149 - The Demon Fox Wife is a Foodie

On their trek up the steep mountain path, Wu Ying Ying briefly gave Yan Zhao an overview of the landscape. While Yan Zhao was partially lost in her thoughts, she managed to respond intermittently. Wu Ying Ying adored the forest, cherished the moist mountain winds, the shimmering shadows of the trees, and the continuous bird songs. Her attention was so absorbed by the scenery that she didn’t notice anything amiss with Yan Zhao. Once they reached the mountain, Wu Ying Ying released Yan Zhao’s hand. She led the way effortlessly, familiar with the mountain's complex terrain. Despite having a storage bag, she carried a basket on her back, a small trowel in her left hand, and a sickle in her right, harvesting herbs in the most traditional manner. Yan Zhao noticed that Wu Ying Ying treated every plant in the mountains with utmost respect. She never trampled on the grass hugging the ground, only stepping on rocks, and when harvesting herbs, she only took a part, leaving most of the roots behind so they could continue to grow where they were. Having grown up alone at Tianzhu Peak, the forest tested Yan Zhao's survival skills while providing the resources she needed. Seeing Wu Ying Ying's actions, she felt a strange emotion arise within her. In a moment of clarity, it was as if she resonated with this landscape. She recalled waking up years ago in a mountain cave or among the treetops, sometimes at dusk, sometimes at dawn, surrounded by the clear and constant bird songs, her mind free of clutter and perfectly at peace. For the other disciples of Fu Yun Sect, the wilderness was perilous, yet to her, it felt safe. She once believed she would live like that forever. Until one day, she’d be eaten by a beast, or simply grow old naturally. As the forest birds sang, Yan Zhao's previously restless heart began to calm. She thought of her mother’s words: those who like you will stay, and those who don’t aren’t worth regretting. Yan Zhao let out a deep breath. She realized she wasn’t left with nothing. Every tree and blade of grass that grew with her, she should be grateful for. They shaped her, made her who she is. Unaware, Yan Zhao became serene and gentle, following Wu Ying Ying’s footsteps. She would occasionally pluck a ripe fruit and take a bite. Suddenly, a soft "huh" came from ahead. Yan Zhao looked up to see Wu Ying Ying’s face full of surprise and asked curiously, "What’s wrong?" Wu Ying Ying parted a small patch of bushes and pointed to a nearby water pool, telling Yan Zhao, "There seems to be a person over there." "Hmm?" Yan Zhao moved closer to Wu Ying Ying, looking in the direction she pointed. Indeed, she spotted a small white figure by the water's edge. Before she could make out the person's appearance, she heard a rustling sound above. Yan Zhao looked up and saw a fiery red figure clumsily falling from the treetop. The red ball quickly expanded, filling Yan Zhao’s vision. And then, with a splat, it landed on her head. Wu Ying Ying was startled, "What is that?" "A little red fox?" Yan Zhao poked its head, astonished, "What are you doing here?" The little red fox opened its mouth and bit her hand. Yan Zhao: "..." Not long after, Yan Zhao met the white-robed person who had been meditating by the water. He was an exceptionally handsome man. He wore a white robe, appearing haggard, seemed frail with a pallor that suggested illness. Amid the forest's subtle sounds, he looked up and saw Bai Jin in his little fox form, hanging like dried fish from a woman’s arm, while the woman seemed unfazed by it. "Why are you biting me?" Yan Zhao was furious. "I saved you before, you ungrateful fox!" The little red fox glared: You saved me? When? Just be grateful you didn’t harm me! Stay away from my uncle, I won’t let you hurt him! Ferocious. Its eyes were full of expression, but Yan Zhao couldn’t decipher any of it. When she shook her hand and the fox wouldn’t let go, she reached over with her other hand and pinched its black nose. Bai Jin: "..." Unable to breathe, it had to release its grip. With a flick of its big tail, it used Yan Zhao’s body to push off, transforming into human form upon landing, quickly rushing towards the man by the cold pool. Yan Zhao was astonished. The first time she saw the little red fox transform into a human, she was surprised, but seeing it again, it was no less incredible. Is this what it looks like when a beast attains sentience? Would her “Snowball” turn into a human someday too? Yan Zhao tried to envision Snowball’s human form. After a long pause, she gave up. Totally beyond imagination. The man by the cold pool stood up, observing the approaching Yan Zhao and Wu Ying Ying, while Bai Jin loudly accused, "Uncle, she is Yan Zhao!" Yan Zhao? Tu Shan Xun’s expression became stern. So, this was the disciple of the Medicine Sage, the one whom his long-lost daughter was utterly devoted to, willing to transform into a spirit pet just to stay by her side, that Yan Zhao? Hearing Bai Jin call out Yan Zhao's name abruptly, Wu Ying Ying was surprised, turning to Yan Zhao, "Do you know each other?" Yan Zhao shook her head, "I’ve only seen this rude fox." Bai Jin bristled with anger, "Who are you calling rude!" Yan Zhao, having been bitten, was in no mood to engage, while Wu Ying Ying seemed deep in thought, suddenly asking, "Are you of the Qinxiu fox clan?" Tu Shan Xun’s eyes flickered with surprise, "And you are?" "My name is Wu Ying Ying," she responded cheerfully. "Elder Wu is my grandfather." The Fox Emperor nodded, suddenly realizing, "I see." Wu Ying Ying, being outgoing, immediately asked, "How should I address you?" The Fox Emperor responded, "I am Tu Shan Xun." "Tu Shan Xun?" Wu Ying Ying repeated, then asked with amusement, "So, what’s your relation to the crown prince of Qinxiu, Tu Shan Yu?" Tu Shan Xun did not lie, "Yu’er is my son." Wu Ying Ying’s eyes widened in shock, "You’re... the Fox Emperor?!" It was said that the Medicine Sage had once visited Qinxiu in his youth to learn alchemy, and the Fox Emperor was considered a half-mentored peer. However, the Fox Emperor managed the demon realm and rarely left it, so communication between the two realms was often handled by his son, Tu Shan Yu. Thus, Wu Ying Ying had seen Tu Shan Yu before but had never met the Fox Emperor in person. Tu Shan Xun smiled warmly, nodding to Wu Ying Ying, gentlemanly and refined. Yan Zhao blinked, thinking the title "Fox Emperor" rang somewhat familiar. She had heard Lei Shuang and others mention it during their time in the Xuanhuang Secret Realm. Looking at Tu Shan Xun, Yan Zhao rested her chin on her hand, pondering, "So, you are the one who resealed the Void Gate, but were injured in the aftermath, leading my senior sister to entrust the Heavenly Script Scroll to save you?" The Fox Emperor shifted his gaze to Yan Zhao at her words. The "senior sister" in Yan Zhao's mouth should be Ren Qing Yue. Tu Shan Xun pondered for a moment before smiling, "Yes, it was me. But when Miss Ren came, I was already unconscious and failed to thank her in person, so please convey my gratitude to her on my behalf." "Don't worry," Yan Zhao confidently assured him, "I'll make sure your message gets through." Tu Shan Xun studied Yan Zhao more intently. As a disciple of Tianzhu Peak of Fu Yun Sect under the tutelage of Yuan Qing Xiān Zūn, trained by the Medicine Sage, and affectionately referring to Nan Gong Yin as "Ah Yin," her connections within the demon race were close. This seemingly innocent young girl hid behind her a network of connections formidable enough to instill awe. The Fox Emperor gestured subtly, instructing Bai Jin to prepare some tea, and graciously invited Yan Zhao and Wu Ying Ying, "It's rare to chance upon each other in these deep mountains. Why not sit down for some tea?" Intrigued by the presence of the Fox Emperor at the Medicine Sect and by Yan Zhao's mention of the Void Gate, Wu Ying Ying eagerly took a seat on a cushion. "You both went to the Xuanhuang Secret Realm?" Wu Ying Ying opened the conversation. "I heard there are many formidable beasts inside, with the weakest at the transformation stage. I'm just a novice and dared not venture in. But Yan Zhao, you actually went?" Yan Zhao replied, "With Ah Yin around, I didn't have to do anything. No monster could harm us." "Who's Ah Yin?" Wu Ying Ying had heard Yan Zhao mention this name several times, but it didn’t ring any bells amongst those she knew. Yan Zhao picked a grape from the fruit plate and replied, "Nan Gong Yin." Wu Ying Ying froze in surprise, "Who?" Yan Zhao repeated, "Nan Gong Yin." "Gasp," Wu Ying Ying drew a sharp breath, her words stumbling with shock, "The... the fearsome Cang Li Demon Sovereign, the Demon Lord Nan Gong Yin?" Yan Zhao nodded, but respectful of her relationship with Nan Gong Yin, she gently corrected Wu Ying Ying, "Ah Yin doesn't kill without blinking. She generally doesn't kill at all." Wu Ying Ying was astonished, "Really?" "Yes," Yan Zhao affirmed sincerely. Wu Ying Ying was profoundly impacted. Could the Nan Gong Yin Yan Zhao described truly be the same one infamous in the martial world? "Aren't you the least bit scared?" Wu Ying Ying asked, bewildered. "That's Nan Gong Yin! Even if you say she doesn't kill people, she's reputed to be terrifying." Yan Zhao rested her chin on her hand, contemplative, "I don't know what others say, but the Ah Yin I know isn't scary at all." She taught Yan Zhao reading and music, praised her in all sorts of creative ways, and showered her with gifts. No matter what others thought of Nan Gong Yin, to Yan Zhao, she was a great person. Only then did Bai Jin realize Yan Zhao was alone, without the little fox or Ren Qing Yue nearby. "Where did you leave my cousin?" Bai Jin interrupted, questioning Yan Zhao. Yan Zhao frowned, "What cousin? Don't make things up." "I'm not making it up! My cousin is the one by your side, the..." Bai Jin's words were cut short as a hand suddenly stretched out from the side, stuffing a fist-sized fruit into his mouth to stop him from speaking further. Yan Zhao turned to see who it was and immediately brightened, "Senior Sister! What brings you here?" "You disappeared the moment I turned around," Ren Qing Yue said, ignoring the Fox Emperor and poking Yan Zhao's forehead. "The weather looks bad today. It might rain soon. Let's go, we're heading back." Without any doubt, Yan Zhao obediently stood and followed Ren Qing Yue. Bai Jin, having finally spat out the fruit to free his mouth, saw Ren Qing Yue turning to leave and cried out in desperation, "Cousin!" "Don’t call me cousin, and don’t disturb my life," Ren Qing Yue paused without turning, "Once you're healed, return home. The human realm is not suitable for you." With that, she led Yan Zhao away from the cold pool. Behind her, Tu Shan Xun's expression became forlorn. Bai Jin was filled with confusion, "Why won't cousin return with us?" Taken aback by the situation, Wu Ying Ying was thoroughly bewildered. She hadn't had enough time to chat, nor did she understand the entire situation – why were they leaving so suddenly? But Yan Zhao only listened to Ren Qing Yue, so Wu Ying Ying instinctively chose to go along with Yan Zhao, too. Fortunately, they had gathered enough herbs, and on their way back, Wu Ying Ying and Yan Zhao marveled at the Fox Emperor. "My grandfather told me the Fox Emperor lost a daughter early on and has never given up searching for her," Wu Ying Ying speculated daringly. "I’m certain his journey to the human realm isn’t solely because of the Xuanhuang Secret Realm, but more about finding someone." "The Fox Emperor didn’t intervene himself before because he was gravely injured and had been recuperating. Last year, the Sect Master crafted the 'Suì Yáng Dān,' which saved his life. It’s incredible that as soon as he was a little better, he rushed to the human realm. Truly commendable perseverance." Wu Ying Ying's chatter continued at length, and Yan Zhao finally managed to piece together the backstory. "So he’s looking for his daughter, huh." Yan Zhao mused, quite moved by the revelation.