Chapter 8: The Fox

The old steward led the way ahead, soon arriving at the eastern wing. As he pushed open the door, a thick scent of sandalwood rushed forth, mingled with a faint trace of fox musk. Wei Li did not allow Madam Jia or the steward to enter, instead she gazed at Jia Hang, whose face on the bed was pale and bloodless, yet it was still apparent that he had the delicate features of a young master. She nudged Guangzong with her elbow: "Monk, look, this Jia family's young master is truly refined. If I were that fox, I would cling to him too."

Guangzong naturally ignored Wei Li, reaching out to test Jia Hang's breath—it was extremely weak. At this rate, the Lord of the Underworld would soon claim him. "Do you have a way?"

"It's you who wants to save him, not me. Besides, what does his death have to do with me?"

"Just now, when the steward called you 'Little Immortal Maiden,' I saw you smile at the corner of your mouth."

"So what? I'm smiling now, aren't I?" Wei Li bared her teeth in a forced grin at Guangzong.

"If you help me enlighten ninety-nine souls, I'll remove the talisman nail from your brow and return your freedom."

Wei Li scoffed, "You want me to help you save people? Keep dreaming." With that, she strode away.

Guangzong, helpless, asked the steward to take him to the spot in the rear mountains where the fox spirit statue had been buried. The steward, carrying a shovel, led Guangzong to an open patch of ground. The soil bore obvious signs of disturbance, likely from the last burial and a subsequent heavy rain.

The steward dug laboriously for quite some time but found nothing. Scratching his head, he muttered, "I'm sure it was buried here. What's going on..."

A thought struck Guangzong: "Damn, it’s a diversion!"

He dashed toward the Jia residence, but seeing he was still some distance away, he pulled another talisman nail from his sleeve, "Wei Li, hurry to the Jia residence, protect Jia Hang!"

"Monk, stop ordering me around!" Wei Li's voice came through the talisman.

Guangzong arrived at the residence, panting, to find the courtyard in disarray. The maids and servants had vanished. Rushing into the eastern wing, he saw bloodstains on the floor. Wei Li sat slumped at the edge of the bed, while Jia Hang lay unharmed on the mattress.

"Monk, I am flesh and blood too—you have me fight such old monsters. To save someone irrelevant, I almost lost my life!"

Guangzong knelt before Wei Li, gently brushing her hair, "You've worked hard."

Wei Li swatted his hand away, indifferent. "I didn’t do it for you, but for my freedom. You think if I help you enlighten ninety-nine souls, I’ll be enlightened myself? When the time comes, I’ll eat whomever I please, and you won’t be able to stop me!"

"What’s to come, no one can say for sure."

"That’s true. Maybe before we reach ninety-nine, you’ll die of old age, and no one will bind me anymore."

Guangzong smiled faintly. Just then, Jia Hang coughed behind them. Both Guangzong and Wei Li turned to look. Jia Hang stared at them in terror; clearly he had overheard their conversation. Wei Li punched him, and Jia Hang instantly fainted.

"What are you doing!" Guangzong quickly grabbed Wei Li’s wrist to stop her second punch.

"What else? Make him forget!"

Guangzong hesitated, then slowly released her. Wei Li landed another heavy blow on Jia Hang’s skull. Guangzong turned away and closed his eyes, murmuring, "Sinful, sinful..."

The fox spirit had not been caught, and instead Jia Hang was nearly beaten to death. This gave Guangzong a headache. Wei Li suggested they simply flee, but Guangzong insisted that such a move would disgrace the Buddhist name.

That night, Guangzong asked Wei Li to check the rear mountains for any trace of the fox, while he guarded the Jia residence.

Wei Li left, most unwillingly, her tiny bound feet forcing her to rest every three steps. It took her over two hours to reach the patch of disturbed earth in the hills. There was no trace of fox scent; the overwhelming aroma of osmanthus flowers made her headache, and she abandoned the idea of sleeping there, waiting for Guangzong to retrieve her in the morning.

Just as she was about to leave, footsteps rustled behind her—so much for searching far and wide, only to find it by chance. Turning, she saw the old steward, hunched and approaching slowly. "Little Immortal Maiden, the night is cool. I brought you a wrap."

Wei Li looked at the steward in disappointment. He, seeing her ignore him, stepped forward and draped the wrap over her shoulders. Wei Li instinctively frowned; amid the pungent osmanthus, a faint fox musk lingered. She sniffed carefully, finally pinpointing the source as the old steward himself. "Old steward, don’t tell me you’re the fox!" In all her years, Wei Li had seen few foxes transform into humans, and when they did, it was always as enchanting women who could steal hearts. But this—old age aside, even the gender had changed.

"Why not me?"

The steward actually retorted. Wei Li pressed her forehead, deep in thought. How could this fox lack all self-awareness? She pulled the wrap tighter. "Fox, why don’t you go after that monk? Always coming for me, do you want me to beg for mercy again?"

Earlier, Wei Li had only vaguely told Guangzong about the ordeal. In truth, the fox had arrived as a sinister force full of murderous intent. Knowing she couldn’t win, Wei Li had sweet-talked him to avoid a beating. This humiliation was something she’d never let Guangzong know.

"I like to see you beg."

"Filthy fox! Don’t play the elder. I’ve lived for over a thousand years myself. I was letting you win before—don’t think I can’t beat you!"

"To be precise, you’ve lived eight hundred seventy-two years." He instantly appeared before her, touching her cheek. In a blink, his wrinkled hand grew slender and smooth, and the steward transformed into a frail scholar. "Is this better?"

Seeing Wei Li’s astonishment, he transformed again—now into a wealthy young man. "How about this?"

Wei Li remained stunned as he shifted into a Taoist priest, a merchant, a teacher, a scholar, and finally, when he became a seductive woman—"Stop!"

"So that’s your preference," the fox laughed, pressing against Wei Li’s chest. "Then I’ll devote myself to you from now on."

"Let’s just fight—stop these tricks!" Wei Li could no longer endure the mental torment.

"What’s so good about that monk? He makes you chant and fast. Now you’re so hungry you’re wasting away."

"I know, poor food, cold clothing, and he exploits me daily. If not for my freedom, I’d never obey him." Wei Li sat on the ground, pouring her grievances out to the fox.

"You mean the talisman nail in your brow?" The fox sat beside her.

"Yes. Look at this—is this what Buddhism does? They nailed this thing right into my forehead. Not only does it keep me within ten miles of him, but it’s cold. I think my brain is refrigerated."

Wei Li’s bitterness was palpable. The fox reached to touch the talisman nail, but the chill forced him back. He revealed his slender, pale leg, marked with scars. "These are from the blood talismans when the Taoists hunted me ten years ago. No matter what form I take, the scars never fade."

For a moment, the air was thick with the melancholy of kindred spirits, lost and wandering.

"I’ll kill that wretched monk for you!" The fox stood, furious, as if to avenge her.

"No, no, you can’t beat him." Wei Li waved her hands.

"How about this?" The fox revealed his alluring form, shapely and beautiful—Wei Li nearly lost her composure. His transformations were impressive, but only when the osmanthus scent no longer mingled with fox musk did Wei Li relax. "Finally gone. Sorry, monk—I can’t beat this fox, so I’ve sent him your way. Good luck to you."

Wei Li did not return directly to the Jia residence. If the fox lost, she could claim she got lost in the hills. If Guangzong lost, she would be free. Either way, it was no loss for her.

She had barely eaten in recent days, so she decided to visit the Li residence for some gold leaf to fill her belly.

It was late at night. The streets were silent. Wei Li hadn’t realized how far the hills were from the Li house. Her feet ached terribly, forcing her to sit by the roadside to rest. She looked up at the moon. Nearby, a dog began to bark, startled by something. As she came to, she sensed an unusual air around her. Wei Li stood and walked on, but no matter how she turned, she couldn’t exit the maze of alleys—it was as if she were trapped in a ghost wall. Suddenly, footsteps sounded behind her. She paused, alert, scanning her surroundings—her beautiful eyes full of wariness—but not a soul was in sight.

As Wei Li tried to move forward again, the footsteps sounded once more. A chill ran down her spine. Turning, she saw a bulky figure staggering toward her. As the figure drew near, she saw his flushed face, unsteady gait, and the wine jug in his hand—clearly drunk, he ignored Wei Li and stumbled past.

Just a drunken brute.

Wei Li followed the drunken man, hoping he would lead her out. They walked for what seemed an eternity before he suddenly stopped. Wei Li paused as well. The drunk turned, his gaze growing menacing. "Are you here to ask me for money? I told you, I don’t have any!" His eyes bulged like eggs, and he swung the wine bottle at Wei Li.

A gunshot rang out. Before Wei Li could dodge, the drunken man was struck in the head, staring incredulously at her—or rather, at someone behind her—before collapsing, bright red blood seeping from his lips.