Chapter 6: One Calamity After Another

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Shen Xunqing carefully racked his memory for any recollection connected to that scent, but no result came after a long time. The worry in Yu Huan’s eyes deepened as he looked on. Now that he had been reincarnated into the mortal realm, his powers were limited. He did not want unrelated people to know of his presence here, so he had to be cautious in all matters, striving to adhere to the rules of this world. However, this did not mean he would tolerate anyone laying schemes targeting those close to him.

Indeed, Shen Xunqing always felt that the scent—laden with bloodiness, malevolence, and killing intent—did not seem to be aimed at him but rather at Yu Huan, though he could not tell where this wild beast had come from.

The reason remained unknown, but precautions were necessary.

Spiritual artifacts, especially those personally forged by their owner, would remain bound to their master even after reincarnation, unless the master explicitly commanded otherwise.

Shen Xunqing removed the bell hanging at his waist and, while Yu Huan was distracted, fastened it to Yu Huan’s waist. Yu Huan did not notice the continuously jingling bell, which made no sound.

Perhaps sensing his master’s worry for the person before him, the Soul-Devouring Bell, which had originally been restless and expressing displeasure, obediently hung at Yu Huan’s waist. Shen Xunqing gently stroked the bell to comfort it and transmitted his voice through his spiritual sense: “Take good care of him. If anything happens, inform me immediately.”

The Soul-Devouring Bell jingled twice symbolically, understanding that its master had assigned it a surveillance task. “Rest assured, Master, I will complete the mission perfectly.”

Coming back to himself, Yu Huan sat on the edge of the bed and looked at Shen Xunqing, who was half crouched with his hand still on his waist. Bewildered, he asked, “What are you doing?” Feeling something unfamiliar at his waist, he looked down and saw a string of silver bells hanging there.

Shen Xunqing’s mind worked swiftly, and he hastily concocted an excuse: “You seem restless, as if something bad has happened. If you don’t want to say, that’s fine. But see this bell? It’s a family heirloom, blessed by a high monk. If you encounter danger, it might just save your life.”

Hearing this, Yu Huan grew anxious. He carefully tugged at the bell, wanting to return it to Shen Xunqing, whispering reproachfully, “Such an important item should not be given away lightly. What if I were a villain wanting to poison you?” After all, he might still be hiding a vial of poison on him!

Shen Xunqing resumed a hint of the arrogant swagger he had once used to intimidate Yu Huan, snorting coldly, “If you don’t accept it, I’ll just toss this heirloom out to someone else on the street. There are plenty who’d want it.”

Yu Huan felt helpless, knowing Shen Xunqing’s concern was genuine, so he reluctantly accepted it. Giving it to him was better than handing it to some ill-intentioned person, even if his own intentions were not entirely pure. Suddenly, Yu Huan froze as Shen Xunqing stood, surveying the room where Yu Huan stayed.

Yu Huan had brought very little, but what piqued Shen Xunqing’s curiosity was the wooden box hidden under the bed. Pointing to it, Shen Xunqing asked, “What’s in this box?”

He reached out to open it.

Yu Huan had wanted to agree, but a flash of white light crossed his mind. He suddenly remembered the painting he had drawn inadvertently — it was still in that box. The painting depicted none other than Lord Shen himself. Shen Xunqing had been drawn unknowingly and casually by Yu Huan, and since it was his own work, he was reluctant to discard it. So, he stored it among other paintings in the box.

Yu Huan quickly pushed the box further under the bed with his foot and forced a smile on his weary face. “Nothing valuable, just some papers.”

Shen Xunqing’s curiosity only deepened, but he merely smiled and refrained from approaching the box again. “I was just curious. Since that’s settled, let’s eat together. We can’t sleep hungry, can we?”

Yu Huan nodded and followed Shen Xunqing outside. Shen Xunqing paused, and Yu Huan suddenly bumped into him. Startled, Shen Xunqing staggered and turned to see Yu Huan’s apologetic expression. With a resigned sigh, he took Yu Huan’s hand and seated him before the table laden with dishes.

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Since Yu Huan’s arrival, the dishes changed daily. Whenever Yu Huan took an extra bite of a particular dish, the cook would remember and prepare a new version of it next time.

Usually, Yu Huan could eat several bowls, but today he stopped after half a bowl, put down his bowl and chopsticks, bid farewell, and returned to his room.

This was the first time Yu Huan had encountered such a situation and truly did not know what to do. How could he, a mere mortal, stop that old Taoist? If he told Shen Xunqing what he had seen and heard, Shen Xunqing, also a mortal, might doubt him. After all, Yu Huan himself still struggled to accept it all. The boy Shen Xunqing was still just a child, even if self-reliant from a young age. He could not bear all the burden alone.

For now, the best plan was to pass two days, then on the third day, venture into the alley to see if anything had changed. After all, the old Taoist was still a Taoist and would not kill innocents wantonly—right?

With such uneasy thoughts, Yu Huan endured two unpleasant days, often tempted to speak out but ultimately refraining.

On the third day, after Shen Xunqing left, Yu Huan also slipped out of the mansion with his black slave following closely behind. Just as his master had suspected, the lady must have been threatened or intimidated by someone outside.

Not long after, Yu Huan disappeared into an alley. The black slave frowned, realizing the situation was more complicated than expected. Someone had carved out a small world inside this alley. The black flames in the black slave’s hand flared as he threw the flame onto a wall. A small crack appeared in the tiny world, and he quickly slipped inside.

Inside, the black slave was stunned by the scene: an endless barren wasteland, a distant erupting volcano, and a bottomless dark sky. This was unmistakably a place within the Demon Realm he had visited before. He had definitely tangled with an old monster.

He had to report to his master immediately. Just as he was about to send the message, a purple-black vine, about the size of a bowl, shot out from the darkness and wrapped around his limbs. The vine was as strong as refined iron. The black slave hissed and ignited a layer of the same black flame on his body, burning the vine to ash. Sharp horns gleamed on his head, and his golden eyes lit up like daylight in the darkness.

He saw Yu Huan and the little white fox, who had traveled for days, tied upon a crude altar. Strange markings circled the altar, resembling a sinister and obscure formation. As he focused, a breathing sound suddenly came from behind him.

“Oh my, oh my, the old ghost really has some fine delicacies around him today,” the old Taoist cackled suddenly behind the black slave. “Back then, he would have devoured everything long ago, leaving nothing for me. Now that he’s given up, don’t blame me!”

The old Taoist struck the black slave from behind. The black slave dodged just in time, leaping into the air.

The old Taoist raised both hands and howled to the sky, “Ten-thousand-year cold ice body, a young heavenly fox, plus a nearly perfect half-demon magical body—today, I feast well!”

He taunted the black slave with a beckoning hand, cracked his neck, stretched, and said, “Come on, little guy, I’m in a good mood today. Let’s spar a few rounds!”

As he spoke, his eyes filled with black mist. The eye sockets continuously exhaled the black fog. The old Taoist’s hunched body began to swell, until a two-zhang-tall giant stood before the black slave. Veins bulged over the giant’s body, ancient totems appeared on his skin, and, apart from the totems, there were the same markings as those on the altar.

The old Taoist’s eyes emitted streams of black mist, with red sparks flashing. In a moment, he vanished before the black slave. Cold sweat broke out on the black slave’s back. Having served his master so long, this was the first time he had encountered such a powerful demonic pressure. What was he to do now?

No matter what, protecting the lady was paramount.

“Hey, half-demon boy, don’t lose focus! Or your little life will be over!” The giant demon suddenly appeared before the black slave and threw a punch that distorted the very air.

The black slave silently dodged far away, drawing the giant demon’s attention elsewhere to avoid harming the lady and the little heavenly fox.

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Nearby, the black slave and the giant demon fought fiercely, neither gaining the upper hand. Yu Huan slowly regained consciousness. Everything was pitch black. He had been knocked out upon entering the alley. Now his hands and feet seemed bound to something, restricting movement.

The giant demon, seeing Yu Huan awake, dashed over. The black slave followed just moments behind. The giant demon laughed wickedly, “Little guy, why don’t we stop fighting and enjoy this ten-thousand-year cold ice body together?”

The black slave replied gravely, “You won’t get your way.”

The giant demon sneered, “Ungrateful brat! Don’t blame me for what happens next!”

The giant demon dripped a few drops of blood onto the altar. Instantly, the unknown markings turned blood-red, emitting dazzling crimson light.

“Ha ha ha, the blood formation is complete. You have no chance of escape!” the giant demon laughed loudly.

The black slave charged at the blood formation, but was repelled several meters away before reaching its edge. Damn it!

How was he to explain this to his master? His golden eyes flared brighter as he gathered his strength and charged again.

Suddenly, the blood formation chimed “ding ling” with the sound of bells. A few silver lights wrapped around the faintly unconscious Yu Huan and the little heavenly fox. Those few strands of silver light were even more brilliant than the blood glow.

The giant demon’s eyes flashed with panic as he gritted his teeth, “That cunning old ghost—does he really think I can’t deal with him?”

The giant demon’s hands ignited with blood-red light, continuously feeding energy into the blood formation. A faint blue light flickered around Yu Huan.

A victorious smile crossed the giant demon’s eyes. “The formation has activated. These two have no hope of survival.”

“Is that so?” Suddenly, another figure appeared within the blood formation. It was Shen Xunqing, wearing a sly smile that did not reach his eyes.

“My path senses the scent of that beast all too well. So it’s you, old glutton. I’m curious how you managed to release this fragment from the seal?”

The giant demon, known as Glutton, laughed again, “You crazy old ghost! What concern is my business to you? The blood formation is complete—no one will survive!”

“Oh? Is that right?” Shen Xunqing feigned puzzlement. “Did you not suffer the same fate as last time when you stole something from me? You dared touch me—how will you settle this debt?”

Hearing this, the giant demon exploded in anger. “You only drank a mouthful of my wine, and you still remember it? You stingy old ghost!”