Chapter 39 The Ignominious Defeat

The Taoist priest bowed, and I returned the same courtesy to him before I led him to our sitting place and poured him some tea. The priest was direct, saying, "I am here today, to implore for your help to join me in ridding evil and foul beings!" "You, yourself, command great powers, Master Priest," I replied modestly. "We can only plead incompetence in comparison to one as great as you!" The priest heaved a long breath and sighed. "To tell you the truth, your name was recommended to me by a colleague. There have been whispers of a powerful person at the National Studies Institute around here. I had gone there to try to meet that great man, only to have my requests for a meeting rejected. But a lady there told me that the Head Person of the Institute rarely shows himself to strangers. But his son had just started a paranormal investigative firm here, she told me; and here I am." It must have been Aunt Fen who had recommended us to him. I slide the cup of tea I just poured towards him. "Let us first hear your case, Master Priest!" I said. The priest exhaled wearily and coughed once. "It was my senior. A fellow disciple of my order. He had received an assignment earlier this month to help subdue a demon who had charmed and possessed a village woman. But he did not expect to find out that the demon's powers were way beyond his ability to defeat. He was soundly beaten and his injuries were so serious that until now, he is still bed-ridden!" An indignant Yuan Chongxi interjected suddenly. "What demon is this to wield such powers! I, myself, could hardly believe this!" But I almost snickered out loud. He had spoken those words in such boldness as if he commanded great strength himself. I waved him off to calm him down and turned to the priest again. "What can you tell us more about this demon, Master Priest?"