Having harvested more than twenty strands of the light of fortune, Lu Zheng soon arrived at a manor at the foot of a mountain, more than sixty miles from Wild Wolf Mountain but closer to Wanfu County.
“Knock! Knock! Knock!”
“Creak!”
A rather sleazy, lean man opened the gate, glanced at Lu Zheng impatiently, waved his hand, and said, “Go away, go away. Everyone’s out. We don’t entertain guests or offer lodging.”
“Huang Jing’er?” Lu Zheng asked aloud.
“Hm?” Huang Jing’er’s eyes flickered, and he instantly retreated.
But Lu Zheng smiled faintly, his hands forming a seal. Clouds gathered and dispersed. Huang Jing’er let out a muffled grunt, then turned to flee.
“Alien!”
“Hm?” Lu Zheng blinked, nodded, and said, “Your cultivation is a bit higher than those two. No wonder you were sent here.”
Huang Jing’er’s pupils shrank. He watched helplessly as Lu Zheng closed in, slapping his shoulder.
With a soft “thud,” Huang Jing’er collapsed to the ground, unable to move, his eyes rolling frantically, filled with shock as they fixed on Lu Zheng.
Was this an alien coming to subdue demons?
Ignoring Huang Jing’er sprawled to the side, Lu Zheng entered the front courtyard and saw an elderly matriarch, leaning on a cane, emerging from the back.
“This old lady, Madam Huangfu, greets the young master!” The matriarch bowed slightly, her expression calm.
Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow, surprised that the old matriarch remained so composed.
But in the next moment, two figures vaulted over the wall, rushing in. They glanced at Huang Jing’er on the ground, then knelt squarely before Lu Zheng, saying urgently, “Young master, please have mercy. Our Huangfu family has always been kind, often aiding the poor with good deeds, without a trace of evil. Please show leniency!”
“Third Son! Dalang! Why are you two back?” The matriarch was startled.
“We came to rescue Mother,” said a middle-aged man with a thin mustache, before turning to Lu Zheng. “Young master…”
Lu Zheng waved his hand. “Enough, no need to explain. I know your second son, Huangfu Xu.”
“Hm?” The middle-aged man froze, but the matriarch’s eyes lit up.
…
“And so, that’s how it is. Now, on Wild Wolf Mountain, he’s the only one left alive.” Lu Zheng pointed at Huang Jing’er nearby, having just recounted his slaying of Leng Jian.
Huang Jing’er’s eyes brimmed with a pleading look, his sincerity moving onlookers to tears.
Huangfu Ning showed disgust. “This Huang Jing’er is no good either!”
After introductions, the two who had climbed over were the matriarch’s third son, Huangfu Ru, and Huangfu Xu’s brother, Huangfu Ning.
Lu Zheng nodded. “I’ll take him away shortly, so as not to sully your manor’s grounds.”
Huang Jing’er shuddered.
“Knock! Knock! Knock!”
At that moment, another round of knocking sounded.
“Hm?”
“Probably someone seeking lodging. I’ll send them away,” Huangfu Ning said, heading to open the gate.
“Master…”
“Amitabha! This poor monk was eager to travel and missed a place to stay. Might I lodge here for the night?”
“Master, save me!”
Suddenly, Huang Jing’er sprang up, charging toward the manor gate.
“Bold!”
Lu Zheng’s eyes narrowed. He rose, leaping to the front courtyard. A cloud of mist appeared, enveloping Huang Jing’er’s path.
“Amitabha!”
A Buddhist chant rang out, invisible ripples spreading, dispelling Lu Zheng’s mist.
But as Huang Jing’er tried to escape, a wooden staff appeared before him, glinting with golden light, forcing him back into the courtyard.
“Amitabha!”
After another chant, Huangfu Ning quickly retreated into the courtyard.
Footsteps followed, and Lu Zheng saw a sturdy monk in grey robes, holding a staff, striding in.
“Guangyue of Rizhao Temple greets you all.” The monk scanned the scene, then addressed Lu Zheng sternly. “Why does this Taoist brother consort with demons and act on their behalf?”
Lu Zheng’s eyes narrowed, and he said coolly, “But Master, you also saved a demon.”
“Amitabha. Heaven cherishes life. Even demons should not die unjustly. Evil ones must be slain, but good ones may be spared. Since I’ve encountered this, I must discern right from wrong.”
Lu Zheng scoffed, hinting, “Are you saying I’ve wronged him?”
Guangyue shook his head, looking at the foxes in the courtyard, and said earnestly, “This poor monk only fears you’ve been deceived by demons. If we join forces, we’re less likely to err.”
“Master, save me! Save me!” Huang Jing’er kowtowed repeatedly. “I’m wronged! I’m just a hunter who clashed with this fox family in the forest. They held a grudge, used a fox girl to seduce this alien, then lured me to the manor to kill me. If not for you, Master, I’d be dead!”
“Shameless! Utter nonsense!” Huangfu Ning roared, ready to argue.
Lu Zheng, unruffled, held Huangfu Ning back and smiled faintly at Huang Jing’er.
Huang Jing’er’s heart skipped a beat. As he turned to plead with the monk, a palm struck his Baihui acupoint.
“Pfft!”
With a soft sound, his head turned to mush. Huang Jing’er collapsed, instantly reverting to his true form.
“Illusion!”
Guangyue reacted, seeing Lu Zheng appear behind Huang Jing’er while another Lu Zheng before him slowly dissipated.
“Amitabha!”
Guangyue chanted, his eyes wide, divine light piercing through Lu Zheng’s illusion.
Well, it was the same as before…
Because Lu Zheng, having achieved his goal, had dispelled the illusion.
“Master Guangyue, please sit.” Lu Zheng walked past, gesturing invitingly. “The weasel’s done talking. Now it’s my turn.”
Guangyue paused, realizing Lu Zheng killed Huang Jing’er to show his displeasure but was now willing to explain, giving him face.
At this point, he could only listen.
“Amitabha! Taoist brother, please!”
…
Moments later.
“Was the weasel telling the truth?” Guangyue stared at Lu Zheng, astonished.
Lu Zheng frowned. I just explained Wild Wolf Mountain clearly. Are you deaf?
“You were really seduced by a fox girl?” Guangyue asked loudly.
Lu Zheng: ⚆_⚆?
“Taoist brother, with your youth and cultivation, it’s remarkable. You mustn’t be swayed by a fox girl!” Guangyue urged earnestly.
“Master, this is my private matter. No need for your concern,” Lu Zheng replied, bewildered, his dry response tinged with absurdity. The monk’s odd words dulled his hostility.
My senior brother doesn’t meddle, so why’s a monk so worked up? Are we that close?
“No!” Guangyue waved his hand. “How can I watch you fall?”
Lu Zheng was stunned. “I’m falling?”
“Taoist brother, as the ancients say, a gentle embrace is a hero’s grave. Among women, fox girls are the most enchanting, draining your flesh, grinding your marrow, stalling your cultivation at best, or ruining it at worst!” Guangyue said sternly. “You should end things with this fox girl!”
Lu Zheng was dumbfounded, grinding his teeth. Who told you this? So I’ve met a monk like Fahai?
Too bad I’m not Xu Xian. Let’s see if you can beat me first…
As night fell, their eyes locked, sparks flying. The Huangfu family hurriedly prepared rooms for Lu Zheng and Guangyue, inviting them to rest for the night.
