Chapter 124: Lady White Immortal, Madame Xu

"Since you intend to confess, then reveal everything: how you became an immortal, how you plotted to take human lives, and how you bewitched the hearts of men!"

Seeing that Xu Qing had activated his intent to kill, the female ghost's soul-body became unstable, forcing her to recount the full truth.

As for the specific origins of this matter, one must start from the twelfth lunar month of last year.

At that time, Chen Mancang used the Dream-Bewitching Art to ensnare a person at Qushui Village, which happened to be witnessed by this female ghost in red.

To be honest, this female ghost was no proper immortal; she merely occupied another's nest, seizing the shrine of Qushui Village which had incense and offerings but lacked any divine spirit or immortal.

However, to become an immortal, having a shrine and spirit tablet is not enough; one must also perform the 'Chu Ma' ritual and establish a contract, seeking other immortals to act as guarantors.

In order to make her position legitimate, the female ghost in red hooked up with the Beixian Hall of another village.

People say ghosts speak nothing but lies; this female ghost described herself as utterly pitiful: a gambling father, a mother who died early, a younger brother who fell ill and died young, and herself, a beauty of ill fate, now broken.

With just a few words, she actually coaxed those old ghosts into a daze, so that in their bewilderment they served as witnesses and guaranteed her status as the immortal of Qushui Village.

Xu Qing had seen simping dogs, but this was his first time hearing of a simping old ghost.

Pinching a Town-House and Suppress-Evil Talisman in his hand, Xu Qing appeared like Yanluo manifesting in the mortal world; before the assembly of immortals, he continued to pass judgment in the underworld, interrogating the female ghost before him.

Several Beixian nearby wanted to step forward to stop him, but were frightened back by a single glance from Xuan Yu.

Seeing this, several Gray Immortals dragged and pulled that broken-down Beixian back.

"Good husband, this humble one knows her mistake; please spare me this once..."

With a Beixian speaking up, the female ghost seemed to feel she could manage again; she lifted her chin, and her pair of ghostly eyes became seductive once more.

Xu Qing narrowed his eyes and decisively slapped the Town-House Talisman in his hand; the next moment, the female ghost's seductive gaze turned clear.

After a shrill, miserable scream, the female ghost obediently continued her confession.

After becoming a Beixian, the female ghost did no good deeds; at night, she only painted false pictures and sent deceptive dreams to the villagers, saying that as long as they made offerings to her, gold, silver, treasures, carriages, and beauties would no longer be luxuries.

Initially, the villagers believed her to be true, and the female ghost's incense offerings indeed flourished for a time, but when several months passed and the villagers realized their wishes had not come true, they stopped making offerings to the female ghost.

The female ghost's appetite had already been stretched wide; suddenly deprived of incense offerings, how could her heart possibly remain balanced?

If you show no benevolence, then do not blame me for showing no righteousness!

On that day, Chen Mancang used the Dream-Bewitching Art to lure a child outside the village, turning him into a lamb.

The female ghost in red not only sat by and watched but even secretly followed behind, thinking of how to retaliate against the villagers while simultaneously harboring evil thoughts toward those lambs.

Without incense offerings, this ghostly life still had to continue; since the villagers would not make offerings to her, she would consume human essence and swallow human souls, and her cultivation would still skyrocket!

Was there any method that would allow her to eat lambs while also harming the villagers?

The female ghost held it in all the way, finally squeezing out that belly full of bad water.

She conceived a plan that satisfied both sides: to become a broker.

What is a broker? A middleman or agent who introduces jobs to others.

She happened to be familiar with the old nun at the Child-Granting Temple; she knew that temple was urgently seeking children, and weren't the little lambs currently with the shepherd boy just the perfect supply?

The female ghost was delighted in her heart; after pondering all along the way, she had finally thought of a method to freeload lambs while also harming the villagers.

Upon hearing the female ghost's words, the shepherd boy was like a whoremonger seeking a brothel who encounters a prostitute; on the spot, he made a promise and gave the female ghost one lamb as an introduction fee.

The Matchmaking Ghost, the Shepherd Boy, the Child-Granting Temple...

This entire black industry chain was thus established by this female ghost before their eyes.

In the clearing within the forest, all the immortals fell silent.

The female ghost in red continued to bewitch Xu Qing:

"Without me acting as the intermediary and bridge, the Child-Granting Temple would not have asked the old shepherd for little lambs, and the old shepherd would not have abducted so many little lambs; without me, Fellow Daoist, you would not be able to perform so many good deeds today, nor earn so much incense and offerings."

The female ghost did not notice Xu Qing's gaze growing increasingly cold and sinister.

How was this bewitching Xu Qing? This was clearly just accumulating rage points for the zombie before her eyes.

"The incense from performing Chu Ma is not even enough to fill a gap between teeth; if the villagers had no troubles, how would they ever think of us immortals?"

"Only when matters come to a head will they make incense offerings to us..."

"Shut up!"

Xu Qing reached out and pinched the female ghost's neck, then looked around at the surrounding immortals.

Huang Laoxu's body trembled, and he spoke first: "Pure nonsense! What is an immortal? One who accumulates merit and performs Chu Ma to save the world is an immortal."

"The rules handed down by our ancestors dictate that even a Chu Ma disciple may only charge enough for a full meal per mission; if Chu Ma disciples are still like this, how can we immortals violate heavenly principle and ancestral teachings to engage in such low-class schemes?"

At this moment, a Python Immortal who had been secretly observing the scene slithered out from the mountain forest.

A bloody wind and demonic mist spread everywhere, and that white python emitted a clear, feminine voice:

"Nurturing bandits to boost one's own importance and deceiving people to gain incense and divine power are acts done by licentious shrines and illicit sacrifices; if you do not fear having your past virtues scattered in a single day, you are welcome to try."

"Lady White Immortal..."

All the immortals turned around one after another to pay their respects.

Xu Qing glanced sideways, seeing only a vaguely enormous snake-like creature lurking within the misty haze; as he looked at the white python, the other party was also looking at him.

Two vertical pupils, like lanterns, paused on him for a moment, and Lady White Immortal's tone obviously softened considerably.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist, for stepping forward to eliminate the evil doer and save these people; also, thank you for investigating the cause on our behalf and rooting out this renegade immortal..."

Xu Qing's face, which had always held a hint of anger, relaxed slightly; not far away, Xuan Yu, who had stood up for him, was tense throughout his body, looking as if facing a great enemy.

"This is a Chu Ma commission accepted by my Cat Immortal Hall; my Cat Immortal Hall will naturally resolve it with all our heart. There is no need for you to express thanks." Xu Qing similarly felt the pressure emanating from the Python Immortal before him, yet he did not follow the other's lead and accept the hat of 'good person' that had been placed upon him.

In these times, being a good person is difficult, and being a good immortal is equally difficult.

Lady White Immortal remained silent for a moment, then, accompanied by the thick mist, hid herself within the mountain forest.

Before departing, a voice came through, impossible to discern whether joyful or angry:

"I cultivate at the Hundred Herbs Cave on Moonlight Mountain; if Fellow Daoist has leisure in the future, you are welcome to visit my White Immortal Hall."

The mountain wind blew, and the mist in the forest dissipated.

Xu Qing withdrew his gaze and looked at the female ghost trembling and shrinking in his hand.

He released the female ghost's neck, instead grabbing her hair and dragging her toward the stream.

When Huang Laoxu and the crow from Luan Shi Mountain emerged from the woods, the other immortals exchanged glances and silently followed.

The female ghost alternated between begging for mercy and hurling insults, until Xu Qing dragged her to the stream's edge, at which point she could no longer control the fear in her heart.

"What do you intend to do to me?"

Seeing Xu Qing pile the sheepskins stripped from the villagers beside her, the female ghost began to tremble.

Xu Qing borrowed Huang Laoxu's smoking pipe; a single ember of yin fire fell, and within moments, over a hundred sheepskins began to burn.

Moments later, the piercing screams faded into the void, yet the piled sheepskins remained unburned.

"Those who sow the cause must eat the fruit. Just as the barber shaves others, so too will someone shave his head."

Gazing at the burning flames, Xu Qing suddenly spoke these words.

Huang Laoxu caught the smoking pipe tossed through the air, turned back, and said, "Did you all hear that? From now on, don't entertain any crooked schemes; we immortals must act like immortals!"

The female ghost's voice and visage still lingered before their eyes; all the immortals took it as a warning and nodded in agreement one after another.

Huang Laoxu nodded with satisfaction, but when he turned his head again, Xu Qing and Xuan Yu were already gone from behind him.

The setting sun dipped west; old trees, dim crows.

Xu Qing changed back into his rosy cape and precious robe, riding the Five-Flower Horse to the outskirts of Huangping Village.

After storing the Five-Flower Horse away, a black cat followed beside him, speaking in human words: "When does Immortal Xu plan to enter?"

"Wait until nightfall," Xu Qing replied with a faint smile. "The evil spirit at the Child-Bestowing Temple does not fear the dark, for that is when its aura is strongest."

"We are immortals; we likewise do not fear the dark. When the time comes, we shall see whose qi is more dominant."

Having spoken, Xu Qing raised his hand and whistled; the next moment, the old black crow circling overhead descended.

"Young Xu, once you enter Huangping Village, go ten li inward to reach the grounds of the Child-Bestowing Temple. Have you thought this through?"

Xu Qing chuckled lightly: "Just some rats hiding in dark ditches and sewers. If they truly had ability, why would they need to hide, using the pretext of bestowing children to harm others?"

He might feel some apprehension toward righteous practitioners, but if they were evil cultivators...

"Grandpa Crow, I have a favor to ask of you."

"Speak freely," the old crow replied, still straightforward.

Xu Qing took out a wolf-hair brush, drew a Bird-Eye Talisman, and pasted it onto his own forehead; then he formed hand seals and recited incantations, imprinting a Mountain-Rushing Secret Art upon the old black crow.

"This is the Bird-Eye Method. For half a day, whatever Grandpa Crow sees, I can observe simultaneously through this technique. Later, when we go to the Child-Bestowing Temple, please trouble yourself to act as a scout from the air, lest those vile thieves escape."

The old black crow nodded, then asked with some confusion: "Why does the talisman brush you just used carry Huang Laoxu's aura?"

"..."

Just as Xu Qing was unsure how to answer, Xuan Yu beside him instinctively said, "Don't human wolf-hair brushes always use the tail fur of yellow weasels? Hasn't Grandpa Crow heard of this?"

The old black crow suddenly realized: "No wonder Huang Laoxu's tail is bald! Earlier, when I asked him about his tail, he claimed it was just shedding season..."

Xu Qing was about to open his mouth to explain, but the next moment he heard the old black crow say:

"So he gave the shed fur to Young Xu."

"..."

Xu Qing silently retracted his words.

Crows are naturally noisy; even having awakened spiritual intelligence and gained the ability to speak human language, they cannot break the habit of being chatterboxes.

The sky was now dimming, though not yet time to light the lamps.

The old black crow perched on Xu Qing's shoulder, chattering incessantly.

"Young Xu, do you want crow feathers? We at Luan Shi Mountain often have feathers falling; if you wish, this old one can keep an eye out for you..."

"By the way, at Young Xu's age, have you ever been married?"

"This old one recalls a female Chuma disciple who is quite good-looking; however, ordinary people tend to avoid Chuma disciples, so many remain unmarried even into their twenties. If Young Xu is interested..."

Xu Qing responded sporadically to the old black crow's words; once the black crow on his shoulder and the black cat beside him had completely blended into the night, he stopped talking.

"Grandpa Crow, thank you for your trouble."

The old black crow spread its wings and soared into the high sky.

The Bird-Eye Talisman on Xu Qing's forehead flickered; when he closed his eyes, his perspective shifted from the ground to the high sky, where the scattered lights of Huangping Village were faintly visible.

Folk in the countryside are mostly frugal, so nighttime lights were not as dense as those along the river.

However, ten li north of Huangping Village, a temple with brilliant lights stood halfway up a mountain.

Xu Qing opened his eyes; the aerial view vanished, leaving only a winding dirt path disappearing into the night.

Beside him, Xuan Yu was lifting its head, staring spellbound at his face.

Xu Qing knew what Xuan Yu was thinking.

He reached up, removed the Bird-Eye Talisman from his forehead, bent down, and pasted it onto the black cat's head.

Xuan Yu widened its eyes, staring at the yellow talisman on its forehead.

"Close your eyes; I can carry Immortal Xuan Yu while walking."

Hearing this, Xuan Yu showed a contemplative expression, but before it could respond, it felt its body lighten as a pair of large hands scooped it up by the waist.

The rosy cape was densely woven and smooth to the touch; after struggling briefly, Xuan Yu ceased moving.

It looked down at the wide sleeves gently covering Xu Qing's body.

The red cuffs were embroidered with phoenixes; the fine stitches adorned the silk gauze, feeling smooth as fat against its body, making it want to lower its head and rub against them.

As if knowing its thoughts, Xu Qing raised his hand and, flicking his sleeve, gently stroked it twice.

Seeing the cat in his arms close its eyes and lie quietly in the crook of his elbow, Xu Qing's lips involuntarily curved upward.

This Mountain-Rushing Art is truly excellent!

After learning the location of the Child-Bestowing Temple through the Bird-Eye Method, Xu Qing carried the cat and walked there at a leisurely pace.

Many mountain folk raise dogs, and Huangping Village was no exception.

However, Huangping Village today was unusually quiet.

As Xu Qing passed by, those alert watchdogs seemed to have swallowed mute medicine; every single one kept its mouth tightly shut, afraid to make even the slightest sound.

In the past, Xu Qing would mostly have to resort to the methods from the Thirty-Six Incantations of Corpse Driving, reciting the Mute Dog Curse to achieve such an effect, but now, under the protection of the Cat Immortal Hall's incense smoke, ordinary beasts naturally dared not offend lightly.

Feeling more and more incense smoke surging toward him, Xu Qing fell into thoughtful contemplation.

During the day, he had instructed disciples from various outposts to escort the villagers back to their homes; thinking about it now, these people must have returned, which was why so much incense smoke had suddenly gathered here.

Xuan Yu sensed it as well; it opened its eyes and was about to speak, only to discover that the two of them had already arrived before the Child-Granting Temple.

Xu Qing activated his Qi-Watching Technique; above the Child-Granting Temple, mists of various colors intertwined, among which two streams of mist were most intense: one was white incense qi, and the other was dark purple resentful evil qi.

This resentful evil qi differed from that on the bodies of the Chang Generals.

The Chang Generals bore dark red crimson evil, whereas this purple evil qi...

Purple signifies infants; these were all Infant Evils.

He knocked on the temple gate, and the voice of an old nun rang out from within.

"It is late at night; may I ask which honored guest visits? If you wish to offer incense, please return tomorrow."

Xu Qing was just about to speak when he suddenly remembered that he was a man.

For a grown man to visit a nunnery in the middle of the night was, to some extent, taboo.

Xu Qing pondered for a moment, then patted the cat in his arms.

Xuan Yu immediately understood; it lightly parted its lips, and a clear, spiritual voice like that of a young girl rang out.

"I am here precisely to offer incense, but unfortunately, I was delayed on the road; now that night has fallen, I beg you to open the temple gate as a courtesy, allowing me to borrow a room for the night."

Silence reigned inside the temple for a moment, followed by the sound of a latch being removed and the door opening.

Xu Qing and Xuan Yu stared fixedly at the temple gate; with a creak, the door opened just wide enough for one person to pass, and a shiny bald head popped out from within.

Colors are hard to discern at night; the old nun peered around cautiously, and only after seeing Xu Qing dressed in a red wedding gown did she open the temple gate a bit wider.

"Lady, please come inside."

Xu Qing nodded slightly, offered no reply, and simply stepped through the gate of the Child-Granting Temple with a stiff expression.

"Has the Lady also come to pray for a child?" The old nun led the way, asking as they walked.

"Mm." Xu Qing spared his words like gold.

"Then, does the Lady intend to offer incense today, or stay overnight and pay respects tomorrow?"

"Offer incense today; I trouble the Nun to guide me to the main hall for a look."

Hearing this, the old nun looked at Xu Qing in surprise; why had this Lady's voice suddenly become so deep and resonant?

(End of Chapter)