Chapter 104
How could one read a fox’s paw? There were no lines, no markings.
But the old monk studied it intently, and before Wei Jie, his patience waning, could intervene, he spoke. “Two lifetimes of love… unrequited… This fox… she chooses poorly. Until she breaks free from this cycle of heartbreak, she will never achieve enlightenment.”
Silence fell upon the group.
His words, sharp and insightful, had struck a chord. Yu Ling’er, in both her lives, had indeed been consumed by love, her heart broken each time.
Who was this monk? How could he see through her?
Wei Jie, his guard up, pulled Xiao Xiao behind him, his eyes narrowed, scrutinizing the old monk.
But the little white fox, still hopeful, her ears drooping, let out a mournful cry.
The old monk, surprisingly, understood her. “Fox,” he chuckled, “offering me more silver won’t change your fate. Some things… they’re beyond the reach of wealth. But if you seek a chance, a change in fortune, ask those behind you. Their fates are unusual. Perhaps they can defy the heavens.”
She turned, her gaze falling upon Wei Jie and Cui Xiao Xiao.
The old monk, it seemed, was also a skilled face reader. He studied them, stroking his dirty beard. “You two… you’re also entangled in a karmic bond. If you can let go of this illusion, this attachment… your potential for enlightenment… it’s immeasurable.”
This time, it was clear he was addressing Wei Jie and Xiao Xiao.
Wei Jie’s fists clenched, his jaw tightening. To call their bond an illusion…
But Xiao Xiao seemed unfazed. “May I ask,” she said, her voice polite, “which deity are you? You were waiting for us, weren’t you? Besides offering relationship advice, do you have any other… guidance?”
The old monk chuckled, waving his tattered fan, gesturing towards the statues behind him. “There are many deities. Choose whichever one you believe me to be. As for guidance… I wouldn’t dare. You two… you’ve already disrupted fate. You wouldn’t listen to me anyway. But out there, on the sea… there are unfinished matters. Have you considered the consequences of your actions?”
He pointed in the direction of the island they had just escaped.
Wei Jie frowned, his gaze fixed on the old monk, but he didn’t sense any divine aura, like the Dongyuan Emperor’s.
He seemed… ordinary, just a dirty old monk.
Who was he? Was he a deity, even more powerful than the Dongyuan Emperor, capable of completely concealing his true nature?
Xiao Xiao, her voice laced with a wry amusement, said, “My past lives… they’re hidden from the Book of Life and Death. Those past grievances… they have nothing to do with me. I only care about who I am now, and those I cherish. Thank you for your time, old master. We’ll be on our way now.”
The old monk didn’t protest. “Everyone chooses their own path,” he said, his smile unwavering. “But I have a gift for you. Look into it, young lady. It might… clarify things.”
He produced a bronze mirror from his sleeve.
Xiao Xiao and Tang Youshu exchanged surprised glances.
That mirror… it was familiar!
It was the mirror Tang Youshu had hung in the main hall of the Lingshan Talisman Sect, two hundred years later.
He, a firm believer in Feng Shui, had placed it there to ward off negative energy.
Its intricate design, its silver embellishments… Tang Youshu often polished it, admiring its beauty.
And now… it was here! This old monk… he was truly unsettling!
No one reached for the mirror, but the little white fox, her snout darting out, snatched it, carrying it to Xiao Xiao.
As Xiao Xiao took the mirror, she looked up, wanting to question the old monk.
But he shuddered, his cloudy eyes blinking, his gaze unfocused.
He saw the little white fox and stumbled back, knocking over the shelf of statues, his voice a panicked screech. “Hey! I was just taking a nap! Why are you scaring me with a fox?! You’re paying for this! For my statues!”
This… this wasn’t the same man who had given them that insightful reading.
Someone had possessed him, waiting for them, and now that entity was gone, leaving behind the original, bewildered owner.
Tang Youshu, handing him a few silver coins, ushered them away.
They left the village, the setting sun casting long shadows as they settled on a hillside.
Xiao Xiao examined the mirror, but she couldn’t see anything unusual. It simply reflected her face.
She had asked Tang Youshu how he had obtained it.
He had frowned, recalling the past. “I saved a merchant,” he said. “He had been robbed, and he had no money for medicine. He gave me the mirror as a token of his gratitude.”
It was just an ordinary mirror. It had hung in the main hall for two hundred years, causing no trouble.
But now… an identical mirror had appeared. What did it mean? And that old monk… had he been sent by the Dongyuan Emperor to convince them to separate?
Wei Jie, who had been resting beside her, suddenly sat up, leaping onto a branch. A hawk, a messenger from the Wei family, circled above him, then landed on his outstretched arm.
He removed a letter from the hawk’s leg, scanning it quickly. Before Xiao Xiao could ask, he said, “Grandmother Wei says… demons are escaping from the underworld. It’s unprecedented. They’re overwhelming the Wei family. They’ve barely managed to seal the gates. But those creatures… they’re everywhere. She’s warning me to be careful…”
Tang Youshu’s brow furrowed. In their past life, the gates of the underworld had also been breached, but his master, awakened by the black phoenix’s death, had sealed them quickly. Only a few creatures had escaped.
And where were those creatures now?
As he spoke, Xiao Xiao and Wei Jie felt a tremor beneath their feet, a subtle vibration.
It reminded them of the tremors that had shaken Qilao Mountain when Wei Jie’s demonic nature had surged, stirring the demonic entities within the underworld.
Wei Jie, pressing his ear to the ground, listened intently, then stood, his expression grim. “No need to guess where they’re going,” he said. “They’re heading towards us… There are too many of them. We need to leave… now!”
The former ruler of the underworld, forced to flee from a horde of demons… it was ironic.
If he were alone, he would have stayed, unleashing his demonic power, a massacre to appease his inner darkness.
But Tang Youshu’s cultivation was weakened, and Yu Ling’er was vulnerable. He had to prioritize their safety, swallowing his pride.
They acted quickly, their movements synchronized. Tang Youshu placed the little white fox in his basket, then activated Speed Talismans, his legs blurring as he dashed across the grass.
Xiao Xiao and Wei Jie, their speed even greater, soared through the air, Xiao Xiao no longer needing the foxes’ assistance.
“What’s going on?” she asked, her voice laced with concern.
“The most dangerous creatures of the underworld… they’ve been released,” Wei Jie said, his voice grim.
Xiao Xiao, unfamiliar with those creatures, asked, “Where does the Corpse Eater rank among them?”
“It doesn’t even make the list,” he said. “It’s a scavenger… a bottom feeder…”
So they were being hunted by… monsters.
They increased their speed.
They were like rabbits, pursued by a pack of hounds. If those creatures caught them… it would be a bloodbath.
The demons of the underworld, tired of feasting on the dead, craved the taste of living flesh. Someone had released them, ordering them to kill Wei Jie and his companions.
And the former ruler of the underworld… his flesh, to these creatures, was like a delicacy, a feast that could enhance their power. How could they resist?
Meanwhile, on Mount Kunlun, the closest celestial mountain to the mortal realm, two figures stood within the main hall.
A woman, a jade flute crafted from a qilin’s bone clutched in her hand, stood behind the Dongyuan Emperor.
The son of the Heavenly Emperor… he was a prize, a target of admiration for many celestial women.
And the Dewdrop Fairy, a skilled flautist, was one of his admirers. But even admiration had its limits.
His request, to use her flute, capable of controlling demonic beasts, to unleash the creatures of the underworld… it had given her pause.
As a minor deity, she usually avoided meddling in the affairs of the lower realms. The risk of damaging her cultivation, her reputation… it was too great.
Deities could survive without the offerings of mortals. It might slow their progress, but it wasn’t fatal.
But slander, rumors, accusations… they could damage their foundations, their connection to the heavens. There had been cases of deities falling from grace, their power waning, their souls cast down.
After all, what separated deities from demons? A thin veil, a distinction between heaven and earth.
Those in power relied on the respect and admiration of mortals. To unleash those creatures… it would cause chaos, suffering…
She didn’t want to risk her own divinity.
But he had smiled, his fingers gently caressing her cheek, his voice soothing. “The demons’ escape… it’s because the underworld is without a ruler. Mortals are ignorant. They don’t know their ruler has descended to the mortal realm to face his tribulation. They will blame him for the chaos, for failing to protect them. It won’t affect you.”
He paused, his voice lowering. “The underworld… it might not be a pleasant place for a celestial fairy, but it’s a coveted position for many. If the ancient Flame Emperor can’t return… the position will remain vacant. You’re skilled in controlling beasts. You would be a perfect candidate. I’ll speak to Mother, to the Saint, recommend you for the position. What do you say?”
She understood his implication. To refuse now… it would be a career-ending move.
She was a human who had achieved immortality through hard work and perseverance. But she had learned that the celestial realm was just as competitive, just as ruthless, as the mortal realm.
And although she was no longer bound by mortality, she still desired power, influence…
The Dewdrop Fairy, tired of tending to the celestial deer, her heart swayed by his promises, had agreed.
She had gone to the gates of the underworld, her flute’s melody echoing through the darkness, unleashing those monstrous creatures.
Now, standing beside him, watching the events unfolding in the mortal realm through the Xuanyuan Divine Mirror, she scoffed.
The former ruler of the underworld, fleeing from his own subjects… it was a joke.
She would learn from his mistake. She would never allow herself to be cast down, to endure such humiliation…
As she imagined those creatures wreaking havoc, destroying the ancient Flame Emperor’s reputation, paving the way for her ascension, her smile widened.
But suddenly, the figures in the mirror vanished.
The demons, their hunger unsatisfied, their target gone, turned their rage upon the nearby villages.
The earth trembled, trees were uprooted, fires raged, as they rampaged, their forms monstrous, terrifying. The villagers, alerted, armed themselves with whatever they could find, rushing to confront them.
But seeing those creatures, their power undeniable, they fell to their knees, praying, begging the heavens for mercy.
Someone cried out, pleading with the ancient Flame Emperor to stop them, but another voice, filled with anger, shouted, “That ancient Flame Emperor… he’s useless! He released these demons! Why beg him for help?! If they destroy our homes, I’ll tear down his temple!”
Mob mentality… it was contagious. The villagers, their fear turning to rage, cursed the ruler of the underworld for unleashing these creatures upon them.
And some, remembering the Dongyuan Emperor, his reputation as a protector, chanted his name, begging for his intervention.
The Dongyuan Emperor smiled. A deity… they had to perform miracles, to demonstrate their power. He would intervene, at the right moment, subduing those creatures.
And then… the offerings would flow, his divine power core replenished…
Just as the demons reached the village, ready to feast, a creature descended from the sky.
It was a hyena-like beast, its tail wagging, standing before them.
The Corpse Eater, a lowly scavenger, whimpered, its large mouth opening, revealing rows of sharp teeth.
Its greatest mistake… it had been captured by a young man named Wei Jie, bound to him by a contract.
He had used it to deal with some cursed mortals… that had been manageable.
But this… what was he asking of it now? It was just a young Corpse Eater, not a legendary beast! He wanted it to face all these demons?
It wanted to go home, to the underworld, to feast on decaying souls in peace…
And then… the promises began.
Cui Xiao Xiao, concealed by an invisibility talisman, slapped a Gluttony Talisman onto its back, then patted its head. “Good boy! Do this, and you’ll be a legend! Think about it! You’ll be protecting these villagers! Even the celestial beasts won’t be as impressive as you! Come on! Get excited! Eat them all! I’ve given you a Gluttony Talisman. You won’t explode!”
Did that even make sense?
But it had no choice. Wei Jie’s control over it… it was stronger than before, reminding it of the ancient Flame Emperor’s power.
And Wei Jie was standing behind it now.
Xiao Xiao squeezed his arm, her voice encouraging. “You’re the son of a Mei! You can do this! Go!”
She patted his head, and he gave her a sidelong glance. “I’m not a Corpse Eater. Patting my head won’t work. After this… you’ll have to reward me…”
She leaned closer, her voice a soft murmur. “How should I reward you?”
He chuckled, his lips brushing against her ear, whispering, his words making her blush.
“Eat… sleep…” His words, crude, primal… they shocked her.
But before she could react, he leaped into the air, his invisibility talisman shattering, his demonic energy surging, black scales spreading across his face, his hair flying, his roar, a deep, resonating sound, echoing through the mountains.
He was the son of a Mei.
And in this moment, his Mei blood, combined with the demonic energy of two lifetimes, was unleashed, its power amplified. His roar, unlike his mother’s seductive songs, was a primal force, a wave of sound crashing against the demons.
The demons, controlled by the Dewdrop Fairy’s flute, their ears filled with his overwhelming sound, their minds reeling, froze.
The Corpse Eater, its mouth opening wide, swallowed a giant python whole.
Its body expanded, its unique ability allowing it to absorb the power of its prey.
The more it ate, the larger it grew, its ferocity increasing, like a king among insects, devouring its rivals, its strength growing with each kill.
It had already consumed three demons, its body now sporting three heads, its appetite insatiable.
The Dewdrop Fairy stared, speechless.
How was this possible? Hadn’t the Dongyuan Emperor said that the ancient Flame Emperor’s divine power core was shattered? That he was a human demon now?
Even the most powerful human demon couldn’t interfere with a deity’s power!
Her flute’s melody was being drowned out by Wei Jie’s roar. And those demons, freed from her control, were being devoured by that gluttonous beast, the Corpse Eater. The remaining demons, terrified, finally heeding Wei Jie’s command, retreated towards the underworld.
The Dongyuan Emperor, observing the scene, his eyes cold, turned to the Dewdrop Fairy. “Is that all you can do? Your flute can’t even overpower his roar?”
She lowered her head, humiliated, then lifted her flute, channeling her divine power, resuming her melody.
This time, she would control that monstrous Corpse Eater. If she could turn it against them, she could destroy the ancient Flame Emperor’s mortal body!
But she didn’t know that Wei Jie and the Corpse Eater were bound by a contract, their connection strong.
The sound that reached the Corpse Eater’s ears also reached his.
So that was it. Those demons, relentlessly pursuing them… they had been controlled by a celestial flute.
He shifted, his ears twitching, pinpointing the source of the melody.
A deity’s flute could carry its sound for miles. He, a mere mortal, couldn’t match that.
But the melody, continuous, meant the channel was open. He could use it, weaving his own roar into her melody, amplifying it with his demonic energy, sending it back to her!
He roared, his voice a powerful wave of sound, intertwining with her melody, traveling towards its source.
But it faltered halfway, his power insufficient.
Xiao Xiao, acting instantly, placed her hand on his back, channeling her demonic energy into his body.
The demonic bead within her allowed for a seamless transfer of energy.
His power amplified, his roar, a thunderous sound, shattered the clouds, reaching the heavens.
The Dongyuan Emperor, watching the Xuanyuan Divine Mirror, heard the approaching roar, its sound growing louder, like a storm approaching.
The mirror’s surface rippled, then vibrated violently!
As the mirror shattered, the Dewdrop Fairy’s flute exploded in her hands, the force of the sound, reverberating back through the channel, breaking her fingers.
“My hand! My eyes!”
Shards of the mirror, sharp as blades, pierced her eyes, blood streaming down her face. She screamed, collapsing to the ground, writhing in agony.
The Dongyuan Emperor, sensing the danger, had retreated. But even he hadn’t escaped unscathed. His face, his divine visage, was marred by cuts.
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