Chapter Text
On the cusp of autumn, just as the leaves changed to a fiery red, the crown prince of Xianle announced he was relinquishing his title and leaving the Kingdom for good.
Before this announcement, the immortal half-human animal folk of the kingdom of Wuyong had lived quiet and peaceful lives for over a thousand years. The kingdom was a beautiful place, with a grand white castle, wide cobblestone roads, and a bustling inner city with huge outer walls towering over all. Here the residents lived in peace and harmony and had every basic comfort met, at least since king Jun Wu took over.
Outside the grand kingdom there was a heavenly but dangerous sight. A vast forest of lush greens and tall bushy trees that spread as far as the horizon could see. All manner of rare beasts and magical sights could be found in this forest, from three legged lions to healing waterfalls. One would think such a resource would be highly coveted and sought after, that all manner of person would wish to explore and venture inside, but one would be wrong.
Long ago a plague had swept the forest, infecting all manner of animals, turning them into monstrous beasts hungry for human flesh. If attacked, a person's chance of survival was extremely low. And even if you did survive, one bite was all it took to turn you into a monster yourself!
Back before the kingdom of Wuyong was established, when it was known as Xianle the king and queen of Xianle tried their best to quell the infection, but it was for not. Death ravaged the land and soon the crown prince became an orphan. It was only when the grand future king Jun Wu stepped in that the beasts were at last quelled. Then large walls were erected around the kingdom and at last there was peace.
Thus it was a surprise to all when the prince not only announced his departure but that he also meant to go off on his own and leave the kingdom entirely! Indeed, quite the shock! And quite the scandal!
At the prince's unceremonious announcement gossip flooded the cobblestone streets of Wuyong.
"Can he do that……?" The commoners whispered.
"I heard there was a great row in the castle of Jun Wu last night. Do you think this is the result?"
"If the prince leaves…. Doesn’t this call the king's authority into question? After all, he’s not truly of royal blood….”
"Hmph! Hmph! I always knew a stoat prince could never be trusted! To rule you need to be something mighty like a leopard! King Jun Wu for example-"
"If the prince leaves the walls of Wuyong won't that Crimson Fox gobble him up within the day?"
"The prince renouncing his title now of all times just when rumors of another beast king have begun….it's an ill omen for the kingdom….”
Xie Lian heard all manner of similar gossip as he walked the streets of Wuyong, ignoring it all. Luckily for him, few had ever seen him outside the palace and fewer still would think him a prince in such simple white peasant clothes. So he easily passed as a normal citizen. Even his telltale round white ears were easily hidden underneath a wide bamboo hat.
Not a soul recognized him as he made his way through the bustling crowds, out past the vast outer walls, and into the forest that the Beast King: “The Crimson Fox” called his home.
~
Several Weeks Later….
The part of the forest Xie Lian made his home in was lush and green even during the fall season. A perfect clearing surrounded by beautiful pine trees. After leaving Wuyong he had no dwelling of his own, and thus he had to start from scratch. Thankfully, he discovered this clearing fairly early and instantly marked it as the perfect place to start construction.
He had stayed there for many weeks, working by day and resting in a simple tent by night. Once or twice Xie Lian could have sworn that he felt eyes on him, but when he looked through the tree line nothing could be seen.
In only a short time, he was able to put up a ramshackle dwelling. Xie Lian was no craftsmen, so the home looked a bit rundown, more like a discarded hovel than a cozy cabin. But he still loved it anyway because it was all his own.
Now his small home sat proudly in the middle of the clearing next to a tiny vegetable patch. The earthy smell of dew and grass wafted into the noses of all who saw it, the pleasant aroma bringing a sense of calm and peace.
In this peaceful place, Xie Lian was being scolded vehemently.
Mu Qing's black feline ears were arched backwards to the point Xie Lian was certain they may fall right off his head. His long sword hung at his hip gleaming handsomely along with his golden knights emblem in the sun.
The cat knight glared at him, crossing his arms, "You seriously have a death wish, you know that? What kind of fool makes their home in the Crimson Fox's territory?!"
"My kind I suppose," Xie Lian said with a smile. His own round ears didn’t carry a hint of panic and only twitched slightly with the wind enjoying the forest breeze.
Although it had a gruesome past, Xie Lian found it quite tranquil today and had no issues settling there thus far. He only spent his days diligently working to put up his home and foraging in the lush forest. He had yet to encounter the "Crimson Fox".
Often called the "King of Beasts" the Crimson Fox was the stuff of legend and rumor. Seen by very few but talked about by all. Used as a bedtime tale to get naughty children to behave and a scary story around the campfire. Perhaps this newly formed "Beast King" was nothing more than a rumor, a leftover remnant from the time of plague and anguish, a manifestation of people's fears of the forest. Or perhaps he was real, a true king to those rabid bloodthirsty beasts that lived secretly in the woods.
Regardless, since coming here, Xie Lian hadn't even come across a single strange creature. The most life he had seen were a few small squirrels and the dazzling silver butterflies that enjoyed playing in his newly planted vegetable patch.
Caught in the air, those very butterflies that danced around his garden were blown over to him, fluttering around his hair ribbon and matching white ears. Xie Lian smiled and lifted a hand delicately, allowing one to land on his finger.
"These little ones seem to have made a home here just fine," Xie Lian retorted. "I think I'll do the same."
Mu Qing only scoffed and rolled his eyes dramatically. Next to him, Feng Xin looked a bit more composed. Wearing a similar knight's uniform, with a laced inner-shirt and smart white blazer with gold accents, he looked very calm. But anyone who knew him would know he was just as panicked. The brown canine ears at the top of his head were stood straight up and his bushy tail stood at attention as if he thought at any moment they might be attacked.
The sight made Xie Lian glad he rarely showed his own tail and kept it tucked inside his tunic. It really was a dead giveaway to one's emotions.
“What are you going to do if the Crimson Fox does decide to attack you for encroaching on his land?” Feng Xin asked.
Xie Lian tilted his head. “So you think he's more than a rumor too?”
“Nothing has happened to me so far." he assured. If anything, construction had gone by quicker than he had expected. Xie Lian had been on such a role he didn’t even remember completing half of it. Talk about being in a flow state!
Neither looked convinced. “Rumor or not, you should be wary. What if he’s just lying in wait until winter?" Mu Qing pointed out," This area gets snowed in every year. Once the season turns, you won't have any method of escape.”
"Your highness…." Feng Xin said gravely concern riddled on his face. "Many have told tale of the Crimson Fox. He is brutal beyond belief. He even goes so far as to dye his tail bright red with the blood of his enemies.”
Sounds a bit extreme, Xie Lian thought. Wouldn't normal hair dye work just fine?
”If that devil finds you here,” Feng Xin continued, “he'll surely attack you on sight. And its said that every animal folk he encounters is killed without mercy, he leaves no survivors."
Xie Lian thought about this. "If no one survives then how would they know if that’s true or not? Anyway, if this Crimson Fox wants me to leave he can always ask. I won't stay where I'm not welcome. Or if he's worried about freeloading, I can offer to pay rent."
Though that would be difficult. After abandoning his role as prince, Xie Lian didn’t have a single gold piece to his name. That’s why he was out here making his home in the forest instead of renting in town like Mu Qing and Feng Xin.
A vein bulged on Mu Qing's forehead. "Do you think this is some kind of joke!?"
Getting no response, Mu Qing angrily waved his hand shooing the butterfly away from Xie Lian thinking it was distracting him. The fur on his tail was standing straight up as if he intended to start a fight.
"Stop being so stubborn! If you're having a fight with the king, then go apologize! There's no reason for you to start living in the forest!" He hissed, then as an afterthought added, "You don’t even have a door on your house!"
Xie Lian turned back and acted surprised. "Oh right! Well… it’s a work in progress."
He would have had time to get around to it if these two hadn't come stomping up demanding answers from him. Xie Lian hadn't told them he was leaving since he knew they would protest, but he should have expected they'd come knocking eventually.
Feng Xin looked even more anxious at this. "You should at least have a door. You're defenseless like this! What if the Crimson Fox comes in the night and catches you off guard?!"
Xie Lian only waved his hand. "I'm not defenseless. You forget I'm a stoat." He said proudly, making a dashing pose showing his strength, "I can take an animal thrice my size without breaking a sweat! If he does come looking for trouble, I'll just fight him off. When was the last time you two could beat me in a dual hm?"
Back in the days when the kingdom was beset by beasts, all three of them were trained in the ways of knights. Shown how to use a sword and combat the creatures, protecting as many citizens as they could. Even now in the time of peace, having experienced those bloody days first hand, they kept up their training.
Before the two could argue more, Xie Lian added. "You both live at the edge of town. If anything truly dangerous happens, I promise to come to you first."
Both still grumbled a bit but, after a few more rounds of persuasion, at last acquiesced. They knew better than to argue with the stubborn crown prince. When Xie Lian sent them on their way Feng Xin’s sharp ears and tail drooped pitifully. While Mu Qing turned his back on him, angrily ignoring his goodbyes.
"I don’t understand how you can stay here after…….” He paused, not able to say it. “At least promise to get a door! Or else don’t come crying to us when you're attacked!"
Mu Qing… you say this, but your tail is gripping my wrist so fiercely….
Once that long black tail finally let go, Mu Qing humphed with finality, flipping his long hair before walking away in a huff.
Feng Xin went to follow after him quickly adding, "One with three locks attached at least! Your highness may be fearsome but you shouldn’t take any chances. You never know when the Crimson Fox will show his bloody face..."
Once they were at last out of eyesight, he went back to maintaining his garden sighing. After the two left, the small silver butterflies drifted back, tickling the tips of his ear and making him laugh. Looking at the forest now compared to how it was back then…. If anything, he owed that Crimson Fox his sincere thanks.
After finishing up, the sun had already begun to set and Xie Lian decided to turn in. He looked at the large hole where a door should have been and shrugged to himself. He would put one together tomorrow. Whether the Crimson Fox was real or not, he wouldn’t be losing sleep anytime soon.
Little did he know, deep in the bushes just outside the clearing, two eyes watched him closely. One as pitch black as night and the other a deep crimson red.
~
Xie Lian tossed and turned all night. In his dreams he saw the forest as it once was all those years ago: dangerous and filled with the scent of blood. With an injured tail, he called out desperately for his parents, but they were nowhere to be seen. Instead, all manner of creatures watched him through the darkness, surrounding him, licking their bloody lips.
Little Xie Lian shook with fear until he was picked up by strong hands. Jun Wu's arms and large leopard’s tail wrapped around him protectively, whisking him away from the bloody sight of his parents at his feet. The dream was a perfect recreation of the day he had lost them. Only in this dream when he looked up at Jun Wu's face, his eyes were not warm and comforting. They were the eyes of a predator, gleaming in satisfaction at having caught his prey.
Xie Lian woke up with a start, his breath coming out in pants. His tunic had fallen open, showing off an exposed collar bone, where he had a thick scar. He rubbed at it his mind still foggy from the dream. With shaking hands, he grasped the bandage he had removed in the night and wrapped it back around his neck.
By the time he had finally composed himself and gotten up, he realized that something was wrong. There wasn’t the same chill that he’d grown used to in the morning, nor could he hear the doves singing outside. Instead, their song was muffled and the inside of his home felt like a warm embrace. This must of course have been because of the large wooden door at the front of his home, sealing it off from the cold morning air.
A large question mark appeared over Xie Lian's forehead. Had he been so restless last night he sleepwalked and made himself a new door? No, that was silly, surely it had been Mu Qing and Feng Xin. Though it surprised him they were able to install it at night without him knowing. Xie Lian was well known as a light sleeper.
He touched the new door, marveling at the fine craftsmanship. With his astute nose he could smell that the wood had been freshly rendered, as if the whole thing had only just been constructed. Along the seam three large bolts hung, all locked, they brought a smile to Xie Lian's face.
So it was those two after all. Though he wasn’t sure how they were able to lock it from the inside.
The weeks that followed in his new home were just as peaceful as before. Xie Lian's garden bloomed and even more silver butterflies came to visit him. Being a stoat he didn’t have any trouble scrounging up the resources from the forest. Rather he found food quite easily. Sometimes even gathered and discarded near his home as if someone didn’t want it.
That morning he found a large basket of water chestnuts at his door, looking dewy and delicious. He thought that perhaps there were more people living in the forest alongside him and maybe mistook his home for a shrine of some sort. Henceforth, his home was dubbed Puqi Shrine in thanks to them.
When he couldn’t find what he needed in the forest however he'd have to travel to town in disguise to gather scraps. Repurposing any old cast offs others didn’t want and trading them for a new tea kettle and other home items.
Sooner than expected the first snow fell signaling the turn of winter. Xie Lian thought it a good a time as any to get some emergency supplies from the village and set off to collect scraps. After a long day of collecting, he hadn't gotten more than a thin blanket and frowned.
"Well…. At least it's better than nothing." Still even in the middle of the day it was growing rather cold and Xie Lian dreaded thinking about sleeping through another chilly night. Perhaps he should ask Mu Qing and Feng Xin if he could share their home for the winter season…..
But Xie Lian was a bit stubborn and refused this idea. He had decided that day when he left the kingdom that he would make it on his own. If he went to his friends at the first sign of trouble that would defeat the purpose of doing this. Not to mention if he went to those two it would naturally make its way back to Jun Wu. Xie Lian frowned and hardened his heart for another cold night at the shrine.
Thankfully on his way back his luck turned and an old man pulling an ox cart full of hay offered him a ride. He happily excepted and nuzzled into the hay at the back of the cart, feeling his cold round ears warm slightly.
On the ride back nestled in the hay with only his head sticking out Xie Lian sorted through his belongings deciding what should be sold and what could be kept.
"This tea cup isn't too dusty, and this scroll can be sold and these ears……..ears?"
Amongst his scraps two bright red fox ears poked out of the hay, seamlessly blending in as part of his collection. They twitched slightly at being noticed and Xie Lian smiled to himself. He gave the ears a small stroke and felt they were incredibly soft to the touch.
After being stroked a face popped out of the hay following the ears. A youth, with soft black eyes and long lashes gazed up at him. At the corner of his eyes were two striking bolts of red, signaling his fox lineage. Just as Xie Lian expected it was a silly little fox!
Xie Lian chuckled and spoke warmly. "Now what's a little red fox doing here buried in a pile of hay?"
The fox in turn smiled widely at him a hint of mischievousness in his eyes. "Just playing a little prank. Was xiansheng surprised?"
"Oh I was indeed, this prank of yours is quite good. But what are you doing on the back of this ox cart to begin with?"
The youth came out properly then. Xie Lian watched as he extricating long attractive legs from the hay. The fox was wearing a fine red tunic, with delicate silver embroidery on the hem and collar. His sleeves were wide with dainty white ruffles peeking out, denoting that this man must be a nobleman or at least a nobleman's son. Xie Lian already thought this youth was quite eye catching when a huge fluffy tail followed him out.
The red mass bobbed up and down excitedly as the youth sat cross legged on top of the hay. Gob smacked Xie Lian popped himself up to join him, staring at that large tail. It looked so full and soft, with a tiny tip of white, anyone would be desperate for a touch and Xie Lian was no exception.
Once the youth was settled he spoke, "Recently you see, I wasn’t happy at home, so I've run off to explore on my own. I'm the third born son of a noble so you can call me San Lang."
Xie Lian introduced himself in turn, not hiding his true name. He was curious if this youth would recognize him as the crown prince or not, but San Lang's expression didn’t change so Xie Lian went on.
"This ox cart is going to the far edge of town towards the forest. I fear there won't be many places for San Lang to explore there."
"Worry not that’s where this humble fox means to go. Many inns are wary of red foxes like me these days, so I plan to make camp in the forest for the time being."
This was true, many had reservations around red foxes since rumors of the Crimson Fox began popping up. There was even wild speculation that the creature could change its form to fool its chosen prey and that it may use other red foxes as its lackies.
Xie Lian thought on this, "hmm you're not worried about the Crimson Fox?"
The youth only shrugged his shoulders. "I figure if he does exist he may be more merciful towards his own kind. How about gege? Since you're headed to the forest as well, aren't you afraid of the Crimson Fox?"
Xie Lian couldn’t help but twitch his round ears at “gege”. "Not especially. Who knows if those rumors are true or not. I certainly haven't had any bad experiences so far." Xie Lian said softly.
Now outside the hay Xie Lian couldn’t help but shiver in the cold. A small flurry of snow landed on his round ear and he flicked it irritably. Then his eyes swept over the youth. While San Lang's clothes were of good fine quality there weren't many layers and Xie Lian thought he must be cold too. Since he found this young man rather agreeable he changed the topic and made the youth an offer. "Winter has come early, since San Lang has nowhere to go, why not stay at my home for a bit? It will be much warmer than a tent."
San Lang perked up his tail wagging with excitement. "Gege wouldn’t mind taking in a fox?"
"Not at all." Xie Lian said with certainty. He felt no ill will towards this little fox and didn’t find him the least bit dangerous. "Though my home is very small. Probably not what San Lang is used to."
"Oh this fox is sure he'll like it very much!"
~
After leaving the ox cart San Lang quickly nabbed up Xie Lian's sack of scraps and went ahead, making Xie Lian think he really was a sweet little fox if not a bit mischievous. Once Puqi Shrine came into view however, Xie Lian couldn’t help but feel slightly concerned. He was worried that San Lang had recognized him and was expecting a manor fit for a crown prince. Perhaps when coming face to face with this run down establishment San lang would even think a tent was a better option.
However, when they did at last reach the dwelling San Lang only looked around curiously. Admiring the garden which was covered to protect it from the cold and running his hands along the wood of the walls.
San Lang turned to smile at him. "A humble home is best. It's easier to warm the inside after all. This fox likes it very much. Gege is impressive, building something like this on his own. I certainly could never pull it off."
Xie Lian didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Even faced with this haphazardly made shack, this youth was very polite. He knew then he had definitely made the right choice inviting him. The snow began to fall harder and Xie Lian ushered the fox inside.
"What a nice door." San Lang said in passing.
"En." Xie Lian agreed, "It's very sturdy and keeps the chill out well. I'm grateful for it."
San Lang only smiled and said nothing else.
As San Lang placed Xie Lian's sack of scraps down the stoat was quick to start a fire for his kind guest. The air inside Puqi Shrine began to warm, and soon the chill was chased away. Xie Lian looked forlornly at his sack with only one thin blanket and lamented that it would not be so comfortable tonight as he wished.
Thinking on this Xie Lian said, "There's only one bed, I hope San Lang won't mind sharing."
"Not at all. It will be warmer with the two of us anyway no?" His thoughts matched Xie Lian's own and the crown prince nodded agreeably.
Imagining sharing a bed reminded Xie Lian of when he lost his parents. Back then he often couldn’t get to sleep. Every shadow cast fear into his heart, he was very little after all and had yet to be trained in the ways of combat. The only way he could sleep was in a pile cuddled up with Feng Xin and Mu Qing. In the pile Xie Lian slept very deeply only able to be roused by Mu Qing's coarse tongue between his brows. It was a bittersweet memory, but one that still made him smile.
"My thoughts exactly. With his tail I bet San Lang doesn’t get cold too easily either."
San Lang nodded in agreement, "No, my tail is very thick and soft." He waved his fluffy tail around showing it off and smiled knowingly. "Would gege like to feel it?"
A flush ran down Xie Lian's face, he really really did. In fact, he had been thinking about it for the entire cart ride. "W-why don’t I make us some warming soup!" Xie Lian offered instead.
Mostly Xie Lian just wanted to do something with his hands. Xie Lian had already touched the youths ears and felt how soft they were. It was better his hands that itched to touch not act inappropriately.
The youth didn’t dwell on it. "This San Lang would love some soup. Shall I help gege?"
"No, no. You're my guest. Please sit and warm yourself."
San Lang did as he was told and sat in a relaxed manner next to the table. The youth was so carefree that even in someone else's house he looked right at home. His long legs splayed next to him warming by the fire while his fluffy red tail swayed back and forth framing his thighs. Xie Lian's eyes strayed on those long legs for a few seconds too long, and he coughed in embarrassment before turning to cut vegetables.
The two chatted amiably about nothing in particular. Shifting between the kinds of crops Xie Lian kept outside and what foods the two liked.
"Does gege have a tail?"
"I do, but I don't show it off much. It's not very large," he confided.
San Lang hummed, still looking a bit curious, but smartly changed the subject. He gestured to Xie Lian's sack of scraps. “What did gege buy in town?”
“Just an extra blanket for the chill.”
As he set the pot of soup to boil he thought that he'd may not need it as much now with San Lang sharing his bed. Though the thought made his body feel oddly tingly.
“You can have it for tonight. I wouldn’t want my guest to be cold.”
“No, this is your dwelling. We'd be warmer if we shared. If gege wouldn’t mind of course.”
The blanket wasn’t too long. To share it they'd have to get rather close. Xie Lian's round ears went a bit pink, looking obvious against his white fur.
"No…. I wouldn’t mind…." This was winter after all. The most important thing was keeping warm even if they had to resort to slightly awkward methods.
By the time the soup was done the sun had fallen beneath the horizon and snow fell in heaps outside. Looking out the window Xie Lian thought they had had perfect timing. The roads out of the forest would be completely covered by morning, and he doubted they could have made it in or out if their timing had been any different.
"With this heavy snow San Lang may need to stay here for a while. At least until the roads clear." Xie Lian served San Lang as he spoke, his voice apologetic. He wasn’t sure how long the youth had wished to stay but spending all winter here probably wasn’t on his agenda.
"Gege has food and heat, this fox couldn’t ask for a better place to spend the winter." The carefree youth said honestly. "I'll try to pull my weight too. Anything gege needs me to do around the home San Lang will accomplish."
"Hmm, San Lang really is quite the polite young man," Xie Lian said smiling. Then he sat down across from him and drank some soup himself. He paused, Is soup supposed to be this gelatinous?
He looked to San Lang as he drank in turn, but the youth's expression didn’t change. That smiling nonchalant expression on his face hadn't shifted since Xie Lian met him. He only licked his lips, giving Xie Lian his first look at his long sharp canines. Those teeth were the kind that could rend flesh in an instant.
"Gege is a very good cook."
Xie Lian said nothing and let the sounds of the crackling fire fill their evening. His eyes were focused on those teeth, exposing the fox's predatory nature. Stoats were not herbivores so it wasn’t that Xie Lian had any reservations sharing his home with a predator. But those teeth reminded Xie Lian of all the stories of the Crimson Fox. When it was winter time in the forest, where did the Crimson Fox go? Did he also have a little home somewhere deep in the woods, with a roaring fire and a warm bed?
As if sensing where his thoughts were going San Lang spoke up, putting his bowl of soup down. He looked pensive, "If the Crimson Fox does come gege will protect this San Lang right?"
Xie Lian smiled warmly at him. "Of course. Though something tells me San Lang could hold his own just fine."
"En! I'm a fox myself after all. We're very protective of our homes and loved ones."
Xie Lian wanted to point out he was currently neither in his own home nor with loved ones but refrained. Turning the conversation instead towards other things. He very much wanted to learn all about this strange little fox.
Later the two got into bed. Xie Lian felt a little embarrassed as he pulled the small blanket over them both. Though he couldn’t go back into town, he'd try to find some way to keep them warmer tomorrow. Perhaps he could go hunting and find a pelt. Or maybe forage some moss.
At this thought Xie Lian was overtaken with a soft warmth, that enveloped his whole body. Looking down, San Lang's fluffy red tail was laid over his side, covering him up and keeping him warm.
San Lang looked at that tail of his guiltily. “Sorry gege…. Sometimes it has a mind of its own.”
“San Lang's tail is so soft. It's very nice. I don’t mind it.” He said honestly, relishing in the full body warmth.
In the dark San Lang's voice was barely a whisper. His usual mischievous tone becoming a deep purr. “Then I hope it keeps gege extra warm tonight.”
It did indeed keep him warm, and sooner than he expected his eyes began to droop. Though San Lang was still a stranger he felt inexplicably safe next to him and quickly began dozing off. Though in the back of his mind something was nagging at Xie Lian, a stray thought that he couldn’t pin down. Only as sleep overtook him did it at last click in his mind.
"….Gege is impressive, building something like this on his own…."
Had Xie Lian told the youth he was the one that built this place?