Chapter 127: Chapter 126: Capturing the Fox!
Liu Yi pointed to his nose and said, "Were we harmed by him?"
"That’s right, the malevolent spirit clinging to you all is precisely something you are sharing on his behalf!"
Yu Nianzhao said, "You two truly are good friends. If it weren’t for you sharing this evil with him, he would have died long ago."
Luu Shaoqi’s face turned green then white, "Then we have shown him the utmost kindness, seeing that he was the first to be ruthless."
Pei Yuncheng also spoke fearfully, "Originally, he invited me to go along too. Luckily, there was some family matter, so I refused. Otherwise, would I have been possessed by the evil spirit as well?"
"No need to ask. Not only possessed, but you’d also suffer greatly."
"Indeed, I’m glad." Pei Yuncheng had just breathed a sigh of relief, only for his mind to tighten again. "You completely offended Chu Wenyao just now. Is it really okay? You said he... might die? But I remember there are quite a few Daoists in the Chu Family; the female ghost may not gain the upper hand."
Yu Nianzhao waved dismissively, "With the skills of those amateur Daoists, what can they do? It’s not the first time Chu Wenyao has forced respectable women. Most of the concubines in his manor were taken forcibly, and he’s stained his hands with lives. It’s just that the Chu Family’s power let it be covered up. The fact he dared to suppress the female ghost’s soul at Yizhuang demonstrates he isn’t new to such actions."
Liu Yi clenched his fist and said, "I truly didn’t know Chu Wenyao was doing such things privately. He really is as vile as Chu Wenjia. They’re indeed cousins, equally despicable. Now that Chu Wenjia is dead, does Chu Wenyao also want to follow the same path?"
"Mr Liu, be careful with your words." Pei Yuncheng looked around anxiously, nearly jumping up to cover Liu Yi’s mouth. "We’re still outside here. If this gets to Duke Luu’s ears, what will we do?"
Liu Yi pursed his lips, sighing lightly, "I understand."
"In any case, thank the Princess for exorcising the evil today. We admit defeat wholeheartedly!" Luu Shaoqi and Liu Yi both clasped fists towards Yu Nianzhao in gratitude.
Soon, people from the Liu Family and the Luu Family brought Silver to contribute to the incense offerings.
Once everyone had left, the hunter’s family remained.
"The reincarnation of King Yan, the lady really looks identical to this statue." The hunter cautiously glanced at Yu Nianzhao, then at the statue, a feeling of reverence rising spontaneously in his heart.
"I am this statue, naturally I’m identical." Yu Nianzhao looked at his forehead for a few moments, "Are you worried about being targeted by that fox demon?"
The hunter chuckled bitterly, "Indeed I am. While I fear nothing on my own, I’m terrified the fox might target my wife and children. That night, it grabbed my ankle, and the wound still aches faintly. I have a premonition it will return!"
"Mm, your sixth sense is indeed quite accurate." Yu Nianzhao nodded, speaking words that sent chills down the spine, "It left a mark on you, indicating you’re its chosen prey. It fled only because it was injured and feared my statue, but once healed, it will undoubtedly come for you."
The hunter’s wife cried, "What should we do then? Miss, please save my husband. Our children are so young; they can’t lose their father. Honestly, we don’t have much Silver, could you let us pay later some, and we can work to make up the rest bit by bit to repay you?"
Her hands trembled as she took out a cloth bag from her chest, peeled back one layer after another, and extracted the protected Silver shards inside, her eyes filled with humility. "Just twenty taels of Silver, this is all our Silver Coin. A thousand is indeed difficult, but if you don’t mind, we’ll do anything you ask, as long as my husband can live."
"Father, Mother..."
Their little girl, around three or four years old, clung to them, completely misunderstanding their conversation, her clear eyes curiously studying Yu Nianzhao.
Yu Nianzhao looked at the Silver shards and sighed lightly, "Do you have Copper Coins?"
The hunter’s wife was taken aback, "Yes, I do..."
"Give me a Copper Coin."
"Ah? Okay!"
In a hurry the hunter’s wife pulled out a Copper Coin from her pocket.
Yu Nianzhao took it casually, "Alright, I’ve accepted it. This Copper Coin is enough to save your husband’s life. Rest assured, he won’t die."
"But, wasn’t it a thousand taels of Silver to expel evil earlier?" The hunter’s wife’s eyes showed confusion.
"That’s for the wealthy; their money shouldn’t be left unearned." Yu Nianzhao blinked charmingly, "I act based on my mood. If I say one Copper Coin is enough for you, then one Copper Coin it is!"
The hunter couple exchanged glances, gratefully bowing, "Thank you, Miss, thank you!"
As night fell, the fog began to roll in around King Yan’s temple again.
The hunter stood amidst the mist, cold sweat continuously flowing down his forehead, with a faint ache from his ankle wound.
"Hehehe, I don’t need to come find you; here you are yourself. I actually planned to visit your home." An eerie voice echoed, and the fox’s shadow appeared in the mist, its large tail sweeping over the hunter’s ankle, terrifying the hunter into sitting down in fear.
"Fox spirit, I haven’t offended you. My flesh isn’t tasty. If the fox spirit wants something delicious, I can offer game I’ve personally hunted."
The hunter tried to reason with it, only to find the fox’s shadow growing larger in the mist.
"Hmph, I’ve lived here for ages; can’t I eat whatever game I desire? I don’t want any other animals, I want to eat you!"
The great dark shadow enveloped the hunter, its sinister words leaving the hunter half-dead from fright.
"Even if your flesh isn’t tasty, I must eat it before judging." The shadow loomed over him, causing the hunter to scream, as the gaping jaws seemed ready to snatch him away.
Golden talismans shot from afar, the shadow unable to evade, scorched by their touch, screamed in agony, "Ahh!"
The mist shrank back considerably, the shadow vanished, replaced by a yellow-furred fox glaring fiercely into the darkness.
"Tsk, a mere fox demon with such minimal skills dare call yourself a fox spirit? Who gave you the gall?"
Yu Nianzhao slowly emerged from the darkness, critically surveying the fox demon with disdain.
"Who-who are you?" The fox demon inexplicably felt a sense of intimidation from Yu Nianzhao, retreating fearfully as she approached step by step.