Taboo Mage - Chapter 126 - The Affection of the Fox Spirit

Once we entered the room, Jue Chi and I took the fox and sat on the sofa, while Lin Huan and Uncle Lin sat on the chairs opposite us.

I noticed that ever since we entered the room, Uncle Lin seemed to have sensed something. His eyes kept drifting towards the fox on Jue Chi’s lap.

I thought to myself that perhaps Uncle Lin found it odd that a monk would bring a pet along when going out…

Especially since it’s a pet that, if discovered, would have to be turned over to the authorities.

“Boss, did you… get a samoyed while I was away?” Lin Huan also seemed confused, pointing at the fox as he spoke.

I glared at him, about to explain, but then reconsidered. Since Jue Chi said the truth was all in the camera, it might be better to watch it first before explaining.

So, I took out the camera and instructed Lin Huan to find a blank wall to set it up in front of. Fortunately, I had brought a projector with me, which was a thank-you gift from someone after I made a life amulet for them.

After setting up the equipment, we all sat facing the white wall. Lin Huan swiftly drew the curtains, and the room was immediately plunged into darkness.

On the white wall, the image flickered for a moment before the camera focused on the fox lying quietly on the ground, then shifted to a person sleeping on the floor.

“It’s time for you to wake up.” Jue Chi’s voice emerged, carrying a peculiar strength.

I widened my eyes as I watched the person who had been lying on the floor slowly stand up after Jue Chi finished speaking.

He wore a long black coat, deep blue jeans, and had a short-cropped haircut. When his face appeared on the screen, Lin Huan and Uncle Lin both turned to look at me.

I awkwardly covered my forehead with my hand and glared at Jue Chi, silently cursing his terrible idea!

“Lin Hao, it’s Xiao Meng.”

A robust man’s voice, with an affected tone, reached my ears, and goosebumps instantly rose on my skin. I couldn’t bear to watch the image projected on the wall any longer.

In the footage, “I” stood up, gracefully twirled around, and sat down on the stone chair with a sweet smile on my lips, placing my hands on my knees, gazing gently and tenderly at the camera.

“I am Xiao Meng, a fox spirit. Lin Hao, I don’t have much time left, and many things can’t be explained clearly. If I occupy Mr. Gu’s body for too long, he will fall ill.”

Listening to those words, I glanced at the fox lying on Jue Chi’s lap, acknowledging that it still had some conscience.

“Actually, from the very beginning, you already suspected that I wasn’t human, right? Because I know you once placed a piece of talisman paper under my pillow while I was asleep. I am not afraid of you harming me, only afraid that you doubt my feelings for you.”

“Fox spirits are naturally affectionate. The reason I chose you was merely to repay the kindness from before. Perhaps you’ve forgotten, but I haven’t. Many winters ago, I accidentally appeared before you, and you took me home and cared for me. Lin Huan, do you remember the samoyed that went missing from your family when you were young?”

“At this point, there’s nothing left for me to explain. I am a fox spirit, and my possession of Lin Xiao Meng has caused her to become frail, which is a wrongdoing. Later, in order to stay by your side for a long time, I falsely accused Lin Huan of having ulterior motives towards me, damaging your relationship with your son. Now, it’s time for me to leave.”

As the words ended, I initially thought there was a problem with the machine. I turned to check, and “I” on the screen hesitated and suddenly collapsed on the stone chair, plunging the footage into darkness.

Seeing myself in the camera, I was utterly embarrassed. Suddenly, an urgent voice filled my ears.

“Why did it stop… why did it stop…”

Uncle Lin suddenly stood up, rushed to the camera, and pressed the buttons randomly with confusion.

I glanced at Jue Chi, who had his head lowered. If I wasn’t mistaken, towards the end of the footage, Xiao Meng hadn’t finished speaking, but one of Jue Chi’s fingers intruded into the frame.

It was Jue Chi who forced Xiao Meng’s fox spirit out of my body…

“Dad! You saw it yourself, didn’t you? That Xiao Meng is not human!”

Lin Huan couldn’t help but shout at his father, who looked utterly devastated.

I silently walked to the window and drew open the curtains. The nine o’clock morning sun poured into the room, illuminating the once dark space with a warm glow.

Uncle Lin stood there, stunned, clutching the camera, his hands trembling. Finally, he sank to the floor like a child, wailing in tears.

My eyes stung with emotion; I’ve always had a hard time with scenes like this. I glanced at Jue Chi, took out a cigarette, and walked towards the door.

As I reached the door, I heard the anxious cries of the fox. Jue Chi followed me out, and not long after, Lin Huan also exited, closing the door behind him.

“What should we do about the fox? Should we take it in?” Lin Huan, perceptive as always, had already pieced together the situation after watching the footage.

I shook my head, not yet sure how to handle the little fox. But surely, we couldn’t hand it over to the authorities.

Lin Huan suddenly turned and asked Jue Chi, “Master Jue Chi, could it… stay with my dad?”

I pressed my lips together. I had the same thought myself, although I knew it was unlikely. But hearing Lin Huan voice my thoughts made me feel relieved.

Jue Chi clasped his hands together in prayer and responded, “The fox spirit carries its burdens and is still in its practice. If it stays with ordinary humans for too long, it would not only impede its cultivation but also affect your health.”

I sighed. It seemed impossible, leaving only two options: release it or take it in.

But given the bond between the fox spirit and Uncle Lin, I feared that if we released it, it would only come back again. Fox spirits are affectionate and not easily parted from their emotions.

“However…”

“However, what?” Lin Huan asked quickly.

Jue Chi turned his head. I followed his gaze and saw through the window, inside the room, Uncle Lin holding the fox closely to his chest.

“However, if the fox spirit is willing to stay at Chan Guang Monastery and listen to the Buddhist teachings, I am willing to take it in.”

I chuckled softly. Indeed, Jue Chi the monk has a kind heart!

Ever since we took in the little fox, I’ve had an additional daily task as a pet owner-only my pet is a bit more special.