Chapter Twenty: The Young Fox

Deep within the mountain forest, a life-and-death struggle was unfolding. A white fox stood in confrontation with a giant python, the atmosphere thick with tension. The white fox was massive, nearly the size of an adult human; its eyes were deep and pitch-black, and a rich, spiritual aura radiated from its body. Yet, it was currently trapped in a dire predicament. Its soft, lustrous fur was matted with blood, one leg was a mangled mess of flesh, and its eyes flickered with anxiety and unease. The giant python circled the fox slowly, its inverted triangular pupils glowing with cold, cruel intent, as if waiting for the perfect moment to deliver a fatal strike.

Lin Fei followed Lu Shuili to this battlefield and lightly leaped onto the branch of a large tree. "I never expected to find such a ferocious beast near the Sword Tomb. Having been long nourished by the sword energy here, this python shows signs of ancestral reversion, evolving into a dragon. If it devours this white fox and cultivates for another century, it might truly become a terrestrial dragon."

Lu Shuili gripped her longsword tightly, her gaze resolute. "The white fox is a beast of good omen, while the python is inherently cruel. We ought to intervene." She noted the attire of a Sword Sect initiate on Lin Fei, naturally understanding the purpose of his journey.

Lin Fei shook his head and said indifferently, "In the world of beasts, there is no distinction between good and evil. I have no particular affection or aversion toward either."

Lu Shuili shot him a glance, her tone tinged with dissatisfaction. "You are truly cold-blooded."

Lin Fei maintained a calm expression. "The cycle of heaven and earth is built upon the survival of the fittest. The python hunts for survival and cultivation, which is no different from humans fighting for longevity through cultivation. Unless... I had a personal vendetta against it, I see no reason to interfere."

As they spoke, the python seemed to find the fox's weakness. It opened its cavernous maw and lunged. The white fox let out two weak whimpers and collapsed, its blood staining the ground; it appeared to have surrendered to its fate.

"Your words do hold some logic," Lu Shuili said, suddenly nodding as if agreeing with his perspective. However, her next action was entirely unexpected—she abruptly raised her arm and delivered a fierce, sweeping strike toward the distant python. The blow seemed effortless, yet it contained astonishing power. The sword energy surged like a rainbow piercing the sun, a silvery-white flash cutting through the forest and sweeping away all obstacles like autumn leaves, striking the python with unerring precision.

"Awoo!" The python let out a pained hiss, a mist of blood erupting in the woods as its tail was severed in two. The scene was as spectacular as it was gruesome.

Lin Fei looked at Lu Shuili, unable to suppress a sound of amazement. Lu Shuili, however, remained calm, stating coolly, "I just can't help it. I detest ugly things the most."

Hearing this reason, Lin Fei found it both formidable and quintessentially feminine; even he was left momentarily speechless.

***

The giant python, having suffered such a sudden and grievous wound, abandoned its severed flesh and fled in panic toward the depths of the forest. As it escaped, its cold, malevolent eyes remained fixed on Lin Fei and Lu Shuili, as if it were carving their faces into its very marrow.

Lin Fei walked over to the limp white fox and examined it closely, his expression one of grim realization. "It seems there is no saving her," Lu Shuili said softly. The fox’s body was covered in horrific wounds, and its blood had turned from dark red to black—the python’s venom had clearly coursed through its entire system.

"Generally speaking," Lin Fei mused, "while a white fox lacks the raw strength of a python, it is naturally agile and rarely falls into such a desperate situation. There must have been a compelling reason."

Lu Shuili noticed the fox’s slightly distended abdomen almost instantly, a glimmer of understanding crossing her eyes. Lin Fei knelt down and reached out to her. "Lend me your sword."

Lu Shuili did not hesitate, handing him her weapon. Lin Fei took it and made a light, swift cut across the fox’s belly, leaving a thin line of blood. The white fox felt the pain and let out a faint whine. Using its final ounce of strength, it cast a gaze toward its own abdomen, as if longing for one last look at the life about to be born.

Lin Fei knelt on the ground, working with meticulous care, his clothes soon stained with blood. After a moment of effort, he carefully lifted a tiny, furry cub from the fox’s womb. It was only the size of a palm, its eyes closed, covered in soft, snow-white fur like a little rabbit. It had remained unharmed under its mother's protection.

Lin Fei let out a long breath and wiped the sweat from his brow. Lu Shuili stood quietly to the side, watching the scene. "Adult white foxes are rarely close to humans," she said softly. "To raise one, you must start from infancy and keep it away from its birth mother. It seems you are quite lucky."

Lin Fei looked up. "Do you not want it?"

A flash of hesitation crossed Lu Shuili's eyes, but she soon shook her head. "My master is fastidious and dislikes such things."

Lin Fei smiled faintly. "That is a habit that needs changing."

Lu Shuili felt a flicker of annoyance. Since he knew her identity, he surely knew her master was the Peak Master of Nanmi Mountain, a legendary female sword master on the Heavenly Pole Continent. If the law-abiding disciples of Xiling Mountain heard such talk, they would surely invoke the sect’s rules against him. Just as she was about to retort, she witnessed a scene that left her astonished.

***

Lin Fei sat cross-legged beside the lifeless white fox and extended his right palm. The cub, having just opened its eyes, saw its mother lying in a pool of blood, its gaze filled with confusion. It licked its mother’s fur with its tiny tongue and let out a weak cry. Receiving no response, the cub slowly turned its head and let out a soft sound toward Lin Fei.

Lin Fei gestured to the white fox on the ground. "She was your mother. She gave her all to bring you into this world; you must remember that." He then pointed to himself. "But I am not your father. You must understand that as well."

The cub blinked its large, pitch-black eyes, looking bewildered. Lu Shuili watched Lin Fei with her beautiful phoenix eyes.

Lin Fei set the cub back on the ground and stood up. "Though I have no particular affection for ugly things, that does not mean I would reject all the beauty in this world."

Lu Shuili looked at him. "You truly are a strange person."

Lin Fei accepted the assessment with a nod. "I am indeed a strange man."

Nearby in the forest was a clear stream where the pressure of the sword energy was relatively weak. Lin Fei walked to the water's edge to wash the blood from his clothes. Meanwhile, Lu Shuili washed the cub on the other side. The cub did not resist, though its tiny head kept turning toward Lin Fei, its ears pricked upright as if afraid it might lose sight of him for even a second.

Half an hour later, Lin Fei emerged from the stream. The now-clean, snow-white cub followed closely behind him, occasionally jumping up to nip at his pant leg as if trying to assert its presence. Though it tumbled over every few steps, it seemed to be enjoying itself immensely.

Seeing this, Lu Shuili could not help but remark, "It seems it really likes you."

Lin Fei, lost in thought, said softly, "Two strays, it seems we make a pair."