Chapter 51: A Century Ago, the Temple of the Fox Immortal Was Built; In Summer Rain, Vanishing in the Fox Immortal Cave

Under the overcast sky, the Liao River crossing lay shrouded in autumn’s gloom.

The mountain path, snaking like a sheep’s intestine, branched in countless directions. Brambles and wild grasses choked the narrowest stretches, where a single traveler could only pass by turning sideways.

Not long after entering the mountains, Song Mo and Xia Yu tethered their horses to an iron ring set in stone beside the trail and continued on foot.

Despite his broad figure and easy disposition, Xia Yu was no weakling; his martial cultivation stood at the highest rank of the Yellow Level, nearly touching the threshold of the profound realm. Fortunately, Song Mo’s body had been fortified by ginseng fruit and Herculean Pills, making him no less capable. The two moved swiftly through the mountain paths.

By the hour of the Goat, the sky had grown leaden and heavy with the promise of rain. Anxious to reach the Fox Immortal Shrine before the downpour, Song Mo pressed on; once the rain came, the muddy mountain roads would become treacherous.

Neither man wasted words as they plunged into the dense, shadowed heart of the mountains. At first, the trail was manageable. But the higher they climbed, the narrower and wilder it became, saw-toothed grasses snagging their legs.

Xia Yu, shod in the sturdy cowhide boots unique to the Outlaws, fared better; Song Mo, in his rough cloth shoes, was less fortunate. The wild grass sliced at his calves, stinging and itching, making every step an ordeal.

After half an hour, Xia Yu, leading the way, parted a tangle of brush to reveal a yawning, pitch-black cave.

“I thought we were going to the Fox Immortal Shrine?” Song Mo halted, frowning.

Xia Yu chuckled, feigning mystery. “Who told you the Fox Immortal Shrine is an actual temple?”

Song Mo stared in disbelief. “You’re not saying this cave is the shrine, are you?”

To his surprise, Xia Yu nodded. “Actually, it was originally called the Fox Immortal Cave. Over a century ago, a fox spirit wrought havoc here. A wandering master came to Changning County, negotiated with the fox, and promised that the people would offer incense and tribute if the spirit kept the peace. The fox agreed, and so from then on, folks from Changning and even distant Jian’an would come to pay respects. The Fox Immortal kept their word—those who prayed often saw their wishes answered.”

As Xia Yu spoke, he gestured to the altar of offerings beside the cave entrance. Song Mo saw plenty of incense tables and tributes—fruit and cakes laid out on the ground. The candles had burned to pools of wax, the spirit money to ash; clearly, this place had once thrived with worshippers.

But those days were long gone. Not only were the offerings rotting, but the altar tables themselves were mottled with mold, untouched for who knew how many years.

Seeing Song Mo’s puzzlement, Xia Yu explained before he could ask, “Originally, the Fox Immortal lived in harmony with the people—sometimes even helping them. But then—”

He paused, glancing warily around, a reflex born of caution. Even with no one around, Xia Yu always made a habit of being discreet.

Song Mo’s odd look made Xia Yu laugh at himself. He lowered his voice. “It’s nothing, really. The trouble started when the Da Zhou dynasty established the Bureau for Suppressing Demons. New officials, eager to make their mark, decreed that no one was to worship demons, spirits, or monsters. Anyone caught would be punished—entire families, even whole villages, would be implicated. With such harsh laws, the Fox Immortal Shrine was soon abandoned.”

Song Mo nodded in sudden understanding. “So your officials here like to cut everything with one stroke of the blade?”

“One stroke of the blade?” Xia Yu echoed, puzzled. It was his first time hearing the phrase.

“You know,” Song Mo explained, “no matter if it’s a pig, a cow, or a chicken, once those in charge want meat, every head gets chopped off all the same.”

Xia Yu broke into a look of dawning realization.

Song Mo didn’t care if Xia Yu truly understood or not; he lifted his foot and walked into the cave.

He hadn’t gone far before Xia Yu grumbled behind him, “To be honest, if the fox spirit doesn’t harm anyone and just wants a bit of incense, what’s the harm? The Fox Immortal is pretty effective—I was thinking of asking her to find me a wife…”

So, it turned out Brother Xia saw the Fox Immortal as a matchmaker.

The moment Song Mo stepped into the cave, an involuntary chill swept through his body.

Inside, the darkness was absolute—he couldn’t see his own hand before his face. Song Mo closed his eyes, then opened them slowly. In the pitch black, his pupils gleamed with twin golden sparks, which soon faded.

Now he could see everything: the damp cave roof, jutting rocks, even the fine lines in the stones underfoot.

The Lantern of Night—vision that turned darkness to daylight. This was the secret art Song Mo had received a few days earlier, when he laid to rest the night watchman Han Bing in Changning County: a fifth-rank Profound reward from the Book of Souls.

It served him perfectly now.

Moments later, Xia Yu caught up, lighting a torch of dry branches for illumination. The flame was weak, its glow devoured by the cave’s darkness, barely illuminating an inch ahead.

Song Mo moved quietly at the front; Xia Yu, knowing his companion’s capabilities, asked no questions.

Progress was slow; the darkness echoed with Xia Yu’s stumbling footsteps.

After about the time it takes for half a stick of incense to burn, a sudden flurry of wings broke the silence.

“Get down!” Xia Yu barked, his face changing.

Song Mo didn’t hesitate; he ducked low. From deep within the cave, the flapping grew louder, and a swarm burst forth.

Bats.

Xia Yu quickly snuffed out his torch. The bats, disturbed by the light, had likely been lurking here for ages. They swept past in thick clouds before finally dispersing.

This time, Xia Yu dared not relight his torch, fearing what else he might disturb.

Song Mo led the way, Xia Yu following close behind.

“Has no one entered the Fox Immortal Shrine in all these years?” Song Mo wondered aloud, noting how remarkably clean the cave was—cleaner, in fact, than outside.

Xia Yu grimaced. “No one would dare. This is the Fox Immortal’s dwelling. Offend her, and you might never make it out.”

Song Mo smiled, sensing Xia Yu’s lingering respect for the fox spirit.

“When we meet the Fox Immortal, Brother Xia, I’ll be sure to ask her to find you a good match,” Song Mo teased, lightening the tense mood.

Xia Yu laughed awkwardly, saying nothing. Their footsteps echoed in the darkness.

After who knew how long, Song Mo suddenly recalled something. “Strange—why doesn’t the county record mention the wandering master from back then?”

He waited, but no answer came from behind.

Sensing something wrong, Song Mo whipped around.

The space behind him was empty—Xia Yu was nowhere to be seen.