The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror
Chapter 117 - 79 Demon Trail_3

Chapter 117: Chapter 79 Demon Trail_3

"Indeed..."

King Lin continued, "But rashly approaching the Golden Ray Monastery, they wouldn’t believe us. Hence, we need to find an intermediary. My brother, Mr. Xu, is quite familiar with the Golden Ray Monastery. Niu Peng, this time you should deliver the letter, and ask on my behalf how Mr. Xu feels."

King Lin had also received the news that the Officials wanted to eliminate bandits, so he made preparations early on. He used this opportunity to test what Xu Qing’s intentions really were.

If Xu Qing also intended to annihilate Qixia Mountain, then he would give up; rather than holding back, he would take people directly to the mountain, and if they did not comply, he would pay respects at their graves next year.

If Xu Qing was willing to continue cooperating, then the Three-tailed Black Fox could naturally be shared with him.

Having the spirit blood of the Three-tailed Black Fox, he could also heal the hidden injuries of his internal organs and peek into higher levels of martial arts.

Unfortunately, if he had the resources of the Great Zen Temple, he could have started Refining Internal by now, ensuring he has the combat power of his prime years when he was fifty or sixty.

Muscle Training and Bone Training were just the basics in the path of Martial Arts. Only by Refining Internal and changing blood, could one truly enter the profound levels of Martial Arts and become a genuine cultivator, gradually distinguishing oneself from ordinary people.

However, the path of cultivation becomes increasingly difficult as one progresses, with each small step forward requiring immense hardship.

The experience is indescribable to those who have not felt it personally.

Upon receiving King Lin’s order, Niu Peng descended the mountain to look for Xu Qing in the town.

His natural talent was extraordinary; even after his skills were crippled, and after a period of recuperation, he could still move normally.

However, after his muscles and bones were injured, it was difficult for him to exhibit his original strength.

Having lost his martial prowess, he had, in a way, come to terms with it. In the quiet of the night, he could focus his Heart Power to mobilize his Qi-Blood and nourish his body.

Furthermore, without his martial skills, he didn’t need to look after the head of the household in his old age.

Speaking of which, he still had to thank Xu Qing.

Otherwise, as a man like him, he might have eventually fallen at the hands of some expert challenging King Lin in the mountain.

In the worldly society, martial skills are a tool for making a name, but also a deadly weapon.

...

...

"Three-tailed Black Fox?" Xu Qing read the letter, then looked up at Niu Peng.

Although the matter was quite novel, Xu Qing was not surprised; after all, his own experiences were enough to prove that such bizarre and ghostly things existed in the world.

"It turns out that when my aunt mentioned thieves stealing chickens in the town half a year ago, it was the Three-tailed Black Fox. And that fox laughter I heard before also seems related to that black fox. Was it the Golden Ray Monastery catching the black fox at that time?"

"Back then my Divine Soul was already much stronger than ordinary people, so I noticed it."

Xu Qing recalled seeing the light that day, which must have been an illusion inadvertently sensed by his Divine Soul.

Thus, ordinary people couldn’t see it, but he "saw" it.

Cultivating and utilizing the Divine Soul naturally consumes a lot of Qi-Blood.

The Three-tailed Black Fox was forced down the mountain by Black Wind Village, so it fled to town to steal turkeys to replenish its Qi-Blood, and was noticed by the Golden Ray Monastery.

"But how does a demon cultivate its Divine Soul, instinct?" Xu Qing felt it was not so simple. If the instinct of animals and wild beasts could cultivate the Divine Soul, then demons would become more in mountains and great marshes because of their enormous numbers and vast living spaces.

"There must be some insider details I’m unaware of."

Xu Qing was more interested in how the Three-tailed Black Fox cultivated its Divine Soul rather than its spirit meat or spirit blood.

He even suspected whether the Three-tailed Black Fox had some cultivation technique for the Divine Soul.

Indeed, Su Lianqing also had one, but Xu Qing dared not practice the Luo Sect’s Divine Soul cultivation method. This was different from contemplating the Five Great Demons.

The Five Great Demons was an inheritance of the Lotus Sect, inclined towards Daoist skills, a combat skill within the Path of Divine Soul.

Whereas Su Lianqing’s Divine Soul cultivation method involved venerating the "Eternal Mother" to enhance the Divine Soul Power, it had loopholes - if encountered by higher-ups from the Luo Sect, one would naturally be suppressed.

Moreover, in terms of the strength of the Divine Soul, Su Lianqing was not even comparable to Xu Qing.

Compared to that, Xu Qing preferred to seek advice from Elder Fang.

But the status of the other party was too high, Xu Qing was afraid that consulting Elder Fang would expose the secret of the bronze mirror, so he did not act rashly.

Now, the matter of the Three-tailed Black Fox presented an opportunity.

If the Three-tailed Black Fox had a unique cultivation method for him to reference, it would naturally be beneficial. Even if not, he could still drink its spirit blood and eat its spirit meat to strengthen his own foundation.

Meanwhile, Xu Qing deciphered the hidden thoughts of King Lin. The Heavenly King was testing the waters on the matter of bandit suppression.

Xu Qing’s thoughts flashed, and he said, "The high monk Fayue of the Golden Ray Monastery and I have a relationship beyond conventional bounds. I can request his assistance. After I arrange a meeting, I will send someone up the mountain to inform you all."

Niu Peng felt relieved and replied, "Then I’ll return to report."

Xu Qing smiled and said, "No hurry, I have one more message for you to take back to your leader."

"Please speak."

"My relationship with Lin, the leader, is sincere. We would not do anything harmful to others or ourselves; you can reassure him."

"Good, I’ll remember that."

Xu Qing sent Niu Peng off, then rode his Fire Cloud Horse to the Government to find Guard Wang and Guard Ma.

He explained his purpose and asked the two guards if they knew about a demon like the Three-tailed Black Fox.

"A fox growing three tails is not very rare. Our Great Zen Temple once sealed a thousand-year-old Black Fox King, but it escaped later. Only after a great sacrifice were we able to capture and suppress it again," replied Guard Wang.

"Your temple couldn’t kill the Black Fox King?"

"The physical body of the Black Fox King was slain, but it mastered a powerful Evil Technique and transformed into an Evil God. Our temple could only suppress it but couldn’t eradicate it completely. However, it’s been a long time, and there have been no incidents of the Black Fox King breaking the seal for hundreds of years. It’s probably dissipated," replied Guard Wang.

These tales were passed down from the elders within his temple, though he personally had never seen a real demon.

Since Xu Qing asked, he naturally shared what he knew.

Xu Qing nodded, "It’s rare to encounter such demons anyway. But I still need help from the two of you for the matter of the Three-tailed Black Fox."

"Master Gongming, you’re too polite. Just command us," Guard Wang patted his chest.

Naturally, Xu Qing had to prepare thoroughly for hunting a fox at Qixia Mountain, to avoid being unprepared and potentially becoming the hunted.

One must be extra cautious when dealing with worldly society.

If your party is large, others will think twice about harboring ill intentions.

If you are few, even those without bad intentions might suddenly get ideas.

It’s not necessary to draw the sword, but one must possess it.

This has always been Xu Qing’s style of conduct.

Moreover, he invited Guard Wang and Guard Ma to accompany to Golden Ray Monastery, also to show the monks there his connections. Both guards being his sworn brothers kind of relationship.

It was to give the monks of the Golden Ray Monastery some peace of mind.

Additionally, Guard Wang and the others had a connection through incense burning relationship with Great Zen Temple, serving as the link between both parties.

This matter, Xu Qing also planned to share some benefits with Guard Wang and the others.

The saying goes, together we grow stronger.

This is also how a gentleman should act.

Those righteous receive assistance, those unrighteous lose support, and those without any principle receive no help at all.

Xu Qing rode his Fire Cloud Horse, with Guards Wang and Ma galloping out of the city, heading towards the Golden Ray Monastery.

The welcoming monk, upon hearing Xu Qing’s visit, promptly informed the abbot.

Soon after, the mountain gate opened wide, and nine bell tolls resonated throughout the monastery.

This was the highest form of hospitality in Golden Ray Monastery!