The Little Fox Spirit Doesn't Want to Carry a Cub - Chapter 5

What the titmouse had found was the personal token of Jiang Shen’s elite guards, known as a Silver Tally.

As the personal guards of the current Crown Prince, these Silver Tallies were symbols of their identity; they were never to leave their persons unless they had perished.

Every guard by Jiang Shen’s side had been personally handpicked and raised by him since childhood. The one who had served him for the shortest time had still been with him for over ten years.

Jiang Shen gripped the Silver Tally, remaining silent for a long time.

Li Ruan didn’t speak either. He crouched by Jiang Shen’s feet, clutching his tail and smoothing down his puffed-out fur with his paws, silently comforting himself.

Originally, Li Ruan had pretended to be an ordinary fox just to avoid scaring this mortal, not because he was afraid of his true nature being discovered. However, after several days of living together, he had played the role of a fox so convincingly that he had completely forgotten his initial reason.

That was why he felt so guilty when he was caught red-handed just now.

He had been so startled his fur stood on end.

How pathetic, Li Ruan scolded himself internally while stroking his ruffled tail.

But…

This mortal discovered he could speak, yet he didn’t seem afraid at all.

Wasn’t he scared unconscious last time?

Li Ruan looked up curiously to observe the man before him. At that moment, the man spoke: “Little fox, can you do me another favor?”

Li Ruan had been pretending he couldn’t speak in front of Jiang Shen for days. Hearing this, he instinctively wanted to wag his tail in response, but then remembered he had already been exposed. He spoke in human tongue, albeit a bit hesitantly: “I… I can.”

His voice was clearer and brighter than that of an ordinary man, with a hint of softness at the end of his words.

It was indeed the same voice Jiang Shen had heard before he fainted that day.

Jiang Shen’s tone was neutral: “There should be sixteen more identical Silver Tallies currently on the bodies in the mountains. Those seventeen men died for me. I cannot bury them for the time being, so I wish to set up a cenotaph for them.”

“Since I currently have difficulty moving, could you make a trip for me to retrieve those Silver Tallies?”

Not only is he not afraid, he even wants to order a fox around.

Li Ruan flicked his tail behind him, intending to negotiate some terms with the man. However, he looked up and saw the man’s pale face and his slightly lowered eyes, the depths of which were shadowed and unreadable.

It was the first time he had seen the man show such an expression.

During their days together, the man’s temper had always been very good. He always spoke with a smile and never got angry even when his food was snatched away.

But now, he felt as if the man were angry.

Not just angry, but perhaps a bit… sad?

Li Ruan’s gaze fell upon the small iron plate in the man’s hand.

This thing must be very important to him, right?

The words he had been about to say suddenly couldn’t be uttered. Li Ruan wagged his tail and nodded: “Fine, I’ll help you.”

Li Ruan pulled the titmouse along to lead the way and went to the place where it had found the bodies.

Only when he arrived did he realize it was a patch of forest on the western side of Mount Changming. If one climbed the mountain through this forest, they would reach the summit of the canyon where he lived.

Jiang Shen had likely fallen from there to arrive at the entrance of his cave dwelling.

After a heavy snowfall, few traces of the struggle remained in the forest. Only the dozens of corpses showed what a brutal and fierce battle had taken place here.

“Li Ruan, I found another one!” The titmouse had been here once before and found them quickly. But when it turned back with a Silver Tally in its beak, it saw the little fox extend a paw and pat a frozen corpse.

The titmouse flew over: “What are you doing?”

“Now my scent is on them,” Li Ruan said. “Once the animals smell my scent, they shouldn’t dare to eat them.”

Food was scarce in Mount Changming during winter. If these bodies were left here, it wouldn’t be long before they were consumed by mountain animals.

Although he had been beaten back to his original form, his former intimidation remained; it was more than enough to scare off a few small animals.

Li Ruan had lived for many years and usually felt little about the passing of life, but that mortal was likely sad; otherwise, he wouldn’t have shown such an expression.

Since he was helping, he would help to the end.

Where else could one find a more kind-hearted lifesaver than him? It would be unreasonable if that mortal didn’t offer himself in return.

Thinking this, Li Ruan said to the titmouse: “Hurry up and find them. I’ll treat you to fruit when we’re done.”

Titmouse: “Mm-hmm!”

The corpses in the forest included both Jiang Shen’s personal guards and the rebels who had ambushed him that day. Even with the titmouse’s help, it wasn’t easy to find all the Silver Tallies among so many bodies.

The little fox was gone much longer than usual this time. When he returned, he brought back more than just the Silver Tallies.

Jiang Shen watched as the little fox placed the sixteen Silver Tallies by his hand, then struggled with his front paws to remove the bundle strapped to his back.

The bundle was almost as large as the little fox’s body. Heaven knows how much effort it took to get it on; even just carrying it was clearly taxing. Jiang Shen reached out to help him, taking the bundle down.

“This is…”

“I picked it up in the forest.” Li Ruan shook his ruffled fur and said proudly, “I don’t have any mortal clothes or supplies here, so I just grabbed some random things back. I felt you might be able to use them.”

Jiang Shen asked again: “Why did you choose this one?”

They had come from Jiangnan and carried luggage with them. If the little fox simply wanted to take some clothes and supplies, there would have been plenty.

Li Ruan said: “Because this fabric is the prettiest.”

Most of the other bundles were made of cotton or linen and looked gray and dull. Only this one, made of thick material with dark patterns embroidered on the surface, was exceptionally beautiful in the sunlight. Li Ruan had liked it at first glance.

“This is ‘Cloud-Woven Brocade,’ the latest from the Jiangnan Weaving Mills this year. You have quite good taste,” Jiang Shen said. “This was originally mine.”

Li Ruan blinked in surprise.

What a coincidence.

It wasn’t exactly a coincidence. As the Crown Prince, Jiang Shen’s standard of living was beyond reach for ordinary people. Since the little fox had intentionally picked the best, it was only natural he would pick Jiang Shen’s.

Jiang Shen opened the bundle. Inside were several sets of neatly folded clothes, a set of writing brushes and ink, and a few books.

He had traveled light for this return to the capital and hadn’t brought much, but in his current state, these things were very useful.

Jiang Shen rummaged a bit more and pulled out an exquisite dagger from beneath the clothes.

This dagger had been a gift from a Royal Uncle who treated him very well during his childhood. It was said that this item had once been blessed by a high monk; it could cut through iron like clay and was capable of dispelling demons and warding off evil.

—According to common folklore, the demon race cultivated immortal bodies that ordinary mortal blades could not harm; only specific weapons could eliminate them.

The Royal Uncle had given him this for self-defense, presumably for that reason.

Jiang Shen had never believed in gods or ghosts before and hadn’t taken these things seriously; he kept the item only as a memento of an old friend long gone.

As for now…

He looked up at the little fox before him.

The little fox wasn’t paying attention to what he was doing at all.

Likely because he had been helping Jiang Shen all morning and hadn’t had time to eat, the little fox immediately ran to the small bundle containing fruit after handing over the Silver Tallies. He dug around with a paw and was currently pulling out fruit to eat.

Jiang Shen smiled and shook his head, tucking the dagger back into its original place.

For now, it likely wouldn’t be needed.

Because of his fall, Jiang Shen’s clothes were damaged in many places; the bundle the little fox found was a massive help. He changed into clean clothes and, after tidying himself slightly, went to the cave entrance to set up the cenotaph.

However, since walking was still an issue, the task of digging the hole naturally fell to the little fox again.

Having lived in the wild for so many years, digging was no challenge for him. He dug the hole in a few strokes and helped Jiang Shen bury the Silver Tallies.

When it came to filling the earth, Jiang Shen didn’t ask for the little fox’s help.

He sat by the pit and personally scooped up the yellow soil, scattering it inside.

“Rest in peace,” Jiang Shen said. “Since you died for me, I shall keep this debt of gratitude in my heart.”

His voice was low as he spoke, and his expression was neutral, showing little emotion: “All of this was due to my lack of foresight. As long as I live another day in this world, I will do my best to look after your families and kin, ensuring their years are free from worry.”

“As for the mastermind behind this…”

Jiang Shen paused suddenly.

He instinctively glanced at the little fox sitting beside him. The latter had been watching him; seeing him stop, the fox blinked in confusion.

…Once I find the culprit, I will personally take his head and use his flesh and blood as an offering to you.

Jiang Shen finished the last sentence in his mind and lowered his eyes, covering the cenotaph with the final handful of earth.

Having finished, Jiang Shen wanted to stand up but couldn’t.

Today was the first time he had been on his feet since his injury. After moving back and forth for so long, his physical strength was at its limit.

Jiang Shen didn’t force himself and simply sat on the ground, leaning against the cave entrance to rest.

Since his fall, this was the first time he had seen the view outside the dwelling. Outside was a vast forest, the ground covered in a soft green carpet of grass, with the faint sound of flowing water in the distance. In this withered winter, the trees in the canyon remained lush and verdant, as if even the changing of seasons could not disturb the tranquility here.

It was a bright, sunny day. Warm sunlight filtered through the dense canopy above, and water vapor rose from the depths of the canyon—it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it a fairyland.

Being in such a place, even one’s mood would follow suit and become peaceful.

If I could live here permanently…

Jiang Shen closed his eyes and immediately suppressed the thought.

He was the Crown Prince of the current dynasty; he carried the weight of the state and the common people on his shoulders. The imperial court was currently in a state of turmoil, especially now that he had been ambushed and gone missing—heaven knows how chaotic things were outside.

How could he have such thoughts of idle escapism?

Jiang Shen exhaled silently and withdrew his gaze to look at the little fellow beside him.

As Jiang Shen rested, the little fox didn’t leave either, quietly crouching nearby to keep him company. That bright red fur was distinct in the sunlight, swaying gently in the cool breeze.

Jiang Shen said: “Since I have difficulty moving, this cenotaph can only stay here for now. Once my body is better, I will go into the forest to collect their remains and then move the cenotaph.”

Li Ruan gave an “en” but continued to stare at him without blinking.

“Do you have something you want to say to me?” Jiang Shen asked.

Li Ruan’s front paws padded the ground unconsciously as if he were hesitant, but then, as if making a final decision, he nodded seriously.

Jiang Shen said: “Say whatever is on your mind.”

“You…” Li Ruan asked him, “Aren’t you afraid of me?”

Jiang Shen had already practically concluded that the little fox who saved him was a little demon, so he wasn’t too surprised to hear him speak human tongue. Although a fox speaking was indeed unheard of, the fox before him was simply adorable and naive, and his voice was soft and sweet.

Even the way he asked the question was so cute it bordered on foolishness.

A hint of a smile touched Jiang Shen’s eyes. He looked the fox up and down several times from head to tail and couldn’t find a single thing that would make him feel afraid.

He thought for a moment and used a subtle phrasing: “If you do not harm me, I shall not be afraid.”

“Of course I won’t harm you, I saved you!” Li Ruan wagged his tail very happily. “I will absolutely never harm you.”

Jiang Shen had actually heard such words many times since childhood. Countless people had schemed to please him and promised him loyalty, but those who ultimately fulfilled them were few and far between. If anyone else had made such a promise, he wouldn’t have believed or dared to believe a single word.

Yet now, it came from the mouth of this little fellow.

Jiang Shen smiled again and nodded: “Good.”

“You just said they died for you, so you must repay them and be good to their families. Then…” The little fox’s eyes were bright. “Since I saved you, shouldn’t you be even better to me?”

The little fox spoke very frankly, as if he didn’t find the idea of seeking a reward for a favor strange at all.

This was a good thing.

A favor without a request for reward would only make Jiang Shen feel uneasy.

But Jiang Shen suddenly remembered something else, and his brow furrowed slightly.

“I will naturally repay you as well, but…” He toyed with a blade of grass from heaven knows where, his expression unusually hesitant. “You told that little titmouse earlier that you kept me here for the purpose of ‘dual cultivation’ with me?”

He looked at the thin, small fox before him—one he could lift with a single hand—and asked very uncertainly: “What exactly do you mean by… ‘dual cultivation’?”

It couldn’t possibly be… what I’m thinking, right?