Chapter 79: Countering Every Challenge

Sun Wukong, Fat Ox, and Iron Fan, fearless as they may be, were all truly terrified of Chu Xiaoyu. Once Chu Xiaoyu activated her divine domain, she could bind them at any moment, leaving them unable to move as if they were mere children, obediently going west at her command, never daring to head east. Su Daji was a living example.

A fox spirit who had cultivated for a thousand years, even the slightest cunning thought in her heart was immediately perceived and understood by Chu Xiaoyu in this eerie manor. Chu Xiaoyu’s power was so terrifying that it exceeded anything any of them could have imagined.

With Su Daji's intervention, Sun Wukong and the others no longer dared to make trouble, settling down quietly and obediently.

"Sister Su, how does the master treat you?"

Iron Fan, herself a woman, gazed at the beauty before her, a woman who seemed to have stepped right out of a painting, and felt a pang of jealousy. This woman’s beauty was simply outrageous.

Su Daji knew Iron Fan and the others were closely connected to Chu Xiaoyu; she dared not complain. Even if she felt aggrieved, she could only hide it deep within her heart, never daring to reveal it. If this little girl were to report her, she would be the one to suffer in the end.

Su Daji quickly managed a smile. "The master treats me reasonably well."

Nonsense! If given the chance, Su Daji would surely tear Chu Xiaoyu apart. She had been inexplicably trapped in this strange little manor, unable to use her millennia-old magic, her life and death at the mercy of others. The humiliation gnawed at her. But what could she do? She could only resign herself to being an obedient fox spirit.

The irritation was only compounded by the fact that the manor was impossible to leave. The instant she tried to step out, she was violently repelled by a terrifying force. At first, Su Daji hadn’t understood the manor’s rules and attempted to escape, but as soon as she set foot outside, she was immediately bounced back. The formation was fearsome indeed.

The manor, once quiet, grew lively with Sun Wukong and the others’ arrival. Meanwhile, Tang Ao from the Mystic Sect Society of Yanjing and Dr. Owen arrived at the farmstead as well.

They encountered Sun Wukong, Fat Ox, and Iron Fan at the farmstead, but seemed entirely unsurprised, assuming they were just cosplay enthusiasts. However, when Tang Ao and Dr. Owen saw Su Daji herself serving them tea—the beautiful fox spirit, like a celestial maiden descended from the heavens—they were stunned.

What a shock! How could such a small farmstead possess a woman so ethereal, serving tea to guests? It was astonishing, almost unbelievable.

How could the owner of the farmstead bear to let such a peerless beauty do menial work? Wasn’t that a waste of heavenly talent?

"Miss, what is your name? Why are you working here as a waitress?" Tang Ao couldn’t help but ask.

"Sir, my name is Su Daji," she replied.

Tang Ao, sipping his tea, nearly spat it out in surprise. Su... Su Daji? Surely this was some elaborate prank?

"Uh... is your name really Su Daji? Are you not just playing around?"

Given that the farmstead was right next to a film studio and everyone here seemed peculiar, Tang Ao assumed they were all extras.

"My name truly is Su Daji, from Chaoge. Are you here for a meal, sirs?"

Her every gesture was enchanting, almost drawing the souls from Tang Ao and Dr. Owen’s bodies. Possessed by the spirit of a millennia-old fox, Su Daji’s beauty was natural and effortless, her allure so intense that any man would feel he’d struck gold just by looking at her.

"Ahem... yes, we’d like to dine here. Are there any signature dishes at your farmstead?" Dr. Owen asked with a smile. Over fifty years old, yet even he couldn’t help but be moved by such beauty.

Ah, women—sometimes too much beauty can be a curse. Even an old man’s heart could flutter.

"We have plenty of signature dishes. I’ll fetch the menu for you," Su Daji said.

Bound by three rules set by Chu Xiaoyu, Su Daji was well suited to serving tea and water. She turned to fetch the menu, and as she did, Tang Ao whispered to Dr. Owen, "Doctor, don’t you think that woman is too beautiful to be real? She feels like she’s stepped out of a painting."

Her dazzling beauty seemed unreal.

Dr. Owen felt the same. "Yes, I’ve had that strange feeling since I entered the farmstead. There’s something odd about this place."

Tang Ao quickly suggested, "Why don’t we stay here after our meal and observe for a few days? What do you think, Dr. Owen?"

"Agreed! Let’s settle it," Dr. Owen replied, and the two struck a deal.

Chu Xiaoyu busied herself in the kitchen, preparing dishes for the guests, with Sun Wukong, Fat Ox, and Iron Fan helping out. Helping, though, was a stretch—they spent more time fooling around, laughing and playing, but never dared to go too far. With Chu Xiaoyu, the celestial lord, present, they had to behave themselves.

"Celestial Lord, I think those two seem suspicious," Sun Wukong observed. From the moment Tang Ao and Dr. Owen entered the manor, he sensed their intentions weren’t pure.

"They have a purpose," he said.

"You noticed too?" Chu Xiaoyu replied, her voice calm as she sipped her tea. The guests had finished ordering, and the group finally had a moment to relax.

"Heh, my little tricks are nothing compared to your skills, Celestial Lord," Sun Wukong said, his eyes flashing. "Since these two have ulterior motives and Daji said they want to stay overnight, what do you think we should do?"

"It’s no trouble," Chu Xiaoyu said, taking a slow sip of tea. "As long as you keep wandering in front of them, they won’t see through your true identities. They’ll just think you’re cosplay fans. Based on that alone, their abilities are limited. Even if they do discover something, I have a hundred ways to deal with them."

You have your clever schemes, I have my own tricks. If soldiers come, I’ll meet them; if water flows, I’ll channel it. Nothing to worry about.