Chapter 78: Cat Demon

After finishing the courtesy, Second Uncle came to the side of the Monk who was meditating and chanting, and asked:

【Greetings, Dharma Master. We are Daoist Friends of Master Benhuan. We came here at Master Benhuan’s request. I wonder if Master Benhuan is within Haiyun Temple? 】

【Amitabha. So, Benefactor, you are a Daoist Friend of Master Benhuan. Master Benhuan is indeed recuperating in the Zen Room of our temple. Allow me to inform Master Benhuan. Please wait here for a moment, Daoist Friend. May I ask for your Dharma name? 】

The Monk pressed his palms together, bowed, and spoke thus.

【Thank you, Dharma Master. Please tell Master Benhuan that Daoist Friend Bai Lian has come to visit. 】

Second Uncle replied immediately upon seeing the Monk rise.

【Please wait a moment, Benefactor. 】

The Monk nodded and then left the room.

After the Monk left, Second Uncle saw me looking at the three Buddha statues and said to me:

【These three Buddhas are called the Three Periods Buddhas, representing the past, present, and future. Smaller temples usually only enshrine Sakyamuni Buddha, while larger temples enshrine three Buddhas. However, we are of Taoism, and Buddhist matters are unrelated to us. Just treat it with a normal mentality. 】

After hearing Second Uncle’s simple explanation, I nodded. Buddhism indeed has nothing to do with our Taoism. As long as the relationship isn’t too strained, basic courtesy is maintained when we encounter each other.

About four or five minutes after the Monk left, he returned to the main hall and bowed to us, saying:

【Two Daoist Friends, Master Benhuan invites you. 】

【Please lead the way, Dharma Master. 】

Second Uncle bowed back and said.

We then followed this Dharma Master to Master Benhuan’s Zen Room. After leading us to the entrance of the Zen Room, the Master said:

【The two Benefactors may enter yourselves. Master Benhuan is inside the Zen Room. If there is nothing else, this humble monk will take his leave. 】

Seeing Second Uncle nod, the Dharma Master left.

After the Dharma Master left, Second Uncle pushed open the Zen Room door and went inside. I naturally followed closely behind Second Uncle.

Upon entering the Zen Room, my gaze swept across the entire space. The Zen Room was not large, containing only a luohan bed and a tea table. Master Benhuan was meditating on the luohan bed.

Master Benhuan indeed had the appearance of an expert. He wore a kasaya and sat cross-legged on the bed. He appeared quite old, with white eyebrows and visibly wrinkled skin. However, Master Benhuan’s complexion was pale, giving the impression that he was seriously injured.

At this moment, Master Benhuan opened his eyes, saw Second Uncle, and smiled:

【It’s been many years, and your appearance hasn’t changed at all, kid. 】

【Not at all, I’ve become much more weathered. 】

Second Uncle replied with a smile.

【Do you know why I wanted to see you? 】

Master Benhuan raised his hand, gestured towards the tea table as an invitation, and then asked Second Uncle again.

Second Uncle naturally understood Master Benhuan’s meaning. He walked to the tea table, sat down, and first pointed at me, introducing me to Master Benhuan:

【This is my Nephew, he is currently undergoing experience with me. 】

Master Benhuan glanced at me and said softly:

【Very good. 】

I didn’t know what Master Benhuan meant, so I stood up, bowed respectfully to Master Benhuan, and said:

【Greetings, Master Benhuan. 】

After Master Benhuan nodded, Second Uncle continued Master Benhuan’s conversation:

【Is it about that demonic matter? 】

【Precisely. How much do you understand about this matter? 】

Master Benhuan nodded and asked Second Uncle again.

【I am completely unaware. 】

Second Uncle was not embarrassed and stated it directly.

【…… 】

Master Benhuan was clearly speechless for a moment, and I couldn’t tell what he was thinking. After a while, he said:

【A while ago, Benefactor Lü came to Hongfa Temple to find me, saying he was entrusted by someone. After explaining the situation, I agreed to come out of seclusion. After arriving in Panyu, I learned from Benefactor Lü that the person who entrusted me was actually you, kid, which greatly surprised me. 】

【I don’t have much Certainty about this matter. I’m afraid only Master Benhuan can handle it if he comes out of seclusion. 】

Second Uncle flattered Master Benhuan, chuckled, and said. This was the first time I had seen Second Uncle so humble, even referring to himself as “kid” in front of others, which surprised me. Given Second Uncle’s personality, I always thought he would be extremely arrogant in front of anyone. It seems I was mistaken.

【As cultivators, we are naturally sworn enemies of evil and demonic paths, upholding the Righteous Path. When I learned this matter was related to demonic forces, I agreed to take it on. I came out of seclusion with Benefactor Lü to Panyu. When I began investigating, I realized this matter was likely the work of a Demon Cultivator practicing the Yin Demon Path. I cast spells to lure out this demon and fought it for a few rounds… 】

Master Benhuan hadn’t finished speaking when he coughed a few times. Looking at Master Benhuan’s pained expression, I could feel that he was in great pain. It seemed Master Benhuan’s injuries were not ordinary.

Seeing Master Benhuan suddenly cough, Second Uncle immediately started to go and help him, but Master Benhuan stopped him with a hand gesture.

【The true form of this Demon Cultivator is a Black Cat. It looks like an ordinary cat normally. I didn’t know at first. Fortunately, I am old and have cultivated for a long time, otherwise, I would have been deceived by this demon’s appearance… 】

Master Benhuan’s words were cut off by me and Second Uncle simultaneously.

Me: 【Holy crap, don’t joke around! 】

Second Uncle: 【What? Its true form is a Black Cat? 】

Second Uncle, like me, immediately thought of the Black Cat at President Lü’s home.

【Yes, its true form is indeed a Black Cat. What’s wrong with you two? 】

Master Benhuan looked at my and Second Uncle’s sudden strong reactions, almost jumping up, and asked us with a puzzled expression.

Master Benhuan’s confusion at this moment was normal. If we had encountered this Cat Demon earlier, Second Uncle wouldn’t have told Master Benhuan “I am completely unaware” when asked.

Therefore, Master Benhuan couldn’t understand why my and Second Uncle’s reactions were so intense upon hearing that the demon’s true form was a cat.

【…… 】

Both Second Uncle and I were stunned at the tea table, having no interest in responding to Master Benhuan. Our gazes were fixed on the teacup on the table. I don’t know what Second Uncle was thinking, but my heart sank, feeling a sense of impending doom. I had never been so flustered in my life. If that cat was indeed the Cat Demon, I didn’t believe it had come over to merely befriend me.

After a moment of stunned silence, Second Uncle decisively picked up the teapot, poured a cup of water, and cast the Self-Purification Technique on me.

What was coming was inevitable. I thought the teacup would display the character “demon”, but the teacup exploded. Tea splashed everywhere. Fortunately, the exploding cup did not harm any of us three.

【…… 】

At this moment, the three of us looked at the spot where the teacup exploded in silence for a while. I don’t know what Second Uncle and Master Benhuan were thinking, but I was heartbroken. Even the cup used for the Self-Purification Technique exploded, making it hard not to have a mental breakdown. It was obvious I had been subjected to the Cat Demon’s means. As for what those means were, I was unsure. I looked towards Second Uncle and Master Benhuan.