Chapter 30: A Horde of Demons in Wild Revelry 23

Shi Xianyu hurriedly recounted everything that had just happened to Shen Xiao.

Shen Xiao grew solemn after hearing her tale. “Lin Yuan is a beast demon, born with a keen sensitivity to scents. If he left so abruptly, he must have detected something unusual. Whoever it was moved so fast that Lin Yuan didn’t have time to leave us a single word.”

Shi Xianyu asked anxiously, “Do you think something might have happened?”

Shen Xiao gazed into the distance. The mountains rose in layers, birds occasionally returning to their nests. The countryside at dusk was tranquil and peaceful, with no signs of any demon battle.

“The fox demon only appears at night, deliberately concealing its aura during the day. That means its power is restricted in daylight—perhaps it’s not even that strong,” Shen Xiao analyzed carefully. “The sun hasn’t fully set yet. Even if Lin Yuan couldn’t win, he should have been able to escape…”

His voice faltered at the end, uncertainty creeping in, for the sun now hung low in the west and darkness was close.

Yet even if he wanted to help Lin Yuan, he had no idea where the demon had gone.

The two stood in the courtyard, at a loss, when suddenly a sound came from the direction of the wall. They turned and saw Lin Yuan climbing over it.

“How did you end up like this?!” Shen Xiao was stunned. Lin Yuan was covered in dust from head to toe, his hair tangled with rotting leaves, as if he’d rolled in a tree pit.

“I lost the trail,” Lin Yuan said, frustrated, pulling a dried leaf from his hair. “Got lost.”

“You got lost?” Shen Xiao was even more astonished. A beast demon, lost? He’d never heard of such a thing!

Who ever heard of a wild wolf getting lost in the forest?

Beast demons were born with keen hearing and smell, and sharper senses than any human. How could he possibly get lost?

Lin Yuan’s expression was grim. “There’s a patch of woods—couldn’t get out.”

Shen Xiao realized, “That’s not being lost, you were trapped by a formation! That fox demon is skilled at setting traps. If you were trapped, how did you escape?”

Lin Yuan replied, “Closed my eyes.”

Shen Xiao nodded in agreement. “That was wise. Closing your eyes helps avoid interference. You still have your hearing and smell. Unless the formation was too dangerous, escaping shouldn’t be hard…”

Lin Yuan said, “Fell into a tree pit.”

Shen Xiao: “…………”

A laugh escaped Shi Xianyu’s lips.

Lin Yuan glanced at her, and a faint smile touched his lips, only to freeze there. His gaze grew intense, confusion flickering in his eyes as he studied Shi Xianyu.

She stepped closer, kindly brushing the dried leaves and grass from his clothes. “Go wash up,” she said with a smile.

Lin Yuan looked at her seriously. “You, wash too?”

Why did she smell faintly of someone else?

“I already washed. Look, my hair’s still damp,” Shi Xianyu said, tossing her long hair behind her. Then she frowned slightly and murmured, “Never mind, I’ll wash again. I went out with Xu Qingfeng earlier, up and down the mountain, worked up a sweat.”

Lin Yuan asked, “Why… with Xu Qingfeng…”

Before Shi Xianyu could answer, Shen Xiao explained, “After you chased the demon, Little Fish started to feel like something was watching her. Unfortunately, I and Lord Xu were busy entertaining guests and couldn’t leave. Little Fish was scared, so she went out for a walk with the Xu family’s young master, and only came back afterwards.”

Shen Xiao’s gaze grew sharp and solemn as he spoke to Lin Yuan. “It’s getting late, and anything could happen tonight. If you notice anything strange again, don’t chase after it alone. We need to make sure everyone in this house gets through the night safely.”

Lin Yuan looked at Shi Xianyu and nodded earnestly.

Shen Xiao continued, “Green Mountain City looks peaceful, but there are plenty of mysteries. That Boss Wu who came to visit today isn’t ordinary. He’s backed by the Imperial Noble Consort of the Liang Kingdom. He’s determined to find a Daoist who can make immortality pills for the emperor. I told him I don’t know alchemy, but now he’s set his sights on the fox demon. He wants me to kill it and sell its demon core to him. I suspect he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

Shi Xianyu had seen the distinguished guest today, but her mind was preoccupied with the Yu family’s daughter, so she hadn’t paid much attention to his appearance.

“What does he want a demon core for?” she asked in confusion. “What use is it?”

Shen Xiao snorted coldly. “If an ordinary person eats a demon core, they can wield demon power. For cultivators, getting a demon core boosts their cultivation. Many have taken shortcuts by hunting beast demons for their cores, but it’s not the proper way—it’s easy to invite backlash.”

He fixed his gaze on Lin Yuan, warning him, “You’re a beast demon. It’s best you don’t show yourself in front of these people, lest they start plotting against you.”

Lin Yuan nodded.

Still uneasy, Shen Xiao muttered, “No, I’ll ask Madam Xu if she has a cloak or something. After you wash up, you can change into it just in case.”

Shen Xiao acted immediately, and didn’t treat the Xu family as outsiders. He managed to borrow a black cloak and a set of dark clothes for Lin Yuan.

After bathing, Lin Yuan changed into the fresh clothes and donned the black cloak, instantly resembling the figure Shi Xianyu had met the first time. Back then, she thought him cold and sinister, but now he only felt warm and familiar.

“Like a Night Wanderer,” Shi Xianyu circled him, appraising him.

“Night Wanderer?” Lin Yuan asked. “What’s that?”

“Someone who wears a big black cloak, mysterious and secretive. Many homes around here have stone statues of Night Wanderers on their walls or gates,” Shi Xianyu glanced around, a little disappointed. “But I don’t think the Xu family has one. Tomorrow, when it’s light, I can take you to see them. There are a lot of statues here.”

Lin Yuan took her hand. “We’ll look tomorrow.”

Shi Xianyu’s cheeks flushed, feeling the warmth in his palm, but she didn’t want to pull away. Blushing, she whispered, “Yes, tomorrow.”

Daoist Shen felt their affection was almost sticky.

“It’s dark now, Lin Yuan, stay here tonight and keep watch. I’ll guard somewhere else,” Shen Xiao said, turning to leave, seemingly eager to put some distance between himself and the pair.

Shi Xianyu quickly asked, “Brother Shen, are you going to protect Miss Xu?”

Xu Xiangyun? Just thinking of her gave Shen Xiao a headache. Striding ahead, he called back, “Xu Xiangyun has one of my magical tools. If any demon approaches, I’ll know. Tonight I’ll be guarding Lord and Lady Xu’s courtyard—you mentioned Madam Xu was suspicious.”

Shen Xiao soon disappeared from sight, leaving Shi Xianyu and Lin Yuan alone.

Shi Xianyu gently withdrew her hand, keeping her head down. “I… I’ll go rest now. You and Brother Shen, please be careful tonight.”

Lin Yuan murmured his assent, his tail swaying beneath the cloak where she couldn’t see it.

Shi Xianyu turned to her room, shyly glancing back at him before slowly closing the door.

His tail fell still.

He looked up at the moon, gathered his energy, leaped onto the roof, and sat to begin his night watch.