Chapter One (continued)

“Your heart is very clear; these were bad things. Living creatures take many forms; good and evil intermingle. But evildoers will naturally meet someone’s laws to give them the punishment they deserve. You deceived and seduced. Although your original aspiration was good, you still disturbed the peace in the human world. The penalty should be death,” Wen Xiao said firmly and the beast seemed to wither, her ears drooping.

Wen Xiao couldn’t bear to see this, so she comfortingly added, “Don’t worry. This isn’t so big a deal. You’ll be imprisoned a few months, then returned to the Great Wilderness, that’s all—”

Suddenly, the Deceptive Beast began to shiver from head to toe.

Wen Xiao didn’t understand. “Why are you getting so nervous? You’ll be cared for while you’re locked up. You’ll have food and water. Don’t worry—”

The beast fixed her gaze behind Wen Xiao, complexion paling and breath coming short. “No, no… Big sister, look…”

Before she’d even finished speaking, the clatter of horse hooves neared. Whips cracked like an oncoming thunderstorm and a black horse bore down on Wen Xiao. Watching passively as the black horse was about to strike her, the rider unhurriedly drew tight the reins and finally halted the fine steed. Wen Xiao lifted her head, but stayed rooted to her spot, bamboo umbrella in hand, making no attempt to dodge.

The man atop the black horse wore a military uniform with a token of authority fastened at his waist. On it were two characters spelling “Chongwu.” Three people in matching uniforms rode behind him, all of them soldiers from Chongwu Camp.

“Hand over the demon beast.” The leader had the bearing of command and his order invited no questions.

Wen Xiao slowly raised her head to look directly at him, unyielding as she replied, “I am the archivist of the Demon Hunting Bureau. I have the authority to bring this Deceptive Beast back to the Demon Hunting Bureau.”

The leader laughed. “Demon Hunting Bureau? Isn’t your courtyard covered in moss and spiderwebs? That place became nothing but a name a long time ago, and you still think you can challenge Chongwu Camp’s authority? Step aside at once!”

Wen Xiao said, “This Deceptive Beast is small and weak with little power. Though it tells lies, its heart is kind. Those it deceived were evil people. Its actions require punishment, but that punishment should not be death.“

The beast watched as Wen Xiao protected her, her gaze flashing. This was the first time anyone had spoken for her. Common people only knew that her mouth spoke lies. Once branded a liar, they could never believe her heart held any goodness. But in this world, there were so many robbers, murderers, arsonists, heartless philanderers and two-faced hypocrites. Do good and evil ultimately lie in the heart, or only in what can be seen and heard? She and Official Wen Xiao were strangers who met by chance, yet she understood the misery in her heart, listened so carefully to her words. Official Wen Xiao listened to her and saw her true heart. The beast’s gaze filled with gratitude. She thought, if Official Wen Xiao became the true goddess of the Wilderness…