Li Yundong and Su Chan were locked in an intimate moment when a sharp, cold snort cut through the air, instantly reminding them that Ruan Hongling lived right next door.
Su Chan froze in Li Yundong’s arms, like a startled fawn. After a long moment, she finally managed to stick her tongue out at him, voice trembling with residual shock, “It’s all your fault! Now we’ve made a spectacle of ourselves!”
Li Yundong chuckled softly, murmuring, “It’s because your commotion was far too loud.”
Su Chan punched his chest lightly with a delicate fist, pouting, “Nasty, it was your noises that were too loud.”
Li Yundong feigned outrage, “That’s a blatant lie! I only made noise because you were causing such a ruckus!”
Both embarrassed and annoyed, she burrowed deeper into his embrace, nipping and biting, “See? Take that! You keep saying that!”
Li Yundong burst into laughter, covering Su Chan’s mouth with his hand, “Shh, quiet down, or we’ll get scolded.”
Su Chan finally settled down, adopting the triumphant air of a returning general. “Hmph, I’ll let you off this time! But you can keep that Five Dragons Embracing the Pillar Divine Skill for yourself!” With a sly grin, she added playfully, “I think I won’t practice it after all, just to avoid anyone saying anything later.”
Li Yundong felt utterly depressed. Why does someone always ruin my good moments? Maybe next time I plan some mischief, I should consult an oracle first, cast a hex? That’s too ridiculous!
With a mournful sigh, Li Yundong collapsed onto the bedding. Su Chan giggled, climbing up to cover him properly. She pursed her lips with a sweet smile, “Yundong, I have to go back now!”
Li Yundong looked utterly devastated, his expression saying, ‘Is this my fate?’ “Ah? You’re leaving? You’re just abandoning your master all alone? You don’t want your master anymore?”
Su Chan laughed merrily, “I snuck out, so I have to go back!” She leaned down and planted a loud kiss on Li Yundong’s forehead, softening her voice tenderly, “Be good. This little lass will treat you well in the future; she won’t leave you, I promise!”
Li Yundong put on his most pitiful look. “Oh, you have to keep your word!”
Su Chan, accustomed to Li Yundong’s usual imposing demeanor, was completely disarmed by this pitiable sight. She instantly burst into laughter, feeling a sweet warmth spread through her chest, nearly relenting and staying.
But she caught herself, walked to the door, and whispered in a deliberately lowered voice, “Master, I’m off. This little one will miss you!”
Li Yundong winked at her. “Oh, your master will miss you too.”
Su Chan pulled the door open, blew him an airy kiss from the threshold, her eyes sparkling with seductive charm. She gave a bright laugh and turned to leave, leaving behind only a faint, lingering perfume and the vivid image of her smiling face lingering in his vision.
Li Yundong gazed after Su Chan’s retreating figure dazedly. After a long pause, he finally let out a soft laugh. With a sweep of his hand, he closed the door without touching it, then rested his head on his arms, staring at the ceiling. It was as if he could see every subtle expression, every smile, of the little lass projected there, and a gentle smile involuntarily spread across his face.
When his Yin Spirit had just returned, he remembered feeling besieged by the Fox Zen Sect’s internal and external crises, the perilous state of their survival environment. But now, the world seemed utterly beautiful. All plots and schemes, all mysterious enemies, seemed utterly insignificant. It felt as if, with the little lass by his side, even if the sky fell, Li Yundong wouldn’t feel the slightest panic.
What’s there to fear? If trouble comes, we’ll deal with it when it arrives! If someone dares move against the Fox Zen Sect, I’ll just wipe out their entire sect! Hmph hmph… But first, I really need to find proper lodging for this group of beauties who are tempting fate and wreaking havoc on the human world. Otherwise, cooking this much food every day is going to be unbearable.
Lost in thought, Li Yundong drifted off to sleep. He awoke just as the first light of dawn touched the sky.
When Li Yundong opened the door upon waking, he found Ruan Hongling practicing the Five Animal Frolics on the balcony. Already a woman of rare beauty, her graceful figure, clad in tight-fitting sportswear, made her appear even more statuesque and elegant.
Hearing the sound, Ruan Hongling turned her head, saw Li Yundong instantly, and let out a cold snort, laced with sarcasm, “Did the True Man Li sleep well last night?”
Li Yundong felt an immediate flush of awkwardness. This little girl really knows how to bring up the most inconvenient topic!
Li Yundong threw his head back, giving a forced, hearty laugh. “What lovely weather we’re having today!”
Ruan Hongling sneered again, “If Sister Ziyuan knew you were in her…”
Li Yundong gasped, quickly bowing and clasping his hands in supplication, his face plastered with false humility. “True Lady Hongling, you are known for your chivalry and boundless righteousness. Surely you wouldn't betray me?”
This was the first time Ruan Hongling had gained the upper hand in a spat with Li Yundong, and seeing him voluntarily show weakness was a rare occurrence. She felt a secret surge of satisfaction, the corner of her mouth involuntarily twitching upwards. But she quickly masked it, pulling her chin high, “Hmph, that remains to be seen!”
Li Yundong sighed, adopting a serious expression. “Since you refuse to let me off easily, then I’ll just have to tell everyone else that True Lady Hongling, a disciple of the Ling Palace Branch of the Zhengyi Sect, was eavesdropping next door all night. I wonder how juicy that gossip will sound when it spreads?”
Ruan Hongling exploded in anger, stamping her foot. “Who was eavesdropping all night! I only heard for a little while, alright!”
Li Yundong let out a laugh and clapped his hands. “See? You admitted you were listening at the wall!”
Ruan Hongling was driven mad with rage. “Waaah, you scoundrel, you’re slandering me! Clearly, your noise was so loud that I couldn’t help but hear it!”
Li Yundong clasped his hands together, mimicking the solemn look of an enlightened monk. “Amitābha. Detachment from the external form is Zen; an untroubled interior is Samadhi. If attached to external phenomena, the inner heart becomes disturbed; if detached from external forms, the inner heart remains undisturbed. One’s inherent nature is pure and stable; disturbance only arises from perceiving or contemplating external states. He who sees all phenomena yet remains unmoved is in true Samadhi. True Lady Hongling, your cultivation is lacking!”
Ruan Hongling was furious that Li Yundong had turned the tables, quoting Buddhist scriptures to claim her spiritual focus was weak. She flared up, rolling up her sleeves in anger. “You dare use the Shurangama Sutra to suppress me? Do you think people of the Daoist path haven’t read Buddhist scriptures? Let me tell you, this lady read through the Buddhist and Daoist classics completely by the time she was fifteen! Are you challenging me to a debate right now?”
Li Yundong chuckled, about to reply, when suddenly, a shimmering silhouette—Ziyuan’s ethereal form—drifted onto the balcony like a startled swan, looking at them with surprise. “Who is challenging whom? What kind of debate are you having so early in the morning?”
Buddhists enjoyed playing with Zen riddles, but they especially loved engaging in philosophical debate, which was known as bian nan (debate challenge). Hearing Ziyuan’s question, Li Yundong laughed easily, “Not at all, I was just teasing Hongling.” Then, he shot Ruan Hongling a look, winking, “Right, True Lady Hongling?”
Ruan Hongling opened her mouth, ready to retort, but a sudden thought stopped her: Wait a minute, this man has a face as thick as a city wall. If this gets out, he won't lose a single hair, but my reputation will be ruined! No, no, I can’t engage in a battle where I lose three thousand to kill the enemy’s ten thousand.
Ruan Hongling glared at Li Yundong indignantly, then snorted and turned her face away.
Ziyuan looked at her, then at Li Yundong, confused. “What’s wrong with you two? Arguing first thing in the morning?”
Li Yundong quickly changed the subject. “By the way, are the younger disciples of my Fox Zen Sect awake yet?”
Ziyuan smiled faintly. “They woke before dawn. They all know you’re taking them out to look for housing tomorrow, and they’re all waiting for you to take them around.”
Li Yundong couldn't help but offer a wry smile. “When did I say I was taking them to look at houses? If this many people run loose, won’t it cause an unmitigated human tragedy?”
Ziyuan laughed. “Who made you the head of the Fox Zen Sect? Every previous sect leader, except perhaps the Celestial Oracle Fox, kept their disciples tightly controlled, terrified these fox spirits would cause chaos in the mortal realm. But you? You just let them all descend the mountain!”
Li Yundong looked at Ziyuan strangely. “I get the feeling you’re enjoying my predicament?”
Ziyuan bit her lip and smirked. “Did I give it away? Is it that obvious? Still, I’m very curious how you, True Man Li, plan to handle this troop of fox spirits.”
As she finished speaking, a chorus of synchronized shouts echoed from outside: “Sect Leader, wake up! Sect Leader, wake up!”
The voices of these young fox spirits were universally clear and sweet, a sound like a flock of birds singing in unison. Li Yundong immediately felt a massive headache coming on. Ruan Hongling burst into malicious laughter. “Li Yundong, Li Yundong, look at you now!”
This time, Li Yundong glared at her. He turned and walked onto the balcony, and before anyone else in the complex could peer out, he swiftly jumped to his own balcony. As soon as his feet touched down, he saw the young foxes kneeling neatly on the rug. Each had her mouth open, ready to shout again, but upon seeing him return, they immediately closed their mouths, looking up at him expectantly.
Li Yundong put on a stern face. “Shout! Why aren’t you shouting louder? Go on, keep shouting!”
The young foxes exchanged glances, each flicking out a small, bright red tongue. Then, in perfect unison, they all turned their heads to look behind them. Li Yundong followed their gaze and saw someone hiding behind the group of foxes, peeking out, looking shifty and sly, with eyes darting everywhere. When this person saw Li Yundong looking, they knew hiding was useless. With a playful smile, they poked their head out. Li Yundong recognized her immediately—the captivating charm, the bright, knowing eyes—it was none other than Su Chan!
Li Yundong said with mock annoyance, “Was that you leading the charge?”
Seeing Li Yundong appear angry, Su Chan quickly lowered her head and approached, adopting an expression of sincere remorse, saying pitifully, “Sect Leader, I… I won’t dare do it again.” Then, positioning herself with her back to the other foxes, she mouthed the words silently: I saw Ziyuan go over, and I was afraid she’d see through something, so I rushed to call you here.
Li Yundong suddenly understood. This little girl really is a fox spirit, cunning indeed! But he realized he had to play the part through to the end, otherwise, how could he command this group later?
Li Yundong deliberately stiffened his face and announced, “Forget it. I sentence you to wash my clothes for a month!”
Su Chan’s face immediately fell. “Huh?”
But the other young foxes thought privately: How is that a punishment?
They protested immediately, scrambling to their feet and shouting, “Sect Leader, punish us too!”
“Sect Leader, I’ll wash your trousers for you!”
“Sect Leader, I’ll wash your socks for you!”
One particularly delicate-looking fox spirit whispered timidly, “Sect Leader, shall I wash your… undergarments…”
Those who spoke later, seeing that Li Yundong’s entire wardrobe seemed accounted for, tentatively asked, “Sect Leader, then shall I help you bathe?”
These young fox spirits, with their exquisite beauty and sweetly voiced appeals, could turn iron into soft silk. Li Yundong felt the strain on his discipline. Even though my will is firm, I can’t withstand the seduction of so many fox spirits!
Li Yundong scolded them with righteous severity, “Insolence! To joke around with the Sect Leader so early in the morning!”
Cao Yi, standing nearby, chimed in with a stern voice, “Nonsense! Haven’t you seen a man in lifetimes? Are you so desperate you’ll eat anything?”
Li Yundong was about to heartily agree, when he suddenly felt something was off about Cao Yi’s last comment: Desperate enough to eat anything? What does that imply? Am I really that bad? Cao Yi usually seems quite steady, why does he trip up like this sometimes?
Li Yundong felt annoyed internally, but luckily, Cao Yi’s next words were more sensible: “Everyone, get busy with your own tasks and let the Sect Leader wash up! We leave shortly!”
Li Yundong thought privately, I never said I was taking you all out. Could it be that the little lass arranged this?
He glanced toward Su Chan, and sure enough, she looked guilty, quickly averting her gaze when she met his eyes.
Li Yundong gave a couple of dismissive snorts and headed toward the washroom. Su Chan, quick-witted as ever, darted ahead and announced loudly, “Sect Leader, I’ll squeeze your toothpaste for you!”
The other young foxes sighed in envy. Ah, Su Chan Senior Sister has secured the best position—first come, first served! She really has the advantage of proximity! I’m so jealous!
Li Yundong entered the washroom and saw Su Chan handing him the toothbrush with the paste already squeezed on, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. He gave her a sharp look. “Naughty girl, why did you let all of them come out with me? Isn’t that just asking for trouble?”
Su Chan replied cheekily, “You’re slow! Who do you think should find the house—you or them? If you don’t let them go and they end up unhappy with the place, won’t that just create more trouble for you?”
Li Yundong laughed and swore good-naturedly, “You’re the clever one! I suspect you just wanted to go yourself but were afraid of criticism, so you spread a false decree and instigated them all to come along!”
Su Chan’s eyes went wide, her face a mask of amazement. “Master, your insight is truly keen, your fiery eyes see all! Nothing escapes you! Amazing, amazing!”
Li Yundong glared at her. “Silly girl, don’t let it happen again!” Then, he suddenly turned toward Su Chan and said, “Hey, aren’t you leaving? Are you planning to watch me pee?”
Su Chan covered her face, laughing as she spat out, “No way! Too many hairs!”
Li Yundong laughed heartily. When he was finished and walked into the living room, he suddenly found that not only were the entire Fox Zen Sect gathered, dressed and waiting for him, but Zhou Qin and Su Chan were also there, both dressed to the nines, vying for attention. Even Ziyuan and Ruan Hongling stood in the living room, watching him.
Li Yundong froze, stammering slightly. “Y-you, what are you all doing?”
Su Chan smiled sweetly. “Sect Leader, we’re all waiting for you!”
Li Yundong looked at Ziyuan in surprise. “Ziyuan, you’re coming too?”
Ziyuan smiled faintly and nodded. “If we have time today, we might as well look at shops together. Besides, you can’t have all your Fox Zen disciples living in one place while you stay here alone. What if something happens? You need to be near them to protect them. So, let’s find a place for everyone to live together.”
Li Yundong managed a wry smile. “That does make sense. Alright then, let’s go together!”
The moment his words fell, the young foxes, who had been watching him with shining eyes, let out a cheer. They flung the door open and swarmed out like a flood, roaring with excitement, brandishing their hands and feet playfully.
Damn it, this looks exactly like a horde of little demons released from the mountains, a dance of devils! A sudden ominous thought flashed through Li Yundong’s mind: If these creatures get loose, will they tear apart Tiannan City!