Fox Dies, Head Faces the Mound

In the midst of widespread panic, an aged voice suddenly rang out.

"Fellow Daoist, your skills are impressive, and this humble priest admires you! However, the clay idol and foolish wood have been severed; why not stop here?"

The aged voice, like a divine needle stabilizing the sea, quelled the unease in the hall.

Everyone looked towards the source of the sound and discovered that the speaker was none other than the mysterious old Daoist priest invited by County Lieutenant Qiao.

"Fellow Daoist, you have guarded the Jiazi cycle solely to slay the fox spirit with your sword. This priest also admires you greatly! Since you have spoken, today's matter shall conclude here! A hundred years from now, you may seek me out for a drink and good conversation!"

Xuan Yun the Daoist Boy slightly raised his head, extending the invitation.

"It would be my utmost honor, and I will gladly accept!"

Old Daoist Priest Yanzhen cupped his hands.

As the sound faded, Xuan Yun the Daoist Boy sheathed his sword. The three-foot-long blade was now without its edge.

Simultaneously, County Lieutenant Qiao, who had been howling with his head in his hands, also fell silent as the sword was returned to its sheath.

He scrambled to his feet, his face filled with terror, frantically touching his head with both hands as if to confirm. Only when he found his head intact did he breathe a sigh of relief.

"Thank you, Daoist Master, for saving my life!"

County Lieutenant Qiao bowed to Old Daoist Priest Yanzhen, his face still pale with lingering fear. His gaze instinctively flickered towards Xuan Yun the Daoist Boy in the hall.

At this moment, Xuan Yun the Daoist Boy seemed to awaken from a dream, gesturing with a bewildered expression, as if trying to draw the vanished immortal sword from the void once more.

The sight sent shivers down County Lieutenant Qiao's spine, his soul trembling with fright.

He was truly terrified.

Everything that had just happened was etched in his memory.

He distinctly felt his head fall as the immortal sword slashed through the void.

Fear and unease instantly filled his heart.

It was as if his mind was clouded by greed, or like a drowning man, he could only desperately struggle, searching for his head, all reason cast aside.

"County Lieutenant, you are too kind. Fu Luan Ancestor merely severed your foolish nature; what talk is there of saving your life?"

Mo Chuan, having returned to Old Daoist Priest Yanzhen's body, said with a serious expression.

—The conversation between Xuan Yun the Daoist Boy and Old Daoist Priest Yanzhen just now was his own performance, controlling two bodies with one soul!

"Ah? This, this..."

County Lieutenant Qiao stared with his mouth agape. After a long moment, he finally reacted, his face showing sudden enlightenment:

"Thank you for your guidance, Daoist Master. Your subordinate now feels his mind is sharp and his perception as clear as a mirror! It seems I have misunderstood Fu Luan Ancestor!"

"Since the misunderstanding is resolved, this old priest feels weary and will take his leave now."

County Lieutenant Qiao dared not let Mo Chuan leave and quickly said, "I will escort you, Daoist Master."

With that, he hurried over and helped Mo Chuan to his feet.

As they reached the center of the hall, County Lieutenant Qiao looked at Xuan Yun the Daoist Boy, who seemed still immersed in the profound mystery of spirit possession, and couldn't help but tremble uncontrollably, not even daring to look directly at the boy.

He could only pretend to support Mo Chuan and leave the hall under the complex gazes of the crowd.

After County Lieutenant Qiao departed, the remaining officials, both high and low, also dispersed.

The wandering martial artists couldn't stay put either, fearing that Fu Luan Temple might seek retribution later. They all scrambled out as if their pants were on fire, pushing and shoving each other.

In an instant, only a few people remained in the vast hall.

"Master of Fu Luan Temple, I apologize for the offense just now. Please forgive me!"

The Master of Tianling Temple had not left.

He walked up to Old Daoist Priest Fu Luan with a complex expression and bowed in apology.

"It is nothing! My young disciple spoke carelessly, and it is understandable to have doubts!"

Old Daoist Priest Fu Luan stroked his beard and replied magnanimously, "Xuan Yun, why don't you come and pay your respects to the Master of Tianling Temple!"

"Yes, Master."

Xuan Yun the Daoist Boy responded and walked over, looking somewhat unsatisfied, and bowed, "Ling Xiaozi, greetings to the Master of Tianling Temple!"

Ling Xiaozi was Xuan Yun's Daoist name.

As for "Xuan Yun," it was his Daoist moniker, which only his master could use.

Of course, he also had a secular name.

However, that secular name had long since vanished after he embarked on the path of Fu Luan Temple.

The Master of Tianling Temple looked at the young-faced Daoist boy before him, who had commanded the situation with immense power just moments ago, his expression filled with complex envy and deep emotion:

"Fu Luan has gained Ling Xiaozi, it is like ascending to the magnificent halls of the spirit realm!"

"Hahaha..."

Old Daoist Priest Fu Luan couldn't help but burst into laughter, "You flatter me, fellow Daoist. It is all thanks to the protection of our Ancestor!"

Besides the Master of Tianling Temple, the abbot of a Buddhist temple near Qingshui County also approached to offer congratulations.

This wasn't so much about having a broad mind;

Rather, after this incident, it was inevitable that the Fu Luan Temple would rise!

If they didn't seize the opportunity to ease the conflict now, it would be difficult to do so once the Fu Luan Temple grew powerful.

And indeed, that's how it happened.

The very next morning, County Lieutenant Qiao brought his family to visit the Fu Luan Temple on the mountain, openly stating the temple's poverty and donating ten taels of silver.

He then led his female relatives to pay respects to the Fu Luan Ancestor for blessings, and made private donations as well, though the exact amounts were unknown.

Once this news spread, it immediately attracted visits from officials of all levels in Qingshui County.

In a short time, countless people made donations.

The long-neglected mountain path of the Fu Luan Temple was trampled until it shone like new, and incense smoke curled ceaselessly from the censer in the main hall.

From a distance, it resembled a celestial realm, with clouds and mist swirling, and purple qi permeating the air.

At the same time, the matter of the Fu Luan Temple summoning immortals through spirit writing also spread with the departure of people from all walks of life.

And the narrators, in order to showcase themselves, couldn't help but embellish their stories, resulting in several different versions.

However, no matter which version it was, none could avoid the fact that "the Fu Luan Temple summoned immortals through spirit writing, borrowed the heavenly sword, and used it to slay the county lieutenant Mu Yu."

In some more exaggerated rumors circulating among the populace, it was even rumored that Magistrate Qin was killed by the Fu Luan Ancestor.

This was a punishment for corrupt officials, acting on Heaven's behalf!

County Lieutenant Qiao was spared because he was not the main culprit.

In any case, regardless of the version, with so many people swearing they had witnessed it firsthand, it was hard not to believe.

This cast a halo around the Fu Luan Temple and also sowed the seeds for its future prosperity in the hearts of the people.

After Mo Chuan departed, County Lieutenant Qiao could not stop inquiring about the Fu Luan Ancestor.

Mo Chuan offered a few ambiguous hints, and County Lieutenant Qiao seemed to ponder them.

The next day, he made his visit.

After advising County Lieutenant Qiao, Mo Chuan took his leave.

He stated frankly that he had been guarding the desolate mountain for a long time, and his time was short. Today, as he descended the mountain, before returning to his sect, he only wished to experience the mortal world's vitality and to confess his sins to his sect.

County Lieutenant Qiao's attempts to keep him were in vain, so he immediately sent someone to find a delivery escort team to accompany Mo Chuan.

"Daoist priest, where are you headed?"

The escort leader, known by the nickname Huayin Flying Tiger, Luo Feibai, cupped his fists and bowed.

He was a dark-faced man of about forty, with a fierce and intimidating appearance, broad shoulders, and a sturdy build.

"Yunji Temple of Xishan City!"

"Oh, Daoist priest, that's quite a distance."

"We'll take our time, we'll get there eventually."

Mo Chuan said with a sigh.

This Yunji Temple was the sect of Old Daoist Priest Yanzhen, and it was about three hundred li from Qingshui County. In this era, it would take at least eight or nine days to reach it.

Speaking of which, people's thoughts truly change from day to day.

He had originally intended to spend his remaining days in Qingshui County, but after witnessing the Fu Luan disciples, he suddenly recalled the dying words of Old Daoist Priest Yanzhen.

Feeling a pang of emotion, he decided to escort Old Daoist Priest Yanzhen back to his sect, feeling it was the least he could do for borrowing his body.

If he could also use this opportunity to enter the Dao and cultivate some Daoist magic, that would be even better.

"Here are five taels of silver, consider it your fare, layman. Please accept it." Mo Chuan said, paying the fare in advance.

"Daoist priest, you are too kind! You flatter us!"

Luo Feibai was quite alarmed at this. This Daoist priest was an honored guest of the county lieutenant; how could he dare to accept so much money?

"Layman, please listen to this poor Daoist's words. This Daoist's life is drawing to a close. If my mortal shell remains in the carriage, I hope you will deliver my remains to the mountain gate." Mo Chuan said.

Upon hearing this, Luo Feibai no longer refused.

The next day, as County Lieutenant Qiao and his family visited the Fu Luan Temple, Huayin Flying Tiger Luo Feibai also led his escort team out of Qingshui, heading towards Xishan.

This escort was a large one, with three flatbed carts filled with goods, and besides those, there was Mo Chuan's carriage.

In fact, the escort agency was escorting Mo Chuan as a favor.

Their ultimate destination was not Xishan City, but Changlan City!

However, Changlan City was not far from Xishan City, so an extra day or two of travel wouldn't matter.