Chapter 149: The Trial of the Binding Dog Spell

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“Xiao Ping, are you certain these two creatures followed you back from the underworld?” Master Xuan Zhe asked as he led Wei Xiaoping outside.

“Yes, Master. In my dreams, I was indeed accompanied by these two Netherworld Hounds. They followed me, protected me, and helped me escape the relentless attacks of the prison ghosts in the Black River prison, allowing me to return safely to the living world,” Wei Xiaoping replied.

“Are you absolutely sure they came from the underworld? Could they have originated elsewhere?” Master Xuan Zhe inquired.

“No doubt about it, Master! I know them well, and they are very affectionate toward me. Their joy upon seeing me is unmistakable!” Wei Xiaoping said confidently.

“Why would they follow you back to the living world? The underworld is home to spirits and ghosts—how could they come here in corporeal form, visible to all? Such apparitions might frighten people. If the soldiers at the barracks discover they are from the underworld, it could cause unrest. Worse yet, if word reaches the royal palace and the king learns of this, it might arouse his suspicion…”

“But Master, what can we do now? They’ve already come back with me! Should we send them back? Besides, it wasn’t my decision to bring the two Netherworld Hounds here.” Wei Xiaoping grew uneasy. Back in the underworld, when King Yan had ordered the leader Ma and the others to follow him, no such concerns were raised. Had these questions been considered then, perhaps King Yan would have instructed him on how to handle this matter. Now, he had no idea how to respond to Master Xuan Zhe.

“Are you saying it wasn’t your choice to bring them back with you?” Master Xuan Zhe asked, surprised to hear that something else had arranged for these creatures to accompany Wei Xiaoping.

Wei Xiaoping then briefly recounted how, in his dream, at the Underworld’s Passage Office, he had met the Netherworld Hounds and how King Yan had assigned them to return with him to the living world.

Master Xuan Zhe was momentarily stunned by Wei Xiaoping’s account, as if he found it hard to believe. But seeing the two Netherworld Hounds before him, he had no choice but to accept his disciple’s words. After all, Wei Xiaoping had narrated the story clearly and logically.

If this were true, then as General Qing Feng, Wei Xiaoping would have two formidable assistants in future battles—much like when he had taken in the dog Da Huang. These hounds would be invaluable in combat. However, he could not help but wonder how the king would react upon hearing this story.

“If what you say is true, that would be excellent! Still, I wonder how the king will regard this. I will also discuss this with your senior master. He has cultivated for many years and is very experienced. Let’s see what he thinks,” Master Xuan Zhe said.

Hearing his master’s approval of his decision to keep the two Netherworld Hounds, Wei Xiaoping asked happily, “Master, can we let them go now? Your demon-binding rope is no ordinary cord; it’s already causing them great discomfort!”

Master Xuan Zhe paused thoughtfully. “Since King Yan himself sent them as your helpers, you may release them. But you have only just met them; do you understand their temperaments? What if they disobey you? Do you have a way to restrain them? To make them obedient to your commands?”

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Upon hearing this, Wei Xiaoping immediately searched his memory. When King Yan’s envoy handed over the two Netherworld Hounds, he had also taught him spells to control them.

“Master, when King Yan’s messenger gave them to me, he was thorough. He feared they might disobey me in the future, so he taught me spells to restrain them. I’ve never tried them yet, so I don’t know if they’re effective,” Wei Xiaoping explained.

“Oh, if you have spells to bind them, that’s best,” Master Xuan Zhe remarked, thinking how considerate King Yan had been. “Whether they work or not can be tested silently. If they do, the king and your senior master would likely be reassured.”

Wei Xiaoping nodded. “Very well. As you say, I will quietly recite the spell here and observe their reactions.”

He closed his eyes, bowed his head, and muttered a string of incomprehensible words.

Soon, the two Netherworld Hounds inside the room began to whimper in pain. Their cries grew increasingly anguished. Moments later, the sound of heavy objects dropping to the floor echoed intermittently.

Inside, Zhang Xiaoyan and Huang Xianlin were alarmed by the sudden frenzy of the hounds and drew their swords from their belts, ready to defend themselves.

“Brother Xiao Ping, Master, these two strange dogs have gone mad! Come quickly and see!” Zhang Xiaoyan shouted, adopting a defensive stance.

Seeing the dogs tormented and restrained by the spell, Master Xuan Zhe immediately told Wei Xiaoping to stop the incantation and walked into the room.

By then, the two Netherworld Hounds appeared utterly miserable from the spell’s effects.

Feeling pity, Master Xuan Zhe chanted a counter-spell, releasing the binding rope.

Wei Xiaoping quickly stepped forward and embraced both Ma Lao Da and Niu Da Hua tightly.

Recalling how these two hounds had risked their lives to protect him and ensure his safe return to the living world, Wei Xiaoping’s eyes welled with apologetic tears for having caused them pain while testing the spell’s efficacy.

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“I’m sorry, Ma Lao Da, Niu Da Hua. To see if I could control you and make you obedient, and to test whether King Yan’s spell works, I recited it earlier outside without thinking of the consequences…” Wei Xiaoping choked up.

Before he could finish, Ma Lao Da tenderly licked his head with his tongue. Niu Da Hua rubbed against him and occasionally licked his ear.

Master Xuan Zhe, Zhang Xiaoyan, and Huang Xianlin were moved by this touching scene and instinctively reached out to pet the two hounds. In response, the hounds licked their hands.

Only Da Huang, seeing Wei Xiaoping show such affection for the two strange dogs, grew jealous. He let out a low growl and gently bumped Wei Xiaoping’s waist with his snout, causing Wei Xiaoping to stumble forward several steps before regaining his balance.

Surprised, Master Xuan Zhe, Zhang Xiaoyan, and Huang Xianlin looked at Da Huang in astonishment.

Wei Xiaoping turned back, puzzled, about to scold Da Huang when the dog snorted and pretended to be angry. He turned his gaze toward the sky, sneaking a sideways glance at Wei Xiaoping, then loftily looked up again.

Everyone finally understood: Da Huang was jealous of Wei Xiaoping’s affection for the two Netherworld Hounds.

“Ha ha ha! Ha ha ha ha ha!” They all burst into laughter.

Seeing this, Ma Lao Da and Niu Da Hua, fearing Da Huang might harm Wei Xiaoping, barked loudly and positioned themselves protectively in front of and behind him, ready to confront Da Huang.

Da Huang responded by swiftly turning ninety degrees and standing firm. He extended and retracted his iron-hard wings to both sides, producing sharp “clap” sounds that didn’t strike the hounds but echoed powerfully in the air, as if warning them.

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