Start practicing from Mr. Fox

Chapter 187 Human Demon
"My wife, are you alright?"

The young man stood outside the door and gently knocked on the door, asking a question.

"Waaaaah... Waaaah! Waaah!"

A mumbled, indistinct female voice came from inside the room, but upon closer listening, one could discern the excitement in her tone.

The sound became even clearer to Chen Ji's ears.

"My lord, you've come! Come quickly and save me!"

This is an ability that comes with learning bird and animal language; even such indistinct sounds can be clearly distinguished.

Sometimes, however, it's better not to hear something at all than to hear it clearly.

For example, at this moment, Chen Ji looked at the absurd scene before him and regretted that he had heard it so clearly.

The young man stood behind a pillar, half his face bathed in sunlight, radiating tenderness, while the other half shrouded in shadow, revealing a menacing expression.

"My wife, what are you saying? I can't hear you..."

His tone became strange and mournful.

"Woo...Woo..."

The people inside hadn't noticed anything wrong and were still calling for help.

"My wife, please stop shouting. Let me go inside and hear what you're saying."

The young man's lips curled into a smile as he slowly pushed open the door and spoke.

Not just speaking, but truly opening one's mouth in the literal sense.

A bloody gash split open at the corner of his mouth, extending all the way to his ear, revealing his scarlet gums and gleaming white teeth, with bits of flesh still stuck between them from tearing his cheek.

Yet, he showed no sign of pain and continued talking as if nothing had happened.

“My wife, you should go and keep the River God company. It’s a good job.”

“I can’t bear to part with you, but my parents say that if you leave, I can have a new wife and she can give me a big, healthy son.”

"You want me to save you..."

"But I saved you, so who will give me a new wife and son?"

"My dear wife, we've been so loving, and I've never mistreated you since you married into our family. You'll agree with what I'm doing, won't you?"

"Jie Jie Jie!"

As the young man finished speaking, he let out a ghostly wail like an owl, his face became completely ferocious, and thick black energy surged from his body.

Is this... possession by a demon?

A look of surprise flashed across Chen Ji's eyes.

Humans are naturally intelligent beings. Although spiritual cultivation requires talent, we are born with spirituality.

However, if this spirituality is bewitched or corrupted, it can easily turn into demonic nature.

At this point, the person is no longer considered human, but rather a demon-human hybrid.

Once they obtain blood offerings and learn cultivation, they become far more dangerous than ordinary blood demons.

He had only seen it in books before, but he never expected to witness the formation of a human-demon in person.

Oh, not just one.

Chen Ji only now remembered that he felt the scene was a bit strange when he entered the room, and now he realized what was strange about it.

The aura emanating from everyone, including the temple keeper and the matchmaker, was that of a demon!

"Waaaaah... Waaaah!"

Inside the house, the woman finally realized something was wrong and tried to move backward, attempting to make a sound.

With her whole body bound and a wooden stick in her mouth, she could barely move an inch before crashing into the wall, unable to make a sound. She could only watch in terror as the man approached step by step.

When the man was within a foot of her, she closed her eyes in despair and resigned herself to her fate.

But the man only paused for a few breaths before licking his lips and turning away.

It was as if nothing had happened.

"woo woo woo woo……"

The woman didn't understand what had happened, but she knew she had temporarily escaped a calamity. Her body went limp, and tears streamed down her face.

As my vision blurred, I heard footsteps coming from inside the house.

The woman struggled to lift her head, her eyes filled with terror once more.

But he was taken aback when he saw who it was.

It wasn't his husband who arrived, but a complete stranger he had never seen before.

"Woo!"

The woman instinctively tried to scream, but only let out a low whimper, much like her earlier terrified state.

"Hey……"

Chen Ji sighed, took out the Soul-Soothing Talisman, and used his magic to activate its power to stabilize her soul.

Under the Qi Observation Technique, Lu Xiaoyou's sister's soul was like a frightened bird, almost about to burst out of her body.

If they don't calm their nerves, they might be scared to death right here before they even get to be sent off to get married.

The talisman burned, turning into a wisp of pure energy that entered her head.

The woman's terrified face froze instantly, a look of bewilderment flashing in her eyes.

After a moment, she finally regained her senses and her eyes fell on Chen Ji, with a mixture of curiosity and fear.

However, he managed to stabilize his soul and was no longer scared to death.

Chen Ji then spoke slowly.

“I am the person your younger brother Lu Xiaoyou invited to save you. When I saw your soul leaving your body, I used magic to stabilize it.”

"Blink if you understand."

The woman blinked quickly and even forced a nod.

Chen Ji then continued speaking.

"Your in-laws and husband have all turned into demons, they're no longer human. Don't make a sound and disturb them, understand?"

The woman blinked again.

Chen Ji then used his wall-opening technique to cut the ropes binding her.

The woman broke free of the broken rope and quickly asked what was wrong.

"My benefactor, I have no idea what my parents and brothers are like..."

"Your younger brother is currently learning skills from the Taoist priest at Qingfeng Temple. He came home to visit a while ago and is doing well."

"He asked me to come and save you this time."

Chen Ji knew what she wanted to ask and slowly replied.

Excitement flashed in the woman's eyes, and she struggled to her feet before kneeling down on the ground.

"Thank you so much, my benefactor!"

"No need for formalities. You've just been freed from your restraints, so you should be moving around. There's no need for such formalities."

"Thank you, my benefactor."

The woman bowed deeply again before rubbing her body, which had become stiff from being bound for so long.

"If my benefactor has any questions, please feel free to ask. I am only physically disabled, but it does not affect my speech."

Chen Ji nodded, satisfied.

As expected of a woman who was willing to sacrifice herself for food back then, her quick wit and intelligence far surpass those of ordinary people.

Unfortunately, I met the wrong person. If I hadn't come here, I would probably have become food for the river demons soon.

However, it was just a fleeting thought. The river god had not been eliminated, the important matters were not yet finished, and there was still much to be done.

So he directly asked her how she was chosen to marry the river god.

"I don't know about that."

The woman shook her head.

"The wedding arrangements were all decided by the temple keeper himself, who said he was instructed by the river god, but no one has ever seen the river god."

"Never seen it?"

"Exactly."

The woman nodded and spoke slowly.

“A while ago was the day the river god was getting married. The temple keeper had someone invite us to the temple. Soon after, he took out my birth date and time, saying it was a secret divination by the river god, and only the chosen goddess was qualified to look at it.”

"After I finished reading it, my vision blurred, and when I woke up I was tied up, and they even sent my husband's family... Never mind, it's better not to talk about this kind of thing."

When asked about the past, the woman shook her head and sighed, unwilling to say more.

Chen Ji found it rather strange.

If the river god really wanted to take a wife, then these procedures would be somewhat understandable. But this river god was clearly not doing those rituals, but only for flesh and blood. Such a big move was a bit too much.

There must be something fishy going on here.

We'll have to wait for the mudfish demon and the bronze toad demon to return and see if they have any news before we can understand.

Just as she was thinking this, the woman asked softly.

"I haven't yet asked for your name, benefactor. If I see you again in the future, I will definitely repay you handsomely."

Chen Ji waved his hand.

"Let's talk outside. It's almost time, and someone will be here soon. You should hide first."

As soon as he finished speaking, he heard hurried footsteps approaching from afar.

The woman turned deathly pale with fright. Although there was some space inside, it was still just a small room with no cabinets, and apart from the bed, there was nowhere else for a person to hide.

Looking around, there wasn't even a window, and I had no idea where to go.

"My benefactor..."

The woman bit her lip.

“I know you are capable, my benefactor, so I’d better leave quickly. When they come, they will all be looking for me. I will just say that I broke free of the rope and that the river god is going to take a bride. They won’t dare to do anything to me.”

“It would be bad if you fell into their hands, my lord.”

Chen Ji listened to the words and asked a question in return.

Do you know what the consequences of marrying the river god will be?

"The worst that can happen is death."

"Aren't you afraid of dying?"

"I'm afraid, but this is my bad luck in meeting the wrong person, it's my retribution, and I can't let my benefactor die because of me."

As he spoke, he hurriedly took out a silver ingot from his pocket and handed it to Chen Ji.

"If you get out of here, please find my younger brother and parents and tell them not to seek revenge for me. Instead, take this and go live somewhere else."

"These are the betrothal gifts sent by the temple keeper and the matchmaker. I secretly kept a copy, originally intending to give it to Xiaoyou to take back when he came over, but now I can only ask my benefactor to pass it on."

Chen Ji chuckled upon hearing this.

"I won't accept the money; you can give it to them yourself."

"what?"

The woman stood there, stunned, not understanding what Chen Ji meant.

Chen Ji smiled slightly and looked at the woman.

"I'm here to save you, and I'll find a way to get you out of here."

After saying that, he raised his hand and threw out a paper figure, then blew out a breath.

The paper figure transformed into a living maid upon landing.

"walk into."

"what?"

The woman opened her mouth in surprise upon hearing this.

This isn't a paper figure, so how can it be walked in?

But Chen Ji's methods made her dare not doubt him, so she tentatively took a step forward.

With one step, the paper figure seemed to come alive and enveloped the woman's body.

Every movement of the paper figure lost its paper-like characteristics, making it seem like a living person.

"Could my benefactor be an immortal?"

The woman exclaimed in surprise.

Chen Ji did not answer, but pointed to the tray and teapot on the table.

"Take this out and tell them I'm changing into my wedding dress and will be leaving shortly."

"But what about the marriage? We've offended the River God, my benefactor..."

The woman was taken aback, about to say something.

Chen Ji then urged.

"There is no time left. If you want to live, do as I say."

"Thank you so much, my benefactor! I'll go find Xiaoyou and wait for you."

Seeing this, the woman did not delay any longer and bowed.

"My benefactor, please be careful in everything you do."

After saying that, he took the tray and waited outside the door, then closed the door.

Chen Ji then tossed out another paper figure, his magic flowing through his hands, and in the blink of an eye, he transformed it into the likeness of Lu Xiaoyou's older sister.

He then stepped into the paper figure and shook his head at the wedding dress on the table.

Could this be considered another form of cross-dressing?
However, the thought flashed through his mind, and he had already used magic to blow his clothes.

In about two or three breaths, the paper figure was dressed, and even its head was covered.

Meanwhile, sounds of arguing could be heard from outside the door.

The old men, old women, and young people who had been there earlier all rushed over.

However, there was no black aura on his body at this moment, and he looked just like a normal person.

"You lowly wench! What are you doing blocking this way? The auspicious time for the wedding procession is almost here. If you ruin the auspicious time, I'll break your legs!"

"Madam is changing into her wedding dress..."

"Change her into her wedding dress? Her hands and feet are bound, and you're not inside, so who can change her?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Old Lady Wang suddenly realized something and cried out in alarm.

"You wretched wench! Could it be that you let her escape and are trying to buy time!"

"Break through..."

"Squeak!"

Before Old Lady Wang could finish speaking, Chen Ji opened the door from the inside.

"Old hag, don't talk nonsense. I've already changed into my wedding dress. Since the auspicious time has arrived, let's not waste any more time and go."

Chen Ji, dressed in wedding attire, slowly walked out, his voice calm, just as indifferent as that woman from the Lu family.

The men outside were spitting fire.

Old Mrs. Wang even had murderous thoughts.

The daughter-in-law she used to dislike now dares to curse her old hag to her face...

Normally, she would definitely find something to give him a good beating.

But now...

Just as Old Lady Wang was about to make a move, she heard a cold voice from under the red veil.

“I am now the fiancée of the River God. Your Wang family has gained wealth and protection from the River God because of me. If anything happens to me, you should think carefully about the consequences.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Old Lady Wang's anger completely subsided.

He pinched his nose and gritted his teeth.

"Yes! I will follow the instructions of the Goddess!"

……

"The bride's departure!"

Grandma Wang shouted, and immediately the sound of firecrackers crackling outside the house.

A group of suonas, drums, and cymbals began to play a tune.

The red-topped sedan chair swayed back and forth, with the temple keeper in front, the matchmaker behind, and the Wang family following closely behind, escorting the mule and horse caravan, their eyes filled with a lingering ruthlessness.

The sedan chair was carried by the same soldiers we had seen before. They were quite strong and carried the sedan chair steadily without swaying.

Chen Ji sat in the sedan chair, a sense of curiosity rising within him.

Having lived two lives, this is the first time I've ever sat in a bridal sedan chair to get married.

She couldn't help but lift her veil to check the situation outside through the sedan chair.

From afar, I could see a familiar voice mixed in with the crowds on both sides.

The women of the Lu family were worried and even followed the sedan chair.

She thought she was well hidden behind the people, but little did she know that the people inside the sedan chair could see her clearly.

However, using paper figures is too obvious nowadays, so copper coins are much more convenient.

I happen to have some information to ask the Bronze Toad and the Loach Demon, so this Bronze Puppet Technique is more convenient.

So he took out a handful of copper coins and scattered them through the sedan chair.

"Ok?"

The temple keeper turned back to look at the sedan chair, stopped, and spoke in a somewhat impolite tone.

"What does this mean, Goddess?"

Chen Ji said coldly.

"The river god is welcoming his bride, so that everyone can share in the joy! This is a custom in our village."

"Even if she were to marry the river god, it should be done this way. Is there a problem?"

The temple keeper picked up a few copper coins and examined them. Finding that they were indeed just ordinary copper coins, he smiled and spoke.

“It is certainly fine that the goddess is willing to share joy with the people, but this is not enough.”

"This temple keeper will act on behalf of the river god, so that everyone can share in the river god's joy."

After saying that, he took out a string of coins from his pocket, tore it open, and threw it outwards.

People on both sides of the road rushed to pick up the money as soon as they saw it.

Seeing this, Lu's daughter bent down to search in order not to attract attention.

Chen Ji remained calm, focusing instead on the copper coin in front of her as he cast his spell.

When she dropped the coin, it turned into a tiny figure, barely an inch long, which looked at her with a smile.

Why aren't you running away?

(End of this chapter)