Volume One: The Soul-Gathering Gourd and the Spirit-Burning Lamp Chapter 39: The Golden Fox Spirit

As his blood surged, the pain was intolerable. Gu Mo, employing the “Avalokitesvara Lotus Pose,” pressed down firmly upon the bizarre male corpse beneath him. Niu Suo and Liu Haiyang, shocked, rushed forward in a flash. Then, the 180-pound weight of Niu Suo’s rear crashed down like a behemoth, pinning the corpse’s lower half completely.

A loud crack echoed; the corpse’s bones must have fractured at the very least.

At that moment, a panicked voice reached Gu Mo’s ears.

“Mr. Gu, what should we do?”

Gu Mo frowned, eyes catching sight of the yellow talisman in Zheng Haishan’s hand.

“Damn!” he cursed, rolling over to Zheng Haishan, intent on snatching the talisman away.

But Zheng Haishan, cursed as he was, clung desperately to the talisman. Terror-stricken, he had fainted, yet his nerves remained taut.

Seeing this, Gu Mo raised his hand and delivered a resounding slap.

With a crisp smack, the talisman was finally wrested from Zheng Haishan’s grip.

In the nick of time, faster than lightning, Gu Mo twisted, pressed the talisman onto the corpse, and instantly, the bizarre male body beneath Niu Suo was subdued once more.

Everyone exhaled, relieved.

Fearing further mishaps, Gu Mo’s mind began to churn with cunning plans. He abruptly pulled Zheng Haishan’s belt, marched to the corpse, and bound its hands tightly. Zheng Haishan, unconscious, revealed a pair of bright yellow cartoon underwear.

Liu Haiyang, meanwhile, held the corpse’s head down and asked, “Mr. Gu, what do we do next?”

Gu Mo, collecting himself, frowned, sensing something missing in his hand. He glanced toward the tree from earlier.

To his shock, a white-furred creature was circling his black bundle, sniffing curiously. Clearly, the creature was intrigued.

Gu Mo, alarmed, grabbed a stone and hurled it toward the bundle.

With a swoosh, the white beast darted back into the depths of the forest.

Gu Mo strode quickly to retrieve his bundle. After all, the underworld artifact and three ancient books within were his most precious possessions. If that white-furred animal took them, regret would be useless.

Opening the bundle, he found a deep red rope and a stack of yellow talismans—supplies clearly prepared by Xiao Yulou.

Gu Mo snorted, grumbling, “Damn bastard! He knew this would happen—why didn’t he handle it himself?”

Despite his words, Gu Mo felt gratitude toward Xiao Yulou; at least he’d prepared these tools.

With his bundle in hand, Gu Mo returned, finding the corpse surrounded by a crowd.

The policemen, seeing his approach, parted to let him through. Gu Mo squatted, took out the deep red rope, clearly soaked in black dog’s blood.

Yet he hesitated, unsure how to bind the corpse.

Just then, a graceful policewoman stepped forward, taking the rope. Swiftly, she bound the corpse in an elaborate fashion.

At a glance, the knots resembled those used in SM.

Gu Mo, seeing the remaining talismans, distributed one to each person present.

Everyone thanked him profusely.

Gu Mo observed the group, then whispered to Niu Suo, “Don’t remove the red rope or talisman from this corpse! After basic documentation, best to have it cremated tonight.”

Niu Suo stood and announced loudly, “Secure the scene—wrap it up!”

...

Time flew, sun and moon spinning swiftly.

Exhausted, Gu Mo was escorted back to the incense shop by Liu Haiyang. After a brief chat at the door, Liu Haiyang drove away.

Gu Mo turned and saw a rustic redwood security door—surely the handiwork of Wang Xiaohu.

He smiled, stepped forward.

With a click, the wooden door opened. Wang Xiaohu greeted him with a broad smile.

“Big brother, you’re back?”

Gu Mo smiled warmly, ruffling Wang Xiaohu’s red hair.

“Xiaohu, thanks to you, I could get away.”

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Wang Xiaohu’s youthful face broke into an honest grin.

Gu Mo took out his phone, saved Wang Xiaohu’s number, and added him on WeChat.

After a few taps, a bright red transfer popped up on Wang Xiaohu’s screen.

“Big brother, what’s this for?” Xiaohu asked.

Gu Mo grinned, looking at his red hair.

“A favor’s a favor. You’ve helped me a lot, Xiaohu. You have to accept this.”

Wang Xiaohu refused, no matter what.

Gu Mo’s expression darkened, eyes glaring.

“A grown man shouldn’t be so shy—how will you ever accomplish anything?”

Pure-hearted Wang Xiaohu met Gu Mo’s gaze.

“Big brother, don’t force me. If not for your help, the ghost would’ve finished me off.”

Gu Mo deftly took Wang Xiaohu’s phone, accepted the transfer himself, and returned it.

“Why are you so stubborn! Aren’t you afraid your parents will see the loss and scold you?”

Wang Xiaohu laughed, “Big brother, my parents run businesses, always busy. They’re divorcing now—no time for me.”

Gu Mo raised a brow, puzzled.

“Hey, you rascal—you’re happy about your parents’ divorce?”

Wang Xiaohu’s smile froze, and after a moment’s helplessness, he confessed,

“I’m not so bad, really. I dye my hair, skip class, slack off—just to get their attention. Maybe if they beat me, they’ll stop drifting apart.”

Gu Mo patted his shoulder.

“Silly kid, focus on your studies. If you’re bored, come find me. By the way… my name is Gu Mo.”

“Got it, Brother Gu.”

...

Numbers exchanged, after chatting a while, Gu Mo saw Xiaohu out of the incense shop.

Before leaving, Gu Mo urged him again: get your hair cut, look sharp.

Watching Xiaohu’s retreating figure, Gu Mo sighed deeply.

“Ah… youth is a wonderful thing!”

He returned behind the counter, pulled out the three ancient books, and began studying—not from diligence, but because without cultivation, he might well die.

Gu Mo would never resign himself to fate; even as a ghost, he’d strive for immortality.

Studying the books, Gu Mo felt enlightened. The “Seven Star Heavenly Gang Step” was indeed a superior technique.

Take this morning’s battle with the bizarre corpse: once he employed the “Seven Star Heavenly Gang Step,” the enemy couldn’t harm him. His blood surged, and he felt incredibly light.

But then a question occurred to him.

Why did that corpse seem so familiar?

What was the meaning of the blood lotus mark on its scalp?

Was he once a member of the White Lotus sect?

Pondering these mysteries, Gu Mo recalled the white-furred creature coveting his bundle.

That thing moved too quickly, yet it was after his bundle.

Could it have been attracted by the underworld artifact?

As Gu Mo mused, the paper figure in the corner subtly turned its head.

Gu Mo glanced over, thinking it was Yanwang Silly Girl up to mischief, and ignored her.

Unexpectedly, the strange paper figure, blushing, stood up and walked to the counter.

Gu Mo continued reading, replying indifferently,

“Silly Girl, it’s not mealtime yet. If you’re hungry, munch on some incense sticks!”

At this, the paper figure let out a chilling laugh.

“Hehehe…”

The sudden laughter made Gu Mo’s scalp tingle, his body tense, but outwardly he remained composed.

‘Wait, that doesn’t sound like Silly Girl… then who—?’

He looked up, as if nothing had happened, and lit a cigarette.

With a click, the cigarette was lit. Gu Mo stared blankly at the paper figure, ready to set it ablaze if it tried anything.

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‘Hmm? Why does this feel familiar, like a scene I’ve seen before?’

Gu Mo and the paper figure stared at each other for a long time. Suddenly, faint applause sounded from the corner.

Clap clap clap!

Gu Mo looked toward the source and spotted a white-furred fox spirit! It was as big as a hunting dog—truly uncanny.

Standing upright like a human, hands folded behind its back, it struck a pose of arrogant elegance.

Its fur glistened like lamb-fat jade. The three-inch whiskers at its muzzle were stiff as needles. Its black nose shone like a precious gem.

While Gu Mo observed, the fox spirit studied him too.

The paper figure at the counter spoke again.

“Little one, you almost harmed this immortal today, you know?”

Gu Mo smirked, curling his lips in a devilish grin.

“You were after my bundle first. Besides, that stone couldn’t hurt you.”

The fox spirit flashed a toothy grin.

“Little one, you and this immortal are destined. Consider this a deposit.”

With that, the paper figure raised its hand.

A loud clang, and a shining gold bar landed on the counter.

Gu Mo picked it up, weighed it, then set it down.

“No reward for nothing. Name your terms.”

Clap clap clap!

The fox spirit applauded again, and the paper figure spoke,

“Haha, quick and straightforward—I appreciate you even more!”

Then, the white-furred fox spirit paused and continued,

“Tonight at midnight, spend the night at the Mountain God Temple to the east. The gold bar is yours.”

Before Gu Mo could respond, the fox spirit whistled.

From the corner emerged a smaller fox spirit, covered in yellow fur, with a touch of youthful innocence.

The little fox stood upright and bowed to Gu Mo, leaving him dumbfounded.

The paper figure spoke once more.

“Little one, you were born with an ‘extreme yin fate’—you’ll always attract demons and evil spirits. Be careful of the women around you!”

With that cryptic warning, the paper figure walked back to the corner, and the two fox spirits slipped away along the wall.

Gu Mo stared at the gold bar, lost in thought.

“Damn—what on earth is going on? One weird thing after another! Will I ever get some rest?”

He forced a bitter smile. According to childhood memories, there really was a Mountain God Temple to the east.

Enlightened, Gu Mo pulled out his phone.

“Idiot—why not use the map?”

Mocking himself, Gu Mo scrutinized the map. Though Beihuang Town was remote, it was only an hour’s drive from the city.

The city and county areas were skipped—now developed into residential and commercial districts.

Despite its small population, Beihuang Town bordered both county and city, but was terribly poor. Beyond a few residential compounds, only mountains remained.

To the east, the mountains were sparsely inhabited. The Jade Water Pool was there, too.

Yet, Gu Mo always felt something uncanny about that area.

To the west lay Old Bridge Village, adjacent to Pine Crane Cemetery, which Gu Mo had never visited.

As for the south…

Gu Mo recalled—a ruined Earth God Temple stood there. Who knows how the ancients decided to build Mountain and Earth God Temples separately.

To the north…

Gu Mo frowned, remembering a mountain, with a vast clearing and thick woods. The map revealed a Sunshine Dairy Farm had been built there.

After examining the map, Gu Mo opened the calendar.

Seventh day of the seventh month!

Those four characters made his heart race. His grandfather’s final notes were clear: every seventh evening at seven minutes past seven, he must replenish the oil in the ancient lamp.

But why, Gu Mo still couldn’t quite grasp…

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