Chapter 81: Xuanzang and the Enchantress

Journey to the West: Starting by Joining the Chat Group, Main Text Volume, Chapter 81, Xuanzang and the Enchantress, an elegant chamber in the Jiaofangsi.

Before even entering, one could already smell the fragrance of a woman permeating the air.

As the saying goes, one can know a woman by her scent; Xuanzang's impression of this fragrance was that this woman was a top-tier beauty.

"Holy Monk, Miss Fuxiang is waiting for you inside," Lan'er said.

"Mm."

Xuanzang nodded, then entered the elegant chamber.

Inside the pavilion, it was antique and fragrant, adorned with fine sandalwood furniture, scholarly ink paintings, and the like.

Behind a red curtain, one could vaguely see a graceful figure.

"Miss Fuxiang, you had Lan'er call me here; what is it you want, or what is it you intend to do?"

Xuanzang asked, his expression calm.

As the words fell, a woman wearing a red gauze classical long dress slowly walked out from behind the curtain.

The woman's clothing was thin, her waist was like a slender willow, and her features were as exquisite as a painting; she was like a flying celestial maiden from a mural, not like a person of the mundane world.

Moreover, she radiated a bewitching, soul-melting aura from her very bones; if an ordinary man were to see her, would he not have his soul snatched away by a single glance?

"This woman is not human!"

Just one look, and although he had no proof, Xuanzang was certain the other party was not human.

"Fuxiang greets the Holy Monk; I have long admired your great name." The top courtesan Fuxiang smiled charmingly, her lotus steps moving.

Upon seeing Xuanzang for the first time, she was stunned as if by a Heavenly Human; there was actually such a handsome gentleman in the world, and especially the masculine aura radiating from his body was a lethal poison to a race like hers.

Furthermore, Xuanzang's essence and energy were abundant, his whole body was filled with immortal spiritual Qi, and he had the Merit of ten lifetimes on his person; such a body was fatal to a female demon, making her unable to extricate herself.

Xuanzang walked closer, within arm's reach of the top courtesan Fuxiang, and said:

"High officials and noble lords spend thousands of gold just to see Miss Fuxiang once, yet Miss Fuxiang refuses. Why is it that you insist on seeing me?"

Fuxiang smiled, her red lips like fire; she slowly exhaled a breath of fragrance and whispered softly in Xuanzang's ear:

"Holy Monk, do you believe in fate?"

"I do not."

Xuanzang took a step back, even though this Fuxiang was as beautiful as a fish sinking and a goose alighting, with a face that could topple cities.

But she was not human, after all!

Furthermore, mere charm arts wanted to bewitch his mind.

Fuxiang's expression changed slightly; this Xuanzang did not seem to play by the rules.

If this were an ordinary man, he would have already surrendered to her beauty and been driven at her whim.

However, the more this was the case, the more it stirred the competitive spirit in her heart.

She was determined to take Xuanzang down, and then make Xuanzang offer up his life's essence.

This was the pride of the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan!

Fuxiang gave a polite smile and said:

"Actually, I am conquered by the Holy Monk's talent. That line of yours, 'Before the bed, the bright moonlight, suspected to be frost upon the ground,' is truly a good poem. I think that without some experience, one could hardly write such a fine line."

"Oh, that poem. Isn't it something anyone with a mouth can do? It's nothing!" Xuanzang said.

Fuxiang was once again baffled by Xuanzang not playing by the rules; logically speaking, shouldn't one be humble when faced with praise?

In truth, how could she know that Xuanzang had the Three Hundred Tang Poems in his head; what was this compared to that?

"Holy Monk, you are overflowing with talent. I have a presumptuous request; I wonder if you could compose a poem for me," Fuxiang asked.

"I never do things for free. What can you offer?" Xuanzang said.

Hearing this, Fuxiang's face flushed red, showing a hint of coquettishness, and she said in a spoiled tone:

"Holy Monk, if you can truly compose one, I will grant you one condition; you may do whatever you wish."

"Anything?" Xuanzang confirmed again.

"Mm." Fuxiang nodded, appearing shy on the surface.

But inwardly, she was triumphant; as expected, a man is still a man. Isn't he handled now?

When the time comes, she only needs to go with the flow, and won't she be able to obtain Xuanzang's essence?

Xuanzang thought about it politely, then blurted out:

"Cloud-like hair and flower-like face, a golden dangling hairpin; the hibiscus tent is warm, passing the spring night. The spring night is bitter and short, the sun rises high; from now on, the Monarch does not attend morning court."

Although Fuxiang was a demon, because she had lived for a long time and had spent years mingling among the Human Race, her learning was not shallow.

After hearing Xuanzang's poem, her face turned even redder.

This poem was absolutely flawless; the antithesis was neat, the diction was gorgeous without losing depth, and it was very fitting for a woman of her status.

If this poem were to spread, it would likely be no less than 'Before the bed, the bright moonlight, suspected to be frost upon the ground.'

Moreover, the meaning within the poem seemed to be hinting at something!

The hibiscus tent is warm, the spring night is bitter and short...

"The talent of the world is ten pecks; the Holy Monk occupies nine and a half. I admire you and concede defeat," Fuxiang said.

At this moment, she actually had a bit of a favorable impression of this unusual Human Race member, Xuanzang.

"Then does the condition still count?" Xuanzang asked, ignoring Fuxiang's admiration.

Hearing this, Fuxiang spat softly. As expected, even a monk is a man; is he really that impatient? She couldn't help but say:

"Holy Monk, rest for a moment and let me prepare. Besides, haste makes waste."

"Hot tofu? I don't eat it. Don't get the wrong idea; I am a righteous gentleman. Just dance a dance you are good at for me, don't let your imagination run wild!" Xuanzang said.

It was also because this demon Fuxiang had not revealed any malicious intent or murderous aura; otherwise, given Xuanzang's personality, he definitely would have given her a beating—a female demon daring to play games.

"Dance?" Fuxiang fell silent, feeling somewhat stifled.

There are so many ways to insult someone, yet Xuanzang chose this one.

Although she is in the mortal world, she keeps herself pure, and with her magic power, how could any mere mortal possibly touch her?

Now, it seems as if she has been looked down upon by Xuanzang.

This is, invisibly, a heavy stomp on the pride of the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan.

"Damn it," Fuxiang cursed inwardly.

She refused to believe that Xuanzang was truly not moved at all.

Even though he is a monk, she does not believe he is truly detached from all worldly desires.

At this moment, Fuxiang secretly vowed that she must make Xuanzang return to secular life.

After dressing up, Fuxiang held red silk ribbons in each hand, preparing to dance gracefully.

Xuanzang sat on the couch, watching with a peaceful heart, completely unmoved.

He was truly watching with the eyes of someone appreciating art, experiencing life in the mortal world.

Fuxiang's dance was graceful and very supple; she performed various difficult movements with ease, reaching a level of pure perfection.

During the dance, Fuxiang watched Xuanzang's expression and, finding his face as calm as still water, could not help but feel secretly annoyed.

Whether intentional or not, a piece of the light gauze on her shoulder suddenly slipped, revealing skin as white as mutton-fat jade, and the atmosphere in the entire pavilion instantly became ambiguous.

"Cunning old fox!" Xuanzang shook his head.

As the dance ended, Fuxiang's face was flushed, and she was panting lightly.

"Clap, clap! Not bad!"

Xuanzang stood up and said.

"Not bad?"

Fuxiang was speechless; she felt she was about to lose her composure, as her dance could not be seen even for ten thousand gold, yet here it was only "not bad."

For some reason, Fuxiang felt a great deal of anger rising, caused by being infuriated.

She walked with lotus steps toward Xuanzang, her expression looking wrong, when suddenly she cried out "Oh my!" and fell toward Xuanzang's embrace.

Clearly, this was premeditated!

Fuxiang did not believe that with a beauty in his arms, warm and fragrant as jade, Xuanzang could still be himself.

Xuanzang looked indifferently at Fuxiang's performance, and the moment she fell toward him, he lightly stepped aside to avoid her.

Boom!

Fuxiang fell flat on the ground, her bones feeling as if they were about to shatter, her Flesh aching intensely.

"Miss Fuxiang, are you alright?" Xuanzang asked gently.

Fuxiang turned her head back abruptly, glaring at Xuanzang with an angry expression, tears swirling in her eyes.

When had she ever been so aggrieved!

PS: Thanks to Ye Suifeng and Moxue Xuefa for the tips.