Young Master Bai — Chapter 4
Chapter 4: Li Wuming Is a Strange Man
There’s something off about the Myriad Treasures Hall’s bloodline. Every generation of heirs ended up like some rich landlord’s half-wit son. This Lin Kaitian — whatever generation he is — doesn’t look too bright either. Still, perhaps for the sake of appearances, after Bai Chen sat down, the man took the initiative to ask, "What may I call you, beauty?"
Bai Chen was now over six hundred years old and had no interest in children who hadn’t lived even a fraction of his age. He cast him a lazy glance. "Are you interested in me?"
Lin Kaitian didn’t mind, snatching the Ghost Tactician’s fan and waving it flirtatiously. He chuckled, "Desire is part of human nature. Knowing more beauties is always a good thing."
Heh. Looks like his reputation as a troublemaker wasn’t for nothing — he’d barely come back to life and already gifted Li Wuming a green hat [cheating reference].
Bai Chen sneered inwardly, though his face remained indifferent. "But I wonder if you dare to get to know me."
"What a joke. Is there a beauty in this world that I, young master Lin, wouldn’t dare approach?" Lin Kaitian scoffed. In this era where magic treasures reigned supreme, the Myriad Treasures Hall boasted the world’s top artificers — even the Unknown Truth Sect, the leading righteous sect, wouldn’t show them a sour face. How much less a small yao clan trapped in the snowy mountains?
Humans were known for hiding daggers behind their smiles. Unfortunately, this brat didn’t have much finesse. Though he feigned enchantment, Bai Chen could easily see the guarded curiosity in his eyes. Clearly, the youth was intrigued by this sudden yao arrival. Still, with his yao core lost and yao aura so faint, how had they identified him at a glance?
Bai Chen felt certain these two had ulterior motives. He quickly weighed the situation and decided to probe. "Bai Chen, that’s my name."
At those words, Lin Kaitian immediately exchanged glances with the Ghost Tactician. Both looked surprised. Finally, the talkative Lin spoke again, smiling, "You jest. The world knows the Nine-tailed White Fox has already perished."
Good. So the Demon Lord hadn’t leaked the news of his lost core. To these cultivators, he was still a fearsome and mysterious great yao.
That was a small relief. Bai Chen was about to press further when a familiar voice chimed in behind him, "You three seem to be having a good time — mind if I join?"
The newcomer’s voice was like a mountain spring — not imposing or regal, just pleasantly melodious. Just like the memory Bai Chen had of his face: not as refined as a noble scion nor as strikingly handsome as the Demon Lord, yet the heroic spirit between his brows drew the eye. His plain looks weren’t stunning at first glance, but the more one looked, the more pleasing they became. So much so that when Bai Chen thought of the most handsome human man, this was the face that popped into his mind. His sense of beauty had truly been twisted.
For this aesthetic distortion, humans did have a saying: "It’s not beauty that enchants, but loving hearts that see beauty. In a lover’s eyes, the most plain woman is a peerless goddess."
Bai Chen had already caught Li Wuming’s scent. Speaking with a stranger had finally drawn him out. Though he was a little pleased, he feigned indifference. "You followed me all the way from the Supreme Peak — finally decided to show yourself?"
As a proud Nine-tailed White Fox, he had to maintain his dignity and never lose face over a man. Still, he couldn’t help glancing at him. The face was unchanged, the dark robe the same, and even those eyes — eyes that should have been dulled by five hundred years of loneliness — were still clear as ever. When their gazes met, a smile bloomed there, containing sun, moon, and stars.
People said Sword Immortals cultivated the Emotionless path — unrestrained, carefree, loving mountains and rivers but never people. But Li Wuming was not like his master. He acted on a whim and often smiled. Now, catching the little fox’s gaze again, he playfully scraped Bai Chen’s nose and praised, "Still as sharp-nosed as ever."
Having not dealt with Li Wuming for a long time, Bai Chen had forgotten how shameless he could be. A Nine-tailed White Fox, being teased? Unacceptable. He grabbed a mung bean cake [T/N: mung beans are green] from the table and dropped it in his hand with deliberate sweetness. "Freshly made green hat, still warm. Keep it safe."
Li Wuming knew Bai Chen’s temperament best. In Bai Chen’s mind, he was probably just a humanoid mount. Now that the mount had married its master without permission, this picky little fox was bound to flip the house upon waking. So Li Wuming had followed at a distance, guarding him carefully, waiting for Bai Chen to recover before showing himself.
Who knew that the moment the fox awoke, he’d start flirting with some pretty boy? Flirting! He knew it was a trap but still had to step in. Now he could only twirl the mung bean cake and protest, "You heartless little fox, I watched over you all these years, and this is how you treat me?"
Bai Chen paused, fingers tightening around his wine cup. He didn’t drink, just asked calmly, "Our agreement was to find me a Dao companion. Once we’re married, it’s over. Why still stick around?"
He remembered it clearly. At first, they weren’t even friends — enemies, really. But when he was dying, Li Wuming refused to take advantage. They struck a deal: if Li Wuming found him a suitable Dao companion, Bai Chen’s body would be his after death, and no yao would interfere.
The contract was perfectly clear, with no ambiguities. But Li Wuming’s treatment of his "corpse" had deviated completely.
"We held the ceremony and shared wine. Until we divorce, I must keep you safe."
His voice was still light, like a passing breeze. Seeing Bai Chen go quiet, he stole his drink and took a sip, as casually as always. "I know I’m not your type. But in this world, I might be the only young man willing to marry a memorial tablet. Just make do with me."
With that attitude, Bai Chen couldn’t even stay angry. He gave him a side-eye. "So you’re determined to be my matchmaker now?"
Receiving a glare seemed to please Li Wuming. He had always hated the heaviness that clung to Bai Chen — as if the yao clan would collapse if he died. Even with one year left, he had used his beauty to trade for a useful son-in-law. That kind of life was just too grim. Li Wuming had been the wildest kid in his village and loved nothing more than leading gloomy foxes astray.
Same now. He ignored Bai Chen’s jab and smiled as if he didn’t hear. "I’m a man of my word."
Li Wuming’s face was like the walls of Chang’an — impervious. Bai Chen had no choice but to grit his teeth. "You really are worth your weight in gold."
"Hard to hear praise from you."
Bai Chen was certain there wasn’t a trace of praise in his tone, but Li Wuming was impossible to wake from feigned ignorance. The Nine-tailed White Fox barely maintained his calm exterior, but couldn’t help dipping his finger in wine and scrawling three big characters on the table: LI BASTARD!
Maybe it was the anger, but the writing came out bold. Li Wuming laughed immediately. "See? You’re still cursing me in your heart!"
This Sword Immortal’s heir took nothing seriously. Sleeping rough on a mountaintop or eating mud in a swamp, he always did it with style. He never got truly angry or attached. Bai Chen had never seen him act proper, let alone fall for someone. He didn’t know how to deal with this rogue, so he just dumped a whole plate of mung bean cakes on him and let the man swim in a sea of green.
Li Wuming munched away, cool and relaxed. Bai Chen, fuming, added a plate of crunchy cucumbers [T/N: also green]. Lin Kaitian and the Ghost Tactician, having recognized the man’s identity, dared not say a word as their table was commandeered and their food eaten.
While the table seemed harmonious, chaos erupted elsewhere.
Not many were here sincerely seeking Dao companions. Most came for the spectacle. But too much excitement had often led to trouble. At the Spring’s Eye table, a wolf yao suddenly flipped the table, sending food and wine flying into the spring, ruining the snowy scenery.
The commotion drew Bai Chen’s eye. But the conflict wasn’t between humans and yao — it was one yao against another. The wolf, who had returned to his true form, was crushing a rabbit yao beneath his claws, drawing blood and still refusing to stop. He even roared, "A yao descendent fawning over humans — you deserve to die!"
Bai Chen expected some yao to disapprove of this matchmaking event, but not that they’d openly defy the Fox King. His brows furrowed — trouble was brewing.
Sure enough, Lin Kaitian wasn’t alarmed. He calmly nibbled pastries and waited for the show. "The Heavenly Wolf clan has always been arrogant, resting on the prestige of their ancestors who once served the Yao King. When the Nine-tailed White Fox was around, they kept in line. But the current Yao King is an Eight-tailed Black Fox, who is not as pure-blooded as the Moon-Swallowing Heavenly Wolf. The wolves are not likely to submit."
The Ghost Tactician glanced at Li Wuming, then at Bai Chen, suspicion in his eyes. Finally, he turned to Lin Kaitian. "Ghost God Fusang’s prediction was right. The king lacks support. The yao clan will fall into chaos. What’s Heaven’s Way Alliance planning?"
As expected, they had come to test the yao’s strength. Lin Kaitian, feeling pressed by that glance, quickly backed off. He was too junior to speak for the righteous sects. "Don’t look at me. If the Unknown Truth Sect doesn’t weigh in, Myriad Treasures Hall won’t dare meddle in yao business. Let them sort it out themselves."
Saying nothing was also a statement. Human schemes were always deep. Bai Chen knew he couldn’t let them see how fragile the yao clan truly was. He rose to intervene —
— but Li Wuming had already stepped forward, lightly tapping the fox’s forehead with the back of his hand and giving him a reassuring look.
"Sit still. Leave this matter to me."
~ Chapter End ~
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