121 Jealousy
The decaying corpses emitted miserable and piercing screams.
At the same time, Zhou You’s actions of divining fortune and misfortune disturbed the sacred forbidden ground within Chen Family Village. Fortunately, Li Xintian had just unleashed righteous energy that suppressed the disturbance.
Chen Family Village Inn.
“Master, Master... something’s happening over at Zhou You’s place. He was divining fortune and misfortune, and even the entire magic altar was destroyed, causing chaos. All the evil spirits within ten miles were eliminated by someone wielding righteous energy. Even the chaotic burial ground turned to smoke. That person’s name is Li Xintian,” Black Moon hurriedly reported, switching from calling him “Master’s uncle” to speaking respectfully.
“Hmm, I understand. Moreover, I already know their location. I intend to investigate. Black Moon, you continue to monitor them, but under no circumstances should you interact with them!” Zhao Longjie got out of bed, approached the window, and leapt out.
Black Moon ran to the window, watching Zhao Longjie disappear into the distance, a bad feeling stirring in her heart. She then jumped out as well, heading toward the Chen Family Village mortuary.
Outside Chen Family Village.
“The demonic aura here is indeed thick; it seems something is about to be born. Truly, many thanks to Li Xintian and Zhou You—they’ve done me a great favor.”
The Black Emperor appeared outside Chen Family Village, gazing up at the sky above the village. After speaking, his body seemed to merge with the moonlight and vanished.
Chen Family Village Mortuary.
“All the evil spirits outside have been exterminated, but the demonic aura above Chen Family Village remains dense and unresolved.”
“Moreover, the righteous energy just passed through the forbidden shrine inside the Chen Family Village ancestral hall. I sensed demons there, though they have not yet been born.”
Li Xintian finished eliminating the evil spirits and the decaying corpses, then said.
“Perhaps the root cause lies within the inner forbidden shrine. Should we head there?”
Li Xintian pondered before continuing.
“Right now, the inner forbidden shrine must be suppressed, probably for a reason—to wait until the demon emerges. If we recklessly go in, we might trigger the demon’s appearance. The danger level is extremely high. We don’t know the situation clearly; we know nothing. We can only adopt a conservative approach and guard the area.”
Zhou You thought for a moment and said, “We still don’t know what the inner forbidden shrine really is.”
“Why are you eavesdropping here? Last time, I had things to do and spared you, but you still dare to come back.”
The Flying Tiger King approached Black Moon as Li Xintian and Zhou You were talking, licking his tiger paw without even glancing at Black Moon.
“T-this...”
Black Moon, realizing she had been discovered, stammered and could not utter a word. The Flying Tiger King was someone who even Master Zhao Longjie would have to show his abilities to confront.
“I’ll send you to them.”
The Flying Tiger King looked at Black Moon, who was still speechless, then suddenly darted forward, grabbed her in his mouth, and threw her toward Li Xintian.
“Ah!”
Black Moon let out a long scream.
Li Xintian was still pondering countermeasures, completely unaware that an object was falling from the sky.
“What is that?”
Only when Black Moon was nearly upon him did Li Xintian snap back to reality, looking up to see a dark shadow flying rapidly toward him. Before he could react, it collided with him, and both tumbled to the ground.
“Hmm!”
Li Xintian’s eyes widened. It was a woman, kissing him—well, she was kissing his palm.
Black Moon’s eyes also widened, her heartbeat racing so quickly that Li Xintian could hear it. The air grew quiet, thick with killing intent.
“Oops, my mistake. I thought you could catch her.”
The Flying Tiger King appeared beside Hu Qiuyan with a somewhat malicious grin, baring his tiger teeth as if laughing.
“Red Tiger, what’s going on here? If you don’t explain, I won’t hesitate to beat you up.”
Li Xintian quickly pushed Black Moon away and stood up, his face awkward.
“I caught her because she was sneaking around suspiciously. Last time she was sneaky too, and this time I caught her red-handed.”
Hearing the threat of a beating, the Flying Tiger King shrank his tiger neck and told the truth. Hu Qiuyan saw Black Moon kissing Li Xintian’s palm, and the killing intent immediately vanished. But jealousy was unavoidable, and she absentmindedly stroked the Flying Tiger King’s fur.
“Black Moon, why are you acting so secretive? If you came openly, Master wouldn’t have said anything.”
Zhou You already knew Black Moon had been here once before. This was her second time, and she’d been caught red-handed, his tone tinged with reproach.
“Master, I’m sorry.”
Black Moon quickly stood up, her face as red as an apple, bowing her head, afraid to meet Zhou You’s gaze. She knew Zhou You did not suspect her but was chastising her for sneaking around, giving her a way out.
“Master, I never thought my senior uncle would take in such a beautiful junior sister. But now, I guess I have no chance. Is it that only the powerful get beauties? Looks like I have to work harder to learn the Dao.”
That night had been too dark for Bian Yiyuan to see Black Moon clearly. He might have been looking at Hu Qiuyan instead. Now that he had clarity, he felt hopeless and silently vowed to diligently study Daoist arts. Little did he know, in the future he would become Li Xintian’s best friend and the first to ascend to immortality.
“Alright, as long as you’ve explained and you’re one of us, there’s no problem. But next time, don’t do this again.”
Li Xintian naturally understood boundaries and respected Zhou You’s stance; he couldn’t embarrass him. He spoke up from the side, not forgetting to kick the Flying Tiger King’s thigh. The Flying Tiger King felt wronged but was secretly delighted, his expression perfectly staged.
“What are you complaining about? Believe it or not, I’ll beat you up!”
Li Xintian knew the Flying Tiger King was acting and grabbed his cheek. Spittle touched the tiger’s face, but Li Xintian knew how happy the tiger was inside.
“No, no!”
The Flying Tiger King quickly spoke, still amused.
“Do it once more, and I won’t hesitate to beat you.”
Li Xintian released his grip.
“Hehe!”
The Flying Tiger King scratched Li Xintian’s cheek with his paw, chuckling, causing Li Xintian’s expression to darken.
Black Moon blushed, lowering her head even further.
“Black Moon, has your master’s injury healed?”
Zhou You, knowing the matter with Black Moon was settled, changed the subject to Zhao Longjie’s condition.
“Master, my master is halfway recovered and is now using magic to heal. He sent me here to check on the situation because there were so many demons just now.”
Recalling her master Zhao Longjie’s words, Black Moon dared not speak openly and lied.
“Hmm, that’s good. It’s already resolved. You can go back and report to your master, and let him rest well.”
Zhou You nodded, signaling Black Moon to leave quickly and take care of Zhao Longjie.
“Yes, Master.”
Black Moon naturally dared not linger, feeling extremely awkward. She turned and jumped away from the mortuary.
Bian Yiyuan raised his hand to wave, but Black Moon left without a glance. His face flushed with embarrassment. Looking around, thankfully no one saw. However, the Flying Tiger King saw it and grinned, as if mocking him. Bian Yiyuan hurriedly lowered his hand, utterly embarrassed.
“Daoist Zhou, it’s getting late. We should leave and discuss strategies thoroughly tomorrow.”
Li Xintian, ever mindful of survival, did not look at Black Moon or even glance back as he left. Instead, he faced Zhou You and cupped his fists.
“Alright, take care.”
Zhou You bowed respectfully.
Li Xintian grabbed the Flying Tiger King’s fur, who was laughing gleefully, and lifted him into the air.
“Let go of my fur! I have four legs and can walk myself!”
The Flying Tiger King kicked his legs in the air, protesting.
Li Xintian ignored him and continued holding him up.
“Daoist Zhou, I’m leaving now.”
Hu Qiuyan gave a slight bow and followed Li Xintian.
“Master, let’s also go rest. I’m so tired.”
Bian Yi yawned.
“Alright, let’s rest.”
Zhou You nodded and led the way. “Bian Yi, go to sleep. Bian Yiyuan, come here—I have something to say to you.”
“Yes, Master.”
Bian Yiyuan followed Zhou You, leaving Bian Yi alone, scratching his head, puzzled about what the master wanted with Bian Yiyuan. Unable to figure it out, fatigue overcame him, and he went back to his room to sleep.
“Yiyuan, do you understand why I called you here?”
Zhou You sat cross-legged on the bed, looking at Bian Yiyuan.
“Master, I don’t understand and have no idea what it’s about.”
Bian Yiyuan looked bewildered.
“Sigh, you’re hopeless. I don’t mean to dampen your spirits, but love is a hard challenge. It’s best to avoid it. Besides, do you know who Li Xintian is? He has a demon fox by his side; they’re all his people. That’s why I told your senior uncle not to act against her.”
Zhou You sighed.
“Master, I’ve already made up my mind. I want to study Daoist magic diligently.”
Hearing Zhou You’s words, Bian Yiyuan expressed his determination.
“Good, you truly are a fine disciple. I will teach you everything I know!”
Zhou You was delighted to hear Bian Yiyuan’s decision and stood up, patting his shoulder before laughing heartily. But Bian Yiyuan’s next words stopped his laughter.
“Master, I must surpass you. Only then will I have the right to pursue the one I like!”
Bian Yiyuan smiled and nodded firmly.
“Alright, go to sleep now.”
Zhou You was stunned by Bian Yuan’s words, quickly gathering himself and speaking expressionlessly.
“Alright, Master, I’m going to sleep now.”
Bian Yiyuan said excitedly and left Zhou You’s room.
“Sigh, what a mess.”
After Bian Yiyuan left, Zhou You sat cross-legged on the bed, helplessly muttering before continuing his cultivation.
Meanwhile, Li Xintian’s side.
“How do you feel? Isn’t it wonderful?”
Hu Qiuyan said sourly.
“Isn’t it so?”
Li Xintian embraced Hu Qiuyan, kissed her lightly, and said this. He knew she was jealous but warned her not to speak recklessly—the more she said, the worse it would be. There was a clip on a certain video platform that Li Xintian had seen but had seemingly been poisoned by it.
Outside the Chen Family Village ancestral hall, several strong men lay sprawled on the ground. The gate to the inner forbidden shrine had already been opened.