Chapter 31: The Fox Dies Facing Its Burrow, Playing with Life and Death

The Lion Seal subdues demons and controls fate.

In Daoist alchemical texts, there are many metaphors, such as [Dragon and Tiger], which sometimes represent the blood and qi of Kan and Li.

Sometimes, the Dragon represents heart-fire and deluded thoughts; the Tiger represents liver-fire and desire.

When Dragon and Tiger stir wildly, the conscious spirit leaps uncontrollably—this is the most terrifying state for a cultivator, a darkness that never breaks.

Thus, Daoist cultivation emphasizes “subduing the Dragon and taming the Tiger”; at such times, one must “smile, cast aside the scriptures, and lie in quiet repose—the Dragon returns to the azure sea, the Tiger returns to the mountain.” The Buddhist term for this is “thusness unmoved.”

As for how to achieve this, there are many methods, one of which concerns the “Lion.”

The Daozang Qijie states: The Lion tames all beasts. When sages and saints expound the Dharma, and heavenly demons and heretical paths attack, the Lion’s roar dispels all evil and subdues all beasts.

In many Buddhist and Daoist scriptures, heavenly demons and heretical paths actually refer to thoughts—deluded thoughts…

A sudden thought arises, deluded thoughts scatter like a flood or ferocious beast; the conscious spirit stirs violently, ruining cultivation until darkness never breaks. Yet the Lion, king of beasts, generates fearless courage and shakes loose all evil.

Thus, in Daoism, there is the [Lion Seal] as a hand seal; in Buddhism, there is the [Lion’s Roar] as a spiritual power.

Even many immortals and bodhisattvas ride Lions.

For example, the [Lion Seal] derives from the mount of the [Great Unity Savior of Suffering], the Nine-Headed Divine Lion, whose roar startles the upper realms and shakes the nine underworlds.

In Journey to the West, the Nine-Headed Divine Lion fled to the mortal realm and transformed into the [Nine-Headed Primordial Saint]… It was one of the very few beings on the pilgrimage uninterested in Tang Sanzang’s flesh; with a single grasp, even the Great Sage Equaling Heaven could only surrender.

This is also a metaphor: the Lion’s startled roar can subdue the mind-monkey.

Precisely because of this, the [Lion Seal] is one of the most fundamental hand seals in Daoism, embodying strength, righteousness, and grandeur.

Boom…

A violent sound emerged from the wild grass resembling fox fur—like a heavy hammer striking a drum, or a Lion’s startled roar—its terrifying resonance left He Huan pale with fear.

She had seen the Daoist [Lion Seal] before—just one of many seals, basic training for Daoists.

Yet now, this ordinary seal, in Zhang Fan’s hands, revealed extraordinary power.

Boom…

At that moment, a sudden explosion split the air; the twisted, eerie grass burst open, and Zhang Fan stepped forward, hands forming the seal, nine verticals, one horizontal.

In this sacred place of immortals, even her [Fox Fur] could not withstand the Lion’s startled roar—its fierce, overwhelming force.

“This is impossible… the common [Lion Seal]… how could it produce such an effect!?”

He Huan’s face turned ashen, blood trickling from her lips, her beautiful eyes trembling in disbelief at what she saw.

A single hand seal—she hadn’t even practiced any technique—and yet it shattered her [Fox Fur]. She knew that here, under the immortals’ blessing, her power was at its strongest.

Boom…

Zhang Fan’s expression was cold; the Lion Seal in his hands became a true lion, surging with yang energy, shaking the meridians…

To ordinary people, perhaps no sign would be visible, no sound heard.

But to those who cultivate the mind, the Lion’s startled roar grew sharper, more horrifying—even the distant, desolate cave entrance emitted strange sounds…

The foxes sang, then turned to mournful cries, filled with shock and terror.

“You… who are you?”

At this moment, He Huan panicked. For the first time, she showed fear and alarm before Zhang Fan.

She had never seen anyone wield just the [Lion Seal] with such vast power—thusness unmoved, gripping the heart; the Lion’s startled roar, subduing demons and monsters.

“Following the natural path leads to humanity; reversing it leads to immortality… This internal alchemy method is Daoist secrecy, orthodox Xuan gate, fiercely dominant—perfectly counter to demonic paths. Should you ever meet such a person, retreat three leagues.”

At this moment, He Fei’s former warning surfaced in He Huan’s mind, his voice still echoing, merging with Zhang Fan’s figure before her.

“Daoist secrecy, orthodox Xuan gate!?”

He Huan’s pupils shrank sharply—as if she had guessed something. At that instant, Zhang Fan was already before her, like a shadow crushing down, carrying an unprecedented pressure.

“You… you dare not kill me…” He Huan trembled, no longer the arrogant, reckless woman she had been.

Hum…

Before her words ended, Zhang Fan, holding the Lion Seal, extended one finger and pressed it to He Huan’s third eye. Her body stiffened, her eyes rolled back, and she collapsed. Her breath grew faint, not gone—but her vitality severed.

Huh…

At that moment, from the nearby desolate cave entrance came a strange sound. Then a fox, the size of a wild wolf, burst forth—its fur like crimson silk, dimming visibly before their eyes.

The fox stared fixedly at Zhang Fan, its eyes holding a human-like expression—hatred and fury.

It took five steps from the cave, then collapsed, its breath growing faint.

“An out-of-body spirit under worship?” Zhang Fan mused.

This was the first time in his life he had seen a spirit creature. That look—clearly, it had gained sentience, no longer an ordinary animal.

Thinking of this, Zhang Fan’s eyes flashed a ruthless gleam—the Lion Seal remained unbroken.

Hum…

At that moment, an old hand reached from behind, gripping Zhang Fan’s wrist. He instinctively released his hands, dissolving the Lion Seal.

“You’ve caused trouble.”

Old Yu’s voice echoed softly. Zhang Fan turned to see Wen He had followed, her gentle gaze falling on the fallen He Huan, and she adjusted her glasses slightly.

“Fanfan, did you break her Yuan Shen?” Wen He bent to examine her, gazing at Zhang Fan with quiet reproach.

“I… I was already on the arrow’s string—I had to shoot.”

“Is she… is she alright?”

“She won’t wake up. Once the Yuan Shen is shattered, she will never wake again,” Old Yu said gravely.

Humans have three souls and seven corporeal spirits. The three souls reside in the Yuan Shen; the seven corporeal spirits reside in the conscious spirit.

The soul governs intellect. If damaged, it causes functional disorders. Many vegetative patients, for instance, have damaged or lost their three souls.

The corporeal spirit governs emotion and desire. If damaged, it affects feelings and moods. Many mental illnesses—depression, autism, mania—are actually caused by damaged or lost corporeal spirits.

Today, these are seen as psychological issues; in ancient times, people sought Daoists or spirit mediums to call back the soul and seek the spirit.

He Huan’s Yuan Shen was shattered by Zhang Fan’s Lion Seal. She will never awaken again—she will remain bedridden, a permanent vegetable.

“Little Zhang, your Lion Seal is well practiced,” Old Yu said calmly.

“What do we do now?” Zhang Fan asked.

“Fanfan, don’t panic. This isn’t your fault,” Wen He quickly soothed him. She had heard of this He family daughter.

“Old Yu will handle it.”

Before her words ended, Old Yu walked toward the dying fox.

Zhang Fan watched as Old Yu stood with his back to them, doing something unseen—the fox suddenly convulsed, then fell still, life gone.

The fox was dead, its head turned toward its cave.

Foxes die facing their burrows. It is said that foxes who gain sentience, even in death, turn their heads toward their nests.

Old Yu turned, walked to He Huan, and hoisted her onto his shoulder.

“Little Wen He, let’s go.”

“Fanfan, wait for us in the car,” Wen He instructed, then followed Old Yu.

Just as they took two steps, Old Yu suddenly stopped, turned, and grinned at Zhang Fan with deep meaning: “Little Zhang, does wielding power, playing with life and death, feel wonderful?”

“What?” Zhang Fan asked.

“Nothing.” Old Yu grinned faintly, slowly withdrew his gaze, carried He Huan, and vanished with Wen He from sight.

At that moment, Zhang Fan’s panic slowly faded, replaced by a faint, sharp gleam in his eyes.

“Old Yu…”

(End of Chapter)