Chapter 441: The Cat and the Swallow Battle the Mountain God
“Huh?” The Anle God suddenly retracted its long neck. However, its head did not revert to that of a human—it remained as massive as a millstone, round and grotesque, with rows of razor-sharp teeth packed tightly like steel blades.
Its wide, bulging eyes locked onto the little girl perched on the deity statue. In that instant, it sensed something was off. A flicker of realization crossed its face, and it turned to glance at the swallow hovering just outside the temple doors.
It spoke, its voice wary. “Who are you?”
“I am Lady Calico, companion of a Daoist priest from Lingquan County, Yizhou! Once, I was the Cat God of the roadside in Jinyang Road!” The little girl tilted her head, eyes fixed on the point where its monstrous head connected to its neck.
“I’m an Anqing swallow, the descendant of Swallow Immortal. My name is Yan An.”
“Swallow Immortal’s heir...” The Mountain God muttered, then its massive, bell-sized eyes gleamed with recognition. “So the Daoist sent you here to exterminate me?”
“Yes!”
“Yes and no,” the swallow interjected. “My master is likely not the same Daoist you’re thinking of.”
“Who cares which Daoist it is?! Do you think I’m so easy to bully?! A mere Changyuanzi begged for my service, and I toiled diligently, never slacking off. Yet in the end, he sent men to exterminate me! That monk is dead, and now, another Daoist has come for my head?“
The Mountain God growled, muttering through clenched teeth, but its voice grew increasingly unhinged. By the time it finished speaking, it was practically raving.
“A cat and a bird? Hah! You dare to act unruly on my mountain?! Fine! You’ll stay here forever—just like that monk! You’ll all be buried with him!”