Chapter 16

The system’s silence was within Jiang Yiguang’s expectations.

This thing had appeared inexplicably, its origin and purpose unknown. The stat boosts after completing tasks did bring her many benefits; her formerly muddled mind seemed to have suddenly awakened. But she also knew how to write the word “price.” Currently, she had nothing—so what would it demand from her in the future? She felt her current situation was like “drinking poison to quench thirst.”

Jiang Yiguang pondered these things. She smiled, but when she looked down and saw the decapitated Tiger Demon, her smile froze. Misty vapors rose in the mountains, and fiends appeared everywhere. If she encountered a Tiger Demon alone, could she really handle it with her own strength? Reaching out to touch the True Form Chart of the Five Peaks in her pocket, Jiang Yiguang let out a long breath.

Whatever. She was already on this mountain; overthinking wouldn’t help.

Perhaps guided by the Mystical Grain and intimidated by the True Form Chart, Jiang Yiguang didn’t encounter any more evil spirits on the way, all the way to the Fox Immortal Temple, where the peach blossoms were in fullest bloom. The Tiger Demon was probably a trial for the male and female leads, meant to hone their skills? As for a minor supporting character like her, perhaps she hadn’t reached the plot point of becoming a “stumbling block” yet? Lost in thought, Jiang Yiguang walked forward with light steps.

Wind stirred in the forest, and mountain mist drifted like smoke. The Marriage Plaques hanging from the branches swayed, clinking crisply against each other. The scenery wasn’t much different from her last visit, except the bustling crowds of tourists were gone, leaving only an indescribable loneliness steeped in the passage of time.

Last time, Jiang Yiguang hadn’t entered the Fox Immortal Temple or even glanced at the shrine. This time, leaning on her Seven Star Sword, she stood at the threshold and looked towards the shrine inside. Crouching upon it was a painted clay Nine-Tailed Fox. Dense white fur seemed to sprout from its long, narrow fox face, and its nine tails swayed gently, almost as if alive. Startled, Jiang Yiguang rubbed her eyes and looked again. The fur had vanished; the painted clay idol was stiff and clumsy, as if crudely molded.

Jiang Yiguang stepped back. Seeing the deep scratch her sword tip had left on the bluestone slab, she realized how tense she was, her heart pounding as if it would leap out of her chest the next moment. There was definitely something wrong with the “Fox Immortal.” If she were a person of great divine ability, she would definitely lift her sword and smash the shrine’s clay idol. Unfortunately, she was a sensible person; in this situation, she could only instinctively retreat.

She didn’t stray too far from the Fox Immortal Temple. Her mind raced, searching for information related to the “Nine-Tailed Fox,” vaguely grasping the word “seal.” If a thousand-year Nine-Tailed Fox truly broke free and turned to the evil path, the situation wouldn’t be like this, right? Jiang Yiguang’s thoughts wandered aimlessly. Suddenly, her footsteps halted. The previously gentle mountain breeze turned bitingly cold, lashing at her face like a whip. Fallen blossoms and broken branches were stirred up by the sudden gale, carrying a gloomy aura amidst the chaos.

Alarm bells screamed in Jiang Yiguang’s heart.

–

“The Baleful Energy in the mountains is intensifying. Even with the map, finding Head Hill Cave isn’t easy,” Wang Xuanming said, his voice heavy. The chaotic magnetic field made the Luopan’s needle spin ceaselessly, never settling. The peach blossom forest on South Mountain had a “miasma.” Relying on himself alone, it was very difficult to discern the direction.

Fu Juan responded with a flat “Mm,” her expression unreadable.

Wang Xuanming added, “Jiang Yiguang is still in the mountains.” This task was already extremely tricky, exceeding their estimates, and now with an added “burden,” the chances of failure were higher. “Aren’t you worried?” Wang Xuanming asked, unable to help himself when he saw Fu Juan remain silent. Fu Juan had once lived with the Jiang family, and Jiang Li had treated her extremely well. If Jiang Yiguang truly encountered danger, she shouldn’t just stand by.

Fu Juan’s gaze was cold and heavy, carrying a detached sense of distance. Her flat tone betrayed little emotion: “If you’re worried, you can go find her.”

Wang Xuanming shivered inwardly and gave a sheepish laugh. “Jiang Yiguang surely has plenty of magical artifacts on her, plus the Seven Star Sword. Ordinary fiends indeed wouldn’t dare approach.” Yet he clearly remembered that just moments ago, when the Tiger Demon lunged at Jiang Yiguang and was repelled by the True Form Chart, Fu Juan had directly used the Mixed Five Thunder Incantation. That divine Thunder Arts technique had immense power but also consumed a great deal of mental and spiritual energy. In that situation, there were actually many other options.

Fu Juan suddenly said, “That great one is in the mountains.” A ghost bearing Meritorious Golden Light wouldn’t easily fall to evil. Since she had previously entered Jiang Yiguang’s dream, she must have placed a mark on her. In the past, Jiang Yiguang disliked matters of gods and ghosts. Her coming up the mountain now was very likely pushed by that great one… but what did that great one intend to do through Jiang Yiguang?

Wang Xuanming was taken aback. “Which great one?” Before Fu Juan could explain, he suddenly realized and exclaimed, “Oh! It’s her!” Before coming, Xie Chaoyun had already gone to the Xuanzhen Dao Court to register. They had analyzed Xie Chaoyun’s stance and gained her promise. Their positions aligned regarding resolving the South Mountain Fox Immortal Temple matter. Otherwise, with just the two of them, they truly wouldn’t dare to recklessly enter South Mountain, which held a thousand-year fox demon.

–

“Miss Jiang.”

The voice that suddenly rang out behind her made Jiang Yiguang’s hair stand on end. Instantly, countless stories of mountain spirits calling people’s names to possess them flooded her mind. She neither answered nor turned around. But a rustling sound came from behind, and that “mountain spirit” walked around and appeared in front of her on its own. When she clearly saw that pale yet familiar face, Jiang Yiguang suddenly breathed a sigh of relief.

She couldn’t fathom Xie Chaoyun’s purpose, but she had to admit one thing: in her eyes, “Ghost Lady” was far more pleasant than grotesque Mountain Fiends. Especially with the Peach Blossom Pastry gift box in her hands, she looked even more like an ordinary person visiting friends or relatives, only the friends were mountain-dwelling ones.

Seeing Jiang Yiguang’s gaze on her, Xie Chaoyun replied gently, “It’s for an old friend.”

Jiang Yiguang paused and asked tentatively, “The one in the temple?”

Xie Chaoyun smiled and nodded. “Exactly.”

Jiang Yiguang said, “In The Southern Travels of Zhenren Changming, you and Daoist Wang joined forces to deal with the calamitous demon consort.” The word “execute” in the history books was just a cover; the Nine-Tailed Fox was actually suppressed in the mountain.

Xie Chaoyun’s smile turned a shade paler. She said wistfully, “You could say that’s correct.” Tushan Yi couldn’t forget that plate of Peach Blossom Pastry, and she herself couldn’t let go of that old matter either. Daoist Wang’s cultivation was quite high, but without the “Peach Blossom Pastry,” he probably couldn’t have done anything to Tushan Yi. “I wronged her, but I had to do it.”

The events of a thousand years ago held hidden secrets, and that notebook glorifying Daoist Wang’s merits naturally wouldn’t record a single detail. Jiang Yiguang gave an “Oh” and suppressed her curiosity about the past. She feigned composure and said, “Senior, you know the Xuanzhen Dao Court will deal with her, right?”

“Yes,” Xie Chaoyun nodded, her melancholy deepening. If it were just randomly tying romantic fate threads, it wouldn’t be a capital offense. But now, blood had been clearly drawn, and mortals’ Qi Luck had been tampered with. Continuing like this, she would sooner or later fall completely into balefulness. By then, no one’s pleas would help; only the death penalty awaited her. “I have already promised the Xuanzhen Dao Court I will help. But before that, Miss Jiang, I want to ask you for a favor. Deliver the Peach Blossom Pastry to Head Hill Cave for me, to fulfill her final wish.”

Jiang Yiguang looked puzzled. “Head Hill Cave?”

Xie Chaoyun explained, “The Nine-Tailed Fox’s sealing ground. It’s covered in spell talismans. Being a ghost, I cannot approach that place either.”

Jiang Yiguang was reluctant to take on this task. She spoke with difficulty, “Wouldn’t offering it at the temple be enough?”

Xie Chaoyun shook her head.

Jiang Yiguang: “…Why me?”