Chapter Fifty-Nine: Hu Jiuming

The remaining two guards and Jia Liang watched Shangguan Chuanyun anxiously. If even their young master had no solution, they wondered if any of them would make it out unscathed this time.

Shangguan Chuanyun pondered for a moment. This phenomenon was akin to the possession by spirit creatures, where a spirit first uses its own vital energy to erode a person's meridians, then seamlessly possesses the body, known as a "riding spirit." One type involves mountain or water spirits that have fated connections with people; through cooperation with a "spirit medium," the spirit accumulates merit while the medium earns money for sustenance.

But there was another, far more sinister method: like this demon, sealing a person's acupoints and then slowly corroding them with its strange aura. Not only would this affect a person's temperament, but the demon could directly possess them through acupoints aligned with its own attributes.

Regardless, it always carried the risk of losing oneself. A person is a whole being; no one willingly allows their body to be controlled by another.

Shangguan Chuanyun considered the options: if he removed the demon now, it would alert the creature. If left unchecked, it could become a hidden danger—Wu, their commander, might someday be possessed and commit irreparable acts. He said to the others:

"There are two possible solutions. One is to remove it now, but that would inevitably alert the demon. The other is to overlay a strand of my sword energy atop the evil aura. If the demon tries to possess him, the sword energy will instantly annihilate its spirit, leaving it no path back—its soul will be utterly destroyed."

The group’s eyes lit up at this. Shangguan Chuanyun knew they favored the second method. He continued:

"Once the spirit is annihilated, the demon’s vital energy will remain within Commander Wu, becoming unclaimed energy. If Wu refines it with his focus, it will become his own."

Their excitement grew; Jia Cheng urged, "Young master, please use your sword energy to treat Commander Wu!"

"Very well," Shangguan Chuanyun replied. He formed a sword gesture with his fingers and tapped Commander Wu's sealed Baihui point. His sword energy dispersed the demonic aura sealing the point, then he infused a strand of metal energy to cloak the lingering, almost undetectable demonic aura. Only then was the Baihui acupoint purified.

Commander Wu slowly opened his eyes and saw the group anxiously watching him. He felt touched. He had noticed something was amiss and was about to call for help when something struck his head—and then he lost consciousness.

Now, awakening, he saw their concern and sensed Shangguan Chuanyun channeling his power. He immediately understood his young master had saved him and sat up, saying, "Thank you, young master, for saving me."

The group eagerly recounted what had happened, including the missing scout's safety. Shangguan Chuanyun advised him, "If you later feel something trying to enter your Baihui, ignore it. Just focus your mind on sensing my sword energy."

With that, Shangguan Chuanyun flicked a strand of sword-infused energy to Wu’s brow, instructing him to refine it with his own spirit.

Shangguan Chuanyun breathed a sigh of relief. "It seems this demon wants to negotiate. We’ll wait here for its arrival. Once the scout is safe, we’ll plan our next move."

"Yes, young master," everyone replied, relaxing somewhat.

Suddenly, the main doors outside creaked open. Shangguan Chuanyun’s sword at his side trembled. He calmed it with a touch of vital energy and said, "It’s here. Prepare to welcome our distinguished guest."

He took a seat at the head chair while the others stood to either side.

From outside came a raspy, aged voice: "This old man comes bearing urgent matters. May I be granted an audience?"

The group gripped their weapons nervously. Shangguan Chuanyun gestured for them to relax, and spoke out, "Honored guest, please forgive me for not coming out to greet you. Enter, please."

The temple door opened. An elderly man in scholar’s robes entered, about six feet tall, followed by a motley group of men and women. Behind them, they carried a stretcher and a bound gray wolf.

Seeing their comrade carried in, the group looked anxiously to Shangguan Chuanyun. The old scholar announced, "I am Hu Jiuming, though everyone calls me Grandfather Hu Nine. I come tonight on important business, and find the young master and his retinue residing here."

He glanced around as if searching for something. Shangguan Chuanyun asked, "Might I ask what the esteemed elder seeks? Perhaps I can assist."

"Nothing much," Hu replied. "I’ve only just returned to this place, and saw the enemy capture your guard." He pointed at Wu, who was seated and sensing sword energy. "It wanted to harm him, so I seized it while it was off guard. I plan to kill it in three days as a sacrifice for those of my clan who died at its hands."

Shangguan Chuanyun sensed something off. Looking at the wolf demon lying on the ground, he realized it was the runaway gray wolf. Though it had reverted to its true form, he was certain of its aura. The man carrying the wolf club—a five-foot tall man—held the beast’s weapon.

This so-called Hu Jiuming was clearly spinning tales with ill intentions. Shangguan Chuanyun judged that Hu’s cultivation was also at the immortal realm, nearing the grand elixir stage. His aura was smooth, without the slightest leak; the tallest of his group was only seven feet, all notably short, clearly not human.

If it came to a fight, he could probably kill Hu Jiuming and escape, but what of the others? In their anger, they might kill Jia Cheng and Wu to vent their rage—he would regret it bitterly.

He decided to see what Hu had to say, then responded, "Thank you, Elder Hu."

He told two guards, "Go, bring our man here."

"Wait," Hu Jiuming interjected.

The guards stopped, looking to Shangguan Chuanyun, who sensed complications and asked, "Why? Are you concerned his meridians are sealed? No need to worry, we have someone here who can dispel the evil aura."

Hu gave a knowing look and pointed at Wu, who was seated and sensing energy. "Does the young master know what manner of being touched the sealed aura?"

Shangguan Chuanyun had no intention of revealing himself; Hu likely wouldn’t believe him, and he was skilled at concealing his aura. He replied, "He’s a friend of mine."

Hu seemed even more certain. "Could I meet your friend?"

Shangguan Chuanyun was already wary, so he said, "That’s inconvenient. My friend is elusive; even I don’t know where he’s gone."

"Oh," Hu said, finding no suspicious aura among the others. He solemnly declared, "There is something I must tell the young master."

Shangguan Chuanyun waited to see what he would say. "Please go ahead, Elder."

After some thought, Hu announced, "Your friend is a demon—and a formidable one at that."

He signaled to the others to remain silent, then asked Hu, "What kind of demon?"

"A dog demon," Hu replied firmly.

As expected, the guards were startled but showed no reaction. Hu continued, "And not lacking in power. When I entered the mountain temple, I saw wild dogs lingering about and killed several."

Shangguan Chuanyun felt a surge of anger. No wonder he hadn't seen the dogs return—they had been slain by Hu Jiuming. If he wished to act as he pleased, so be it, but killing Lou Jin’s dogs left no room for reconciliation.

He considered how to deal with Hu, but with one of his guards still in their hands, he would use a thunderbomb if necessary—so long as he could retrieve the unconscious guard. He said to Hu, "Thank you for your concern, Elder. I understand. Please, help remove any lingering danger from my men."

"Ha!" Hu Jiuming laughed, then pointed at the scout on the stretcher. "This one is Yi Er. I’ve already unsealed his aura; he just needs rest and he’ll be fine." Then he indicated Wu. "But he’s more troublesome. I’ll have to see him first."

Shangguan Chuanyun rose and bowed to Hu. "I would be most grateful if Elder would lend his expertise."

He hurried to Wu’s side, discreetly slipping a thunderbomb into his hand and secretly transmitting a message.

Hu Jiuming frowned inwardly. Why was the young master so uncooperative? He expected him to ask why he was here and why he bore a grudge against the wolf demon—how else could he explain the temple was his ancestral home? Was he truly clueless or just pretending? He decided to spell it out:

"Does the young master know my origins?"

Shangguan Chuanyun sensed Hu was about to tell a story—the moment the tale ended would be the moment of confrontation. With his guard still among the others, he replied, "Could you bring him here as well? It would be easier for you to examine both at once."

He glanced at the tightly bound gray wolf. "He lying there is a bit out of place—perhaps move him aside." He told a guard, "Prepare chairs for our guests; the elder must be weary after his journey. Please, have a seat."

"Yes, young master," the guard replied, hurrying off to arrange seats.

Hu Jiuming, seeing he had no choice, cursed inwardly. If his story was not told, how could he explain himself? He decided not to press the issue for now and told his people, "Carry the man over." He added, "Drag the wolf to the woodshed and guard it closely."

The first two carried the guard to Wu’s side; the others exchanged confused looks.

Shangguan Chuanyun realized they likely didn’t know where the woodshed was and quickly told Jia Liang, "Go help them take the wolf to the woodshed."

Jia Liang knew the mountain temple was large, but the firewood was always stacked outside—there was no woodshed. Still, since the young master had spoken, he hurried to lead the short folk out, looking for a neglected, remote, and dilapidated room to serve as their woodshed.