The Fox Spirit Raised by the Villain Wants to Defect - Chapter 52

“Don’t take it too seriously.” Tian Jizi sighed with melancholy. “If I were in my prime, perhaps I could still glimpse it, but now I have one foot in the grave and can’t help you much.”

Her clouded eyes, however, showed a vision that saw through everything: “With a clever stroke of fate, perhaps you will find it one day.”

Wen Yu was silent for a long time before offering his thanks to Tian Jizi.

Tian Jizi laughed, “Since you’ve come this time, please stay a few more days. If we part again, I may not have the chance to wait for your return.”

Of the three Old Ancestors from the past, only she was left alive.

In a while, she, too, should go down to keep them company.

Wen Yu agreed, saying he would stay for a few extra days.

Tian Jizi then asked, “Did your time at the Yuehui Sect have any effect on your condition over the years?”

“It only alleviated it somewhat,” a flicker passed through Wen Yu’s eyes. “It has become more frequent recently.”

At first, he could suppress it while at the Yuehui Sect, but the proximity of demonic energy accelerated the frequency of his episodes.

Wen Yu suddenly thought, if his episodes became more and more frequent in the future, then Xiao Yu…

Tian Jizi pondered for a moment. “Have you looked into the Prophecy Mirror in the Sea Demon Territory that I told you about before?”

The ability of the Prophecy Mirror was different from that of Tian Jizi’s clan, which sacrifices longevity in exchange for the ability to glimpse fate.

The Prophecy Mirror chooses on its own whether to reveal the future of the person in the mirror, and it can only see the future.

This kind of heaven-defying artifact had always been placed securely in the Sea Demon Territory. Even with countless covetous eyes within the Three Realms, it remained firmly fixed there, and no one could take it away.

“I haven’t had the chance yet.” Wen Yu frowned. If he could find an opportunity to stand before the Prophecy Mirror, knowing what would happen to his future self might provide clues about his ailment.

The problem, however, was that the Prophecy Mirror was uncontrollable. No one could guarantee that standing before it would elicit a response.

“We shall see.”

Wen Yu considered this for a moment, feeling increasingly troubled.

As the frequency of his episodes increased, his mental state deteriorated. He occasionally felt distracted during the day and even fatigued.

Furthermore, his spiritual power was slowly dissipating. Although it wasn’t obvious, it was certainly not a good sign.

Wen Yu rose and bowed to Tian Jizi.

Tian Jizi hurriedly waved her hand and stood up. “Why so formal? I haven’t even helped you much.”

Wen Yu shook his head, “You pointed me in the right direction back then. If it weren’t for you, I might not have lived to see today.”

After speaking, his eyes dimmed.

He seemed to be lost in thought, distracted by something.

Tian Jizi saw he was preoccupied and, although she didn’t intend to disturb him, remembered the young girl waiting outside. She walked over and patted his shoulder, taking on the role of an elder.

“Don’t think too much. Enjoy the moment and seize the day. It’s worth having walked this path in the mortal world.”

She smiled, “Come for dinner tonight. You can try the siblings’ cooking.”

Seeing Wen Yu adjust his mood, she slowly walked back to the desk and continued copying the scriptures.

“Take them for a tour. Since it’s their first time here, make sure they enjoy themselves thoroughly.” Tian Jizi looked up at Wen Yu, her smile kind, as if she were looking at her own child.

Wen Yu removed the barrier, opened the door, and immediately saw Xiao Yu staring at him.

Seeing him emerge, she quickly averted her gaze, but after a moment, she moved it back and smiled at him.

It was a pure smile, free of any ulterior motive.

At this moment, Wen Yu suddenly conceived the idea of going to the Sea Demon Territory.

Even if the possibility was remote, trying was better than not trying.

“Did you two finish talking?” Xiao Yu approached a few steps, puzzled.

When the two of them spoke, absolutely nothing could be heard outside.

“Yes.” Wen Yu stepped out, closed the door, and stopped one step away from Xiao Yu.

He wanted to ask her why she said she had no lingering attachments. Was there truly nothing in this world worth cherishing for her?

But the question circulated in his mind, and he didn’t voice it.

Xiao Yu thought for a moment and still brought up what she wanted to ask while waiting outside: “Are we going to stay here for a long time?”

She hadn’t read about this part of the story in the original book.

Nan Chenghui’s identity was exposed early, and Wen Yu broke ties with the Yuehui Sect, but the requirement to kill the Demon Venerable hadn’t been brought up.

The current situation was already vastly different from the original plot. If they could avoid some of the targeted events in the original book, perhaps Wen Yu’s ending wouldn’t be so tragic.

“About ten days.”

Ten days was enough time for him to find the way to the Sea Demon Territory.

“I apologize for the interruption. Should I take you to your resting rooms first?” He Munian walked over, though He Chaomian was not following her.

Xiao Yu looked at Wen Yu. This was a place he was familiar with, and she couldn’t make the decision for him.

“Alright.” Wen Yu nodded. He Munian immediately led them there.

After they walked out, Nan Chenghui saw them emerge and immediately walked up to follow. However, the look in his eyes toward Wen Yu suggested he wanted to speak but hadn’t found the opportunity.

Apart from the towering spire they saw initially, the place consisted entirely of single-story houses. Each house had a vegetable patch in front, and the vegetables were growing beautifully.

“We are mostly self-sufficient. Being secluded makes it difficult to acquire external resources, so our ancestors have always lived this way,” He Munian explained by their side.

Xiao Yu looked around and increasingly felt the place resembled a paradise.

She wanted to retire here and never leave.

But she knew that was impossible.

She only hoped that the Demon Venerable wouldn’t cause trouble again during these ten days. She couldn’t handle it anymore.

He Munian led the three of them to three adjacent rooms, opening the doors one by one to let them look inside.

Only Xiao Yu looked; Wen Yu and Nan Chenghui stood at the door and didn’t enter.

The rooms were spacious and simply furnished. The more Xiao Yu looked, the stronger her desire to stay grew.

It was too perfect for retirement: a small house, a vegetable patch outside the door, and no disturbances. Simply flawless!

“Then, Sword Venerable, please allocate the rooms yourselves. I will go prepare the dinner banquet.”

Wen Yu thanked her, and Xiao Yu followed suit.

After He Munian left, Wen Yu told Xiao Yu directly, “You choose first.”

Xiao Yu hesitated for a moment. Seeing no change in Wen Yu’s expression, she immediately chose the leftmost room. This room had the best view, overlooking the distant fields, perfectly suiting her preference.

Wen Yu then looked at Nan Chenghui, his expression calm.

Nan Chenghui automatically chose the room on the far right.

The remaining room in the middle was allocated to Wen Yu.

“Then I’ll go check out the room first?” Xiao Yu pointed at the house, already impatient.

As soon as Wen Yu nodded, she walked toward the house with quick steps.

Her cheerful retreating figure seemed much more relaxed than when she was at the Yuehui Sect.

Wen Yu withdrew his gaze. Just as he was about to enter, Nan Chenghui called out to him.

“Master, there are some things I want to talk to you about.” Nan Chenghui finally found an opportunity and quickly spoke.

Wen Yu looked deeply at him, then lifted his foot and turned toward the room on the right.

“Master, are you truly never going back to the Yuehui Sect?”

Inside the room, Nan Chenghui immediately asked what was on his mind.

Wen Yu countered, “Why? Are you reluctant?”

Nan Chenghui was stumped by the question, unsure how to answer. “I just…”

He stood awkwardly in front of Wen Yu.

“I’m just worried about her.”

He knew clearly that the exposure of his identity would bring Wen Yu a lot of trouble, but his heart was so hard to control. He couldn’t stop thinking about one person (Duanmuying).

They had spent years together. Now that he was leaving, he didn’t know when they would meet again.

He was concerned about Duanmuying. He had just made up his mind to tell her the truth when this happened.

Now, it was even more impossible for him to associate with her openly.

Nan Chenghui began to hate himself, hating why he had become a demon in the first place.

“She has people to look after her; you don’t need to worry.” Wen Yu bluntly shattered Nan Chenghui’s illusion. Seeing his listless appearance, Wen Yu offered no comforting words.

“Even if these things hadn’t happened, what separates you and her is more than just your demon identity,” he said. “I didn’t save you back then just so you could worry about how others are doing.”

Nan Chenghui trembled. His mind was filled with complex thoughts, but he finally suppressed his romantic affections, only saying, “I understand. I will cultivate properly.”

Wen Yu looked at him intently, saying nothing more.

He and Nan Chenghui were not much different. He only had higher cultivation. Aside from that, he, too, was trapped by a certain emotion.

Once a person has attachments, they become hesitant in their actions.

Wen Yu finally cautioned him, “Remember who you are. You were born extraordinary and are destined to be unable to live an ordinary, peaceful life like common people.”

After Wen Yu left, Nan Chenghui thought for a long time, and past events surfaced scene by scene.

He didn’t quite understand why Duanmuying hadn’t said a word, nor pleaded for him, when Qiu Hong threatened him after his identity was exposed.

It was as if the person who was close to him could discard him at any moment.

The reason he asked Wen Yu if he would return to the Yuehui Sect was out of selfishness—he wanted to ask Duanmuying face-to-face what she was truly thinking.

Nan Chenghui struggled fruitlessly to understand and continued to sink into his own world of thought.

While he was racking his brains, the oblivious Xiao Yu was determined not to overthink things.

Seizing the day was the principle she had always followed. Arriving in this place, she certainly intended to relax properly.

Xiao Yu decided to rest today and cultivate tomorrow.

The people here didn’t seem to harbor the same prejudice against demon beasts as the outside world, which made Xiao Yu very comfortable.

“The air here feels much better,” she mused.

Xiao Yu stood by the window, looking out, clearing her mind, and enjoying the moment of peace.

But soon, the conversation with Tian Jizi resurfaced.

Her gaze gradually lost focus. All she could think about was what to do next.

With all developments disrupted, and no original book plot to rely on, she couldn’t foresee future events. Everything would be uncontrollable then.

She could only rely on continuous cultivation, becoming powerful enough to resist demon attacks and establish herself in this world.

Xiao Yu suddenly began to wonder what the catalyst for her transmigrating into this world was. Was it the original book, or something else?

Tian Jizi couldn’t see through it, and she herself didn’t know.

Sighing heavily, Xiao Yu suddenly remembered something. She took out her notebook and the headband wrapped in cloth.

Putting the notebook aside, Xiao Yu’s eyes lit up at the sight of the cloth.

“Well, I have something to do now.”

She took out the needle and thread again. Before starting, she deliberately closed the door and bolted it. Like a thief, she quietly walked back and began sewing.

She had watched her mother do it when she was a child and had learned a little.

She measured the size, cut the cloth, and then slowly stitched it, one stitch at a time.

Fearing that the pouch would leak things, she deliberately sewed the stitches very closely.

She concentrated intently on the task at hand, gradually sewing it up, finally tying a knot and turning it inside out.

After carefully inspecting it, she folded the headband, tucked it inside, held it up to examine it closely, and a smile gradually spread across her face.

Just as she was absorbed in admiring her work, a knock sounded at the door, followed by Wen Yu’s voice: “Xiao Yu?”

Xiao Yu immediately stuffed the pouch into her bosom. There was no time to organize the needle and thread, so she hid them under the quilt.

“Coming.”

She opened the door and asked, “Reverend, are you looking for me?”

Her words were somewhat rushed, sounding a little like she was trying to rush him off.

But she didn’t realize it.

Wen Yu paused, then handed her a talisman: “This is a spatial talisman. It can store things.”

Xiao Yu took it with surprise. The moment she held it, she instantly perceived the contents stored within the talisman.

“Huh? How come I don’t need to drip blood?”

A guess surfaced in her mind. Xiao Yu looked up at Wen Yu, noticing a rare hint of awkwardness in his expression.

“My spatial talisman has a large capacity. You already established a connection with it before, so it’s more convenient to use this one directly.”

Xiao Yu immediately thanked him, her eyes glued to the spatial talisman. She couldn’t look away.

Wen Yu felt a wave of contentment wash over him.

“Dinner will be served in about an hour. Don’t fall asleep and miss it.”

After receiving Xiao Yu’s nod, he turned and left.

Xiao Yu suddenly remembered that she also had something to give him, but when she looked up, he was gone. Having missed this opportunity, she decided to wait for the next time.

After putting her belongings into the spatial talisman, Xiao Yu suddenly found the dresses Wen Yu had bought that night inside.

Her heart felt as if it were being gently stroked by a feather—itchy, yet warm.

She returned to the room and began to ponder the solution Wen Yu had asked her to think about that day.

Truthfully, it was impossible for Xiao Yu to be completely unmoved.

It was so sudden, and her mind was a blur in that short time. How could she have realized that he would harbor feelings for her that went beyond her understanding?

After that day passed, she reflected on everything she had experienced these past few days.

From distance to gradually drawing closer, his protection of her, his maintenance of her safety.

Xiao Yu felt she had guessed the answer, but she was afraid to believe it.

She didn’t know how to respond to Wen Yu.

This was merely an accident in her life. Who would have thought that an accident would bloom into an unexpected flower?

She had watched TV shows and read novels. Although she was slow-witted, Wen Yu was now being so obvious. If she kept pretending to be blind, she worried something might happen.

Xiao Yu began to feel agitated.

“The book didn’t even write about his romance plotline. Why did he suddenly latch onto me?”

Xiao Yu paused for a few seconds, then mumbled, “I just asked him to help suppress my desire for procreation, I didn’t ask him to…”

Just as she was about to throw herself onto the bed, she suddenly remembered the needle and thread under the quilt. She quickly tidied them up and tossed them into the spatial talisman.

Looking at the spatial talisman he gave her, Xiao Yu felt awkward all over.

“He even gave me his own spatial talisman…”

Now that she thought about it, when she woke up that day, Wen Yu’s comment that the Flute-Sword liked her was probably him speaking through the Flute-Sword.

Xiao Yu abruptly threw herself onto the bed, burying her face in the bedding and taking a deep breath.

She inhaled the clean scent of the quilt.

She was annoyed.

Damn it. I can’t even ask for advice here.

Help! A man buys you clothes and is good to you in every way. What exactly does he mean?

Xiao Yu couldn’t come up with a solution.

She also didn’t know where Wen Yu truly stood in her own heart.

She decided to resign herself to fate. As long as Wen Yu didn’t say anything explicitly, she would pretend she didn’t know.

Anyway…

Anyway, she would repay his kindness to her one by one, to the best of her ability.

Thinking this, Xiao Yu sighed in relief.

This would do for now. She would take things one step at a time. She couldn’t even guarantee that her own life wouldn’t fall into the hands of others, so she couldn’t think too much about this.

Xiao Yu nodded determinedly, then began reviewing the demon arts she had previously learned.

Soon, someone knocked on her door.

“Miss, dinner is ready. Please come quickly.”

Xiao Yu withdrew her demonic power and left the room.

She waited outside for a while before Wen Yu and Nan Chenghui emerged.

Seeing Wen Yu, her subconscious first wanted to walk toward him, but she stopped midway, waiting for him to approach her.

Ever since she realized Wen Yu had feelings for her, she felt uncomfortable whenever she saw him.

She suddenly realized that since meeting Wen Yu, he didn’t seem to have any close friends besides Fu Shan-jun.

Xiao Yu suddenly thought of a great idea.

She could become Wen Yu’s friend! This would both ease the awkward relationship and give her a reason to interact with him.

Perfect!

Xiao Yu figured it out and waited happily for Wen Yu to draw near.

Wen Yu noticed the person, who had been hesitant just moments ago, visibly brightening up. He couldn’t help but wonder what she was thinking just now that caused her to stop walking toward him.

“Please follow me, all three of you.”

Xiao Yu waited until Wen Yu came over, then turned and walked beside him. She was about to say she had something for him, but after a thought, she decided to wait until she was alone with Wen Yu.

The dinner banquet was set up in an open area, with several tables, making it lively.

Xiao Yu saw the He Munian siblings busy themselves and walked over to help.

He Munian stopped her, “How can we let a guest help? Please take a seat. It will be ready soon.”

Xiao Yu couldn’t insist. She walked back to Wen Yu in small, quick steps and heard a soft chuckle.

She poked Wen Yu’s arm and whispered, “What are you laughing at?”

Wen Yu lowered his head, leaned close to Xiao Yu’s ear, and softly said, “The way you walked just now, I rarely see.”

The warm breath tickled Xiao Yu’s ear.

She immediately moved a few steps away, covering her ear with her hand.

So what if it’s rare? Why are you laughing?

Soon, the banquet was set. Tian Jizi, supported by a woman, walked over shakily.

Xiao Yu was afraid she might fall.

“Everyone, please sit, please sit. It is a rare chance to gather today.”

Everyone took their seats. Tian Jizi exchanged a few polite words with Wen Yu, then smiled, “Everyone must have waited long enough. Please start eating.”

Xiao Yu sat to Wen Yu’s right, with He Munian next to her.

The delicacies on the table dazzled her eyes, and for a moment, she didn’t know which one to try first.

Something suddenly landed in her bowl. Wen Yu put down the serving chopsticks and softly told Xiao Yu, “Try this.”

Xiao Yu picked it up and put it in her mouth.

It was a tender green color, cut into small pieces, and easy to eat.

It was crunchy and slightly sweet.

Xiao Yu nodded repeatedly, “Delicious.”

He Munian smiled, “If it tastes good, eat more. You can’t find this kind of food outside.”

Xiao Yu took a few more pieces. Before she had taken many bites, He Munian took a jar and poured something into her cup.

“This is flower wine. It’s not very strong. Try it.”

Xiao Yu picked up the cup and took a small sip.

It tasted fragrant at first, gradually becoming a little tart, but after swallowing, it turned somewhat sweet.

“It’s good.”

Xiao Yu took another sip, one after another, growing a little addicted.

When she poured her fifth cup, Wen Yu pressed down on the wine jar.

“Won’t you get drunk?”

Xiao Yu pulled away his hand pressing the jar, pouring as she spoke, “You underestimate my tolerance.”

She never used to flush when she drank, let alone with this light wine.

He Munian noticed the movement at their table and quickly explained, “This wine is brewed with flower petals. Even our children don’t get drunk drinking it. This young lady should be fine.”

Xiao Yu nodded repeatedly, “Exactly!”

The wine spilled a little over the cup. Xiao Yu quickly put down the wine jar and leaned over to sip from the overflow.

Wen Yu said no more but started watching Xiao Yu more frequently.

When she reached her eighth cup, Wen Yu put down his chopsticks and took her cup away.

Xiao Yu felt the empty spot where the cup was supposed to be.

“Where’s my cup?”

She looked up at Wen Yu. A blush was already visible on her cheeks, and her lips, moistened by the flower wine, were particularly rosy.

Seeing the cup in Wen Yu’s hand, Xiao Yu reached out to take it.

She couldn’t move it.

Xiao Yu complained with dissatisfaction, “Stop messing around. Give me the cup.”

She tugged for a long time, but the cup remained steady in Wen Yu’s hand, not even spilling the half-cup of wine inside.

“Why are you snatching my cup?”

Xiao Yu continued to wrestle with him for it.

The people at the table collectively watched the two of them, smiling knowingly.

“It looks like she’s drunk.” Tian Jizi laughed heartily. She exchanged a look with He Munian, who immediately took the wine jar away.

“I apologize. I genuinely thought this wine wouldn’t cause drunkenness.” He Munian was both exasperated and amused. This was the first time she had seen someone get drunk on flower wine.

Wen Yu said it was fine and tried to reason with Xiao Yu.

“Rest a bit. You can drink later.”

Xiao Yu shook her head, saying no.

She was getting energized and began to use force, feeling gradually warmer all over.

“Let go of your hand.”

Xiao Yu’s eyes were now fixed only on the cup Wen Yu had taken.

Her face was burning hot, but she ignored it.

Wen Yu saw her insistence on drinking this one cup and reluctantly let go. “Finish this cup, then eat some food to settle your stomach.”

Xiao Yu ignored his words, tilted her head back, drank it all, and then froze.

Wen Yu frowned, instantly worried.

He was about to suggest leaving early when he suddenly saw Xiao Yu looking for the wine jar again.

He shook his head in exasperation again.

He grabbed Xiao Yu’s hand, turned her to face him, and asked, “Do you know who I am?”

Xiao Yu felt her head spinning. She forced her eyes open and looked closely.

The person in front of her was very close. Even though her head was spinning, she could clearly see his face.

Xiao Yu’s brain suddenly stalled. She stared straight into Wen Yu’s dark eyes. There was a sentence she wanted to blurt out, but she couldn’t manage to say it.

She parted her lips, suddenly feeling hot.

“Reverend…”

She dropped the cup and wanted to lean toward Wen Yu.

The heat on her cheeks was constantly rising.

At this moment, Wen Yu’s presence attracted her more than the wine.

The gradual shift and the heat he sensed caused Wen Yu to abruptly tense up.

He put his arm around Xiao Yu. The close, icy coolness made Xiao Yu instinctively want to move closer.

“Reverend, I think I’m drunk.”

Xiao Yu was muddled, her head feverish.

She must be drunk, or else why would her head be so dizzy?

Wen Yu first apologized to Tian Jizi, then took Xiao Yu to leave.

“How did this girl get drunk after only a few cups?” Tian Jizi took a sip of the flower wine and shook her head.

Seeing this, Nan Chenghui also followed them back.

Wen Yu originally intended to carry Xiao Yu, but she pushed him away.

“I can walk!”

Her flushed cheeks looked tender under the sunset glow, giving rise to an impulse to aggressively pinch them.

Wen Yu watched her walk ahead, his gaze gentle, mingled with an increasingly intense affection.

Xiao Yu suddenly stopped, turned around, and beckoned to Wen Yu.

Wen Yu walked over step by step, stopping in front of her.

The drunken person in front of him tilted her head up, her eyes wide open, shining brighter than starlight.

She said, “Didn’t you ask me for a solution last time?”

Wen Yu’s breathing hitched. He waited patiently for her to speak.

“I thought of one!”