Packaged Up
Yan Jue leaned against Qi Xianqing’s shoulder, the pain in her chest rolling in wave after wave, sharp enough to make her draw in a breath.
Qi Xianqing froze. “Is the chest pain acting up again?”
Yan Jue’s voice was barely louder than a mosquito’s buzz. “Yes. The weather’s been swinging between hot and cold lately, so it keeps flaring up.”
Leaning on Qi Xianqing’s shoulder made Yan Jue deeply uncomfortable. She hadn’t wanted to do this either.
The Heavenly Dao’s punishment hurt so badly she could barely stand up straight. Her vision kept going dark, and her legs were trembling.
Right now, Qi Xianqing was the only thing keeping her upright.
What reassured Yan Jue was that Qi Xianqing said nothing; she tacitly allowed her to keep leaning there.
Qi Xianqing’s clothes felt pleasant against her skin, and her body was soft as well.
A faint, clean fragrance drifted from her, and Yan Jue only felt her heartbeat quicken and quicken. Once the pain eased a little, she immediately straightened up.
Yan Jue looked at Qi Xianqing and said, “Thank you.”
Qi Xianqing replied, “It’s fine.”
…
Because Chu Fu still didn’t know how to break formations, Qi Xianqing demonstrated it to him again.
After Chu Fu barely managed to break a basic restriction glowing with green light, Qi Xianqing finally gave a blank nod.
The group walked together toward the courtyard gate.
Just after they stepped out, they saw the painted-skin ghost lying stiffly in the middle of the courtyard, tied up with a rope by Qi Xianqing.
It was still wearing the guise of an old woman. Hearing footsteps, it slowly opened its eyes and turned its neck with a creak.
“Ahhh!”
The young lady of the Xu family let out a frightened cry at the sight of it, her face going pale as she tried to back away.
Chu Fu hurriedly comforted her. “Don’t be afraid. This evil ghost has already been subdued; can’t you see it’s tied up? It won’t hurt you again—”
Before he could finish, the painted-skin ghost suddenly sprang to its feet and rushed forward at lightning speed.
???
Yan Jue froze, instantly spotting the hideous human skin lying on the ground.
This was the real terror of a painted-skin ghost.
Even bound by ropes, it could escape by shedding its skin.
After all, a painted-skin ghost could change into different bodies; its true form was hidden behind the skin it wore.
The ghost’s fingernails gleamed with tiny flashes of light beneath the moon, stretching longer and longer.
Before long, they could no longer even be called fingernails; they were beast claws.
Too fast... far too fast...
In the dark, the painted-skin ghost moved like a specter. No wonder even the South Tower’s immortal master couldn’t catch it; it moved so quickly that its body could not be seen clearly at all.
The ghost raised its claw, and a sharp slicing wind rang out.
It slashed hard, straight toward Qi Xianqing.
Qi Xianqing looked at it and frowned slightly. When she tied up that old woman earlier, she hadn’t realized she was actually a painted-skin ghost; she had truly been too careless.
In an instant, Zhuying was about to leave its scabbard.
Though Chu Fu was only at the late Foundation Establishment stage, he didn’t panic. He immediately stepped back, took a stance, and shouted, “Azure-Bound Umbrella!”
A huge umbrella appeared before Qi Xianqing in an instant!
Crack—
That battered wooden umbrella was actually pierced straight through by the ghost’s claws.
Chu Fu instantly summoned a thin rope. “Demon-Restraining Cord!”
The painted-skin ghost flipped through the air and actually escaped through the gap in the rope!
Its bizarre movement flashed again. Just as those slender ghost claws were about to reach out, Yan Jue subconsciously swung her right hand.
Something bright and shining flew out of her sleeve.
“Soul-Binding Cord!”
A thin rope was hurled through the air. The painted-skin ghost showed a mocking smile and tried to dodge again; who knew that the moment the rope merely touched it, it began secreting a huge amount of transparent spider silk.
“ROAR!!”
The painted-skin ghost was shocked and let out a deafening howl, starting to struggle frantically.
The more it struggled, the more spider silk the Soul-Binding Cord secreted.
In the end, it was completely wrapped up like a cocoon, a round, plump bundle rolling along the ground.
Yan Jue was seeing the Soul-Binding Cord’s power for the first time and couldn’t help but be startled.
Seeing that the painted-skin ghost was still struggling and the threads wrapping around it were increasing, Yan Jue hurriedly recalled the Soul-Binding Cord.
By then, the painted-skin ghost on the ground had already been turned into a round cocoon-like ball.
The white cocoon rolled and rolled to the wall, slammed hard into it, and then stopped moving.
“...”
Qi Xianqing turned back, her tone doubtful. “I’ve never seen you use this magical artifact before.”
And that spider silk just now on Yan Jue’s rope...
At Suyang Immortal Mansion, they had indeed encountered a spider spirit, and Qi Xianqing clearly remembered that Yan Jue had collected spider silk then.
Yan Jue steeled herself and smiled faintly. “I happened to go out to the market just now and found a shop that refines magical artifacts. I asked the shopkeeper there to help make a new one.”
It was over...
Just now, when she saw the painted-skin ghost’s claws about to touch Qi Xianqing, she had subconsciously thrown out the Soul-Binding Cord.
How could Qi Xianqing possibly need her protection? Reaching for that magical artifact made no sense at all.
Since she had already answered, whether Qi Xianqing believed her or not, she had no way of helping it.
Yan Jue gave an awkward laugh. “I’d collected spider silk at Suyang Immortal Mansion...”
Qi Xianqing thought it over, frowned slightly, and nodded.
-
For someone like Qi Xianqing, solving the Fengxian Town case of several beauties vanishing in the middle of the night was hardly difficult.
After sending the painted-skin ghost, wrapped up like a giant silkworm, to the authorities, the county magistrate was so grateful he was in tears and treated them to a meal.
Because Chu Fu was there, the meal passed with each person lost in their own thoughts, and there was not much conversation among the three of them.
The pastries around Luoyun Mountain were delicious; even better was the chicken here.
Ordinary chicken had been seasoned with all kinds of spices, and its hot aroma filled the air, making people’s mouths water.
Two days earlier, Yan Jue had already taken that Nine-Turn Mutated Spirit Pill.
Although she had spent half a day in agony, swollen nearly to bursting by spiritual power, she had now basically grown accustomed to the existence of her mutated spirit root.
Pure spiritual energy flowed through Yan Jue’s body, carrying a faint frost power. It was like the boundless cold of a frozen pool that had lain sealed for a thousand years, all gathered in her dantian, surging and bursting with immense force.
Her water and earth dual spirit roots had completely transformed into an ice spirit root.
She was now at the peak of the Awakening stage.
“...”
Yan Jue ate her meal as if nothing were wrong, secretly studying Qi Xianqing from the corner of her eye.
For some reason, she felt that Qi Xianqing had seemed gloomy since the night before last.
Of course, someone like Qi Xianqing wouldn’t show unhappiness on her face.
But she was clearly speaking less, and her expression had grown even more subdued.
That was easy enough to notice.
A woman of peerless beauty sat at the table drinking tea, her expression cool and distant; it was impossible not to notice her.
Yan Jue frowned.
But what exactly was Qi Xianqing unhappy about? Could it be because Chu Fu had come to Fengxian Town?
But Qi Xianqing probably didn’t dislike Chu Fu that much. Why would she punish herself over someone she disliked?
As the meal went on, cups were raised and emptied, and the table grew lively with toasts.
County Magistrate: “This ghost has been running wild in our county for a month now. Three beautiful ladies disappeared one after another in the middle of the night, and it caused widespread panic. We owe our thanks to the immortal for coming to our rescue.”
Chu Fu: “It was nothing. Driving out evil and defending the Dao is what people of our generation should do. I only hope the county magistrate will severely punish this painted-skin ghost and never let it harm the world again.”
County Magistrate: “Of course! This humble official has already sealed that evil ghost inside a glazed bottle and burned it to ashes with fire. We absolutely will not let it come out to hurt anyone again!”
County Magistrate: “Young hero, you seem both elegant and handsome. May I ask how old you are this year?”
Chu Fu smiled. “To answer the county magistrate, I have just turned eighteen.”
The magistrate praised him extravagantly. “So young, yet already entered the ranks of cultivators; it really makes this old man envious... makes this old man envious...”
“...”
At the same time, the man seated below the main table slowly lifted his eyes and looked over with a dark expression.
The man was fat, his face covered in folds of flesh, his small eyes narrowed to slits.
He was the immortal master South Tower had sent to catch ghosts this time, Sun Chu.
This time, it was obvious that Five Dragons Sect had stolen South Tower’s thunder.
Sun Chu stared coldly at the three people on the platform, his fists clenched so tightly that his fingernails were almost digging into his flesh.
What was so great about being good-looking?
If you weren’t good-looking, you didn’t even have the qualifications to draw out the painted-skin ghost.
What right did they have...
The grudge between South Tower and Five Dragons Sect was now settled. Sun Chu looked once more at the faces of the two women on the platform, then memorized them deeply in his heart.
-
Throughout the meal, it was Chu Fu chatting with the county magistrate, which saved Yan Jue and Qi Xianqing a lot of trouble.
By the time the banquet was almost over, Qi Xianqing set down her chopsticks and said suddenly, “County Magistrate, I have one request.”
Hearing this, the county magistrate hurriedly stood. “Please speak, Immortal.”
Everyone’s gaze swept over at once.
Though Chu Fu and the county magistrate had been the ones talking all this time, everyone privately had hoped these two heroic ladies would say a word or two as well.
Everyone had already noticed it earlier.
Aside from being skilled in martial arts, the immortal of Five Dragons Sect was also beautiful as a flower.
What request could she have?
The county magistrate met Qi Xianqing’s lovely peach-blossom eyes and could not help breaking out in a cold sweat.
He knew cultivators held themselves in high regard; ordinary gold and silver treasures would not catch their eye. The reward for exorcising the ghost in Fengxian Town included plenty of gold and silver, but if she asked for spirit stones, how could a tiny county like theirs possibly produce them?
This was truly...
All eyes fell on Qi Xianqing, only to see the woman in white say, “The milk cakes and peach blossom pastries I tasted here just now were very delicious. Could I have two portions packed up to take away?”
“...”
The county magistrate hurriedly said, “If the immortal likes them, of course.”
Qi Xianqing: “And the chicken in juice, tofu soup, and candied tangerines were also very good. Could you pack up a portion of each for me as well?”
Everyone: “...”
The county magistrate quickly laughed. “Yes, yes. Not just the ones the immortal mentioned; I’ll have our local specialties packed up for you as well. How about that?”
Qi Xianqing: “Thank you.”
Yan Jue stared at Qi Xianqing for a long while, then suddenly understood something and froze slightly.
Could it be that Qi Xianqing...
Could it be...
Yan Jue looked at that expressionless face, her eyes going wide.
Could she be packing them up for the little fox!
-
After the twists and turns in Fengxian Town, the group returned to Five Dragons Mountain.
After going up the mountain, Yan Jue first made a trip to the Administrative Hall.
About a month had passed since her last assignment.
At last, Yan Jue obtained the identity token she had long been hoping for at the Administrative Hall.
The sunlight was just right.
Yan Jue stood outside the Administrative Hall, looking down at the token in her hand.
The Watercloud Sect identity tokens were inlaid with black jade, the token body patterned with wave-like designs.
And at the center of hers was the character “Yan.”
With this identity token, she could go down the mountain.
...
Already at the Myriad Demons Pavilion in Fengxian Town, Yan Jue had prepared enough spirit stones and food for herself. Going down the mountain now could also count as being well prepared.
Her destination this time was Luwu.
As for where Luwu was, Yan Jue had already done her homework in the Library Pavilion a few days ago.
Luwu Mountain was located in Jiangnan; many immortal herbs grew there. From the name alone, it sounded almost like a nest where demons lived.
That day at the Myriad Demons Pavilion, the woman called San Niang had reminded her to go to Luwu first, so she might as well go take a look there first.
This world was vast;
there were still many places she had never explored.
If Luwu really did have some relative of hers, then she would recognize the family connection and take things one step at a time.
-
At night.
Yan Jue sat on the bed, quietly looking at herself in the mirror.
Had anyone in the world ever seen such a beautiful fox?
The fox in the mirror had fiery red fur, and its three tails were long and fluffy, standing behind her and swaying left and right like burning flames.
Its pair of amber eyes were clear as water, and its ears were pressed tightly back against its head.
Yan Jue stared at the mirror for a while, slowly licking her fur; then she suddenly felt a little itchy in her belly and kicked a leg up to scratch furiously.
For some reason, ever since she came back from Xiaoxing Village, Yan Jue had felt itchy all over.
Maybe she had picked up lice or something without noticing while she was at Suyang Immortal Mansion.
After tidying herself up, Yan Jue leapt out the window.
She made her way familiarly to another of Watercloud Sect’s dormitories.
Yan Jue sat in the grass, motionless, watching the little wooden house’s door.
About the time it took to burn a stick of incense later, the wooden door opened.
Chu Fu, dressed in black night clothes and carrying a bamboo basket, walked out with a solemn expression.
Yan Jue wrinkled her nose and slowly followed behind him; before long, she arrived at the edge of the cliff she had come to a few months earlier.
Chu Fu grabbed a vine and leapt down.
Yan Jue walked over and looked down. Chu Fu flashed into a cave in the cliff wall and disappeared.
These past few months, Chu Fu had probably come to see that Demon Lord every night, which was why his cultivation had advanced so quickly.
It was already almost time for the Five-Dragon Summit, when the male lead was supposed to shine in full glory; and yet he still hadn’t obtained her yin essence. He must surely be very anxious.
It looked like she needed to begin her escape plan as soon as possible.
By the time she returned from the mountain, seven days had already flashed by in the blink of an eye. Yan Jue had truly been busy...
Running to the Five Dragons Market, running to the Administrative Hall, and still having to become thoroughly familiar with all the techniques she had learned while down the mountain.
Now that she had finally finished her own business, Yan Jue felt that before leaving, she should still go see Qi Xianqing once.
If this story was always going to follow its predetermined track, Yan Jue wasn’t sure whether she would ever see Qi Xianqing again in the future.
Thinking of that, Yan Jue felt a kind of discomfort she couldn’t quite put into words.
She stood on the cliff for a while, then with a flick of her three large tails, turned and walked back.
The little fox’s tail swayed back and forth as she hopped along, and before long she reached Frozen Peach Haven.
The night was quiet; under the bright moonlight, the peach trees stood silently in the yard, and the whole courtyard was filled with a faint fragrance of blossoms.
Yan Jue sat at the entrance to the courtyard, a little nervous as she looked inside, fearing that Qi Xianqing might not be there.
Then she heard the faint sound of water coming from inside Frozen Peach Haven.
Qi Xianqing was here!
Yan Jue trotted in happily on her little paws.
Qi Xianqing was wearing plain white inner robes with a crossed collar and wide sleeves; her black hair, like crow feathers, had been casually tied up with a jade-colored hairpin.
Under the moonlight, the girl’s skin was white as snow and her eyes were like ink. She held a water scoop and was watering the peach trees.
This time in Xiaoxing Village, Qi Xianqing had suffered very serious injuries.
But when Yan Jue was with her, she simply could not tell.
Now Qi Xianqing was dressed lightly, and her sleeves were rolled up.
Only then did Yan Jue see on her arm many... bite marks from tiny spiders, along with faint bruising that had still not healed after the poisoning.
The little fox stopped at her feet, wrinkled its nose, and let out a soft whimper.
Qi Xianqing was startled, then smiled. “Long time no see. What did you do these past few days?”
The little fox tilted its head, its amber eyes bright in the moonlight, looking as if it didn’t understand.
Qi Xianqing crouched down and lifted the fox slightly. “So heavy. It’s only been a few days, and you’ve gotten this much bigger again.”
Yan Jue’s current size...
was about that of a large golden retriever.
The little fox’s fluffy tail swept through the air and brushed against Qi Xianqing’s arm; then it pressed its front paws to the ground, stretched its hind legs straight, and looked like it wanted to play with Qi Xianqing.
Qi Xianqing sighed. “I’m annoyed.”
Qi Xianqing laboriously picked up the little fox. Suspended in the air, the fox stared up at her in puzzlement and nuzzled at her ear. Its wet nose brushed against her skin; an Immortal Spirit Physique was always sensitive, and Qi Xianqing’s ear visibly turned red.
The little fox looked at her pitifully, clearly wanting to ask, What are you annoyed about?
Qi Xianqing set it back down, finished watering the last peach tree, put the water scoop back where it belonged, and returned to the room.
Bending down, Qi Xianqing took a cuju ball out of the chest under her desk.
This was the same ball Yan Jue had played with before with that little wild boar. Qi Xianqing could tell the little fox baby liked balls, so afterward she had put it away.
Qi Xianqing threw the cuju ball out. Yan Jue’s eyes lit up; she ran over happily to fetch it.
She opened her mouth wide, carried the ball back, and set it down at Qi Xianqing’s feet.
Qi Xianqing threw the ball several more times in a row. Once the little fox had played enough, she took a white object from her Qiankun bag.
A rich milk fragrance instantly floated through the air, and Yan Jue froze, unable to stop herself from swallowing.
Then Qi Xianqing took out fragrant roasted chicken and peach blossom pastries from her Qiankun bag.
All of these things were packed in clean boxes. She had warmed them with spiritual fire, and they were still steaming.
The things Qi Xianqing had packed up later in Fengxian Town really had been for the little fox baby!
Yan Jue looked at her expectantly. The last time she had eaten these things in Fengxian Town, she’d thought they were delicious. It was just that Qi Xianqing had been in such a bad mood at the time that when she saw her packing things up, she had been too embarrassed to do the same.
...
The smell of food filled the air.
Yan Jue lowered her head and quietly gnawed on the roasted chicken, her three fiery tails swishing back and forth.
Qi Xianqing rested her chin in her hand and watched her patiently. “Eat slowly; it’s all yours.”
Yan Jue quickly finished Qi Xianqing’s roasted chicken, then looked up at her and silently licked her lips.
Qi Xianqing rubbed the little fox’s fluffy head, cleared away the food scraps, and tossed them into the waste basket before returning to her seat.
The fox had nothing to do, so it opened its mouth and started gnawing on the ball. In no time, the room was filled with crackling sounds.
Qi Xianqing suddenly said, “This time, after going down the mountain with her, I discovered one thing.”
Yan Jue’s movements stilled.
Qi Xianqing idly spun the brush on the desk between her fingers, her mind elsewhere. “I seem to... like her a little.”!