The backyard of the Hundred Fragrance Pavilion was elegantly decorated. It featured rockeries, lotus ponds, and jasmine flowers in full spring bloom climbing across the artificial stones. Many guests were enjoying themselves, laughing heartily while embracing beauties. There was also a high platform in the yard where a woman dressed in refined attire played the zither. The melodious music provided a sharp contrast to the surrounding boisterous laughter.
Chen Ji sat on a rockery with his chin resting in his hands. Since he had snuck in, he did not dare walk around openly. If the madam caught him, he would not be able to endure her mockery a second time.
Suddenly, Chen Ji’s eyes landed on a roast chicken sitting on a nearby table. He had only eaten grilled fish that morning, and though he had not felt hungry before, the sight of the succulent chicken made his stomach growl. After some thought, he used one of the few immortal arts he knew, telekinesis, to quietly float the chicken over to his side.
The guest, drunk and lost in a tender trap, had no idea his chicken had flown away. Holding the prize, Chen Ji looked toward the group and whispered, “Emergency rescue for a fellow traveler, brother! I have memorized your face. If we meet again and you are in trouble, I will certainly lend a hand!”
Once he had committed the man’s face to memory, he began to feast. Suddenly, a massive clamor erupted from within the building. It was the sound of people cheering and shouting with joy. Chen Ji desperately wanted to know what was happening inside to cause such a stir. Melodious zither music drifted out, making him even more curious.
By the time he had finished most of the chicken, Chen Ji spotted the madam leading Liang Sijian and Liu Jingyun along the second-floor corridor toward a room. Once they entered, the madam left with a satisfied smile. Chen Ji realized immediately that they had entered Miaoyin’s room.
During his search for information that day, everyone had praised Miaoyin’s legendary beauty, yet no one had actually seen her face. Driven by curiosity, Chen Ji tossed the chicken bone aside, avoided the crowd, and headed toward her room. Reaching her window, he tapped his toes and leaped onto the roof tiles.
He held his breath to listen to the conversation inside. Suddenly, the window swung open, revealing Liu Jingyun’s face. Liu Jingyun grabbed him and pulled him inside.
“A-Ji, he is a demon.”
Chen Ji was still startled by the sudden entry. How did Liu Jingyun know he was outside the window? But Liu Jingyun’s words made him focus on the glamorous woman sitting at the table, her face partially hidden by a veil. She had beautiful fox-like eyes full of charm and passion. Even without seeing her full face, those eyes alone were enough to steal one’s soul.
“A-Ji, a demon!” Liu Jingyun repeated sternly.
Chen Ji finally snapped out of it. “A real demon?” To him, she just looked incredibly beautiful. He could not see anything demonic about her at all.
“A fox demon,” Liu Jingyun said. “He has quite a bit of cultivation.”
“A demon? I knew it! It makes sense that Li Sukang would be obsessed if there were a demon involved!” Liang Sijian said with conviction. Despite his bold words, he hid behind Liu Jingyun after catching a glimpse of Miaoyin’s enchanting eyes.
“You are quite interesting, young master. Do you call every beautiful girl you meet a demon?” Miaoyin asked in a delicate voice. The sound was so soft and gentle that it made one’s heart flutter.
“One test will reveal the truth.” Liu Jingyun drew his long sword.
Chen Ji quickly stopped him. “Liu Jingyun, let us ask questions first. Do not start a fight here.”
“He is a demon. It is one thing to pretend to be human, but he is even pretending to be a woman.”
“What? A man?!” Chen Ji looked at Miaoyin in disbelief.
The veil covered half of Miaoyin’s face and his neck. Chen Ji could not tell if there was an Adam’s apple, but the voice and appearance certainly did not seem like those of a man.
“You! You are actually a man! If Li Sukang knew you were a man, he would be so disappointed!” Liang Sijian said happily.
At the mention of Li Sukang’s name, Miaoyin’s eyes darkened with a hint of displeasure. “You three have no manners. Did you pay a fortune to see me just to insult me like this?” Miaoyin asked pitifully.
A knock sounded at the door. “Miss, I am coming in,” a young girl’s voice called out from outside. Before Miaoyin could respond, the door pushed open. A maid entered carrying wine and food. Seeing the chaos in the room, she gasped. “You, what are you doing?”
Liu Jingyun shifted his sword, pointing it directly at the girl’s throat. “So, there is another one.”
Chen Ji began to suspect that Miaoyin really was a demon because he felt a faint demonic aura from this girl, similar to that of a fox. Chen Ji’s cultivation was not high; if a powerful demon intentionally hid their presence, he would not notice. However, he could detect smaller demons who were unable to hide their aura.
“Sister Miaoyin, what are they doing?” the girl asked, her eyes red with fear.
Miaoyin dropped his calm facade and said coldly, “Young master, have you had enough? Please release my maid.”
“You are a demon. What right do you have to negotiate with me?”
“You are making false accusations!”
Liu Jingyun did not speak but began to circulate his spiritual power. Miaoyin’s expression changed drastically. Liu Jingyun was intentionally displaying his strength. Miaoyin could hardly believe that such a young man possessed such formidable spiritual power; no wonder he had seen through the disguise at a glance.
“Sijian, what are you doing?” Li Sukang’s voice broke in.
Liang Sijian was overjoyed to see his friend. “Li Sukang, you came at the right time! This Miaoyin is a demon, and he is not even a woman!”
“Sijian, I know you are biased against Miaoyin, but the decision I made has nothing to do with them. Why won’t you just leave them alone?” Li Sukang entered the room, looking at Liang Sijian with sorrow and indignation.
“Li Sukang, you have just been bewitched by a fox demon! Do not worry; these two are disciples of the Tianyun Sect. They will save you from this enchantment!”
“Sijian,” Li Sukang did not know how to explain.
Suddenly, a force grabbed him. “Sukang!” Liang Sijian cried out in alarm.
“Release Xiaocui, or I will kill him.” Miaoyin’s hand had transformed into sharp claws, which were now pressed against Li Sukang’s throat.
“Brother Liu, let the girl go! What if he actually kills Li Sukang?” Liang Sijian urged quickly.
Liu Jingyun glanced at him and then at Chen Ji.
“Let her go,” Chen Ji said.
Liu Jingyun sheathed his sword.
“Xiaocui, come here,” Miaoyin commanded.
“Sister Miaoyin!” Xiaocui transformed into a small white fox and dove into Miaoyin’s arms. Seeing a person turn into a fox terrified Liang Sijian; it really was a demon!
“We have returned the little fox to you. Now, release Master Li,” Chen Ji said.
Miaoyin looked at them and snorted. “You ruined my plans!”
He threw something onto the floor, and a thick cloud of smoke erupted. Chen Ji and the others were choked by the fumes. By the time they recovered, Miaoyin had disappeared, taking the little fox and Li Sukang with him.
Liu Jingyun huffed. “You think you can just leave?”