Now, Ao Tu learned from the woman’s mouth that this place was White Tiger Ridge.
He began to ponder it in his heart.
He asked the woman, “What is your name? Who remains in your family? Why did you come up the mountain alone?”
The woman said, “In reply to the Dragon God, this humble girl is called Qiao’er. My parents are still living, but both are already advanced in years. They had intended to find a son-in-law, but because demons have been causing trouble in these mountains these past few years, all the nearby households have left, and no son-in-law can be found.
“My parents are old and cannot travel far, so this humble girl can only serve them alone. I plant some easy-to-tend grains in the fields, and each day I go up the mountain to gather mushrooms and wild vegetables to get by.”
Ao Tu said, “Might you invite me to your home to have a look?”
Qiao’er said, “If the Dragon God wishes to go, it would be a tremendous blessing, only…”
Ao Tu said, “Only what?”
Qiao’er said, “Only that this attendant of yours looks far too fierce. This humble girl’s parents are old; I fear they would not be able to bear the fright.”
Hearing this, Ao Tu blew out a breath and used a transformation art, changing Tiger Vanguard into a sturdy hunter, while he himself concealed his dragon horns and golden scales. “Let’s go.”
Qiao’er obeyed and led Ao Tu and Tiger Vanguard back to her home.
From afar, they saw a thatched cottage. Qiao’er said that this was her home.
As she was speaking, they saw a gust of sinister wind blow over from the horizon. Black mist billowed and surged, overturning the thatched cottage, and from within the house it swept out two people. One was an old man, the other an old woman, both around sixty or seventy years of age. Caught up in the wind, their faces were full of terror as they cried for help.
“Father! Mother!”
Qiao’er grew frantic and hurriedly chased after them, but how could she possibly catch up? Instead, she stumbled and fell, cutting a large gash across her fair wrist.
Seeing this, Qiao’er paid no heed to the pain. She quickly returned and knelt before Ao Tu, pleading, “Dragon God, I beg you, please save this humble girl’s parents. As long as you can rescue them, this humble girl is willing to serve you like an ox or a horse for the rest of her life.”
Ao Tu helped Qiao’er up and said, “There is no need for you to serve me like an ox or a horse. Just act in a little play with me for a few days.”
Qiao’er was puzzled. “Act in a play?”
Ao Tu took Qiao’er’s wrist and blew out a breath. The gaping wound vanished, and her wrist was restored perfectly, as good as new.
Ao Tu said, “Wait here. I will go after that demon and rescue your parents. Afterward, you must cooperate with me in putting on an act. When I ask for your hand in marriage, you must agree.”
Hearing this, Qiao’er’s face immediately flushed crimson. She lowered her head, not knowing what to say, then secretly lifted her eyes to glance at Ao Tu. Seeing that Ao Tu was so handsome, she felt even more shy and delighted.
Ao Tu said, “Don’t worry. It is only acting. I will not ruin your innocence.”
Qiao’er agreed, bowing and thanking him again and again. In her heart, she even somewhat hoped that the false play might become real.
Ao Tu rose onto a cloud and chased after the demon.
The demon flew to a cave called White Bone Cave, swept Qiao’er’s parents inside, stupefied the two of them, and was just about to eat them.
Ao Tu followed behind and sent out the Dragon-Binding Rope. In an instant, it bound the demon fast, revealing its true form: a white-bone spirit, its bones as white as jade, clearly one that had cultivated for a very long time.
Seeing that it had been bound by the Dragon-Binding Rope in the blink of an eye, unable to mobilize any of its magic power and unable to move even a single step, the demon knew it had encountered an expert and hurriedly said:
“This servant does not know how she offended the Exalted Immortal. I beg the Exalted Immortal for mercy!”
Ao Tu said, “What is your name, and what kind of demon are you?”
The demon said, “This servant is called Madam White Bone. I am the white bones of a woman who died a violent death in these mountains, having gained spirit form. I did not intend to offend the Exalted Immortal. I beg the Exalted Immortal to spare this servant’s life.”
Ao Tu said, “I am no Exalted Immortal. I am the same as you, a demon. My title is Great King Lingshan, and in ordinary times, I most enjoy eating monks. In a few days, several monks from the Eastern Land will pass through here. If you are willing to capture them for me, I will spare you.”
Madam White Bone hurriedly said, “I am willing, willing. This servant is willing to attach herself to the Great King and serve before and behind your saddle.”
Hearing this, Ao Tu withdrew the Dragon-Binding Rope.
After Madam White Bone emerged from the Dragon-Binding Rope, her magic power returned, and she transformed into her original appearance, which was exceedingly beautiful.
Icy flesh concealed jade bones,
Her collar bared a snow-soft breast.
Emerald sleeves enfolded slender shoots,
Her Xiang skirt trailed red with every step.
Powdered cheeks condensed dawn’s dew,
Moth brows knit in smoky green.
Golden lotuses hid jade feet,
Enchanting amid the springtime scene.
Ao Tu said, “You skeleton spirit, why are you turning into such beauty before me? What charm are you trying to flaunt?”
Madam White Bone said aggrievedly, “Great King, this is this servant’s original appearance. How would I dare show off before the Great King? If the Great King dislikes it, this servant can make herself uglier.”
Ao Tu said, “So it was I who misunderstood you. Do not take offense. I am taking these two people away. From now on, you are to act according to my commands and are not permitted to cause trouble as you please.”
Madam White Bone knelt and accepted the order.
Ao Tu then took Qiao’er’s parents out and returned on a cloud.
Qiao’er was standing in the same place, craning her neck as she waited. When she saw Ao Tu return, joy immediately appeared on her face.
Ao Tu set her parents down and blew out a breath of dragon qi. The two of them immediately awakened and looked at the others in confusion.
When they saw Qiao’er, they hurriedly asked, “Daughter, weren’t we captured by a demon? How are we here? And who are this young master and this strong warrior?”
Ao Tu said, “Elders, please rise first. There is no need to panic. My name is Long Tu, a young master from the Baoxiang Kingdom not far from here. This warrior is my attendant.
“My family has fallen into decline, and to avoid our enemies, I came to this place. Fortunately, I encountered Miss Qiao’er, who gave me food. Just now, when I saw that demon sweep the two of you away, I took my attendant and pursued it to its demon cave, then rescued you.”
When the two elders heard this, they were immensely grateful and hurriedly invited Ao Tu and the other back home to express their thanks.
Only when they arrived home, the thatched cottage had already been overturned by the demon wind, and the household was in utter ruin.
The two elders could not help shedding tears. They were both old and weak, and Qiao’er was a delicate woman. When would they ever be able to repair this ruined house? From now on, they would not even have a place to shelter from wind and rain.
Ao Tu said, “Old sir, why be so distressed? Watch as I repair this house!”
Ao Tu and Tiger Vanguard went up the mountain to fell timber, then came back down and set upright the collapsed pillars of the thatched cottage, joining the broken places with new wood. Qiao’er and her parents gathered back the scattered thatch, and in less than an hour, the thatched cottage had been restored to its original state.
The two elders marveled at Ao Tu’s strength and thanked him a thousand times over. They hurriedly invited Ao Tu into the house, had Qiao’er cook their best rice, and also took out the family’s savings as thanks.
Ao Tu did not accept it. He only said that he wished to lodge here for some time.
The two elders quickly agreed. Since there were no beds in the house, they even gave up their own bedding for Ao Tu and his companion to rest.
Ao Tu rested for one night. The next day, he took Tiger Vanguard and built another wooden house beside the old couple’s thatched cottage. Over the following days, he and Tiger Vanguard hunted in the mountains, bringing back meat to share with Qiao’er’s family.
Within a few days, with Ao Tu’s help, Qiao’er’s family’s days grew much better.
Seeing this, Qiao’er’s parents began to consider marrying Qiao’er to Ao Tu.
Qiao’er was naturally willing in her heart, but she did not dare make the decision on her own. Finding an opportunity, she asked Ao Tu.
Ao Tu said, “It is not yet time. When the timing is right, I will naturally propose marriage to your family. You must cooperate well.”
Hearing this, Qiao’er quickly agreed.
Her powdered face held the blush of spring, and her heart was filled with anticipation.
In this way, another few days passed. Ao Tu had more or less finished making his arrangements here. Estimating that Tang Seng and his disciples should soon arrive at Wuzhuang Temple, he used the excuse of going to the city to inquire after news of his clan, and left with Tiger Vanguard.
Riding a cloud, they arrived at Wuzhuang Temple. He looked down from the sky and saw that Tang Seng and his disciples would still take several days to arrive. Ao Tu descended from the cloud and transformed into the appearance of a Daoist priest.