Inner Demons

“Don’t be afraid.” In the dim light, the Taoist priest said to a black cat under the table, “The Daoist Orthodoxy is here to eliminate great fiends and demons, and won’t pay too much attention to a small thing like you.”

The Taoist priest looked about thirty years old, with an ordinary face. He wore a Taoist robe that flowed like water and shimmered with a bright luster when he moved, and the sound of wind accompanied his speech.

But the wind sound was not coming from his throat; it was coming from outside the window.

The room was small and simply furnished. It had a bed, a table, and a stool. The walls, door, and windows were all formed from solid rock. But there was no paper on the door or windows, and the fierce wind roared in, passing through every crack in the room, trying to lift every object.

However, the bed, table, and stool were also condensed from rock. The gale labored in vain, only to howl and rush out again.

The Taoist priest seemed accustomed to such an environment. He paced two more steps in the gale and said, “The Daoist Orthodoxy is not without precedent for taking demons as guardian spirit beasts of the mountain. You have cultivated the Celestial Heart Orthodox Law, and have reached the Illusory Realm in only a few months since attaining the Dao—that is good talent. If you fully disclose the daily affairs and all the details of Li Yunxin’s actions, it will be a great service to the Daoist Orthodoxy. By then…”

The black cat under the table suddenly spoke human words in a soft, gentle voice: “Stupid Taoist priest. You let me go down the mountain first, and I’ll tell you everything, all right?”

The Taoist priest did not acknowledge this. Instead, he stroked his beard and said, “That Chicken Spirit is in another quiet room, and has already said everything that needed to be said. Although his head is small and his cultivation level is low, he is much more sensible than you. But his appearance is not very pleasing, lacking dignity and grace. You call yourself Sheriff Fairy—though it is nonsense, you are born beautiful and refined, more like a cultivator than that Chicken Spirit.”

“Now this poor Daoist is questioning you again, asking you to repeat it, only to cross-reference the facts, and to see your sincerity and repentance. Whether you speak or not, we already know the general outline of the matter. This is your last chance—if you remain so obstinate and unrepentant, that chance will go to the demon next door to you.”