Young Master Bai — Chapter 70

Previous  |  Next 

Chapter 70: On the Importance of Winter Fur

This matter was difficult to clear of suspicion. Even more troublesome was that the Endless Longevity Academy might not be willing to let the yao explain themselves. From the moment Bai Chen saw the image of the Nine-tailed White Fox, he had already begun planning a countermeasure. Now that Bai Hangshou asked, he calmly answered, “Master of the Academy, this is a blade handed to you and me.”

His words seemed to come out of nowhere. Even Li Wuming, who was ready to step in at any moment to shield his Dao companion, didn’t understand. Naturally, Bai Hangshou was even more confused, holding his tea as he asked, “What do you mean?”

“The Endless Longevity Academy wouldn’t be foolish enough to send its disciples to ambush the Nine-tailed White Fox. Likewise, even if I didn’t know that Master Qiu had arranged a Recording Stone in Dongling, I wouldn’t bother personally dealing with a few children who hadn’t even formed their Nascent Souls. My Bai family has many fox yao skilled in the Mind-stealing Technique. Such a trivial matter doesn’t warrant the Nine-tailed White Fox’s involvement.”

Since it was difficult to explain, there was no need to get stuck on evidence. Bai Chen simply began analyzing motivations. Since he hadn’t placed blame directly on the Endless Longevity Academy, Bai Hangshou didn’t interrupt. This was precisely what Bai Chen wanted, and he continued: “We all know this matter is suspicious. But if I truly wished to disrupt the Heaven’s Way Alliance, then your disciples are a ready-made excuse. To use them as leverage or stir up trouble would be a perfect pretext. That is the blade handed to me.”

Here Bai Chen paused. Seeing that Bai Hangshou’s expression revealed no joy or anger, he added, “This matter is illogical, and I cannot present conclusive proof to clear suspicion. Even if the Recording Stone at Qinghe Lane was destroyed, one could argue that I only knew of the sentries there but not that a stone had also been placed in the guardhouse, thus failing to destroy it in time and getting caught.”

By pointing this out himself, Bai Chen made Bai Hangshou all the more doubtful. Bai Hangshou had wanted to see what excuses the fox yao could make, but at this moment, he couldn’t help but ask, “So you mean to condemn yourself?”

Of course Bai Chen had no strange hobby of rushing to take the blame. He only smiled faintly. “If the Master of the Academy doesn’t wish the Heaven’s Way Alliance to form ties with the yao, you could present this explanation at the council. Even if Feng Shiqi, out of courtesy, didn’t drive us out of Busi immediately, until the true culprit is found, a yao faction suspected of sowing discord among the human sects would never be able to strike any deals. More than that, you could ensure this suspicion never gets washed away, forever severing any chance of cooperation between the Great Snow Mountain and the Heaven’s Way Alliance.”

The Endless Longevity Academy was not as ancient as the Hidden Wisdom Sect or the Myriad Treasures Hall, nor as battle-proven as the Unknown Truth Sect or the Azure Heaven Manor. Although the world’s cultivators respected them for their role in enlightenment, few truly feared them. Yet here was Bai Chen, an outsider, describing the consequences of offending them as dire. Bai Hangshou’s eyes grew more cautious, though he only smiled lightly. “I, a mere schoolteacher, never knew I had such power?”

Though Bai Hangshou was a Wandering Immortal, he exuded no oppressive presence. When dealing with Qiu Xiaohan, he was often rendered speechless. Outwardly, he seemed no threat at all. But Bai Chen had never underestimated him. Calmly, he continued:

“The Endless Longevity Academy guides cultivators onto the path of cultivation. Every human cultivator’s childhood schooling is provided by your academies, every introductory text compiled by your hand. You teach the people to read and cultivate themselves, you pass down methods of Foundation Establishment, and you introduce the sects of the world so students may choose their paths.

Elder Shu’s ‘History of Cultivation’ is even a mandatory subject for disciple selection by every sect within the Heaven’s Way Alliance. All cultivators must recite it fluently before Foundation Establishment. As long as the Endless Longevity Academy writes this incident into its books, how many young cultivators will still treat the yao kindly?”

Yao survived by inheriting ancestral memory through their bloodline. Humans lacked such bloodlines, so they created writing to pass down their forebears’ knowledge. For the next generation, their means of inheritance was reading.

Who was friend, who was foe, which lands were safe, which lands deadly… for yao, such information was vital to survival. For humans, these decisions were written by the Academy’s pens. Saints or traitors, praised or reviled for generations — past rights and wrongs were determined by their records. Such men of letters, who bore the burden of legacy and also knew how to fight, were not enemies one could afford to make.

Bai Chen knew well how vital the Endless Longevity Academy was to humanity. At this time, he would not antagonize Bai Hangshou. He spoke calmly of the instigator’s ultimate aim: “All it takes is a spark. Even if that spark is a poorly crafted trap, as long as the Master of the Academy is willing, it can become flawless, a blade to sever ties between the Heaven’s Way Alliance and the Great Snow Mountain. The blade itself cannot harm us, but it waits for one of us to lose patience, pick it up, and spill the other’s blood.”

This ambush had not been designed as a frame-up — it was simply an opportunity for mischief. If Bai Chen bore ill will toward the Heaven’s Way Alliance, or if the Endless Longevity Academy was determined to reject the yao, it would be all too easy to sever their already fragile ties.

This scheme tested human hearts. Fortunately, Bai Chen acted cautiously, and Bai Hangshou kept the larger picture in mind. Since neither had chosen to wield the blade, there was now a chance to clarify matters.

Because the Academy compiled the “History of Cultivation,” Bai Hangshou knew the founding battle of the Heaven’s Way Alliance by heart. The yao kings had slaughtered cities, massacred innocents, and destroyed countless cultural treasures. These memories were etched deep within. The younger generation could forget — but the Academy would not.

This should have been the sect most hostile to yao. Yet Bai Hangshou did not fall into the trap. Listening to Bai Chen’s careful analysis, he finally clapped his hands and sighed sincerely: “No wonder the Nine-tailed White Fox is remembered in the annals as cunning and clever. Remarkable.”

Then he lifted his eyes with a smile. “But one thing you’re mistaken about. I, the Master of the Academy, am merely the steward appointed by the Seven Elders. What Elder Shu writes is not mine to decide.”

It was said the Seven Elders were seven venerable teachers of the human race. Though they lectured at the Endless Longevity Academy, the Master himself had no authority to command them. Bai Hangshou was more landlord than sect master — providing a place for their teachings.

Even so, he remained their only spokesman in the mortal world. Bai Chen did not question his authority, only turned back to the present matter. “This schemer’s malice is truly aimed at me. Even had Master Qiu not come today, he would have found a way to let you discover the Recording Stone in Dongling. Unfortunately for him, he knows the Heaven’s Way Alliance only on the surface, and underestimated your breadth of mind.”

These words were flattery. Though Bai Hangshou had no intention of using this as a pretext, his suspicions of the yao remained. He sought Bai Chen purely because he feared the yao harbored ill intent and insisted on retrieving his disciples quickly.

Qiu Xiaohan, who knew Bai Hangshou’s temperament, glanced at him in puzzlement. “You have breadth of mind?”

Indeed, Bai Hangshou had never let down his guard against Bai Chen. Being doubted by his fellow cultivator left him silent for a moment before he snapped, “Why shouldn’t I? If not for the reputation of the Hidden Wisdom Sect and the Alliance leader, would I have listened to him prattle this long? You think your wretched tea is so good? The only reason I’m holding this cup is so I don’t walk out!”

But Qiu Xiaohan was always blunt. Though both Li Wuming and Bai Hangshou had criticized his tea, he only remarked evenly, “You directed the Oil Seller to trouble Bu Tiange.”

This, of course, silenced Bai Hangshou. Bai Chen had entered Lin’an carrying the tokens of three sects. If trouble arose, the Unknown Truth Sect, the Myriad Treasures Hall, and the Hidden Wisdom Sect would all be held accountable. Even Illusory Moon Villa, which had welcomed him, could be implicated. Without solid evidence, Bai Hangshou would never risk the Heaven’s Way Alliance’s name.

Still, when it came to smaller matters — territory disputes, rankings, resources — he was ruthless. Ink, paper, brushes all cost money, and ancient texts were priceless. Since the Seven Elders ignored worldly affairs, the burden of maintaining the sect’s vast expenses fell to him.

Everyone knew this, though it couldn’t be spoken aloud. Seeing Bai Hangshou’s awkwardness, Bai Chen spoke up to smooth things over. “If the Master of the Academy truly wished to wield this blade, he needn’t have given me any chance to explain. Since neither of us wants upheaval, why not let the matter rest and watch how things unfold?”

Bai Hangshou dreaded dealing with Qiu Xiaohan, so he quickly ignored the troublemaking companion and turned to Bai Chen instead. “Then how do you propose resolving this?”

This was exactly what Bai Chen had been waiting for. He hadn’t planned to make an issue of the ambush itself. With his excuse ready, he replied, “Your disciples never clashed with me. They were ambushed and suffered damage to their minds. Since fox yao specialize in mind arts, we are temporarily treating them. Once healed, they will be returned to the Endless Longevity Academy.”

Thus no one need worry about rumors, and it was defensible to outsiders. Still, when Elder Qin heard that his disciples had been seized, his grief had led him to smash a heavenly-grade ancient zither. The thought pained Bai Hangshou, and so he was hardly pleased with this peace offering. “So you gain a good reputation, and what do I gain? You still lack proof of your innocence. Blocking your path through the Academy would do me no harm.”

This was a demand for benefits. Bai Chen was ready to offer gifts to ease relations, but before he could speak, Li Wuming finally broke his silence. “Who says there’s no proof? That image does not show my little fox.”

Bai Chen had died young and had little experience running the Great Snow Mountain. Negotiating here was valuable practice, so Li Wuming usually let him act freely. But the stakes were too high — resources gained through trade were essential. Now that Bai Chen had brought things to this point, it was Li Wuming’s turn.

Bai Hangshou remained wary of him. This Sword Immortal had sat drinking tea and eating cakes without speaking a word, and Bai Hangshou had assumed he was aloof like the Academy’s elders. But now that Li Wuming had spoken, he grew alert. “Sword Immortal Li means a yao impostor? Even if Bu Tiange once saw a yao with transformative powers, how can you prove this is that one and not the true Nine-tailed White Fox?”

Indeed, none of the Alliance’s Ten Seats were fools. From the start, Bai Hangshou had recalled Bu Tiange’s tale of a shape-shifting yao. He trusted the Hidden Wisdom Sect’s word, and so his suspicion had rested there all along.

Of course, knowing this was one thing. If he could exploit the matter to pressure the Great Snow Mountain for advantage, he was happy to play dumb.

Li Wuming knew that testimony from the Hidden Wisdom Sect carried weight. Seeing Bai Hangshou accept Bai Chen’s courtesy yet still press for gain, he finally spoke to Bai Chen: “Reveal your true form.”

Bai Chen didn’t understand, but he trusted Li Wuming absolutely. He immediately transformed into a snow-white fox crouched on the chair, nine tails draped neatly over the back.

The yao who had attacked Dongling’s guards had clearly intended to frame him, even mimicking his form exactly. Bai Hangshou scrutinized the fox but saw no difference. Confused, he asked, “Is there any distinction?”

He hadn’t noticed, but Qiu Xiaohan’s eyes missed nothing. With just a glance, he answered, “Fatter by a circle. Ear fur longer by an inch.”

Only then did Bai Chen realize the impostor had retained his appearance from Elderly Village, while he himself had already grown soft, warm winter fur. Indeed, there was a difference.

It wasn’t a stark change, but Li Wuming had known him well enough to catch it at once. Hearing Qiu Xiaohan’s blunt observation, he even explained seriously, “My fox has just grown his winter coat — his fur is fluffy. That’s why he looks plump.”

Bai Hangshou lacked their eye for detail. Even so, confronted with such a peculiar piece of evidence, he was skeptical. “You can tell such things?”

An inch’s difference was vast in Qiu Xiaohan’s eyes. If a disciple of the Azure Heaven Manor crafted an automaton with such an error, he would be punished with endless copying. Now, in his usual flat tone, he offered, “My manor has developed mechanical eyes. I could donate a pair to you.”

Though he spoke without emotion, his meaning was clear: “You’re blind.” The yao cores and bones he had hoped for were slipping away, and Bai Hangshou could only protest sincerely, “We’re all fellow cultivators. Must you treat me so harshly?”

Qiu Xiaohan simply gave his bottom line: “Return Dongling.”

Clearly, this man truly loved Dongling.

Bai Hangshou could not fathom why Qiu Xiaohan clung so tightly to a city with nothing but antiques. Still, once land was in hand, he would never relinquish it. So he let his protest drop, sighing instead, “Well, bluntness is its own kind of sincerity.”

Li Wuming’s evidence seemed absurd but was indeed a distinction. Seeing Bai Hangshou dodge, Bai Chen shifted back into human form, offering him a way out. “Earlier, I concealed the truth to avoid further strife, knowing your disciples had been struck by the Mind-stealing Technique. But after meeting the Master of the Academy, I see I was overly suspicious. Historians of your academy never whitewash virtue or conceal vice. Though the Golden Core sects are pillars of the Heaven’s Way Alliance, your History still recorded their collusion with demons. The Demon Lord held first place on jianghu bounty list for years before his ascension, yet your books still acknowledged his achievements in restraining demonic cultivators. With such impartial records, how could the Master of the Academy chase shadows and ruin the great matter of relations between our two races?”

His words placed the Academy in a lofty position without sounding sycophantic. Bai Hangshou was quite pleased. Realizing that Li Wuming would not retreat further, he decided it was better to accept gracefully than to risk unpleasantness. Smiling, he said, “Young Master Bai’s conduct is indeed different from the savage yao kings of the past. Still, allow me to advise you: a king should bear a reign title. If both generations are called Yao King, careless scholars will confuse you with that fox from a thousand years ago and cost you points in examinations.”

“You are right to remind me,” Bai Chen answered. “My journey was too hurried this time. When I return to the Great Snow Mountain, I will hold a coronation ceremony and invite the world’s powers to attend.”

Bai Hangshou’s praise had been polite words, but his reminder about the reign title was useful. Yao had never paid much heed to ritual. Bai Chen had dismissed such vanity, but humans valued it highly. If he wished to trade with them, he would indeed need to hold a ceremony and distinguish himself from Bai Wei.

Now that the Heavenly Wolf clan was gone, tensions between the Great Snow Mountain and humanity had eased. Seeing Bai Chen’s attitude, Bai Hangshou smiled politely. “So long as my unworthy disciples return safe, the Endless Longevity Academy will certainly come to witness the occasion.”

This was a reminder for Bai Chen to heal his disciples. Bai Chen didn’t expect the Academy to ever favor the yao. It was enough if they didn’t cause trouble for the Great Snow Mountain. He nodded agreement, then asked curiously, “Will I, this new Yao King, be written into the History?”

Since the Academy oversaw qualification exams for the Heaven’s Way Alliance, every year’s test questions concerned major events. Last year’s essay “On Chivalry and Law” had stumped countless youths. With the yao founding a new court, how could they be ignored? Though Bai Hangshou did not write the exams, he smiled proudly. “Naturally. The ‘Current History of Cultivation’ is a compulsory subject for all who seek higher disciple ranks.”

So next year’s examinees would surely suffer for it. But Bai Chen didn’t mind giving them a few more lines to memorize. Before departing, he smiled confidently at Bai Hangshou. “Then prepare your ink and brushes well, for there will be much to record in the days ahead.”

His bearing stirred Bai Hangshou’s interest. With humanity’s current development, how much could one Nine-tailed White Fox truly change?

Leaning back, he flicked his duster and gave only four words in reply: “We shall see.”

~ Chapter End ~