Chapter 27: A Frenzy of Demons, Part 20

Inside the room, Miss Xu was causing such an uproar that even the Xu couple seemed at their wits’ end, yet Shen Xiao spoke with full confidence, insisting he had a solution.

Xu Qingfeng hesitated, turning to his mother with uncertainty. “Mother, perhaps…we should let my sister out first? If it doesn’t work, we can lock her up again.”

Madam Xu cast a silent glance at Shen Xiao and replied slowly, “Since the Daoist says he has a way, let her out.”

As soon as Madam Xu gave her order, Master Xu immediately told the servants, “What are you waiting for? Go and release the young lady at once.”

The servants hurriedly fetched the key and unlocked the door.

As the dark red, intricately carved wooden door swung open, a young woman appeared before them. She had an oval face and rosy cheeks, bright white teeth, and crimson lips. Dressed in a red bridal gown, she was more dazzling than the peach blossoms of early spring. In terms of beauty, Miss Xu was every bit the equal of her mother.

Shi Xianyu felt she had truly broadened her horizons today. People had often praised her looks before, but after seeing Madam Xu and now Miss Xu, she realized she was merely pleasant to the eye by comparison.

For a moment, surprise flickered in Miss Xu’s limpid eyes, as if she hadn’t expected her family to actually release her simply because Shen Xiao said so.

Apart from her familiar parents and brother, three unfamiliar Daoists stood before her.

The Daoist at the front was the eldest, his features steady and dignified, exuding an air of uprightness. He drew something from his sleeve, pressed two fingers together, and began to chant softly. With a swift gesture, he pointed at her!

A fine red thread appeared out of thin air, one end in his hand, the other winding itself around her waist—

Yet strangely, she felt nothing at all.

It was as if the red thread didn’t exist; the moment it bound her waist, it vanished without a trace. She sensed no restraint whatsoever.

“What kind of trick is this?” she exclaimed in astonishment, spinning in place, unable to find any trace of the thread on her body.

“This is not an illusion.” Madam Xu’s gaze, cool and sharp, fell on Shen Xiao as she spoke with calm detachment. “If I’m not mistaken, this must be a protective charm.”

“Madam Xu has a discerning eye,” Shen Xiao nodded. “This is a talisman I crafted years ago. Once it’s bound to someone, I will immediately sense if Miss Xu is in danger. Should any demon attempt to harm her, the thread will strike back at the attacker.”

Though Madam Xu was always proud and aloof, a hint of admiration showed in her manner now. “We hardly deserve such a precious gift from you, Master Shen.”

Shen Xiao responded with an easy grace, “Nothing is more precious than a human life.”

“What a noble sentiment—nothing is more precious than a human life.” Madam Xu’s lips curved in a faint smile. She crossed the room with measured steps to her daughter’s side, resting her hands on her shoulders. “This is my daughter, Xu Xiangyun. Come, Xiangyun, quickly thank the Master. Qingfeng, you should thank him together with your sister.”

The siblings bowed deeply to Shen Xiao in gratitude.

Madam Xu continued, “The fox demon is elusive and sinister. At first, it claimed a bride once a month, but in recent months, it has grown bolder, demanding a bride every ten days, sometimes more than one at a time. Any young woman chosen by the demon will don wedding clothes at night, and if she tries to remove them by force, she suffers excruciating pain, as if being skinned alive.”

Shi Xianyu was horrified. “Is there no way to take off the wedding gown?”

Xu Xiangyun replied, “We’ve tried everything—cutting it with scissors, burning it with fire—but touching the gown feels like touching my own flesh. The pain is unbearable!”

Shen Xiao frowned and examined her more closely, his brow furrowing even deeper. “It’s a kind of curse. Once worn, the gown becomes like a second skin. Unless the spellcaster is destroyed, the curse cannot be broken. Clearly, this fox demon is quite powerful.”

Xu Xiangyun found his explanation convincing and murmured to her brother, “This Daoist you’ve brought seems rather reliable for once.”

“Xiaoyun,” Madam Xu admonished her with a cold glance, “mind your manners.”

The siblings, in awe of their mother, shrank back and fell silent.

Madam Xu turned to Shen Xiao. “It’s getting late. You and your companions have come a long way—please stay here for now. The fox demon abducted a maiden three days ago, so it should not appear again for a few days. We can use this time to plan our next move.”

Shen Xiao bowed. “As you wish, Madam Xu.”

The Prefect, in his own home, seemed more an ornament than a master. He offered no objection after his wife spoke, simply smiling and taking part in receiving their guests.

There was a row of guest rooms in the Xu family’s rear courtyard, and Shi Xianyu was given one of her own.

She’d thought that after so long traveling with Shen Xiao and Linyuan, she would have grown accustomed to sleeping rough and living in the wild. But now, having a proper room and a real bed, she couldn’t help a little rush of excitement. Most importantly, she could finally have a bath!

Only those who have tried to keep clean in the wild know how difficult it is.

Though Madam Xu seemed cold and distant, she was an impeccable hostess. Upon learning Shi Xianyu wanted to bathe, she had servants deliver hot water and clean clothes, even sending a basket of fresh flower petals.

With spring in full bloom, a bath scented with flower petals was pure bliss.

Shi Xianyu latched the doors and windows, tested the water, and hurriedly shed her dusty Daoist robes before sinking into the tub—her whole body relaxing until she couldn’t help but close her eyes in contentment.

Steam rose all around, mingled with the fragrance of flowers. She was luxuriating in her bath when suddenly a rapid knocking sounded at the door.

Bang, bang, bang!

Startled, Shi Xianyu opened her eyes and looked toward the door, only to realize the knocking was coming from the next room.

Her room was in the middle; Linyuan’s was to the left, Shen Xiao’s to the right. Judging by the sound, someone was looking for Shen Xiao.

The door next door creaked open.

Shen Xiao’s voice drifted over. “Miss Xu, what brings you here?”

“Master Shen, I just cut myself, but nothing happened! Didn’t you say the red thread would protect me?”

Xu Xiangyun’s voice was crisp and quick, like a lively bird.

“Perhaps the wound was too slight? What if I tried to kill myself—would it react then?”

A long silence followed. Even through the wall, Shi Xianyu could sense Shen Xiao’s speechlessness.

“…Miss Xu, the talisman only works against evil spirits. Even if you killed yourself a hundred times, it would do nothing.”

Xu Xiangyun burst out laughing, her laughter clear and pleasant. “Master Shen, how many years have you traveled? What monsters have you caught? Can you tell me about them? And the Daoist with the long tail who’s with you—did you subdue him?”

“I do not hunt demons for sport. I only intervene when something threatens the common folk. Linyuan may be of another race, but he is a true cultivator and will never harm anyone without cause. You need not worry, Miss Xu.”

“Oh? And now that you’re here to vanquish the fox demon, how confident are you? If you can’t destroy it, what will you do then?”