Chapter 60
"So, what is the fox's secret?" I couldn't help but ask Mo Huaizhen when we met again. I can only approach local myths and legends with an unyielding thirst for knowledge. Otherwise, I'll know nothing.
"The secret of the fox?" Mo Huaizhen repeated in surprise, seemingly lost in thought. "This is an anecdote recorded in a collection of supernatural tales."
"As foxes with the ability to deceive, they have to lie to others most of the time. This is not a matter of whether they want to do it or not, but if they do not, they will lose the connection between their group and become ordinary, or even more vulnerable, foxes in the mountains. They will often be captured by humans, skinned and sold for meat, or become a pet."
"But the fox's ancestor did not want its descendants to spend their lives with deception as their greatest burden. It pleaded with the wizard, offering its entire life's cultivation and all its remaining life in exchange for the wizard breaking this curse that was not a curse, for the entire clan. From then on, the fox clan possessed the ability to 'make a promise.' In their lifetime, they could choose one person and make a 'promise' to that person. From then on, they would share secrets. The fox could know everything that the person wanted to know and everything it could know, and it would forever repay that person with loyalty and truth."
“However, since it’s called ‘The Fox’s Secret,’ it’s naturally not that simple. The fox can choose to let that person know the truth or not. When the other person doesn’t know, the fox’s fate won’t change. It will still do what it does—wield power and deceive others—it will just have someone who can treat it with sincerity. Therefore, choosing this person must be done with utmost care. The other option is for the fox to want that person to know the truth…” Mo Huaizhen carefully wiped his sword with a handkerchief—this time he was carrying a different weapon.
He said, "I haven't verified this, but the book describes how the fox's fate becomes intertwined with that person. It slowly separates from its own pack, unlike its previous separation due to its unwillingness to deceive others; this represents a new life for the fox. It will always be able to tell the truth, to whomever it wants. It will slowly lose its unique abilities as a fox, but retain the abilities that come with its connection to that person. The only drawback is that its life and death are tied to that person. If the person with whom it has this connection dies, the fox will not live on alone. The possibility of feigning death can be completely ruled out—"
Mo Huaizhen met my gaze and explained, "Because it is a demon, and its power is granted by the gods, there is no possibility of being deceived."
"You mentioned the fate of foxes, but I don't think I've used a similar word before." I thought of the first time someone mentioned "fate" to me, and that person was also Qingyu. I then asked, "Is this a term specific to foxes?"
“Indeed.” Mo Huaizhen nodded. “The word ‘destiny’ first appeared in existing ancient books in a description of foxes, spoken by a fox elder who used himself to benefit his descendants. ‘Destiny’ is a word passed down from generation to generation among foxes, and the more capable a fox is, the more fully it can understand its meaning.”
I waited for him to continue, but he stopped talking. I looked at him, puzzled, and he stared at me intently.
"Did something happen? You mentioned 'fate'," he asked me.
"I sensed you when you first arrived, but because both your aura and that aura were very peaceful, I didn't say anything. Did it do anything to you?"
I knew he was concerned about me, so I didn't hide anything: "I recently had a conversation with a fox, and he mentioned 'the secret of the fox' and 'fate' to me. I thought that the only person I know who is very knowledgeable about myths and legends and wouldn't lie to me is you, so I wanted to ask if you know the key to it."
As it turned out, I did find out. I also learned that Qingyu had chosen me as someone he could speak the truth to.
I sighed with some distress. In Mo Huaizhen's eyes, this expression was probably a sign that I was being held hostage. He immediately gripped his sword warily: "Did it force you? If you need it, I will do everything in my power."
"Alright, no need for that semi-classical language." I reassured him by pressing down on the hilt of his sword. "He didn't bother me at all; in fact, he helped me a lot. You don't need to worry."
"I just want to know something about 'fate'," I said. "But not that much. Didn't I treat you to dinner today? Don't look so serious, people around us think you're cosplaying."
Mo Huaizhen reluctantly sheathed his sword. We were sitting in the city's top-rated restaurant, surrounded by flowers, yet the presence of swords still clashed somewhat. The waiter stood nervously in the path, neither daring to move forward nor run. Seeing that he had finally calmed down, he quickly ran over and placed our order on the table.
It was a meal that wouldn't fill you up, but it was very photogenic. At this point, I became interested in the sword. I asked Mo Huaizhen for it and put it on the table to take pictures.
The flowing, silvery-white luster resembled moon frost. The sword's edge was exquisitely beautiful, and the chilling scent of blood and another strange aroma filled the air. Yet, it was clear that Mo Huaizhen cherished it, for the tassel on the sword was not a tassel, but rather a sachet.
The fragrance is still the best.
Mo Huaizhen asked me curiously, "Is there anything special about it?"
"I just think it's cool," I said. "I've never seen a real sword before—I didn't expect it to be so heavy. It's amazing that you can lift it."
“I can lift it,” Mo Huaizhen corrected me. He wasn’t interested in this kind of thing and could only bury his head in his food, chatting with me in between bites. “It’s not heavy to hold; it’s one of my companions. If you like, I can take you to play a game.”
"Can I have that too?" I asked in surprise. "You're taking me to your family's blacksmith shop?"
“Yes.” He said nonchalantly, “Weapons are meant to be used by people. If even those who are genuinely interested in them cannot possess them, then their existence, along with the place where they are made, has little meaning.”
He put down his cutlery, and I realized he had already finished eating, while I hadn't touched anything. The sword was sheathed again, and the waiter, used to this, walked and stopped as if it were a routine, casting a small light overhead before putting it back in its scabbard.
I didn't want to eat, so I pushed my untouched plate in front of Mo Huaizhen. He glanced at me, picked up his utensils again, and quickly finished his meal. I poked at the snowball with my spoon, and chocolate lava rolled out. It flowed all the way to the mango-flavored base, like a volcanic eruption.
He finished eating again.
I ate slowly, while Mo Huaizhen sat opposite me, lost in thought.
We were sitting at a table facing the street view, so we could see the haphazardly parked vehicles outside with just a turn of our head. It ruined at least 30% of the atmosphere of the store; the rest depends on the viewer's expectations of their surroundings and their memory.
But this also made things easier for us. We could observe the pedestrians outside, watch them move around, and see their anxious expressions during lunchtime. Countless people passed by from afar; I wondered who was the one screaming and who was running at full speed.
Nobody is planning to hide here.
Mo Huaizhen suddenly stood up, and I followed him. The scene at the shop entrance remained the same, but the direction people had come from was different. There, flames roared, not much different from those in my dream. Thick black smoke filled the city sky, and many people took photos while fleeing for their lives, cursing and sending messages decisively. I opened my phone, and countless real-time messages from the same city flooded in, almost crashing the backend system, causing several crashes and freezes.
“I have to go. You…” He spoke to me in a low voice, but stopped abruptly after saying “you.” Looking into my eyes, he nodded. “You should also be careful.”
“Of course,” I said. In this recent period, no one has cared more about their safety than I have. Body and soul. The seed is still swollen; I know it once sprouted. That's enough.
The people working for the relevant departments hadn't arrived yet. Mo Huaizhen calmly accepted this fact, and so did I. He didn't have high expectations of me, simply letting me do what I could. I walked to the house, familiar with the place, and knocked on the door.
"Come in," the woman said.
I pushed open the door. She was still holding the sleeping child, her smile gentle and mysterious.
The question, "Why have you been here all this time?" was swirling in my head, but asking it now would be pointless. I said, "Can we go out together this time?"
“I am pleased with your spirit of saving others from dire straits no matter what. Don’t argue with me; the ashes on your body from the fire are proof enough.” Her tone was gentle. “But you also know that this is ultimately impossible, isn’t it?”
I dusted off my clothes.
“Your forgiveness always warms me endlessly, like a roaring fire in the dead of winter,” she continued, “but…”
I abruptly stepped over the added pillar in my dream. I stopped letting her speak, ignored her voice, and dragged her outside. She couldn't bear to leave her child, so I didn't need to care about anything else.
As long as you take her out.
The flames devoured my clothes and hair, scorching the back of my hands and my cheeks. I don't know where the descriptions are real. Is it a dream or a prediction of the future? I must save her. Regardless of whether I die or not.
I understand what Qingyu means. He's saying that our lives are intertwined, so I'd better not do anything dangerous. I don't know how he did it. Did he sense it the moment I planted the seed?
But I won't do that. Nevertheless, I'm still grateful for his kindness.
I will not die.
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