Young Master Bai — Chapter 9

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Chapter 9: Preparing for the King's Game

Though many yao clans found refuge at the Great Snow Mountain, only three had true bloodlines of ancient yao beasts and formed distinct lineages.

First was the Red Fox clan, descendants of the Scarlet River Fox Yao. Though their generations bore only a single tail — unlike the more ascension-prone Tailed Fox clan — they were born with the power to control weather, summoning wind and rain or conjuring droughts and floods with ease. However, as fellow foxes, they had long intermarried with the Bai family. The next Fox King, Bai Chenzui, even bore Red Fox blood, making internal conflict unnecessary.

Second was the Great Bear clan, original inhabitants of the Great Snow Mountain. After the Fox Immortal built his dwelling there, they were the first to submit to the Bai family. Bears had high resistance to charm but lacked cultivation talent. For years, bear guards protected the fox yao while the foxes used their Mind-stealing Technique to assist the bears' cultivation. The two were symbiotic; rebellion was unlikely.

The third was the Heavenly Wolf clan, descendants of the Moon-Swallowing Heavenly Wolf, a fierce general under the Yao King. Brave and battle-hardened, they had fed on humans during the Yao King’s war on mankind, earning deep hatred from cultivators. The current leader, Starbreaker, still dreamed of returning to the human realm to seek vengeance.

It had been a thousand years since the Fox Immortal offered sanctuary. Many yao had forgotten old debts, but the ambitious and powerful Heavenly Wolf clan stood out. Sadly, over the millennia they had taken root in the mountain’s heart. Any supplies sent from the peak had to pass through their territory, making their expulsion difficult.

News of Bai Chen’s resurrection had spread throughout the mountain. The human realm received letters from the attending cultivators, and the Heaven's Way Alliance convened an emergency meeting of sect headmasters. All under Heaven buzzed with debate. Bai Chen guessed the Heavenly Wolf clan too would stir that night, so at dawn he and Li Wuming visited Starbreaker in the snowy woods.

The Great Snow Mountain was snowbound year-round. Few plants survived except for snow lotus, snow pine, and the red plum trees of the snowy woods. Legend held that the Fox Immortal planted them in memory of a loved one but never visited again, entrusting their care to the battle-hardened Heavenly Wolves.

Those who began as mere guardians now behaved like lords of the woods. Bai Chen’s arrival required a little yao to report first, and only upon receiving permission were they let in.

Bai Chen didn’t believe Starbreaker was unaware of yesterday’s chaos. Receiving a show of force at the door confirmed this meeting would be tough. He signaled Li Wuming to stay quiet, feigning ignorance as they entered.

Heavenly Wolves favored the cold. Their homes were built from ice bricks. The moment they entered, a biting chill greeted them. Li Wuming quickly grasped Bai Chen’s hand, transmitting true qi to keep his expression from betraying the cold.

The Heavenly Wolves didn’t use lamps. In the past, they lit the night with phosphorus-smeared human bones. Now, though war with humans had ceased, they applied phosphorus to brick seams instead. Yet rotting bones still lay in the corners, creating a sinister atmosphere even in daylight.

Li Wuming, as a human, naturally disliked the setting. Bai Chen, with his usual aversion to filth, also frowned at the stench of decay.

Starbreaker was displeased by Li Wuming’s expression but remained bound by old etiquette. He greeted Bai Chen respectfully. "Five hundred years have passed, Young Master, yet you remain unchanged."

Even in his humanoid form Starbreaker chose to retain a wolf’s head. When he smiled, sharp fangs were revealed — hardly a friendly sight.

Bai Chen knew yao detested human pleasantries. Seeing the wolf leader scrutinizing him, he said bluntly, "No need to test me. I truly died back then — only to live again."

For a Tailed Fox a revival implied sacrificing a tail. A Nine-tailed White Fox reborn with only eight tails would be far weaker. Starbreaker’s eyes shifted at the thought.

But he didn’t know Bai Chen had not revived through yao power. All nine tails remained. If he could recover his yao core, his powers would return.

Bai Chen wouldn’t reveal his current weakness. Observing Starbreaker, he said coolly, "A wolf yao disrupted yesterday’s Jade Spring banquet. Are you aware?"

"It has nothing to do with me. If the Heavenly Wolf clan decided to oppose the Bai family, we’d rise openly, without using petty tricks."

Yao spoke bluntly. Starbreaker’s calm demeanor convinced Bai Chen, who continued, "The wolf yao’s master planned carefully. He’d been cursed with the Mind-eating Curse beforehand. When interrogated, he had already lost all reason. Even the Mind-stealing Technique couldn’t retrieve memories."

The enemy had acted decisively, destroying the wolf yao’s mind before capture, knowing no prisoner could resist fox techniques. The plot provoked tension between foxes and wolves while hiding its source — a skilled hand.

Bai Chen couldn’t guess who would risk such chaos. He wanted to see how Starbreaker reacted. But the big gray wolf only shook his head with regret. "A three-century cultivator lost — a pity."

It sounded sincere, but Bai Chen caught the slip. "You claimed ignorance, yet knew his cultivation."

Starbreaker, unfazed, sat down calmly. "Someone tries to taint our name. Of course I had to investigate."

His gaze fixed on Li Wuming — clearly suggestive. Bai Chen scoffed. "A human? I might believe one could sway foxes or bears — but wolves? Absurd."

Humans had nearly exterminated the Heavenly Wolves. Only orphans and widows remained, seeking sanctuary with the Fox Immortal. Their hatred for humans ran deep. How could they serve them?

Starbreaker ignored Bai Chen’s glare. "Humans are cunning. The Heaven's Way Alliance wants to break our peace. A bit of intrigue to throw us into chaos is nothing. Surely you won’t fall for such a cheap ploy?"

Bai Chen was now revered as Ancestor among foxes, but Starbreaker still called him Young Master, as in the past — a sign of fading reverence.

Suppressing his fury, Bai Chen warned, "Your grandfather, the Moon-Swallowing Heavenly Wolf, served the Yao King. After the defeat, your clan took shelter under the Fox Immortal and swore to serve the Bai family for generations. I hope you’ve not forgotten."

Yao ethics were loose. The Bai family even had to fight hard to ban sibling marriage and patricide. Clearly, Starbreaker had little regard for ancestral vows. "We remember. But I hope the Bai family hasn’t forgotten it descends from the Yao King. Do not cast off your past in shame."

The Fox Immortal’s kindness had backfired, planting wolves in their own backyard. The Heavenly Wolves had grown roots, eyeing their master’s house. Yet the foxes, weakened by low birth rates, couldn’t expel them. Bai Chen clenched his teeth. Ungrateful beasts. The Fox Immortal should have let the humans wipe them out.

Though he longed to drive them out at once, the Great Snow Mountain could not be thrown into turmoil while humanity watched hungrily. He had no choice but to bury his anger and say coldly, “I came today to warn you. Long ago, the heavenly maiden Lady Tushan said: ‘When the Nine-tailed Fox appears, chaos will arise, and a king shall emerge.’ In those years, the Demon Venerable arose alongside the Yao King to slaughter the world. On the day I was born, the Chang’an Uprising broke out among the humans. Ghosts and gods appeared, the Demon Lord found a master, dynasties were overturned… All signs that whenever the Nine-tailed Fox emerges, the world’s powers are reshuffled. I have been reborn again now. I do not know where the next chaos will begin — but tell me, can the Heavenly Wolf clan alone withstand it?”

Starbreaker, from the same generation as Bai Chen, had six centuries of cultivation and a pure Moon-Swallowing blood. He did not fear Bai Yunce. But the Nine-tailed Fox was a mystery linked with war.

The Yao King once forced True Immortals to descend. Bai Chen had never displayed power, leaving all to guess what might happen if he did. None wished to become the stepping stone of a legend.

So when Bai Chen asked, Starbreaker hesitated. "What realm are you in now?"

That hesitation was enough. Bai Chen offered only a mysterious smile. "You tell me."

It was a dazzling smile, but all fox beauty was poison. Starbreaker dared not provoke him. Bai Chen gave no chance either. He took Li Wuming’s hand and departed, leaving Starbreaker to wonder about Bai Chen's power.

The icy lair faded. Once clear of it, Bai Chen exhaled, letting Li Wuming hold him as they flew by sword. He leaned against the man’s chest and sighed, "I really can’t take the cold anymore. Good thing you came with me, or I’d have slipped up."

Li Wuming had quietly stood behind him the whole time. Now he stroked Bai Chen’s head. "That wolf wasn’t Starbreaker’s pawn. But as leader, he must’ve known. He probably allowed it, to test your clan’s limits."

Bai Chen cursed, "Cunning old wolf. If that wolf had succeeded in embarrassing Yunce, he’d have gladly reaped the rewards. And if the plot failed, he could simply plead ignorance — we’d never be able to trace it back to him."

Li Wuming saw through the danger too. "He’s suspicious by nature. You can’t keep him quiet for long."

"Only the Bai family may claim kingship on this mountain. I called him Wolf King and he welcomed it — shows he’s not loyal."

Bai Chen sighed. The Nine-tailed Fox name was hollow now, and no sign of restoring his cultivation had appeared. "What a headache..."

The little fox nestled into Li Wuming’s arms, thinking this was the only safe haven left.

Li Wuming wrapped the fox's robe tighter and said softly, "Yao are strange. Foxes are timid by nature, yet you’re made to be kings. Some burdens don’t fit."

"The Fox Immortal never wanted to be a king, but willing or not, just by being the son of the Yao King he was treated like one."

Raised by the Fox Immortal, Bai Chen rarely saw him smile. Only now, standing in the same place, did he understand.

He recalled Li Wuming’s words from yesterday and sighed. "You were right. Do good deeds too often, and they become burdens. The Fox Immortal sheltered these yao and for that he had to oppose humans forever. Since then, peace never returned. Ignoring the situation might have been easier."

Yet a fox worthy of the title “Immortal” could not have simply watched the suffering at his gates. This was fated to be.

Seeing his distress, Li Wuming changed the subject. "I heard the Hidden Wisdom Sect found the Divine Wordless Book overseas. They’re escorting it to Chang’an. It should arrive soon."

This cheered Bai Chen. "They say even a mortal who holds it would rival True Immortals."

Li Wuming, expert at coaxing foxes, continued, "The schemers on the mountain won’t act for now. Why not come out with me and draw them into the open?"

The Heavenly Wolves were uncertain about the Nine-tailed Fox’s strength and wouldn’t move soon. It was a good time to assess the human realm.

Bai Chen agreed. "Bring Chenzui. He should see the world. Staying on the mountain will turn him into a frog in a well."

Li Wuming supported his mentorship. Seeing dissatisfaction in Bai Chen’s tone, he said,

"Young ones are curious. I remember your first trip to Chang’an — you stared at windmill stalls but refused to buy. I bought one, and you threw a tantrum, only to play with it all night in fox form."

Foxes love moving toys. Bai Chen blushed and covered his ears. "Shut up. I don’t remember!"

Li Wuming laughed, speeding up his sword. "Little fox, the mountain survived five hundred years without you. Maybe the Nine-tailed Fox isn’t that important. You’re an elder now — enjoy life. Let the next generation take the reins."

Snow stung Bai Chen’s eyes. He couldn’t argue and mumbled in protest, "You’re the old one!"

He still minded those extra five hundred years. Unsure how an ancestor should behave, he pouted.

Li Wuming, unbothered, said smugly, "I am older. When you were born, I was already fleeing the Chang’an Uprising. I've seen more death than you’ve seen ants."

That stunned Bai Chen. He knew Li Wuming had lived long but didn’t realize he’d survived that ancient war. His past was a mystery indeed.

~ Chapter End ~

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