Slaughter, wails...
The scene of evil spirits killing people was far from pleasant, especially when there was a blood feud of genocide involved.
In the once - clean courtyard, bloodstains that hadn't dried yet were everywhere. None of the Hu family members who had come to surround Nian Nian and Shen Weixun had survived.
The moment their souls separated from their bodies after death, they were devoured by the evil spirits of the Tu family, leaving not even a trace.
Watching this scene, Nian Nian and Shen Weixun didn't feel much of a stir in their hearts.
Were they the executioners who had allowed the evil spirits to harm people?
Maybe so.
But every cause has its effect.
The entire Hu family had been worshiping an evil idol.
Their ancestors had stolen the family glory and abilities that didn't belong to them.
They had imprisoned and enslaved others' souls.
All these were the evil causes they had sown, and now they were reaping the evil consequences.
Karma is fair.
This was the path that Nian Nian and the others adhered to.
"Here's our address. After you've settled things here, come and find us. Remember to leave a few alive. I want to ask about the evil idol."
Shen Weixun left a note on the table and said to the ancestor of the Tu family.
Such a bloody scene was really not suitable for Little Tuanzi, a six - year - old girl.
Although she wasn't afraid, Shen Weixun still didn't want Little Tuanzi to watch any more.
After leaving this remark and a note, he took the old butler and hurriedly left the Hu family compound.
When they returned to the guesthouse, the smell of blood still lingered on them.
Just as they reached the door, they ran into Taoist Priest Qingyun, who was wearing a thick cotton - padded jacket, with his hands tucked into his sleeves and peeping around.
"Master! Were you waiting for me?"
Nian Nian scrambled off Third Senior Brother and trotted over to Taoist Priest Qingyun with a big smile on her face.
Taoist Priest Qingyun smelled the blood wafting towards him. His face darkened as he shot a glare at Shen Weixun.
But he just let out a soft snort and didn't bring up the topic.
When Little Tuanzi and Shen Weixun hadn't returned for a whole day, Taoist Priest Qingyun couldn't help but cast a divination for them.
He roughly knew the reasons for their going out and what was going to happen next.
However, some parts of the divination were unclear.
The result of the divination was an extremely dangerous sign for Nian Nian.
It meant that his most beloved little apprentice would be in danger of bloodshed.
But he couldn't get in touch with them. Neither of the two kids answered their phones.
So he could only stand at the door of the guesthouse, stretching his neck and waiting for the figures of the two little rascals.
When he saw them come back safe and sound, he finally let out a sigh of relief.
"Humph, you only know how to go out and play around. You've forgotten all about your master, haven't you? I wasn't waiting for you. I was waiting for a puppy."
Taoist Priest Qingyun blew his beard and glared, showing no good temper.
But Little Tuanzi wasn't afraid when she saw her master's expression. She wrinkled her nose sheepishly and then started to scramble up her master's body.
Taoist Priest Qingyun just watched as Little Tuanzi used him like a cat - climbing frame. He didn't help her up nor did he push her away.
When Nian Nian finally climbed up, nudged open her master's arms with her head, and nestled into a comfortable position in his arms.
Taoist Priest Qingyun immediately showed a helpless yet doting smile.
"You, you only know this trick."
"Hehe, it always works."
Every time Master seemed about to get angry, Nian Nian would do this: crawl into her master's arms, act coquettishly, and beg for a hug.
Most of the time, Taoist Priest Qingyun would immediately lose his temper.
Little Tuanzi had used this trick countless times, and Taoist Priest Qingyun always fell for it.
It was always effective.
"Have you eaten?"
Taoist Priest Qingyun pinched Nian Nian's little nose and asked grumpily.
Nian Nian looked at her round belly but still shook her head against her will.
She really hadn't had a proper meal, but there were always snacks prepared in Third Senior Brother's car that she could eat anytime.
She had eaten all the way back, and her belly was round.
But if Master wanted her to, she thought she could still eat a little more.
"Come on, I've saved some delicious food for you. They're all your favorites."
Saying this, Taoist Priest Qingyun carried Little Tuanzi into the house. Throughout the whole process, he didn't even spare a glance at his third apprentice.
"Master, your status seems a bit low."
The old butler looked at Shen Weixun shivering in the cold wind and couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Shen Weixun blushed a little.
His status in the Taoist temple was indeed a bit low.
But it wasn't just him. All the senior brothers in the temple had a lower status than Nian Nian.
Of course, they were all willing to do so.
"Don't make fun of me, old man. Hurry into the house. It's really cold outside."
Being completely ignored by his master made him feel a bit cold - hearted. Shen Weixun sighed helplessly and walked into the house as well.
Taoist Priest Qingyun hadn't completely forgotten about his existence. The midnight snacks he had saved were for two people.
Although he didn't say it out loud, he had put a lot of effort into his disciples and loved them all equally.
Just like an old father, he silently protected each of his apprentices.
"Master, do you know if there's anyone who specializes in hunting spiritual beasts?"
While eating, Shen Weixun was still thinking about the Nine - Tailed Heavenly Fox. So he decided to ask Taoist Priest Qingyun for help.
Taoist Priest Qingyun's hand that was picking up food for Nian Nian paused. He slightly lifted his eyelids and said, "I know. It's that man you met last time."
"No, Master. Let's be straightforward. There are some things that even if you don't want to say, we still have to get involved. Look at this."
Saying this, Shen Weixun spread out his palm.
In his palm was a transparent jade gourd, and inside the jade gourd was the extremely weak soul of the Nine - Tailed Heavenly Fox.
"The Hu family was worshiping an evil idol. The soul of the Nine - Tailed Heavenly Fox was imprisoned in the evil idol. We smashed the idol and rescued its soul. Now the Hu family is in big trouble, so we don't have to worry about them. But I don't think they had the ability to hunt the Nine - Tailed Heavenly Fox or to imprison its soul. There must be someone else behind them.
The evil idol seemed to be very important to the Hu family. I don't know if the person who made the evil idol cares about the Hu family. If he also cares about the soul of the Nine - Tailed Heavenly Fox, then we must be fully prepared."
Judging from his master's reaction, Shen Weixun knew that his master knew far more than he had imagined.
It was just that his master didn't want to say.
But his master usually didn't hide anything from his disciples. So Shen Weixun guessed that his master was just trying to protect them.
But now that they had already offended someone and caused trouble, it might be a bit too late to protect them.