Chapter 55: Ungrateful Heartless Immortal Venerable

Zhou Si grabbed Hu Wu’s wrist and dragged him deep into the mountain forest without another word. Hu Wu’s legs were already inconvenient, so he limped along awkwardly.

He even cast a nostalgic glance back at the basket.

After just a few steps, he started whining again.

“Zhou Si… my legs hurt.”

Zhou Si didn’t slow his pace. Instead, he gripped Hu Wu’s wrist even tighter and whispered, “He’s still nearby.”

He could sense the hostile gaze of that hunter named Liu Da, possibly still lurking in some hidden corner, watching them.

Leading Hu Wu on a twisting path through the underbrush and taking a few extra detours, Zhou Si finally shook off any potential tails.

Once he was certain they were safe, he released Hu Wu’s hand and allowed him to shift back into his fox form. Then he stuffed the fox unceremoniously into the basket.

The man’s movements were rough, but fortunately, there was a soft pad at the bottom of the basket. The fox twitched his big tail but decided not to hold a grudge.

After all, he didn’t have to walk himself anymore, which made traversing the mountain far more comfortable.

While searching for spirit beasts, the fox poked his nose out and sniffed diligently at the air, putting in his best effort.

Unfortunately, their luck wasn’t great that day. After scouring the area for half the day, they only managed to catch a single mountain pheasant—its feathers a riot of colors, but containing just a faint trace of spiritual power.

Zhou Si said nothing. He nocked an arrow, drew his bow, and shot it dead.

The fox figured they would finally head down the mountain. To his surprise, Zhou Si hoisted the basket and marched straight toward a dilapidated small wooden hut nestled deep in the dense woods.

The hut was clearly his makeshift shelter for resting during hunts. Inside, there was only a hard plank bed and a rudimentary stove.

Zhou Si kindled a fire, roughly prepared the mountain pheasant, roasted it over the flames until done, and let it cool.

Then he handed the entire bird to Hu Wu.

Hu Wu’s fox eyes widened slightly. “All for me?”

“Mm,” Zhou Si replied curtly.

“You… even if you’re trying to bribe me like this, you still can’t drink my blood for nothing…”

The fox said as much, but the savory aroma of the roasted chicken made him swallow hard. He leaned in cautiously and took a small bite.

Zhou Si’s cooking left much to be desired, and roasting it in the wild offered no seasonings whatsoever. The meat was tough and carried a faint burnt flavor.

Accustomed to Ji Huai’s meticulously prepared meals, Hu Wu wrinkled his nose in distaste.

“I… I don’t want it.”

Zhou Si snorted irritably. “Eat it or not—I’m drinking your blood today either way.”

Hu Wu bristled at once and started yelling. “Why should you? I haven’t even eaten yet! I only took one little bite!”

Zhou Si didn’t bother arguing. He simply picked up a coil of rough rope from nearby—the kind used for binding game.

The fox jumped in alarm. Was this why Zhou Si had dragged him to this remote mountain hut? To get away from Ji Huai and his protection?

The realization left Hu Wu both furious and deeply wronged. “I want to go down the mountain!”

Zhou Si moved with practiced efficiency. He scooped Hu Wu up and began tying the ropes around him.

“You! Let me go! You’re actually tying me up…” Hu Wu raised a huge fuss.

“You’re using game-binding rope on me!”

Zhou Si eyed his agitated flailing and chuckled. “Aren’t you a fox?”

“We… aren’t we friends now?” Hu Wu’s voice quivered with grievance.

Though it was all an act, Zhou Si’s hands paused for a moment. He averted his gaze, his brows knitting together as he muttered a strangely familiar phrase.

“Demons are demons.”

“Zhou Si, aaaah, you jerk!”

Hu Wu kept up the pretense of fury and resistance, but he didn’t struggle too vigorously.

His mission was to let Zhou Si drink more of his blood. The more of the fox’s demon power accumulated inside Zhou Si, the better—once Zhou Si recovered his memories, it would steadily convert his cultivation into spiritual power that the fox could absorb.

That lump of spiritual power wouldn’t linger in his dantian forever. If the fox didn’t extract it, it would keep building up in his abdominal cavity.

Eventually, it would force consequences on him, even if he forgot all about the fox.

His belly would swell day by day. The “thing” inside would wriggle and squirm, desperate to emerge, tormenting him endlessly.

Despite the fox’s fur standing on end in rage, Zhou Si pinned him down firmly. He leaned in and took the fresh wound on Hu Wu’s wrist into his mouth.

Pressed so close together, Hu Wu huffed in anger and kept trying to kick him.

Glancing down, he suddenly noticed—in this position, Zhou Si’s collar had fallen open, revealing everything.

It had hardened when their faces were pressed together earlier, and it still was now.

Hu Wu blinked and looked up, meeting Zhou Si’s eyes.

Zhou Si’s ears flushed red as he stared back at him, baffled.

“What are you looking at?”

“Ah? I-I wasn’t looking.”

Hu Wu shook his head frantically and kept shouting. “This is all your fault, you robber! You bad guy—untie me right now!”

“No.”

Once he’d finished drinking, Zhou Si didn’t release him. Instead, he carried Hu Wu in that same embrace to the rickety hardboard bed in the hut and settled down to sleep.

The place was terribly uncomfortable.

The fox felt utterly mistreated and kept chattering on about going down the mountain.

Zhou Si completely ignored him.

Eventually, Hu Wu’s throat grew dry from talking, and he gave up. His ears drooped limply as he lay still, pretending to sleep.

To keep him from escaping, Zhou Si held him tightly in his arms.

With Hu Wu facing away, Zhou Si found himself staring absently at the back of his head. A thought struck him: Sure enough, when he’s sleeping right next to me, he stays in human form.

His gaze drifted to Hu Wu’s ears.

Hu Wu’s eyes snapped open in surprise. Was Zhou Si secretly toying with his ears in the dead of night?

What was that about? It tickled.

His ear twitched once, then again. Far from dislodging Zhou Si’s hand, it only got caught—and curiously kneaded.

Hu Wu’s face grew hot.

Damn it, he must be testing if I’m asleep.

The fox squeezed his eyes shut and stayed perfectly still. His fluffy fox ears were thoroughly explored.

Finally satisfied, Zhou Si returned his hand to Hu Wu’s waist and closed his eyes to sleep.

Hu Wu waited and waited until Zhou Si’s breathing evened out. He tried circulating his demon power once more, but still got nothing.

If anything, it only made Zhou Si pull him closer in his sleep, his nose tip nuzzling unconsciously into the soft fur behind Hu Wu’s ear.

The mountain night should have been chilly, but crammed together on that decrepit board bed, they stayed perfectly warm—thanks to the furnace-like heat radiating from Zhou Si’s body.

Aiya, what a guy.

Hu Wu twisted his head for a curious look.

Sleeping like this, Zhou Si wasn’t worried the fox might sneak a kiss in the middle of the night?

It would be so easy.

He’d been playing the part seriously these past few days—yammering about kisses on his lips—but now, after hesitating for a long moment, Hu Wu didn’t make a move.

Whatever. No kiss needed.

The blood had done its job.

Even if it strayed a little from the Little Fox persona…

The Main God probably wouldn’t punish him for it.

The next morning, when the fox woke up, he discovered that Zhou Si was gone, off doing who knew what.

He simply curled into a fluffy ball and went back to sleep.

Suddenly, faint footsteps sounded outside the door.

Hu Wu alertly perked up his ears and looked over. It wasn’t Zhou Si—it was that fierce-faced hunter Liu Da from yesterday.

Liu Da crept forward stealthily, clearly hunting for the “beautiful girl” from the rumors.

After searching around without finding anyone, his gaze landed on the stunning large fox lounging on the couch, its fiery red fur gleaming beautifully.

A ruthless gleam flashed across his face. He drew the short knife from his belt. “Can’t find the woman? Peeling off a prime fox pelt isn’t a bad deal!”

What a scumbag. Hu Wu immediately bared his sharp fangs, a threatening growl rumbling in his throat.

As Liu Da reached out to grab him, Hu Wu fiercely mobilized his Demon Power. Bang! The wooden door slammed shut on its own!

The room plunged into shadow. Liu Da jumped in fright. Before he could react, Hu Wu shot forward like a bolt of red lightning and raked his claws viciously across the man’s face!

“Ah! My eyes!” Liu Da let out a wretched scream.

The searing pain and shock drove him into a frenzy. He roared wildly, yanking a longer cleaver from his waist and hacking about blindly.

“You beast! I’ll butcher you!”

Just then, Zhou Si pushed the door open. Liu Da was swinging fiercely right toward the entrance.

In the heat of the moment, Hu Wu didn’t think twice. He threw himself in the way, taking the blow for Zhou Si.

Zhou Si’s pupils shrank. He caught the fox mid-air and saw blood matting its fur.

His face turned ghastly in an instant. He glared up at Liu Da. “Who let you in here?!”

Seeing the master of the house return, Liu Da jolted in surprise. Then Zhou Si’s murderous glare turned his legs to jelly.

Realizing what Zhou Si meant to do, he collapsed to the floor, trembling uncontrollably. “W-what are you doing? Have you gone mad?! …It’s just a beast. I chopped it, so what?!”

Zhou Si said nothing. He snatched the knife, swung it in a cold arc through the air, and hacked mercilessly into Liu Da’s leg!

“Ah——!” A scream like a dying pig echoed through the room.

Zhou Si dragged him outside like so much garbage, ignoring his agonized curses. Then he scooped up the fox with utmost care and hurried steadily down the mountain to find Ji Huai.

Hu Wu lay dazed against Zhou Si’s chest, feeling his blood ebbing away drop by drop. He mumbled softly, “So much blood… What a waste. Better if… I gave it all to you to drink…”

Zhou Si’s lips pressed into a thin line. He wanted to call him a clumsy fox—he could’ve dodged that blade easily enough.

But he held his tongue, afraid it would only upset the fox more.

He fell silent the rest of the way, clutching Hu Wu even tighter.

Ji Huai paled at the sight of the blood-soaked fox. He rushed to fetch every herb and clean cloth he had, gently cleaning and bandaging the wound.

By evening, word had spread through the village.

After Zhou Si wounded him, Liu Da had been carried off to the town doctor. His leg might never be the same.

The villagers buzzed with gossip, convinced Zhou Si had lost his mind to go that far over a mere fox pelt. Who would dare touch anything of his after this?

Intimidated by his terrifying strength and icy demeanor, though, no one dared go confront him. Zhou Si was now completely isolated in the village.

He couldn’t have cared less. He had never belonged here anyway, always at odds with village life. The locals had feared him far more than they’d liked him. No one in his path was all the better.

He headed back up the mountain, hunted some fresh game—the chickens and rabbits the fox loved—and brought it home.

The moment he stepped inside, he saw Hu Wu in his fox form letting out faint, pitiful whines at Ji Huai. Even as a fox, he never forgot to complain and act spoiled.

Ji Huai’s heart ached. He reached to pick up the fox. “05’s hurt bad. Let me take him to my room tonight—easier to look after him there.”

Zhou Si stepped forward at once, blocking him with clear displeasure. “Why are you touching him?”

He set the fox down by his own bedside. “He’s staying right here.”

Ji Huai: “…”

Hu Wu was soon fast asleep again. The boiled herbs and stewed meat prepared for him still simmered on the stove.

Ji Huai and Zhou Si sat at the table and ate first. The air hung heavy with silence, broken only by the faint clink of bowls and chopsticks.

Ji Huai abruptly set down his chopsticks. His voice was soft but clear. “Looks like the one who changed his mind is you.”

Zhou Si glanced up. “What?”

“You’re the one who likes 05.” Ji Huai met his eyes.

Zhou Si barked a laugh, as if he’d heard something ridiculous. “Me? Like a demon?”

“I just need him alive.”

He shoveled a bite of rice into his mouth. “In a bit, I’ll figure out a way to move out.”

Ji Huai started. “You’re taking 05 with you?”

“Of course I am.” Zhou Si scowled, as if it were the most obvious thing. “He’s my ‘medicine’.”

Remembering what Hu Wu had said before, Ji Huai blurted, “He won’t go with you.”

The little fox had said he wanted to stay with him.

“You can’t force him.”

“Who said anything about forcing him?” Zhou Si arched a brow.

He still remembered the way that fox had blinked up at him, saying he wanted a kiss.

But then he recalled that the fox had probably pulled the same act on Ji Huai, spouting similar sweet talk.

The thought soured his mood, but in front of Ji Huai, he snapped curtly, “He’ll come with me for sure.”

Over the next few days, Hu Wu ran a low fever from his injury and spent most of his time drifting in and out of sleep. He vaguely sensed Zhou Si sleeping beside him now and then, but the man never brought up drinking his blood again.

One night, Hu Wu opened his eyes to find Zhou Si standing by the bed, watching him.

Hu Wu figured he finally wanted blood again and braced himself inwardly. Instead, Zhou Si tossed a rough cloth pouch onto his pillow.

Hu Wu’s nose twitched. A sweet scent wafted out. He stared at the pouch in surprise.

“For me?”

Zhou Si had gone all the way to town just to buy him a whole bag of candy?

A real luxury around here. Must’ve cost a fortune in meat and pelts.

Zhou Si’s face stayed frosty. “Suck on one after every dose of that herbal medicine.”

He looked away and added, “And quit whining to Ji Huai every time you finish it. It’s annoying as hell.”

Hu Wu: “…Oh.”

Once Zhou Si had gone, Hu Wu pawed open the pouch anyway. He popped one candy into his mouth, tail wagging in delight.

Nearly a week of rest later—with all the candy gone—Hu Wu’s wound had mostly healed.

He poked around inside and out for once but couldn’t find Zhou Si anywhere. In the end, he went to ask Ji Huai.

Ji Huai started to speak but hesitated, ultimately letting out a sigh before explaining, “Zhou Si’s strange condition flares up badly every so often, lasting an entire day. He loses all control, lashing out mindlessly with tremendous destructive force. That’s why he always heads into the mountains ahead of time, to keep from accidentally hurting anyone in the village.”

Hu Wu understood immediately. It had to be the sealed Nascent Soul Stage cultivation base within Zhou Si occasionally breaking through its suppression. A trickle would leak out, battering his damaged meridians and dantian.

That uncontrollable power brought Zhou Si unimaginable suffering. Yet it was exactly what Hu Wu needed most.

If only he could claim some of it for himself—then how could a mere injury leave him so debilitated, his limp leg still not fully healed?

At that thought, the fox grew impatient, desperate to steal away that cultivation right then and there. He wanted to rush up the mountain to find Zhou Si immediately.

Ji Huai quickly blocked his path. “05, don’t go! It’s too dangerous—he doesn’t recognize anyone at all!”

Unable to sway Ji Huai, Hu Wu had no choice but to wait at the courtyard entrance, from afternoon until night had fully fallen.

Finally, Zhou Si’s silhouette emerged from the darkness.

He walked with a limp, his body marred by fresh wounds and caked in dirt. He looked completely worn out.

Zhou Si raised his head and spotted Hu Wu crouched at the entrance, waiting expectantly for him. He was visibly taken aback.

Hu Wu rushed up to him at once, his voice brimming with open concern. “Are you alright? Nothing serious?”

Roughly a year ago, Zhou Si had awakened from grievous wounds with no memory of his past, afflicted by this bizarre condition. He frequently endured unimaginable agony and sometimes even transformed into a mindless beast.

He’d long since grown used to wandering alone, convinced he needed no one’s concern—and that no one would offer it.

In that moment, however, gazing into the fox’s beautiful eyes, which gleamed like stars in the darkness, he stared for what felt like ages before looking away. “I’m fine,” he replied.

With that, he headed straight to his room to tend to his wounds.

He was utterly spent, so after a cursory treatment of his injuries, he just wanted to collapse into bed.

To his surprise, the bed dipped beside him as a fluffy head nudged closer.

Even more shocking, the fox held the little knife he despised—the one he used every day—and offered his hand willingly.

“Go on and drink,” the fox urged softly. “Have more this time.”

“I’ve been eating well these past few days,” Hu Wu added in a gentle whisper.

Zhou Si gazed at Hu Wu, a strange warmth blooming in his chest. He drank the blood.

A peculiar energy, mingled with the fox’s warmth, flowed into him, gradually easing the lingering pain within.

Then he looked up and saw the fox starting to withdraw.

Without warning, Zhou Si reached out, cradled the back of Hu Wu’s head, pulled him close, and kissed him.