Chapter 24

Wu Qingluan knew that Yu Xuanwei was a Taoist and that he often took on tasks related to exorcising and dispelling evil spirits for people. However, knowing this was one thing, and witnessing it firsthand was another.

After a brief moment of blindness and fainting, she woke up in Yu Xuanwei’s arms, realizing she was in a room at the Qinglong Monastery.

“Are you awake?” Yu Xuanwei’s fingers gently stroked her hair. “Don’t be afraid; I’m here for everything.”

“Sob, sob, sob… Sob, sob, sob…”

Crying sounds emanated from the ground, and it was none other than Ba Tianlong, who had regained his senses.

Ba Tianlong was curled up on the ground, his body contorted in a peculiar shape. “Sob… Taoist, I’m guilty. It’s all my fault for being too greedy… Sob, sob, sob!”

“What about you?” Yu Xuanwei turned to the other side. “Do you still want to continue protecting his family?”

Wu Qingluan was astonished to see that Yu Xuanwei was talking to Compass.

She noticed that Compass’s injuries had miraculously healed at some point, and the entire dog appeared glossy, as if surrounded by a halo.

This… After that strange dream about entering the painting, she had forgotten all about taking the compass to the hospital. Who had treated its wounds?

The compass looked at the sobbing Ba Tianlong, showing a hint of hesitation.

Ba Tianlong, overcome with shame, lifted his head and hastily removed the yellow vest he was wearing. “Compass, this is for you, it’s all for you! Please forgive me!”

“Ah!” The compass sighed like a human and put on the yellow vest. In an instant, a dazzling golden light erupted from it.

After the golden light dissipated, Compass was adorned in golden armor, had golden horns on its head, a body like a tiger, and a tail like a dragon. It stood majestically on the tea table.

Wu Qingluan couldn’t help but pinch herself. It hurt; she wasn’t dreaming!

This… was this a Pixiu? Although it was very miniaturized, it looked just like the Pixiu sculptures she had bought.

“Compass!” Ba Tianlong cried out, reaching out to hug the compass. “Please forgive me, I know I was wrong. Don’t leave!”

Compass spoke like a human, “My connection with your family has come to an end. You may leave now.”

Ba Tianlong remained frozen in place. ” Mr. Plump Butt, do you really not want me anymore?”

Compass turned its back to him and stuck out its rear end. Annoyed, it said, “I’ve changed my name now. Hurry up and leave, or I’ll have to settle the score with you for conspiring with the snake demon to peel my skin!”

Ba Tianlong looked fearfully at Yu Xuanwei. “Taoist…”

He truly regretted his actions!

Ba Tianlong was born into a wealthy family, and for generations, his family had been in the crystal business. It was said that the Ba family was blessed and protected by the mythical creature, Pixiu, which brought continuous prosperity and wealth.

Whether others believed it or not, Ba Tianlong firmly believed in it because he had grown up seeing the golden Pixiu. During festivals and special occasions, the elders in his family would offer prayers and offerings to the Pixiu statue. Unlike the majestic and imposing statues of other deities, the Pixiu he saw was chubby and adorable, especially its plump buttocks, which were round and firm, making it tempting to pinch.

As a young child, Ba Tianlong already had a clever mind. When he saw the Pixiu visiting his home to eat offerings and bless the crystal collections, he pretended not to know what it was. One day, he mustered the courage to touch the Pixiu’s plump buttocks and innocently asked, “Mr. Plump Butt, who are you, and why do you keep coming to our house to eat offerings?”

The Pixiu didn’t scold him for his impudence but instead grew fond of him and accepted the name “Plump Butt.” They became good friends.

With the protection of the Pixiu, Ba Tianlong excelled in the business world as he grew older.

However, the crystal industry was highly competitive, and even a well-established company like Tianlong Group encountered challenges in its operations.

Before the Lunar New Year, Ba Tianlong encountered a problem with a batch of raw crystals he had purchased from abroad. They were detained overseas and couldn’t be shipped to him. However, he had already accepted pre-orders from his fans, promising full refunds if the deliveries were delayed. As the scheduled delivery date approached, Ba Tianlong was in distress and sought help from his friend, the Pixiu, hoping it could assist him during this difficult time.

Surprisingly, the Pixiu refused to help and stated that this time, it was Ba Tianlong’s fate to lose some wealth. It explained that one should not only accumulate wealth but also engage in acts of generosity and charity, as part of the natural cycle of gain and loss.

Ba Tianlong disagreed with the Pixiu’s advice and started entertaining dubious ideas. He sought alternative means to gain wealth, which eventually led to him being possessed by a snake demon.

The snake demon, through supernatural means, provided him with the necessary goods to fulfill his pre-orders, resolving his immediate crisis. However, in return, the snake demon demanded that Ba Tianlong peel the Pixiu’s skin off to use as an offering for it.

Ba Tianlong, under the influence of the snake demon, committed this heinous act and removed the Pixiu’s scales. Injured and traumatized, the Pixiu managed to escape, leaving Ba Tianlong deeply influenced by the dark forces of the snake demon.

Yu Xuanwei was growing impatient with Ba Tianlong’s crying and urged him to leave, saying, “This Pixiu protected your family because it was saved by your ancestors long ago. Now, your debts are settled. You can go.”

Ba Tianlong knew he had narrowly escaped a dire situation and understood that he had encountered a genuine master. He didn’t dare to linger any longer. He said, “Mr. Plump Butt, I will sincerely repent. Whether you return or not, I will continue to offer my devotion to your shrine.”

Mr. Plump Butt continued to ignore him as Ba Tianlong left step by step.

Just as he walked out of Qinglong Temple’s gate, a notification popped up on Ba Tianlong’s phone, indicating a hot search: “Prominent Crystal Industry Leader, Tianlong Group, Accused of Selling Counterfeit Goods,” followed by a blood-red “Explode.”

Ba Tianlong let out a mournful cry. As expected, he couldn’t escape what was destined to come.

Inside Qinglong Temple, in Yu Xuanwei’s room, it fell into dead silence.

Compass, obediently, concealed its presence, leaving the space to Yu Xuanwei and Wu Qingluan.

Wu Qingluan had just experienced the snake demon and had seen Compass transform from a puppy into a Pixiu. She couldn’t deny it any longer; in this world, there were indeed supernatural beings.

Seeing her remaining silent and her eyes constantly scanning around, it was evident she was deeply conflicted.

“Do you have any questions?” Yu Xuanwei asked.

Wu Qingluan glanced at him and replied calmly, “You’ve pushed me to my limits.”

Yu Xuanwei chuckled softly and, without hesitation, lowered his head to kiss her.

Before they knew it, they had rolled onto the bed.

For a moment, Yu Xuanwei thought about leaving her, but unexpectedly, Wu Qingluan hugged him willingly, and he no longer had the willpower to resist.

As long as he maintained his human form, he wouldn’t harm her…

Wu Qingluan was a person who appeared outwardly warm but was internally reserved. Growing up with Madam Zhou, she had learned early on that life was tough and understood the importance of self-reliance.

However, Yu Xuanwei always seemed to appear at just the right time, continuously stirring her feelings.

Their previous casual encounters no longer satisfied her, and she wanted to see how things would develop between them if they took it a step further.

All the previous suspicions and anxieties were forgotten, and she only wanted to be held by him.

As the emotions grew intense, Yu Xuanwei nibbled on Wu Qingluan’s nape and whispered, “…Qingzhi…”

Like a bucket of cold water being poured over her head, all of Wu Qingluan’s passion extinguished.

She grabbed Yu Xuanwei’s arm and bit it hard, then pushed him away while he winced in pain.

As if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her, all of Wu Qingluan’s passion was extinguished.

She grabbed Yu Xuanwei’s arm and bit it hard, then pushed him away as he winced in pain.

Wu Qingluan picked up her clothes and gave Yu Xuanwei two hard slaps. “How dare you call another woman’s name in my bed? Go to hell!”

“Qingluan!”

Yu Xuanwei was momentarily at a loss for how to explain and could only watch as the opportunity slipped away, the little phoenix that was within his reach escaping.