The Sect Leader Raised a Fox to His Own Detriment - Chapter 7

Ever since learning of his half-demon identity, A-Yin had returned to his childhood habit of happily trotting to Yue Xichen’s quarters to eat peach blossom cakes. After all, melting a Transformation Pill into a sweet, soft cake tasted far better than swallowing a pill directly. Perhaps it was because the cakes were delicious, or perhaps they carried a strangely familiar scent.

However, regarding his origins, A-Yin remained entirely in the dark. It was obvious Yue Xichen was hiding something, but since A-Yin couldn’t force an answer, he could only treat that lead as temporarily dead.

Currently, looking across the six realms, the Demon Race was sealed in the Blood Demon Abyss, and the Demon Beast Tribe had long since weakened. Storytellers in the teahouses claimed that years ago, the King of the Nine-Tailed Foxes was wiped out in a single night. The reasons were many and varied, but the truth had likely been swallowed by the river of history.

“So what kind of demon am I, exactly?” Back in his room, A-Yin faced a bronze mirror and touched his ears. He remembered that his beast ears felt furry, like high-quality fur. “A cat demon? A dog demon… surely not a weasel?” A-Yin didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

But regardless of his species, he was currently living as a human cultivator. On Lingyun Mountain and in the cultivation world at large, a stagnant cultivation meant having no future.

“Seriously, what is Master thinking? Making a half-demon who can’t cultivate a disciple of Lingyun Mountain…” Propping his chin in his hands, A-Yin murmured to himself. Since he couldn’t count on Yue Xichen, he would have to find his own way to become strong.

His determination never wavered, but he had no idea how to begin until the opportunity he had been dreaming of finally arrived.

Today, the inner disciples of both the North and South Peaks gathered before the Hall of Resting Winds. Yue Xichen stood in his customary white robes, hands behind his back. He was cold as frost, yet appeared like a celestial being who had transcended the mortal world.

Standing among the disciples, A-Yin couldn’t take his eyes off Yue Xichen. Even though the South Peak Master, Su Muzhi, was also handsome, any features paled in comparison when standing next to Yue Xichen.

“Lingyun Mountain has received a request for help from the Governor of Yangzhou. He reports frequent shipwrecks in the Jing River lately and suspects monsters are at work. He hopes we can send a few cultivators to investigate,” Yue Xichen spoke calmly, his voice carrying an innate authority.

“In Jasmine Village, five children have gone missing in a row. The villagers also suspect evil spirits,” Su Muzhi added.

“And the Fire-Melting Cave,” the North Peak Master, Li Yan, said with his usual stern face. “Abnormalities have been detected; it seems malevolent spirits are stirring within.”

“Since the inner disciples haven’t gone down the mountain for training yet this year, this is a good opportunity. You will be led by your respective Masters. Remember: do not act recklessly, follow your Master’s arrangements, do not trouble mortals, do not put them in danger, do not accept bribes, and do not conflict with them… under no circumstances shall you tarnish the name of Lingyun Mountain.”

After the customary instructions, Yue Xichen’s gaze drifted toward A-Yin.

A-Yin was an inner disciple, but his cultivation was far too low. In previous years, Yue Xichen never took him along, leading to much mockery from the outer disciples. Yue Xichen was fully aware of this. He had intended to do the same this year, both to prevent A-Yin from slowing down the others and to keep him out of danger.

“A-Yin…”

Yue Xichen’s cool, thin lips parted as he called A-Yin’s name. The beautiful, cold voice was hard to read. Whispers immediately broke out among the North Peak disciples.

“Looks like the Sect Leader isn’t letting him go again this year.”

“Honestly, being that weak, how does he have the right to be a closed-door disciple?”

“Illegitimate son, obviously…”

A-Yin heard these whispers every year; the content never changed. His hands clenched into fists, and he stared straight at Yue Xichen, his eyes burning with a mix of resentment and hope. For a fleeting second, Yue Xichen felt as if his eyes were being scorched.

He closed his eyes slightly, his heart as still as water. Seeing that unruffled, icy face, the heat in A-Yin’s heart cooled inch by inch. It’s the same again this year. I’ll be the only ‘homebody’ among the inner disciples.

“A-Yin, you shall accompany me to Yangzhou.”

“…Eh?!” A-Yin froze, staring at Yue Xichen with wide eyes as if he’d seen a ghost.

Yue Xichen’s brow knit slightly. “You are unwilling?”

“I am! I’m willing! I just didn’t expect you to let me go, Master!” Excitement surged through him, and A-Yin sprinted toward Yue Xichen, throwing his arms around his Master’s waist in front of all the disciples.

Yue Xichen froze. Su Muzhi, Li Yan, and the five elders were equally stunned. Though A-Yin had been a disciple for ten years, he still looked like a child and was quite small. Hugging Yue Xichen like that made him look like a toddler acting spoiled with an adult.

“Hehe, Master, you’re so good to me!”

A-Yin was overwhelmed with the joy of finally leaving the mountain. He hugged Yue Xichen as if no one else were there, even nuzzling his cheek against his Master’s chest. Even Yue Xichen, who wouldn’t blink if Mount Tai collapsed before him, felt his face turn various shades of red and white.

“Let go.”

As if doused with cold water, A-Yin realized what he was doing. “Ah, s-sorry Master! Disciple didn’t mean to, I was just excited…”

“Once we descend, remember to listen to your Master.”

Yue Xichen still looked cold, but he wasn’t angry. A-Yin breathed a sigh of relief and cupped his hands respectfully. “Disciple obeys!”

The next day, the inner disciples split into three teams. Yue Xichen and Elder Zhu Yan led a team to Yangzhou. Su Muzhi took Elders Guo Meng and Zhao Sanluo to Jasmine Village. Li Yan took the remaining elders and disciples to the Fire-Melting Cave.

Yangzhou wasn’t too far from Lingyun Mountain. Before entering the city, the group flew on their swords. A-Yin, as usual, rode with Zhan Ning. He tilted his head to look past his senior brother at Yue Xichen, who led the way on the Yinyue Sword, his white robes billowing elegantly.

“I wonder what it feels like to ride on the same sword as Master?”

“What did you say?”

Zhan Ning had overheard the murmuring. A-Yin shook his head quickly. “Nothing, nothing at all! You’re hearing things, Eldest Senior Brother.”

At twilight, as the setting sun turned red like blood, Yue Xichen, A-Yin, and the others finally entered the city of Yangzhou.