210 - Divine Mastering Dragon System

Chapter 210: Nameless Anger Why... did she bring it back? The tiny creature in her arms moved slightly. Before it could start to struggle, the young woman instinctively held it tighter, as if terrified it would escape. What was this baffling creature, and what could possibly result from bringing it home... Was this her master? So soft, with a steady heartbeat echoing from its small chest; Zhu Yún felt as though her weary spirit had come to a standstill. Stroking the fox's ears, she found the creature in her arms more vivid than the now distant presence of her master. As for what this creature truly was and who had placed the shackles on its paws, Zhu Yún refused to guess. The soft touch in her hands told her one thing—whenever she wished, she could claim this warmth as her own. A servant, noticing she hadn't come out of the sedan chair for a long time, tapped on the door curiously. The knocks reverberated in the confined space. In the dim light of the sedan, the girl shifted. The white fox took the chance to leap from her embrace, only to have its paw shackles caught mid-air by Zhu Yún's quick reflex. Dangling in the air, the white fox curled its body and kicked Zhu Yún’s hand twice, quickly realizing that with its spiritual power bound, it stood no chance against Zhu Yún, who was already in the Nascent Soul stage. The young woman switched hands to grip the fox's nape and descended from the sedan chair with her chestnut-bound companion. As Zhu Yún and Li Huai passed each other, when she returned to the mansion with the stolen white fox in her arms, Zhu Yǔ was still seated in the hall, seemingly deep in thought, her head bowed. Suddenly, Zhu Yún felt the urge to flee. Seeing her injured sister sitting quietly, it seemed their roles had switched at that moment—now she was the one unsure and anxious about her sibling’s feelings. Zhu Yǔ had always been the quiet and obedient one. Zhu Yún had seen her radiant smile in her girlhood and witnessed her growing ruthless composure, yet to Zhu Yún, she always remained... so accommodating. When Zhu Yún, knowing the danger, had persisted in her ways and returned in disgrace under He He’s power, what had Zhu Yǔ thought while clinging to her back? “Why aren’t you resting properly?” Zhu Yún asked. Zhu Yǔ looked up: “Uncle Li came by earlier.” Her eyes immediately fixed on the small animal in Zhu Yún’s arms—a white fox with a tail resembling a large white radish, dangling and swaying from Zhu Yún’s arm. “...” Zhu Yún paused, giving the fox an odd glance, which met her gaze with innocent, bright eyes, as if oblivious to the unfolding events. The chain was still in Zhu Yún’s grip, ensuring escape was impossible. Xiang Shi Yan turned her head to glance at the girl seated on the main seat. Though her time with the sisters was brief, Xiang Shi Yan recognized Zhu Yǔ as she looked at the frail-looking girl before her. “Must have been passing by,” Zhu Yún said, releasing her grip slightly, allowing the white fox to leap onto Zhu Yǔ’s lap. “... Weren't you discussing something with Uncle Xu? What’s this?” Zhu Yǔ asked almost immediately upon seeing the small fox, who she found irresistibly endearing, instinctively wanting to hold it. She inadvertently moved her injured left arm and couldn’t help but let out a hiss. Although Zhu Yún had attended to her injuries promptly, the damage to tendons and bones couldn’t heal instantly. Xiang Shi Yan leaned in, detecting the strange scent of herbs wafting from the bandaged and clothed wound beneath. The little fox gently nuzzled her wound with its chin, causing Zhu Yǔ to finally laugh. She scratched the white fox's nape and rubbed its neat, endearing little face; its black nose seemed a bit moist and cool. Zhu Yún’s gaze flickered. “A gift for the family head, I found it adorable, so I accepted it.” She lied with ease, leaving no trace on her face. Zhu Yǔ glanced at her briefly and believed her. The white fox, sniffing her wound, appeared restless. The quiet, sorrowful aura emanating from Zhu Yǔ nearly made it think the wound was rotting. It looked up worriedly at the girl witnessing the scene with knitted brows. It pressed its paws against Zhu Yǔ’s bandage, making several attempts at clawing, causing the chain to clink and draw Zhu Yǔ’s attention: “What’s this?” “...” Zhu Yún poured herself a cup of tea, staring blankly without answering. Zhu Yǔ lifted the scarlet chain and inspected it: “There seems to be no spiritual energy flowing around it. Could it be just a mundane beast?” The white fox’s fur was lustrous and smooth as polished jade. Even the most well-maintained spirit pets might not look this fine. Moreover, a gift for the Zhu family’s head couldn’t possibly be an unsightly common beast. The sudden silence from her sister left Zhu Yǔ puzzled as she summoned a servant, whispered a few instructions, and sent them away. The white fox continued to tread softly on her shoulder's bandage. Zhu Yǔ noticed the pair of ink-black eyes focused intently on her, its tiny fox face bearing a familiar air of seriousness. Even its tender pads pressed as if diagnosing her. Her mind, whirring with unresolved questions, suddenly faltered. Zhu Yǔ found it so adorable she laughed, inadvertently tugging at her wound, her face contorting slightly. To her surprise, the little fox immediately approached, gently patting the wound with its paw, its wet nose repeatedly sniffing. Through layers of gauze, Xiang Shi Yan sharply discerned several known ingredients in her wound treatment’s scent, swiftly realizing the concoction was from He He. During her captivity under the black dragon’s thrall, He He had used the same treatment for her injuries. After her devouring power had been extracted, Xiang Shi Yan couldn’t help but grow somewhat sentimental and soft-hearted. The familiar smell jolted her reason back to the surface, making the white fox stiffly retreat two steps. Among the sisters, Zhu Yǔ was the one who least resembled Gong Ning. The girl’s thoughtful gaze, seemingly reflective as she looked down upon the fleeing little creature, oddly reminded Xiang Shi Yan of He He. "My Lady," the servant Zhu Yǔ had dispatched shortly returned, carrying an ornate cage. Seeing the arrangement, Xiang Shi Yan’s fur stood on end. Zhu Yǔ twisted and tugged the chain on the fox’s paw, causing it to collapse onto her lap. The small creature appeared fierce, and Zhu Yǔ prepared for a few bites, but the fox merely bristled and gasped, sparking a twinge of mercy. "Her paws are so raw..." Zhu Yǔ fearlessly touched the fox’s spread paw, smiling as she lifted it to show Zhu Yún the tender pads. “Can’t tell what kind of spirit beast it is. Why not keep it for now?” Zhu Yún hesitated, watching the small creature struggle in her sister’s hold, then glanced at the ornate cage. She had no recollection of it—it was hers to manage the family storeroom—but it was evidently some kind of magical artifact. The fearsome inscriptions born of spiritual energy on the metal were daunting. Her heart suddenly raced, throat tightening as if ready to leap from her mouth. Most magical tools for imprisoning spirit beasts could also confine demonkind, and if she— She bit her lip, suddenly standing up. She knew not of any secrets her master might harbor, and in those moments when the woman in her arms inexplicably transformed into an innocent little fox, she felt a surge of elation. It was as if a secret attic filled with Xiang Shi Yan’s secrets had its window flung wide open, making it all feel within reach... The world of cultivation was as deep as a lake, lurking with dragons beneath the dark waters, poised to stir a turbulent wave that might sweep across it all. But in the Zhu family, she would be safe, wouldn’t she? Zhu Yún didn’t know where her master had been for all those years, but afterward, they could stay together until the storm passed. The small creature, deprived of spiritual power, had no means of resistance. Zhu Yǔ was about to place it in the cage when the younger sister paused, turning to look at her, seemingly seeking some hidden truth. But Zhu Yún only watched, saying nothing. Perhaps it wasn’t her master at all... maybe just an illusion or trap. How could her master possibly be part of the demon race? Even if the little fox were detained here, it shouldn’t be of great consequence. The girl stared vacantly at her brooding sister and the now-calm white fox. Looking into its dark eyes, Zhu Yún realized the uproar in her heart had already found peace through her imagination, leaving her feeling faint. Once, she had been a golden canary, caged for amusement. How could she repay kindness with betrayal towards her benefactor? She suddenly missed her master, recalling the first time leaving Huaihai City with her master in their youth, the embrace the woman offered them in the wild suburbs. Why would I want to take away the one who helped me escape my fetters... and claim you as my own? Zhu Yǔ noticed her sister suddenly swayed, her complexion turning pale and the strength in her hands weakening. Zhu Yún reached up, pulling her hair tie loose, letting her silky black hair cascade behind her. Bending down gently, she took the white fox from her sister’s arms and tied the Zhu residence's emblematic red-and-yellow hairband around its neck. As she released her hold, she let the white fox land on the ground. “Go on, to where you belong.” For a moment, she felt the chilling gaze of the girl behind her grow darker, observing her back as if intending to burn a hole through her chest. The white fox didn’t dare to delay. It sprinted, three steps turning into two, heading for the exit. When it reached the porch, it couldn’t help but glance back. Zhu Yún’s hair was in disarray, her expression serene yet sorrowful, resembling the senior sister from memory. But also distinctly different. With the hairband still adorning it, the white fox dashed out of the Zhu estate. None of the servants or guards dared to stop it. Only when it ran beyond the reach of spiritual detection did Zhu Yún release her grip on her sister’s shoulder, collapsing into a chair as if drained. The sisters sat in silence for a moment. Zhu Yún had expected Zhu Yǔ to throw a tantrum and retreat to her room, but she didn’t. When a shadow cast over her, Zhu Yún pressed her lips together and looked up, allowing her sister to lift her face. Zhu Yǔ’s expression was predictably dark and angry. “What exactly is that 'spirit beast’?” Zhu Yǔ demanded, enunciating each word. She watched her sister open her mouth, only to settle into a dry silence. Each time she sensed Zhu Yún was hiding something, it ignited an uncontrollable anger within her. They shared the same womb and identical features—her sister should have no secrets from her. An inner fire seemed to consume Zhu Yǔ, watching her sister's trembling lips. She could almost imagine her own silence and anxiety when facing Li Huai earlier. She detested it, staring at a familiar face while being clueless about the thoughts it concealed—just like their childhood at home, where her twin sister remained a flesh-and-blood enigma glimpsed from afar. Perhaps she merely needed someone to vent her nameless anger upon. Zhu Yǔ gripped her sister’s shoulders, yelling, “What is He He planning? What are her intentions with the Tai Xu Sect? What did she say last time? Where is our master now? Is she safe?” “I don’t know.” Zhu Yún allowed herself to be shaken. “I know nothing.” Zhu Yǔ’s movements gradually ceased. She watched her sister cover her face with her hands, listening to the altered voice squeezing out from Zhu Yún's throat: “We really shouldn’t meddle in these matters anymore…” The servant holding the cage stood obediently by the door, fearful of breathing too loudly and alerting the quarreling sisters to his presence. Zhu Yǔ turned sharply, her expression fierce. “Why are you still standing here?” “I will take my leave at once.” The servant’s forehead glistened with cold sweat. “I want that fox back today! Turn Huaihai City upside down if you must, but find it!” Author’s Note: Sorry for the lack of updates recently due to school exams. I'm a bit busy this semester, but I'll try to release two to three chapters a week, aiming to finish by April. Thank you to the angels who voted or provided nourishment from 2035-02-25 04:05:54 to 2035-03-07 35:42:41~ Special thanks for the nourishment: Did I Eat a Cookie Today 99 bottles; Want to Live with a Puppy 41 bottles; Ziqing 3 bottles; Thank you all for your support. I'll keep working hard! No pop-up ads, permanent domain (xbanxia.com)