Chapter Seventy-Six: The Buffoon

The Yin family of Hongyang City amassed considerable wealth, owing largely to their patriarch’s ascent to power and the ruthless consolidation of several shadowy industries within the city. Over the years, their silent investments in the more extravagant establishments of Hongyang City brought them generous dividends—often from ventures most would rather not name aloud.

Siqing House, once an unremarkable brothel barely worthy of the family’s attention, had, a few months prior, undergone a transformation. A new madam had taken charge, and a fresh lineup of girls had been introduced. Since then, business flourished with astonishing vigor. The girls were not only of exceptional quality—their skills and service were unparalleled.

So much so, in fact, that some patrons became utterly besotted, sacrificing their health for nightly indulgence. Siqing House’s reputation soon soared above all others in Hongyang City.

At first, no one minded. But as time passed and other brothels saw their clientele dwindle, it became impossible to ignore. An investigation quickly revealed the source of the trouble, and the proprietors of the rival establishments hastened to inform their powerful backer.

Now, Siqing House was raking in gold by the day, yet lacked the protection of a formidable patron—like a child flaunting treasures in a bustling market. The city magistrate had no reason to refuse the plea. To ruin Siqing House’s business, seize its low-born courtesans, and after some re-education, funnel them into his own enterprises—would that not transplant this “money tree” directly into his own backyard?

Thus, he enlisted a few trusted men to pose as customers, smuggled dead foxes into Siqing House, and orchestrated a commotion—only to heroically intervene and “resolve” the matter himself. The plan unfurled flawlessly, save for the somewhat clumsy theatrics of his conspirators.

At this very moment, in a private chamber on the second floor of Siqing House...

Zhu Sisi, who had been feigning sleep, stirred at the commotion. As she dressed, her delicate brows furrowed in vexation. That scoundrel Xu was more like a demon than she was—wilder than any beast—and his surging vitality was inexhaustible.

Once dressed and having composed herself as the madam once more, she meant to investigate the disturbance. But the moment she cracked open the door for a glance, she was startled to find that scoundrel Xu still loitering in the hallway! Flustered, she quickly shut the door again.

After calming her racing heart, Zhu Sisi’s gaze fell upon the bronze mirror atop her dressing table, then to the wine cup on the desk. Pouring out a measure of wine, she dipped her finger in it and, with a deft flick, splashed it across the mirror’s surface.

The wine seemed enchanted, spreading evenly over the mirror without a single drop slipping off. Gradually, the surface revealed a clear image of Siqing House’s main entrance...

Downstairs, the elderly madams of Siqing House were still protesting their innocence. Though the city magistrate, Li, was growing impatient, he maintained an air of righteous authority.

“The evidence is irrefutable,” he intoned. “There’s no use pleading your case further...”

He paused, then softened his expression, adopting a kindly smile. “This official knows well that not all here are fox spirits. Among you, there must be many good and honest folk.

“I assure you, not a single fox spirit will escape my notice, and I will not wrong a single innocent soul. Once the truth is uncovered, I will see your affairs properly settled, and your names cleared...”

With that, he glanced at the soldiers flanking him, his face hardening again. “Clear out all idlers. Detain every courtesan employed within Siqing House and bring them to the yamen for questioning!”

He hesitated, feeling it a shame to simply haul away the girls and leave such a lucrative enterprise behind.

“Seal off Siqing House,” he added. “Do not disturb anything inside. I suspect some objects may also be tainted by demonic influence. In due time, I shall summon an expert to perform a ritual and purge the place of evil energies...”

“Yes, sir!” the soldiers responded in unison. They closed in around the Siqing House girls, readying their shackles to drag them away.

Zhu Sisi, seasoned by years of cultivation and worldly experience, saw through the charade. Watching the soldiers prepare to seize her adopted “daughters,” her brow furrowed with worry and indecision.

Centuries ago, she had been nothing more than an ordinary spider lurking in a brothel, preying on men. By chance, she awakened to intelligence and began cultivating the essence of sun and moon.

Back then, she was as naive as a blank slate, at once curious and hungry for the world of humans. Years spent observing from her hidden vantage, she saw every facet of humanity: the honeyed lies whispered by men in pursuit of pleasure, their coldness once their desires were sated. She grew to despise men—especially human men.

Even after gaining strength and leaving the brothel to cultivate in the mountains, her distaste never waned. When she finally succeeded in taking human form, her outward appearance was delicate and alluring, yet her expression remained cold and aloof—a reflection of her weary heart.

Perhaps because she originated in the mortal world, she retained a soft spot for it, even after her transformation. The gulf between humans and demons could not be bridged, nor could she change the world or shoulder such profound karma. Yet, she often took in women who had nowhere else to turn—those orphaned and starving, sold into bondage, or beaten near to death by cruel husbands.

The world was chaotic, and the line between human and demon stark. She could not teach these women much, nor did she harbor any grand ambition to save all souls, but she helped where she could, out of both compassion and self-interest.

For instance, upon learning that the Emperor of Daliang planned to hold a grand Water and Land Dharma Assembly, personally appointing a National Preceptor to receive the nation’s mandate and royal veneration, she was tempted—such an event would be a boon to her cultivation.

She knew, too, that this would draw many other cultivators, making the capital a den of dragons and snakes. For her own safety, she sought a place to settle near the capital, while gathering intelligence on both the city and the coming assembly.

When her “daughters” volunteered to accompany her and assist, she did not refuse, but assumed the role of madam herself. Now, as these “daughters” were about to be dragged away by officers, she hesitated—unsure whether to intervene.

Xu had warned her that practitioners of the Celestial Master Sect resided in Hongyang City. With so many eyes on Siqing House, any display of supernatural power risked exposing her demonic aura. Should the Celestial Masters discover her, she would be in grave danger.

Yet if she did nothing, her “daughters” would likely face a grim fate at the hands of the authorities...

As Zhu Sisi wavered, a thunderous shout erupted from the crowd—“Hold on!”

So forceful was the voice that even the image in the magic mirror rippled.

In the mirrored scene, Xu, who the girls had been sheltering behind, strode forward to confront the officers.

Zhu Sisi stared in astonishment at the trembling reflection, her gaze fixed on the figure she both loathed and feared.

For a moment, she could not tell whether it was the mirror’s surface or her own heart that was disturbed by these waves.

Outside Siqing House, silence reigned.

Everyone—the city magistrate Li, his officers, the girls, and the gathered onlookers—was stunned by the sudden outcry.

Xu Boqing stepped forward, meeting the soldiers’ weapons with a faintly mocking smile. “Magistrate Li, what an impressive display of authority~~”

Li, too, frowned. The youth’s tone was teasing, and he found it difficult to read his intentions. Adopting the formal cadence of an official, he demanded, “And who are you?”

“Me? Who else could I be?” Xu Boqing laughed. “Merely a bystander who cannot bear to watch Magistrate Li toy with the hearts of the people.”

“Insolent wretch!” Magistrate Li snapped. “I am here on official business, acting in the public interest. The evidence of fox spirits within Siqing House is incontrovertible. How am I toying with the people?”

“Fox spirits?” Xu Boqing scoffed. “On account of a few foxes you’ve ‘discovered’—dead ones at that—you condemn Siqing House as a den of fox demons?”

“Outrageous!” Magistrate Li barked. “With so many witnesses, what further explanation is needed? If you would defend these women, are you not a demon yourself?!”

He paused, then pointed at Xu Boqing and shouted, “Seize this demon at once!”

...