The Little Fox Spirit Doesn't Want to Carry a Cub - Chapter 6

Jiang Shen, of course, knew what “dual cultivation” meant.

Nowadays, tales of the strange and supernatural were extremely popular among the common folk, especially in the culturally open regions of Jiangnan. In some of the more popular stories, the demons described were even fervently admired by the public.

The term “dual cultivation” was something Jiang Shen had read in one of those supernatural novels.

In those stories, the term seemed to refer to… sexual intercourse.

Li Ruan blinked and asked in confusion, “Does dual cultivation have another meaning?”

The little fox didn’t seem to understand why he would ask such a question. He tilted his head slightly, appearing completely innocent and ignorant.

Jiang Shen immediately felt that he was overthinking things.

This little fox had clearly never interacted with mortals before. His mind was pure and flawless, no different from a child’s. How could Jiang Shen harbor such filthy thoughts—

In the next second, Li Ruan spoke with shocking bluntness: “It means I want you to sleep with me.”

Jiang Shen: “Cough, cough, cough—!”

Never expecting the little fox to say something like that, Jiang Shen was caught off guard and choked, coughing violently.

Where on earth did this little fox learn such crude language?

Since childhood, Jiang Shen had been well-versed in the Four Books and Five Classics; under the pressure of his status, he had to strictly observe etiquette. However, he wasn’t some overly rigid or prudish person. Especially later, when he joined the garrison at the border, he made friends from all walks of life. He was by no means a conservative soul.

But the one saying this was the little fox.

Jiang Shen suddenly felt like his own cub had picked up bad habits.

The injury to his ribs hadn’t fully recovered yet, and the coughing pulled at his old wounds. Once he started, he couldn’t stop.

Jiang Shen coughed until he felt dizzy. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that streak of bright red approach him, and a fluffy paw rested on his chest. It patted him twice gently, as if trying to help him catch his breath.

He looked up and met a gaze that was… a bit disdainful.

“Don’t be so nervous. I won’t touch you right now,” Li Ruan said. “You’re so tall, yet your courage is so small. Is dual cultivating with me really that scary? I already said I won’t hurt you.”

Li Ruan scolded him for a couple of sentences, then sighed and coaxed him in a low voice, “I may be a fox demon, but I’m not actually a beast. Don’t be afraid.”

Jiang Shen: “…”

What is even going on?

Jiang Shen was caught between laughter and tears: “Cough… who taught you to say those words?”

“Ah?” Li Ruan asked in confusion, “Which words?”

“Beast,” Jiang Shen asked. “Do you know what that word means?”

“Of course I know. it refers to bad people,” Li Ruan said proudly. “A-Xue taught me.”

Jiang Shen: “…”

While it’s not technically wrong, it still feels like something is off.

Jiang Shen asked, “Is A-Xue the little titmouse from today?”

“No.” Seeing that he was no longer coughing, Li Ruan got off him and said, “A-Xue is a very powerful great demon, even more powerful than me. But he rarely leaves his cave and doesn’t like others to disturb him.”

“More powerful… than you?”

Jiang Shen looked him up and down.

“I used to be very powerful!” Noticing the doubt in his eyes, Li Ruan said irritably, “Don’t you dare disbelieve me. My spiritual power is very high. Once I recover my power through dual cultivation with you, I can heal your injuries in an instant!”

Jiang Shen drew out his words: “Oh, so you’re that impressive?”

Li Ruan: “It’s true!”

When the little fox was angry, his ears stood high and his back arched, but it wasn’t intimidating at all—it only looked cute.

Jiang Shen pursed his lips and stopped teasing him.

He asked again, “So, you want to dual cultivate with me just to restore your spiritual power?”

Li Ruan nodded: “Yes.”

“But can’t demons cultivate on their own? Why must you dual cultivate with a human?”

“Well…” Li Ruan’s gaze shifted around. “I naturally have my reasons.”

Being struck back to his original form by Heavenly Thunder was actually quite embarrassing.

Especially since A-Xue had specifically warned him before his Tribulation that his cultivation wasn’t yet perfected and the lightning strike would likely be disastrous.

But Li Ruan hadn’t listened at the time.

The small animals in the mountains all knew what had happened, so there was no hiding it from them. But this mortal was an outsider, and Li Ruan didn’t want to tell such an embarrassing story to a stranger just yet.

Jiang Shen was incredibly perceptive; he saw at a glance that the little fox didn’t want to talk about it and didn’t press further.

Jiang Shen rested for a while longer. Feeling that his strength had mostly recovered, he wanted to get up. He had been lying in the cave for so many days, and although the little fox brought him fresh water to wash, it was ultimately inconvenient. Now that he could walk, he wanted to go and bathe.

He could hear the sound of water here; there was bound to be running water nearby.

Jiang Shen thought for a moment and asked, “Little fox, in the vicinity…”

“I have a name.” Before he could finish, Li Ruan interrupted. “My name is Li Ruan.”

Jiang Shen: “…”

Li Ruan: “What’s so funny!”

“Nothing.” Jiang Shen rubbed his fingers together, remembering the smooth and soft touch of the fox’s tail. He said softly, “It is indeed quite soft.”

Note: Ruan (軟) means soft in Chinese.

Li Ruan slapped the ground with his paw in displeasure.

Jiang Shen cleared his throat and said seriously, “My name is Jiang Shen. ‘Shen’ as in ‘watchful in solitude.'”

However, Jiang Shen was unable to go for a bath in the end.

His guess was correct—there was indeed running water in the canyon. According to the little fox, not far from the cave, a small stream flowed through the forest. The fresh water they usually drank was fetched from that stream. Further up the stream was a spring that remained warm year-round.

The hot spring was a bit far. Although the path wasn’t difficult, it was quite a challenge for the current Jiang Shen.

Furthermore, his external wounds hadn’t fully healed yet.

He had to let it go for the time being.

Another four or five days passed. Jiang Shen carved a better crutch out of a tree root the little fox had found. Once he became more proficient in using it, he finally went to the hot spring accompanied by the little fox.

Only upon arriving did he realize that the spring water was not connected to the stream.

The stream in the forest flowed down from the mountaintop, while this spring water surged from the earth’s veins, bubbling with rising steam.

Jiang Shen tested the water temperature with his hand. It was neither cold nor hot, exactly at the most comfortable temperature for bathing.

“The water isn’t scalding, don’t worry. I used to cultivate here often.” Li Ruan wagged his tail proudly. “This is the place with the most spiritual energy in all of Mount Changming. Usually, no one dares to approach except me. You’re getting a bargain.”

Ever since the day Li Ruan mentioned he used to be a powerful demon and Jiang Shen hadn’t believed him, he always looked for chances to brag about himself in front of Jiang Shen.

But as for the effect…

This soft, fluffy little thing said he used to be the overlord of the mountains?

In any case, Jiang Shen didn’t believe it.

He removed his outer robe, carefully supported himself on the rocks at the shore, and slowly submerged his body into the spring water.

He had no way of knowing about the “abundant spiritual energy” the little fox mentioned; he only felt that soaking in this hot spring was indeed extremely comfortable, not at all inferior to the royal baths. He wasn’t sure if it was an illusion, but the water seemed to have the effect of calming the mind and centering the spirit, as if it could wash away all fatigue.

Jiang Shen leaned against the shore to rest with his eyes closed. Behind him, a rustling sound started again.

The little fox had curled up right next to his head.

“Aren’t you coming in?” Jiang Shen asked him.

“No.” Li Ruan shook his head. “It will get my fur wet.”

That made sense.

After several days of living together, Jiang Shen discovered that the little fox was very fond of cleanliness—especially that coat of fur. He wouldn’t let it get dirty easily, nor would he let it get wet.

Even after eating, he would carefully lick his paws clean.

Jiang Shen still found it strange: “Didn’t you say you used to cultivate here often?”

Li Ruan said, “That was when I was a human.”

A human.

Jiang Shen’s eyes flickered slightly: “You used to be… able to transform into a human form?”

“Of course, I am a great demon who has cultivated for hundreds of years.” Li Ruan’s eyes darted around, and he spoke with feigned mystery, “Do you want to know what my human form looks like? It’s very beautiful. I can transform for you to see.”

Who calls themselves beautiful like that? This little demon.

Jiang Shen chuckled softly, but he was indeed a bit curious, so he said, “Fine, show me.”

Li Ruan: “It’s not something I can do just like that. There are conditions.”

Jiang Shen: “What conditions?”

Li Ruan: “Dual cultivation.”

Jiang Shen: “…”

So he was waiting for me right here.

Although Jiang Shen had indeed promised to repay the little fox for saving his life, it didn’t mean he was willing to repay it in this manner—especially with a fox.

It was too absurd.

Besides…

Jiang Shen glanced at the little fox.

This little demon’s body was only slightly larger than his palm. Had he even considered how they would be able to—

Jiang Shen pressed his brow, unwilling to think further.

The little fox seemed to have never considered those things at all. He lay by the spring and irritably tried to catch Jiang Shen’s hair, which was hanging by the shore: “Stingy guy. If I had known, I wouldn’t have saved you. You’re so disobedient.”

He even made a soft-voiced threat: “If only I had spiritual power, I would lock you in the cave and harvest your essence three times a day to drain you dry.”

Jiang Shen: “…”

What kind of messy things had this little fox been learning all day?

It was truly overwhelming.

Worried the fox would say more shocking things, Jiang Shen quickly changed the subject: “It’s not that I don’t want to help you, but my injuries haven’t healed yet. I can’t help you for the time being.”

As he spoke, he even feigned a weak appearance: “Cough, cough… Look at me now. How could I dual cultivate with you?”

The little fox blinked, and his voice softened: “That’s true.”

Jiang Shen took the opportunity to ask him: “Is there no other way? One that doesn’t involve dual cultivation but can still help you?”

“Hmm… there is one.” The little fox tugged at his hair. “You just need to let me stay closer to you.”

Jiang Shen: “That simple?”

“It’s not simple,” Li Ruan said. “I will absorb your essence. Although it’s not as effective as dual cultivation, I’ve thought about it—if I absorb it for a longer period, it might work too.”

As he spoke, he stood up and turned a circle happily: “See? I’ve been staying with you every day lately, and I feel my spirit is much better.”

This could be considered an unexpected surprise.

Normally, a demon would need to directly absorb a mortal’s essence to improve themselves.

But for some reason, even though Li Ruan hadn’t explicitly absorbed Jiang Shen’s essence these past few days—only living and eating with him and not even staying very close—his power was still slowly recovering.

If he could absorb a little bit of Jiang Shen’s essence every day, he would surely recover faster.

Eventually, he might not even need dual cultivation; he could start practicing on his own again.

Jiang Shen asked: “What counts as staying ‘closer’ to you?”

“It just means being closer.” Li Ruan walked over, lowered his head, and rubbed his head against Jiang Shen’s cheek.

He seemed to be very careful, quickly rubbing once and then pulling away. He watched Jiang Shen’s face closely: “I just consumed a tiny bit of essence. Did you feel anything? Does it hurt?”

The little fox’s head was very round. The sensation of it rubbing against him was warm and soft, making him feel a bit itchy.

“No.” Jiang Shen pursed his lips and glanced at the cautiously crouching little fox. “Try… try one more time?”

Trying “one more time” was impossible.

Jiang Shen was still in the spring water, and Li Ruan hated getting his fur wet.

They had to wait until they returned to the cave.

Li Ruan’s cave was originally very primitive—just an ordinary mountain cave with no signs of anyone living there. Jiang Shen couldn’t even imagine how the little fox had lived here for hundreds of years.

But now, it was different.

Near the cave entrance, there was a pile of dry firewood the little fox had gathered during the sunny days. It was now winter, and it would likely snow again in a few days. Jiang Shen was a mortal and couldn’t withstand the cold; building a fire was a necessity.

In the center of the cave was a small campfire. Because they had been away for so long, only a few weak embers remained. Jiang Shen used a piece of wood to stir it, and the flames roared back to life.

Further inside, the space was divided into two sections.

On the left were some fruits, two wild rabbits the little fox had hunted last night, and a few sweet potatoes. On the right was a small bed made of straw.

Jiang Shen was usually adaptable, but the one thing that revealed he was a pampered young nobleman was his inability to sleep on a hard bed. In the past, when he was on the march, he would add several layers of blankets to his cot if conditions allowed. If not, he would stay awake until dawn or only grab a quick nap when he was exhausted; he was quite delicate in this regard.

Therefore, the straw had been piled three times its original height and covered with his previously washed and dried (though damaged) clothes.

Although primitive, it was soft enough to lie on.

Jiang Shen sat down by the bed.

His right leg still couldn’t bear weight, and the injured area was still somewhat red and swollen. Jiang Shen wasn’t a doctor and didn’t know how to set bones properly; he had only treated his injuries by applying herbs and using branches for simple stabilization.

Whether he could fully recover or if there would be lasting effects, Jiang Shen himself wasn’t sure.

However, the little fox was very confident.

He kept claiming that as soon as his spiritual power returned, he could heal Jiang Shen in the blink of an eye.

—This little demon had bragged so many times that Jiang Shen no longer knew whether to believe him or not.

He set his crutch aside and felt something tug at him.

Looking down, the little fox was crouching by his feet, a fluffy paw hooking onto the hem of his robe. He didn’t say a word, just stared at him expectantly.

Jiang Shen naturally knew what he wanted and smiled: “Come then. What do you want to do?”

Li Ruan jumped directly into his lap.

The little fox was very light.

His tail was still resting on the ground, and his body was just a small ball. Jiang Shen could completely encircle him with two palms. The bright red fur was thick and soft; it felt so plush he could barely feel the bones.

Jiang Shen held the little fox and didn’t even dare to apply pressure.

It felt as though the slightest force would hurt him.

Compared to Jiang Shen’s awkwardness, Li Ruan was much more at ease.

He first rubbed against Jiang Shen’s chest, then raised his two front paws to brace himself against the man’s chest. He buried his head in the crook of Jiang Shen’s neck and took a deep, satisfying breath.

Pure Yang essence entered his body along with his breath. It was like long-awaited rain for parched land; his entire being felt cleansed.

Li Ruan was so comfortable the tip of his tail was trembling. Not satisfied yet, he burrowed and shifted around in Jiang Shen’s embrace.

Even the most clingy puppy Jiang Shen had ever raised couldn’t compare to this.

A smile touched the corners of Jiang Shen’s mouth. He raised a hand, wanting to pet the little fox’s head.

But before he could touch him, his movement suddenly stiffened.

“You—” Jiang Shen abruptly grabbed one of the little fox’s paws and gritted his teeth. “…Where are you stepping?”

“Ah?”

The little fox looked up from his embrace, his other paw still in place.

In fact, because one paw was in Jiang Shen’s hand and his body was unbalanced, the pressure from the paw he was stepping with became even greater.

Jiang Shen quickly let go: “Stop stepping there.”

The little fox seemed confused. He blinked: “But this is where the scent of essence is the strongest.”

As he spoke, he gave another experimental step: “Is it uncomfortable? Did you get hurt there before?”

Jiang Shen took a deep breath and lightly ground his teeth.