梵僧耆域 was taken aback. He had been in the Central Plains for several years and knew the extraordinary people and strange talents in various places like the back of his hand, but he had never heard of anyone named Ximen Zi.

Could he be a direct disciple of some hidden sect, sent out to walk the mortal world?

Unconsciously, 梵僧 pricked up his ears, listening carefully, gradually sketching out the scene in the next private room in his mind.

Three middle-aged men, one short, one fat, and one thin, were sitting around a round table, drinking and chatting.

The short man took a big gulp of wine and said, "Daoist Ximen Zi? I've heard of him too. This Daoist is kind-hearted and travels around to slay demons and eliminate evil.

"I heard that he encountered a strange case in Long County. Two families had formed a marriage alliance, both the man and woman were from wealthy families, a perfect match.

"The wedding procession was filled with gongs and drums, a grand affair.

"Just as everyone was receiving the bride and heading to the groom's house, a gust of wind mixed with thick sand suddenly blew in from afar.

"The wedding procession was thrown into chaos, the bridal sedan fell to the ground, and the bride was so frightened that her face lost all color.

"After a period of chaos, the sandstorm subsided, and the procession resumed its journey, arriving at the groom's house in Long County amidst the lively sounds of gongs and drums.

"After completing the ceremonial procedures, the matron lifted the curtain.

"Everyone cheerfully saw the bride wearing a red veil step down from the sedan, and the groom was naturally beaming with joy.

"However, before the matron could say anything auspicious, the curtain was lifted again..."

The fat man interjected, "Was it the concubine hiding in the sedan? Or a gigolo trying to elope with the bride?"

"Hey, neither."

The short man shook his head and said, "Another bride wearing a red veil stepped out of the sedan.

"Everyone was immediately stunned.

"The two brides stood side by side, completely identical in height, figure, and clothing, making it impossible to distinguish between them."

The thin man interjected, "Were they twin sisters?"

"No."

The short man shook his head. "The bride is the only daughter in her family, with no biological sisters.

"The parents-in-law were all dumbfounded and had no choice but to welcome the two brides into the inner room, lift their red veils, and let the parents of the bride identify them with their own eyes.

"Unexpectedly, the two brides looked exactly alike, even the birthmarks on their calves were identical.

"The parents-in-law asked the brides to recall past memories, and both brides answered fluently, without any mistakes."

The fat man was dumbfounded. "There's such a thing?"

"Yes, indeed."

The short man said with a flourish, "Both families are local powerhouses. Unable to tell which was the original bride, and unwilling to lose face by temporarily interrupting the wedding,

"They had no choice but to bite the bullet and let the two brides worship heaven and earth and get married to the groom together."

The thin man shook his head and said, "I guess the only one who was happy was the groom."

"Exactly, embracing both left and right, enjoying the blessings of two wives, truly enviable."

The short man chuckled. "First bow to heaven and earth, second bow to the ancestors, husband and wife bow to each other, then a grand banquet was held.

"The two brides followed their husband to meet the relatives and friends, glaring at each other with gnashing teeth, resenting the sudden appearance of the other disturbing their wedding,

"While the relatives and friends who came to watch the ceremony had enough to gossip about, feeling that the trip was worthwhile and they had something to brag about to outsiders.

"When night fell, everyone left, and the groom led the two brides into the bridal chamber with trepidation and excitement, getting into bed.

"At this time, although the two brides were unwilling, they didn't want to be second best, allowing this suddenly appearing imposter to interfere with their wedding night, so they had no choice but to sleep with the groom under the same blanket."

The short man spoke with great animation, and both listeners showed smiles that said, "I understand."

梵僧耆域 in the next room couldn't help but shake his head. He had understood long ago when he was young that women are devils.

The short man continued, "When sounds came from the room, the parents-in-law, who were eavesdropping outside the wall, nodded in satisfaction. If the newlyweds were safe and sound, then there was no problem.

"Unexpectedly, the parents-in-law had just returned to their room to sleep when they heard a shrill scream from the bridal chamber. They hurriedly got up, called the servants of the house, and rushed to the bridal chamber with candles.

"Everyone was worried that something had gone wrong with the one phoenix, two dragons game?

"When they arrived outside the door, they hurriedly knocked on the door, which was locked from the inside.

"The room was silent, and no one responded no matter how the parents-in-law shouted.

"Helpless, the parents-in-law had no choice but to order people to smash open the door, only to see blood everywhere in the room. The groom was lying on the ground, face up, with black holes in his eye sockets, and his eyeballs were missing.

"One bride was lying on the inside of the bed, submerged in a pool of blood, her life or death unknown.

"The other bride was nowhere to be found."

The fat man frowned. "Were they attacked by a villain?"

The short man shook his head. "Suddenly, a sinister and strange laugh, unlike a human voice, came from the beam. Everyone looked up and saw a gray bird, as tall as a person, hanging upside down from the beam with its claws hooked onto it.

"Suddenly seeing the strange bird, the parents-in-law were terrified and angry, ordering people to stab the beam with pitchforks and bamboo poles.

"The strange bird swirled in the narrow room, easily avoiding all the pitchforks, and its claws cut off the bamboo poles that were stabbing at it. When the servants brought a fishing net, it leisurely flapped its wings, rushed out of the window, and disappeared into the night."

The short man took a sip of wine and slowly said in the eager gazes of the two listeners, "After the doctor administered medicine and rescued them, the bride and groom were not in mortal danger,

"But both of their eyeballs were taken by the strange bird, and there was no chance of recovery."

The fat man sighed, "It's a pity, a newly married couple on their wedding night, originally a joyous event in the world, but it ended with the couple both losing their sight."

The short man nodded and said, "After this accident, the family was naturally grief-stricken and furious. The next morning, a young Daoist with a black cloak and short hair walked into Long County."

The fat man asked, "Daoist Ximen Zi?"

"Exactly."

The short man slowly said, "Daoist Ximen Zi entered Long County and, upon hearing of this matter, immediately paid a visit,

"Informing the parents-in-law that the one who harmed the newlyweds' eyes last night

"Was a monster called a Rakshasa bird.

"This monster is formed from the Yinsha corpse energy condensed in a place of Yin, and is best at transforming into human form,

"Often turning into a human, sneaking into other people's homes, pecking out people's eyes, fierce and cruel.

"According to his estimation, this Rakshasa bird should be entrenched in a certain burial mound west of Long County. In nearby villages, several isolated children and elderly people have had their eyes pecked out by it.

"The grief-stricken and unbearable old man and lady naturally wanted to seek justice for their son, so they quickly ordered their servants to find several hunters in the city, preparing to spend all their wealth, gather people, and head towards the burial mound in a mighty manner,

"To end the life of that Rakshasa bird."