78 - The Freed S*aves Became Obsessed

**Chapter 78: The Clingy Freed Slaves** After getting some well-needed rest and feeling better, we set out for the White Cloud Valley. “Ugh...” As soon as the carriage arrived at the entrance of the White Cloud Valley, I clutched the wall and struggled with dry heaves. Rin, with a look of concern, gently patted my back. “Master, are you okay?” “No...” Even feigning wellness was beyond me. Was traveling by carriage always this arduous? Of course, for someone used to modern cars, such trips were a chore, but also, who am I? A slave trader who roamed each city rescuing slaves. It’s been ages since carriage rides were difficult for me. But this time was different. With my extensive experience on carriages, I could firmly assert that it wasn't usually like this. It wasn't uncommon for a pack of monsters or bandits to suddenly attack, or for the ground to swell and send the carriage flying. At times, landslides nearly overturned us more than once. We almost rode this carriage to the afterlife, a misfortune undoubtedly brought about by the nine-tail fox's influence, about which we were not unaware. “Sorry, Master...” “It’s alright, Rin. Thanks to you, we’re safe, aren’t we?” It was true. Though indirectly caused by Rin, we managed to make it back to the White Cloud Valley, even with some adversity. The valley, perpetually shrouded in ominous mist, always cast a chilling mood. The eerie cries of beings more sinister than beasts echoed endlessly through the ravine. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” “Yeah, it sure has...” Rin, visibly tense, had her tails standing rigid. Each time a loud, monstrous howl echoed, her body gave a significant jerk. Rin, who had been through life-threatening chases with these creatures all her life, couldn’t easily shake off the trauma, no matter how many tails she had grown. 'Adorably cute.' It might sound insensitive, but that was my first thought. Since gaining her extra tails, she seemed to know no fear. Seeing her vulnerable side was a rare occurrence indeed. After all, a slave is most endearing when relying on their master. I wished for more moments when she, unable to act on her own, had to plead, 'Master, help me!’ Alas, such times were scarce. “Let’s go in.” We ventured further into the valley. As we tread through the mist where ghost lights floated, memories of visiting here with Seira resurfaced. Back then, Seira was terrified, protesting it wasn’t her job and trying to run away. I remember telling her that if she ran, I’d abandon all the beastfolk along the way, which made her reluctantly follow while grumbling. 'And now she's living under the same roof with me…' But enough reminiscing. While walking closely with Rin, we eventually saw the entrance to the village. “Honestly… Considering how things turned out, it really was fortunate to meet Rin that day. Isn’t it rather complicated?” The labyrinthine terrain and constant mist made it impossible for outsiders to find. Once lost, they’d eventually be surrounded by monsters, shivering in terror until they perished of hunger or were devoured. Moreover, to enter the fox's den, you'd have to disable the barrier. Given these circumstances, it was truly fortunate that I encountered Rin that day. “It wasn’t luck…” “Pardon?” “Hmm. Never mind. Just talking to myself. Let’s go in.” Entering the fox's den, a young fox playing outside flinched and hurried off to fetch an adult. One by one, members of the Hoyo tribe emerged, casting cautious glances at Rin and me. “Who are they?” “Not sure. They don’t seem like beastfolk.” “Th-that pink fur...! Is it Hwayo?!” “Hwayo? Has Hwayo returned?” The Hoyo tribe murmured among themselves. They looked as if they’d seen Columbus arrive in America; cautious but unable to conceal their curiosity as they approached. “She looks different from how I remember, but it’s definitely Hwayo.” The Hoyo tribe, who had plagued Rin for generations. They would have sighed in relief when Rin disappeared from the White Cloud Valley, thinking at last the nuisance of the red fox was gone, and monsters would cease to threaten them. But soon they’d realize... “Where have you been? Do you know how much we’ve suffered because of you?” How crucial a role Rin played in the White Cloud Valley. “Ever since you left without notice, the monsters have grown more ferocious, earthquakes happened without a reason, and mysterious plagues spread. It’s all because you disappeared!” “What’s all this commotion about?” Parting the Hoyo tribe as she approached was an elderly three-tailed fox with a staff. She was the elder of the fox den. Simply put, akin to a village chief. Her age was likely far more advanced than Yuhwa's, but because their skills in sorcery were on such different levels, the elder appeared more wizened. “Elder, Hwayo has returned.” “Hwayo?” The fox elder’s eyes, upon seeing Rin, widened more than those of the other Hoyo tribe members. “Your tails...” “My tails, what about them?” Despite her age, being a three-tailed fox, she saw through Rin's transformation magic. Well, she was the only one among the Hoyo tribe aware of Rin being a nine-tale fox. It seemed pointless to conceal it further. Besides, for the situation ahead, we needed to reveal it. I nodded at Rin, and she revoked her transformation spell. Her tails unfurled, revealing five in all. “H- Hwayo has five tails!” “She has more tails than the elder?” “What’s going on? Why does Hwayo have five tails? Could it be… a nine-tale fox?!” A small buzz quickly escalated into an uncontrollable clamor. Boom! A loud crash echoed from outside the fox’s den. It seemed the Wungwei had approached nearby. “…It appears discussing matters quietly here will be difficult. Allow me to guide you inside.” Led by the fox elder, we were ushered deeper into the village, with the Hoyo tribe maintaining some distance, following behind. Is this what it feels like to be a zoo animal? It wasn't the most pleasing of sentiments. We entered the house where the elder resided. Yet the foxes of the White Cloud Valley weren’t the only ones gazing in awe. Rin too kept turning her head, taking in her surroundings. “What’s the matter?” “It’s my first time inside... I’ve only ever seen it from the outside. So this is what it looks like inside.…” Rin murmured, casting her fascinated gaze around the house, and I was struck speechless. A sense of disorientation washed over me. ‘No way... For her to have lived here for years and never set foot inside a house?’ I knew, from textual reports, that she survived on nothing but potatoes for meals and crouched in the corners of the village to sleep. But hearing Rin's reflections live sparked an internal fury. It's a good thing I lacked the power right now; I almost let my temper flare uncontrollably and upturned everything, destiny and all. "Please, make yourselves comfortable." The elder calmly invited us to sit, though there was no couch or even a chair—only stiff mats woven from plant stems. Of course, standing wasn’t an option, so I sat down awkwardly. Rin, as if it were natural, settled between my crossed legs. The elder’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Who might you be? How is it that Hwayo follows you?" “I am her master. And please, refrain from calling her Hwayo. She goes by Rin now." "I see. So you are the one who brought forth the nine-tail fox." The old fox stubbornly referred to her as a nine-tail fox after I asked them not to call her Hwayo. It seemed they refused to call Rin by her name till the end. “Anyone listening might think I kidnapped her. She came to me on her own accord." "Hand over the nine-tail fox to the White Cloud Valley. The nine-tail fox must remain here." "Hmm. And why is that?" "That's... a matter for the Hoyo tribe. We cannot disclose it to outsiders. And being with a nine-tail fox poses a danger to you as well." Despite the obliviousness of their position, they insisted on maintaining this absurd pride. So this was how they intended to proceed? Very well, then. You're about to face some losses. With the Hoyo tribe gathered outside to witness, it was the perfect setting. You listen in too. “Are you concerned that without Rin, you cannot fulfill your destiny?" "How... How do you know about that?!" Finally, the desired reaction emerged. Just to clarify in case of confusion, Rin has three nicknames attributed to her: First, the Red Fox that brings misfortune. Second, Hwayo, the harbinger of disaster. Third, the nine-tail fox that alters fate. All these names converge on the nine-tail fox. It’s not as though having pink fur causes supernatural events to happen. There's no fault or sin in the color pink. Just as having black hair doesn’t make one a barbarian who consumes everything indiscriminately. It just so happened that the nine-tail fox bore pink fur. Here’s how the story goes: Once upon a time, during the savage era where no distinction existed between beasts and beastfolk. Those who roamed the earth were driven solely by primal instincts. They had no language, no rationality, creating a world filled only with the sound of their footsteps and cries. Yet, among them, there were particularly exceptional creatures: the Hoyo tribe. The foxes, wielders of magical mysteries, were sharper and shrewder than others. Foxes, convinced of their superiority, aspired to control the world, daring to challenge the heavens. Naturally, existing under the celestial order imposed limitations on their actions. Alas, as evident by the result, their rebellion ended in failure. The nine-tail fox, defeated in battle, was stripped of power and sealed away, while those Hoyo tribe members who participated in the rebellion were confined to the White Cloud Valley. Thus, a thousand years passed. In the distant past, all Hoyo tribe members knew of the nine-tail fox's presence in the White Cloud Valley. However, as time flowed and generations changed, that knowledge gradually faded. During a millennium of repeating oral traditions, it was inevitable that some facts would slip away. In this forgotten state, the nine-tail fox's seal weakened, and when she awakened, no one recognized her as such, so the Hoyo tribe called her Hwayo. Present-day members of the Hoyo tribe unknowingly perpetuate the derogatory term they inherited, without grasping what Rin's true nature is. “They've even forgotten the roles given to them.” The new celestial mandate bestowed by the heavens upon the defeated Hoyo tribe as penance for their past: to act as guardians and prevent the nine-tail fox from escaping to the outside world. Yet, they failed to stop Rin's escape. Heaven's mandate is a divine command and a granted lifespan; thus, violating it bears only one outcome. "Oh, I must have clairvoyance, for I can see your divine mandate. Oh dear. You're all fated to perish soon, it seems." Listen up. You're all destined to die soon.