, he had great presence. Xiao Yan was silent for a while, then said in a low voice: “It’s in the east wing.”
Xiang Su immediately trembled spineless. Though she was an immortal spirit, she had no combat experience. Her greatest adversary had been Chilin, who had bullied her several times. In this atmosphere, this first time subduing demons and eliminating monsters, she seemed about to chicken out…
Xiao Yan opened his eyes and glanced at her. “Don’t be afraid, follow me.” As he spoke, he calmly drew his peachwood sword from behind his back. Xiang Su’s heart trembled—the little brat truly had presence. Who knew how impressive he’d be when he grew up.
Both Xiao Yan’s person and sword were a size smaller than Master Cao’s, but in presence he completely dominated. Master Cao also nervously followed behind him into the courtyard.
The three advanced step by step toward the east wing. The three small rooms had not a sound. By this time, the sky had completely darkened. Xiang Su unconsciously hid behind Xiao Yan, accommodating his height by tremblingly half-bending her waist.
Xiao Yan looked back at Master Cao maintaining the same posture as Xiang Su, somewhat helplessly saying: “Grandfather, light the fire starter…”
Only then did Master Cao wake from his dream and lit the fire starter. The light made Xiang Su’s heart settle somewhat, and her back straightened. What a joke—she was the one with the highest magical power among the three, right?!
Xiao Yan waved his hand. With a clang, he pushed open the door.
“You should wait until I’m ready!” Xiang Su, both shocked and frightened, very disgracefully shrieked.
Xiao Yan completely ignored her. He pulled something from his cloth bag and threw it into the room. With a bang it exploded inside, and the surroundings were immediately filled with a foul smell.
A dark light flashed from inside the door. Something darted out from the room. Xiang Su was so frightened she sat down on the ground. Xiao Yan with quick eyes and hands took out a spiritual talisman, muttering incantations under his breath. With a wave, the talisman stuck to “its” back. That dark shadow seemed to have its feet held back, standing in place without running further, slowly turning around.
Xiang Su secretly let out a breath. What was this—the so-called monster was just a fox youth! Not only was it not terrifying or ferocious, it was actually quite cute. Handsome features, plus a pair of fluffy ears, and dragging a snow-white tail behind its bottom—seeing it made one want to pull it off as a shawl. Xiang Su proudly stood up, patting the dust off her bottom, pretending her earlier fall was careless.
“Evil demon! You dare harm people!” Master Cao swished his sword, shouting loudly at the room that was already empty.
Xiang Su and Xiao Yan both looked at him somewhat speechlessly. The fox youth burst out laughing. Only then did Master Cao hastily turn back around, still unable to see where the fox youth was, pointing his sword randomly, calling out repeatedly for it to surrender.
“With such goods, you want to subdue this immortal?” As soon as the fox youth spoke, Xiang Su felt uncomfortable. It truly was hermaphroditic—the first half of the sentence was a male voice, the second half female.
“Evil demon, cultivation is not easy. Since you’ve already cultivated a human body, why take the evil path!” Xiao Yan’s voice was childishly clear, yet speaking these words carried some weight. Xiang Su nodded repeatedly—this was exactly what she wanted to say to the fox.
The fox laughed shrilly, again both male and female voices. Xiang Su got goosebumps all over hearing it. “Cultivation is too slow, I can’t wait. Heaven treats me well, sending me a celestial child with an opened heavenly eye like you. Absorbing your immortal essence, I’ll achieve my righteous fruit!” Having proudly finished speaking, the fox’s eyes suddenly turned fierce, demon aura greatly flourishing around its body. The talisman stuck to its back couldn’t withstand it, failing and falling to the ground.
Xiang Su had originally thought it looked quite cute and wanted to persuade it to turn back from the wrong path. But once it revealed its demon appearance, it was still quite frightening. Even Xiao Yan’s face grew solemn, as if facing a great enemy. Seeing the fox’s sharp claws like hooks charging straight at Xiao Yan, Xiang Su quickly pulled out her hairpin and activated it into a fan, wanting to strike it with star-thunder. The result was only weak star points fanning out, looking like sparse fireworks with insufficient powder in the night.
Seeing Xiang Su jump out, the fox didn’t know what technique this was and didn’t dare rashly attack. Seeing she only shook out a few bright points, it laughed loudly, mocking Xiao Yan: “Both your helpers have boundless magical power indeed.”
Xiang Su waved her fan bewilderedly, only now remembering some words Junshang had said: if immortal spirits randomly created killing karma in the mortal realm they would suffer heavenly punishment. Afraid she wouldn’t know her own strength, within the barrier, the Sinking Star Fan and Gardenia Fragrance Ribbon’s power was reduced by half—sufficient for self-protection but not enough to injure others.
The fox narrowed its eyes watching Xiang Su still puzzling over her magical artifact for a while, repeatedly exclaiming: “Today’s harvest is truly too good!” With a flourish of its sharp claws, it charged at Xiang Su again.
“Be careful!” Xiao Yan took a large step forward to block in front of Xiang Su, strenuously holding his peachwood sword horizontally. The fox’s claw came down, instantly breaking it into several pieces.
Seeing this, the fox became even more vigorous, both claws swinging together. In the critical moment, Xiang Su had a flash of inspiration. Her magical artifacts weren’t sufficient to injure people, but the dagger Junshang gave her was a real weapon! Pulling out the dagger from her bosom, Xiao Yan’s shoulder had already taken one of the fox’s claws, blood flowing profusely. Xiang Su was furious, forcefully swinging at the fox. The fox, unprepared, was struck on the left wrist. With a shrill scream, it instantly transformed into a streak of green light fleeing toward outside the town.
Xiang Su still wanted to pursue but was stopped by Xiao Yan’s pained shout: “Don’t chase. This demon beast can pass through the barrier—there must be an expert guiding it from behind.”
Xiang Su was stunned. “How do you know there’s a barrier?” Could mortals with opened heavenly eyes be so powerful as to see the barrier Junshang laid down?
Xiao Yan showed a pained expression. “Quickly go back and treat my injury… that, first go wake up my grandfather.”
Xiang Su looked back—turns out Master Cao had long fainted from fright.
The Cao grandfather and grandson stayed at the Su house to recover from injuries. Xiang Su took care of them willingly. The claw that injured Xiao Yan, in the final analysis, was taken for her. Recalling the scene of his small body blocking in front of her, she was also grateful.
Xiao Yan was full of worries every day. As soon as his shoulder improved slightly, he had his grandfather get lots of black dog blood and densely wrote incantations all around the Su house. Xiang Su was made nauseous by the smell of dog blood and hid far away, letting the Cao grandfather and grandson fuss about.
“Are you afraid the fox will come seeking revenge?” One day after finishing lunch, Xiang Su was practicing calligraphy in the study. Xiao Yan was again diligently writing talismans. She couldn’t help asking.
Xiao Yan stopped writing, rarely using a serious and discussive tone to speak with her: “This matter is strange. I always feel this fox’s purpose isn’t merely that bit of mortal essence.”
Xiang Su very much wanted to hear what he had to say, so she continued: “That can’t be right. It said so itself—cultivation is too bitter, it wants to take a shortcut.”
Xiao Yan frowned and shook his head. “It has already harmed several mortals. By reason, its demon aura should already be heavy and obvious. But I must use cinnabar to sense it. This doesn’t accord with common sense.”
Xiang Su fell silent. Could it be coming for her? Trying to find Junshang through her?
Not very likely. If it came for her, it wouldn’t be a small fox demon with weak magical power, and it wouldn’t make such a commotion harming humans, as if afraid of not attracting attention. She couldn’t help taking out the dagger to look at again. It had been so long—hadn’t Junshang finished forging yet?
After finishing dinner, the twilight was light, the orange-yellow glow soft and warm. Xiang Su and Xiao Yan sat in the courtyard. Neither spoke, both enjoying this tranquil feeling.
Suddenly Xiao Yan slowly stood up, face pale. “It’s coming.”
A chill ran down Xiang Su’s spine. She quickly gripped the dagger in her hand. “This time… I’ll protect you!”
Xiao Yan glanced at her, seeming to want to mock her, but ultimately lost the mood, turning instead to look gravely at the gate outside.
The main gate banged open. A force rushed at them, instantly locking shut the doors and windows of surrounding rooms. Xiang Su heard the spoon loudly calling for mother but unable to come out. Master Cao was also shouting Xiao Yan’s name loudly in another room.
“You?!”
Both Xiang Su and Xiao Yan were greatly shocked seeing clearly who had come.