The meal had actually been rather gloomy. Afterward, Master and I returned to the shop together.
Master kept a somber expression, and I said to him,
"Master, I'm going to Pine and Crane Mountain Cemetery later to retrieve the crystal with the demon hide."
Master nodded.
"Don't drive after drinking. Take a taxi."
"I know. Grandma Cloud White said last time that as long as I bring her the demon hide, not only will she give me the crystal, she'll also let me choose any five kinds of medicine.
What medicines does she have there? Can I choose freely?"
After hearing that, Master thought for a moment.
"Longevity Fruit, black medicine, Red Flame Candle, Evil-Repelling Powder..."
But as he spoke, Master's expression suddenly changed.
"What? She said you could choose anything?"
I nodded.
"Yeah! She said I could choose any five kinds."
Master drew in a sharp breath.
"Don't take any of those five yin medicines. Ask Yunbai Old Lady for only one thing."
"One thing?"
"That's right, only one thing. And don't ask for it—borrow it. Have her lend you the cat's tail..."
"The cat's tail? You can borrow something like that?"
I was surprised and confused.
Grandma Cloud White had become half demon, half human because she had eaten the demon core of her cat-demon lover.
She had remained in the Spirit Illusion Ghost Domain, accumulating yin lifespan and blessings.
Without ever encountering yang energy, she had survived until now.
If she had a cat's tail!
Then it was either her lover's, or one that had grown from her own body...
Master nodded.
"Of course you can't casually borrow someone else's tail.
But since you're bringing her the demon hide, borrow it if you can.
It'll be of great use. Seven days will be enough.
If you can