Chapter 29: A Frenzy of Demons Unleashed 22

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Shi Xianyu found it hard to describe what she was feeling. It was broad daylight; the sun had not yet completely set, and the flagstone courtyard glowed a warm orange in the evening light. The beauty verbenas in the garden bloomed extravagantly, making the place look exquisite and charming. Yet, out of nowhere, a strange, eerie sense of foreboding crept in.

The gentle dusk now pressed with an urgency, heralding the coming night.

At first, Shi Xianyu thought she was simply being suspicious and sensitive. But as Lin Yuan’s absence grew longer, her unease deepened, until it felt as if a pair of invisible eyes were fixed upon her.

Goosebumps prickled under her sleeves. She was now certain: somewhere in this courtyard, a set of eyes was watching her silently.

Her first instinct was to return indoors and wait for Lin Yuan. But she was alone in the house; if anything happened, not only would she be unable to escape, there wouldn’t even be a witness. She had no desire to die inexplicably.

Shi Xianyu quietly rubbed her arms, feigning interest in the flowers as she strolled slowly through the rear garden of the Xu residence. The gaze from the shadows followed her relentlessly, never wavering.

Outwardly calm, she was anxious within. Occasionally, she passed a few servants, all behaving normally—serving tea, sweeping, going about their tasks—as if she alone sensed something amiss.

She wandered from her side courtyard all the way to Miss Xu’s quarters, hesitating outside, unsure whether to go in. Suddenly, a hand landed on her shoulder—

"Ah!"

Shi Xianyu cried out in fright. Spinning around, she saw Xu Qingfeng.

Xu Qingfeng was startled as well, more by her reaction than anything else. He awkwardly explained, “I thought you were my little sister. I was surprised she’d taken off her wedding dress, but didn’t expect it was Daoist Shi. My apologies—I hope you’ll forgive me.”

Shi Xianyu clutched at her wildly beating heart, equally embarrassed. “It’s fine… I—I was just lost in thought.”

She realized that the oppressive sensation of being watched had vanished.

Xu Qingfeng clasped his hands in a respectful gesture. “I won’t disturb you further, then.”

Seeing he was about to leave, Shi Xianyu grew anxious, afraid that unsettling gaze would return. She quickly called out, “Wait—wait a moment!”

Xu Qingfeng paused, turning back with a puzzled look. “Is there something you need, Daoist?”

Shi Xianyu had nothing in particular to ask, but simply felt safer with another person nearby.

She glanced around, seeing nothing suspicious, and stumbled over her words, “Did you come here specifically because you’re worried about Miss Xu?”

“There’s an honored guest in the outer courtyard. My mother sent me to remind my sister not to wander about so she wouldn’t offend the visitor.”

Xu Qingfeng craned his neck toward the courtyard. Xu Xiangyun was sulking in her room; seeing her brother through the window, she shot him an annoyed glare and slammed it shut.

“Well…” Xu Qingfeng murmured, “Looks like Yun won’t be going anywhere—I’ll avoid provoking her further.”

Shi Xianyu, afraid he would leave, hurried to find another topic. “Should we have someone keep an eye on Miss Xu? Daoist Shen has been called to meet the guest in the outer courtyard—if the fox demon arrives, wouldn’t we be caught unprepared?”

“I doubt it,” Xu Qingfeng replied cautiously. “The fox demon always appears around midnight, never during the day.”

Shi Xianyu’s heart skipped a beat.

If it wasn’t the fox demon, then what had been watching her just now?

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At that moment, Xu Qingfeng asked, “What brings you here, Daoist Shi? Are you also concerned about my sister?”

“Ah…” Shi Xianyu’s gaze wavered. “I—was just wandering, trying to get familiar with the place.”

“I see.” Xu Qingfeng glanced at the sky. “Qingshan City has many scenic spots, but it’s getting late. Perhaps I could show you somewhere nearby?”

Shi Xianyu welcomed the suggestion, nodding. “All right.”

She remembered the unsettling gaze and added, inventing a reason, “It would be best to go somewhere with more people. I want to understand how folks live around here—perhaps I’ll find some clues.”

“Daoist, you’re exceedingly thorough—I admire that.” Xu Qingfeng clasped his hands, respectful. “Shall we visit the Yu family? Their youngest daughter was also chosen by the fox demon. If we rid ourselves of the demon, the Yu family will surely be grateful.”

Shi Xianyu hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “…Very well.”

…

Xu Qingfeng led Shi Xianyu out of the Xu residence, following the stone path for about ten meters before reaching a set of steps. All the houses here were built along the mountain, so the terrain rose and fell, with steps every few paces, then a suspension bridge, surrounded by green trees and flowers—a beautiful scene from afar, but exhausting to traverse.

Shi Xianyu soon grew weary, leaning on a stone post by the path, quietly wiping sweat and regretting not bringing her goat.

Xu Qingfeng paused, considerate. “Are you tired, Daoist?”

Tired?

No, she wouldn’t call it tired—just sweating a bit much, her legs weak and her energy flagging.

Shi Xianyu shook her head lightly. Glancing at the suspension bridge, she saw a mossy stone statue and pointed at it. “I was looking at that.”

Xu Qingfeng smiled. “That’s the Night-Walking Daoist.”

“Night-Walking Daoist?” Shi Xianyu was puzzled, studying the statue again. Whether from age or intentional artistry, its features were rough, lacking detail, but you could just make out a robed Daoist with imposing features—reminiscent of New Year prints or door guardians.

In front of the statue were a few unknown fruits, fresh, likely placed there recently.

“So that’s what the Night-Walking Daoist looks like,” Shi Xianyu said, gazing curiously.

Xu Qingfeng smiled, “That’s just what people imagine. There’s been a legend here since I was young, but no one’s ever seen him.”

Shi Xianyu grew more curious. “You’ve never seen him, yet you believe he exists?”

“How else do you explain why Qingshan City has never suffered from monsters? The elders say the Night-Walking Daoist drove them away and protected us.” His smile faded, voice dropping. “Now that a fox demon has appeared, people say the Night-Walking Daoist has left.”

Shi Xianyu looked at the somber Xu Qingfeng, then at the statue. Compelled by impulse, she pressed her hand gently against the stone—

Damp, rough bluestone, yet beneath her palm it seemed to pulse with a heartbeat. Suddenly, emotions surged from the statue, flooding through her hand into her heart!

“Night-Walking Daoist, please show your power!”

“Night-Walking Daoist, protect my family.”

“Night-Walking Daoist, please appear and drive away the fox demon!”

“Night-Walking Daoist, please let my sister return safely…”

…

Shi Xianyu was stunned.

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These were prayers—countless wishes, all cradled within this unremarkable statue.

Someone truly had, by their own strength, become a deity. Perhaps he didn’t possess the divine powers of a god, but in the hearts of Qingshan City’s people, the Night-Walking Daoist was their protector, capable of anything.

These prayers were not directed at her, yet as Shi Xianyu listened, she could not help but be moved.

A thought suddenly bloomed in her heart: whether or not they succeeded in banishing the fox demon, she hoped the Night-Walking Daoist might return someday—to hear these prayers, to see the people who still trusted him.

“Daoist?” Xu Qingfeng called, “Is there something wrong with this statue?”

Shi Xianyu recovered, giving him a gentle smile. “Nothing—let’s keep going. How far to the Yu family?”

“Oh, we’re almost there—just ahead.”

Shi Xianyu followed Xu Qingfeng onward.

Perhaps she was inspired; her legs felt stronger, her spirits revived, eager to do something for these townsfolk.

Along the way, she passed several more statues—tall, short, fat, thin—all representations of the Night-Walking Daoist.

Here, people were accustomed to placing a Night-Walking Daoist statue at their door, much as people in her world liked to hang up “fortune” characters.

When they reached the Yu residence, the two did not enter immediately.

Shi Xianyu stood outside, seeing a small Night-Walking Daoist statue perched on the wall. The family hoped for protection, yet the shadow cast by the fox demon still left them at a loss.

Within the courtyard, a man was trying to seal the woodshed door with bricks, and a woman helped him plaster mud over it, grumbling as she worked. “How long is this going to last? I’ve told you to send her to your cousin’s house—whatever it takes, keep her safe! But she’s so picky, won’t marry this one or that one!”

From inside the woodshed, a young girl’s voice protested, “He’s been married three times already! How would that look if I joined him? I’d rather be eaten by the fox demon than marry him!”

The man cursed, “Nonsense! I didn’t raise you just to feed you to the fox demon, did I?!”

The girl fell silent.

The woman stopped complaining.

The man continued building his makeshift wall, his eyes reddening as he worked.

Shi Xianyu bit her lip, unable to define the feeling in her heart. After a long silence, she turned to Xu Qingfeng. “I’m a little tired—let’s go back.”

Xu Qingfeng nodded, leading her home.

On their return, they happened upon the honored guest leaving. Lord Xu and Shen Xiao stood at the gate seeing him off. With Xu Qingfeng and Shi Xianyu arriving, another round of polite introductions ensued.

Shi Xianyu responded absentmindedly, catching only the vague mention that she was Shen Xiao’s junior disciple—a fitting identity, saving her from explaining her origins.

The conversation drifted to compliments on her youth and beauty, but she barely listened, her mind replaying the scene of the Yu parents sealing their daughter in the woodshed.

When the guest finally departed, Shen Xiao walked with her back to the side courtyard. He asked, “Where’s Lin Yuan?”

Shi Xianyu paused, looking up at the silent, empty quarters ahead—

Could it be? Lin Yuan still hadn’t returned?!