Volume One: The Hidden Dragon in the Abyss Chapter 33: The Fox Clan

Bang...

The main gate was kicked open, and the servants were knocked to the ground. Yang Hao was jolted awake from his dreams once again, as the guards burst in to protect him and lead him away.

“Go!”

He made a quick decision, first seeking to bring along Loyal Uncle. But at that moment, the intruders had already caught up. The guards stepped forward, but were all defeated swiftly. Yang Hao noticed the assailants only injured, not killed anyone—it seemed there was no mortal enmity. Yet, the strength of their attendants was remarkable; his own guards couldn’t withstand even a single blow. Such power...

“I don’t recall ever offending anyone. May I ask why you’re doing this?” Yang Hao addressed them.

“Where is Wang Chuan? Where is he?”

The leader was a young man, plain in appearance, his eyes half-closed as if indifferent to the world. He asked calmly, calling the name without any courtesy. Who was this man? Yang Hao was about to inquire further.

“Sixth Prince,” Loyal Uncle stepped forward, barely recognizing him.

“You’re that old man always beside Wang Chuan, aren’t you?” The man stared at Loyal Uncle, clicking his tongue. “Looks like it—really is you. Enlightened by a sage? Rejuvenated to youth? Nonsense! I don’t know how you did it, but no matter how profound the techniques in this world, using the name of a sage may fool others, but not me!”

“Sixth Prince, you and my lord have known each other. Please show some mercy,” Loyal Uncle pleaded.

“That’s the excuse of the weak. The strong can cut down all obstacles to eliminate future threats. I only understood this later—only strength endures. Fathers can turn against sons, brothers may quarrel; in a royal household, what friendship is there? Tell Wang Chuan—I have come.” He turned away, speaking slowly. “I never blamed him. Pity, we each serve our own master now, and are no longer brothers.”

After he finally left, Yang Hao’s legs went weak and he panted heavily, still shaken.

“That was the Sixth Prince, wasn’t it?” he asked in confusion. He seemed so different from what Yang Hao remembered.

Back in Wei, Yang Hao had gathered much intelligence to help Wang Chuan, including information about this prince. Seeing him in person today, the impression was overwhelming—he was truly intimidating.

Wang Chuan returned in the later hours of the night, always with a calm, unruffled expression that Yang Hao could never decipher. Yang Hao reported the incident with the Sixth Prince, and Wang Chuan simply nodded, acknowledging his cousin’s visit without further comment.

“The world is about to descend into chaos—dragons and serpents will clash,” Yang Hao sighed.

The Empress was sent over early in the morning, clearly lacking rest. Yuzhu was always by her side, heart aching to see her suffering. Even in sleep, she seemed tormented, as if something was agonizing her.

Such pain.

He was willing to try anything that might help.

“Wang Chuan, I leave my mother in your care. Thank you,” Xu Wei said as she arrived, bringing the Empress.

Her lovely face was tense, earnest and serious. Wang Chuan nodded—it was a small matter for him.

Once the Empress was confirmed to be in the carriage, even the coachman and guards were dismissed, leaving only Wang Chuan and her as they quietly made their way beyond the city. Wang Chuan didn’t actually know how to drive, so he used his beast-taming arts, letting the horses guide themselves onward.

“We’ll have to abandon the carriage; it’s not convenient,” Wang Chuan said, pulling aside the curtain for a glance at the Empress. He was struck by her beauty: clad in verdant, iridescent robes with several rainbow scarves fluttering in the breeze—her figure full and graceful, with a delicate waist visible through the gauzy fabric, radiating a gentle elegance no mortal could possess.

Her beauty was ethereal, enchanting—a cascade of glossy black hair fell to her hips, locks dancing across her brow, her fair face lovely as a flower, cherry-red lips, brows arched like willow leaves, her eyes blossomed like peach petals.

“Thank you for your trouble, Your Highness,” her voice was as melodious as heaven, soft as water.

He led her out, lightly taking her arm, nothing excessive. Drawing on his energy, he soared into the air, carrying her with care. Her beauty, floating like an immortal, her icy skin and snowy complexion even more exquisite.

The moment her feet touched the ground, she found herself atop a cliff outside the city.

“What does Your Highness intend?” the Empress asked.

“Yesterday, I met a visitor from the demon clans—a fox spirit, to be precise. In this world, monsters, demons, spirits, whether tangible or intangible, all exist. Demon clans and spirits take human form, cultivating the energies of heaven and earth,” Wang Chuan sighed.

“I don’t deny it,” the Empress replied. “But how did Your Highness determine I have fox blood?”

“I guessed,” Wang Chuan said. “The feeling was familiar, and after I drew a strand of energy from you, I was certain.”

Nine out of ten fox spirits are female, males are rare...

In ancient times, fox spirits seldom gathered, often blending among humans. Even in their own villages, they were no different from ordinary people. After achieving spirit form, fox spirits’ bodies closely resemble humans; the only distinction is their tails, yet adult fox spirits can conceal them, making them indistinguishable from humans.

Thus, many rumors flourished in unofficial histories—unparalleled beauty.

The woman before him was nothing like a mortal; her beauty was divine, her skin fair as snow, sculpted like jade, all the world’s loveliness concentrated in her alone.

Her eyes, alluring and seductive, were breathtaking.

Perhaps, it was fortunate only Wang Chuan discovered her secret.

“Will Wei’er suffer like you... fall ill?” Wang Chuan asked. “Your human energy is overwhelming, suppressing your demonic energy too much. Pity—you are neither fully human nor spirit, so your internal energies are chaotic, harming your meridians and organs.”

Clearly, there was demon blood, however faint. She had always pretended to be human—it must have been exhausting.

Pretending was painful.

When monsters take human form, it is only a transformation. A demon remains a demon.

“That has always been my worry. Wei’er is no different from ordinary people, for over ten years. Yet I only discovered my own nature after adulthood, and I fear that one day she too will... show signs,” the Empress said.

In ancient times, humans and demons mingled, and fox girls were born of men and foxes.

That was her ancestor...

So Xu Wei must also possess fox blood.

If word spread that the Empress and Princess of Yu both carried this lineage, it would be sensational.

Wang Chuan still restrained himself.

“Wang Chuan, could I entrust Wei’er to your care in the future?” Xu Wei asked.

“Me?” Wang Chuan frowned slightly.

While they spoke, distant starlight appeared, growing closer, brighter, until it revealed a stunning woman drifting like a celestial maiden, fluttering like a pink butterfly.

Her figure glowed with holy radiance under the moon, her phoenix eyes tipped with a peach blossom blush, adding charm to her beauty. Though young, she exuded a mature allure, desire surging like a flood. Her sensual lips uttered enticing whispers, her liquid eyes gazed at Wang Chuan with longing, her expression full of seductive spirit and bold charm.

Wang Chuan frowned deeply—why was this seductive fox suddenly in heat? Was it that season?

“Your Highness sent for me—what is the matter?” the Sixth Princess of the fox clan asked. Her gaze flickered with displeasure and reproach when she saw the Empress. “Isn’t this the Empress? I saw her once at the royal banquet—her beauty outshines the capital, and many women must envy her.”

Wang Chuan nodded. “The Empress is my friend.”

“Oh, I see,” the Sixth Princess said, her tone layered with meaning.

“There are things one must never do, and words one must never say!” Wang Chuan said bluntly. “She’s a fox girl, and recently her health has suffered. Please help her.”

“What? A fox girl?” The Sixth Princess was shocked—she hadn’t noticed any fox clan blood. “Let me have a look.”

She took the Empress’s fair wrist, channeling her inner senses to examine her body.

Her aura was just like a human’s, though somewhat weak at present.

“Strange, I can’t confirm it. Perhaps the blood is diluted after many years. But I believe you...” the Sixth Princess said. “The Empress’s beauty is extraordinary. I’ve seen many beautiful women among mortals, but the day I saw the Empress, I felt her allure was enough to enchant even demons—I was moved. Now hearing she carries fox blood, I understand. It’s the only explanation.”

“I’ve heard your demon clans are unfriendly to mixed blood like this,” Wang Chuan said.

“Yes, most demons are like that,” the Sixth Princess answered. “My clan is proud, and after suffering greatly in the past, became even more extreme. In the ancient era, when the myriad races flourished, demon clans who fell in love with humans faced execution! They believed it tainted the purity of demon blood—a grave shame!”

“How do you view this, Sixth Princess?” Wang Chuan asked calmly.

The Sixth Princess felt a chill—if she answered poorly, Wang Chuan might act. Surviving under his hand would be miraculous.

“That’s prejudice. In ancient times, gods, mortals, and demons all fell in love, countless strong ones among them,” she said. “Only the demon clans remained stagnant, declining year after year, clinging to past glory.”

“Good,” Wang Chuan nodded approvingly. “There are clever ones among the demons, after all.”

The Sixth Princess secretly breathed a sigh of relief—wasn’t this the answer you wanted? Why must I always accommodate him? Over time, it felt wrong, as if living under someone’s shadow.

“I’ll keep the Empress’s secret, Your Highness, you can trust me,” she said sincerely. “But what does Your Highness intend?”

“The best method is to graft—extract all bloodline power from her and transfer it to you. It may be painful, but only for a moment; after that, she’ll be fully human, no different from others,” Wang Chuan said, looking at both women, then addressed the Empress. “But I am unwilling!”

“Why?” the Empress asked.

“Even for Wei’er, I don’t want you to endure this. I must find a safer way,” Wang Chuan said, then asked the Sixth Princess, “Does your clan have any secret techniques for concealing aura?”

“Every method has its limits. Our secret arts are not all-powerful,” the Sixth Princess sighed. “To be honest, our techniques are two millennia old, still unchanged. Concealing aura and changing form are rarely used; those who walk the world are masters, unafraid of exposure. To us, such arts are mere side paths. Against martial experts, like Your Highness, they are easily seen through.”

In the past, she had time to cultivate but never needed such skills...

Now it seemed only fox girls needed these arts for concealment.

“Have you cultivated before? Is your constitution stronger than ordinary people?” Wang Chuan asked.

“I’ve practiced some basic breathing and energy techniques, nothing advanced,” the Empress replied.

“I see,” Wang Chuan nodded.

The Sixth Princess saw his confidence and asked gravely, “Can Your Highness really remove another’s aura? Can you truly extract the fox clan blood from her?”

“What... is it?” the Empress asked, puzzled.

“It’s not alarmist talk—almost impossible! That is no mortal power!” the Sixth Princess said seriously, glancing at them both. “In ancient times, prodigies flourished—a golden age of martial cultivation. Yet no one could do this. Why can Your Highness?”

“You must understand, some are born human, some born demon. Fate and destiny are set at birth. For the Empress, possessing fox blood—if it could be stripped away, transforming her into a human—that would be divine, reversing fate, overturning the forces of yin and yang...”