Chapter Seventy-Six: Night Rain

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As night fell, the rain began once more, a gentle patter that seemed to confirm the heavens’ reluctance to grant clear skies for long. The sound of rain washed over the walls of Jiangzhou, over the peaks of Maple Mountain.

The darkness was vast, the world shrouded in mist.

Chen Jianchen sat at the entrance of the Reclining Pine Cave, gazing into the distant haze, lost in silent reverie.

“Master, what are you thinking about?”

The mouse demon approached, hopped onto Chen Jianchen’s left shoulder. It tried to peer into the distance as well, but after a while, realized there was nothing much to see.

Chen Jianchen replied, “I’m thinking that if the rain doesn’t stop, I won’t be able to return to Jiangzhou tomorrow.”

The mouse demon was taken aback and hurriedly asked, “Master, are we going back?”

Truth be told, it was reluctant to leave—Reclining Pine Cave was rich with spiritual energy, and with Sister Yingning’s careful guidance, it could learn profound Daoist arts. How could it bear to part with all this? Yet if the master commanded, it would never dare disobey.

Chen Jianchen chuckled, as if he had already anticipated its thoughts. “Even if we return, I’ll be going alone.”

The mouse demon’s cultivation was still modest; it needed to strengthen itself. Letting it stay with Yingning was the right path. Yingning, though she inherited the teachings of Autumn’s Insight, was not stingy with her knowledge. As long as the little one was willing to learn, she was willing to teach.

“Master, I…”

Little Yi’s eyes brimmed with tears—this mouse demon’s emotions were perhaps a bit too abundant.

Chen Jianchen flicked his finger, gently tapping the mouse demon. “Little Yi, from now on, you and Yingning should both call me Young Master. Calling me ‘master’ all the time feels a little awkward.”

“How can that be?”

“If I say it’s fine, it’s fine.”

“Very well, Little Yi thanks you, Young Master.”

In truth, there was no formal contract between it and Chen Jianchen. At first, Chen Jianchen spared its life, so it became his servant; later, it realized following him brought great benefits, learning Daoist arts and more, so it set aside other intentions. Now, having come to understand Chen Jianchen’s character, and having met Sister Yingning, they felt like family, warm and close, no longer solitary as before.

“Young Master, are you planning to leave tomorrow?”

At that moment, Yingning sat beside him, handing over the characters she had written.

Her writing had grown increasingly elegant, each character neat and graceful—a marked improvement. If shown to others, they might mistake it for the script of a refined young lady.

Chen Jianchen said, “Yes, tomorrow. The Dharma Assembly is nearly over, and the holiday ends soon. I need to return to the academy for my studies.”

Yingning seemed a little saddened and wrote, “I don’t want you to leave.”

Chen Jianchen laughed softly. “It’s only a temporary parting. You and Little Yi should stay in the cave and cultivate diligently. Once you master the myriad mysteries of the Dao, you’ll be able to truly enter the city and explore.”

When Yingning first became a fox spirit, she often snuck down the mountain to read and learn, lingering around the village. She dared not enter the city; it was impossible. The population was dense, and her precious fur made her conspicuous. If discovered, even as a spirit, her fate would be grim.

So she could only wander the countryside, especially near the private school. She’d find a safe spot, lie on the ground or climb a tree, nestle in a comfortable branch, and quietly listen to the students’ recitations from within.

This little fox spirit learned a great many characters through such a clumsy method—bit by bit.

Thinking back, Yingning realized she must have heard Chen Jianchen’s voice among those readings. The memory lingered; she felt certain that in the chorus of voices echoing in her mind, the young master’s was the loudest.

It must have been so.

Before knowing his face, she had already heard his voice.

Once she recognized the characters, Yingning seized the chance to slip into the academy and acquire several primer books—like The Three Character Classic and The Thousand Character Text.

She never considered herself a thief—at most, a book pilferer. Yingning recalled an old white-bearded scholar who once declared, “How can the business of scholars be described as theft?”

Moreover, whenever she took a book, she’d leave a string of coins in its place. She witnessed firsthand how the students, upon discovering the money, were delighted—never bothered about the missing book. In their minds, money held greater value than books.

After spending much time in the village, Yingning dreamed of venturing into the county town to witness the bustling mortal world. It was her dream.

Yet she also understood that without mastery of the Dao, the city was far too dangerous. The vast city was heavily guarded; one misstep, and she’d be discovered, doomed without hope of escape. She was unlike Little Yi; the mouse demon possessed innate advantages, skilled in stealth and flight—slipping away to safety with ease.

Furthermore, Yingning had heard that the city was teeming with all kinds of people, including powerful and eccentric figures. If she encountered any of them, her demise would be swift—they would surely “exorcise the demon.”

Though Yingning never fully grasped why they were so intent on demon-slaying. She had never harmed anyone.

Hearing Chen Jianchen’s words, Yingning knew the young master spoke wisely. For now, she had to focus on cultivating her Daoist arts to secure her future.

After some thought, she suddenly asked, “Young Master, Little Yi told me there’s a wealthy young man in the city who means you harm. If you return, will you be in danger? Yingning is truly worried.”

Ever since Little Yi began calling Yingning ‘sister’, it had opened up, revealing many things.

Chen Jianchen smiled. “Don’t worry. I’ll be at the academy—he won’t dare act recklessly.” He thought of his plans that day, regretting that just as he was about to strike back, the Dharma procession entered Jiangzhou, disrupting everything.

Thus, trouble remained unresolved.

Of course, Chen Jianchen held the title of scholar. For Wu Wencai to harm him would not be easy; besides, Chen Jianchen was steadfast and vigilant, well-prepared, and would never allow Wu Wencai to find a weakness.

Yingning pondered and wrote, “Young Master, why not let Little Yi accompany you home? It would be good to have someone with you. Once things settle down, he can return to me.”

She had never witnessed the treachery of human hearts, but she had heard plenty about it.

Little Yi puffed out his chest. “Master… Young Master, Sister Yingning is right. I wouldn’t feel easy letting you go alone.”

Faced with the care of these two little spirits, Chen Jianchen felt a different warmth stirring in his heart. He hesitated briefly, then said, “Very well.” Although the mouse demon lacked power, it was clever and nimble, capable of aiding in many ways. He had already decided: once back in Jiangzhou, after the Black Robe Guards escorted the Dharma monks away, he would take the initiative.

Looking up, the rain had grown heavier—the trees yearned for calm, yet the wind would not cease; once one entered the rivers and lakes, storms and waves were sure to follow. Perhaps it was always thus…