Old Woman

The black fox leapt from the ground, shattering and collapsing the earth beneath its feet, effectively blocking Li Xintian's path.
With demonic energy surging through both its legs and claws, the black fox moved at a blinding speed, charging toward Li Xintian and appearing before him in the blink of an eye.
At the same moment, the white fox also unleashed her power, striking the black fox down to the ground.
In an instant, the black fox transformed into the figure of a young man, five distinct claw marks torn across his right shoulder.
"It seems I have the upper hand after all," the white fox laughed, reverting to the form of an elderly woman. If Li Xintian had not distracted the black fox, she would never have managed such a blow.
"Don’t celebrate too soon. Next time we meet, I’ll return this a thousandfold," the young man spat, clutching his right shoulder with his left hand. Then, in a flash of black light, he tried to fly away.
Li Xintian hastily removed his coat and flung it at the fleeing black light, but he was a step too slow and failed to stop him.
Left with no other choice, Li Xintian descended, picked up his coat, brushed off the dust, and surmised that the black fox was certainly connected to the recent murders.
"Thank you, granny, for saving me just now," Li Xintian said, bowing with cupped fists to the old woman dressed in white.
"No need to thank me; it was a trifling matter. Young man, why did you throw your coat at him just now? What were you trying to do?" The old woman assumed Li Xintian had some skill, but saw no evidence he could vanquish monsters or demons.
"I wanted to catch him. He’s probably involved in the murders," Li Xintian replied without hesitation.
"It’s getting late. Go home and rest," the old woman nodded, asking no more, and in a streak of white light, ascended into the sky and was gone.
"It seems the world is no longer safe," Li Xintian thought, concern growing for his family, as he had already been away for three months.
He had no choice but to return to the Hong residence.

The next day.

Li Xintian received word from Hong Tianyun: another murder had occurred, and this time it was even worse—nearly ten people dead. Some had their life force drained, leaving their faces deathly pale and mouths agape.
Others had died miserably, their bodies covered in poison, skin turned black, blood oozing out and sizzling on the ground, emitting black smoke. Even the constables dared not approach.
A crowd of commoners had gathered nearby, some weeping bitterly, held back by soldiers.
"Burn the poisoned corpses where they lie and raise a grave on the spot. These are extraordinary times, so extraordinary measures must be taken."
"For those untainted by poison, arrange for someone to identify them," Hong Tianyun ordered, calling for torches to be thrown onto the bodies.

Li Xintian dared not get too close either.
Black smoke billowed from the burning corpses, and no one else dared approach.
"Brother Zhi Xian, if we handle this poorly, I may lose my position—and even if we solve the case, my career in government will be over," Hong Tianyun lamented, knowing how dire the situation had become.
"If the case is solved, I’ll simply retire and return home," Li Xintian replied with a nod.
"It seems that’s how it must be," Hong Tianyun agreed, understanding the consequences.
"Has the abbot from Yunxiang Temple been anywhere unusual?" Li Xintian asked, eager to assist.
"We’re still investigating, but every time we tail him, he slips away. There’s no doubt he’s involved," Hong Tianyun sighed, frustrated by the abbot’s ability to evade pursuit.
"Clearly the abbot is suspicious. We should search his residence for evidence," Li Xintian suggested.
"He has no fixed abode; he lives within Yunxiang Temple," Hong Tianyun explained, shaking his head.
"Then have men keep watch on the most powerful and wealthy households in the county—we’re bound to find something," Li Xintian said, surprised that the abbot actually lived in the temple.
"I’ll see to it," Hong Tianyun agreed, trusting Li Xintian’s instincts.
"Wait—I'll take my leave now and leave this to you," Li Xintian said, stopping Hong Tianyun.
"Brother Zhi Xian, do you need an escort?" Hong Tianyun asked, noticing the townsfolk whispering about Li Xintian.
"No need. I’ll be fine on my own," Li Xintian answered, turning away.
"Tang Zhong, gather your men and keep watch over the most powerful and wealthy households in the county. Disguise yourselves as commoners. If you spot the abbot, report back immediately," Hong Tianyun ordered in a low voice.
"Yes, sir," Tang Zhong replied, hurrying off to make arrangements.

Inside a lavish mansion in the county—

"Muxing, instead of staying at Yunxiang Temple as the abbot, you’re here empty-handed. For what purpose have you come to see me?" The young man addressed an old man in his sixties.
"Brother Hu, the authorities are investigating me closely. If I continue, I fear I’ll be caught. So... I can’t go on," Muxing explained, having been tailed by officials for days. Today, he had come to see the young man one last time.
"If you’re of no more use, then you should die," the young man replied, drawing Muxing toward his palm.

"No, please spare me! I’ll flee far away!" Muxing pleaded in terror.
"I only trust the dead. So, you must die!" the young man declared, transforming into a beast and beginning to absorb Muxing’s essence.

Muxing screamed, his whole body trembling, as streams of dust-colored particles poured from his mouth, nose, and eyes straight into the young man’s mouth.
"As expected, Dao cultivators make the best meal," the young man said, absorbing Muxing entirely, leaving behind only a pile of bones and clothing.
With a wave of his hand, the bones and garments turned to dust and vanished.
"Time to settle the score with that old woman," the young man muttered, transforming into a streak of black light and shooting away.

At the Hong residence—

"Granny, what a coincidence—what brings you here?" Li Xintian, having evaded the townsfolk’s thrown eggs, quickly returned to the Hong residence and saw the old woman from the night before. In daylight, she wore simple clothes and leaned on a cane.
"I’m here to see Madam Hong, but the servants have been notifying her for ages and she still hasn’t appeared," the old woman replied, not at all afraid to see Li Xintian from the night before.
"Why don’t you come inside to wait for Madam Hong instead of standing outside?" Li Xintian offered.
"That wouldn’t be proper. Your surname is Li, and this is the Hong residence," the old woman protested, waving her hand.
"It’s nothing. You came to see Madam Hong—how could I let you wait outside?" Li Xintian insisted, supporting the old woman as they entered the residence.
"Master Li!" a servant greeted Li Xintian at the door, for Hong Tianyun had ordered the household to treat him with the same respect as himself.
"Do you know where Madam Hong is?" Li Xintian asked.
"She seems to have gone out. I searched everywhere and was just about to tell the old lady," the servant replied.
"If Madam Hong isn’t here, I’ll come back another time," said the old woman.
"Very well, let me see you out," Li Xintian replied, still curious about the identity of the other black fox.