[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-book-of-strange-tales":3,"chapter-the-book-of-strange-tales-the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-59":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Book of Strange Tales",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2317339,4532,"Chapter 59: Capturing Demons at the Shrine","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-59",59,"\u003Cp>\"Subduing demons and upholding the Dao is the duty of any cultivator; if a demon appears and we encounter it, we naturally must investigate. Besides, we planned to stay overnight at the Shrine of the Earth God anyway.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seventh Senior Brother smiled and said to Lin Jue, \"But you should know, I’m nowhere near as skilled in combat as the first three Senior Brothers. If we really meet a demon, little brother, you’ll have to protect me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Senior Brother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue bowed to Seventh Senior Brother, then turned to the villagers from his village: \"Uncle Shu, since I joined Yishan, I’ve learned some spells and have dealt with demons and ghosts a few times. Since we’re planning to stay at the Shrine of the Earth God tonight too, I’ll go check it out for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You? Can you even handle it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is the demon really that fierce?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They say they’re tiny figures—some people in town have been injured by them, others have been killed!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"... \" Lin Jue’s eyes flickered. \"Then we definitely need to take a look. Six months of hard work—that’s no small sum. Uncle Shu, lead the way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are your superiors really not here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Far away.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then... you...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lead the way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sigh... let’s go...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncle Shu changed direction and led them toward the Shrine of the Earth God.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke as they walked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lately, every household that isn’t utterly destitute has lost its money—except the ironbox makers, who’ve grown rich. When you buy things, any decent merchant who takes silver coins must have an iron box—this is why.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s true,\" Lin Jue said. \"Why didn’t you buy an iron box, Uncle Shu?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We were just careless and greedy to save money. And that ironbox maker, seeing it was late, raised his price. We got angry and didn’t buy one, thinking sleeping in a temple—even a town temple—would be safe, with so much incense offering daily, surely demons and ghosts wouldn’t dare come. We took turns keeping watch and held all our money close to our chests, convinced nothing could happen. Who knew? We fell asleep drowsily, woke up, and—oh! I’m afraid to tell the villagers; even if they believed me, they’d gossip anyway...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncle Shu couldn’t help pounding his chest and stomping his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others were filled with deep regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Iron box...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Drowsily...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue murmured, thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Probably a demon or ghost’s method of exhaling to induce sleep,\" Seventh Senior Brother said. He wasn’t skilled in combat or demon-subduing, but he’d heard enough from his senior brothers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I thought the same.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke, they reached the Shrine of the Earth God.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The temple was about the same size as the Third Aunt Temple in Shu Village. It was maintained by government officials—whether they counted as temple keepers was unclear. He’d come here during the day and left at night; for a few coins, you could stay overnight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue voluntarily gave copper coins and entered the temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he stepped inside, he sensed something was wrong—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though there was a deity statue inside and the scent of incense lingered, he felt no divine resonance from the incense offerings—only a faint, lingering yin energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the advantage of practicing Yin-Yang Spirit Law.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who cultivate Yin-Yang Spirit Law are extremely sensitive to anomalies in the yin-yang spiritual energy of heaven and earth. Most demons and ghosts follow the path of yin-yang, yet unlike humans, they don’t cultivate mature Yin-Yang Spirit Law or understand the principle of yin-yang balance. They rely solely on instinct, drawing in massive amounts of yin energy at the start of cultivation, creating severe imbalance—a key identifying trait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue stood before the statue and studied it: a refined-looking man, nothing special.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Seventh Senior Brother, you’ll have to sleep outside tonight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seventh Senior Brother respectfully tied the donkey outside, took down the bamboo basket, and carried it into the temple, placing it against the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue also placed his staff and firewood knife within easy reach against the wall, then took a cushion and sat against the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They would sleep here tonight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little fox trotted happily beside him. When he sat down, it instinctively circled the temple once, sniffing everything, familiarizing itself with the surroundings, then returned to lie beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Seventh Senior Brother, how much silver do you still have?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"About three taels.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s enough...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue touched his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had twenty taels saved up. Since coming to the mountain, he had no use for silver. He’d finally come down, didn’t know what to buy, but brought it anyway. Maybe it would lure the demon that craved silver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I suggest we change out of our Daoist robes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’ll follow Lin Senior Brother’s advice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seventh Senior Brother still teased Lin Jue like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All three promptly removed their Daoist robes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For safety, Uncle Shu, you shouldn’t sleep here tonight. On the way, we passed a carriage inn—go stay there. I’ll pay tomorrow morning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you really meet the demon, your own safety comes first!\" Uncle Shu warned. \"And if you can defeat it, please, please, recover our money! It’s not just the sweat of sixteen households over half a year—it might be the life-saving money for our village after the disaster!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How much total?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Two hundred thirty taels and two mace.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merchants here were known for honesty. Uncle Shu didn’t hesitate—he blurted out the amount immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Noted.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue’s expression grew serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Night gradually fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The temple had no eternal lamp, only two tiny windows, one on each side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were called windows, but were merely holes the size of a head. When the sky outside dimmed, the temple grew dark; once night fully fell, it was nearly pitch-black inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after eyes adjusted could one make out faint shapes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He vaguely saw Seventh Senior Brother pulling something from his chest, then rubbing it on his hands. Lin Jue heard him whisper: \"It’s hard to save silver in the monastery—we don’t have the skills of the First or Third Senior Brothers. We can’t let it get stolen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you doing, Senior Brother?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Precautions,\" Seventh Senior Brother said. \"By the way, do you have silver on you? Rub some on too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Qingfu Method...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He vaguely saw Seventh Senior Brother reaching out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue reached out in the dark, groped, and felt a small bottle in his hand—about a finger thick and long, narrow-necked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside was a sticky, viscous liquid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A trick,\" Seventh Senior Brother explained. \"Qingfu moths have deep maternal bonds—they’re inseparable. Extract their juices, refine them with secret methods, apply one portion to coins, and when thrown, the coins will automatically fly back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So magical?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A surprised voice came from the little disciple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"An ancient trick. The refined use it to perform at temple fairs—throw coins or hand them to spectators, and they return on their own. The crude use it to buy things or harm people. Many texts record this spell.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue lifted the bottle to his nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint, indescribable odor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frowning slightly, he still handed the bottle back to Seventh Senior Brother: \"I won’t rub it on. If a demon really comes, it might smell something odd and avoid stealing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That makes sense!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seventh Senior Brother’s expression sharpened. \"Indeed, when dealing with demons and ghosts, you’re also a Senior Brother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t tease me...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hah!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve just happened to encounter many.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then let’s stop talking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright,\" Lin Jue replied. He looked down and saw the little fox curled beside him—a dark lump in the dim light. He reached out, touched it: warm and soft. \"Humans are no match for foxes at night. Stay alert.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fuyao, ever silent, gave no reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The temple fell instantly silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue sat closest to the door, watching the two head-sized holes in the wall—wondering if a small or shape-shifting demon had slipped through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To his left was the little disciple; farthest inside sat Seventh Senior Brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To his right, the little fox curled into a ball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether because he knew foxes were naturally alert nocturnal creatures, or because the fluffy little thing beside him naturally brought comfort, or for some other reason—just this half-grown creature, quietly resting beside him, somehow gave Lin Jue a greater sense of calm.\u003C\u002Fp>",1374,"2026-06-20T14:45:35.226Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","272ebd91394d76587383633d7ff05dd9693a809cfd4fbe9dd6eb063de08a0c8f","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-60","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-58",608,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-book-of-strange-tales-cover.jpg"]