Chapter 70

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

The courtyard was silent, save for the faint crackle of a tattered lantern that had been relit, its dim flame illuminating the surroundings. For a moment, Sun Yingxian’s eyes gleamed with curiosity as he watched another scholar step through the moon gate.

“…The one who came out with me earlier—was that your illusion technique? And that Tao Wu—was it also something you cast from within the house?”

Lu Liangsheng approached, bending down to pick up the fallen painting scroll. His gaze, however, lingered on the woman lying beneath a tree ahead. He spoke softly, a faint smile on his lips.

“Haha… A gentleman does not stand beneath a crumbling wall. The fighting and killing—that’s your specialty.”

“Tch, you make it sound so noble. You’re just spineless… Hey, I’m talking to you! What are you staring at?”

The Daoist tucked away his bronze mirror and followed the scholar’s line of sight to the figure beneath the tree. “Huh? There’s someone else? Let me go!”

Before he could finish, the painting scroll extended and tapped his shoulder. Lu Liangsheng shook his head.

“Those two fox demons likely came after her. They probably have no direct connection to Zhou Manor’s safety. You and I should not kill indiscriminately. Accumulating too much hostility will harm our cultivation.”

“Fine, fine, whatever you say. So long-winded,”

Sun Yingxian muttered, covering his ears as he stepped back. He joined Nie Honglian and followed Lu Liangsheng as they cautiously approached the woman beneath the tree.

In the distance, the servants and guards of Zhou Manor huddled nervously in the corridor, peeking at the scene. The elder Zhou Zhen pushed his way to the front of the group, straightened his robe, and asked in a commanding tone:

“Have those two monsters left?”

The surrounding crowd, still glancing toward the faint embers burning along the stone path, nodded in unison.

“They’re gone, gone! Young Master Lu suddenly dispersed in all directions and scared those two demons away.”

“…Yes, yes! Who would’ve thought Young Master Lu was so capable? It’s fortunate he was here. Otherwise, if those demons had broken into the manor, who knows how many lives might’ve been lost?”

“Hmph, I even spoke to Young Master Lu myself! He’s quite easy to get along with.”

“Who’s that woman next to Young Master Lu? She’s so beautiful.”

“And that Daoist over there—he’s really impressive. Those talismans he used don’t look like ordinary ones.”

“You recognize them?”

“Nope.”

“Look, look! Young Master Lu and the Daoist are heading over. Hey, there’s someone else under that tree.”

All eyes turned toward Lu Liangsheng and Sun Yingxian as they approached the tree. Beneath it, Yan Zhi wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, using one hand to support herself against the trunk as she struggled to stand. The two figures before her radiated cultivation far beyond that of her eldest and second sisters—these must be the so-called experts that Liancheng had mentioned.

Lowering her gaze slightly, Yan Zhi inclined her head and spoke softly,

“Yan Zhi greets the young master and this Daoist.”

In the background, Zhou Zhen cautiously led his group closer. With the two demons who had wreaked havoc gone and Lu Liangsheng and the Daoist present, they felt somewhat emboldened. Yet, unsure of what the remaining woman intended to do, they chose to stand silently, observing her every move.

A breeze passed through the courtyard, carrying with it faint traces of smoke from the earlier battle.

Lu Liangsheng waved his wide sleeve, brushing the smoke aside before clasping his hands and bowing slightly toward the woman.

“Miss, before we proceed, may we see your true form? Kindly dispel the illusion.”

Yan Zhi visibly flinched. Although she had formed her core, she hadn’t yet achieved a full transformation. All she could manage was a simple glamour to make herself appear more pleasing in the eyes of mortals.

After a moment of hesitation, her fair, jade-like skin slowly gave way to a faint red hue. When she lifted her head again, her delicate, beautiful face had become that of a fox, and from beneath her skirt, a single fox tail emerged.

Nie Honglian let out a cold snort, the crimson glow in her eyes receding as the dark wind around her stilled.

Meanwhile, elders, along with the guards and servants nearby, gasped and cried out.

“Aiyo! That’s so scary!”

“The fox’s tail is showing now…”

“I knew it! Those two demons earlier were chasing her. This woman isn’t a mortal either. Lucky I swung my staff at her back then…”

“Do you think Young Master Lu will kill her?”

Amidst the murmuring whispers, Zhou Zhen stepped forward cautiously, his gaze fixed on the revealed fox demon before glancing over at the scholar.

“Liangsheng, do not engage in a lengthy conversation with a demon. Beware of being beguiled—remember what happened to Zhang Dongming’s son!”

As the elder’s warning reached everyone’s ears, all eyes turned toward Yan Zhi. The fox demon suddenly sank down, her body lowering swiftly.

Thud!

Her knees hit the ground as she knelt directly in the courtyard.

Lu Liangsheng furrowed his brows and, just as she bowed her head, raised his hand slightly. A gentle force of qi lifted her upright.

“I have no grudge against you. I will not accept your kneeling without cause.”

The moonlight bathed the courtyard as the murmurs quieted upon seeing this scene.

Yan Zhi, still kneeling, refused to rise. Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes as she lifted her face, streaked with sorrow. She inhaled deeply, her voice trembling as she looked at Lu Liangsheng.

“I am Yan Zhi… I beg you, Young Master and Daoist, help save Liancheng… I have not cultivated for long and formed a bond with him, but I didn’t know I would bring harm to him… I stole the yang essence from my eldest and second sisters, thinking it would heal Liancheng, but… it only worsened his condition…”

A romance between a human and a fox?

Lu Liangsheng had read of such things in strange tales and legends, though he’d never given them much credit. A fox in human form might have been easier to accept, but an untransformed fox… The thought left him feeling unsettled and uncertain.

Staring at the fox demon before him, he found himself at a loss.

“To save people, naturally I agree, but…”

This matter also concerned Zhou Zhen, who was standing nearby. Lu Liangsheng turned his gaze toward the elder, seeking his thoughts.

“Young Master!”

At that moment, Yan Zhi suddenly cried out, tears streaming down her face. She lowered her head with a resounding thud as it struck the ground.

“I beg you, my lord, save Liancheng, save Liancheng! He is still so young; he can’t die just like this… Yan Zhi begs you! As long as you can make him well again, Yan Zhi will kowtow to you! I’ll kowtow to you!”

Thud!

Thud!

Thud!

Her cries were heart-wrenching as her head repeatedly struck the hard stone ground. The fur on her forehead split open, blood flowing freely from the wound.

As she prepared to bow again, her head faltered, unable to complete the motion. When she raised her tear-streaked, furry fox face, Lu Liangsheng stepped forward and personally helped her to her feet.

Nearby, Nie Honglian, being a woman herself, couldn’t help but feel a soft spot in her heart stirred.

“Young Master, help her,”

The elder also sighed and stepped forward.

“Who would have thought that even demons could have such sincere emotions… Though I am angry at that Zhang Dongming, I distinguish between gratitude and grievances. This fox… this young woman is truly compassionate and loyal, enough to move one’s heart. Go and help her. As for Rong’er, I will personally explain everything to her.'”

Sun Yingxian wiped the corner of his eye, turned to the side, and nudged Lu Liangsheng with his elbow.

“Well, with everyone saying this, shouldn’t we go take a look?”

Lu Liangsheng nodded. There wasn’t much else to say. This fox demon, Yan Zhi, had warmed his heart. Truth be told, he had already thought of checking on this Zhang Liancheng earlier, but his ties to Zhou Zhen had made it difficult to act.

Ah, the complexities of human relationships…

Yan Zhi wiped her tears, a faint smile breaking through her sorrow. She bowed deeply to the elder, Nie Honglian, Lu Liangsheng, and Sun Yingxian before quickly moving to lead the way.

Lu Liangsheng clasped his hands toward the elder and gave a nod to the gathered servants and guards.

“I ask all of you to keep tonight’s events a secret. Don’t let word of this spread—I still hope to pass the imperial examination.”

Understanding his meaning, the crowd burst into hearty laughter. Under the steward’s direction, they began tidying up the courtyard.

Not long after, Lu Liangsheng and Sun Yingxian left Zhou Manor, following Yan Zhi through the quiet streets of the night. After a while, Lu Liangsheng suddenly stopped, a thought crossing his mind. His master was still back at the house.

Ah, forget it, forget it. This time, I’ll handle it myself… If I really can’t figure it out, I’ll come back and ask for guidance.

He resolved to press on.

In the comparatively noisy and bustling central courtyard of the Zhou Manor, the sideyard remained quiet.

A black dog, not yet settled in its kennel, stood in the yard staring intently in a particular direction. Suddenly, its ears perked up, and it began barking furiously.

Woof woof woof…

Woof woof!

Inside a lit room beyond the lattice window, a toad resting with its eyes closed on a writing desk opened its bulging eyes at the sound of the barking. It slowly stood up, its pale, bloated belly letting out a series of gurgling sounds.

This was the residue of the human ginseng it had consumed, transforming into spiritual power within its body.[TL_Note: The Renzhi]

After a moment, the toad leaped down from the desk. Its long tongue shot out, curling around a gourd hanging by the bedpost, pulling it into its hand. With deliberate steps, it pushed open the door and began walking in the direction of the barking.

The moonlight illuminated its shadow, stretching it long across the ground.

“The two little demons are indeed clever, hehe… but unfortunately, they ran into me.”
✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦

Orluros’s Vault of Secrets: If you liked the chapter feel free to donate 🙂 and if you find any errors in the translation please mention them in the comments here or in discord