Chapter 48: A Fox Seeks Refuge

Cao Kong fixed his gaze and saw that it was three foxes, their eyes gleaming with an unusual light, clearly already possessing intelligence.

These foxes differed in size and color but all looked bedraggled. The largest, with grayish fur, was taking the lead toward the spiritual field. The smaller ones, one fiery red and the other light red, appeared much more lively and followed behind the big fox.

“Hurry, hurry, this plot looks tended by someone. Once we steal the fruit, we must run at once,” the gray fox whispered.

The two smaller foxes murmured, “There are other fruits in this mountain. We could pick those for Hu An as well.”

“Oh, those fruits are decent, but none can compare to these. Don’t you want Hu An to get well soon?” At this, the two red foxes fell silent, tiptoeing behind, but instead of going to the place where the spiritual energy was richest, the three foxes went to a lesser area and quietly picked a few spiritual fruits.

They took a total of five fruits and were about to make their escape when Cao Kong willed it, and two swords, embodying the five elements, shot forth like streams of light, blocking the foxes' path.

The foxes’ eyes were instantly filled with panic. The gray fox dropped the fruits in its arms with a thud, fell to its knees, and began kowtowing repeatedly before the two magical swords.

“Spare our lives, spare our lives! We only saw that no one was around and thought the fruits were wild. We meant no harm.”

The other two red foxes imitated the kowtowing as well.

Cao Kong rode the wind to them, opened his mouth, and the two swords turned back into streams of light and flew into him. He looked at the three foxes in amazement.

It was said that foxes were cunning—indeed, this was no empty claim. Had he not overheard them recognize this place as owned, he might have believed their act.

Still, Cao Kong was in no rush to act. These foxes showed restraint, avoiding the most precious spiritual herbs and only taking a few fruits, seemingly for a companion.

“Still trying to argue? Where are you from, and why are you stealing my spiritual fruits?” Cao Kong deliberately barked.

The three little demons kowtowed even more desperately. “Immortal, spare us! We truly meant no harm. We came from Red Cloud Mountain, a hundred miles to the south. One of our companions is injured, so we sought these spiritual fruits to heal her wounds.”

Cao Kong’s heart stirred at this. Demons rarely abandon their territory, so something must have happened.

“You dwell in the south. Why come to Hidden Mist Mountain? And how did your companion get hurt? Tell me everything.”

The gray fox replied mournfully, “We are foxes who attained intelligence on Red Cloud Mountain. We lived well enough, eating spiritual fruits and drinking spiritual springs. But then a weasel arrived, calling himself the Great Yellow Wind King, with a horde of little demons. He took our mountain, forced us to gather treasures for him, and beat us if we refused.

“Our companion couldn’t endure the bullying and talked back. She fought with their little demons, and we joined in. In the end, we killed one of them, but our companion was injured in the fighting. Knowing the Yellow Wind King wouldn’t let us go, we fled here, hoping to gather spiritual fruits to heal her.”

At the mention of the Yellow Wind King, Cao Kong’s eyelid twitched. Could it be the demon known for wielding the True Samadhi Divine Wind? A hundred miles is not far.

If that demon set sights on Hidden Mist Mountain, with his current strength, he could only abandon the mountain and shamelessly beg the Nine-Spirit Sage at Leopard Head Mountain for help.

After all, the power of the Samadhi Divine Wind was more than even the Monkey King could withstand, said to darken heaven and earth and trouble even gods and ghosts—a truly fearsome art.

When he realized he was in the world of Journey to the West, Cao Kong fantasized about having some innate supernatural ability. But aside from being able to ride the clear wind after cultivating, he had found nothing extraordinary about himself, and supposed such gifts were reserved for unique beings or those favored by fortune.

Thinking further, the Yellow Wind King of Red Cloud Mountain was probably just using a famous name by coincidence. After all, the time, place, and species did not match, which eased his mind.

He observed the three little demons, all brimming with clean spiritual energy—clearly they had never harmed anyone. A few spiritual fruits meant nothing to him; even giving them away would be no loss.

Considering how hard it was for demons to cultivate, and that their coming to his mountain was a matter of fate, he decided to show some kindness.

“Very well. Take me to your companion. A few fruits may not be enough to cure her wounds; perhaps I can help.”

The gray fox hesitated, but recalling the methods Cao Kong had just displayed, realized that if Cao Kong wished them harm, there would be no need for tricks. Nodding, he picked up the fruit and led the way.

Along the way, the three foxes chattered to Cao Kong, giving their names. As foxes, they all bore the surname Hu: the gray one was Hu Yan, the larger red one Hu Ping, and the smaller Hu Lin.

Soon, under their guidance, Cao Kong arrived at a cave at the foot of the mountain, about half a man tall—perfect for a fox’s den.

As Cao Kong could not enter, Hu Yan crawled in, supporting a large, red-furred fox.

This fox was named Hu An.

Her fur was noticeably dull, and her belly bore deep claw marks. Her breath was weak.

Cao Kong, after a moment’s thought, flicked his sleeve, and a gentle breeze enveloped the foxes, instantly carrying them to the front of Zhe Yue Cave.

Some things are best left to the professionals. Although his “Book of Wines” contained prescriptions for healing brews, he lacked the ingredients to even attempt them; talk of brewing was futile.

But the golden leopard was skilled in alchemy and medicine, making him the perfect candidate.

Before long, the golden leopard emerged, examined Hu An’s wounds, gathered a few spiritual fruits and herbs, then concocted a balm in the cauldron and applied it to Hu An’s belly.

The red fox’s previously languid state visibly improved. Summoning her strength, she brought her forepaws together and bowed in thanks to the golden leopard.

The other three foxes were overjoyed.

Hu Yan, clever as ever, suddenly pulled the other three down to kneel. “Immortal, please take us in! We’ve lost our home and have nowhere else to go. Now you have saved us; we wish to serve by your side.”

Cao Kong couldn’t help but laugh. This fox was truly shrewd, seizing the opportunity to climb higher.

He instinctively wanted to refuse, but then thought better of it. If he was to govern Hidden Mist Mountain, with only himself and the golden leopard, they would be stretched thin.

Strangely, perhaps because he and the golden leopard had seized the mountain’s fortune, the mountain, though rich in life, lacked spirit-beasts with intelligence.

These foxes, lively and clever, could make excellent assistants.

He nodded. “Taking you in is possible, but there are a few rules here, which you must all obey.”

Cao Kong outlined them simply: do no harm to others, do not steal—just the ways of the righteous. The more Hu Yan listened, the brighter his eyes became, nodding eagerly.

When Cao Kong finished, Hu Yan’s eyes shifted. After a moment’s hesitation, he said, “Immortal, please come with me. I have something to present to you.”