He lowered his head, rubbing the sting out of his eyes, refusing to shed tears for tragedies endured lifetimes ago.
For a single heartbeat he recalled the screams of a wife he had once loved with all his heart and their youngest children burning in the inferno of his enemies, before he and WiFu consigned them all to oblivion.
And then it was gone. The painful agony of a scream trapped in his chest was all that remained.
And the flash of a face so like Liu Li’s own.
A girl he would save at all costs.
For the sake of his friend. For the sake of a wife left to die a thousand years ago.
She would not die again.
Never again.
One way or another, he would make his way to Baidushi.
No matter what it took.
“Easy, little fox! Our enemies have revealed their play. Time we now have. But no room for mistakes. You must forge yourself into a weapon worthy of the trials to come.”
“Alex?” Jidihu’s soft voice held a mother’s concern.
“I’m fine. Just felt a bit dizzy for a second. So, what’s our plan?”
Jidihu flashed a relieved smile. “I can only imagine how much this pains you, and I am truly grateful for your understanding. Since all of us are forbidden from setting foot in Baidushi, I think it’s high time I put into effect that which I’ve been preparing for many years.”
Alex raised an eyebrow. “You’re not heading back to Yidushi to take back the reins of power?”
Jidihu’s throaty chuckle sent shivers down his spine. “And deny Elder Ying his promised fun? I wouldn’t dream of it.” Her smile hardened. “Too much is at stake here, Alex. The Jianghu have their fingers in a dozen deadly pies, and if divine opponents were to see even one as a transgression...” She shivered.
“I will risk no kitsune daughter of my clan nor Ruidian ally in the purges I fear will come sooner, rather than later. Though I never would have let Elder Ying rise as far as he has if he were any kind of fool. He is prudent enough to ease off certain enterprises and play the peacekeeper better than Yidushi’s own rather indifferent city guard, and thus he shall be judged more of an asset than a liability, even if worse comes to worst, and college and council both turn against us.”
“Sounds like a good plan.”
She nodded. “It is. We are enjoying our ascent, but I have been playing this game for many, many years. A downturn is all but inevitable. But if Ying plays the cards I have dealt him with any degree of skill, the fall will be gentle and it will affect us but lightly.” She then winked. “Of course, he knows better than to deny his silent shareholder her modest monthly stipend, sent to a dozen different merchant accounts. But absolutely no one will be able to say that any kitsune noblewoman involved herself in dangerous affairs that were none of her concern.”
“Very smart. I hope Elder Ying proves worthy of his new role. What now?”
“Now, dear Alex, we head for a cozy little valley that no one, save me and my chosen, have set foot in for centuries.”
“It sounds remote.”
“It is beyond remote, surrounded by peril and danger on all sides, till sanctuary is reached. Though my chosen and I know the way, anyone else would face the peril of multiple Silver-ranked greater spirit beasts, and one Gold Matron it is fortunate indeed that I struck an accord with, well over a century ago.”
Alex winced, finally sensing the trap closing in. He covered for his momentary lapse with a nod that was almost a bow, his mind racing as he quickly reformulated his own plans. “That sounds beyond impressive.”
“Oh, it is! And I have no doubt that you and the girl you have chosen will forge many happy memories living and growing within our hidden little paradise.” Jidihu flashed her most charming smile. “Alex?”
“Yes?”
“Can I count on having you by our side?”
Alex forced himself to smile. “You entrusted me with your entire library! Of course I’ll help square it all away for you.”
She chuckled softly at that. “I did indeed. I can’t tell you how happy I am to be able to count on you, Alex. With any luck, the horses will be rested after an afternoon nap. So, if you’d like to stretch your legs before we head out, you’re more than welcome to.” Her warm gaze hardened. “But your beloved has to stay here.”
Alex’s cheeks flushed, his heart pounding.
So, she did understand then.
Good.
Alex bowed his head, pulling out his wondrous tome of shimmering darkness and light.
Alex solemnly placed it in a surprised Jidihu’s hands. “So long as you take care of the girls I love, you have my permission to use this tome as you see fit.” He flashed a playful smile. “Should you ever betray or harm Hao Chan, Hao Yin, Qie Qie, Yinzi, or their offspring, may the knowledge within fry your soul to ash.”
And for the first and what he could only hope the last time, he saw an assassin’s killing fury in her gaze.
He solemnly bowed his head. “A gift from your ultimate sire.” With that, he pulled free a pendant of gold shaped like a fox.
Killing gaze gone as fast as it had appeared, Jidihu peered at the pendant in wonder.
“Alex?” Fury, awe, and confusion were all resonating within that one word.
Alex forced a smile, for all that his heart pounded with terror, knowing how easy it would be for her to kill him. “Do you recall the exact nature of that which is forbidden?”
Jidihu furrowed her brow. “I woke with the knowledge that we dare not interfere with what must transpire in Baidushi.”
Alex sighed. “And what if I were to tell you that the stakes were far higher than one girl?”
Jidihu clenched her jaw, eyes blazing once more, though her anger, thankfully, was under control. “Would you really risk the gods’ own wrath, boy? If you dare breach that which is forbidden, we all pay the price!”
Alex nodded. “What were their exact words, Jidihu?”
She gave a frustrated shake of her head. “That no Ruidian, trueblood, or kitsune may enter Baidushi, or deliberately aid anyone in entering Baidushi, with the express intentions of crossing the will of the gods. Gods that could crush us all as easily as you would crush a bug with the heel of your boot!”
Alex nodded. “Do you understand what they’ve done to your tribe?”
Jidihu clenched her jaw. “Of course,” she spat out, eyes flashing. “Do you truly think anyone chooses the assassin’s path without being forged in bitter tears and blackest hate?”
Alex matched her fierce smile with his own, glad she had cloaked them in Shadow since the moment their conversation had begun. “I hate them just as much as you,” he whispered. “Now answer me this final question. What race am I?”
Alex turned away from a stunned-looking Jidihu, now gazing down at a teary-eyed Hao Chan, no longer bothering to feign sleep.
“You’re leaving me, aren’t you?”
Soft words that speared his heart.
Alex swallowed, lowering his gaze, holding her hand in his own. “Where I go… you’re not permitted to follow.”
“Why?” Hao Chan’s desperate cry filled the now gloomy darkness all around them.
“Because it is forbidden,” said Jidihu’s voice, as cold and hard as the mistress of death that she was. “No daughter of the fox or trueblooded child is permitted to interfere in the game our enemies now embrace.”
“Or Ruidian,” said the hard-eyed Ning Jing who had also stepped from inky blackness upon the carriage-top, Yinzi by her side.
Alex flashed the crimson eyed girl a gentle smile. “I hope you master the tome I have gifted to your mother on behalf of all kitsune, Yinzi. With it, you will one day ascend to Gold. I’m sure of it.”
“You’re really leaving us?” Yinzi asked, her forlorn voice an odd counterpoint to Hao Chan’s sobs as she squeezed Alex tight in a desperate hug he couldn’t help but return, heart breaking just looking into her tear-filled gaze.
Alex forced a nod,
swallowing the lump in his throat. He kissed soft lips and did his best to ease Hao Chan’s tears. “It’s okay,” he soothed, forcing a soft chuckle. “It’s better this way. Believe me. We court disaster every time we see each other. But if we’re apart until we reach Silver…
“I don’t want you to go!” Plaintive words that melted his heart.
He kissed her with a passion he never dared reveal before. “I’m sorry.”
She broke down in sobs.
Ning Jing’s brittle laughter washed over them all. “Such drama. As if this foolish, delusional boy was going anywhere!”
“Ning Jing?”
The scowling assassin turned to face her former lover.
“What race is Alex?”
“Ruidian!” The woman spat. “No question.” Then she gasped, truly looking into her lover’s eyes. “Wait… are you saying he isn’t?”
The pair of women stood frozen in that tableau for long moments.
Alex wasn’t such a fool as to waste another moment, giving Hao Chan a final squeeze.
“Alex, wait! You don’t have to go now! We are thousands of miles away from Baidushi! Why are you leaving so soon?”
Alex flashed a bitter smile. “Because the gods are not fools, not even the ones that would destroy us, that we would like to think easily outsmarted. I think they play a deeper game than perhaps even my master realizes.”
Hao Chan frowned in consternation. “That doesn’t make any sense!”
“Sure it does. You are all forbidden from involving yourselves in Baidushi. Even if you happen to know a fool able to skirt past this restriction, if your magic carriage accelerates his training and eases his journey, and you know this, how are you not aiding him in his goals, and thus acting at cross purposes to the gods? Gods who swore to extend mercy only for so long as you all kept yourselves out of this?”
Even Ning Jing froze before her scathing retort could slip free of her lips.
“Ooh. I think Alex is on to something!” declared Yinzi, clapping her hands excitedly. “Those bullies were only pretending to let WiFu outsmart them. Really, they were setting Alex and all of us up, so the minute Alex enters Baidushi, everyone on this wagon is divinely busted for aiding and abetting, even if Alex is too tricky a fish for them to catch! And maybe Father was just pretending that they were outsmarting him, not saying a word, counting on Alex’s invisible soul to sense the true thrust of their attack!”
She furrowed her pretty snow-white brows. “Or maybe I’m way overthinking it, and nothing will happen if all we do is give you a stupid carriage ride, Alex, and those fools have no idea how powerful your belief after a hundred lifetimes truly is. Especially if it lets you actually fool yourself into thinking you’re not a Ruidian when you so clearly are, so you won’t even trigger the black gongs of a god’s doom when you enter Baidushi!”
Her momentary excitement turned to an apologetic wince. “But considering that a million inquisitorial fanatics eager to purge every girl born with perky ears and a cute tail might suddenly appear if we make the wrong call… maybe it is better that you do your own thing for a bit. Don’t you agree, Hao Chan?”
Jidihu paled, gazing at her daughter.
“What? Of course I was spying on Alex’s dream. He and my dad were both in it. How could I resist? They practically dragged me along!”
Jidihu shook her head. “We’ll talk about this later.” Then her jaw clenched with sudden alarm. “Alex, the library!”
Alex caught her gaze and winked. “Why don’t you take a closer look at your newest pendant?”
Jidihu’s eyes widened, immediately placing her fingertips upon the golden amulet. A heartbeat later she collapsed to her knees with profound relief when she sensed what she had been desperately hoping for.
Then she gazed Alex’s way. “But Alex...”
He gave a firm shake of his head. “I gave you back all the tomes, even those you had intended to gift me. Because that would certainly count as aiding me in the most monumental way imaginable.” He flashed a cynical smile. “Gods only know how malicious they will try to be with their interpretation, assuming they care at all, but best I leave right this minute, lest even a farewell lunch becomes feeding the enemy, or other such rot.”
“But Alex, this all makes no sense!” Hao Chan cried. “We might not even be here if it weren’t for you, and we’ve been helping each other since the beginning!”
Alex swallowed, jerking a nod. “I know. It’s totally not fair. But those are the cards of fate we’re now bound to, and they just went into effect while we were sleeping. So long as I leave, right now, in good faith? I think it will be okay.”
“Unless you don’t go at all...” Hao Chan bit her lip in shame, but her eyes begged him to stay.
He held her close. “I adore you, Chan. You know that. But this is bigger than you, or me, or any of us. This is something I have to do, no matter what.”
“Even if it kills you?”
Alex swallowed, bowing his head. “Yes, Chan. Even then.” He forced a smile. “Make it to Silver. So I can hold you in my arms one day, and make up for all the things I’m putting you through.”
She gasped and flushed, before flashing him a tender, hungry smile. “I will, my heart. You just better be ready for this girl when she blossoms into her own.”
It was all Alex could do to hold himself back from taking her in his arms at that very moment. And then, in a heartbeat, he was gone from their sight for what he feared might be months, years, or forever.
Yet no matter how great the rustle of trees now surrounding him, his exquisite hearing picked up every word they said, Yinzi addressing her mother the moment he fled from their view.
Bullrush! Bullrush! You are now racing through the treetops!
“He could have asked for anything. Any boon. I can see it in your eyes! Why did he threaten you, Mother?” asked a curious Yinzi.
“Because few know better than your father’s favorite pawn how mercurial and dangerous the gods can be. He knows my gratitude knows no bounds. He knows he could have asked me for anything, after crashing down from the heavens in our hour of need. After entrusting in my care a tome the emperor himself would covet above all others. Yet had he asked for any boon in return, it would have been seen as aid given to an enemy of the gods. But by threatening me, a privilege granted to even the most capricious god or devil… he revealed what was most precious to his heart.”
“But I was one of the girls he warned you to protect, and I’m your daughter! I know you’d protect me anyway. Does that mean… does that mean he has feelings for me too?”
Jidihu’s warm laughter rustled through the endless forest Alex raced above.
“Perhaps he does at that, but your kung fu sister just lost her heart. Treat her tenderly. For you and I have both read the tales of WiFu and his favorite companion. And from the moment he crashed down from the skies riding Heaven’s lightning, there could be no doubt who Alex truly was. What he truly was. We both know what happens next.”
“Win or lose, Alex isn’t coming back from this alive, is he, Mother?”
Jidihu sighed. “He so rarely does.”
“Then why does he keep doing it?”
“It’s about choice, Yinzi. His sacrifice invokes powers the gods themselves rightly fear.”
“I can’t believe he left without me!” whispered the girl Alex could have spent a lifetime embracing.
“Don’t be a fool, child!” snapped Ning Jing. “Had he given in to temptation and brought you along, you both would have cracked your foundations. Neither of you is strong enough to resist the other alone. Besides, you understand the doom upon us. Yinzi’s father maneuvered hard to assure his mortal daughters and their friends would find sanctuary from the capricious natures of gods, so long as we keep our noses out of their business. And you, Hao Chan, unlike your odd reborn spirit of a boyfriend, are most definitely one of the trueblood. As am I. As is your mortally-wounded instructor. As is Qie Qie. The remainder of our com
panions are kitsune. And none of us dare interfere in the games gods play.”
Alex’s ears burned with Hao Chan’s soft sobs as he flew through the trees like the wind, tasting the edges of furious storms brewing between Heaven, Earth, and Shadow, somewhere between infinite possibility and dream. And between the saintly artifact in his ring and the infernal chimes he never even had a chance to destroy, he found himself racing like the wind in truth. Though the winds howling through him had far less to do with the crystal-clear skies above the verdant treetops he skipped across, and more to do with the storm in his heart, racing away from the girl who adored hm, and all the cultivation resources and supportive friends he could possibly have hoped for.
It would have been an endless paradise of whimsical mornings, beautiful sunsets, and days spent alongside people who loved and appreciated him, all of them safe and snug in a hidden valley no foe would ever find, just a single choice away.
Time stretched in ways odd and strange as memory of Hao Chan’s forlorn tears speared his heart, even as the remembered gaze of a certain kitsune girl who had showed him mercy that first day he had arrived at her doorstep, homeless and destitute, before forging that confused boy into a man worthy of her regard. A man who now found it within himself to embrace the bitter and the sweet, even if his path required pain unlike anything he had ever endured before.
Liu Li. The beautiful kitsune girl’s silver-green gaze that he had done his best to forget for months blazed upon his mind’s eye once more, recalling her wan, desperate smile, how close she had been to death before he had gifted her with his most precious prizes, sacred tomes forged of an endless purgatory of suffering and insight he remembered as little more than a dream wondrous, awful, and utterly transcendent. And how awed he had been to find not only that marvelous tome of his own soul already written, but another his patron god had forged from the insights and agony Alex had endured, perfectly describing the Way of the Fox, so suited to the kitsune’s path, upon a special bookshelf within his divine ring.
Silver Fox & The Western Hero: Warrior's Oath: A LitRPG/Wuxia Novel - Book 4 Page 13