Chapter Nineteen: The Great Fox

“Ha, just a while ago you chased off a Buddhist, and now here comes a Taoist. I hope you have some skill, or I might just swipe you out with one claw.” The screams outside the door faded away, replaced by the arrogant voice of a middle-aged man. It must be the white fox’s father, the great fox demon. Such a title immediately revealed Liu Jun’s lack of cultural refinement. The footsteps outside grew louder, clearly approaching the door.

“The fox demon outside, I’m not here to fight. I only want to resolve this peacefully, no killing.” Moli said calmly.

“Peaceful? What a joke! My daughter’s hundred years of cultivation destroyed in an instant, and you want peace? I’ll gut you and then talk peace.” The great fox demon sneered darkly.

“What should we do, Moli? Looks like this big fox is unreasonable and won’t listen to reason.” Liu Jun said anxiously. This big fox demon clearly had high cultivation. Even if Moli could defeat him, if Moli was injured, it would break his heart.

“Then we’ll have to subdue him first, then reason.” Moli stood up and walked toward the door. Liu Jun got up too but didn’t follow; he just held the talisman in his hand. Not out of cowardice, but he feared holding Moli back and affecting her performance. Liu Jun watched worriedly and noticed the fat man clutching a dining chair, his eyes fixed intently on the door, as if ready to strike the great fox demon at any moment.

This fat man, despite his sly appearance, was surprisingly brave. Most people would wish for extra legs to flee such a scene, but the fat man not only stayed but was ready to jump in and help.

Outside stood a middle-aged man in a magnificent white robe and a beautiful woman holding the white fox. The man in white waved his hand, and a surge of demonic energy transformed into a pack of foxes, their bodies wrapped in black aura, screaming as they charged at Moli.

Moli remained calm, forming hand seals rapidly and chanting spells.

“Heavenly spirits, earthly spirits, by the command of the Supreme Pure Order, summon the five divine generals, invoke the Patriarch of Maoshan to help me subdue these demons. Capture Array, activate!”

A flash of golden light enveloped the entire estate with a formation. Within it, five divine generals materialized, glaring fiercely at the great fox demon. The foxes conjured by the man in white vanished into dust as the formation activated.

“Damn, a Maoshan Taoist?” The great fox demon cursed in terror. The beautiful woman’s cultivation was likely lower than his; she squatted trembling the moment the five generals appeared, her noble demeanor vanishing. The name “Maoshan” carried great deterrence for demons and spirits like them.

Just as Moli was about to subdue the great fox demon, he suddenly spoke.

“Wait, wait, master, I yield. Let’s talk this through. Isn’t it better to discuss before fighting? You hitting me now is just a waste of time.”

Moli sized up the great fox demon, seeming to consider whether to strike first.

“Fine, come inside.” Moli hesitated but gave up the idea of beating him first. She respectfully saluted the five divine generals, who then returned to their positions, and turned to enter.

The great fox demon followed, accompanied by the noble woman and the little white fox. Just as he stepped inside, the fat man shouted loudly and smashed the dining chair hard on the great fox demon’s head. Damn, that shout nearly made Liu Jun throw his thunder talisman in fright.

“Hey, young man, we just signed a peace agreement, and you come at him like this? Aren’t you afraid of causing trouble?” The great fox demon looked at the fat man in exasperation. If not for Moli’s earlier dominance, he might have turned the fat man into minced meat.

“Sorry, sorry, slipped.” The fat man grinned awkwardly.

The little white fox rushed straight into Zhang Ming’s arms, nuzzling his arm repeatedly.

The great fox demon didn’t quarrel with the fat man, instead sitting on the sofa. He glanced around, noticing Zhang Ming clinging to the white fox and whispering “little white, little white” like a madman. He sighed and turned his gaze to Zhang Dafu.

“You’re the one who hurt my daughter, right? I don’t understand. Though my daughter is a fox demon, she’s kind-hearted and wouldn’t even catch a live chicken. How could you be so cruel? If it weren’t for this Maoshan master here today, this day next year would be a day of mourning for your family.” The great fox demon glared menacingly at Zhang Dafu.

It was easy to understand the great fox demon’s feelings. If I had a daughter and she was hurt, wouldn’t I seek revenge? Impossible not to.

“Enough, fox demon. You are a guardian spirit of your home, correct?” Moli asked.

The great fox demon nodded.

“What would it take for you to let Zhang Dafu go? Don’t think about killing anymore. With me here, you won’t succeed. If you start killing, the spiritual energy your guardian spirit status depends on will be destroyed. Also, if your daughter wants to be with Zhang Ming, you can’t kill Zhang Dafu.” Moli pondered for a moment, then looked at the great fox demon.

“Then what do you suggest? My daughter’s been seriously injured. Do you want me to just smile and let it go?” The great fox demon snapped angrily.

“I have a way to help your daughter recover her cultivation faster, and also to get Zhang Dafu to agree to your daughter being with his son.” As Moli spoke, Zhang Dafu wanted to say something but stopped when Moli shot him a sharp look. He sighed and remained silent.

Just as the great fox demon prepared to argue further, the little white fox ran up and gently nibbled the demon’s clothes.

He looked down at her fondly, sighed, and picked her up.

“If you restore my daughter’s cultivation and do me one favor, I won’t pursue the matter of her injury any further.” The great fox demon said to Moli.

“What favor? I need to see if I can help.” Moli asked, puzzled. Fox demons seeking help from a Taoist—especially a Maoshan Taoist—was unusual. Any sensible fox demon wouldn’t do this.

“Don’t worry, it’s nothing major. Just help us take care of my youngest daughter. She can’t stay with the demon clan.” The great fox demon said. Damn, this big fox demon really wasn’t right in the head. Asking a Taoist to take care of a fox demon? What was he thinking?

“Why?” Moli didn’t refuse outright but asked the reason.

The fox demon sighed. “When my youngest daughter was born, there was a strange omen—a divine lightning struck and destroyed the entire fox clan’s territory. The clan said she was a bad omen, a disaster. I took her to Old Master Hu. He said my youngest daughter has a Taoist nature. If she doesn’t cultivate Taoism, the increasing demonic aura will kill her before she reaches three years old. But she’s a true fox demon—how could she cultivate Taoism? Any Taoist who sees us first thinks of capturing us, no one would teach her Taoism. This is the first time I’ve sat down to talk with Taoists. I think you’re different from the others; you have no murderous intent. So I want to ask for your help, to save my youngest daughter.”

“We have a sect; I can’t decide alone. I need to consult first.” Moli was silent for a moment before picking up the phone to call the elder.

After a while, she returned.

“Your youngest daughter can stay with us. We will teach her the introductory methods, but nothing more. Also, she must abide by our sect’s rules and not commit evil deeds.” Moli said sternly to the great fox demon.