Once her elder sister left, Godmother immediately went to Murong Hai and told her about her sister's departure. To her shock, Murong Hai too informed her that he would be leaving soon. When would he return, the young Godmother asked him. Sadly, he would not be returning, said Murong Hai to her.
Despite now being able to turn into humans, Godmother still retained much of her animalistic disposition. The notion of Murong Hai leaving frightened her that she blurted suddenly that she wished to be his wife. Murong Hai said nothing. He merely smiled at her and shook his head. But the snowy-white fox that had been draping over his shoulder opened its eyes at that very moment, sending a fierce and piercing glare at her.
Fools do often rush in where angels fear to tread; ignoring the snowy-white fox, who undoubtedly wielded greater power and magic, the young Godmother pestered Murong Hai, begging him to bring her with him. Murong Hai declined at first, but in the
The truth struck me to the core like the deafening toll of a bell. "The one snowy-white fox who has, for centuries, never left Father's side? And the person who has been with Father for so long? That could only be Mother!" "How is this even possible! It was a fox who has been Father's companions through centuries and it has now been replaced by Mother! Could it be, that the white fox was Mother! Impossible!?" Everyone was gaping with disbelief at the revelation about the truth about Mother. Lin Feng's and Chongxi's jaws were hanging in a bewildered stupor. They saw the change in my expression as the very same thought that I had flashed through their minds. Then I remembered about Father's tale about his decimation of the Creed of the Eight Trigrams in his time, when he spared the weasel demon only because of its distant kinship to Mother. I was puzzled then because I was left wondering, what kinship could Mother be sharing with such an animal? Another mem
Seeing the girls rushing into action, we too leaped forward and followed their lead into the cave. We were welcomed by the crackling of the flames on the torches that hung on the walls of the bowels of the cave at intervals, illuminating the path deeper inside like beacons in the darkness. I released my spirit wolves, and much to their surprise, the girls yelped and screamed with shock. It was the first time they had actually seen my wolves as their enormous opaque girths shimmered into visibility. This was only because the wolves were unleashed under the brightness of sunlight where they could not see them. I held up a hand to signal for silence and assured everyone that my wolves only act on my bidding. With a nod to my orders, my familiar spirits dipped their heads and sped off into the darkness. I looked at Lin Feng, who returned a knowing glance to me. With a swing of his arm and a steely swish, he brandished his whip, giving off with a glistening sleekness in the
Yuan Chongxi's luopan was made of a block of wood from a peach tree that was struck by lightning. It was a sacred item immensely potent against ghosts and evil spirits. With hardly any shred of clemency, Chongxi slammed it down on the head of the powerless apparition! What an agonizing pain it must be for a soul to endure such a hit! The soul of the fox demon wailed pain achingly that I almost felt my a tug in my gut. "Is this not a tad too brutal? Should I just destroy it completely to shorten its suffering?" The rest of souls of its kin inside my Gourd heard her screams and began to tremble with fright that my Gourd began to shake and terrified groans began to emit from its uncorked mouth. The soul of the fox demon took several minutes, squirming painfully until it finally recovered. Surely Chongxi had not driven it into insanity, I hoped. The spirit whimpered between her intermittent sobs, "Show mercy, lord. I said nothing about hiding the truth... Ple
The two dark and cadaverous figures drifted towards me and stopped. "Who summons us?" One of them spoke before they recognized me. With a quick change, they began to speak more amicably, "Oh! It's you, sir! So fate has brought us together once again! What is your purpose today?" Much to my amazement, it was the same pair of Hell Guards whom we had encountered after our adventures at the haunted hospital! I immediately released the souls of the fox demons from my gourd and told the two keepers of the Underworld about our fight. They were gleeful at the prospect for more rewards, bowing respectfully while wearing cheerful smiles as they muttered words of thanks before they left. The pair of Hell Guards had barely disappeared and Yuan Chongxi grumbled, "You should've asked the two Guards about the whereabouts of Aunt Ulan's soul while you're at it! They are the keepers of the Underworld. Surely they know a thing or two!" But before I could answ
The Shiyan Blade was a magical sword. It stirs and vibrates restlessly whenever it detects the presence of evil and supernatural entities. This made it extremely potent in comparison to the two other common-looking swords which were only special because they were imbued with Father's enchantments to ward off evil. But the Shiyan Blade, unlike the two other swords which will only warn me about the presence of enemies, would also alert me to any imminent dangers as well. The wind merely sustained for mere minutes before it gradually subsided. But the Shiyan Blade, still shuddering restively in its scabbard, did not stop cautioning me of danger! I picked it up with a frown of concern and grasped at its handle with a hand. Immediately, like a bolt from the blue, the tingling sensation of premonition assailed my senses! Sensing something wrong himself, Lin Feng raised a hand to motion for silence. "Quiet! Listen!" He said to everyone. Every voice
The dawning of Godmother's statement surprised me. I squashed the stubble of my cigarette. "That's it," I said, looking at Godmother, "What I felt, was like being gripped at the throat by an invisible hand. The dense aura of malice and evil was so strong and powerful that we could barely move an inch. This could be why we were still unhurt despite being in such dangers." Godmother nodded. "Despite my magic and being able to turn into human form, I am a still beast. My senses are more acute than you. That is why I felt the stupefying presence even when the gust of thrashing wind began. I too was petrified by the terrifying presence that I could not move." Indeed, I mused, even Godmother, with all her magical powers notwithstanding, was still a demon nonetheless. This made her susceptible to any magic affecting foul and evil entities. "Mother," I said brusquely, "You know who took Aunt Ulan's soul, do you not? Please just tell us now! I'm afraid that whoeve
As soon as the short old man had revealed that he knew Father, I was perplexed with astonishment! He knew Father?! Could he be the one that Godmother was speaking about? Amid my bewilderment, my eyes wandered to Godmother, staring at her as if hoping that her face might contain answers to my suspicion. But what I received was merely a doubtful nod from her. But the reverberating rebutted harshly, "Nephew, you say? Is your hoodwinking of them with your magic a fitting gesture of hospitality by an elder for younger kin?" "The boy is a medium himself! Wading through dangers are his bread and butter! These simple obstacles were merely trials for him! Consider this a necessary but much-needed lesson from a concerned elder for him!" Instead, the faceless voice broke into a less frosty sneer, "Hahaha! Let me tell you then, in case it has slipped your notice. Murong Hai's daughter-in-law is also present! As an elder, you have deceived them with your magic and have frightened t
We decided to take up lodgings at the old man's burrow that evening. For the first time in many nights, I finally had a proper rest. Edelweiss shook me awake the next morning after she had brought me water to wash up. As I sat up groggily, I could not help feeling touched at being able to enjoy the bliss of having a young woman like Edelweiss taking care of me. We had meat again for breakfast. It was the only food available since winter began ravaging across the wilderness. In contrast to Yuan Chongxi who wolfed down his food with tremendous vigor, I merely took a few disinterested bites. I was fortunate somehow that our host hardly has an eye for detail. He did not notice my reluctance for our breakfast and I kept from troubling him any further. I was already grateful enough for his hospitality thus far. The old man urged that we should set out as soon as possible, for 'the other old man' waiting at the other side of the canyon must be anxious to see us.