William Bolton said nothing, walked around the screen wall, glanced left and right, then suddenly strode forward, his steps without any pattern, wandering aimlessly. The people of The Harris Family dared not block his way and hurriedly made room for him.

Thomas Reed’s expression grew even more serious. He spoke loudly, drawing everyone before him. “You ordinary folks, you’re in danger and don’t even know it. Each of you has a demonic aura on your face. You, you, you, and you—all have a demonic aura. If this continues, sooner or later you’ll end up as food in a monster’s belly…”

The Harris Family was a wealthy household, with over thirty people up and down the family. All were frightened by these words, raising their hands to touch their own faces, then looking at those beside them, fear rising in their hearts, suspicion growing among them.

“Is there anyone else in the back courtyard?” Thomas Reed asked sternly.

Everyone followed the gaze of the thin little Taoist and saw that the fat Taoist had already stopped, standing before the small door leading to the back courtyard, his arms slightly spread, like a fat bird about to take flight.

“Madam lives in the back courtyard. She’s pregnant, so she didn’t come out to greet the master,” replied Samuel Harris.

“That’s it then. This Madam is the monster.”

“That can’t be.” Mr. Harris’s principal wife, Baker, spoke up. Before her husband’s posthumous child was born, she was the head of the household. She had more reason than anyone to care about this child.

Thomas Reed pointed at William Bolton’s broad back. “Have you heard of Zhang Sanfeng? He was a deity personally conferred by the founding emperor of this dynasty. Even so, the immortal Zhang didn’t accept the favor, wandering the mountains and rivers, living a carefree life. This William Bolton is the eleventh and last disciple of Zhang Sanfeng. Because he still harbored mortal desires, the patriarch cast him down to the mortal world. He must capture ninety-nine monsters before he can return to his sect. It’s also because your master accumulated hidden virtue and died unjustly that William Bolton personally came to catch the monster. We don’t want money, nor do we accept gifts.”

“Not even a single coin?” Samuel Harris was surprised.

“Didn’t I just say? William Bolton must catch ninety-nine monsters. Today is the eighty-fifth. Catching monsters is his reward.”

Samuel Harris looked at the matron Baker, and Baker looked at the others, especially the clan elders who had been specially invited. After receiving their tacit approval, she said, “Words alone aren’t enough. There must be evidence of the monster.”

“Of course.” Thomas Reed, having received permission, called out loudly to William Bolton: “You may now invite the patriarch!”

William Bolton lifted his right foot and stomped heavily, then casually unfastened the long sword from his back. His whole body trembled, and he muttered incantations.

No incense table, no musical instruments—such a ritual master was rather unusual, and everyone was startled again.

Thomas Reed dropped to his knees with a thud, kowtowed heavily, then straightened up and looked at the crowd. “When an immortal descends to the mortal world, even the emperor must kneel in welcome. Are you all greater than the emperor?”

More than thirty people hurriedly knelt down. Even if they had doubts, none dared voice them now.

William Bolton trembled for a while, then suddenly dashed forward, rushing into the back courtyard. Soon, the sounds of shouting and yelling rose and fell, mixed with the noise of jars breaking and benches splintering, as if a fierce battle was underway.

Everyone was terrified. Since the Taoist didn’t get up, they dared not move either.

Thomas Reed kept his mouth busy, sometimes chanting scriptures rapidly, sometimes recounting the various strange feats of William Bolton, never giving those in the courtyard a chance to ask questions or investigate.

Waaah—a baby’s cry rang out from the back courtyard. No one cared to listen to the Taoist’s nonsense anymore; they all stood up. Thomas Reed was momentarily stunned, then stood up as well, shouting excitedly, “Monster! The monster is born! If you’d been a moment later, your The Harris Family would have been wiped out!”

The crowd half-believed, half-doubted, unable to tell what was strange about the crying.

William Bolton came out from the back courtyard, holding a cloth bag in his hand. He tossed it to the ground; something alive was moving inside, making everyone step back in fright.

“A monster… the monster has been caught.” William Bolton’s expression kept changing.

“What kind of monster?” asked Thomas Reed.

“A fox—a fox demon.”

“The real body or a possession?” Thomas Reed had to give a signal with his eyes.

“Possession!” William Bolton was on the verge of collapse.

“The newborn—is it a monster or a human?”

“Huh?”

“I’m asking you, the child born in the back courtyard—is it human, or a monster?”

William Bolton hesitated for a moment, then answered firmly, “A monster. Truly the child of a fox demon.”

Four

William Bolton had never understood how Thomas Reed made money, nor had he ever asked. This was the tacit understanding between the two. But this time, he had to ask, “That woman… she died, right in front of me. Damn it… damn it… I quit. I want to go home.”

“Go home for what? To farm? You don’t even have land.”

“I’ve followed you for over a year. We’ve performed rituals for at least ten families. I should have saved up some money by now.”

Thomas Reed looked coldly at William Bolton. Though he was much shorter, his presence was overwhelming.

William Bolton felt a surge of fear, but did not back down. “Give me the money. I want to go home.”

Thomas Reed sighed. “It’s only been a year. That little money is barely enough for travel expenses. The way of heaven is cyclical. You’re only halfway through, and you want to quit?”

“I’m just a puppet in your hands. You haven’t taught me a single thing about this ‘cycle.’”

“Don’t be impatient.”

“I don’t think you ever intended to teach me.”

“If you’re willing to stay, I can teach you today.”