Chapter Twenty-Four: Disaster in the Village of the Fox Spirit

Leaving Qingyang City, a verdant expanse greeted their eyes. The road was broad, and though it lay outside the city walls, it was no less lively. Merchant caravans, large and small, queued at the gates for inspection and passage, all in orderly fashion.

Lin Nian’er smiled and said, “How interesting it is out here! I’ve never seen this before. Father always said it’s dangerous outside the estate, and the world beyond the city even more so. But now, looking at it, everything seems peaceful and harmonious.”

Liu Lingshuang replied, “Nian’er, you’re just too kind-hearted. Sometimes, the greatest danger isn’t wolves or tigers, demons or monsters. What’s most frightening is the human heart. You’re so gentle—never leave our side, not even for a moment. Otherwise, you might get spirited away by bad people.”

“Lingshuang, you’re annoying,” Lin Nian’er laughed softly, patting Liu Lingshuang’s arm. “I’m just inexperienced, not stupid. Why do you always treat me like a child, hmph.”

“Alright, alright, my precious Nian’er,” Liu Lingshuang said, stroking Lin Nian’er’s hair. “Anyway, from now on, you must stick close to us. Don’t wander off, or you’ll get lost.”

“I know, you’re so nagging.”

“What did you say? Are you not afraid of me tickling you?”

“Ah, save me!”

“Stop right there, Nian’er! When I catch you, you’re done for!”

“Catch me if you can!”

“Universe Lock!”

“Oh, Lingshuang, you’re cheating. Hmph.”

Watching their playful banter, Li Taiyi couldn’t help but smile. He turned to Ye Sansi and said, “Brother Sansi, look how happy they are. If danger arises, I’ll go first—you take them and run.”

“Taiyi, what are you saying? If anyone has to run, it’ll be you taking Lingshuang and Nian’er. Besides, why should we flee? I can fight, Lingshuang has her immortal arts, the three of us can handle anything.”

Li Taiyi laughed, “You’re right, Brother Sansi. As far as I know, the journey from Qingyang City to Lingzhou City passes through many villages and towns. The road is long indeed.”

Ye Sansi scratched his head and grinned, “No matter how long the road, we’ll get there. At worst, we walk for a few days.”

Liu Lingshuang took out a map drawn by the innkeeper and pointed to the village ahead. “According to this map, the next place should be Fox Immortal Village. Following the route, when will we reach Lingzhou? We’ve walked for so long, but on the map it’s just a tiny dot.”

Ye Sansi smiled, “Lingshuang, don’t worry. We’ve only been traveling half a day. We’ll get there. Let’s find a household in Fox Immortal Village to rest for the night. I’m starving.”

“That’s true, but I’m worried something has happened at Liu Fort. I feel uneasy.”

Li Taiyi comforted Liu Lingshuang, “Lingshuang, don’t worry. Uncle Liu is highly skilled, and I’ve heard there are five elders at Liu Fort, all with extraordinary abilities.”

“Haha, never thought my five grandfathers would be so impressive in your eyes, Taiyi. I’ve never seen them in action. When I get back, I’ll make them show me.”

“In any case, you needn’t worry.”

Liu Lingshuang nodded. As they reached Fox Immortal Village, they saw only desolation. The sky was darkening. Taiyi was puzzled. “I heard Fox Immortal Village was an oasis, beautiful and lush. Why, within a hundred paces, does the vegetation thin out, and at the village entrance, there’s not a trace of greenery? It’s a desert. Let’s ask what happened.”

The four entered the village. Before Taiyi could speak, the villagers outside saw them and hurried indoors, shutting doors and windows tight. Taiyi wondered aloud, “These people are strange. We’re not monsters—why are they so afraid?”

Ye Sansi looked around. Ahead, a child clambered up the well, about to fall in. Ye Sansi shouted, “Careful!” and rushed over. The child slipped into the well, but in a split second, Ye Sansi grabbed the child’s clothes and pulled him up. The child, frightened, began to cry. A woman rushed over, cradling her child, bowing repeatedly. “Thank you, young master! I came in a hurry, didn’t notice my child had wandered out. I saw him just as he fell in. Thank you for saving him.”

Li Taiyi and the others walked over. Taiyi bowed, “Sister, why are the villagers of Fox Immortal Village so fearful of us?”

The woman invited them inside. Five sat down, and she began, “You young masters may not know, but Fox Immortal Village was under the protection of the Fox Immortal, and we enjoyed prosperity and peace every year. But three days ago, everything changed…”

“Sister, what happened?”

“Three days ago, a man came wearing green robes and carrying a sword. He rested at the village chief’s house. He seemed unhappy, eating quietly, then asked the chief about Fox Immortal Village. When the chief mentioned the Fox Immortal, the man pressed him and even held his sword to the chief’s throat. The chief had no choice but to reveal the secret…”

“What secret?”

The door creaked open. A burly man entered, looking anxious at the four visitors. The woman rose and said, “Husband, these are good people. When our child fell into the well, that young man saved him.”

The man set down his hat and knife. “Young masters, stay and share a meal with us, rest for the night as thanks for saving our child.”

Li Taiyi bowed, “Thank you.”

Ye Sansi followed, “What happened here in Fox Immortal Village? Maybe we can help.”

“Hey, wild man, don’t be reckless. You’re just a mortal. What can you do? Our plight is a matter of heaven and earth—can you change fate itself?”

Ye Sansi slammed his hand on the table and straightened his back. “I am indeed a mortal, but whether immortal or human, anyone can do good. If you act, you accumulate virtue and fortune; if you stand by, you invite retribution. I may not be able to change the heavens, but I will try—I will find a way to defy fate.”

The woman handed her child to her husband and knelt. “Young master, your righteousness reaches the clouds. The people of Fox Immortal Village will remember your kindness. But this matter is truly difficult. We are powerless and don’t wish to drag you into this trouble.”

Li Taiyi helped her up. “Sister, what is it that makes you so fearful?”

The burly man interrupted, “Let me tell it.”

“It happened this way. Our village lies between Qingyang City and Jianzhou City, and was once called Qingjian Village. The scenery here was beautiful, lush with trees. Caravans liked to rest here, and we earned a good living. But seventeen years ago, disaster struck. Though no lives were lost, from then on, our village became barren, a desert where nothing grew. Our trade was ruined, and the sandy soil could produce nothing. We’d have starved if we stayed.”

“But fortune smiled on us. Just as we were about to relocate, a Fox Immortal appeared. I was young then, but I remember a beautiful immortal who soared above, casting spells that brought life to Qingjian Village. From then on, we enjoyed good harvests and gentle weather. The Fox Immortal instructed us not to allow outsiders in, promising eternal protection.”

“We never forgot the Fox Immortal’s kindness. We built a temple, worshipped day and night, closed our trade routes, let no outsiders disturb the immortal. We changed the village’s name to Fox Immortal Village, so every generation would remember her grace. She secluded herself in Fox Immortal Mountain—our back mountain. We once built cabins there, but upon learning she lived there, we tore them down and moved to the village. For seventeen years, we enjoyed peace and happiness.”

“But three days ago, an evil man came. We don’t welcome outsiders, but the chief was kind and let him stay as night fell. He was ungrateful, forcing the chief to reveal the Fox Immortal’s location. The chief had no choice. The man stormed up the mountain, injuring several villagers and riding his sword. We tried to stop him, but failed.”

“The next day, the village became as you see it now—barren as seventeen years ago, nothing growing, soil turned to sand. The chief felt guilty for betraying the Fox Immortal and the villagers, and took his own life. Truly, the fault was not his, but the evil man’s. The chief was good—such a pity.”

“Some say it was our fault for letting the evil man in, that the Fox Immortal was angered and withdrew her protection. Others say…”

The burly man fell silent.

Liu Lingshuang asked anxiously, “Say what? Don’t leave it half said.”

“They say… they say the evil man killed the Fox Immortal…”

Ye Sansi slammed the table in anger. “Who could be so vile? I may not know much of the world, but I know if someone invaded my nameless peak, I’d be furious. If he tried to drive me out and kill me, that’s unforgivable. Lingshuang, I must intervene. If you don’t wish to join me, you can leave. I’ll handle it alone and catch up afterward.”

Liu Lingshuang rose, stamping her foot. “Sanshi, how can you say that? Do you think I’m that kind of person? Of course I won’t stand by. But this isn’t something we can just fix. If the Fox Immortal truly… truly is gone, what can we do?”

Ye Sansi replied, “But what if she isn’t dead, only angry? Then we have a chance. We can plead with her, offer fruit, and if she still won’t forgive, I’ll hunt a wild boar to cheer her up.”

Liu Lingshuang shook her head helplessly. Li Taiyi said, “Brother Sansi, your words may be rough, but your reasoning is sound. Perhaps we can try.”

The burly man said, “We wish we could do that. We’d gladly die to make amends. But the path up the mountain is blocked. There’s a wall of energy on the mountain road—touch it and you’re thrown back.”

Taiyi said excitedly, “That means the Fox Immortal isn’t dead. We have a chance to plead with her.”

Ye Sansi smiled, “Then let’s climb the mountain at dawn.”

The burly man said, “If you truly have a way, the people of Fox Immortal Village would be forever grateful. But I fear this barrier was placed by the evil man. If you go, it might be dangerous for you.”

Li Taiyi bowed, “Brother, rest assured.”

Sanshi turned to Lingshuang. “Will you come with us?”

“What are you saying? Of course I’ll join you. Do you think I’m someone who fears for her life? If there’s a way, we must try,” Liu Lingshuang said, pouting.

The woman called from the kitchen, “Young masters, dinner is ready.” She brought out two plates, went back for bowls and chopsticks. Sanshi took them, heaped his bowl with food, and ate heartily.

The woman said, “Young masters, this humble home has only these dishes. Forgive us for the meager fare.”

The burly man said, “Isn’t there some cured meat in the kitchen cupboard? Bring it all out, cook it.”

“No need,” Liu Lingshuang waved her hand. “We’ll be fine. These two dishes are enough.” She looked at the plates. “Well, maybe not enough…”

Sanshi had already emptied the dishes while they spoke. The burly man signaled the woman to fetch more, but Lingshuang stopped her. “Sister, really, no need. My friend here just eats a lot—please forgive him. We brought plenty of dry rations.”

Lin Nian’er laughed, “Master Ye, you really aren’t picky. You eat big fish and meat, but rough grain and greens suit you just as well.”

Ye Sansi realized the family’s hardship, wiped his mouth and smiled, “Ah, I’m truly full. Thank you, brother and sister.”

Taiyi offered dry rations to Sanshi, but was refused. Taiyi’s glance said, Brother Sanshi has really grown—he cares about others, willing to go hungry rather than cause trouble.

After eating, the woman brought mats, spreading them on the floor. “Young masters, please sleep on the bed. My husband and I will make do on the floor.”

Liu Lingshuang stepped forward, “Sister, we’ll sleep on the floor. Surely you wouldn’t want me and these men to share the bed?” Lin Nian’er covered her mouth, laughing.

The burly man thought for a moment, “How about the two young ladies take the bed, and the young masters join me on the floor?”

Ye Sansi lay down, “Fine, I’m sleepy already. What’s the difference?”

Liu Lingshuang hugged the woman, “Good sister, the three of us will share the bed. Come on.”

Night fell. The lights went out. All six slept. Outside, the yellow wind still blew, whispering through the sand, carrying the taste of desolation.