Suddenly, a small figure approached from across the way—no more than two feet tall—traveling alone.

Not long after, another little person appeared, and the two met, exchanging greetings.

The first one spoke, "I'm on my way to see Yang Ba-yan. I saw his complexion was ashen the day before yesterday; I fear the outlook is grim."

The other replied, "My journey has the same destination as yours. You speak truly; Yang Ba-yan is indeed near his end."

The hunter instantly knew they were both yaoguai (demons/spirits) and shouted at them fiercely; in the blink of an eye, the two vanished without a trace.

That night, the hunter managed to catch a fox, which bore a scar over its left eye, as large as a copper coin.