As Jian Yumei stood outside the small wooden house, hearing voices within, he hastened inside, only to find Mei Niang and his sister. Surprisingly, a wave of joy washed over him, for they had just died trying to save him.
However, the present circumstances puzzled him. Yet, amid the enchantment of this surreal night, the events of the day overwhelmed him, stretching his intellect and strength to their limits.
At the sight of these two maidens again, his heart lightened, forgetting much in that moment.
"Isn't that big brother outside? Come on in!" exclaimed the elder sister.
Jian Yumei pushed open the door and entered, only to see two unclothed maidens on the bed, which embarrassed him greatly.
He quickly averted his gaze. "Greetings, ladies. It's wonderful to see you! I thought I would never see you again!"
Mei Niang chuckled. "This was all our doing. We've long tired of that life. With big brother's arrival, we've arranged for them to lose their powers. They're likely hiding now, needing many days to recover. During this time, we've already left!"
"Indeed, that's wonderful! You're finally free from her grasp!" Jian Yumei smiled.
"Yes, we can finally live freely!" Mei Niang agreed.
"But, big brother, would you be willing to join us?" the elder sister inquired with widened eyes.
Jian Yumei pondered. Though an orphan himself, he had been nurtured by his master over the years, acquiring numerous skills and nurturing his own aspirations. Moreover, these maidens were fox spirits, making everything even more mysterious.
"Big brother, you already have a relationship with my sister, and you've touched my body. As a man of honor, you must take responsibility for us!" Mei Niang murmured softly, her movements subtly enticing.
Though unable to see, Jian Yumei sensed Mei Niang's subtle movements with his peripheral vision.
At that moment, a familiar fragrance overwhelmed Jian Yumei, reminiscent of the scent that had clouded his mind in the elder sister's room, a scent he vividly remembered.
Jian Yumei realized he was on the brink of losing consciousness.
"Big brother, my sister and I have both fallen for you. However, we understand you have your aspirations. We won't force you. Tonight, we simply wish to serve you well. Tomorrow, you may leave. Whenever you miss us, burn incense, and we'll come to accompany you, wherever you are, whatever you're doing, even for just a moment. How about it?" the elder sister spoke with infinite tenderness.
Jian Yumei was momentarily at a loss.
Suddenly, the two maidens rose and approached him, one on each side, nestling into his embrace.
Jian Yumei felt dazed, just an eighteen-year-old lad, how could he resist such allure?
The sisters caressed Jian Yumei, kissing his neck and face, their hands roaming his body, eliciting both excitement and comfort.
Yet, he sensed something amiss, though unable to pinpoint it.
As the maidens attempted to lead him to the bed, Jian Yumei suddenly caught a scent, a distinct one he vividly remembered from the previous night.
He recognized it as the scent of Hu Ainiang. Jian Yumei remembered vividly that neither Mei Niang nor the elder sister emitted that fragrance.
But now, it was present.
Jian Yumei's mind raced. These two were not Hu Meinü and the elder sister. If they weren't Hu Meinü and the elder sister, then they must be Hu Ainiang and the elder sister.
Yes, that scent belonged to Hu Ainiang.
Jian Yumei was startled.
At that moment, the two beauties were eagerly undressing him. Jian Yumei calmly turned around. "Oh, my feet feel itchy! Let me scratch them!" He reached into his boot.
The maidens paused briefly, then resumed their proximity, as if fearing his flame might extinguish.
Jian Yumei suddenly drew out a dagger from his boot. Without hesitation, he lunged toward the maiden without the seductive scent, knowing she must be the elder sister and thus the prime target.
Caught off guard by his sudden attack, the elder sister screamed in agony, retreating. Jian Yumei swiftly aimed the dagger at Hu Ainiang.
With limited skills, Hu Ainiang failed to react in time, and the sharp blade plunged into her chest.
She, too, screamed in pain.
Jian Yumei rose to his feet, staring coldly at the two figures, now revealed as fox spirits.
As he withdrew the dagger, he nicked his own leg, smearing the blade with his blood.
Knowing that most demons dreaded blood, especially that of someone with masculine energy, Jian Yumei watched as Hu Ainiang struggled. He showed no mercy, delivering a fatal blow to the elder sister, though he seemed to miss a vital spot.
Now, they had reverted to their usual forms, and Jian Yumei regarded them with a cold smile.
At that moment, the elder sister rushed to embrace Hu Ainiang. "Ainiang, Ainiang!" she called out.
But Hu Ainiang could not respond.
The elder sister burst into tears, surprising Jian Yumei.
"You've killed her, and my two other daughters! You shall pay with your life!" the elder sister said sternly.
"I didn't kill them. You did. You lack humanity!" Jian Yumei retorted, weary of feigning.
Gripping the dagger tightly, Jian Yumei realized he could no longer escape her grasp. If he didn't flee, they would fight to the death.
Recalling his master's teachings, Jian Yumei knew his skills were not yet sufficient to defeat this five-hundred-year-old fox demon. Could he escape unscathed? It seemed unlikely.
He racked his brain for alternatives, knowing that his blood had already wounded her and possibly weakened her.
Observing her, Jian Yumei noticed her weakening voice.
But suddenly, Jian Yumei's astonishment grew as he saw the elder sister open her mouth wide over Hu Ainiang's body.
Though Hu Ainiang hadn't died yet and was still convulsing, she had yet to perish. The elder sister's peculiar actions intrigued Jian Yumei.
He watched as a bright pearl slowly emerged from Hu Ainiang's mouth, rising into the air. It emitted a radiant glow, illuminating the elder sister's body.
Jian Yumei observed as the wound on the elder sister's neck, inflicted by himself, gradually healed.
Soon, the wound returned to normal.
Then, the elder sister opened her mouth wide, and the pearl slowly flew into her mouth. She swallowed it in one gulp.
Looking at Jian Yumei, the elder sister said, "Come meet your end, boy!"
She advanced, and Jian Yumei tensed, gripping the dagger tighter.
Suddenly, a familiar hissing sound echoed through the air, instantly recognized by Jian Yumei.
Turning, he beheld an unbelievable sight: two eyeglass cobras adorned with golden crowns, hovering in the sky as if celestial beings.
Jian Yumei was astonished. These must be the serpents he encountered in the cave with the Immortal of the South Sea! But how could they appear here? And how could they fly?
Overwhelmed by the mesmerizing events of this night, Jian Yumei found himself unable to comprehend everything that was happening.