[{"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-68":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},2317348,4532,"Chapter 68: Only Right and Wrong","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-68",68,"\u003Cp>The next morning, two Daoists, several worshippers, a fox, and a donkey descended the mountain once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The donkey still carried two bamboo baskets, lined with fine cloth and holding several cats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only the three cat spirits who cultivated on Shear Peak, but also several cats from the temple had already gained spiritual awareness—though they had not yet attained Dao and taken human form—and they were brought along this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the presence of outsiders, they did not speak, but often poked their heads out to glance curiously left and right, as if checking how far they had come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fox walked beside Lin Jue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They reached the city by dusk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing that not all the stolen money could be recovered—and that speed was essential—merchants who had just entered the city immediately began arguing over whose home to visit first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One claimed his family’s money was stolen last and thus easiest to recover; another immediately countered that they should go to the household where the money vanished first. Someone pulled out silver, calling it tea money; others quickly followed suit. But Third Master refused all of it, merely waving his hand and saying, “Go to the nearest household.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the setting sun, the group passed the She God Temple again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue turned his head and saw a crowd gathered before the temple—mostly bare-chested men, their sweat-slicked muscles clearly defined, all sturdy laborers. At the front stood an old man leaning on a cane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are they doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue asked, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t it because of the troubles in the city? We’ve long offered sacrifices to Old Master Chen, but he’s done nothing. Recently, someone who stayed overnight in this temple had their belongings stolen by a demon—so why keep worshipping him? Some in the city heard of this and said we should smash his statue and bring in the image of Lord Yi Li.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And what about that old man?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, that’s Liu Gong, the most respected elder in town,” said a middle-aged merchant. “Everyone agrees the statue should be smashed, but no one dares—afraid of divine retribution. Only Liu Gong has the courage. He’s not only revered for his virtue, but has been a gentleman since youth, never once acting against his conscience. Even if the spirit came knocking, he’d raise his cane and drive it out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue nodded, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this world, many demons, ghosts, and local deities seemed to deeply respect those of virtue—but this didn’t seem to stem from virtue itself possessing any inherent power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this case, the people here had always practiced utilitarianism in worship: naturally, they wanted to replace an ineffective deity. Yet even when the spirit did nothing, they still feared it—fearing it would come to punish them, or escalate the matter to higher deities, or expose some hidden sin they had committed. Only those truly confident in their own virtue, with clear consciences, dared face a deity as mortals—capable of both building temples and smashing statues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Contemplating this nuance was intriguing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They soon arrived at the home of a Yang family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The household was large, with many members.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though anxious, they did not neglect propriety: Master Yang first ordered servants to serve tea to Lin Jue and the others, then retreated to the inner courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time Lin Jue set down the bamboo baskets and released the seven cats, Master Yang emerged carrying his money chest—a wooden box sheathed in thick iron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now the chest bore a large hole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My money was kept here. We always heard demons stole only small coins, so we thought iron plating would stop them—but now even the iron is pierced.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lead gray cat stood upright, sniffing the iron chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other two cats observed curiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue fell into thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t tell whether the demons had grown stronger—or whether this was their scheme: first steal scattered silver to convince people that iron boxes were safe, prompting them to consolidate all their money inside; then, once everyone did so, break the boxes. Or perhaps the demons originally struggled to pierce iron, but over time, every resident of Yixian learned this trick—except merchants diverted by floods—who all locked their money in iron chests. The demons, unable to steal otherwise, were forced to laboriously drill through them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Lin Jue lowered his gaze and saw his pet fox sniffing the air, then lifting its head to stare toward the house ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third Master saw it too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two exchanged a glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go take a look.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each took a pastry and shoved it into his mouth, then downed a cup of tea—thus finishing dinner—and followed the fox.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third Master called out to those behind:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please, three companions, follow me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three cats, previously occupied, immediately followed. The four cats from Fuxiu Temple were slower, less attuned to human intent—but after the gray cat from Shear Peak took a few steps, it turned and meowed. They hurried after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fox led. The Daoists followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind them came the seven cats, each with different fur patterns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They arrived at the eastern corner of the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here too grew flowers and plants; a tree bent into a graceful shape, stretching over the wall, with a rock garden below, moss-covered, concealing an unremarkable hole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little fox stopped, lifted one paw onto the stone, and turned to fix Lin Jue with a serious gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue went closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hole’s mouth was about the width of a rice bowl—but inside, it widened considerably, easily large enough for rats the size of cats—or those who had taken human form—to pass through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue stroked the fox’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The creature’s expression was solemn, utterly serious—as if it knew it was doing something important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little brother, wasn’t the temple where you caught rats last time the She God Temple in town?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s quite far from here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seems so.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could these creatures have tunneled beneath the entire county?” Third Master frowned. “Or are there colonies under every neighborhood?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third Master turned to the Yang family. “We’re beginning the demon purge now. If any silver remains below, we’ll bring it up. Please step aside—for your safety, keep your distance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, yes, yes...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the Yang family had withdrawn, he bowed to the gray cat among the three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, friend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why say that? We’re neighbors, old allies—Fourth Auntie already agreed to help, and we settled the fee. It’s only right. Besides, Fourth Auntie will soon become a deity—she’ll still need your aid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cat spoke with polished formality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The rats below can take human form and wield weapons. Be careful, Elder,” Lin Jue warned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gray cat glanced at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Has there ever been a rat that dared bully a cat? We’ve rooted in Yishan for a thousand years—do you think we have no skill?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, he swished his tail toward the hole and leapt in without hesitation, slipping through effortlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other two cats followed without pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the four Fuxiu Temple cats remained outside—one gray, one tabby, one orange, one black-and-white. They stared into the hole, then turned back to Third Master and Lin Jue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Meow~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sound came from within—as if calling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go,” Third Master said, though he knew no beast-summoning arts. “The Shear Peak companions are guiding you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four cats immediately darted into the hole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little brother, don’t concern yourself with what’s below—the rat demons are handled by the Shear Peak companions,” Third Master said, tossing four beans onto the ground. “Stay alert.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two shield-bearers and two archers appeared instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue tore his gaze from the hole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He drew his firewood axe, picked up the staff, joined them into a broadsword, and gripped it firmly—feeling instant security.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third Master chuckled. “You’re truly fond of that broadsword, little brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For him now, spells could exorcise demons—and so could the broadsword. Spells were useful, but the broadsword was no worse—perhaps even better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fox beside him, as if understanding, turned from the hole and sat close to Lin Jue’s foot, watching the surroundings warily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside, street voices still echoed in the dusk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sounds began rising from the hole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rat squeaks, cat cries, footsteps running.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Night gradually fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing stirred on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hole grew quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, the gray cat from Shear Peak emerged first, dragging a rat nearly its own size. Two others followed, then the four Fuxiu Temple cats—all carrying gray rats the size of themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rats were laid on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue looked down, recalling the rat officer he’d seen in the temple days ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he felt no pity—he knew these rat demons stole silver and also harmed people in town, and their ferocity far exceeded expectation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two more left,” the gray cat said, dropping its rat. “We’ll need to go again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are the tunnels connected, or just one section?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A vast network.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is there silver down there?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The heavy white stones?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Some.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please, friend...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That one’s too heavy to carry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, fellow Daoist.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third Senior Brother smiled and bowed to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mottled cat sighed and slipped back inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third Senior Brother withdrew his gaze and looked down at the rat on the ground, frowning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s wrong, Senior Brother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s death qi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Death qi?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue’s expression hardened as he recalled that foul, rotting smell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder these rat spirits were so bold and fierce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Death qi and ghost qi both stem from yin qi, yet differ from each other. Lin Jue’s cultivation was too shallow, and while Seventh Senior Brother was exceptionally gifted, he specialized in illusion arts—he wouldn’t have noticed it earlier, which was normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So far, Lin Jue only knew of ghost qi among cultivators, but there was another qi born of yin qi, called ghost qi; death qi also arose from places thick with yin qi, often linked to corpses, and could mutate. Typically, ghost qi caused living beings to feel uneasy, instinctively avoid, or grow weak, while death qi could cause illness or even drive them into frenzy and ferocity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before returning from Xiao Chuan Village, the brothers had discussed these three types of qi over meals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy ghost qi wasn’t only from great or fierce ghosts; heavy death qi wasn’t only from zombies or evil corpses—it could also come from cultivators or spirits who specialized in such paths, or even the malevolent entities they spawned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue had only memorized that rotting smell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aren’t these just rats that became spirits? How could they have death qi?” Lin Jue said, thinking of Xiao Chuan Village. “Did the death qi cause them to become spirits? Or is the one behind them—pushing them to become spirits and directing them—connected to death qi?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All possibilities.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stay alert!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue glanced around, realizing Third Senior Brother was prepared for someone’s arrival—but outside, silence still reigned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That person did not come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need to rush. This is the city, and it’s still early. His not coming is actually correct. If he comes, fine; if he doesn’t, it’s no matter. The rat spirits below are spread out in patches—we’ll search them one by one, cutting off his livelihoods one by one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third Senior Brother said, squinting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he turned to Lin Jue and grinned: “Younger brother, you didn’t earn that set of carving knives so easily, did you...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue instantly understood—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a battle of cultivation arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet there was no personal grudge, no one had drawn a line, and likely neither side even knew the other. If anything, it was merely right versus evil.\u003C\u002Fp>",1946,"2026-06-20T14:45:35.226Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","f4655a2d05fccd55758c8719537368f0223395c6f5a34b3690d5f597284fef1f","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-69","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-67",608,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-book-of-strange-tales-cover.jpg"]