Chapter 7: The Mystery of Death

Xu Jia could not understand the fox language, but he could still feel their joy.

A moment later, the Old Fox transformed into human form; it was still that short old woman, but her aura was already somewhat different.

Facing Xu Jia, she no longer dared to call herself a Great Immortal, but instead, with great respect, addressed Xu Jia as Great Immortal: "Little Fox thanks the Great Immortal for the enlightenment."

She had sensed the manner in which Xu Jia had just acted; what had been channeled into her body was clearly Orthodox Deity Dharma Power.

Not only did it carry the scent of temple Incense Fire, but it also possessed a quality of pure Yang.

Once it entered her body, it not only helped her resolve the recent backlash and increased her Daoist Practice, but more importantly, it refined her thoughts, increased her wisdom, allowed her to understand more of human nature, and enlightened her to many truths.

Xu Jia shook his head: "I am no Great Immortal; I merely awakened some memories of a past life. In my past life, I was indeed somewhat versed in cultivation matters, and after I died, I was worshipped by others. Just now, when you bowed to me, it connected with the physical deity statue from my past life."

Upon hearing this, the Old Fox was not alarmed but overjoyed. Awakening past life memories meant he had been a practitioner in his previous life; encountering a tribulation in this life and awakening Past Life Wisdom clearly meant he was about to resume cultivation.

Xu Jia also intended to cooperate with these foxes. Although they were physically incomplete—some crippled, some disabled—overall, they were still teachable.

"I beg the Great Immortal to ferry me!"

Looking at the expectant gaze of the Miscellaneous Fur Fox, Xu Jia comforted her: "Fox Immortal, there is no need for this. The Fox Immortal has the grace of saving my life, which I must repay; furthermore, a new Karmic Connection has already formed between us."

He then asked with concern: "It has been so long, yet I still do not know the Fox Immortal's name."

The Miscellaneous Fur Fox looked troubled: "I dare not presume to call myself Fox Immortal in front of the Great Immortal. This little demon is merely a rustic cultivator from the countryside with no heritage, nor has anyone given me a proper name. Because my fur is mottled, my own kind call me Huaban, and these few juniors are named Yidan, Erque, and Santou respectively."

Xu Jia nodded: "I see. It won't do to not have a proper name. How about I think of a name for you all carefully."

Xu Jia already intended to establish a Fox Immortal Hall, but he did not plan to come forward himself; he still needed to scout for someone to deal with these foxes.

Hearing that Xu Jia wanted to give them names, Huaban immediately kicked Erque's good leg and pulled Yidan and Santou along to bow: "Why don't you thank the Immortal Master with me!"

Xu Jia laughed repeatedly: "No need to thank me. I still owe you ten roasted chickens. If there is anything else, let us talk after the feast."

Huaban, having gained Xu Jia's favor, took the initiative to find a topic: "Immortal Master, I have already inquired about your parents and family in this life. They are indeed people of this township, a family of scholars, with a hundred acres of fertile land."

"A few days ago, you suffered from madness, acting crazed and delirious, then later you fell asleep and would not wake up, refusing food and water, and died after seven days."

"Afterward, a Daoist came and instigated them to bury the coffin in the Luanzanggang."

"I asked the wandering ghosts and spirits of the Luanzanggang, and they said that an hour before the young master was resurrected, they saw that Daoist come to the Luanzanggang, open the coffin, and then leave in a hurry..."

"Immortal Master, look at this Daoist... he does not seem like a good person!"

Xu Jia recalled that when he had just returned to the body, there was clearly a voice scolding him for being an outer-realm heavenly demon occupying his physical body.

At this moment, with the news Huaban had gathered, he roughly guessed that the original body had likely fallen victim to someone's "Soul Separation Technique."

But had that person not taken away the soul of the original body?

What worried Xu Jia was that if this Daoist knew he had performed Jieshi Huanhun, or if he came back to check and saw the corpse missing, he would inevitably come knocking.

Was the soul of the original body in his hands... did he use the Soul Separation Technique to disperse the Three Souls and Seven Souls of the original body?

This was a Cause and Effect that could not be left unresolved.

Xu Jia was weak at this moment; he could only take things as they came and prioritize self-preservation.

"Let us talk about this when we return." Xu Jia had come via Jieshi Huanhun but had no foundation; his Life Fire had only just been ignited, yet it had already begun to consume his primordial Qi and spirit.

Xu Jia had shed his ghost-spirit body and was now entirely a living person, and living people needed to eat, rest, and recuperate; he could not stay in this dilapidated temple forever, relying on these foxes to provide for him.

As for that Daoist... Xu Jia did not know his background, but he could ask the foxes to investigate carefully.

Hearing Xu Jia say they were going back, Huaban immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

The sky was gradually brightening; having stayed in the underworld for nearly a hundred years, Xu Jia also felt the sunlight after a long time.

The golden rays shone on his body, warm, and also illuminated a bright path ahead.

The proof of being alive was the real sensation in every part of his body, even if he was so hungry his steps were weak, he felt like he would faint at any moment, and he was covered in cold sweat, as if he would die with a gust of wind.

It still carried a joy of life.

The Huaban fox sensibly handed over a bowl of millet porridge.

Xu Jia drank some, but his stomach was too weak; he wanted to vomit after only half a bowl, but he only spat out some cold, yin energy, while his Yang energy was gradually recovering.

Seeing Xu Jia in such discomfort, the Huaban fox felt very pained and gritted her teeth: "Shall I go to the Xu Residence to report and lead them here to pick up the Immortal Master?"

Xu Jia shook his head: "It's fine, I will be better after resting a while."

After resting for a while and basking in the sun, his heart became calm and peaceful, suppressing all kinds of gloom.

The Huaban fox, transformed into an old woman in a black jacket and skirt, supported Xu Jia as they headed toward the Xu Residence.

Her transformation technique was already good enough for her to travel during the day and go to the village market, though she could not enter the county town.

Now that she had gained another thirty years of Daoist Practice, she was becoming increasingly at ease.

Xu Jia was supported by her, but his nose was filled with a musky odor, and he thought to himself: "It certainly keeps one alert."

As the population density increased, at first there was nothing, but when they neared the Xu Residence, many people showed expressions of terror, and some even turned and ran, as if they had seen a ghost.

They were all neighbors who knew the original Xu Jia.

At this moment, inside the Xu Residence, a servant came crawling in: "Master! It's bad! Master!" His voice was trembling: "Master! Big, big, big, big trouble!"

Master Xu was offering incense to his son's spirit tablet; hearing this, he turned and scolded: "You damned thing! Your young master has only just died, what big trouble is it now? Who are you trying to curse?"

"It's not that, Master, the young master, he has resurrected!"

"You death-seeking fool, you dare to joke with me? Watch out for your skin!" The Master Xu was so angry he was about to grab something to hit the servant.

At this time, another strange cry came: "Master! The young master has returned to claim his life!"

Master Xu and Lady Xu heard two people say this in succession and immediately stood up: "Have they gone into a state of Madness? My son has only been dead for a short while... and they dare to joke about this! Are they bullying my Xu family for having no heirs?"

He was already furious to the extreme.

Lady Xu, however, pulled the enraged Master Xu and said mournfully: "Master, I actually hope our child has truly come back to life; let us go and see!"

(End of chapter)