Chapter 24: Ji Qingge’s True Origins

Chen An had previously warned Ji Qingge to exercise caution, but clearly, she hadn't taken his advice seriously.

…

The rear courtyard of the Ji estate was expansive.

Just counting the noteworthy separate villas, there were at least ten.

Walking along the corridor leading to the rear courtyard, one could already hear gasps of astonishment and suppressed exclamations.

At the location marked with the plaque "Clear River Villa," an immense dome of pale golden light had appeared, radiating a formidable presence and enveloping the entire villa inside.

How could such an astonishing and miraculous sight fail to draw repeated cries of amazement?

"Immortal arts! Now, this is what a genuine immortal's technique looks like!"

Some shouted excitedly, while others knelt immediately, reciting sacred texts in fervent prayer.

Even those elders renowned for their wisdom couldn't help muttering to themselves in awe, "Yes… this indeed must be Zhengqing Sect's unique Immortal Art—the Demon-Sealing Formation."

"Many years ago in the capital, I once witnessed their immortal masters use this very formation…"

Standing at the entrance nearest to the villa, Ji Ping observed the guests' reaction, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. 

He clearly recalled his own astonishment the first time he'd seen the Zhengqing Sect's immortal masters in action—he'd been equally awed, seeing them as divine beings descended from heaven.

Such righteous, majestic immortal techniques—how could that fox demon, who could only conjure some trifling water, even compare?

True, the fox demon had always behaved well enough, acting no differently from a family member over the years. But as the saints said: "Those not of our kind harbor differing intentions."

Who knew when it might find a suitable opportunity to kill, to steal human souls—wasn't that precisely what demons specialized in?

As City Lord of Luoyang, Ji Ping naturally had some knowledge about such mysterious, uncanny matters.

Clearing his throat, he announced solemnly, "Everyone, seeing is believing. Now you should finally trust this Ji's words, right?"

At his words, the excited murmurs gradually subsided. Everyone quietly fixed their eyes on Ji Ping, waiting to hear his explanation.

Ji Ping slowly paced back and forth, organizing his thoughts carefully before speaking. "It all began about a month ago. Perhaps when receiving the invitations, some of you wondered why my daughter Ji Yun's marriage was announced so abruptly and scheduled hastily within a month of the notice."

He chuckled lightly. "The truth is, the immortal masters from Zhengqing Sect approached me precisely one month ago."

"To be honest, at first I thought they were just another batch of wandering swindlers—after all, I'd lived with my family all these years, how could I not know if one of us was a demon?"

"Yet, as you can likely guess, the immortal masters quickly revealed the fox demon's true form to me through their profound techniques. They then discussed with me how to subdue the demon…"

Here, Ji Ping's expression darkened, uncontrollable anger seeping into his tone. "The immortal masters further revealed that the fox demon was never truly my second daughter at all! My poor child died due to complications at birth long ago."

"It was this fox demon that forcibly possessed her lifeless body and reanimated her corpse!"

Hearing this, the crowd involuntarily recoiled in fear, horror flashing in their eyes. How wicked, how sinister the methods of these demons—possessing a newborn infant's body after death!

Someone couldn't help blurting out, "If that's true, perhaps it was even the fox demon who murdered the infant first, then possessed her body!"

Ji Ping glanced sorrowfully at the speaker, nodding slowly, "I had considered the same possibility. Sadly, even if I wish to avenge my beloved daughter by slaying this fiend myself, I have no strength to do so."

He heaved a long, mournful sigh. The crowd, stirred by sympathy, murmured words of consolation, mingled with angry curses at the fox demon's treachery.

Amidst the harsh condemnations, an elderly man raised another viewpoint, speaking hesitantly, "Actually, according to what these immortal masters said, this fox demon lived in Luoyang peacefully for many years, with not a single rumor of harming anyone."

"Furthermore, based on my interactions with her, I cannot recall anything malicious—"

Before he could finish, another person sharply interrupted, "Old Zhang, you've gone senile! Just because the fox demon showed occasional goodwill, you start thinking she's benevolent?"

"She's a demon who literally eats people! Maybe she even started the fire at your house, just to put on a show of rescuing you later."

"Yes!" Another voice echoed firmly. "Brother Li is right. Otherwise, how else can we explain how perfectly she appeared and put out the flames?"

Old Zhang raised his head, glaring at his opponent disdainfully. He scoffed coldly, "You weren't saying such things when begging her to cure your child's illness!"

"And as for the Wang and Li families—over these years, haven't all of you repeatedly sought her help and benefited from her techniques? Without her, would you even still be alive today?"

Upon hearing this, the accused man's expression wavered uncertainly, then turned resentful as he flicked his sleeves indignantly. "Now it all makes sense! No wonder my child couldn't be healed despite seeing countless physicians—this fox demon must have secretly caused his illness, forcing me to seek her help!"

"Exactly! That explains my persistent headaches and the failure of doctors to diagnose me—it must've been the fox demon's secret meddling, so she could later pretend to save me! Despicable!"

"You—you!" Fuming at these unjust accusations, Old Zhang shook with rage, his whiskers trembling as he stammered angrily.

"Enough, enough!"

Someone quickly stepped forward, trying to smooth tensions. "Let's not damage our harmony because of a demon, shall we?"

Old Zhang's face shifted through multiple expressions, eventually falling silent and bowing his head reluctantly.

Just as the atmosphere grew tense, the golden dome of light suddenly emitted a deep "boom," shifting abruptly.

Within the pale-yellow barrier, a shadowy figure emerged, struggling desperately. It appeared ghostlike, translucent.

Looking closely, the shadow was unmistakably that of a snow-white fox.

The crowd stood stunned, about to resume their debate when suddenly the fox's shadow let out a heartrending cry—anguished, piercing straight into everyone's hearts.

Turning its head, the fox's vivid blue vertical pupils stared directly at the crowd. Those eyes conveyed a mixture of sorrow, remorse, hurt confusion, and deep, irreconcilable self-mockery.

Under that penetrating stare, everyone instinctively averted their eyes, unwilling to meet its gaze. Even Ji Ping himself, standing amidst the crowd, lowered his head deeply, unwilling and unable to face it.

Though they had spoken confidently, morally justified, deep down everyone understood:

They had, after all, deceived her…

"Everyone, calm down," someone suddenly encouraged loudly. "The fox demon has been trapped by the immortal masters' formation; escape is impossible. Look at its eyes—clearly filled with resentment towards us! All we've done is strike first to protect ourselves!"

These words instantly sparked supportive responses:

"Exactly! When dealing with a demon like this, what point is there in talking of morality?"