Dali Mountain.
Amidst the floating mists and warm emerald hues, the water was soft and the mountains gentle.
In the lush, verdant forest, pleasant streams babbled endlessly. Several small fish playfully flicked their tails, leaping out of the creek before splashing back down, sending ripples across the surface.
The creek water flowed from the mountaintop, gathering into the broad, low-lying valley and merging into a vast lake.
The lake’s surface was as smooth as a mirror, carved from emerald. Along the shore, countless small animals bustled about energetically, preparing for the wedding that would soon take place.
Ever since Xuan Yang had manifested before the demon clan as the Holy Monarch, news of his marriage to Qi Xue had spread like wildfire. Now, the entire world knew of it.
The Spirit Fox Clan was in charge of organizing the wedding, with the whole of Dali Mountain serving as the venue for this divine union. Every demon in the mountains busied themselves for the event, sparing no effort from the entire mountain to hold the most grand and sacred ceremony possible.
Countless spiritual flowers and herbs were transported to the lakeside, where nimble little paws wove them into beautiful garlands. Spells preserved the blooms’ vibrancy and freshness as the strings were tied to tree branches, dangling down and swaying in the wind, releasing a fresh, sweet fragrance.
In the dense woods, sturdy tiger demons and bear demons felled towering ancient trees. Clever fox clan artisans turned them into planks, painted them red, and hauled them to the lake to erect a high platform. They drew lines in gold powder, adorning it with vibrant flowers and glittering gems.
From the deepest part of the valley came the muffled rumble of rolling stones and the clamor of shouts.
Dozens of the demon clan’s top artisans gathered there, meticulously sculpting a humanoid statue several zhang tall that was gradually taking shape. Its exquisitely beautiful face was already faintly visible.
This was Qi Xue’s god statue. On the day of the grand wedding, it would stand side by side with Xuan Yang’s, receiving the worship of demons from across the land.
The demons of Dali Mountain took immense pride in this monumental event and dared not slack on their assigned tasks. They worked with twelve times their usual vigor each day—the mountains hadn’t been this lively in years.
At the mountaintop.
The Mountain Lord and his wife stood at a spot with a broad view, gazing down to inspect whether everyone was diligently preparing for the wedding.
Unlike the other demons beaming with joy, the Mountain Lord’s wife smiled faintly, but her eyes always held a shadow of worry. Ever since Xuan Yang the Holy Monarch had decreed the wedding from on high, her son Sang Chi had vanished without a trace.
She figured he was probably heartbroken and devastated. The person he’d loved for so many years was about to marry someone else—even his own parents were helping arrange it. Of course he couldn’t stay in this place of sorrow. But as his mother, how could she not ache for him? She truly feared he might do something foolish in a moment of impulse.
With these thoughts, the Mountain Lord’s wife softly addressed her husband. “Husband, I know the clan has been swamped lately and needs every hand, but I still want to send a few people down the mountain to look for Ah Chi. If we’re truly short-handed for the wedding, I can have my personal maids help too…”
Seeing his wife’s anxious expression, the Mountain Lord immediately pulled her into his arms by the shoulders, comforting her.
He said warmly, “My dear, don’t be sad. I know you’re worried about Ah Chi. A few days ago, I already ordered our clansmen scattered across the lands to keep an eye out for him. I heard they’ve found him—he’s on his way to Shangjing.”
“Shangjing? Why would Ah Chi go to Shangjing?”
The wife asked in surprise. “Ah Xue isn’t even in Shangjing anymore. There’s no reason for him to go all that way.”
The Mountain Lord snorted coldly. “That brat has nothing else on his mind, I’m sure. It’s definitely for Ah Xue again. I told them to keep a close watch on him and not let him near the Imperial Palace, lest he stir up trouble and displease the Holy Monarch.”
“But what has Ah Chi done wrong? He only likes Ah Xue.”
The wife murmured, “I’ve always seen Ah Xue as my future daughter-in-law, thinking he’d surely marry Ah Chi one day. But in the end, heaven had other plans—he’s to become the Holy Monarch’s divine spouse. What will my son do now? I know he’ll never love anyone else in his life…”
Her voice choked, tears nearly falling. The Mountain Lord kissed her forehead, comforting her tenderly for a long while until she finally stopped crying.
Yet as he held his wife, his heart was equally forlorn.
Yes, what to do… What would become of their son?
…
In the Spirit Fox Clan’s residence.
Qi Xue had transformed into the small, soft Rabbit Tuan, lying on a cushion as the clan’s embroiderers respectfully lifted his front paws to take his measurements for clothing.
He stealthily shifted his bunny rear—the cushion was embroidered with gold thread, gorgeous but chafing uncomfortably at the base of his tail. Still, he didn’t want them to notice his discomfort.
If he spoke up, the Spirit Fox Clan’s elders would surely berate the embroiderers harshly and go to great lengths to sew him a new one. Similar incidents had happened two or three times already; he didn’t want to disrupt everyone over something so minor.
In truth, Rabbit Tuan disliked how the elders treated him with such deference. He missed the old days, when they had been strict with him in cultivation, even making him cry with their scoldings—only to hug the aggrieved him afterward, stuffing a sweet pastry into his mouth and coaxing him until he smiled.
But now, everything had changed because he was about to marry the Holy Monarch.
From the elders on down, everyone served him with near-humility, keeping a distant, formal air. Aside from Luxiangqiu, he had no one close left. Everyone spoke to him with cautious care, afraid of displeasing him.
He felt so lonely, yet he didn’t want to trouble them, so he hid his inner solitude and forced smiles in front of the crowd.
Rabbit Tuan’s ears drooped listlessly as he cooperatively turned half his body, letting them measure his tail’s length.
Luxiangqiu was probably the one person on the entire mountain most eager to see him marry the Holy Monarch, so she was always busy with wedding preparations and rarely had time to play with him. He was so lonely he’d even started missing Sang Chi—not for any special reason, but just to bicker with that dead fox would be nice…
The thought of Sang Chi suddenly reminded Rabbit Tuan that he hadn’t seen him in quite a while. Ever since Sang Chi had confessed his feelings that day, he’d disappeared. He’d heard Sang Chi had gone down the mountain, but no one knew exactly where.
Could it be that because he’d rejected him, Sang Chi was so heartbroken he’d stormed off in a huff?
Rabbit Tuan couldn’t help worrying a bit. He no longer disliked Sang Chi and even considered him a friend, though he certainly didn’t like him that much.
They’d been sworn enemies for over twenty years, and now Sang Chi suddenly claimed to like him—right before his third marriage, no less. Of course it was more shock than anything, and he couldn’t change his view of Sang Chi so quickly.
As Rabbit Tuan hesitated over whether to inquire further about Sang Chi’s whereabouts, Luxiangqiu flew joyfully into the room. She’d finally finished her tasks and come straight to find him.
Once the measurements were done, Rabbit Tuan hopped out with Luxiangqiu to play, though he couldn’t leave the mountain, so they just wandered the slopes.
Rabbit Tuan asked expectantly, “Have you heard any news from the palace lately?”
A couple of days ago, the Holy Monarch had mentioned to him that after his faked death and departure, Helan Ji had fallen ill again. Ji Yuheng had sorrowfully presided over his funeral in utter grief. Xie Shu and Wei Huai had shut themselves away, equally heartbroken. But overall, they were all right.
Learning they’d been devastated by his “death” filled Rabbit Tuan with bittersweet ache, yet a thread of comfort too. He was glad he held a place in their hearts, but he hoped they’d gradually let him go rather than linger in grief forever.
Luxiangqiu shook her head, saying she knew about as much as he did—no new updates.
“Everyone’s either preparing your wedding to the Holy Monarch or rushing from afar to attend. No time to check on Shangjing.”
The little parrot proudly bobbed her head, beaming with pride for him.
“Soon you’ll be the Holy Monarch’s divine spouse, the noble and pure Qi Xue Niangniang, receiving homage from all the demon realm’s clans. Just thinking of that scene excites me. Seeing you become a god makes me happier than if I became one myself…”
Rabbit Tuan knew Luxiangqiu meant well. Becoming a god meant immortality, omnipotence. If she’d gotten the chance, he’d be even more fervent, intoxicated, eager for it.
He wanted his friend to ascend to the divine throne, just as she wanted for him.
So he couldn’t say it—he couldn’t tell her he wasn’t that happy. He just wanted to be a free, joyful little rabbit, not a caged bird confined to a shrine, only hopping in the Holy Monarch’s palm.
Rabbit Tuan sighed softly, suppressing his deep longing for Helan Ji once more. He nuzzled Luxiangqiu’s head. “You’ve finally got a break—let’s not talk wedding stuff. How about we go play in the river!”
Luxiangqiu’s attention shifted instantly. She stopped chattering and chirped happily, “Yes! Let’s play in the water—we haven’t in ages!”
