Chapter 209: The White Fox’s Entanglement

Chapter 209: Chapter 209: The White Fox’s Entanglement

"That little fox is mine. Give it back to me, now."

Among the dozen or so people, a young man in a pure-white long robe pointed at the White Fox in Chu Fan’s arms and demanded.

"You say this Little White Fox is yours? What proof do you have?"

If the other party had spoken politely, Chu Fan would have been more courteous in return. He would have even been willing to offer something in trade.

But the young man’s bossy demeanor made it clear he was used to getting his way. He obviously lacked any proper upbringing; he didn’t even know the basic rules of how to speak to people.

And Chu Fan was the type of person who responded to reason, not to force.

"Kid, you’re standing before the Third Young Master of the Song Family of Yongzhou. He bought this fox at the market two days ago for a hefty price as a gift for the Second Miss Qiao of the Qiao Family. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll hand over the Little White Fox. Otherwise, you won’t just be bringing disaster upon yourself, but upon your entire clan."

The speaker was a burly, middle-aged man standing beside the young master. He also had the highest Cultivation level in the group: Soul Emergence Realm Tier Eight.

Before Chu Fan could reply, the fox in his arms began to whimper.

To others, it sounded like a fox’s cry, but to Chu Fan’s ears, it was as if someone was whispering right next to him.

’Don’t give me to him. He’s a bad person. Please, can you help me, big brother?’

The voice was soft and sweet, like that of a little girl Ni Cailing’s age.

He already disliked the group, and now that the Little White Fox was pleading with him, there was no way Chu Fan would hand it over.

"The Song Family of Yongzhou, the Qiao Family... I’ve never heard of them," Chu Fan said. "This Little White Fox ran right into my arms, which means we share a bond of fate. Besides, look how it clings to me. How could I possibly hand it over? As it happens, my wife is also quite fond of this little creature."

"You—! Kid, you’re asking for trouble. When you’re away from home, you’d best learn to watch your step," the middle-aged man snarled.

"Elder Chen, why waste your breath on an ant like him? He’s just a commoner with no Cultivation at all," a peculiar-looking young man beside the middle-aged man said bluntly.

Elder Chen shot the young man a glare and whispered, "Don’t be a fool. The woman with him may be veiled, but her clothes and bearing are exceptional. How could a man with a wife like that be a commoner?"

’Then why are you still threatening him?’ the young man couldn’t help but think.

Their voices were low, but Chu Fan heard every word. Seeing that the middle-aged man with the highest Cultivation still showed a sliver of caution, he decided he couldn’t be bothered to escalate things.

"How about this," Chu Fan offered. "My wife has taken a liking to this Little White Fox, so giving it back is out of the question. However, you can name a price. I’ll buy it from you."

"Hahaha!" The group across from them all burst into laughter.

The peculiar-looking young man’s laughter was particularly wild. "That’s the funniest joke I’ve ever heard! You want our Third Young Master Song to name a price? Don’t you know the one thing the Song Family has more than enough of is money?"

"If that’s the case, then forget it."

Chu Fan wasn’t particularly angered by their mocking laughter, but he genuinely couldn’t be bothered to waste another breath on them.

Cradling the White Fox with one arm and wrapping the other around Yun Xi’s waist, he turned to leave.

The two men blocking his path immediately drew their blades.

"Kid, since you’re so stubborn, don’t blame us for being merciless," the middle-aged man threatened viciously.

With a wave of his hand, everyone except for him and the Song family’s third young master launched an attack on Chu Fan.

"Hold on tight!"

He had meant the words for Yun Xi, but unexpectedly, the Little White Fox in his arms dug its front paws tightly into his robes, clinging on so firmly it wouldn’t have fallen even if he let go.

Yun Xi, of course, reacted in perfect sync, wrapping her arms around Chu Fan’s waist.

Chu Fan immediately took a great leap forward and thrust out his right palm.

The immense Palm Force sent the dozen or so attackers flying backward. They all landed flat on their backsides in a perfect imitation of the Sand Landing Goose Technique, spitting up blood.

Seeing this, the middle-aged man roared, "Insolent!"

He then drew his Sword and lunged at Chu Fan.

Instead of dodging, Chu Fan met the attack head-on, blocking the blade directly with his arm. The Sword Qi vanished the instant it made contact.

In his hand, the Long Sword was twisted into a corkscrew.

With a flick of his right wrist, Chu Fan re-formed the dissipated Sword Qi and sent it coursing up the middle-aged man’s arm and through his entire body.

A gust of wind blew past, and the middle-aged man’s robes shredded into strips that scattered on the breeze, leaving him in nothing but his undergarments.

"This fox is mine now. Does anyone have any objections?"

"Kid, you’ve made an enemy of the Song Family! No matter who you are, the Song Family will never let you go!" The middle-aged man, feeling no shame at having his clothes shredded, threatened Chu Fan viciously.

Chu Fan just shook his head in contempt.

Holding the fox and with his arm around Yun Xi’s waist, he leaped into the air and flew away.

"Did we meet before, on Dingfeng Slope at Yunmeng Mountain?" Chu Fan asked along the way.

"What did you say?"

Chu Fan was flying so fast that the wind roared in her ears, and Yun Xi couldn’t hear what he had said.

After all, there were only the two of them, so she naturally assumed he was talking to her.

The Little White Fox in Chu Fan’s arms gave two soft cries.

Chu Fan once again heard that soft, sweet voice. ’I don’t know. I only know that your scent is very familiar.’

’This little fox... it’s just a forgetful little creature.’

"How did you fall into their hands? And how did you escape?" Chu Fan asked again.

’I forgot.’

"Chu Fan, are you talking to me? I can’t hear what you’re saying," Yun Xi’s voice cut in.

Chu Fan leaned close to her ear and said, "I’m talking to the White Fox!"

Yun Xi couldn’t help but roll her eyes. "You’re talking to a White Fox? Can it even understand you?"

Another day of flight passed. Chu Fan didn’t bother to count how many prefectures and counties they had crossed.

As the sun set, they descended into a grassy basin within a mountain valley.

The afterglow of the sunset bathed the valley in a shimmering golden light.

The fiery clouds on the horizon were dreamlike and fantastical.

He estimated they were about ten days away from Laojun Mountain. Gazing in the direction of the setting sun, he felt a sense of hope.

For the past two days, something had been weighing on Chu Fan’s mind.

Ever since he had comprehended the Dao of Cause and Effect and become able to see the threads of Cause and Effect on some people, the words Hui Ke had told him constantly replayed in his mind.

His parents were enduring suffering and torment.

’It was possible,’ Chu Fan thought, ’that after his parents gave birth to him, they encountered an unavoidable disaster. That must be why they had their servant, Zhegu Slave, take him far away from his home.’

’That must also be why Zhegu Slave always called him ’Young Master’.’

’He even remembered the time he had brought back a portion of a delicacy he and Yun Xi had created for Zhegu Slave. The servant had burst into tears on the spot, warning him never to bring him food again, for he was unworthy of it.’

’Whenever he asked about his parents, Zhegu Slave would fall silent for days.’

’All these little signs he hadn’t paid attention to at the time now had an explanation.’

’For an enemy to cause his parents such an unbearable disaster, they must be incredibly powerful. Zhegu Slave had never revealed his origins, even up to his death. He was probably afraid Chu Fan would overestimate his own strength and go seeking revenge.’

’Now that he knew his parents were still alive and suffering, how could he, as their son, not be anxious?’

’On one hand, he had to investigate his own origins, find out who his parents were, and where they were. On the other hand, he had to raise his Cultivation, rescue his parents, and avenge them.’