Volume One: The Soul-Gathering Gourd and the Flame of the Spirit Chapter 43: Crossing Tribulation and Warding Off Evil (Part Two)

In an instant, thick black clouds gathered above the Mountain God's temple, blotting out the sky and the moon. All around, darkness fell—gone was any trace of light, not a glimmer remained, so deep that one could not see their own hand before their face.

From the turbulent mass of clouds overhead, violet lightning flashed intermittently. It was clear: the so-called "Nine Yin Violet Thunder"—the Heavenly Retribution—was truly about to descend.

At this realization, Gu Mo felt a violent shock in his heart, and the liquid within his lower abdomen began to surge tumultuously. The little yellow fox spirit cradled in his arms trembled like a leaf, so terrified that she even forgot to scream.

Suddenly, a flicker of purple light split the darkness above, and a bolt of violet lightning as thick as a barrel crashed down, striking the old dry well with unerring precision. The explosion boomed like a cannon shell hitting its target, and the blinding flash nearly seared Gu Mo's titanium-plated dog eyes; his eardrums felt as if they might tear apart. The acrid stench of burnt flesh instantly permeated the area around the temple.

Before he could gather his thoughts, more violet lightning struck, lashing around the temple in rapid succession. The entire Mountain God’s temple was suddenly illuminated as if it were day, violet arcs crackling through the air.

Gu Mo was stunned by the terrifying spectacle. His heart pounded wildly, the old saying coming to mind: "Fifteen buckets—seven up, eight down." He prayed desperately, “Heavens above, I, Gu Mo, have never done anything truly wicked since childhood! I even help old ladies cross the street when I can. Whether I’m taking on calamity for others or being wrongly blamed, please don’t let me become collateral damage! Amitabha! Limitless Heavenly Venerable! Jesus, Allah, and Holy Mary, protect me!”

Boom! Another thunderous crash shattered the air as a bolt struck the already crumbling temple roof. Gu Mo’s mind erupted with curses; a thousand profanities roared through his thoughts. In the next instant, the remaining half of the roof collapsed in a cloud of dust. A tile, crackling with purple sparks, crashed down onto Gu Mo’s head—but like the ashes of a spirit note, it disintegrated the moment it touched his hair, scattered by the fierce wind.

Gu Mo felt as if the "Nine Yin Violet Thunder" was aiming directly for him! Yet each subsequent bolt seemed drawn to other targets around him. As this thought crossed his mind, several more bolts crashed down from the sky, as if spent without care. The entire temple, now a haunted ruin, teetered on the brink of collapse, shuddering under the relentless onslaught.

Gu Mo was scared out of his wits. Who could guarantee the next bolt wouldn't strike his skull directly? If things continued, utter annihilation seemed inevitable!

Suddenly, a purple flash lit the sky above him. Gu Mo’s handsome features twisted in fear. From the churning clouds came a deafening peal of thunder, and a blinding violet bolt shot down at him.

In that split second, Gu Mo instinctively dropped his body low, and the green ghostly flames that clung to him burst into a fierce blaze. Violet and green—two rare energies collided violently, and chills shot through every nerve in Gu Mo’s body. Every hair on his skin stood on end.

Between each strand of upright hair, visible sparks danced, as if the "Nine Yin Violet Thunder" meant to tear Gu Mo apart! A tremendous crash resounded as the two energies exploded, then vanished simultaneously.

A wild wind whipped through; Gu Mo’s clothes were swept away, leaving him entirely naked—except for the bellyband given by Lady Yama, which remained miraculously intact.

“This freaky, terrifying bellyband really is a treasure!” he thought.

The little yellow fox spirit, sitting cross-legged, looked up and saw the nine sinister skulls emblazoned on Gu Mo's bellyband. The green ghost fire burning in the eye sockets was especially fierce. With a sharp cry, the fox spirit fainted dead away.

Thunder rolled on overhead. Sensing the gravity of the situation, Gu Mo managed to draw a deep breath, while the little yellow fox in his arms continued to twitch even in unconsciousness. It seemed this yellow-furred creature had never placed much hope in Gu Mo from the start.

After a few seconds, Gu Mo stared stiffly up at the black clouds overhead. The accursed "Nine Yin Violet Thunder" was still raging! Blood surging, he glanced at the black bundle beside him. The measuring rod inside was metal—if he timed it right, he might use it as a lightning rod!

Gritting his teeth, Gu Mo swiftly grabbed the measuring rod from the bundle. Thunder roared above; the next bolt promised to be even fiercer. Gu Mo’s nerves tightened further—if he missed his moment, he’d be roasted for sure.

He had no real choice.

Suddenly, another violet bolt shot from the clouds. Gu Mo, clenching his jaw, summoned all his strength and hurled the measuring rod away. With a crack, a bolt as thick as a well's mouth was drawn to it.

Even with his eyes shut tight, Gu Mo could see the blinding white light through his lids...

He had no idea how long it lasted, or how many times the "Nine Yin Violet Thunder" struck. When he finally came back to his senses, the deadly storm had ended. The clouds dispersed, the wind stilled—everything was as if nothing had happened.

Gu Mo, drenched in sweat, gasped for breath. A puddle of orange-yellow liquid had long since pooled beneath him; he was completely naked, sitting in his own urine—a disgrace beyond words.

“Mission accomplished—congratulations!” said the white-furred fox spirit, though Gu Mo could barely make out her words, his vision still blurred.

After a long while, Gu Mo gradually regained his composure, wiped the sweat from his face, and looked silently at the white-furred fox spirit before him. Though his mind cleared, the thunder still echoed endlessly in his ears.

The white-furred fox spirit gazed up at Gu Mo and broke into a wide, toothy grin. “I knew I chose the right person. The task is complete—congratulations, truly congratulations!”

Gu Mo managed a sheepish smile. Suddenly, a tuft of white hair sprouted atop the yellow fox’s head. The white-furred fox seemed satisfied, then both foxes removed the cotton and red beans stuffed in their ears.

The ringing in his ears thundered on, and seeing this strange maneuver, Gu Mo was completely numb with shock.

When Gu Mo saw the makeshift earplugs the foxes pulled out, his eyes bulged in disbelief. “Damn! Why didn’t I think of using earplugs?!”

The white-furred fox grinned slyly and patted the yellow fox’s head before turning to Gu Mo.

“Child, since the great matter is settled, let me give you some advice,” she said.

With thunder still roaring in his mind, Gu Mo nodded.

“First, you are unlike ordinary people; you’re entangled in a world-shaking mystery. Second, if you wish to unravel its secrets, you must seek out a master within North Wasteland Town.”

Gu Mo was about to ask more, but the yellow fox waved her paw, signaling refusal. “The secrets of heaven must not be revealed. I can only…” She gestured to the bag on the ground, then vanished with the yellow fox in a flash.

Left in utter bewilderment, Gu Mo slumped to the ground, digging at his numb ears with his fingers. The thunder still echoed in his mind.

“What the hell just happened?! How did things get so out of hand?!”

Looking down, he saw the incense candles in the corner had burned down and snapped in two, the five sticks of sandalwood incense in the burner—three long, two short. The eight-sided mirror once held by the yellow fox was shattered to pieces, and the already decrepit temple was now in total ruin.

This desolate place was no longer safe.

Thinking thus, Gu Mo quickly gathered up his bag and the pouch from the ground, then went to search for the measuring rod in front of the temple.

As soon as the naked Gu Mo stepped outside, the smell of burning struck him. The tall wild grass before the temple had all been reduced to ash. The ground was covered in rifts and furrows, some half a meter deep, each one blackened by the Nine Yin Violet Thunder. The measuring rod was still glowing red-hot, embedded in one of the cracks.

Seeing this, Gu Mo was struck dumb. Curiosity getting the better of him, he peered into the dry well—inside, the cat corpse had been charred to a crisp.

He gasped in shock. “Damn! There must be more cat corpses around—one for each strike of lightning! All these bizarre cat corpses, including myself, were part of the white-furred fox’s formation!”

He paused, then muttered, “If I hadn’t thought to use the measuring rod as a lightning rod, I’d be dead for sure!”

The more he thought about it, the less at ease he felt, a chill running down his spine. The measuring rod was still burning hot.

With nothing left, Gu Mo squatted on the ground, planning to fish out his cigarette case to kill some time. But when he reached for it, he realized his new tracksuit had been incinerated—where could he find his cigarettes now?

“Sigh... Such misfortune! My new clothes are gone, my cigarettes are gone, my phone’s gone too!”

He stared blankly at the glowing measuring rod.

After a long time, the rod finally cooled and turned black again. Gu Mo gave a bitter laugh, yanked it free, and hurried away.

He had not gone far when, behind him, the battered Mountain God’s temple finally collapsed with a crash in the wind. Gu Mo could only sigh, gazing at the pile of ruins.

“Let there be no blame—every debt has its debtor. I was just a scapegoat. If the Mountain God wants to complain, take it up with that white-furred fox!”

With that, Gu Mo endured the pain in his feet and began the long walk down the mountain.

Meanwhile, the vagrant from out of town was watching everything unfold from the darkness. As the moonlight fell on his face, a strange smile spread across his features.

“I never imagined the boy would develop so quickly. I’m honestly surprised!” he murmured, and with a breath, he reached up and peeled off his own face.

To think—the filthy, foul-smelling vagrant was none other than the old Summer, from the Underworld!

Who knows what Gu Mo would feel if he ever learned the truth…