Chapter 48
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The atmosphere grew tense.
Beneath the eaves, another white fox demon flicked its long tail and glanced sideways at its retreating kin.
“Big Sister, what could possibly be frightening you in this dilapidated temple…”
Before it could finish speaking, it sensed a chilling presence emanating from inside the temple. The white fox demon froze momentarily. Before she could say anything, the red fox demon that had backed away from under the eaves lowered its voice, its fox eyes fixed intently on the blocked temple door.
“There’s a Yin Ghost inside.”
A ghost?
The white fox demon sneered and sashayed forward. “A mere ghost? Why would my big sister be afraid?”
“It’s a Rakshasa Ghost.”
Upon hearing this, the white fox abruptly stopped, its narrow eyes widening in alarm. The seriousness in its gaze was unmistakable. The two sisters heard of Rakshasa ghosts before. Unlike ordinary vengeful ghosts or spirits formed from accumulated resentment and Yin Qi, these were ghosts that had transformed after killing many people after death and absorbing their vitality.
The two fox demons were also aware in their hearts that they themselves were of a demonic Yin nature. If they truly faced off against this ghost, it would likely be a case of being equally matched, and they wouldn’t gain any advantage.
“The four people inside were first noticed by my sister and me. It’s better for everyone to keep to their own business and avoid conflicts.”
The red fox, unwilling to retreat, sent a lingering, low-pitched hiss into the temple.
Creeeak…
The clutter piled at the door shifted, followed by a loud crash as a heap of items was scattered inward. A gale of chilling wind howled out like a blade, causing the fur on the two fox demon sisters to ruffle.
The forest trees swayed, and night birds flapped their wings, fleeing in flocks.
At the temple entrance, a figure silently floated out, its face shrouded in gloom. The greenish hue of death hung about it, its cold gaze fixed on the two fox demons.
“My young master is resting here. You are not to disturb.”
Young Master? Human or ghost?
The two fox demons’ hearts skipped a beat. To have a Rakshasa Ghost as a servant meant its cultivation was likely profound. The two demons exchanged a look, sensing a difficult predicament ahead.
In the silence, the scholar illuminated by the flickering fire inside the temple stood up, closing the book in his hand and tapping it lightly twice in the palm of his hand. He turned his gaze towards the corner where the four who had fled into the temple had already escaped through a hole in the wall.
“What sort of people are these…”
The firelight illuminated a figure who picked up a dark blue, segmented brush and headed towards the temple gate.
Outside the temple, the silence persisted for a while. The white fox demon paced anxiously, and after a moment of hesitation, gritted her teeth and said in a low voice: “Big Sister, stop wasting time with this Rakshasa Ghost. I’ll go in and capture those four. You keep her occupied.”
“Alright, I also want to see if she’s all talk.”
The red fox grinned and, standing on her hind legs like a human, took a step forward, staring at the Rakshasa Ghost. “Since your young master is inside, I happen to have some questions about my cultivation that I would like to ask…”
“…What do you want to ask?”
A calm, youthful voice suddenly came from within the temple, causing the red and white fox demons to instinctively halt. They could vaguely sense a powerful and righteous Qi emanating from inside.
Opposite the sight of the two demons.
In the dim light of the temple door, a young man in a blue silk robe appeared. He held a brush in one hand, while the other hand was casually resting behind his back, and he was smiling as he looked over.
“I am Lu Liangsheng. As it is getting late and I am passing through, I intend to stay the night in this mountain god temple. May I ask if I am intruding upon either of you?”
As he smiled, the brush tip lifted.
“However, before you two answer, I’d like to ask—are people tasty?”
With a sweeping motion, the brush traced a straight line through the air.
Meanwhile, outside the mountain temple, several scholars stumbled and fled into the darkness.
“Are we just leaving like this? Isn’t that a bit heartless?”
“…Yeah, that scholar doesn’t know what’s happening. What if the demons eat him?”
“It’s better him than us. Haven’t you seen the female ghost in the temple… On a night like this, with demons and ghosts out…”
As they hurriedly spoke, someone in front suddenly exclaimed as if bumping into something, causing the others to crash into each other.
A strange voice almost immediately followed.
“Watch the road—”
The four scholars, pale with fear, were startled into panic as one of the more timid among them screamed: “There are still ghosts here!!”
“Ghost your mother!!”
Among the terrified gazes, a person crouching by the grass shouted at them: “Where do I look like a ghost? I was only halfway through answering nature’s call when you four idiots scared it right back in!!”
Whoosh…
Amidst the heavy breathing, the four scholars felt somewhat reassured by this outburst. One of them, not daring to be careless, pinched his nose and leaned in for a closer look.
The person had a sharp, monkey-like face, with a mustache shaped like an ‘八’ on his upper lip and a small patch of short beard on his chin. He was crouching on the ground, hugging a gray, dusty Taoist robe.
Seeing his appearance up close, the scholar couldn’t help but get excited.
“Ah, it’s a Daoist priest… We’re saved!”
The other three, ignoring the unpleasant smell, quickly crowded around the Daoist, shivering as they pointed toward the mountain temple.
“Esteemed Daoist, there are demons over there trying to seduce us.”
“Yes, yes, fortunately, our minds are filled only with the teachings of sages… Otherwise, we would have been in grave danger.”
“…But there’s also a ghost in the temple, with a greenish face that’s truly terrifying.”
“And there’s another scholar trapped inside. Daoist priest, please save him.”
Their babbling circled around the crouching Daoist, who was seething with anger but, upon hearing words like “demons”, “female ghost”, and “seduce”, quickly stood up, adjusted his robe, and assumed a serious expression.
“Lead me to them!”
The four scholars nodded eagerly, guiding the Daoist back to the mountain temple. As they ran, they continued to speak anxiously: “The two demons seem to be fox demons. The beautiful one… her gaze is truly enchanting. Daoist, be very careful.”
“Yes, yes, Daoist, you must stay true to your purpose. It’s how we managed to resist their charm.”
“If this Daoist dares to go, he must not fear anything. Stop talking and let’s go.”
As they spoke, the five of them reached the back of the temple, circling around the wall to the front.
At the temple door.
The tip of the brush traced through the air. As if coated in ink, a line of ink suddenly appeared, shooting out and wrapping around the ankles of the two demons.
Lu Liangsheng, still testing his spells, made a hand gesture and flicked his fingers upwards.
——True Way of Heavens and Earth. Bind!
The ink lines tightened, binding the red and white fox demons’ ankles together. The two demons collided with each other, their claws scraping desperately at the ground in an attempt to escape. But with one leg bound to their companion, they were helpless to flee.
In their desperation, the fox demons opened their mouths, vaguely revealing swirling round beads, and exhaled a stream of Yin Qi towards the temple entrance. The Rakshasa Ghost swiftly appeared in front, countering with a similar Yin Qi.
Whoosh—
Whoosh whoosh—
The clash of Yin Qi corroded and decayed the temple’s eaves, causing them to snap and fall apart. Lu Liangsheng waved his sleeve, clearing the falling debris, preparing to use the evil spells from the [Southern Waters Collection of Lost Arts] against his foes.
From the side road, a series of footsteps approached, accompanied by a shout: “Daoist, the two demons are over there!”
The bound fox demons heard this too and looked towards the sound. The lead figure, dressed in Daoist robes and wielding a sword, was approaching.
“This is bad; if we’re attacked from both sides, we’re doomed.”
In a frantic move, the red fox demon kneeled and kowtowed toward the scholar at the temple entrance.
“Esteemed sir, please spare us two sisters. Once the Daoist arrives, he will surely exterminate demons. We do not wish to die, please save us, and we are willing to work as an ox or a horse in return.”
Lu Liangsheng lowered his arm: “Have you ever eaten a person?”
“No, we two sisters only just formed our demon cores. We only know how to conjure minor illusions and stir up a small demon wind…”
At that moment, the footsteps grew closer, and Lu Liangsheng turned his gaze to the approaching figure. Suddenly, the two fox demons broke free from the ink lines, leaping into the air and transforming into two bewitching figures in flowing gauze, drifting away.
Lu Liangsheng was momentarily stunned, then chuckled: “As expected, foxes are indeed cunning.”
“Demon scum, don’t run away!!”
A familiar voice echoed down the path. Lu Liangsheng raised an eyebrow. The approaching Daoist was none other than Sun Yingxian, whom he hadn’t seen for two years.
Just as he was about to call out, Sun Yingxian, ignoring the scholars, pursued the fleeing red and white fox figures with a peach wood sword, shouting.
“You came to seduce me! My resolve is weak; I’m easily swayed by beauty! Hey! Don’t be afraid—”
Moments later, he disappeared into the mist of the forest.
Lu Liangsheng “…….”
Nie Honglian “…….”
Toad Daoist “…….”
The four scholars stared, dumbfounded, at the Daoist who was leaping and shouting. They swallowed hard and quickly adjusted their robes.
“Let’s find the books and lanterns, and then leave…”
Soon, Sun Yingxian returned alone, with a lingering look of regret on his face.
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Orluros’s Vault of Secrets: Hello everyone, I have recently been made aware of an editing error that deleted some words if they were between <>, I checked all chapters and fixed those errors. Sorry for the inconvenience.
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