Chapter 26: A Frenzied Dance of Demons (Part 19)

When Shi Xianyu heard the name “Xu Meng,” she almost burst out laughing but managed to hold it in. Xu Qingfeng’s father did not appear “fierce” at all; on the contrary, he looked gentle and soft, like a kindly, mild-mannered uncle.

Yet, compared to her father, it was his mother who drew more attention. Lady Xu looked astonishingly young and beautiful, almost the same age as Xu Qingfeng—could she be a stepmother, married later? Otherwise, how could she be so youthful?

However, at the dining table, Shi Xianyu’s speculation was quickly dispelled. The magistrate said, “When my wife and I first came to Green Mountain City, it was but a tiny fishing village. By the usual custom, a local official serves three years and must then depart. But as this place is poor and wild, haunted frequently by demons and monsters, no replacement was willing to come. Thus, I stayed three years, then another three, and now it’s been more than thirty years. With war raging outside and the dynasty changing hands, no one governs Green Mountain City anymore. Even when fox spirits cause mischief and I wish to request reinforcements from the court, it is nearly impossible.”

Shi Xianyu was astounded. “So, Magistrate, you and your lady have been here more than thirty years? You both look so young!”

The magistrate smiled at her, “I suppose you refer to my wife, Daoist? To be candid, she once practiced cultivation and possesses the art of preserving youth, which is why she appears so fair and lovely. Her powers, however, are not as strong as yours, so we must rely on you for ridding us of demons.”

“Oh? Your lady is also a cultivator?” Shen Xiao was surprised, his gaze settling on Lady Xu.

Her expression remained indifferent—neither warm like her husband and son, nor cold. Sensing Shen Xiao’s scrutiny, she lifted her eyes slightly and replied, “Cultivators must devote themselves to their practice, leaving worldly matters behind if they wish to ascend. I have lived among mortals for many years; my cultivation has long since withered. Now, I am but an ordinary woman.”

On the other side, Xu Qingfeng immediately said, “Though my mother’s cultivation has faded, she has never been one to yield to men. The old folks here say that our city was once an isolated fishing village. After my father arrived, he led the men to clear the fields and build houses, while my mother took the women and children, teaching them self-defense, herbal lore, and the taming of wild beasts. Year after year, that’s how Green Mountain City became what it is today.”

He finished, then awkwardly scratched the back of his head and added in a low voice, “This city is my parents’ life’s work. Now that I’m grown, I’ve hardly been of any help… Daoist Shen, if there is anything I can do to assist in ridding us of demons, please let me know. I wish to do my part.”

Shen Xiao, ever forthright, listened to the family’s words and immediately clasped his fists in salute. “Magistrate Xu and Lady Xu are truly blessed. Your deeds command my respect, and your son is upright and kind—he will surely achieve greatness.”

Magistrate Xu hurriedly rose and replied, “You flatter us, you flatter us…”

As the two exchanged pleasantries, suddenly a woman’s scream rang out from outside!

Everyone in the room was startled.

The woman’s voice grew more frantic and abusive: “Let me out! Get out of my way! Let me out!”

A servant rushed in, flustered. “Master, Madam, the young miss is making a scene—she’s about to break the lock on her window!”

Xu Qingfeng explained to Shen Xiao and his companions, “That’s my sister. My parents have kept her locked up these days, afraid she’ll be taken by the fox spirit.”

Shen Xiao raised an eyebrow and stood. “May I see Miss Xu?”

“Of course.” The magistrate led the way. “Please, follow me.”

Father and son went ahead, Lady Xu’s brows drawn in a cold frown as she too rose and followed.

Only Shi Xianyu and the ever-unobtrusive Lin Yuan remained.

Shi Xianyu hopped off her chair, glanced at the motionless Lin Yuan, and asked, “Shall we go have a look too?”

He stood, walked to the door, then paused and turned back, his manner serious. “Lady Xu—there is no scent.”

Shi Xianyu blinked in confusion. “Why are you sniffing other people’s wives?”

Lin Yuan was silent.

Shi Xianyu pouted, a little sour. “Be careful Magistrate Xu doesn’t catch you.”

A trace of struggle flickered in Lin Yuan’s eyes—rare frustration at his own clumsiness with words. “…Lady Xu has no trace of demon energy.”

Shi Xianyu stared at him blankly. No demon energy—so what?

He spoke again, “Nor any human scent.”

Her eyes widened in shock. No demon energy, no human scent—what did that mean?

A sudden unease gripped her. Because of Lin Yuan’s words, the seemingly warm household now felt laced with hidden danger. Glancing around nervously, she whispered, “You think Lady Xu is strange, don’t you?”

Lin Yuan nodded.

Shi Xianyu bit her lower lip gently, then decided, “…Let’s find Brother Shen first.”

…

Outside, following the corridor and passing through various flowers and shrubs, Shi Xianyu and Lin Yuan arrived at the side courtyard where Miss Xu was being held.

The chamber that should have been a young lady’s boudoir had its doors and windows nailed shut with thick planks. Only half a window was left, used to deliver meals and chamber pots, and even that was secured with heavy iron chains.

Within, the girl seemed nearly driven mad—at times hurling herself against the door, at others smashing the window with whatever she could find. The doors and windows shuddered and rang as she shouted hoarsely, “Let me out! Let me out!”

The magistrate tried to soothe her, “Yun’er, don’t be upset. Once the fox demon is dealt with, we’ll let you out.”

This, however, was no comfort. She shouted in rage, “So if the fox demon is never caught, I’ll never be let out? Are you going to lock me here for life?!”

Lady Xu frowned slightly, casting an unsatisfied look at her husband. “You’ve spoiled her,” she said coldly.

Xu Qingfeng stepped forward and tried to calm his sister through the door. “Don’t worry, Yun—I’ve brought three masters this time. They’ll surely subdue the fox demon, and you’ll be out soon.”

“Masters? More likely charlatans you brought home! How many times have you been fooled? When will you learn? Father and mother always indulge you! You might as well let me out—I’d like to see what this fox demon can do to me!”

Xu Qingfeng looked embarrassed and turned to Shen Xiao with a cupped-fist apology. “Please don’t mind her, Daoist. My sister is usually gentle and learned—she’s just grown irritable from being confined so long.”

Shi Xianyu, watching from the side, couldn’t help clicking her tongue. “A little irritable?” she thought. “This is practically a volcano about to erupt.”

Lady Xu said coolly, “If she has the strength to shout, she can skip a few meals—let her calm down first.”

The servants all agreed immediately.

The magistrate’s face showed disapproval, but he held his tongue in the end.

At that moment, Shen Xiao spoke. “Let Miss Xu out.”

Everyone was taken aback, turning to him.

Xu Qingfeng said, “You don’t know how dangerous the fox demon is, Daoist Shen. If we let my sister out—”

“If you trust me, then let Miss Xu out,” Shen Xiao replied calmly, standing in the courtyard with easy confidence. “I have my own way.”