The tree demon died.
A torrential downpour lasted for three days, with thunder and wind constantly echoing.
Ao Qing lit a fire in the room.
Xiao Qian lay on his lap, her clear eyes fixed on the puddle under the eaves.
Silver raindrops formed strings.
They splashed into the pit, exploding into small blossoms.
“A Jiu, the fire's not hot enough, add some wood.”
Ao Qing leaned against the chair back, gently playing with Xiao Qian's jade hand, and chuckled, calling out.
In a moment, a figure rushed in with firewood, looking angry.
“Adding more wood, why don't you just burn yourself to death!”
The Nine-Tailed Fox, who had been given the nickname Hu Jiu Er by Ao Qing, grumbled and added wood while complaining.
Xiao Qian rested on Ao Qing's lap, smiling sweetly.
“Sister Jiu Er, the more you do this, the more Master En Gong will want to tease you.”
Hu Jiu Er snorted, added the wood, and stayed put, squatting by the fire, warming her hands.
She wasn't actually cold, but being a fox, especially on a rainy day, she naturally preferred a dry and warm environment.
Xiao Qian tilted her head, looking at Ao Qing, her smile gentle.
“Master En Gong, I think Sister Jiu Er is trying to get your attention.”
Ao Qing stroked Xiao Qian's face, laughing heartily.
Hu Jiu Er didn't expect Xiao Qian, such a gentle and quiet woman, to make fun of her, so she pursed her lips, glaring at Xiao Qian.
Noticing the stare, Xiao Qian turned her head to face Hu Jiu Er, smiling and making a face.
Hu Jiu Er wanted to punch Xiao Qian, but she couldn't beat Ao Qing, who was beside her, so she gritted her teeth in anger.
Ao Qing glanced at the sky.
The clouds had thinned considerably, and it would probably clear up this afternoon.
He looked at Hu Jiu Er, gently saying.
“Where has the monk been superseding souls these days?”
Hu Jiu Er thought for a moment, counting on her fingers.
“The tree demon trapped seventeen thousand vengeful spirits, and the master has already superseded half of them.”
“As for those corpses buried in the Lanruo Temple grounds.”
“There are just too many. I think it's best to leave them to Heaven.”
Ao Qing pondered for a moment, shaking his head.
“That's impossible. Without the tree demon's suppression, those resentful souls will turn this place into a new graveyard, and may even threaten nearby counties.”
“The monk can't bear to see humanity in danger. He will definitely take care of everything before leaving.”
Xiao Qian knew Ao Qing's thoughts, and worriedly said.
“What if the old Tree Demon Mother regains her power, joins forces with the Black Mountain Demon, wouldn't that be a bit dangerous?”
Ao Qing stroked Xiao Qian's back, chuckling.
“The tree demon is nothing to fear, a single strike from me will be enough to kill her.”
“As for the Black Mountain Demon, I doubt he can defeat Fa Hai in one move.”
“I hope that old demon has some powerful life-saving tricks, otherwise if I chop him up in a few strokes, he won't be able to be the monk's nemesis.”
Hu Jiu Er propped her chin with her hands, watching the flickering sparks in the fire, surprised.
“Who hopes their opponent will survive?”
Ao Qing looked towards the giant form left behind by the tree demon, where there were Buddhist chants resounding, and the brilliant Buddha light even pierced through the clouds above, forming a rainless zone.
“There are. Just like me now.”
“I have a wife at home, and she has some grievances with this monk.”
“I don't want to kill this monk, but I don't want him to bother my wife either, so I need to find him an undying, annoying opponent.”
Hu Jiu Er glanced at Ao Qing with disdain, pointing at Xiao Qian, who was lying on Ao Qing's lap.
“Huh, men, you already have a wife at home, why are you looking for flowers outside?”
Before Ao Qing could speak, Xiao Qian raised her head and looked at Hu Jiu Er with disdain.
“So what if I have a wife? I'll be a concubine.”
Hu Jiu Er was speechless, and after a long silence, she nodded at Xiao Qian.
“You shameless thing, I won't argue with you.”
She looked up at Ao Qing.
“I remembered something. Do you want to make a deal?”
Ao Qing glanced at her, smiling.
“You're in my hands now, what kind of deal?”
Hu Jiu Er's momentum was immediately suppressed. After a long pause, she sighed.
“You've captured me. You won't kill me, and you don't need me to do anything. Why not let me tell you a piece of useful information, and then you can let me go.”
Ao Qing lifted Xiao Qian from his lap. With a flick of his finger, Hu Jiu Er, who was sitting across the fire, fell into his arms.
He gave her a good squeeze on her ample bosom.
He snorted with laughter.
“Didn't I just use you?”
Hu Jiu Er's face instantly turned crimson, and she jumped up, pointing at Ao Qing, speechless.
Xiao Qian giggled from the side.
After a while, Hu Jiu Er, with a red face, angrily stomped her foot, gritting her teeth.
“You're so shameless, we have no relationship, how can you do this?”
Xiao Qian raised her hand, smiling brightly.
“We do. You're Master En Gong's hostage, the kind that could die at any moment.”
Hu Jiu Er's red face darkened again, and she sat down by the fire in silence.
Ao Qing flicked a burst of magic at Hu Jiu Er's forehead.
“Tell me your information. It depends on my mood whether I release you.”
Hu Jiu Er immediately perked up, forgetting about the fact that she'd been groped, and moved closer to Ao Qing.
“Do you know about the Painted Wall?”
“It's said that there is a secret passage to the Immortal Realm there.”
Xiao Qian was excited, curiously asking.
“Sister Jiu Er, do you know where the Painted Wall is?”
Hu Jiu Er's eyes twinkled, she looked at Ao Qing, showing a hint of pride.
“Of course I know where the Painted Wall is.”
“Little Lord, if you let me go, I'll tell you where the Painted Wall is.”
“Although your magic is powerful, you will never achieve immortality. Why not find the Painted Wall, sneak into the Immortal Realm, and become an immortal who is beyond the cycle of reincarnation.”
Ao Qing looked at Hu Jiu Er's face full of longing for immortals, and couldn't help but smile wryly.
He gently patted Hu Jiu Er's head, and under her shocked and surprised gaze, he took out the West Lake Dragon King's Seal.
The ethereal immortal aura and the majestic dragon aura swept through the hut in an instant.
Hu Jiu Er was stunned, her lips trembling.
“Immortal, immortals!!”