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Celebrations had already toned down to a dull murmur among the streets but laughter and the clinking of cups still hung high in the air within the brothel, all but one room which had long drifted off into peaceful silence. Within it, after maybe too many cups of alcohol, laid the unlikely companions. A now missing bird, a fox and a snake.
Yang Lian slowly came back to his senses, lightly pressing a hand against his temples as he looked around the room. It took him a couple seconds to notice the young man that had been sitting by the window was long gone. Ling Guang’s friend on the other hand had fallen asleep on the low table surrounded by his half eaten snacks. Yang Lian couldn't help but chuckle softly at the sight, letting out a sharp gasp at the jolt of pain.
Just…got to wait a bit longer…for the room to stop spinning.
Once the floor stopped swaying did Yang Lian get up from the floor, slowly taking a couple steps to make sure he wouldn't topple back where he was. He crept closer to take a look at the sleeping fellow, but instead took notice of the small pouch lying by the empty cups. Ears perking up in curiosity, Yang Lian carefully took hold of the purse, letting out a small “oh”.
What a nice fellow, he shouldn't have~.
Setting the pouch back in its place, Yang Lian silently saw himself out to get some fresh air. As the young man made his way down the stairs he started rummaging around his sleeves. Even if his new drinking buddy had left the payment in advance he should still chip in somehow! But instead of finding the purse, his hand first brushed past an object's smooth surface. It was a mask. The fox's heart skipped a beat as he remembered the owner of that mask. Who he should have gone visit...way earlier...because he was spending the new year all alone.
Quickly snatching up his money, Yang Lian rushed to the counter and startled the dozing servant with a cry of, "Give me two more bottles of wine! Please make it quick."
The servant yawned, rubbing the sleep off his eyes as he muttered, "Hasn't gongzi had enough for the night?"
"They're a peace offering." he explained with a sheepish grin.
The servant snorted and stumbled out of his seat, "Gongzi will need more than wine at this hour." He said, but still took the money.
I already know you don't need to remind me! Thought Yang Lian as his face started burning just like after that second bottle.
After thanking the clerk, Yang Lian rushed out of the brothel, not without tripping several times on the way. Even if he wasn't stumbling or crashing into passersby, Yang Lian was still feeling a little tipsy.
He just had to go into the Qingcheng forest and not get lost! Easy, he knew the way like the back of his hand. As the effects of alcohol finally started to diminish, his thoughts started to wander towards that person.
Yang Lian didn't really understand why the little cultivator insisted on sleeping outdoors. He had enough to give around to the common people and any child begging on the streets so why not rent a room at some inn or even a small house!
The fox huffed softly to himself. He was too much of a good person, always falling apart at the sight of anyone less fortunate than him...But well in the end that was also sort of charming. Yang Lian tugged at his collar as his face started burning once again, hurrying up his step across the mist covered grounds.
One moment he was minding his own business and the next he was being hauled high in the air with a cry of surprise. This only turned to a hiss of pain as a branch collided with the top of his head, pressing his hands against the bruise as the world kept swinging back and forth in a blur of dark greens and sharp branches . Yang Lian kept his eyes shut, waiting for the movement to come to stop, letting out a sigh of relief once it did.
“What the hell,” mumbled Yang Lian as he finally got the chance to look at the thing, it was a sort of net. Was he really that drunk that he had stepped into some hunter’s trap? The fox quickly started scratching at the ropes to set himself free before the owner of the net came looking for what should be a nice rabbit or a boar, not some drunkard. Yang Lian tugged and scratched but it looked as if he had barely even grazed the thing! The latter started growling under his breath, his heartbeat loudly echoing in his ears as his scratching became more frantic. It was just that he was too drunk to snap the damn thing, that was all! He even receded back to his form as a fox to dig his teeth into the rope.
Nothing.
Yang Lian panted for breath, shifting back and grimacing at the coppery taste now plaguing his mouth. Who could have done this, the villagers maybe? Some rogue cultivator? If so, then what would they do to him? They couldn't possibly ki-
“SNAP!”
His spiraling thoughts were brought to a screeching halt when Yang Lian heard the snapping of branches and caught a glimpse of red hair.
“Li Xuanhu!” he cried out in relief. “Thank the heavens you’re here! Please let me out of this thing!”
But the latter instead of rushing to his aid slowed down his pace, half hidden by the shadows and heavy clouds of fog. There was no mistaking that this was Li Xuanhu— in fact, who else did he know with that red hair and those bright amber eyes? Yang Lian tried to outstretch towards his lover but the net was so tightly woven he could barely poke out a finger.
“W-Wait is this some sort of joke? If so then it's of really bad taste. You scared me half to death there!” He said with a strained laugh, “Are you still mad because I ruined your good robes? You’re so petty!”
“...”
“X-Xuanhu please say something…You’re scaring me”
As the man finally came closer, Yang Lian felt his heart sink as that was definitely not Li Xuanhu. His hair and eyes were almost identical but the way the stranger was looking at him felt wrong, as if he was just looking at muck stuck at the sole of his boot.
“So you’re the fox that has been terrorizing the village,” said the man looking him up and down. “Much weaker than I expected.” He added with a chuckle and reached into the net. Yang Lian wanted to get farther away from the man but the net kept him right within the fellow’s grasp.
“I can see how easily you bewitched the people with your appearance,” he muttered, digging his fingers into Yang Lian’s face and turning it to one side, as if inspecting an object for blemishes. “But in the end, you’re nothing more than a beast.”
Yang Lian’s fur stood on its ends but he still gritted his teeth.
“Bewitching? I think xiansheng has got the wrong person.”
The stranger clicked his tongue and shoved him away, “You still have face to say you’ve done nothing wrong after all those people that you cursed! What a shameless thing.”
“I. Haven’t. Cursed. Anyone!”
He laughed and shook his head, “Cry all you want, I won't fall for your lies.”
“They're not lies! A-Ask anyone! Ask lit-Li Xuanhu! He-”
“You dare ask for one of your victims to defend you?!” The man’s gaze hardened, his hand snapping towards the sword at his hip, “Stop trying to play dumb little fox, none of your tricks will get you out of this.” And after a moment he added,
“Now I’ll just go draw out your partner.”
“W-What?” Partner? He couldn’t possibly mean…
“I was informed there were two fox spirits in the vicinity.” He continued, “ And seeing that Xuanhu couldn't even deal with one of you, I’ll just make sure to leave no room for further mishaps.”
¿Deal? ¿Li Xuanhu? Yang Lian felt his breath coming out strained as more and more questions wanted to come out of his lips but the only thing that managed to come out in a desperate cry was a,
“W-Wait! She’s done nothing wrong, leave her alone! Take me if you want!”
The man paid no mind to his cries, only turning around and leisurely walking away.
Yang Lian started rummaging desperately in his sleeves, he couldn't let that man get away, screw the villagers, screw Li Xuanhu! What if everything was a damn ploy, a trap he eagerly walked into! If his mother was hurt he would never be able to forgive himself! The fox finally found what he was looking for, drawing out the fan he got on a whim. Because why would he ever need a spiritual weapon.
With a single slice, the net fell into tatters. Yang Lian crashed heavily on his side but he immediately got back on his feet.
All his life he had been taught that humans were fragile. He always had to be careful to never play too roughly, or touch them indiscriminately, because their bones were as fragile as twigs and their skin was rosy and thin just like flower petals. With that in mind Yang Lian had never felt he should fear humans because he would always have the upper hand.
But when he shifted and leaped at the stranger’s back, he could only find himself shaking in fear. Humans were capable of hurting them, not only with their weapons but also with their lies.
The stranger cried out. Fright? Surprise? Between his own erratic movements and the fog Yang Lian didn't even know what he was doing. All he could think about was that the man was dangerous and he couldn't let him go. All he could savor was that same metallic tang plaguing his mouth.
The fox didn't release his grip on the man’s shoulder until the cool edge of a blade grazed his cheek, right below his eye. The human was yelling again, probably more insults. Yang Lian could barely hear them anyway with the blood pounding in his ears. He just needed to drive him away.The fox lunged once again, snapping his jaws around the latter’s wrist and pulling hard. He didn't see the kick until hot pain was bursting between his ribs.
Maybe it was puzzling terrain or the dizzying rush of adrenaline coursing through his veins. He paid no mind to the sword the man was stubbornly holding up with his bloodied hand and leaped.
And then the earth gave away beneath their feet.
He couldn't hold back a cry of pain as his body collided against stone, whimpering softly when he tried to quickly get back on his feet.
It hurt so bad
But at least seeing the other man wasn't moving it meant that he also felt pain. Maybe he would finally stop.
Yang Lian almost wanted to sigh with relief. Things would be ok. He had won them some extra time to run. They would be fine. The fox wheezed for breath as he allowed himself just a moment to stay still.
They were yet in another trap, this one much more rudimentary than the first one. No barriers or nets, just damp earth and jagged stones. Nothing more than a deep pit in the ground. This probably was just some hunter's trap.
Yang Lian mustered enough strength to lift his face and glance at the stranger. He seemed to be knocked out. Everything within the fox just screamed that he shouldn't even look the human's way, that he should just crawl out of that hole and run as far as he could.
But something still tugged at his chest. Maybe it was the similarity with Xuanhu? Or maybe he just didn't want to have any lingering regrets.
All of his muscles were bursting with pain as he forced himself to shift back to a human, fighting back the urge to fall back to the ground. Tugging the heavy body over his back he made an effort to climb out of the trap, hissing as several times his hands met the sharp edges of jagged stones. Probably left there to keep any wild animal from even trying to climb out. But Yang Lian endured it.
As he reached the mouth of the opening he didn't even try to get up. Simply rolled off the weight on his back and heaved for breath.
"You're heavier than you look," he murmured to the still unresponding man. Yang Lian grumbled softly and kicked at his calf but to no avail. The fox's limbs trembled as he pushed himself from the ground and crept closer.
"Hey…"
The fox recoiled as the stench of fresh blood hit his nose.
Oh no.
Nonononono
Yang Lian's hand shook as he carefully pressed two fingers against the man's wrist, scrambling back with a cry. Nothing. He was dead.
The trek back home was hard. His side was bruised, his hands were torn to ribbons, his mouth was still caked with that horrible flavor. That last one was the only thing that kept Yang Lian walking.
The little hut he called home was still dark of course. The sun had barely even risen yet. He stumbled against the door, his muscles sagging as the comforting smells of herbs hit his nose. But they were not enough.
"A-Lian?" Yawned a sleep ridden voice. "Why are you making such a racket? Are-?" The older fox, wrapped in a blanket, froze on the spot and covered half of her face with her sleeve.
"A...A-Lian?"
Yang Lian wanted to reach out to her, to hold her just for a moment but his hands were so dirty. He wrapped them around his own arms instead.
"Mother," he tried to say as softly as he could. "I'm sorry. We need to leave... now ."