Chapter 13: The Fox’s Redemption

“Why aren’t you two saying anything?”

After dragging the silent Bai Luomeng home, Lu Renjia looked with confusion at the two siblings, who sat across from each other on the sofa, exchanging glances.

Lu Renjia glanced at Bai Luomeng, who was busying herself in the kitchen, then quietly shut the kitchen door.

“Alright, alright. Since neither of you wants to speak, I’ll start the conversation.”

“Wait…”

Bai Zhenyu, who had long witnessed Lu Renjia’s sharp tongue, wanted to stop this kid from saying something outrageous, but on second thought, he let him talk. After all, he was curious to know just how much Lu Renjia knew.

“A long, long time ago, in the imperial capital, there were three siblings in the Bai family. The eldest brother was majestic and imposing, steady and methodical in his actions, always a person the family could be proud of.”

The siblings kept straight faces, listening.

“However, they were not born of the same mother. Only the second brother and the third sister were full siblings.”

The siblings’ expressions turned subtle. This was not something that could be discussed openly.

“The story begins with the youngest sister of the Bai family. That year, the pearl of Bai shone with unparalleled grace, outshining all others. She truly enjoyed the blessings of life, taking in all the splendor of the world.”

Bai Luomeng’s mother wore a nostalgic look, reminiscing about her glorious past. Bai Zhenyu sighed quietly, thinking that time is indeed a knife.

“That year, a scholar came to the capital. He had a handsome face, a straight posture, and extraordinary disposition. But a fine-looking man was a dime a dozen in the opulent imperial capital. The youngest sister of Bai did not fall in love with him for that.”

“Then…”

“It was a rainy day…” Bai Luomeng’s mother took over the story, her voice tinged with nostalgia and warmth as she whispered, “Braving the rain, I met him reading in a pavilion.

He was quietly absorbed in Lu Xun’s ‘Dawn Blossoms Plucked at Dusk,’ not even noticing me, soaked through, until I couldn’t help but sneeze. Only then did he startle and notice there was someone else beside me…”

As she spoke, she smiled softly, and despite the years and hardships, the tenderness of that time could still be glimpsed.

“What followed was the typical cliché tale of a gifted scholar and a beautiful maiden.” Lu Renjia impatiently skipped over the plot and jumped straight to the beginning of the whole story.

“The Bai family actually didn’t approve of the marriage. The youngest Bai daughter already had an engagement arranged, though they never told her. Little did they expect she would secretly pledge herself to a poor student.”

The siblings had just been enjoying the memory of their past, smiling, when Lu Renjia, that insensitive brute, cut them off.

‘Second brother, you were right, this kid really is a little rascal…’

Lu Renjia ignored the subtle look Bai Luomeng’s mother gave him. After all, from start to finish, he only cared about Bai Luomeng. The others didn’t matter.

No way. I’m here to fix Bai Luomeng’s aversion to men, not to win anyone else’s favor.

Under that intense gaze, Lu Renjia remained impassive and continued, “To be with her beloved, the two endured countless grievances and exhausted every idea they had. Just when they thought they had no options left, an opportunity arose.”

Bai Zhenyu also realized this was the key turning point Lu Renjia was getting at.

“The old master of the Bai family suddenly fell gravely ill. The pillar upholding the entire family had collapsed. Amid the grave concern and worried faces, an unknown man stepped forward. No one knew what he did that day, except for the old master.”

“All they knew was that he miraculously brought the old master back to health, and in return, the Bai family agreed to let the man marry their youngest daughter.”

“But the story didn’t end there. After the youngest daughter gave birth to a child, the old master of the Bai family fell ill once more.”

At this point, the atmosphere in the room began to grow heavy. Bai Zhenyu, who had only just begun to feel a familiar closeness with his sister, couldn’t bring himself to look at her.

“The man was puzzled. Logically, the old master should never suffer from illness again. But for the sake of giving his wife and daughter a comfortable life, he went anyway to check on the old master’s condition.”

Lu Renjia sighed. “The human heart is sinister and impossible to guard against. This was a hunt aimed at him!”

“The man turned out to be a fox demon. His vital essence and blood could not only cure any ailment but also prolong life!”

“Since ancient times, heroes growing old and beauties turning gray are things to lament. But there are always those who want to break the laws of nature, craving immortality!”

“A man of such caliber as the old master Bai also lost his integrity in the face of death. And so, a scheme quietly took shape.”

Bai Zhenyu’s face darkened at the words. Bai Luomeng’s mother couldn’t help but weep, covering her face with her hands, sobbing quietly. When Bai Zhenyu heard the mention of the fox demon, he knew that Lu Renjia was no ordinary man.

How could anyone ordinary know so much? Looks like we’ve really met someone out of the ordinary this time.

“The youngest sister of Bai heard that her husband had been captured, and she realized what was happening. She fled with her child in a panic. But with the capital full of talents, how could a woman with a child escape so easily?”

“Her good-for-nothing brother played no small part in it.”

“Brother…”

Hearing this, Bai Luomeng’s mother couldn’t help but embrace Bai Zhenyu, who wore a wry smile, and burst into tears. It turned out her brother had never given up on her. She had been thinking ill of him all along.

“Although the mother managed to escape with her child, the greed of others didn’t let them off. The Bai family put a high bounty on their heads. The poor widow and orphan child were forced to hide and run, always brushing against danger. The perils they faced are beyond words.”

“Eighteen years they lived like that!”

Bai Zhenyu’s eyes reddened at this. He ran his fingers over his sister’s rough hands, which bore scars from working odd jobs.

This was the pearl who once captivated the entire capital with her beauty and grace!

“What’s even harder to imagine is that the fox demon never died. He endured the torment of having his blood drained and his marrow extracted, sustained only by the single obsession of seeing his wife and daughter again.”

“Bai Zhi…”

Bai Luomeng’s mother covered her face, unable to contain herself. This was the day she had cried the most in eighteen years.

Even after fleeing her homeland, forced to swallow her pain to keep her daughter happy, she had never let go so completely.

Grief and longing had already taken their toll, leaving this mother gravely ill…

“As the fox demon’s essence and marrow became less and less effective, the Bai family grew desperate to find the escaped child. But in the process, they discovered something startling.”

“A paradise, a blessed land on earth.”

Bai Zhenyu stared grimly at the calm, composed Lu Renjia, his scalp tingling.

This information could not possibly be known to an ordinary person. This kid knows more than I do.

“So instead of searching for the fox demon’s daughter, who was who knows where, finding a way into this heavenly realm became their top priority.”

“The Bai family joined forces with other families to develop it. They called it the ‘Search for Immortality.'”

“And once they found a special method, entering that blessed realm known as the Spirit Realm was no longer an impossible dream.”

“That method was to drain every last bit of value from the fox demon and sacrifice the dying creature in a blood ritual to forge a blade.”

“The Cursed Blade, Huang Quan!” Bai Zhenyu blurted out. “That blade is too cursed. Ordinary people go mad the moment they touch it, and even a grandmaster can’t withstand it for long.”

“Only by sacrificing the fox demon’s flesh and soul could it be used!”

‘So that’s how it was. No wonder the Moon-Swallowing Fox Lord’s destined imperial weapon was later called the Demon Blade, Blood Fox!’

Lu Renjia sneered. Those old fools, blinded by their obsession with immortality, could never have predicted that everything would one day serve as a dowry for the future Bai Luomeng.

“Do you know why I asked you to come?”

“Why?”

“The blood sacrifice of the fox demon is scheduled for next month.” Lu Renjia opened up a news report playing on the screen.

“Next month, there will be a rare celestial phenomenon. All you astronomy enthusiasts, don’t forget to observe the red moon…”

“That’s the day the fox demon will die completely.”

Determination flickered in Lu Renjia’s eyes. This time, he would reverse the key fate that had bound Bai Luomeng and give her the ending she deserved.

“Well then… we’ll listen to you!” Bai Zhenyu sighed, surprised he knew less than someone so completely unrelated to them.

“Brother… you have to go save Bai Zhi!”

Bai Luomeng’s mother, tears now flowing freely, pleaded with her brother.

“I’ll do my best.”

Bai Zhenyu could only place all his hopes on this brash young man now.

“Okay, enough of that.”

Lu Renjia took a sip of water, ready to eat.

“All this talking has made me starving.”

“Let’s eat, let’s eat!”

When Lu Renjia opened the door, there was Bai Luomeng, kneeling on the ground, her eyes brimming with tears.

“Is it true?”

“Mm. It’s true.”

Lu Renjia didn’t bother to help her up. His eyes were fixed on the food.

“Don’t worry. With me around, victory is guaranteed!”

“Are we going to win?”

“We will!”

The young man handed the young woman a steaming bowl of rice, making a promise with careless ease.

“I’ve got this!”

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