Chapter 17: The Trouble of the Tushan Clan

After all these arrangements, Xu Xuan had gained a tremendous advantage. As for the old turtle, barring any accidents, he could easily live for thousands more years. If the oath truly held, Xu Xuan would instantly extend his lifespan by countless years.

After the ritual of sworn brotherhood, Xu Xuan learned the old turtle’s name: Yuan Hua.

As the eldest, Yuan Hua was generous. He reached into his robe and produced a thumb-sized piece of turtle shell, offering it to Xu Xuan.

The shell was crystal clear, pure white like warm jade, emitting a faint spiritual glow—a treasure at first glance.

“This is a shell I shed five hundred years ago. I have refined it for years; in moments of crisis, it may protect you.”

Hearing that this artifact could save his life at a critical moment, Xu Xuan gratefully accepted it without hesitation.

With that, the bond between man and monster deepened further.

Xu Xuan insisted on heading to Western Mountain, and Yuan Hua’s face showed concern.

“Brother, Western Mountain has been restless lately. It’s said the princess of the Tu Mountain fox clan is to be married, and her suitor is a great demon from Black Cloud Mountain, two hundred li away.”

“That demon’s cultivation is profound, so much so that even I would steer clear. If you encounter the wedding procession, do not provoke them. Avoid them at all costs.”

Xu Xuan nodded and promised, “Rest assured, elder brother. If I come across the procession, I’ll keep my distance.”

Yuan Hua was still uneasy and reminded him again, “Brother, you carry an aura of rich fortune, which draws monsters to you. The journey through Western Mountain will be perilous; you must be cautious.”

With those words, Yuan Hua dove once more into the water, sending up ripples before vanishing.

Leaving Green Ripple Lake, Xu Xuan continued on his way. After some time, he finally arrived at the foot of Western Mountain.

Xu Xuan’s parents were buried at the mountain’s base. He first swept their tombs and made offerings, then proceeded to a small temple nearby.

The temple was somewhat dilapidated and bore the name ‘Northern Abyss’.

Originally, Northern Abyss Temple was watched over by a single old monk. With age catching up to him, he took in an orphan disciple to pass on his teachings, lest the temple’s incense be extinguished.

Each year, when Xu Xuan came to pay respects to his parents, he would also burn incense at the temple and stay a night, gradually becoming familiar with the old monk.

Upon arriving, Xu Xuan first made offerings to the Buddha, then gave the old monk some oil money, preparing to lodge there for the night.

He intended to rest and recover before venturing up the mountain to hunt monsters the next day. Of course, he also wished to inquire about the direction of Dragon Roar Pool.

His cousin, Huang of the Waves, was still waiting to be rescued and to reclaim his lair.

Once Xu Xuan learned the way from the old monk, his worries eased.

Unbeknownst to him, dusk had fallen. Xu Xuan stayed in a side hall, lighting a lamp.

Mountain winds howled, rattling the windows. Wild grass grew thick outside the hall, dead leaves carpeting the ground, lending the place a desolate air.

Northern Abyss Temple had once enjoyed a steady stream of incense offerings, but recent years saw frequent monster troubles on Western Mountain. Some worshippers were even harmed, and soon no one dared visit, leaving the temple ever more rundown.

“Benefactor, this humble monk brings you some plain noodles.”

Footsteps sounded, and a young monk approached Xu Xuan with a bowl of noodles, smiling warmly.

“Thank you, little master.”

Xu Xuan accepted the noodles, pressed his hands together, and thanked the young monk.

After the monk departed, Xu Xuan ate. Though lacking meat, the noodles were satisfying.

By the time he finished, darkness had fully settled.

The wind howled, and from deep within the mountain came shrill cries—like wolves, like foxes—sending chills down his spine.

A moonless night, fierce winds, deep mountains, ancient temple, cries of foxes, wolves, and night owls—all painted a scene of terror.

Xu Xuan stepped into the courtyard. Suddenly, a cry sounded behind him and a shadow flashed past, making his hair stand on end.

He fixed his gaze and saw it was a snow-white little fox.

The fox’s left forepaw bore a scar, clearly the mark of an old wound.

“Are you... Snow of Tu Mountain?”

Xu Xuan asked uncertainly.

“Hehe, I didn’t expect my benefactor to still remember me.”

The white little fox spoke in a clear, sweet voice.

“How did you come to be here?” Xu Xuan’s face showed a hint of confusion.

“It’s a long story,” the white fox sighed, her expression turning sorrowful.

“Are you in trouble?”

“Indeed. If things aren’t handled well, my Tu Mountain clan could face utter destruction.”

The white fox nodded. Xu Xuan felt a chill as a beautiful shadow appeared before him.

It was the little white fox’s spirit stepping out of her body.

By lamplight, Xu Xuan saw a girl in a snow-white dress, skin fair as snow, slender and graceful.

She was seventeen or eighteen, naturally alluring and delicate, breathtakingly beautiful—her beauty almost suffocating.

By the light, she appeared all the more peerless.

Snow of Tu Mountain revealed her form, bowed to Xu Xuan with elegance and charm.

Xu Xuan admired her stunning figure, now understanding why beauties were called ‘fox spirits’ in ancient tales—they truly could steal one’s soul.

“Quick, tell me—what trouble threatens your clan with destruction?”

Xu Xuan invited Snow of Tu Mountain into the side hall, speaking softly.

“Ah!…”

Before she could speak, tears as large as beans rolled down her cheeks.

“Benefactor, you may not know—my cousin is the princess of the Tu Mountain clan. She bears the yin spirit within her, making her the perfect vessel for certain great demons.”

“Long ago, the Ancestor of Black Cloud declared he would take her into his harem. Recently, his cultivation hit a bottleneck and he urgently needs the yin spirit to break through.”

“He sent a wedding procession to bring our princess to Black Cloud Mountain. If she’s used as a vessel, she will almost certainly die.”

“The Ancestor of Black Cloud is a demon immortal of a thousand years. Even if the Fox King cannot bear to part with his daughter, he has no choice but to accept.”

“But the Fox Queen, out of motherly love, secretly let the princess escape. If the wedding procession arrives and can’t find her, the Ancestor’s fury will be terrible.”

“I ask my benefactor to help my Tu Mountain clan through this crisis.”

Hearing the story, Xu Xuan frowned.

Earlier that day, the old turtle had warned him not to cross the wedding procession of the Ancestor of Black Cloud.

That demon was a thousand-year monster, unfathomably powerful—not someone Xu Xuan could contend with.

Yet now the little white fox sought his help—if he refused, it would seem heartless. But if he helped, he might end up losing his life.

Snow of Tu Mountain, knowing the difficulty, quickly added, “If benefactor can save my clan, we will reward you with one hundred taels of red gold.”

“One hundred taels of red gold!?”

“Absolutely!”

Seeing her nod in affirmation, Xu Xuan hesitated again.

Such a sum was a windfall beyond imagination!

It’s not that Xu Xuan wasn’t afraid to die—just that the reward was simply too much.

There are times one cannot forgo profit for the sake of mere survival.

One tael of red gold could be exchanged for twenty taels of silver; one hundred taels meant two thousand taels of silver.

To put it in perspective, Xu Xuan’s brother-in-law, Lin Luo, as a constable earned only fifteen taels a month. Two thousand taels would suffice for Lin Luo to live for years without want.

With that money, Xu Xuan could buy ten dazzlingly beautiful girls to warm his bed.