Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 0
Chapter Title: The Fox and the Azure Goat
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Chen Shi's heart was filled with unease.
He held a simple conviction: if Grandpa was an evil, then as his grandson, he must surely be a spirit as well.
But I'm a spirit? How could I not know?
He suppressed his strange thoughts and followed Grandpa into the abandoned mansion.
The mansion was dim and desolate, yet moonlight streamed in from the sky. Wherever it touched, the place transformed in an instant—lamps aglow, wine flowing, countless graceful girls weaving through the halls. Some carried flower baskets, others bore exquisite delicacies, their coquettish laughter ringing out as they prepared a grand banquet.
Moments later, Chen Shi and Grandpa sat in the opulent main hall, gleaming with gold and jade.
Grandpa still clutched his green umbrella. In the seat of honor lounged a burly man with a topknot, his chest bared, flanked by wives and concubines.
"Chen Yindu, you're not here to slay evils and spirits, are you?"
The topknotted brute chuckled indifferently.
"I've become a spirit, true enough, but I never cause trouble. Only if someone provokes me do I kill."
"You've got no cause to strike at me."
Grandpa shook his head.
"Old Hu, I'm not here to kill you. I'm here to ask a favor."
"Little Ten, greet Uncle Hu."
Chen Shi spoke sweetly.
"Hello, Uncle Hu. Your nephew pays his respects."
The topknotted brute snorted, clearly displeased with Chen Shi.
Grandpa smiled.
"Old Hu, I'm getting on in years. I won't last much longer. This time, I want Little Ten to take you as his godmother."
"Become his godmother, and Little Ten will honor you—daily incense, festival offerings. No more lonely wild ghost for you, haunting this place."
The burly bearded man’s face darkened at the words. He sneered.
"Old Chen, reviving him? I admire the feat."
"But you've brought disaster upon yourself! You did me a favor once, and I repaid it saving him. My fox clan risked everything back then! Now you send him to call me godmother? Repaying kindness with enmity—trying to get me killed?"
Grandpa let out a sigh.
"Old Hu, I'm dying soon. After I go, Little Ten won't survive."
"Kill him then! Finish him before you die!"
The burly man slammed the table, spittle flying as he ranted wildly.
"You're on your last legs—why leave him alive to plague the world? Chen Yindu, end him now, and I'll call you a true man!"
Chen Shi's mind reeled.
Old Hu and Grandpa went way back, even risking their lives together to save him once.
Yet Old Hu's "kill him" clearly meant Chen Shi himself!
Why save him then, only to demand his death now?
From the tone, it was clear: after Grandpa died, Chen Shi would wreak havoc on the world.
But Chen Shi knew better—he'd never bring chaos.
How kind was he, really?
He could've thrashed the villagers into submission, forcing them to hand over food. Instead, he snuck around stealing melons and peaches, never lifting a hand against them.
To protect Huangpo Village, how many had he slain?
Second Miss Zhao and hundreds more, tricked into the Ghost God Domain, turned to porcelain dolls—he could've smashed them all.
But he hadn't. What mercy!
A man so kind could never doom the world.
Besides, he lacked the power.
What infuriated Chen Shi most: Old Hu thought Grandpa should do the deed himself.
Clearly implying Grandpa's great sin was reviving Chen Shi!
Absurd!
What sort of worthless drinking buddy was this?
Grandpa's face fell. He rose and headed out.
Old Hu called after him.
"Night's fallen outside—no fear of spirits? Stay for a bite."
"Otherwise, old friends will mock my lack of hospitality."
"You're really going? Safe travels, then."
Fine words, but his rear stayed glued to the chair.
Grandpa waved him off and strode from the abandoned mansion.
Chen Shi whistled for Blackie Pot and hurried after.
Old Hu remained seated, his expression flickering. No taste left for delicacies or concubines.
A dainty, fair-skinned concubine nestled against him, giggling.
"What's troubling you, master?"
"Who else? Chen Yindu."
Old Hu sighed, self-reproach heavy in his voice.
"He's bullheaded all his life, never begged a soul. First time he does, and I turn him down. Can't shake the guilt."
"Begging me... it took me back to our glory days. He always treated me square."
"Before I died, I told him: if I turn evil, kill me yourself."
"He's iron-willed—could set aside brotherhood, end me clean. Spare the world my harm."
He broke into a grin.
"But I woke from the haze, mind intact. Living here like any man."
"Know what he did?"
He leaped up, wild with emotion, sleeves flaring as he bellowed.
"He poured his life's fortune into it—every treasure he'd hoarded, every scrap of knowledge—to build this place!"
His sleeves swept wide. Innumerable radiant talismans and treasures shimmered to life across walls, floors, ceilings, pillars, gardens, flora, doors, bricks—everywhere—light flowing like rivers!
Tears streamed down Old Hu's face, yet he roared with laughter.
"He forged me an artificial Ghost God Domain! Let me keep my wits! Didn't slay me—gave me life! Luxury for me, poverty for him! His debt... this life, the next—I can never repay!"
The beauty frowned, puzzled.
"If it weighs on you, why refuse?"
Old Hu's tears dried in a flash. He snorted coldly.
"Can't stand how he begs."
"Lifelong lone wolf—clueless on humility."
"Struts in, plops down like 'Kneel, Old Hu—bro needs a favor.'"
"Who begs like that? When he sat there asking, I nearly slid to my knees!"
"Master's stern-faced but soft-hearted."
She giggled.
"Refused with words, agreed in spirit."
Old Hu smacked her plump, bouncy rear. His jowls quivered; terror flashed in his eyes. His head wagged like a rattle-drum.
"Kindness or no, I won't! Become Little Ten's godmother?"
Terror deepened. His voice shook.
"I can't! Really can't! Don't want dying twice—then eternal shame! Fox clan's name's mud already, spirits all. Infamy on me? Clan ruined! Won't gamble their future!"
The wooden cart bristled with peach talismans. First time Chen Shi rode clear-headed on a night road with Grandpa.
Under the moon, eerie sounds surrounded them—rustles in woods, ditches, rocky shadows. Things stirred.
Mists lunged now and then, but halted short: talismans quivered, birthing golden-armored guardians of light beside the cart, repelling the fog.
Mist fled; lights faded; guardians vanished.
Door-god seals on peach talismans warded off evils.
Spirits in the night? Talismans fell short.
"Cheep-cheep!"
Grandpa lit a lantern, summoned the black dog. Blackie Pot clamped the handle and loped ahead.
"Old Hu's good folk—a real hot-blooded soul."
Grandpa eyed his compass, silent ages before speaking.
"Timidest friend I know. Also the keenest."
"Said no to godmother, sure. But after I'm gone? He'll watch over you."
Chen Shi's eyes widened.
"Where's Grandpa headed?"
Grandpa's rough hand ruffled his hair.
"Nowhere. Always with you, Little Ten."
He chuckled.
"Just in case... you know."
The cart pressed on through blackness. Chen Shi peered out: moonlight revealed a vague figure in distant fields.
He looked sharp, heart pounding.
"Big Serpent spirit from Mystic Mountain? Trailing us?"
Grandpa halted Blackie Pot. Cart veered. Lantern bobbed—left, right, fore, aft.
Darkness' bloody eyes recoiled, scorched by the glow.
Cart twisted and turned; Chen Shi lost all bearings.
He dozed off, dreaming Grandpa vanished, frantic search—Blackie Pot's bark jolted him awake. Cart halted; moon's eyes drooped shut.
Dawn neared.
"Why here?"
Chen Shi blinked.
"Daylight."
Chen Shi sat by Grandpa, awaiting first light.
A mile ahead: ring-shaped village, houses shadowy in moonglow.
Grandpa's next friend—what?
"Another spirit."
"Night meetings? Loses control."
"Daylight? Rational enough."
Grandpa explained.
Sky split twin gashes like vast chasms. Titanic eyes cracked open, blooming into twin suns, bathing the land.
Sunup.
Sunlight normalized the wilds.
Cart rolled on, reaching the village. Ancient homes, yet folk warm and courteous—life abundant, peace thick in the air.
Chen Shi scanned: which the spirit?
Grandpa stopped beneath the village's sacred tree. Chen Shi peered: wish-tags and banners draped it, offerings and smoldering incense before.
No tree spirit's aura gathered.
Clop-clop. A blue-furred goat bounded joyfully from behind, white goatee, golden slit-pupils. It sniffed incense, reared up, snatched a villager's sugarcane tribute, and chomped.
Chen Shi gaped at the bipedal beast. Taller than Grandpa by half a head standing. It juiced the cane, spat the pulp.
Hooves? Nay—scaled claws, hooked keen and nimble, perfect for cane.
"Chen Yindu! Old Chen!"
The azure goat beamed at them, one claw sugarcane'd, the other slung over Grandpa's shoulder.
"Been ages! Heard you croaked—thrilled me no end. Seeing you bounce back? Gut-wrench. And Little Ten! Remember Uncle Azure? Babysat your pee-pee, tickled your wee-willie back when!"
Chen Shi flushed crimson, hands shielding his groin.
Azure Goat slung an arm around, chuckling.
"Old Chen, hauling Little Ten—offering him up? Makes sense. You're ancient, fading fast. Can't corral him much longer, eh? Lose grip? Tsk—bloodbath."
It bleated gleefully.
"Post-mortem? Curses galore. Perfect... Doggy! Cheep-cheep—to Uncle Yang! Old Chen's generous—gift-wrapped. Stay tonight: hotpot pup!"
Blackie Pot quaked.
Grandpa squeezed in words as the goat paused.
"I'm off soon."
Azure Goat stared, rapt—as if death imminent.
Grandpa pressed.
"Not yet."
"Hear me: far journey ahead. Little Ten needs a keeper. Old crew? You're the only fit."
"Entrust him to you."
Azure Goat clawed in glee, quivering.
"Sacrifice? Pot tonight?"
"No. His godmother."
Grandpa said.
Interest snuffed. Yawn. Cane dropped. Foreclaws down, quadruped, tail flicked lazily treeward.
"Thankless gig? Only you, Chen Yindu."
"Day: tree-god scam, incense feast. Night: spirit rampage, wicked bliss."
"Why Chen-family nursemaid? Scram!"
It growled.
"Old Chen—washed up, power peaked long ago. Irk me? Grandkid stew!"
Grandpa sighed.
"Azure Goat, world won't hold me long. Stay sharp."
"I'll dream-haunt you at the end."
Azure Goat shuddered, halted. Snorted. Head high, minced into the hollow, sneering.
"Who wants your ghost-gram?"
Grandpa, boy, and Blackie Pot departed. Tree-hollow: azure goat sobbed snot and tears.
"Damn Old Chen—die quiet! Why spill? Mum's word: perish anywhere, forgotten fortnights."
"You blab? Hands clean?"