Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation
Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
No one was more welcoming of Wu Shan’s return than Fei Zhao. Of late, he’d had no respite from Luo Qinghan’s ceaseless abuses. The master didn’t care, and neither did the grandmaster. He had no one to turn to but Wu Shan.
And so, the moment he caught wind of Wu Shan’s return, Fei Zhao sprinted out to receive his long-lost comrade. He couldn’t quite duplicate that fox demon’s act of teetering just on the verge of tears—instead, he bawled and wept openly, a hideous sight to behold. “Wu Shan, I need your help, brother! There’s a fox demon here who’s been making my life a living hell every day!”
Frowning, Wu Shan carefully plucked Fei Zhao off of himself. “Fox demon?”
Fei Zhao wiped at his tears and snot, and began recounting the tale of how one of their fellow disciples had brought back with her the most enchanting little fox demon, which she’d found who-knows-where. He detailed every single thing that had happened recently, as well as the key issue behind it all:
“You wouldn’t know it to look at him, but that child is a lot sharper than he appears! I’ve never met a child who could read people the way he does! True to his nature, he’s as cunning as any fox could ever be! Zhe Huo has fallen completely under his spell, and she does whatever he says!”
Wu Shan listened until Fei Zhao had finished his tirade in its entirety. With a serious look on his face, he quietly asked, “Where’s Zhe Huo now?”
Breaking out from his misery instantly, Fei Zhao replied, “Someone down below was complaining about a haunting. Zhe Huo went to take care of it. She should be back soon.”
Wu Shan cocked an eyebrow, and headed towards Zhe Huo’s quarters. Other disciples greeted him along the way, but Wu Shan was in little mood for pleasantries just then.
Fei Zhao sensed Wu Shan’s consternation, and figured the fox demon was just about done for. Strange… why was he suddenly worried for the boy? The child’s adorable features came to mind, unbidden, and Fei Zhao could only remind himself that he was being silly. No doubt all fox demons were fetching to look at—every day you heard stories of people being seduced by their charms.
If something happened to the boy, Zhe Huo would probably slaughter Fei Zhao.
This thought occurred to him just as he looked up to see Wu Shan’s dark green robes sweeping across the yard. Fei Zhao hurried after him.
Wu Shan opened the door. He knew Zhe Huo well. She’d never spared any time on menial tasks like cleaning her room. He’d often berated her about this, always to no avail. And yet, he now looked upon a spotless, immaculate room. It wasn’t like her at all.
Behind him, Fei Zhao offered a whispered explanation, “Luo Qinghan is the one who keeps this room so tidy. He’s got nothing to do all day but cook and clean for her.”
Wu Shan’s frown deepened. “Didn’t you tell me he was only a child?”
“Exactly. Isn’t it a terrifying thought… that a mere child could be so wise beyond his years?” Fei Zhao couldn’t help adding this.
Eyes alight, Wu Shan calmly strode in. Seated neatly upon a chair within was a young boy. At the moment, his pointed pink ears were flat upon his head, and he wore the flowing blue-and-white robes of a Lavender Mountain disciple. His little hands peeked out from inside the sleeves, which draped down towards a pair of tiny white sandals.
The boy’s posture was perfectly composed, his head lowered slightly as delicate fingers worked at folding mint leaves. He looked nothing like the nuisance Fei Zhao had described.