Xin Hexue had planned for a light journey when coming to the capital, so initially he hadn’t brought much luggage, but his travel funds were more than enough.
After settling accounts with the innkeeper downstairs, he left the inn.
According to what he had instructed that evening, if nothing went wrong, the red fox lord Qing An would have discreetly passed a note recording the inn’s name and room number to the Taichu Temple, and monks would naturally come to arrest the great demon.
The current dynasty had followed the previous dynasty’s structure of six ministries and five directorates, and the Taichu Temple held a special position among these institutionsā¦demon subjugation, exorcism, sacrifices, and prayers all fell within their scope of duties.
To avoid being caught in the crossfire, Xin Hexue decided to leave the Changxingfang area as quickly as possible.
Night snow fell heavily, landing on the ground, treetops, and eaves, illuminated by every household’s snow lanterns.
He wore a minx coat, and the clogs under his feet creaked softly as he walked, leaving behind imprints on the snow covered brick pavement.
The streets were eeriely quiet, with pure white snow everywhere. The capital’s streets and alleys were actually much quieter than during the daytime bustle. Most people were probably gathered in their homes around stoves, boiling tea and cooking hot pot.
For a moment, Xin Hexue wanted to turn back the way he came.
The wind was cold and the snow heavy outside. He knew the Taoist priests and monks were no match for Hen Zhen. If he just said he’d gone out to admire the snow for a while, Hen Zhen wouldn’t dare say a word against him.
But as he walked along the long street, solitary and alone, the anger in his heart flared up again and got stuck in his throat, neither rising nor falling.
Why should that demon sleep soundly in a warm room while he walked outside?
He should have thrown Hen Zhen out the window earlier.
Xin Hexue’s wooden clogs were especially loud with each step, each sound like an urging.
Finally, he settled down at the Xuandu Temple in Chongyefang.
As a fox demon, staying at a Taoist temple might seem like walking into a trap, but that wasn’t the case. The abbot of this Xuandu Temple had some friendship in earlier years with the abbot of Bixia Temple. When Xin Hexue came, he wasn’t treated as a demon but received as an honored guest.
Exhausted from the previous night’s entanglements, Xin Hexue simply washed off the dust from his body, wrapped himself in the quilt, and soon fell asleep.
…
The current emperor liked Buddhism but also frequently associated with Taoist priests. When those above have such preferences, those below inevitably cater to them. Over time, the status of Taoist priests and monks in this dynasty became even higher than in the previous one. Befriending Taoist priests and monks had temporarily become a symbol of “refined reputation” and “elegance.”
Many nobles and high ranking officials frequently visited Taoist temples, so many scholars who had passed the exam stayed in such places, hoping to seize the opportunity to present their essays to these powerful figures and gain their favor.
When Xin Hexue woke up that day, he tidied up and first went to the agreed meeting place to see the red fox Qing An.
“Your pill was indeed effective.”
Xin Hexue thanked him.
Qing An scratched his head. “Benefactor, there is no need for thanks. I can never repay your kindness enough anyway.”
Xin Hexue kept matters separate and distinct.
He and Qing An walked together through the morning market. When the large signboard of Xuandu Temple became increasingly conspicuous, Xin Hexue finally asked, “What happened to the great demon?”
Qing An said, “I kept watch in a secluded place last night and saw a group of Taichu Temple monks go in. Their forces were impressive, and the fighting was intense, with golden light blazing. It seemed there was a senior monk among them who exchanged blows evenly with Lord Hen… ah, that great demon.”
Xin Hexue raised an eyebrow slightly. “Was he killed?”
Qing An shook his head. “How could that be? In the end, I saw those monks return without success.”
Xin Hexue: “Mm.”
“Benefactor, is there anywhere else I can help?” Qing An’s name made him seem docile, but when he smiled at Xin Hexue, his foxy intentions couldn’t be hidden. “I’ve always thought of my benefactor. For over five hundred years, my little brother has remained pure and clean…”
Unexpectedly, he was still a chaste fox.
Indeed, Qing An was a purebred fox demon; his cultivation methods weren’t as limited as those of a half-demon.
Regarding this point about Qing An, Xin Hexue felt somewhat displeased. His gaze lightly swept across Qing An’s handsome and elegant face.
Qing An straightened his back even more, nervously holding his breath, mustering his courage to say, “If I could provide even the slightest help to my benefactor’s cultivation practice, I would be completely satisfied.”
These words essentially said he wouldn’t seek recognition or status.
Xin Hexue’s beautiful eyes, like autumn waters, stared at Qing An for a long while, until Qing An’s face had turned purple from holding his breath. Only then did Xin Hexue smile. “Xuandu Temple is right over there. Do you dare or not?”
Despite being a five-hundred-year-old fox ancestor, Qing An was now like an impetuous youth, nodding hurriedly. “I dare! What wouldn’t I dare!”
He had even dared to steal from the Great Demon on the path of slaughterā¦what was there to fear from a few Taoist priests?
Xin Hexue crooked a slender finger. “First come to my room and let me take a look.”
It was as if that part was some casual product to be selected.
Ever since Xin Hexue chose this path, he was destined to become a lecherous demon unable to part from wicked roots. Xin Hexue had long been mentally prepared for this.
Since he couldn’t part from it, why not pick carefully and choose a good one?
When Xin Hexue entered the room, he had Qing An remove his clothes so he could inspect the goods.
After a while…
As a demon, Qing An surpassed ordinary men in many ways, but unfortunatelyā¦unfortunately, that place of his had fox fur.
“Benefactor, benefactor, wait until I shave it off and come back to find you, alright?”
Qing An was about to cry from frustration.
“You may go. I’ve lost interest now.”
Qing An, sobbing and wiping tears, circled around and went out through the east gate. He walked with his head down and collided with a young Taoist priest on the street. Fortunately, his heart was constantly in his throat, concealing his demonic aura. He muttered an apology and quickly left.
The Taoist priest, however, stared at Qing An’s retreating figure for a while, glanced toward Xuandu Temple, then lifted his legs and headed toward Longxing Temple on the other side.
…
On the second day of the new year, the capital was filled with the scent of firecrackers. A few strings of red firecrackers had been set off, and the accumulated snow in the courtyards was mixed with fine fragments of red.
The sun hung in the blue sky, seemingly swallowing clouds and exhaling mist, occasionally leaking down golden beams of light.
Xin Hexue came out in the morning to admire the plum blossoms. He was staying in the refined lodging of the eastern courtyard, where three red plum trees stood. The courtyard gate was wide open toward the street outside, and inadvertently, he met the gaze of someone passing by.
“Zhou Tong?”
Xin Hexue spoke the name.
Zhou Tong seemed unable to believe he had encountered Xin Hexue like this, and a gentle smile immediately appeared on his face. “Cousin, are you staying here?”
“Yes, just temporarily.”
Zhou Tong didn’t know whether to advance or retreat, feeling a mix of trepidation and longing. “I, I… cousin, could you accompany me for some tea? I want to talk with you.”
Ever since he and his mother visited the Xin family last time, whenever he went to the Xin residence seeking his cousin afterward, he was repeatedly refused entry. Zhou Tong knew in his heart that Xin Hexue was probably still concerned about that day when his mother had asked the Yushan county magistrate to help find him a suitable match. They should have traveled to the capital together to look after each other, but Xin Hexue had ended up leaving Jiangzhou without a word.
Zhou Tong invited Xin Hexue to a teahouse for a chat. He wanted to speak privately with Xin Hexue, so he paid extra to have the attendant take them to a private room.
They had to catch up on old times and when Zhou Tong mentioned being turned away at the gate, Xin Hexue seemed unaware. “Is that so? You came to visit afterward? The gatekeeper never reported itā¦I suppose those servants are not doing their jobs properly. I’ll write a letter for Father to admonish them properly.”
Xin Hexue had guessed about eighty or ninety percent that Hen Zhen was behind this, but knowing this, he didn’t feel much anger, as his feelings toward Zhou Tong were already quite cool.
Now meeting again, his attitude had grown much more distant.
Zhou Tong felt a pang of bitterness. He lowered his head. “I didn’t intend to meet any girls. I declined all my mother’s suggestions. I never went to see anyone she found. Cousin, my feelings for you… I always thought you understood.”
Xin Hexue gazed out at the scenery beyond the window, holding a celadon tea cup in his hand, taking a shallow sip. He turned his head and said calmly, “The words you are saying to me now, would you dare say them in front of your mother?”
Zhou Tong stammered, unable to answer.
“You see, I pretended not to know your feelings for me. If you hadn’t made them clear, this matter would have been turned over like a blank page. Cousin, I understand your family situation. This is better for both you and me.” Xin Hexue sighed softly and said tactfully, “From now on, you’ll only be my cousin, and I’ll only be your cousin. Is that alright?”
Zhou Tong’s face turned pale. He knew Xin Hexue’s words were fair and just. His throat went hoarse, and he couldn’t squeeze out another word.
“I’ll have the attendant settle the bill. There’s no need for you to spend your travel funds on this kind of place, cousin. Prepare well for the Ministry of Rites examination. When you pass with honors, don’t forget to let your cousin share in your joy.”
Xin Hexue finished amiably, then rose and walked outside.
Who could have predicted such a sudden turn of events? Demon-subduing ropes descended like a net from heaven and earth, enveloping Xin Hexue completely!
Several Taoist priests descended from the sky. Zhou Tong suddenly stood up. “Who are you people?! What are you doing?!”
“Longxing Temple conducting official business,” the leading Taoist priest said to him. “Mortal, step aside.”
“What business does Longxing Temple have with my cousin?”
Zhou Tong desperately tried to rescue Xin Hexue, but the back of his neck was struck by an arm, and he immediately fell unconscious.
Xin Hexue hadn’t seen the leading Taoist priest before, but he remembered the blue-robed Taoist beside himā¦it was the same person who had once arrested him on Bixia Mountain when he was pretending to be Guanyin to receive incense offerings, the one who had refused a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit.
He had actually found helpers?
The blue-robed Taoist sneered coldly at Zhou Tong on the ground. “Can’t even see your own cousin’s true face?”
The leading Taoist glanced at the unperturbed fox demon and ordered, “Take him back to Longxing Temple and notify Taichu Temple to handle it.ā
