Help needed

On the other side, Hu Xiaocui, frightened by the wolf, had scared away the big white rabbit. She channeled her demonic power into the earth, blasting out a pit two meters deep, then used her magic to conjure bamboo and straw.

“Wretched big bad wolf, you dared scare away my little rabbit friend! Let’s see how I deal with you this time!”

As she set up her trap, Hu Xiaocui muttered to herself, scattering leaves atop the pit. Then, forming her fingers into a sword, she channeled her power, and in the center of the trap, a white rabbit appeared.

“Alright, done!” Hu Xiaocui clapped her hands and hid herself nearby.

Meanwhile, with Wang Hongzhi.

“Master, your eye is sharp indeed, a plump rabbit.”

Just now, Wang Hongzhi had shot an arrow, and naturally a servant ran to fetch the prey, holding a large white rabbit whose blood dripped from its thigh.

“How did the rabbit get hurt?” Wang Yuanfeng looked at the rabbit, then turned to Wang Hongzhi, saying, “Father, can we let it go?”

“Yuanfeng, kindness alone isn’t enough. Most important is a wise heart.”

Wang Hongzhi nodded, then instructed the servant, “Release it.”

“Yes, Master.” The servant replied and hurried away to set the rabbit free.

“Alright, let’s continue hunting. Move along,” said Wang Hongzhi, riding ahead.

After they departed, the white rabbit’s bleeding stopped, and it hopped away lively; Wang Yuanfeng glanced back at it. Finding it interesting, Wang Yuanfeng dismounted, letting his horse follow Wang Hongzhi and the others, and chased after the rabbit.

He followed it to Hu Xiaocui’s trap. Seeing the white rabbit, Wang Yuanfeng didn’t hesitate and rushed to grab it. As he reached for the rabbit in the trap, suddenly his foot slipped, and with a startled cry, he fell straight into the pit.

“Big bad wolf, let’s see where you run now! If I don’t beat you this time, I’ll renounce my surname!” Hu Xiaocui emerged at Wang Yuanfeng’s cry, inspected the trap, and declared its success.

“Stinking wolf, come out! Huh? It’s a person?” She parted the straw and saw Wang Yuanfeng’s head, her face darkening.

“Help!” Wang Yuanfeng called out to her.

“How did you end up in my trap? Let me pull you out, grab my hand,” Hu Xiaocui reluctantly extended her hand and helped him out.

“You nuisance, you ruined my carefully laid trap!” She pulled him up, poking his chest with her finger in frustration.

“What are you doing?” Hu Xiaocui stared at Wang Yuanfeng, who simply gazed back at her.

“Sister, you’re so beautiful. Who are you?” Wang Yuanfeng grinned foolishly.

“Me? I’m none other than a fairy from the heavens.” Hearing his words, Hu Xiaocui blushed slightly and pointed skyward. But Wang Yuanfeng’s next words brought her back down to earth.

“A fairy? Then I must be a fairy prince!” Wang Yuanfeng looked up at the sky.

“A fairy prince? Are there fairy princes in heaven?” Hu Xiaocui still hadn’t realized Wang Yuanfeng was a fool.

“Mother said I’m grown up now and should know the difference between men and women. You’re a woman, I’m a man. You’re a fairy maiden, so I’m a fairy prince. Like bride and groom, a pair.”

His words made Hu Xiaocui frown.

“So, you’re a fool after all.”

—

Hu Xiaocui pondered for a moment before her brow relaxed.

“My father said it’s rude to call people fools. Call me Yuanfeng—‘Yuan’ as in Lantern Festival, ‘Feng’ as in abundance.” Wang Yuanfeng spoke with innocent sincerity.

“So you really are a simpleton!” Hu Xiaocui laughed, but Wang Yuanfeng’s next question darkened her mood.

“Simpleton? Are simpleton, winter melon, watermelon, and pumpkin brothers?” Wang Yuanfeng asked with genuine confusion.

“Mm! Whoever marries you will be the north melon, and then you’ll be a pair, matched perfectly.” Hu Xiaocui said with a dark face, turning to leave.

“Wait, fairy sister, where are you going?” Wang Yuanfeng called after her.

“I? I’m hungry now, I’m going back to the celestial realm to eat peaches of immortality!” Hu Xiaocui ran off, unwilling to continue the conversation, afraid it might lower her own intelligence.

“Yuanfeng!”

“Young Master!”

“Yuanfeng!”

“Young Master!”

Voices called out.

“Father, I’m here!” Wang Yuanfeng shouted.

“Yuanfeng, how could you run off alone? What are you doing here?” Wang Hongzhi felt relieved upon hearing his son’s voice.

“I was looking for the rabbit, and then I met a fairy!” Wang Yuanfeng recalled Hu Xiaocui’s beauty and smiled.

“A fairy? Where is she now?” Wang Hongzhi thought it might be the white fox he once rescued, for only she remained ageless.

“She said she was hungry and went to the heavenly palace for peaches,” Wang Yuanfeng answered, disappointing Wang Hongzhi.

“Master, let me guide the young master. We must be careful now—this is the Bamboo Grove, a famous maze. We might easily get lost,” the servant advised with experience.

“No, wait, is this really the Bamboo Grove?” Wang Hongzhi’s goal was the Bamboo Cave, and hearing this, he knew they had found the right place.

“Yes, Master, this is indeed the Bamboo Grove. We should be cautious and not lose our way,” the servant replied.

“You all go to the stream and let the horses drink. I’ll take the young master for a walk over there,” Wang Hongzhi said, leading Wang Yuanfeng into the grove.

“Yes, Master,” the servants replied.

Wang Hongzhi and Wang Yuanfeng walked for a long time, circling endlessly. Suddenly, the jade pendant in Wang Hongzhi’s bosom flew out, guiding them to the Bamboo Cave. Wang Hongzhi raised his hand and took the pendant, realizing they’d arrived.

Outside stood a stone fox and the name Bamboo Cave inscribed.

“Come, let’s go in,” Wang Hongzhi said, pulling Yuanfeng along.

“Benefactor, please enter,” Hu Yujie’s voice echoed from within the cave.

—

“Benefactor, you have finally come. Whatever you seek, speak freely, and this little fox will help you.” Hu Yujie looked at Wang Hongzhi, now aged, and felt a pang of emotion.

“Fox Immortal Lady, I... I... I don’t know where to begin.” Wang Hongzhi bowed with clasped fists.

“Benefactor, you have wealth, fame, and family. It must be for your son that you’ve come?” Hu Yujie could see Wang Hongzhi’s heart was troubled, and would not expose his flaws.

“Exactly, exactly, Fox Immortal Lady, you truly voice my innermost thoughts. You are so perceptive!” Wang Hongzhi bowed again, excited.

“To make him wise, like you, is a task as difficult as reaching the heavens. Benefactor, you should return,” Hu Yujie said with a wave.

“Wait, Fox Immortal Lady, please wait.” Wang Hongzhi pulled Yuanfeng to his knees, hands raised. “I, Wang, do not seek my son to be a great scholar. I only wish for him to be enlightened, to live as an ordinary man, so he may one day find a wife to care for him, and perhaps continue our family line.”

“Even just enlightenment may be beyond mortal help,” Hu Yujie said, though she wished to assist, she knew not how.

“Then... then... does this mean my son will live his life in muddled mediocrity?” Wang Hongzhi had hoped for help, but Hu Yujie had none to offer.

“Benefactor, do not be too saddened. Your wealth ensures your son will never want. What he lacks is only a good wife. In this, I will help you as best I can. Return home now,” Hu Yujie changed the focus of his request.

“Thank you, Fox Immortal Lady.” Wang Hongzhi, pulling Yuanfeng, left the Bamboo Cave.

“Fox Immortal Lady, we will take our leave now,” Wang Hongzhi said, not forgetting to express his gratitude.

—

“Little Fox, Yingyue, greet Yujie.” Soon after Wang Hongzhi left, another woman arrived, holding a whisk, and knelt.

“I have no interest in taking you as my disciple. Be gone,” Hu Yujie saw through her intent at a glance.

“Wait, Yingyue has long heard of Yujie, known for seeking the world’s magical artifacts. Recently, it was said the Cloud Temple held the Lamp of the World, but it has vanished. Now I have found a whisk, once used by the True Lord of Pine Pavilion. I hope it may aid you,” Yingyue said, offering the whisk.

“Do you truly wish to be my disciple?” Hu Yujie declined to accept the whisk.

“Of course, I am wholly sincere,” Yingyue nodded vigorously.

“Very well, come closer,” Hu Yujie stood, hands behind her back.

Yingyue, elated, rose and bowed slightly before Hu Yujie, looking up at her.

“Demon, you are full of evil aura and ill intent. A mere whisk, and you wish to be my disciple? You ask for trouble!” Hu Yujie waved her hand, sending a surge of demonic power to drive Yingyue out of the cave.

Hu Yujie was truly infuriated. She now knew that Li Xintian possessed the righteous energy of the heavens, and she herself had done nothing to harm anyone. She could not stand those fox spirits who harmed others, and showed no mercy.

“Ah!”

“Wretched fox demon, old monster! How dare you treat me so! One day I’ll make you pay!” Yingyue spat blood and cursed at the entrance of the Bamboo Cave.