The heavy rain lashed down on Longhu Mountain, and everyone retreated to their quarters. The lively atmosphere of the past two days on Longhu Mountain was replaced by an unusual quiet.
Changshan meditated on a cushion in his room. Incense and candles burned, and his chanting could be faintly heard.
After returning with Yan Shouyi, Changshan treated his own wounds. He did not inform the leading elder of Hanshan Temple about the incident. Given the elder’s temperament, he would have likely caused a major scene if he knew. Moreover, Yan Shouyi had instructed him not to draw attention to it, as it might disrupt the Old Heavenly Master's plan.
Therefore, Changshan rested alone in his room.
As he chanted, his mind replayed the events of the evening.
At that moment, a shadow silently approached Changshan's window. The shadow, resembling a fierce dog, slowly morphed into human form. The person crouched by the window, staring intently at Changshan.
Observing that Changshan had not noticed him, the shadow grinned creepily and easily slipped into the room, moving behind Changshan.
Changshan remained still.
The shadow, hidden in Changshan's own silhouette, slowly grew larger until it engulfed Changshan's shadow.
A pair of black hands crawled onto Changshan's shoulders and subtly gripped his neck...
Then, they tightened abruptly!
Caught completely off guard, Changshan's eyes widened, and he began to claw frantically at his neck! However, his neck was completely empty; he couldn't touch the shadow's hands!
Changshan struggled desperately, but it was in vain. His face turned dark from lack of air, and he was on the verge of suffocating to death!
Just then, a golden light suddenly flew in through the window! The golden light struck the shadow precisely on its forehead, transforming into a "卍" symbol!
The shadow released Changshan and writhed on the ground as if engulfed in flames that it couldn't extinguish! The "卍" symbol seemed branded onto the shadow's forehead, and no matter how it struggled, it couldn't shake it off!
Changshan finally broke free. He turned and immediately struck the shadow with a palm! The shadow, severely wounded, struggled for only a short while before it became still.
Under the lamplight, Changshan examined it closely. After it stopped moving, the shadow gradually transformed into a shadow puppet.
"A shadow puppet?" Changshan instantly understood who his assailant was.
"Changshan!"
Shi Xin, the leading elder of Hanshan Temple, strode into the room. "How did an evil spirit get into your room?!"
Changshan knew he couldn't keep this from Elder Shi Xin. He picked up the shadow puppet from the ground and presented it to the elder.
"What is this?" Elder Shi Xin asked.
"A shadow puppet."
"Nonsense!" Elder Shi Xin exclaimed angrily. "I'm asking about its origins!"
As Changshan was about to answer, a voice called out from outside:
"Elder Shi Xin, an elder from Longhu Mountain has personally delivered a letter for you. It's very important and requires your personal attention!"
Elder Shi Xin shot Changshan a glare and turned to leave. Changshan seemed to sense something and followed Elder Shi Xin out.
Elder Shi Xin found it strange, why would they need to communicate via letter when they were both on Longhu Mountain? And why was a Longhu Mountain elder delivering it?
Upon receiving the letter, Elder Shi Xin immediately opened it. After a brief read, his face darkened. He then read it several more times, disbelieving what he saw.
Finally, Elder Shi Xin said coldly to Changshan, "Changshan, after the final match today, did you and Yan Shouyi go out alone for a period?"
Changshan nodded silently.
"No wonder you've attracted trouble," Elder Shi Xin sighed. "My orders are for everyone to prepare their weapons and gear."
"Did something happen?" Changshan asked.
Elder Shi Xin half-removed his kasaya, tied it around his waist, and said in a cold tone, "Nothing major. It's just that the Old Heavenly Master wants us to join him in eliminating demons and upholding righteousness!"
...
Zhu Feifeng, holding an umbrella, arrived outside Yan Shouyi's courtyard. Seeing the gate tightly shut, he stepped forward to knock. After only three knocks, the gate suddenly swung open, revealing Zhao Yiyao, who stood inside, appraising Zhu Feifeng.
"It's me," Zhu Feifeng quickly lifted the edge of his umbrella, fearing Zhao Yiyao wouldn't recognize him.
"Daoist Zhu, please come in." Zhao Yiyao recognized Zhu Feifeng and opened the gate to let him enter.
The moment Zhu Feifeng stepped into the courtyard, he was startled. Dozens of people were gathered in this small courtyard, all armed and looking grim. And beside Agong, a pile of eerie paper figures were planted.
"Wh-what are you all doing?" Zhu Feifeng asked, frightened.
"Don't worry, Daoist Zhu, we're not up to anything malicious," Abbot Guanyun stepped forward to explain. "It's just that Longhu Mountain is not peaceful tonight, and we've gathered to protect ourselves."
"Longhu Mountain is not peaceful?" Zhu Feifeng was even more perplexed. Was there any place safer than Longhu Mountain in this world?
He looked towards the depths of the courtyard and saw Yan Shouyi sitting there, carving a small wooden bird with a carving knife. In front of Yan Shouyi lay another wooden bird, but this one had a broken wing and looked quite pathetic.
"Whoosh!" Yan Shouyi blew at the carved wooden bird, clearing away the wood shavings. He then lifted it and examined it for a moment, finally saying with satisfaction, "This body is much more beautiful than the previous one, and as you wished, I've made the claws a bit larger to make you look more formidable."
He placed the new wooden bird before San Yuan and asked, "How does it feel? Are there any changes you'd like?"
San Yuan shook its head and chirped, seemingly eager for its new body.
"Alright, I'll transfer your soul now." Yan Shouyi took out a red string and tied San Yuan's old and new bodies together. He then took out several Taoist talismans and wrapped them around them. After a series of incantations and spells, the talismans spontaneously ignited. San Yuan, controlling its brand-new body, emerged from the flames and took flight! Its soul had been transferred from its damaged old body to the new body Yan Shouyi had just carved for it. The new body was more agile and had a stronger attack, much to San Yuan's satisfaction.
San Yuan circled in the air for a moment before suddenly landing on Yan Shouyi's shoulder, chirping as if speaking.
Yan Shouyi frowned, "You say there's someone outside our courtyard?"
Zhu Feifeng quickly looked back. There shouldn't have been anyone behind him when he arrived. At this late hour, who would come looking for Mr. Yan?
"Zhao Yiyao, open the door," Yan Shouyi called out.
Zhao Yiyao rolled her eyes at Yan Shouyi. "Do you really take me for a maid?"
However, despite her feigned reluctance, she obediently went to open the door. Through the gap in the door, she saw three people standing outside. One of them, she recognized as Zhang Shanli.
"Hall Master Shanli, please come in," Zhao Yiyao opened the door.
Zhang Shanli shook his head. "I'm here to deliver a letter, so I won't be coming in."
"A letter?" As Zhao Yiyao looked puzzled, Yan Shouyi had already reached the door. With the door wide open, Zhang Shanli saw the assembled group ready for action and couldn't help but chuckle. "It seems you have no need to read this letter."
"What do you mean?"
Yan Shouyi took the letter and opened it. The letter clearly stated: Tonight, demonic cultivators have ascended the mountain with malicious intent. Longhu Mountain respectfully invites all fellow cultivators to join in eliminating demons, upholding righteousness, and protecting the Dharma!
The Old Heavenly Master is truly planning to trap them like fish in a jar! Reading this line in the letter, Yan Shouyi finally confirmed – the play was about to begin!