Becoming a fox fairy from Liaozhai

Chapter 844 The Green-Clad Monk Guides the Demon King

Chapter 844 The Green-Clad Monk Guides the Demon King

If Gong Mengbi had the leisure, he could have amused himself by arguing with these relatives and officials' wives, using it as a way to pass the time. But the self-deprecating nature of these aristocratic families, who practically relied on selling their seductive charms to curry favor with their superiors, completely dampened Gong Mengbi's spirits.

Gong Mengbi wasn't in the mood, so he didn't give them a friendly look.

Chun Jing Shu and Su Zhen Zhen didn't dare to contradict each other for a moment, and obediently agreed.

Chun Jing Shu was the envoy of the wealthy man, and she originally intended to be a substitute, so she had naturally made preparations long ago and was well aware of the dangers of refining the golden seal and undergoing the demonic test. Su Zhen Zhen had even witnessed the scene when the previous demonic test envoy took office - that person's protective magic artifact was shattered by the demonic test, and it took him more than half a year to recover.

Gong Mengbi woke up from the demonic test in just a few breaths, which really surprised them and made them a little scared.

The three tactfully took their leave. Just as Chunmin Wen was about to enter the side hall, Chunjing Shu and Su Zhenzhen followed and sandwiched him between them.

The two women turned to look at him, their faces bearing the same nauseating expression that Chun Minwen knew so well. But before they could speak, Gong Mengbi scolded them, "Don't you two have your own hands and feet? Don't expect him to help you. One person at a time, if you can't find out, I'll kick you out of the outer office."

Chun Jing Shu and Su Zhen Zhen's expressions suddenly darkened. They glanced at Chun Min Wen, but ultimately said nothing more.

Su Zhenzhen forced a smile and said, "What are you saying, Envoy? I'm just asking for your guidance." With that, she pulled Chun Jing Shu towards the North Chamber.

Chun Minwen stood at the entrance of the south room, her eyes suddenly filled with tears. She turned and bowed deeply to Gong Mengbi. Without waiting for Gong Mengbi's response, she brushed her face with her sleeve and entered the south room.

Gong Mengbi, however, had little interest in pondering their affairs and instead went to the inner palace.

The main hall is divided into two halls, front and rear. The front hall faces outwards, while the rear hall faces inwards, separated by a nine-tailed tassel wall with a side door. Behind the side door stands a cloud and mist screen, depicting the ever-changing and magnificent scenery of clouds and mist over the blue sky and cliffs.

The rear hall had been cleaned up; apart from some oddities on the display shelves, there were no personal belongings left from the previous owner. The hall contained a couch, lamps, a desk, and a collection of books and scrolls, making it a simple reception room.

Gong Mengbi stopped and said, "Search once first."

Five five-colored phantoms emerged from his shadow, swirling around the back hall like the wind, searching inch by inch with their five-colored rays. Finally, they stopped behind Gong Mengbi, transforming into the appearance of five ghost gods. Master Qing reported, "My lord, there is nothing unusual."

"Please wait a moment, my lord, while we make some arrangements."

The Five Ghosts used magic to rearrange the rear hall, define the Five Elements, and establish the Five Spirits Restriction Law with the Cloud and Smoke Screen as the boundary, almost completely recreating the Dharma Realm and turning it into Gong Mengbi's Taoist temple.

Gong Mengbi sat on the couch with his eyes closed, waiting and contemplating.

The Five Ghosts Gods used their magic in a subtle and silent manner, and the hall was clearly quiet, but suddenly a deep male voice rang out.

"Gong Mengbi, with your supernatural powers, why waste them in this chaotic little world? The fox den is a quagmire, and even the Jade Fairy Goddess has fallen into this filth and evil, unable to extricate herself. Why waste your great talents here?"

Gong Mengbi opened his eyes and saw a handsome young man in a blue robe and crown emerge from him, looking around the hall.

Even the Five Ghosts and Gods, through their magic and the ability to recreate the Dharma Realm, could not stop him; in fact, they could not even see him.

Gong Mengbi looked helpless, remaining silent as if he hadn't heard anything.

The young man in blue advised, "You possess the power of the Yin and the divine nature of the Azure Dragon. You have passed the test of the Ten Demons, only slightly lacking in the Yang aspect. You can almost be called an all-rounder. If you agree, I can recommend you to the Great Demon King of the Azure Heaven, where you can achieve the true fruition of the Heavenly Demon King, a position comparable to the Heavenly Lord. Why bother competing for this insignificant Demon Test Envoy? Isn't it better than this uncertain future?"

Seeing that Gong Mengbi still ignored him, the young man in blue robes said again, "I am the guide before the Great Demon of the Azure Heaven, and I am also a proper practitioner of the divine path. I am ordered by the Heavenly Venerable to examine all living beings. With your wisdom, you should not have any obstacles of the Dao or the Demon, right?"

Gong Mengbi remained unmoved, which made the young man in blue lose face. He said, "I, the dignified Demon King of Guidance, am personally guiding you. Even your headmaster should give me some face. Even if you disagree, you shouldn't act like this."

He subtly threatened, "If that's the case, don't forget you still have a deficiency in your yang aspect; we'll have to meet again sooner or later!"

Gong Mengbi finally opened his eyes.

The young man in blue smiled and said, "Have you thought it through?"

But Gong Mengbi's gaze did not fall on him, but on the five ghost gods behind him. The five ghost gods had finished their arrangements and stepped forward to report: "My lord, we have finished our arrangements. There is only one last step left, which requires your personal attention."

Gong Mengbi then got off the couch and, guided by the Five Ghosts, arrived at the east wall of the rear hall. An altar had already been set up on the east wall, but it was empty and had no names of the gods.

The young man in blue robes transformed into a blue shadow and attached himself to Gong Mengbi, saying, "If you offer the title of Great Demon of the Azure Sky here, you will be able to ascend to heaven on the spot and become a demon ancestor."

"Come closer, and I'll tell you the name of the Great Demon of the Azure Sky."

Gong Mengbi respectfully took a scroll from the box on the altar, hung it on the altar, revealing the beautiful face of the Goddess of Mount Tai in the painting.

The young man in blue was speechless.

Gong Mengbi took out a small golden incense burner, placed a piece of sandalwood incense in it, but did not light it immediately. Instead, he said, "Demon King, please return."

The young man in blue was still unwilling to give up, and said, "You are truly stubborn and incorrigible!"

Gong Mengbi no longer hesitated. The red pearl in the incense burner emitted light, and wisps of blue smoke rose up, like a dragon soaring into the sky.

The Demon King's figure blurred and disappeared without a trace, leaving only the words: "Gong Mengbi, I will personally conduct your Yang Demon Trial. We will meet again someday."

As the smoke dissipated into the void, the Demon King who guided the way also vanished from the quiet room.

Gong Mengbi silently prayed to the Goddess of Mount Tai: "Thank you for your protection, Goddess, which has freed me from the demon king's clutches."

The statue of the goddess is compassionate, with a smile that is neither truly smiling nor truly joyful.

Gong Mengbi felt at peace, and then he felt his spirit constantly replenished. An invisible force was supporting him, as if it were a gift from nature, propelling his cultivation forward.

He underwent numerous trials on the golden seal, passing all but the one against the Yang Demon. Having passed these trials, he was recommended by the Demon King to advance further, thus unlocking new insights into the various Taoist arts and supernatural powers he cultivated.

However, Gong Mengbi, having mastered the Heavenly Wheel Daoist Technique, clearly sensed through his Heavenly Senses that this blessing of creation did not come out of thin air, but rather reduced the Demon King's destiny and bestowed it upon him.

The demonic trials test all those who study the Way, a constant interplay between demons and the Way, with one waxing as the other wanes. Passing the demonic trials diminishes the demon's power and bestows it upon those who study the Way. Failing the demonic trials diminishes the Way's power and bestows it upon the demonic path.

Gong Mengbi gained a deeper understanding and became even more aware of the perilous nature of the Demon Examiner position. It was a position where all the dirty work and hard labor were done, and there were far too many opportunities for manipulation. If one made any mistake, they could be in danger of falling at any moment.

Gong Mengbi exhaled a breath of stale air, ceasing his thoughts and silently channeling the fortune he had extracted from the Demon King. The Demon King's words might not be true, nor might they be false, but they were clearly part of the demonic trial.

As for the next meeting, that's a matter for next time.

The lamplighter jumped down from Mr. Huang's shoulder and lit the lamps in the hall, bathing the room in a soft light.

I was away on a business trip for a few days and only got back yesterday.