Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Ye Chuanze ultimately chose not to share a room with Kitsunetsu; he disliked living with someone he was not familiar with. As night fell, Ye Chuanze sat quietly on the mat in the living room, eyes closed in meditation.
The moon sank and crows cried out, the bright moon hung high outside the window, casting a silvery light like a giant disc. Birds flew towards the moon, and Full Moon was shrouded in a layer of shadow as white feathers drifted down from above. The sounds of rustling leaves filled the air outside, and the grass swayed gently, creating a soft whisper; the night belonged to another realm of Sentient Beings.
Soft footsteps approached from afar. In the darkness, Ye Chuanze's ears were particularly sensitive. He remained seated with his eyes closed, his expression unchanged.
"Really... are you planning to meditate here all night?" Kitsunetsu, dressed casually in a loose white robe that revealed much of his chest and tied with a simple belt around his waist, leaned against the doorframe and asked lazily.
Ye Chuanze did not open his eyes and replied lightly, "Hmm."
"I knew it would be like this; there's nothing I can do..." Kitsunetsu said, slightly rubbing his forehead.
He walked over to the window in the living room and said, "I can't just sleep soundly inside while leaving my guest out here in the cold; that would be too rude! Mr. Ye, the house is yours now; I'm going to squeeze in with A Xuan." With that, he leaped out of the window.
Hearing this, Ye Chuanze remained still. He thought to himself that Kitsunetsu had good intentions, but unfortunately, he was still not accustomed to staying in someone else's house. It was better to sit in the living room for one night. After all, it didn't matter much; he did not need sleep like humans did.
The next day dawned.
A Daoist figure leaped through the window; it was Kitsunetsu who had left in the middle of the night. He was still wearing that loose white robe from last night, his hair casually pinned up with a white jade hairpin, and his face bore an ever-playful and carefree expression. When he stood straight in the living room and saw Ye Chuanze kneeling on the mat calmly pouring himself hot tea, he was taken aback and exclaimed, "You sat here all night? Didn't you go rest inside?"
Ye Chuanze held a teacup and looked up at him. His gaze lingered for a moment on Kitsunetsu's exposed skin before twitching slightly as he said, "Put on some clothes."
Kitsunetsu paused for a moment, his expression stiffening, then he shrugged and sat down across from him, saying, "We're all men here, no women around, so what's there to be afraid of?"
"Annoying," Ye Chuanze coldly replied with two words.
"What?" Kitsunetsu was momentarily taken aback, confused.
Ye Chuanze looked at him and sincerely said, "You look annoying, and I can't help but feel an urge to hit you. Are you really a fox? Not a flowery peacock?"
"…"
Kitsunetsu twitched his mouth at those words and looked at Ye Chuanze with the same sincerity, saying, "Don't you think I have a certain charm? That you're quite taken with me and itching to make a move?"
"No!" Ye Chuanze replied quickly and firmly.
"…Unromantic and blind old priest!" Kitsunetsu cursed, then shot back, "You Daoists are all so pretentious. Clearly, you're moved inside but insist on putting on a nonchalant facade. So hypocritical!"
Upon hearing this, Ye Chuanze thought carefully for a moment and then nodded in agreement, "That's reasonable! But it's not like that."
As soon as Kitsunetsu heard this, he looked at him suspiciously and asked, "Do you really think so?"
Realizing he had let something slip, Ye Chuanze quickly tried to salvage the situation: "It's rare that we actually share the same opinion for once. The Disciples of the Daoist Sect, isn't that how it is? For example, my three senior brothers—it's not just them; their disciples are all the same, rigid and boring! Just like their master."
Seeing that Kitsunetsu's suspicious expression had eased a bit, Ye Chuanze shifted the topic again, asking, "Fox King, why do you say that? Do you perhaps have a grudge against us Disciples of the Daoist Sect?"
"Oh! You're talking about that!" Kitsunetsu relaxed her body, casually kneeling as she spoke lightly, "I once encountered a Disciples of the Daoist Sect, and that disciple was quite good-looking." As she said this, Kitsunetsu's gaze became somewhat dreamy.
Ye Chuanze immediately understood that the Disciples of the Daoist Sect was not just good-looking, but likely very attractive, judging by Kitsunetsu's lewd expression.
"Then I went up to tease him, but to my surprise, that Disciples of the Daoist Sect seriously pushed me away and said, 'Miss, please have some self-respect.'" Kitsunetsu said with a hint of nostalgia in her eyes. "I only kissed him once, and he chased me for a month. What a petty person!"
"…Wait!" Ye Chuanze's ears perked up as he caught the key point. "Miss!?"
"Oh, you're talking about that! The Disciples of the Daoist Sect is male, so naturally I should be female to tease him!" Kitsunetsu said nonchalantly, as if transforming from male to female to seduce a man was a perfectly normal thing.
"…" Ye Chuanze felt foolish for still having expectations regarding Kitsunetsu's morals and standards.
Since the other party had no morals or limits, Ye Chuanze also shamelessly remarked, "Perhaps it's precisely because you're female that he got so angry."
"Why do you say that?" Kitsunetsu asked humbly and without shame.
"Think about it! If a beautiful woman kissed you now, would you be angry? Would you chase her for a month?"
"No," Kitsunetsu replied decisively without hesitation. "I would be very happy."
"Exactly! Normal men wouldn't get angry. The reason that Disciples of the Daoist Sect was so furious must be that he… doesn't like women! That's why he was so enraged by your kiss as a woman. If you were a man, maybe he wouldn't have reacted so strongly." Ye Chuanze irresponsibly speculated.
Upon hearing this, Kitsunetsu pondered for a long time before suddenly realizing, "So that's how it is!"
"......" Ye Chuanze fell silent upon seeing this. You're so serious, it's making me feel embarrassed. I was just rambling.
"However, according to what you said, that Disciples of the Daoist Sect should be a disciple under my Primordial senior brother." Ye Chuanze said thoughtfully. Only someone as strict as Primordial would teach such rule-abiding Disciples of the Daoist Sect. If it were Sky-Connecting, I fear the result would be a bunch of unruly troublemakers just like him.
"Yes, indeed, it's a direct disciple of Primordial Saint, Expound Teachings' Yuding Zhenren." Kitsunetsu casually replied.
What the hell! Ye Chuanze's mouth twitched, and after a moment of silence, he said, "...... You even know this?"
"Of course, knowing oneself and one's enemy ensures victory in every battle." Kitsunetsu replied.
"......" Ye Chuanze couldn't help but twitch his face. What are you trying to do!?
Later on, the direct disciple of Primordial Saint, Expound Teachings' Yuding Zhenren, was persistently pursued by a handsome man. The man confidently stated, "You don't love women; you must love men instead. Why not consider me? My magical skills are profound, I'm handsome and charming, and I possess countless riches. Who could compare to me?"
Even the usually good-natured Yuding Zhenren couldn't help but want to curse. Where did you come up with that conclusion? Fortunately, the man was dragged away by a sword-wielding figure in blue; otherwise, the Azure Hill's Fox King might have met his end at Kunlun. What a relief! Such joyous news!
***********
Ye Chuanze stayed at Qingqiu Mountain for three days. Each night he meditated in the living room of Kitsunetsu's Bamboo House until dawn. Kitsunetsu would also regularly sneak out through the window each night to stay with Fox Xuan, the High Priest of the Fox Clan, returning only at daybreak. According to Kitsunetsu, he couldn't just sleep soundly in his room while his guest was left in the living room exposed to the cold wind; that would be too rude. Thus, he consistently disturbed Fox Xuan every night. It seemed that this way, he wouldn't be considered impolite. Ye Chuanze had already given up on understanding his god-like logic and thought process; he just let him be.
During these three days, Kitsunetsu took him around Qingqiu Mountain. Ye Chuanze witnessed the free-spirited lifestyle of the Spirit Fox Clan and understood why Kitsunetsu had such a personality. The Spirit Fox Clan was inherently free and disliked being restrained; they were not keen on power struggles either. To them, a king was merely a manager handling clan affairs. Their innate talents allowed them to cultivate rapidly, making them powerful beings on par with any race.
What puzzled Ye Chuanze was that he did not see a single Fox Clan member within the territory of the Spirit Fox Clan. So he asked Kitsunetsu why that was.
After listening, Kitsunetsu said, "You mean this! Ever since the Fox Clan's betrayal, for the safety of our tribe, the Fox Clan has relocated from within the tribe and now survives on the land north of Azure Hill."
Ye Chuanze frowned slightly upon hearing this. It was clear that this was a sign of division, and it seemed that Kitsunetsu's intention to remove the Fox Clan was not a recent development.
"Tonight at the Moon Worship Festival, you will be able to see them. Once you see them..." Kitsunetsu turned to him with an enigmatic smile and softly said, "You will understand that they are a group completely different from us."
Ye Chuanze pondered this and replied, "I understand. However, since we are not married, can I participate in the Festival?"
"This doesn't matter much. A Xuan has publicly acknowledged you, so you are qualified," Kitsunetsu said.
By that afternoon, many people suddenly appeared among the Fox Clan, as those who had ventured out from the Spirit Fox Clan returned one after another. They seemed very interested in Ye Chuanze, the future consort of the foxes. Ye Chuanze noticed sensitively that many people were constantly coming and going around him. Many pretended to brush past him while their eyes kept scrutinizing him.
Ye Chuanze felt helpless about their intense curiosity but also found comfort in their subtle and unobtrusive observations. They were a considerate group of foxes and not unpleasant at all, he thought.
As evening approached, the people of the Fox Clan began to prepare for the Festival. The Moon Worship Festival was a monthly event for the Fox Clan; they revered the moon and believed its power was the source of their strength. Thus, the day of the fullest moon each month marked the Moon Worship Festival for the Fox Clan.
As the sun set behind the mountains, its light was completely obscured by dark clouds, and the bright full moon rose high in the sky.
The Fox Clan residing north of Azure Hill also came to participate in the Festival. This was Ye Chuanze's first time seeing the Fox Clan; he did not count the fully demonized Nine-Tailed Fox from before. Upon seeing this group of foxes, Ye Chuanze finally understood what Kitsunetsu had meant: "Once you see them, you will realize they are a completely different group."
The Fox Clan, regardless of gender, all had striking appearances with sharp features. Their eyes held too much—calculating thoughts and resentment—making their gaze murky and devoid of spirit. They were entirely opposite to the Spirit Fox Clan, like two sides of a mirror. The Spirit Fox Clan symbolized beauty and spirituality, while the Fox Clan bore all that was murky.
"They were not like this before," Kitsunetsu said as he approached Ye Chuanze at some point. His voice sounded deep in the night with a hint of regret. "The Fox Clan is easily tempted by external matters due to their nature; their hearts are unstable and prone to straying from their path. When the kingdom of Azure Hill's Fox Clan was first established, they submitted to me and were under my guidance. I taught them to focus on cultivation, restraining their nature and leading them to pursue the Great Dao."
"At first, the Spirit Fox and Fox clans lived in harmony, as if they were one family, coexisting peacefully," Kitsunetsu said, his voice unknowingly tinged with nostalgia. "Later, without my noticing, some among the demon clan began to covet the throne. They sought power and craved strength. To gain greater power, some within the Fox clan started to harm Sentient Beings. I was completely oblivious to this, and by the time I realized what was happening, it was too late. Their hearts had already been invaded by darkness, leaving no room for redemption."
"I often think that if I had discovered this sooner, things would not have come to this point today," Kitsunetsu's voice carried a hint of self-reproach and regret.
Ye Chuanze remained silent for a long time before finally speaking. "It's useless to say these things now; some matters are destined by fate and cannot be changed by human effort. Even if you had discovered it earlier, what difference would it make? The nature of the Fox Clan is such that you can restrain them for a moment but cannot control them for a lifetime."
After speaking, Ye Chuanze looked up at the altar and softly said, "The Festival has begun."
The Moon Worship Festival was presided over by the high priestess of the Fox Clan. Today, Fox Xuan wore a white ceremonial robe adorned with golden patterns that resembled runes on the sleeves and collar. The long hem of the robe trailed on the ground, covered in intricate golden designs. As the white fabric swirled, those golden patterns shimmered like the sun peeking through clouds.
Fox Xuan began to perform the Ritual dance. While not particularly graceful, each movement was filled with sincere meaning. Every step he took stirred the spiritual energy between heaven and earth, weaving a silver thread. He danced on the altar, using his movements to inscribe a formation made of spiritual energy.
Every member of the Fox Clan gazed reverently at the high priestess on the altar, their eyes sparkling with joy. The dense spiritual energy emanating from the altar gradually seeped into the bodies of those present from the Fox Clan. This energy purified their bodies, expelling any impurities within them. As a result, they felt exceptionally comfortable, and their expressions softened.
On the altar, as the formation was completed, it coincided with the end of the Ritual dance.
Fox Xuan halted his steps as a woman from the Fox Clan dressed in a Miko Robe approached the altar holding a bowl of Clear Water and handed it to him.
Fox Xuan accepted the White Jade Bowl containing Clear Water and raised it above his head before walking toward a platform beside the altar. He needed to place this bowl of Clear Water on a platform facing the Full Moon so that its reflection would appear in the water; this act is called Water Moon. It symbolizes keeping the Full Moon forever within their clan, ensuring that its power never dissipates and that the Fox Clan will remain prosperous.
Water Moon is the final step of the Festival; this bowl of Clear Water will remain until dawn when it will be retrieved by the high priestess. Until then, no one is allowed to touch it or damage it; otherwise, misfortune will befall the Fox Clan.
Fox Xuan placed the White Jade Bowl on the platform; not a single ripple disturbed the Clear Water inside, and the bright moon above was reflected perfectly in it. Seeing this, Fox Xuan smiled slightly—the Festival was complete.
Below the altar, a wave of joyful cheers erupted.
However, Ye Chuanze's expression was unusually tense, as was that of Fox Xuan standing beside him. They both knew that this was not as simple as it seemed.
After the Festival concluded, Fox Xuan, who had been on edge all day, turned to leave. Just at that moment, a crisp sound echoed suddenly, causing Fox Xuan to freeze in place. The once jubilant Fox Clan citizens below the altar fell silent, their faces showing panic.
The White Jade Bowl on the high platform shattered, leaving Clear Water scattered everywhere.
On the Fox Clan's side, the leader and the Foxes all wore triumphant smiles.
"The White Jade Bowl is broken; misfortune will befall the Fox Clan. Kitsunetsu, you are unworthy of being king!" the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader shouted loudly.
Upon hearing this, everyone turned their gaze toward the Fox Clan.
Kitsunetsu raised an eyebrow and replied, "Unworthy of being king? Who is worthy? You?"
The Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader was momentarily speechless. He indeed thought so, but being openly called out by Kitsunetsu made him feel somewhat guilty. After all, he did not have as thick a skin as Kitsunetsu; rebellion was not exactly a glorious matter.
"Let those capable take their place! Anyone can be king!" the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader justified his rebellion confidently.
"That makes sense," Kitsunetsu nodded in agreement. "But who is capable? You?"
Seemingly provoked by Kitsunetsu's disdainful tone, the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader shouted back, "I believe I am no worse than you, Kitsunetsu. Why can you be king while I cannot?"
"Do you want to compete with me?" Kitsunetsu scrutinized him with a critical gaze and then disdainfully said, "Do you think you're worthy?"
The Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader was thoroughly enraged. He drew the sword hanging at his waist and pointed it at Kitsunetsu, saying, "Do you dare to fight me?"
"Why wouldn't I dare?"
The other Foxes also brandished their weapons. At that moment, Fox Xuan stepped down from the altar, maintaining a calm expression as he directed the Spirit Fox Clan's guards to deal with these minor soldiers.
Ye Chuanze stood aside, quietly observing the battle between Kitsunetsu and the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader. The others were merely minor soldiers; the clash between these two clan leaders was the main event. The future of the Spirit Fox Clan and the Fox Clan rested in the hands of these two leaders.
Although Kitsunetsu was far more powerful than the leader of the Fox Clan, since the Fox Clan dared to rebel, they must have some hidden tricks. Kitsunetsu had brought Ye Chuanze for assistance precisely to guard against these tricks. Coupled with the divination that Kitsunetsu had performed, Ye Chuanze had to be cautious.
As Kitsunetsu and the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader both unleashed their weapons and exchanged blows for several rounds, it was clear that Kitsunetsu had the upper hand, completely suppressing the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader.
"You were just boasting earlier, thinking you were so impressive, but you're nothing special," Kitsunetsu said with a contemptuous look.
However, upon hearing this, the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader did not get angry but instead laughed. After a hearty laugh, he said, "Kitsunetsu, Kitsunetsu, you're nothing special either!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader sheathed his sword and summoned a large black sword. This sword was extremely peculiar; its sheath exuded an eerie dark aura that made one feel very uncomfortable just by looking at it.
"Wait? That is..." Ye Chuanze frowned as he looked at the sword.
A cloud of black smoke emanated from the blade, spreading outwards. As the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader gripped the sword, the black smoke climbed up his hand. In an instant, his once youthful and smooth hand became withered and aged. Ye Chuanze's gaze shifted to the face of the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader, witnessing his appearance age several decades in an instant, as if his life force was being drained by this sword.
"No!" Ye Chuanze shouted loudly, "Kitsunetsu, get back! Don't touch that sword."
Kitsunetsu was startled by his call and quickly stepped back a few paces. He looked at the aging face of the demon clan leader and understood that the sword was unusual.
Ye Chuanze saw the black smoke emanating from the sword and realized that it not only drained the life force of its wielder but also threatened anyone nearby who came into contact with it.
"Kitsunetsu, keep your people away. Be careful not to get caught in this black smoke. I'll handle this Fox clan leader; I'm not afraid of that sword!" Ye Chuanze declared.
Kitsunetsu, understanding the gravity of the situation, nodded and retreated with his clan, warning Ye Chuanze, "Be careful; that sword is dangerous."
"Don't worry," Ye Chuanze said as he summoned his Black Lotus, placing it in front of him. The defensive barrier created by Black Lotus kept the black smoke at bay.
The Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader looked at Ye Chuanze with murky eyes devoid of any light, a hint of red flickering within. Ye Chuanze knew that this man had likely fallen into darkness, which explained Kitsunetsu's earlier words. The righteous and the evil cannot coexist; Kitsunetsu's actions were justified.
"Kitsunetsu's guy has escaped; did they send you out here to die? Hehehe!" After a strange laugh, the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader said ominously, "Fine, I'll deal with you first, then go after him!"
With a firm grip on the large black sword, the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader swung it towards Ye Chuanze. Unfamiliar with the origins of this strange sword, Ye Chuanze quickly dodged, not daring to attack recklessly. As the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader moved, the black smoke spread even faster. Those from the Fox Clan who touched the smoke instantly turned into piles of bones, remnants of black smoke lingering on them.
The Spirit Fox Clan had already retreated under Kitsunetsu and Fox Xuan's leadership. The two set up a barrier to keep the black smoke out.
"This strange black smoke is quite powerful; at this rate, our barrier will eventually be consumed," Fox Xuan said, frowning as he watched the smoke eroding their defenses.
Kitsunetsu remained silent, his gaze fixed on Ye Chuanze battling against the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader above. All he could do now was hope for a swift resolution.
Ye Chuanze also noticed the dire situation of the Lower Realm Fox Clan and understood the power of the black smoke. He resolved not to let it get close. While using his Black Lotus to block the smoke, he cautiously fought against the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader. A thought crossed his mind as his eyes darkened. He quickly stepped back a few paces and threw several flying daggers at the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader's hands.
The daggers struck the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader's hand, leaving deep cuts, yet he still gripped his sword tightly.
"Useless. Unless I die, you cannot stop it!" the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader declared.
Hearing this, Ye Chuanze frowned, suspecting something. He drew a Light Sword, twirled it in a flourish, and swiftly attacked the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader. Ye Chuanze's speed caught the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader off guard. He slashed down, severing the leader's hand, but what happened next left everyone present wide-eyed.
The severed hand still clutched tightly onto the sword, and the black smoke grew thicker.
"I told you it's useless; no one can stop it," the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader suddenly laughed, "We are all its sacrifices; no one can escape!"
"Not necessarily. As long as you die... it will be fine," Ye Chuanze said as he delivered a powerful strike that pierced the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader's throat.
Yet, the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader grinned at him, "It’s... it’s useless; I won't die. I won't die until it stops."
Ye Chuanze frowned and withdrew his sword. "So you're just a puppet? A puppet controlled by a sword—how useless!"
It seemed this sword absorbed others' life force to enhance itself. The Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader had intended to control it for greater power but instead became its sacrifice. It was clear that many in the Fox Clan had also become victims of this sword.
Now it appeared that what he needed to defeat was not just the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader but this cursed sword.
The sword had no life, felt no pain, and could not die or live; the only way to counter it was to seal it away.
"That's really giving me a headache! I'm the worst at sealing, and now... I can only give it a try," Ye Chuanze said with frustration.
Ye Chuanze sheathed his sword, murmuring Dao Law, gathering spiritual energy in his hand. He cast a sealing spell on the magic sword, unleashing a total of forty-nine seals before the sword finally quieted down. Black smoke dissipated from the blade, and the severed hand that had been gripping it instantly turned into a skeleton, falling away.
Kitsunetsu glanced at the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan Leader, only to see him smiling as he fell back, his body quickly transforming into a skeleton. It seemed he had found release, and Kitsunetsu let out a soft sigh.
Ye Chuanze reached out and grabbed the sealed sword, examining it closely. His gaze fell upon the skeletons lying on the ground below, and even in his indifference, he couldn't help but sigh, saying, "What a truly evil sword."
" Mr. Ye, are you alright?" Kitsunetsu asked him.
"I'm fine," Ye Chuanze replied, casually tossing the magic sword into Mustard Seed Space. However, he didn't notice a wisp of black smoke quietly flowing up his wrist and into his body.
Comment 0 Comment Count