Chapter 4

Today, only Sang Chi was testing Qixue. Once he obtained his permission, Qixue would have passed the exam and could descend the mountain whenever he wanted.

Sang Chi clearly regretted it a bit. He grabbed Qixue’s wrist and pressed, “Everything you promised me is true, right? Once you’ve repaid the favor, you’ll come back and never leave the mountain again?”

Qixue’s face showed a hint of contempt. He shook off Sang Chi’s hand and discarded him like a used tool. “Are you my dad? Since when is it your turn to boss me around? Who do you think you are?”

With that, he ignored Sang Chi’s reaction and pushed the door open to leave.

He had put in so much effort to dress up so beautifully. It would be a shame not to show it off to everyone. This way, they wouldn’t keep wondering what his human form looked like.

Qixue walked to the entrance of the old residence and spun in place, letting his skirt flare out. He threw a flirtatious glance at the little animals. “Am I pretty?”

Naturally, he was met with countless screams and praises. Facing the little animals’ infatuated gazes and flowery compliments, Qixue got even more excited. He raised his hand to undo his skirt. “My body is even prettier. I’ll strip naked right now and show you…”

“Don’t embarrass yourself!”

Sang Chi rushed out with a dark face, scooped Qixue up by the waist, ignored his struggles, and forcibly carried him back into the house.

That evening.

Qixue decided to descend the mountain first thing the next morning. He didn’t know how long this trip would take, so his task tonight was to sort out the belongings stored in several rabbit burrows.

He gave all the food and drinks to his friends, distributed the toys to the younger generation of the clan, and carefully wrapped stacks of books in oilcloth, hiding them in the dry grass to protect against moisture and insects.

After packing the last book, it was already late. Rabbit Tuan raised his butt, his tail twitching, and stretched his front paws lazily. He was ready to sleep.

Suddenly, there was a rustling in the grass outside the burrow, followed by a series of footsteps. Then Sang Chi’s voice came: “Qixue, I know you’re in there. Come out.”

Rabbit Tuan sprawled lazily on the dry grass, his flat body like a soft rabbit pancake. He ignored Sang Chi.

Sang Chi waited a moment. Seeing Qixue pretend he wasn’t there, he said, “I don’t want to cause you trouble. I just have something to give you. If you don’t want it, I’ll throw it away.”

The red fox pushed the command token he was carrying toward the burrow entrance, then turned to leave. Rabbit Tuan poked his head out halfway and peered at the ground. “This is your Young Master’s Command Token? You’re giving it to me?”

Qixue recognized the black token. It was forged from profound iron and symbolized the Spirit Fox Clan’s young master’s status. Upon seeing it, the demons and spirits of Dali Mountain and the Spirit Fox Clan had to obey. Its value went without saying, yet Sang Chi was giving it to him?

“You’ve really lost your mind,” Qixue said. “Even if you’re coveting my beauty, you can’t give me the command token. Your dad would beat you to death.”

“Who’s coveting your beauty? Am I that desperate?” Sang Chi snapped. “I just… don’t want you to die out there. If you run into trouble, use this token to ask for help. Don’t try to handle everything yourself.”

Qixue eyed him suspiciously. “You’re really that kind?”

Sang Chi snorted coldly. “I’m not being kind. I just think if you die, no one will be left for me to bully.”

“Fine.” Qixue dragged the token into the burrow. “I’ll reluctantly accept it.”

“Keep it safe! Don’t lose it.”

Sang Chi instructed uneasily. Actually, Qixue was right about one thing—he had taken it upon himself to give the token to Qixue. If it was lost, his dad really would make him go with it.

“Don’t worry.” Qixue nodded, his attitude toward Sang Chi softening a tad.

“And…” Sang Chi hesitated, flicking his fiery red tail. “This token has a transmission function. If you want to talk to me, hold it and silently recite my name in your mind. I’ll hear you calling me.”

Rabbit Tuan smacked his lips. “Sounds useless. Why would I ever want to talk to you?”

Sang Chi: “…”

Rabbit Tuan: “Anything else?”

“Nothing!” Sang Chi left angrily.

The next morning.

Qixue transformed into human form, successfully conjuring snow-white clothes and a veiled hat. He shouldered his bundle and set off from home.

Luxiangqiu stood on his shoulder, descending the mountain with him. This was the Mountain Lord’s order. Qixue hadn’t left the mountain in many years, and the outside world had grown increasingly dangerous. He might not cope alone, so it was safer for the experienced Luxiangqiu to accompany him for a while.

The little animals lined both sides of the mountain path, watching Qixue leave. Sang Chi secretly followed him all the way until he exited Dali Mountain’s boundaries, then finally stopped.

His attendant hesitated to speak. “Young Master, why are you crying…”

“Shut up!”

Sang Chi wiped his face, shifted back to red fox form, and bounded into the valley without looking back.

After leaving Dali Mountain’s boundaries, Qixue faced a flat main road. He thought for a moment and happily asked Luxiangqiu, “This is the road to Gushui Town, right?”

“Yes.” Luxiangqiu chattered. “I still remember when we used to sneak into town together to steal melon seeds. But…” She paused, her tone falling. “The town has changed a lot. It’s not like what you remember.”

“It’s been over a decade. Changes are normal. But we haven’t changed.”

Qixue sensed her low mood and comforted her as he stepped lightly onto the road.

Rabbit Clan traveled fast—almost as quick as a carriage. After about two hours, he arrived at Gushui Town and understood why Luxiangqiu was sad.

In his memory, Gushui Town was a bustling place, but now it was desolate and rundown. If not for a few townsfolk, it wouldn’t seem like a place for the living at all—more like an empty ghost town.

Qixue also noticed the townsfolk were either elderly or disabled. There were no children or sturdy young people, making him realize they might have been abandoned. Those capable of leaving had long fled.

He asked Luxiangqiu, “What’s going on?”

Luxiangqiu said heavily, “You know Qing County is Great Yong’s border. Those man-eating demons invade from neighboring countries every few months.”

“Gushui Town isn’t even the worst off. Many small countries have been eaten empty by the man-eating demons. With no food, they risk invading Great Yong. The border commoners suffer.”

Qixue felt uneasy hearing this. Though his Demon Clan was a branch of demons, he never saw man-eating demons as kin.

Man-eating demons were usually low in intelligence, bloodthirsty and brutal. They fed on humans and took pleasure in tormenting weaker spirits. They were the greatest threat Qixue faced after descending the mountain.

There were also demon-hunting Daoists. Some didn’t distinguish between good and evil demons—they killed on sight and were dangerous too.

Qixue bought some dry rations from an elder, ate simply, and continued. After a day’s trek, by evening, he neared Wei Huai’s camp and could see the glow of braziers and bonfires in the distance.

The closer he got to the camp, the more dangerous the aura felt, making Qixue and Luxiangqiu shudder.

Wei Huai’s iron cavalry was extraordinary. About a thousand rode not horses, but ferocious large demonic beasts. They were invincible on the battlefield, undefeated, and only such a force could stand against the vile man-eating demons.

Luxiangqiu hugged her little wings, trembling. “Too scary. We’re still two or three li away, and it’s already this frightening… H-how do you plan to sneak in?”

Qixue shook his head, unsure. He left his bundle for Luxiangqiu to wait and shifted to Rabbit Tuan form. Under immense pressure, he sneaked toward the camp to scout for a chance to find Wei Huai.

As expected, it wasn’t that easy. Forget reaching the commander’s tent—he couldn’t even slip past the outer deer barricades before a patrolling demonic beast scented him.

The demonic beast bared its bloody maw and roared ferociously. The stench of blood hit him, scaring Rabbit Tuan into fleeing head over heels. He didn’t dare try again.

Qixue returned to Luxiangqiu, shaken, and shook his head. “No good. The guards are too tight. I can’t get in.”

Even if he did, and found Wei Huai, would begging to be taken to the palace work? Impossible—he’d be caught as an assassin.

He told Luxiangqiu, “I need a legitimate identity to approach him openly without suspicion.”

“That’s tricky,” Luxiangqiu muttered. “How about this: I’ll scout for you. Rest tonight. You’ve traveled all day and must be exhausted.”

So Qixue dug a hole, dragged in dry grass to line it, and made do for the night.

The next morning, Luxiangqiu brought good news. “We have a way!”

“What way?”

Qixue munched on freshly picked fruit, pushing the juiciest ones to the little parrot. He figured she hadn’t eaten yet.

Luxiangqiu didn’t stand on ceremony and pecked quickly, mumbling, “Qing County’s prefect is scouring for beauties to offer Wei Huai…”

“It’s a custom when Wei Huai’s army arrives: local officials either donate money or troops. Qing County is poor and depleted, can’t do either, so they’re trying crooked ways—using beauties to sway him.”

“But most locals fled; beauties are scarce. The prefect is so worried his eyebrows are falling out. Go self-recommend at the Prefect’s Mansion. With your looks, even without an Identity Pass, he won’t refuse.”

The world was in chaos. Only prosperous Great Yong remained stable. Refugees from small countries flooded in—plenty without papers. Officials were used to it.

Qixue nodded. It was a good plan. “We’ll do that, but tweak the details for more credibility.”

He spent time by the road, observing passing refugees and mimicking them.

Then he traded rations for ragged clothes, smeared mud on his face and hair, hunched over pretending to be a refugee, and followed some into the city.