Chapter 36: A Frenzied Dance of Demons (29)

Shen Xiao said, "If Mr. Wu doesn’t mind, I can check your pulse."

"I’ll trouble you then, Master," Mr. Wu replied.

He extended his hand, lifting his sleeve to reveal a thin, withered wrist.

Shen Xiao calmly placed his fingers on it, waited quietly for a moment, then withdrew his hand, his expression unchanged. "There’s no demon poison. But the cold is heavy, and your body is weaker than most. I’ll prescribe you a remedy later; try it for a few days."

"Thank you, Master," Mr. Wu said sincerely.

Shen Xiao rose, cupping his hands to the people in the room. "The matter of demon extermination is urgent—I have other business to attend to. Please, continue your conversation."

He took his leave, and Lin Yuan left with him.

On the way back, Shen Xiao spoke softly to Lin Yuan, "He’s human."

Lin Yuan frowned slightly, glancing back at the courtyard, saying nothing.

"Though ordinary, I can sense… something unclean clings to him," Shen Xiao mused in a low voice. "Even I cannot see through it. I fear… whatever is attached to him has cultivated far beyond my abilities."

He sighed heavily. "Lin Yuan, I regret this—I should never have involved you and Xiaoyu."

Lin Yuan shook his head, his face solemn. "I will protect her."

Shen Xiao’s lips curled into a slight smile. "Good. You protect her, and I’ll do all I can for her as well. Come, accompany me back. We must prepare a special safety talisman for Xiaoyu."

…

The sun set, dusk deepened, scattered stars flickered across the heavens, silently heralding the coming night.

Shi Xianyu had already changed into her wedding dress.

The two seamstresses came from the palace, their embroidery exquisite and swift. Large sections of embroidery were pieced together from ready-made patterns in the storeroom, attached to the dress, with tassels and pearls sewn on. The neckline and sleeves were edged with golden thread, and in no time, a splendid and luxurious wedding dress was crafted.

Unless examined closely, it was nearly identical to the one worn by Xu Xiangyun.

To make the imitation perfect, the seamstresses also restyled Shi Xianyu’s hair, adorning it with jeweled hairpins and dangling ornaments, meticulous and elaborate.

Looking in the mirror, Shi Xianyu was… somewhat stunned by her own beauty.

I look amazing!

Not only beautiful, but so novel—if only her phone wasn’t dead, she’d have loved to snap a selfie or two.

Those brides holding traditional ceremonies probably weren’t dressed as finely as she was now.

Perhaps this dazzling attire helped dispel the fear brought by the fox demon. She lifted her skirt and happily ran back to the side courtyard, spinning before the two men.

"So? Am I pretty?"

Lin Yuan nodded. "Pretty."

Shen Xiao, too, praised her with a smile, "Pretty."

Then he beckoned her over. "Xiaoyu, come here. Take this talisman."

Shi Xianyu stepped forward, accepting the paper Shen Xiao handed her. She saw the runes shifting upon it, with golden light flickering in the cinnabar—extraordinary indeed.

"Keep it safe," Shen Xiao instructed. "If you’re in danger, take out this talisman. Even if it can’t kill your adversary outright, it will drive them back."

Shi Xianyu understood—it was meant to deal with the fox demon.

She ought to prepare herself as well—when life is at stake, caution is never excessive.

She tucked the talisman carefully inside her dress’s slanted collar, then returned to her room, rummaging through her hiking backpack for useful items.

Pepper spray, stun stick, knife, rope… she gathered a messy pile. Since they weren’t easy to carry, she tied them together and secured them to her leg—her skirt was wide enough to hide everything.

After tidying up, Lin Yuan entered, holding a piece of red silk.

Shi Xianyu immediately recognized it—a bridal veil, likely just embroidered by the seamstresses and specially delivered.

She picked up the red veil, excitedly covered herself, and said with delight, "Lin Yuan, lift the veil for me~"

Lin Yuan obliged, reaching out and lifting the cloth.

Beneath it was a delicate face, cheeks flushed, starry eyes bright, lips curled in a sweet smile. She gazed at him, laughter in her eyes. "Am I pretty?"

Lin Yuan didn’t quite understand why she asked. She was always beautiful; how could covering her with a cloth make a difference?

"Pretty," he replied.

"If it’s pretty, I'll let you see again~" Shi Xianyu, thoroughly entertained, lowered the veil and urged, "Lift it again, lift it again~"

Lin Yuan lifted the veil once more.

The red silk glowed against her snowy skin, painting her face with joyful color. Her bright eyes smiled at him, shy yet longing, as if concealing unspoken affection. Lin Yuan seemed to understand something…

His face grew hot, his heart raced, and a strange panic gripped him. Yet his gaze was fixed on her, unmoving.

"Pretty…" he murmured again.

Then, his hand loosened and the veil fell again. He stammered, "Again… let me see again."

Shi Xianyu laughed, her voice bubbling with joy.

Lin Yuan lifted the veil a third time.

She tilted her head, her radiant smile spilling from her eyes and brows. "Didn’t I say so? It feels different from usual, doesn’t it?"

"Mm…" Lin Yuan lowered the veil, then began to lift it for a fourth time… again and again.

Shi Xianyu was amused by his actions, unable to stop laughing.

The two played their childish game endlessly within the room. Outside, Shen Xiao heard their laughter, shook his head with a smile, and sighed at the beauty of youth.

Light footsteps approached.

Shen Xiao looked up to see Xu Xiangyun walking slowly along the stone path outside the door.

…She’s back again?

Shen Xiao frowned. At this hour, she ought to be hiding in her room.

This time, Xu Xiangyun seemed to have summoned great courage. After all, anyone rejected twice would feel the sting of pride and dignity.

She walked slowly, hesitance written on her face. At last, she stopped at Shen Xiao’s door, pausing for a long while before stepping inside.

Standing before him, she bit her lip and asked, "Will you tell me why you won’t marry me?"

Shen Xiao sighed silently. "Miss Xu, I’ve already said—I pursue the Dao wholeheartedly, uninterested in other matters. Besides, we are not suited for each other."

"But you’re willing to stay and exorcise demons, which means you’re a helpful, good person, right?" Xu Xiangyun’s brows knitted. "Can’t you help me? I only need you to marry me and take me away from here. If you think I’ll interfere with your cultivation, just divorce me as soon as we leave Qingshan City! I won’t cause you trouble!"

Shen Xiao patiently asked, "Miss Xu, if you wish to leave, you can simply go. Why must you cling to me? Why do you insist, time and again, that I marry you? What is your reason?"