Chapter 10: Undercurrents

When the fox left, Jiang Xiaofei immediately released the immobilization spell he had cast on Wang Dachui and smiled at him, “Old Wang, your lover really is quite a beauty—fair and plump.”

“Stop it!” Wang Dachui shook his head repeatedly at these words. If he had known earlier that Li Hong’s true nature was that of a fox spirit, and that she approached him with the intent to harm, he wouldn’t have dared stray, even if his life depended on it.

He looked at Jiang Xiaofei with lingering fear and said, “Jiang Xiaofei, thank you for saving me. I never imagined you were a master hiding your talents. About what I said earlier, I hope you won’t take it to heart.”

“How could I possibly?” Jiang Xiaofei smiled. Though Wang Dachui’s words had been harsh, he understood it was simply a reflex after being caught cheating. Besides, he wasn’t the sort to fuss over minor grievances.

Seeing Jiang Xiaofei bear no grudge, Wang Dachui breathed a sigh of relief and asked, “By the way, what brought you to the Fairy Bar? You weren’t here specifically to rescue me, were you?”

Jiang Xiaofei chuckled, “Of course not. I was entrusted by the proprietress to get rid of the fox spirit and, incidentally, bring you back.”

“So it was Sophie who sent you.” Wang Dachui nodded in realization, a thoughtful look on his face.

“Indeed.” Seeing Wang Dachui’s reaction, Jiang Xiaofei smiled, “The proprietress is waiting for you downstairs. Come, let’s go.”

Wang Dachui didn’t reply, nor did he rise. He sat there nervously.

After all, he’d long had a falling out with Sophie. Now that she had come for him, how could he not be anxious?

Jiang Xiaofei understood his uneasiness and smiled, “As the saying goes, a day as husband and wife brings a hundred days of affection. Go back and live well with Sister Sophie. No more quarrels.”

“Jiang Xiaofei, you’re right. It’s my fault! I’ll change for the better from now on.” Wang Dachui mustered his courage, nodded, and followed Jiang Xiaofei out of the room.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Sophie was beating her little sister relentlessly. What puzzled her was that, despite half an hour of striking, her hand was numb, yet the girl never retaliated.

“Why don’t you fight back? Don’t think I’ll stop just because you refuse to hit me.” After cursing, Sophie slapped her little sister hard, leaving a clear mark on her delicate face.

But the girl neither fought back nor made a sound, her face still full of struggle.

Sophie was about to slap her again when she caught sight of Jiang Xiaofei and Wang Dachui approaching. She immediately paused and asked Jiang Xiaofei, “All settled?”

“Of course.” Jiang Xiaofei patted his chest, pointed to Wang Dachui beside him, and laughed, “Sister Sophie, look, I’ve brought Old Wang back for you. He’s admitted his mistake and promised to live well with you, never daring to stray again! My task is complete, isn’t it?”

Sophie was overjoyed, happier than she’d ever been. She looked at Wang Dachui and asked, “Is that really what you said?”

“Yes.” Wang Dachui nodded and embraced Sophie. They clung to each other for a long time before separating.

“Jiang Xiaofei, thank you so much. Without your help, Old Wang and I could never have reconciled so quickly.”

Jiang Xiaofei smiled, “Sister Sophie, you’re too polite. Just don’t forget the reward you promised me.”

“Of course.” Sophie nodded, then suddenly remembered something and said urgently, “Xiaofei, since you’ve dealt with that woman, we should leave here quickly, lest anyone discovers us!”

“Sister Sophie, always thinking ahead!”

With that, the three left the Fairy Bar together.

After returning to the clinic, Jiang Xiaofei sorted out the pills he had concocted during the day, then shut the door and went to sleep.

Meanwhile, somewhere shrouded in darkness, there lay a mountain of white skulls—truly horrifying.

Atop one of the heaps stood a crimson tent. Inside, a figure in black robes sat cross-legged upon a black lotus throne, his entire form cloaked in shadow so that his true face was impossible to discern.

At his feet, a large snow-white fox knelt, trembling incessantly, evidently terrified of the black-robed figure above.

“Useless creature! I had you stay by Wang Dachui’s side, not only did you fail to accomplish your mission, you’ve ended up like this—such a disgrace to our demon tribe. Fox Snow Princess, you have utterly disappointed me. What use is there in keeping you?” The black-robed man’s voice resounded in anger.

“My lord, please calm your rage! That man is simply too formidable!” Fox Snow Princess replied, quivering.

“Who is he? Even you were no match—could he be a master from the Maoshan sect?”

“He’s not a Maoshan priest. That man’s techniques are exceedingly strange, imbued with a thousand years of ghostly aura, more like a master from the Ghost Realm,” answered Fox Snow Princess.

“The Ghost Realm?” The black-robed figure hesitated for a moment, then asked, “Did he uncover your origins?”

“No, I only told him the reason I approached Wang Dachui was that by dual cultivation, I could advance my powers. I said nothing else.”

“That’s good. You may die now.” The black-robed man’s voice was icy; instantly, Fox Snow Princess was enveloped by a mass of black vapor, and her flesh exploded.

With a sharp hiss, as her flesh burst, a tiny mark resembling a ghostly face shot out and vanished into the void.

But it was swiftly enveloped by another cloud of black smoke.

This black mass drifted into the air, where a woman of peerless beauty stood, clad in black robes.

She watched the drifting smoke, reached out and grasped it in her palm. Her expression changed dramatically and she exclaimed, “This is a Soul-Devouring Mark—could it truly be from the Ghost Realm?”

“What did you say, Qu Hongyan? Soul-Devouring Mark? Isn’t that the unique secret art of the Ghost King?” The black-robed man was also visibly surprised.

Qu Hongyan shook her head, “It’s indeed a Soul-Devouring Mark, but compared with the Ghost King’s, it falls far short. If it were truly his, how could my meager imprisonment spell possibly contain it?”

“That’s true,” the black-robed figure nodded. “Nevertheless, even if it’s not the Ghost King himself, this person’s status in the Ghost Realm must be extraordinary. If the Ghost King learns of the existence of a Pure Yang constitution, it will bode ill for us!”

“Indeed.” Qu Hongyan nodded, sensing that this matter had exceeded their expectations and become exceedingly troublesome.

She then looked at the black-robed man and said, “Black Mountain Demon, since things have reached this point, we should inform Lord Demon Emperor and let him handle it personally. Our chances of success would be much greater.”

“No,” Black Mountain Demon shook his head. “The Demon Emperor is still studying at the National University. We cannot trouble him now. Let’s wait until he returns.”

“What? The Demon Emperor is at university?” Qu Hongyan laughed in astonishment. “Black Mountain Demon, are you joking with me?”

“When have I ever joked?” Black Mountain Demon replied coldly. “The Demon Emperor is indeed studying at the National University, reportedly investigating some matter. As for what it is, it’s not for us to inquire.”

“Fox Snow Princess is dead—she failed and deserved it. I plan to send someone else, but there’s no suitable candidate. I’ll have to trouble you.”

“Heh, you really know how to pick people, Black Mountain Demon. But since we both serve the Demon Emperor, why not? I’ll go.”

With a ripple of laughter, Qu Hongyan vanished into the void.