Young Master Bai — Chapter 30
Chapter 30: Bu Tiange, headmaster of Stone
The unknown news indeed piqued the Hidden Wisdom Sect’s interest. The gatekeeper disciple reported again, and returned with a positive answer. Thus Bai Chen and Li Wuming finally stepped through the inn’s doors.
The disciple led them to a private room used for receiving guests, saying only that the headmaster would arrive shortly. Bai Chen didn’t mind waiting a bit longer. He sipped his tea lightly and asked Li Wuming, “Compared to your master, how is your cultivation now?”
For negotiations, Bai Chen needed to know all of his own cards. Li Wuming’s cultivation had always been a mystery to the world, but now, faced with the little fox’s question, he gave a truthful answer: “I’m the only person in this world he cannot kill. If I fight with all I have, I’m stronger than him.”
That answer was truly shocking. If others heard it, they would never believe it, yet Bai Chen did. Though surprised, he still turned his face to look at him and asked, “Then will you fight with all you have to protect me?”
A fox yao’s eyes were naturally captivating. Caught in that gaze, Li Wuming felt his heart waver. Quietly, he retightened the bandages on his right hand, which had almost slipped free, and lightly laughed: “As long as I live, no one can harm you in the slightest.”
There was no more reliable vow than a Sword Immortal’s promise. Bai Chen understood the weight of those words, and, feeling indebted, his tone also became resolute: “I will become a yao king who satisfies you. Just watch.”
Though the Bai family of the Great Snow Mountain were descendants of a yao king, they had never claimed the title. Even the title ‘Fox King’ was one given by humans. This was the first time a Bai family descendant had the heart to become king, placing a man before the yao clan’s grand cause.
After just a few exchanges, the headmaster of the Hidden Wisdom Sect arrived. Dressed in a plain white robe embroidered with cloud patterns, with a jade pendant at his waist and hair bound by a wooden hairpin, he looked like a bright-eyed youth, yet his first words carried a biting chill: “The Nine-tailed White Fox, silent for five hundred years, suddenly visits. What do you want?”
It was said that this generation’s headmaster was proud and difficult. Even Feng Shiqi often got nowhere with him. Seeing him now, the rumors seemed true. If Bai Chen’s words displeased him, this young headmaster might throw him out on the spot.
So, Bai Chen opened with a thunderclap: “My yao core is missing, and it involves disciples of your sect.”
The world’s only Nine-tailed White Fox sat before him without resistance. A simple incantation could claim his peerless yao bones, his nine tails, and his yao king’s blood — a terrifying temptation for any cultivator.
Upon hearing this, not only did Li Wuming immediately form a sword seal, but even Bu Tiange looked surprised. Sensing Bai Chen’s faint aura and confirming he wasn’t lying, Bu Tiange asked, puzzled: “You’re bold to say such a thing, knowing I bear a grudge against the yao — are you not afraid I might take your life?”
Though he said this, he showed no intention of striking. Instead, he sat at the main seat, seemingly wanting to see what tricks this Nine-tailed White Fox would play. Seeing this, Bai Chen knew he had gambled right: the Hidden Wisdom Sect remained true to itself — though the fox was a treasure through and through, they would not harm a yao who hadn’t harmed humans. For the Great Snow Mountain, currently eyed by all cultivators, such a principled sect was the most trustworthy ally.
“Such things aren’t said to just anyone. I’m telling you only because you’re the headmaster.”
Even Yunce didn’t know about Bai Chen’s lost yao core, yet here he told a stranger from the sect. This showed just how much he trusted the Hidden Wisdom Sect’s name. Bu Tiange, always proud of his sect’s integrity, eased his cold expression a little, though his tone remained distant: “The Hidden Wisdom Sect is in decline now. We can’t help you much.”
Though rebuffed, Bai Chen didn’t mind. He gently swirled his tea and said leisurely: “The Hidden Wisdom Sect declined because when other sects fought for spiritual veins and occupied cities, only you guarded Yuncheng, never seizing others’ land. The Heaven’s Way Alliance ranks sects by the spiritual veins they control and battlefield victories. Since you don’t attack others, of course your rank fell.
Your sect built its foundation on the way of chivalry, seeking to punish evil and uphold justice. But alas — in times of chaos, chivalrous men serve the nation and the people; in times of peace, they only use force to violate the law. Evildoers are punished by the courts, the weak are aided by the Heaven’s Way Alliance. This world no longer has need of solitary heroes — and so chivalry itself deserves to perish.”
Bai Chen had prepared thoroughly for this journey, seeing through the roots of the sect’s decline. Long ago, when chaos reigned, with demonic cultivators and corrupt officials tormenting the people, everyone wished for heroes to kill the wicked. But now, with the Heaven’s Way Alliance enforcing strict laws in every city, even drunken demonic cultivators could be caught on the spot. A hero who exacts private vengeance and metes out punishment by personal will has become unnecessary.
The Hidden Wisdom Sect had never changed — only the world no longer needed them. As the Myriad Treasures Hall’s head lamented when the Alliance changed leadership, “The Hidden Wisdom Sect has stepped down; the martial spirit is dead.”
Worshipped when needed, abandoned when not — Bai Chen thought the sect must hold some resentment. Yet Bu Tiange’s expression was calm, and he replied flatly: “You’re wrong. The so-called heroes retreat in peace and emerge in chaos. The world doesn’t need us now, so we remain in Yuncheng, avoiding conflict. But if chaos arises again, we will, like our ancestors, eliminate the source and sacrifice ourselves for the Dao.”
This reaction surprised Bai Chen too. “Even though today’s human youths pursue the riches of the Myriad Treasures Hall, the strength of the Unknown Truth Sect, even the reckless freedom of the Demon Sect, yet care nothing for your sect’s selfless chivalry?”
Bu Tiange sneered: “You underestimate the humans. The number of new disciples is far fewer than at our peak, but not zero. As long as humanity endures, the spirit of chivalry will be passed down.”
People like this couldn’t be moved with any benefits. Seeing this, Bai Chen smiled instead: “They say there are three great impossibilities in the world: the Myriad Treasures Hall disdaining wealth, the Illusory Moon Villa bearing sons, and the Hidden Wisdom Sect’s righteous not sacrificing themselves. I suppose I’ve seen it firsthand now.”
Bu Tiange was the fifth-generation headmaster. Before him, aside from the Dao Lord who was blocked daily by his disciples from sacrificing himself, all others had died young to protect the world. Even an ascended immortal returned to the mortal world to die. Such a sect was truly a marvel of the cultivation world. Bai Chen had no wish to butt heads with such stone-headed people, so he chuckled lightly: “Since the Hidden Wisdom Sect isn’t that weak after all, then would the hero Bu Tiange accept my plea for help?”
“You… cunning fox.”
Only then did Bu Tiange realize he had fallen into this fox’s trap. Moments ago, he had so proudly spoken of the way of chivalry, and now faced with a plea for help — even from a deceitful yao — how could he refuse outright?
The young man was still a bit unexperienced. Bai Chen dared not push him too hard and gently advised: “The sect hides its light, unwilling to compete with others. But the headmaster should also consider his disciples — don’t appear too weak, or others might think they can take advantage.”
In the past, when the sect escorted something, no one dared touch it. But now, even the Unknown Truth Sect dared demand from them, and even wandering cultivators lingered near their inn. Bai Chen believed Bu Tiange had his disciples secretly recuperating here for a reason — likely sensing someone plotting to steal a treasure.
Sure enough, Bu Tiange’s expression changed slightly, though his gaze remained wary. “The Great Snow Mountain ignored the alliance for so many years, and now you want to restore it and have me help?”
For a century, the Hidden Wisdom Sect hadn’t attacked anyone, yet many new sects challenged these Dao Ancestor descendants to make a name for themselves. The sect still defeated them all, but when war came, the Great Snow Mountain’s yao clan did not come as per Bai Chen’s old pledge.
This had severed the old ties, and Bu Tiange held little fondness for the Great Snow Mountain. Knowing it wouldn’t be easy to mend this broken bond, Bai Chen quickly said solemnly: “headmaster, you misunderstand. Whether you help me today or not, the Great Snow Mountain remains your ally. Intelligence from the far north is yours freely, to repay the sect’s century of setting aside personal grudges to protect the mountain. This has nothing to do with my personal matters.”
Bu Tiange saw his earnestness and his gaze softened at last. He finally asked, “How did you lose your yao core?”
Then, feeling he had forgiven too easily, he quickly added coldly: “Do not make a mistake. My help has nothing to do with your flattery. It is only because you are Sword Lord’s friend. Before his ascension, he instructed the disciples of Hidden Wisdom Sect to watch over the Great Snow Mountain. I am merely answering the plea of an ancestor’s friend. As for an alliance — that will be discussed later.”
A good man with a chivalrous heart couldn’t frighten others even with harsh words. Knowing the alliance needed to be rebuilt slowly, Bai Chen no longer spoke much, and simply explained: “Five hundred years ago, your sect’s disciple Lu Wen borrowed my yao core on account of past favors to save a life. I gave it to him, but he never returned it as promised.”
Lu Wen was the senior of the sect’s Grand Elder and had died many years ago. Outsiders would find it impossible to investigate him now. Only Bu Tiange, the headmaster, was the right person — and since his mother had some ties to that man in her youth, perhaps he knew something Bai Chen didn’t.
Bu Tiange recalled that his mother did have a senior brother named Lu whose grave she often visited. He frowned slightly and, after thinking for a while, finally nodded. “We’ll rest for three days before returning to Yuncheng. You two come as well.”
Not going to Chang’an to see the court, nor to Lin’an to meet the Unknown Truth Sect, but bringing the Divine Wordless Book back to Yuncheng? It seemed the young headmaster was also fed up with this mess and was letting those who wanted the book come to him.
Bai Chen understood and smiled knowingly, thanking the headmaster who had agreed to help. “Thank you.”
Bu Tiange’s temperament was truly not gentle. Even after agreeing to help the Nine-tailed White Fox, he saw them out after one cup of tea, saying only, “Don’t disturb my cultivation.”
Li Wuming, who had enjoyed fine food at the Myriad Treasures Hall and Demon Sect these days, sighed as they left, having gotten nothing but a cup of tea here — not even a plate of pastries. “The former deputy headmaster was more generous, at least he always picked up the tab.”
As a human yet also the Great Snow Mountain’s son-in-law, he had to feign ignorance to get by during conflicts between the two races. Bai Chen ignored his rambling, sincerely praising: “A pure heart, blood still hot. This generation’s headmaster is well chosen.”
In times of chaos, everyone wanted to be a hero. In times of peace, keeping one’s heart steadfast was no easy feat. Bu Tiange’s stone-like resistance to temptation made him the best choice for the Hidden Wisdom Sect. Li Wuming agreed inwardly but looked at his dao companion with lingering fear and sighed: “You’re too bold, revealing your lack of yao core before a human cultivator. What if he really struck you? Even if he didn’t kill you, an injury would take weeks to heal.”
Li Wuming rarely nagged like this, but Bai Chen was happy to hear it. Forgetting he was in human form, he instinctively rubbed his head against the man’s shoulder like a fox, blinking and laughing: “Because I believe even if he turned on me, you’d still protect me.”
Perhaps this was a beast’s instinct — yao loved rubbing against those close to them. This made Li Wuming fall silent. Staring at the little fox’s affectionate gesture, he searched for words to describe the tingling warmth in his chest, but could only rest his hand on Bai Chen's head and softly say two words: “Your ears.”
Bai Chen now reacted instinctively to those two words — his two furry ears perked up. Li Wuming finally found a way to express himself, happily pinning the fox ears down and rubbing them, sighing with satisfaction: “You really are an irresistible little fox.”
Of course, for such strange behavior, the expressionless Bai Chen had only one thought: Is there something wrong with the way my dao companion shows affection?
~ Chapter End ~
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