Chapter Eighty-One: The Nine-Tailed Spirit Fox (Part Four)

Watching Wu Ming, whose hands were tied behind his back as he lay on the ground, Lingxuan pushed open the door. Wu Ming strained to lift his head, desperate to know what they intended to do to him.

“Second Sister, look who your elder sister has brought for you?” As Lingxuan stepped into the room, Wu Ming saw a woman dressed in white, her feet bare and her skin so pure and flawless that he dared not look directly at her. In such circumstances, Wu Ming’s mind was prone to wander.

“Elder Sister? You’ve come again?” The woman, half lying on the floor, raised her head to gaze at her elder sister, then lowered it, refusing to speak, her mood evidently low.

Lingxuan, as usual, squatted beside her younger sister, stroked her cheek with her right hand, and said softly, “Sister, cheer up. Today is your day of great joy… Be obedient…”

“Elder Sister, I won’t marry. Even if he’s the Heavenly Emperor, I won’t marry…” This half-mad, half-simple Lingyue was still stubborn, and it seemed her elder sister had said these words to her many times before.

Lingxuan smiled faintly. “Good sister, you will be pleased with this person.” She beckoned, “Yuanfeng, bring in our honored guest!”

As soon as she finished speaking, Wu Ming was dragged inside. Yuanfeng gave him a hard kick, forcing him to kneel right before Lingyue.

When Wu Ming lifted his head, he saw a woman of unparalleled beauty tinged with sorrow. Her eyes were gentle as water, her hair slightly disheveled, yet it could not conceal her enchanting features. Wu Ming stared for several moments, his eyes wide, and exclaimed, “It’s you? We meet again? Do you still remember me? It’s me, it’s me… We met at the Ghost Doctor’s place!!” Wu Ming kept introducing himself, unaware that the person he had previously met was the younger sister Linglong, who had disguised herself as Lingyue.

“It’s you? Truly you? Are you Song Lang?” Lingyue recognized that face.

“Me? Uh? No, no… My name is Wu Ming… Miss, you must be mistaken,” Wu Ming replied, confused.

“How could I be wrong? You are my Song Lang…” With that, she rose and threw her arms around Wu Ming, stroking his head as she wept and acted coquettishly. Then she turned to Lingxuan and said, “Sister, I will marry, I will marry… Thank you, Sister…”

Lingxuan saw her younger sister smile for the first time in two hundred years, and her heart felt a touch of relief. No matter what Song Shao had done before, at this moment he was the one who could make her sister smile. “Then it’s settled. I am at ease. I will prepare the wedding garments for my sister. Our Qingqiu will celebrate for three days.”

“Mm-mm…” Lingyue nodded rapidly, her face aglow with happiness, so much so that those around her shed tears. “Sister, Fifth Brother, why are you crying?”

“Second Sister, we’re happy for you… Tears of joy…” Yuanfeng wiped his eyes with his sleeve.

But Wu Ming was on the verge of collapse, thinking, “What on earth is happening? Why am I getting married? This woman and I— I haven’t touched a woman in over twenty years, and now someone is throwing herself into my arms. This is bliss.”

Feigning reluctance, Wu Ming said, “What’s going on? You must have made a mistake. I am the head— no, I used to be a disciple of the One Qi Sect.” He was about to claim he was the sect leader, but after recalling his recent impeachment, he could only say he was a disciple.

“One Qi Sect?” Lingxuan’s eyes narrowed. “Then there’s no mistake. I once doubted that two people could look so alike, but now I see it’s true! Song Shao—no, Wu Ming—you really are something! You’ve deceived my sister for so many years…”

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“Wait, wait… Don’t leave… Or at least untie these ropes,” Wu Ming pleaded as he watched everyone leave the room, leaving only himself and the woman.

Lingyue leaned close, resting her hair on Wu Ming’s shoulder. “Song Lang, whether you are Song Shao or Wu Ming, you belong to Yue’er. Yue’er has waited for you two hundred years, and finally you have returned. Do you remember what you said to me all those years ago?”

In this tender embrace, Wu Ming felt both bewildered and excited, his desires barely suppressed. But he forced himself to hold back until he understood the situation. “Miss, we’ve only just met—less than a day ago.”

“Yes, yes, that’s exactly what you said. I remember you were so shy then, and the first time you kissed me, you said just such a thing.” This woman’s infatuation was truly frightening.

Wu Ming was at a loss for words, amazed at the absurdity of it all. “No, no, I…”

Just as Wu Ming was about to protest, Lingyue covered his mouth with her hand. “Don’t say no…” she whispered softly in his ear, “Sir, I know you’re not him, you merely resemble him. Song Shao was never so gentle. But I’ve waited two hundred years for him, and he still… Since my sister has arranged this marriage, I’ll pretend to marry the gentle Song Lang, just to ease their minds.”

Wu Ming felt a strange mix of emotions. What kind of situation was this? He thought, “A stand-in? Well, it’s not so bad… If I’m going to die, I might as well do some good…” He nodded and said, “We are fellow wanderers, meeting by chance. There’s no need for prior acquaintance. In truth, I, Wu Ming, do not have much time left. Let’s grant this wish for you.” Tears streamed down his face.

And so, the two sat together in the room, sharing their pasts.

“Miss, would you untie these ropes? Don’t worry, I won’t run…” Wu Ming’s bound hands were truly uncomfortable.

Lingyue studied Wu Ming. “You seem honest enough, so I’ll untie you… But you mustn’t trick me.”

Wu Ming nodded helplessly, thinking, “This girl is adorable, and even as she unties me she’s so innocent.” Lingyue formed a seal, and the ropes vanished, leaving Wu Ming utterly astonished. As the One Qi Sect leader, his lack of spiritual power had prevented him from cultivating—now he was seeing true magic.

“Oh… By the way, I haven’t asked your name yet?” Wu Ming managed a gentlemanly bow, recalling his days as a sect leader.

Lingyue covered her mouth and laughed, then wept again. “Sir, you are so elegant, so graceful. I truly cannot bear to part with you…”

“I… I’m just an ordinary disciple, nothing elegant about me.” Seeing her emotional fluctuations, Wu Ming quickly tried to lighten the mood.

“I am Lingyue, the second princess of Fox Immortal Valley. From now on, call me Yue’er.” With that, Wu Ming understood—no wonder she possessed such powerful magic, and the men were handsome, the women stunning.

“Sir? What are you thinking about?” Lingyue waved her hand in front of his eyes.

Wu Ming snapped back to reality. “Nothing, Lingyue—no, Yue’er. I was just curious… So you are a Nine-Tailed Spirit Fox? The legends are true then?” Wu Ming immediately thought of the matter of blood.

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“What legends do you mean?” Lingyue tilted her head.

“I mean, the legend that the blood of a Nine-Tailed Spirit Fox can…”

“Smack!” Wu Ming hadn’t finished before a slap landed on his face.

Lingyue seemed to go mad. “You Song Shao, today I’ll kill you!” As she spoke, she transformed into her fox demon form. All nine tails unfurled behind her, her fingernails turned into sharp icy blades, and she lunged at Wu Ming.

“Oh my—help! Murder! Save me…” Wu Ming was terrified by the sudden change. “Please, dear lady, don’t—can’t I admit I was wrong?” He closed his eyes, looking pitiful.

Wu Ming waited a long while but was not devoured by the Nine-Tailed Spirit Fox. When he opened his eyes, Lingyue was nose-to-nose with him, startling him so much he recoiled sharply.

“Sir, don’t be afraid. Come, come here…” Lingyue extended her delicate hand to Wu Ming, but he shook his head repeatedly, clearly terrified by the abrupt ordeal.

“You? Just now?” Wu Ming pointed at Lingyue, then shook his head, utterly bewildered.

“Sir, just now my mind slipped out of control. So… I’m sorry…” When she was lucid, Lingyue admitted her mental ailment. After explaining her condition, Wu Ming understood the issue.

“So it’s intermittent schizophrenia…” Wu Ming shook his head.

“What’s this ‘schizophrenia’ you speak of?” Lingyue was intrigued and pressed for details.

Wu Ming paused, composed himself, and said, “I mean, Yue’er’s illness can be cured. As long as your mood is good, you’ll recover. Leave it to me.” Wu Ming wasn’t boasting—he had studied psychology and was something of a humorist.

“Really? Sir? My illness can be cured?…” Lingyue grew excited and grabbed Wu Ming’s hands, placing them on her chest.

Wu Ming’s hands pressed against Lingyue’s soft chest, making him blush. He quickly withdrew his hands and said, “Don’t worry. It’s simple, but I need to know about Yue’er’s past first.”