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Wei Xu darted through the streets, his shoulders laden with a borrowed cloak and his pockets filled with all the silver he had managed to scrounge up. He was just in his tenth year, but he already knew what he wished to do with his life. He may have been the son of his father's first wife, but he was still third and for that he was thankful. Instead of being weighted down with pressure to take the imperial exams or learn the workings of the family business, he was often left to his own devices in favor of his brothers. And his own devices had always meant learning about spiritual swords.

His family were common people with no aspirations for cultivation. They had been successful in their lives, rich near beyond measure. Why would they be interested in anything else? But had once seen a wandering cultivator take down a beast. More than the skill it took, Wei Xu had been entranced by his sword, pulsing with light, sword and user moving in tandem as if the weapon was alive. He'd never forgotten that moment.

In the jianghu, there was one place known above all the others for training the best blacksmiths and artisans. Wan Jian Peak of Cang Qiong Mountain Sect. Wei Xu would not be satisfied until he climbed the steps of the mountain and join their ranks, even if he had to leave everything behind to do it. He'd already crafted a few small items, daggers, and arrow-heads, and sharpened hair pins. But nothing that was truly impressive enough to be accepted. But soon, he planned to change that.

He'd gotten his hands on a book detailing the refinement of weapons, bringing the metal closer to the kind of a true spiritual weapon, worthy of a cultivator. For his plan, what he needed was the oil distilled from the Azure Dragon's Starlight Peony. It was said if applied correctly, this oil could take any everyday object and triple or even quadruple its potential! Wei Xu had to have it and he'd heard from the auntie that indulged him most, that there had been talk of some of the shops in town receiving this special peony oil. This was his chance!

He set out early in the morning before he was due at lessons. Sure he'd be punished when he returned but it would all be worth it once he had the vial of oil in his hands. But as the sun neared its zenith, he wondered if he wasn't mistaken. None of the shops, from the lowest end to the highest end, had what he was looking for. They could only shake their heads and tell him to go back home.

He stepped out from the last shop into the brilliant noonday sun. The blue sky stretched overhead, people running to and fro as they went about their daily tasks. But even if just that morning, he had felt full of promise, Wei Xu's heart had now sunk. He scuffed his feet into the dirt, sweat pricking under the collar of his borrowed cloak. There was nothing to do but return home empty handed and hope that one day soon he'd have another chance. He sighed, letting himself pout for few moments, but Wei Xu had never been the sort of child to be burdened by failure. He nodded to himself and slipped down the back alley towards his family estate on the other end of the city. One day soon, he knew he'd find what he was looking for. It was fate.

He decided to walk through the small copse of woods on the city's edge for shade. It was a hot day but not so bad under the trees, a cool wind billowing the hair that had escaped his bun. He swung his arms as he walked, whistling a tune he'd heard some of his family's servants singing. The sound of trickling water caught his attention and he paused. He tipped his head, gazing through the trees. Well, he had nothing but time. He'd be punished no matter when he returned so why not do a little exploring? He snaked his way through branches and brush, eyes scanning around with a giddy excitement. As he slipped under a branch of a low hanging pine, then around a thick shrub, he saw it. A stream, glistening in the sunlight dappling through the trees.

He grinned and shrugged out of his cloak. His boots followed suit, then his socks, then he was running to splash in the shallow cool water. He bent and dunked his face under, relishing the current against his flushed cheeks. He straightend, shaking the droplets off like a dog just come out of the rain, a grin splitting his face. So the day wasn't a total loss!

He splashed around a little more. When he tired he walked over and plopped onto a rock. He'd anticipated being out even longer so that morning he'd had snuck away some bao for lunch and there was no better location to have a little break than here. He untucked the bao from his sleeve, idly swinging his legs as he broke it in half. Today had not been what he wanted, but he it wasn't a bad afternoon. Anything was better than being bogged down by history and poetry books for another day.

He raised the bao to his mouth then stopped. His head darted to the side. Something rustled in the bushes, just audible over the sound of the stream. He cocked his head, peering into the shadows of the trees. A moment later a white fox darted out. It clearly hadn't seen him as it hobbled over to the water, bending to take a drink. It was a sleek thing, but so skinny he could see its ribs. On its neck was a thin silver chain used as a collar and the white fur by its foot was dyed a crusted brownish red. He shifted, peering to get a closer look, and the tiny thing's head shot up. Piercing green eyes met his and it backed up, bearing its teeth.

"Hey, hey, it's alright," he raised his hands. He caught sight of the bao, still clutched in his fingers, and tore a piece off, tossing it over to the fox. "Look see. We can be friends."

It's eyes narrowed. When Wei Xu didn't move, it reached out it's uninjured front paw and batted at it. Then it leaned down to sniff. Only then did it swallow the piece whole.

Wei Xu grinned. "Are you hungry? Want more?"

The fox sat back, its fluffy tail flicking. Wei Xu tore a few more pieces, throwing them to the fox. A bubbling rush ran through him with each bite the little thing took. He couldn't help it, he'd always loved animals.

As he got down to the last piece he held it out but didn't throw it. The fox eyed him as it lifted a graceful paw to lick away any crumbs.

"We're friends now right?" Wei Xu said. "Your other paw is hurt. If you come here, I can help you."

The fox's ears flicked, but it didn't run.

"Come on," Wei Xu coaxed. He reached into his sleeve and withdrew a little jar of ointment his sister had given him when he burned his fingers just the other day. "This is a special ointment from Tian Yi Monastery. They know lots about different healing arts. It'll help, I promise."

The fox's ears flicked again. Wei Xu waited watching as the fox's tail waved back and forth. Then at last it got to its feet and padded towards him. Wei Xu slid off his rock and knelt on the ground. He held out his hand, and, after a moment, the fox placed its hurt paw on his palm. It was so small and Wei Xu had to repress the urge to pick up the little thing and squeeze it. He had a feeling the fox would not like being peppered with kisses either even if Wei Xu desperately wanted to.

The little fox hissed as Wei Xu got some of the water from the stream to wash away the old blood, then applied the ointment. But it was a clever thing and sat still, allowing Wei Xu to finish before jumping a few paces away. It narrowed its green eyes at him, sniffed its paw, then darted off into the woods.

Wei Xu puffed out his cheeks then sighed. Well, it had been nice to be able to touch its soft fur for a moment anyway. He frowned, thinking of the glinting silver collar on its neck. There were a few estates around this area and a pure white fox was rare indeed, but who the little thing belonged to Wei Xu didn't know. He just hoped it was being treated alright, even as the thought of its skinny frame sat like a lead weight in his chest.

With nothing left to do and his lunch all gone, he shrugged and set off for home.

…

It was a few weeks of being given extra work in his studies and being sent to bed early as punishment for his brief jaunt, but when Wei Xu found another chance to sneak out, he did without a thought. He'd gotten word that one of the local merchants he had visited had received a new shipment and maybe, just maybe, the oil from the Azure Dragon's Starlight Peony would be there. He rushed through the streets with the sun just risen over the tops of the roofs, but he was only left disappointed once again.

"I'm sorry," the shopkeeper said. "We did have that special oil, but it was already sold."

Wei Xu balked as he lifted onto his toes to see over the counter. "Tell me who! I can pay them."

The merchant shook his head, muttering to himself about the youth. "Can't do that, kid. Why don't you ask your father about it? I know he has some good connections. I'm sure he can get something worked out for you."

Wei Xu did not pout, but he did huff and step away. "Never mind. I'll figure something else out."

He checked a few other shops, not wanting to waste his day out, but again it was dead end after dead end. He could think of another method to use. He was sure of that. But he'd really hoped to be able to use the rare peony oil to impress the master swordsmiths on Wan Jian Peak! He wanted one that would stand out! He wanted to be the best!

He found his way back to the stream and the rock he'd visited before, plopping down and letting his head fall back to watch the drifting clouds through the canopy of leaves. It wasn't fair. How was he so close to getting the thing he needed only for it to be yanked out from under him! Who even in this town needed the peony oil?

A rustle in the brush cut off his sulking and he darted a glance over to see a familiar fluffy white shape.

"It's you!"

The fox blinked its brilliant green eyes at him, then stepped out of the brush with slow deliberate steps. Little by little, it made its way over, hopping up to sit in a beam of sunlight next to him. It was just as thin as before, but its coat still looked so soft and smooth. Before he knew it, Wei Xu reached out for a little touch. The fox flinched away, bearing its teeth.

"I just wanted to pet you," Wei Xu said, but he retracted his hand. The silver collar glinted on its neck and he again wondered about who this fox belonged to. He didn't think very well of them whoever they were. The thing was clearly intelligent but so skittish! And it had been injured before. Come to think of it. He peered down at the fox's paw and found it heeled, but a quick glance revealed another problem.

"Your hind leg," he said. "It's scratched."

The fox looked back at its leg, then let out a soft sigh.

"I can help again. If you want."

The fox darted a look up at him, ears twitching.

"I'm serious, see," he reached into his sleeve and pulled out the same jar of ointment. He'd carried it around since the last time. It had turned out to be so useful he wanted to make sure he had it. Good thing, too!

The fox's tail lifted, dusting the air one way then the other. After a moment it took a few cautious steps onto Wei Xu's lap. Wei Xu bit his lip so he didn't do something he'd regret, like squeezing the thing against his chest or kissing its fluffy little cheeks. It was just too cute! But he knew that all animals needed to be respected and this little fox had shown a lot of trust in him! He wouldn't ruin it.

"Alright, I have to pick you up."

The fox tensed. Then it blinked up at Wei Xu and nodded its head.

"You're really smart, huh? I don't think I've ever had this kind of conversation with an animal before."

The fox's eyes narrowed.

"It's a compliment!" Wei Xu shook his head. The little thing was cute but so suspicious!

Well better to get to work. He lifted the fox as carefully as he could, cradling it in his arms with its fluffy belly up. The fox squirmed but allowed itself to be maneuvered and the ointment applied to the cut on its leg. It was so light in Wei Xu's arms, even skinnier than he'd thought. It's fluffy fur had hidden most of it's narrow frame.

"Are you hungry?" Wei Xu asked it. "I have more bao. This one even has pork!"

The fox's little paws curled up to its chest, its tail flicking back and forth.

"That's what I thought," Wei Xu smiled. He flipped the fox so it could sit on his lap again, then reached into his sleeve and withdrew the bao he'd stashed there. He broke off a piece, making sure it had some pork then handed it to the fox. Just as the last time, the fox sniffed it first, then batted it with his paw, only then did he lean forward to take a bite.

Wei Xu grinned, kicking his feet to burn off some of the energy running through his body. He wanted to take this fox home with him. Even if it belonged to someone else, he'd certainly take better care of the poor thing. He sighed and broke off another piece of the bao, sharing it between him and the fox. The fox was too distinctive and if it belonged to a lord then there could be trouble.

Slowly, the fox relaxed sharing the bao until there was nothing left. With a narrowed eyed look, it turned in a circle and laid down on Wei Xu's lap, tail flicking and nose in the air. He didn't know how, but the little fox had the air of some elegant young master deigning to allow Wei Xu to get close. Well, Wei Xu had never hesitated in his life. He reached out and started to scratch behind those fluffy ears. The fox huffed, then snuggled closer onto Wei Xu's lap, its eyes closing.

His earlier failures all evaporated. This was the best day of Wei Xu's life!

"You know, I was going to write today off completely," he said, idly running his fingers along the fox's back. "I'm glad I ran into you."

One green eye slid open as the fox looked at him.

"Oh, it's just cause I've been looking for this thing. It's really important but someone bought it out from under me."

The fox's tail flicked as if it was saying, go on.

"It's very rare. And I've been looking all over for it. The Aura Dragon's Starlight Peony. Well the oil from it anyway."

The fox opened both eyes, head lifting as Wei Xu spoke.

"It's a necessary material for the dagger I'm working on. I couldn't make a full sword so I have to make sure this stands out or they'll never accept me to Wan Jian Peak."

The fox's ears perked up, standing straight and tall. It's tail waved back and forth as it's head drifted to look back towards the city. If Wei Xu didn't know better, he'd almost say the little thing looked concerned.

"Hey, what—"

The fox sat up and leapt gracefully to the ground. It padded a few steps away then turned, its white tale flicking back and forth. It looked towards the direction the stream flowed, then back again.

"Do you…" Wei Xu stopped. The fox was smart and seemed to understand him. But it couldn't really want… "Do you want me to follow you?"

The fox let out a sigh then nodded.

"Wait really? You want me to follow you?"

The fox's tail flicked back and forth, then it nodded again.

Wei Xu stared. This fox… this fox was really trying to speak to him! He couldn't believe it. It was one thing to encounter such a beautiful creature in the woods but for it to be so intelligent it could understand human speech and communicate? His heart thudded. It could be some kind of spirit. Could it be trying to trick him? The silver of its collar glinted in a patch of dappled sunlight. Or maybe this was just the type of pet a wealthy lord could afford. So far the fox had been suspicious, but had not tried to hurt him. It was such a little thing and he'd wanted to help it. Maybe it wanted to help him in return.

Decided, he jumped from the rock. "Alright, lets go!"

…

The fox had led him unerringly along the stream until they arrived at the back of a large white-walled estate. Then it had showed him a crack in the wall he could clamber through. The estate spread out before him, full of flowering trees and large ponds. It was just as he thought, a lord must live here. The fox, nudged him and he crouched down, hissing out a whisper.

"I'm not supposed to be here."

The fox rolled its eyes and Wei Xu was so struck by that expression that he almost couldn't suppress his laugh. It looked so put out! What could he do but follow the little thing as it led the way through tall bushes and behind garden pavilions. If the fox was intelligent enough to lead him here, to communicate with him, even roll its eyes, he figure it must know what it was doing.

It stopped at a small building by one of the large glassy ponds. The sun shone high in the sky, clouds drifting to reflect across the pond's surface, occasionally interrupted by flashes of orange and gold as koi swam just beneath. Wei Xu could hear the sound of voices drifting along the breeze but they were too far to make out. The fox sat, ears perked for a long time, then looked up at Wei Xu and darted towards the front of the building. Wei Xu's heart hammered but he followed right at the little creature's heels until they both were able to slip inside.

It was a dim space. Light filtered from somewhere above in streams full of dust motes. It was just enough to make out that this was a storeroom. And it wasn't just any storeroom. The walls were lined with ornate boxes, the floor stacked with intricate gold inlaid chests. This was a storeroom of priceless treasures! Wei Xu swallowed hard. His family was wealthy. He had never wanted for anything in his life. But even this, this display of wealth, was something he could not comprehend. All of these riches left to gather dust in the dark.

The fox padded to a newer looking box dropped on the floor like the rest, without any rhyme or reason that Wei Xu could discern. The boy walked over and crouched down. The lid was not locked and it lifted easily under his hand then clattered to the floor. This— This was the peony oil. He'd recognize it anywhere from it's brilliant blue collar filled with shimmering silver speckles. He'd searched for it high and low and it was here! The owner of this estate must have been the one who bought it out from under him.

"I can have this?" Wei Xu said to the fox.

The fox nodded.

"Really?" Wei Xu grinned. "You're something special aren't you?" He reached over to scratch behind the fox's ears, moving slow as the little thing tensed. As he stroked along silky fur, his fingers caught on a rough patch towards the tip. Pushing away the fur revealed a thin jagged scar. He frowned, all the pieces coming together in his head.

"You can't want to stay here, can you?" He said, envisioning the type of beast the lord who lived here must be. "You could come with me. I wouldn't keep you hungry or hurt you."

The fox's ears laid back. Then it lifted its head to show the silver collar, a barely there delicate chain. Wei Xu reached out, tracing the tip of his finger along the metal. A vibrating thrum passed through his skin almost like—

"Oh," he said, "You're bound with qi."

The little fox dropped its head, its tail curling around itself. No wonder the little thing hadn't run away yet.

"You know," Wei Xu hummed. "I've read lots about qi-enhanced metals. I bet with the right tool I could break this. Maybe I could come back and—

The fox jolted, its ears sticking straight into the air. It's little head whipped towards the door, then it bumped its nose into Wei Xu, looking up at him with wide eyes. A moment later Wei Xu heard it, too. The sound of footsteps.

He jumped to his feet without a second thought. The space was full of nooks and crannies. He squeezed into the narrow space between two boxes, ducking down so his head wouldn't be seen. He heard the fox scurry around then dive behind another box right before the door banged against the opposite wall. Heavy footfalls echoed around the storeroom, a shadow stretching out from the sun pouring in through the open door.

""I know you're in here. Come out," a voice, smug and arrogant called out.

Wei Xu didn't dare make a sound. His heart hammered in his ears. The footfalls drew closer. Then closer still. Wood scraped across the floor and the air was filled with a loud high yelp. Wei Xu peeked just around the corner of the box in front of him to see a man dressed in rich purple robes. He was grinning, teeth bared. In his hand was the fox, held up by it's tail.

"See," the man said. "Why did you bother hiding. You know I'll always find you."

The fox swung back and forth, its paws kicking the air. The man's grip tightened and the little thing whimpered. That only seemed to amuse him more. He raised the fox until they were eye level.

"Haitang is out with her friends this afternoon. Luckily, I have you to keep me company. We'll have so much fun together."

The fox's eyes widened, but it didn't tremble or growl. Only flinching when the man's hand flashed out to tug at it's ear.

It was like Wei Xu had been struck by lightning. His whole body shook. This was the intelligent little creature that had helped him find what he was looking for. He couldn't bear for it to be hurt. His hand gripped one of the vases on the shelf beside him and then, before he knew it, he was jumping out. The vase shattered it slammed into the man's head. He cried out collapsing. His head hit the floor first and he crumbled. Blood pouring from slices across his face.

The fox's whole body began to tremble but Wei Xu bent down and scooped it into his arms along with the peony oil then he darted out of the storeroom. He ran without looking back, feet slamming the earth and lungs burning. He slid under the hole in the wall he'd first come through and didn't stop until he was splashing in the stream. Only then did he put the fox down.

It stared up at him with wide green eyes, its ears laid back and its tail quivering.

"I'm sorry," he rasped, breathing heavy. "I'm sorry I couldn't let him hurt you."

The fox made a low keening noise. It looked back upstream then nudged his leg a few times.

"I can't leave you," he said.

The fox's ears laid back further, pressing flat to its white silky head. Then it lifted its head to show the still gleaming collar. Wei Xu winced. He didn't have any tools with him but he couldn't wait for that man to find them either. The beast of a lord, he would not take what happened well when he woke up. Wei Xu couldn't just leave the fox behind to bear the consequences. His fingers clenched around the box with the oil and he jolted.

The collar was laced with qi, all he had to do was counteract the qi flow and then the metal would be as fragile as anything else. He could break it. He stared down at the box. He didn't know if he'd be able to find more and he there wouldn't be enough to use it more than once. The fox bumped into his leg again.

What was he thinking? This poor thing knew more about what that lord was like than Wei Xu and it was still trying to get him to leave. He knelt down, knees hitting the ground hard. He could find another way to get to Wan Jian Peak. His success wasn't worth any life, especially not this little fox that had become his friend.

"Just stay still, alright?"

The fox's eyes darted over Wei Xu's face but he ignored it, they had to work quickly. He took the vial of oil then poured it onto his fingers. He wrapped one hand around the collar, then smeared the oil over the metal with the other. He felt the qi spark along his fingers, the current thrumming faster and faster, then, before the oil could coalesce with the collar's energy flow, he yanked at the metal. The collar shattered apart, the chain links flying free to scatter across the ground.

The fox jumped. One paw came up to bat at its neck. Then it stared up at him, its little mouth parted.

Wei Xu smiled. "You're free. I'd take you with me but…" he stopped mouth wobbling. "You're too distinctive. It's better if you run."

The fox's ears twitched and Wei Xu couldn't resist, he reached out and stroked his fingers along the fluffy fur.

"When that bastard stops looking for you. Let's meet again. I'll give you as many bao as you want!"

The fox leaned its head into his touch for just a moment, then it bowed its head to the ground. When it straightened, it took a step back, then another, and another, then turned and darted into the woods disappearing from sight.

Wei Xu watched the place it had vanished for a long time, a heavy weight forming in his gut. When it was well and truly gone, he turned around and headed for home. The vial and box left behind.

…

Wei Xu was resourceful. Even if his original plan had not worked out. He eventually made, what he thought, was an even better dagger and found his way to Wan Jian Peak to present it to the masters there.

He was accepted.

The years passed and he learned more and more, consuming knowledge like others consumed wine or collected riches. He'd never set out to be anything but a master swordsmith, but before he knew it, he found himself as head disciple. Successes came to him again and again. He'd thought making his first spiritual sword would be the best day of his life, but being given the name Wei Qingwei was a close second. He was the second of his generation to be named successor, right behind the future sect leader Yue Qingyuan.

That afternoon found him in his shizun's private garden. He was idly petting one of the peaks many pangolins as he perused a recent book brought back by his shizun on her travels. He'd been unable to put it down since he'd first seen it.

"Shizun," he said turning to find her just a few paces inside from the garden, still at her desk as she had been all afternoon.

"Have you returned to us from your studies?" She arched a brow. "You haven't moved all day."

Wei Qingwei shrugged. "Neither has shizun."

She arched a brow and he smiled in turn.

"I had a question."

"I assumed you did." She pushed herself up from her desk, striding over to take the seat next to him. "Well, go on. Sometimes I worry my successor is too studious. Sitting around all day reading books, not even eating or drinking. But then the next day I'll have to pull you out of the forge."

Wei Qingwei shrugged and she reached up to ruffle his hair. It was harder now than it used to be when he'd first come to the mountain and been just an average sized kid.

"This book," he said. "It talks of different techniques from the three realms. We have other books on what demons do to craft their weaponry but there are also details here on humans making pacts with yao to use their powers."

"Mn, it's been known to happen," she said. "One of the previous lords of Wan Jian Peak was said to have made friends with a fish spirit who helped him craft a fan that could part lakes to their depths. Of course, such a thing is only legend now but, perhaps there is some truth."

"So they'll help humans sometimes," Wei Qingwei said.

"Indeed, and create truly special weapons in the process," his shizun's eyes gleamed as she thought of it. Then she sat back and sighed. "Ah, but they're fickle, spirits and yao. If only I could get one to come the Wan Jian Peak. What a sight that would be."

Wei Qingwei lifted his head to watch the clouds drift by. The pangolin that he'd been scratching trotted off for more interesting venues. Wouldn't it be a sight. A yao on Wan Jian Peak, helping to bring their skills to even greater heights. What kind of secrets might a yao have to share? His shizun leaned over and plucked the book out of his hand while he was distracted.

"Enough of that," she laughed. "Now shoo, you're always hard at work. Go down the mountain and do something reckless. That's what the youth are supposed to do."

"Shizun," he groaned.

"No, no," his shizun laughed, getting to her feet. "I'll give this back to you when I know you've made terrible choices and bonded with your shidi and shixiong. She strode off without a backwards glance, tucking the book into her robes. "Have fun my dear disciple."

He sighed. Well that was that. He'd have to plead with her later about it, for now he could only be a good disciple and listen. Perhaps Yue Qingyuan was free and might go down the mountain with him. He'd heard his shixiong speak with interest of yao once. Maybe he'd like to hear about a little fox Wei Qingwei had once met.

…

Wei Qingwei pressed a hand to his gut. Blood slid sticky between his fingers. Blood was filling his mouth, too. A warm metallic taste that grew stronger with each trembling breath he took. He let out a sharp laugh. What a terrible fucking mission.

He had stumbled into a pack of Night-pearl Serpent Wolves— too many to hold off with just him and a few new disciples. He'd managed to get his shidi away but that had left him fighting the beasts on his own. And now with only one left, he'd reached the limits of his strength. His fingers tightened on his sword, slipping in the blood streaming from a gash in his arm.

"Well," he let out another laugh. "I might not live to see one more setting of the moon, but I will not make the journey to death alone. Maybe you'll be cuter in the underworld."

The wolf growled, crouching low. Wei Qingwei raised his sword. The breeze whistled through the trees, bringing the fresh scent of pine. One last attack, winner takes all. The beast lunged and he tensed taking comfort in the resonant thrum of his blade. But before the wolf crossed that last distance, a streak of pure white leapt from the brush and slammed straight into the wolf. Wei Qingwei stumbled backwards, heart racing and more blood flooding his mouth. It was a giant white fox.

The fox slashed at the wolf, backing it up step by step. The wolf dove to the side but the fox was faster. It's teeth closed on the wolf's throat, spraying red across its white coat. The wolf howled, struggling to break free. It's paw swiped out and the fox was forced to jump back. The two beasts stared at each other. The fox's double tails whipped back and forth. It bent low and growled, flashing its sharp teeth as if readying itself to fight to the death. The wolf let out a low growl, ears laying back, then it backed up a step and fled into the woods.

The fox waited for a long moment. Only, when it was clear the wolf would not return did it relax. It turned to gaze at Wei Qingwei with wide green eyes. It's ears twitched, then it took a step forward and where a fox had been, a man was now standing in it's place. He was completely bare save a sheathe of silky hair as black as ink that fell to his calves. He looked ghostly under the moonlight, his green eyes pinning Wei Qingwei in place.

Perhaps it was the blood loss or the pain but he was not afraid like he should be. More than that, he thought:those eyes…

"You…" Wei Qingwei's tongue was clumsy in his mouth, his head spinning. "Ah, you're so beautiful."

The man paused, a frown pushing down his delicate lips. Then he shook his head and crossed the last distance between them. "You're gravely injured."

"Mn," Wei Qingwei smiled. "An astute observation." Now that he was closer he was sure, those eyes were so familiar. His heart fluttered and he sent out a little prayer, thanking the gods for at least granting him this one last wish. The little fox. So he'd turned out alright after all.

"My friend. I hoped I'd see you again."

"You remember me?" The man tipped his head. "You recognized me?'

"Of course." Wei Qingwei said. He swayed, his vision darkening at the edges. "How… how could I forget you." He tried to lift a hand but it felt like he was weighed down with iron. Ah well, at least he would die under the gaze of a beauty under the moon and not to the jaws of a wolf. His vision blackened, the shadows rising up to meet him as he collapsed forward. He slipped from consciousness before he even hit the ground.

…

Wei Qingwei startled awake. He sat up straight then winced and sank back against a mountain of cushions. He was in an unfamiliar bed, dressed in fresh robes and covered by a mound of thick blankets. He glanced around at the sparse but well furnished room catching sight of first Mu Qingfang. But he was barely able to spare a glance for his shidi. At the foot of the bed was the fox, still in human form. The fox was now wearing a robe, one of the Qiao Cao Disciple one's from the looks of it. Wei Qingwei's lips quirked up. He didn't know if he should be happy the fox had found something to wear or sad the long lines of his body were no longer visible.

"Like covering up a master work of art behind a plane cloth," he mumbled.

"Shixiong," Mu Qingfang cocked a brow.

"Nothing, nothing," he rasped. "What happened?"

"This…." Mu Qingfang paused glancing over at the fox. "This man brought you to Cang Qiong Mountain. You were unresponsive." The fox's mouth twitched but his expression otherwise remained cool and unreadable. "He caused a huge ruckus actually."

"Did he?" Wei Qingwei cocked his head, the movement making the lights swim around him, he swallowed down the strange sudden urge to laugh.

"Well he…" Mu Qingfang grimaced. "He was wearing nothing when he arrived."

Again, Wei Qingwei has to swallow the urge to laugh. He could just picture it. This lovely but slight man, his long limbs bare and his head held high, carrying Wei Qingwei's hulking form. What a sight to see, indeed!

"This is my friend," Wei Qingwei explained. The fox's eyes darted to him, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. "Ah, but, I don't know your name."

"I'm called Shen Jiu," the fox said.

Mu Qingfang made a face. "So you do have a name."

Wei Qingwei ignored him. He felt light, chest filled with warm air. "Ah, I'm really amazed! You grew up!"

The flush on Shen Jiu's face deepened and he tsked. "I grew up? What about you. You're more a mountain than a person."

Wei Qingwei laughed. He reached over, fingers itching to touch Shen Jiu, to make sure he was really there, but as soon as he sat up a lancing pain spiked through him and he fell back wincing.

"You broke several rips and had extensive bleeding, Shixiong. I had to give you something to help with the healing. But please rest properly."

"I feel great though," Wei Qingwei paused, frowning. "Well actually, everything hurts, but you know, in my head I feel great."

Mu Qingfang ran a hand down his face. "That's the side-effect of the medication I gave you. It might lower your inhibitions a little but you can still be rational and—"

Wei Qingwei wasn't listening. He was watching Shen Jiu. He couldn't believe it. After all this time that little fox had returned. It was better than he had ever imagined. He tried to sit up only to fall back against the pillows when the sharp pain returned. He sighed but it didn't put out any of his good humor.

"So you helped me out again? We can't keep meeting like this, I fear how much I'll owe you the next time."

"You owe me nothing," Shen Jiu's lips curved into a cute pout. "It was you that did me a great service once. I have yet to repay it."

"There's no need for debts between us then. I did what was right. How could I leave you like that?"

Shen Jiu blinked, a pair of fluffy white ears rising from his hair as his pale eyes darted away and his long lashes quivered.

"Stupid," he huffed.

He really was very pretty with soft pink lips and phoenix eyes, who could look away from him? Wei Qingwei hummed. Maybe there was something to what Mu Qingfang had said about his inhibitions but he didn't really have it in him to care.

Shen Jiu's eyes met his and his cheeks flushed an even deeper red, lips curving down. They looked so soft. How nice it might be to lean in and—

Mu Qingfang cleared his throat. "I'll leave you and your friend for now but, please rest shixiong. Don't move around too much."

Shen Jiu turned and shot a glare at him. "What else would he be doing?"

Mu Qingfang only cocked a brow, then excused himself with another long look at Wei Qingwei. When he was gone, there was no one else for Shen Jiu to turn his glare on but Wei Qingwei.

"Humans are so stupid. You could have died. You are fortunate that I was nearby and smelled your blood."

Wei Qingwei cocked his head, a warmth suffusing his chest. Maybe it was not supposed to be such a great thing that some yao, powerful enough to take human form, could find him by scent but…he looked up at Shen Jiu's pretty face and felt the warmth spread out in a syrupy slide through the rest of his body.

"A-Jiu," he started.

"Who told you to call me that?" Shen Jiu hissed, his ears twitching.

Wei Qingwei just smiled in response. "A-Jiu," he groaned. "Don't make an injured man sit up. You heard what my shidi said. Come closer."

"Don't act like child when you're…" His ears flicked, gaze tracing over Wei Qingwei's broad shoulders, the expanse of his chest, his form that towered over others even when sitting. Wei Qingwei's smile broadened making Shen Jiu's glare sharpen. "Stop that."

"Stop what?" Wei Qingwei asked. His thoughts were floaty. His body ached but it was such a far away feeling and he could deal with some bruises or even a cracked rip when he'd been blessed with such fortune right when he woke up.

"Come on, come closer."

"Why?" Shen Jiu narrowed his eyes.

"I haven't seen you in so many years and you were just a tiny little thing then. Can't I want to see how much you've changed?"

This comment only made Shen Jiu narrow his eyes even more, squinting at Wei Qingwei as if that might reveal his motives. Wei Qingwei waited. Shen Jiu really was no different now than he'd been as a fox, afterall. Finally, he relented and scooted closer, still out of arm's reach.

"A-Jiu," Wei Qingwei coaxed. "If I have to sit up I will but you spent all that time saving me so I thought—"

"Ugh fine," Shen Jiu grumbled, scooting closer again. "Stupid foolish humans. They're all so shameless."

Wei Qingwei just nodded along. He didn't think Shen Jiu meant it. He had to really like Wei Qingwei if he was coaxed so easily.

Sitting next to him, Shen Jiu was a slight thing. Tall but willowy. In his single robe, his long legs peaked out trailing down to a socked foot. He really was a peerless beauty. Many things flitted through Wei Qingwei's mind, images, ideas, warm curling fantasies, all slipping away to pool somewhere deep in his thoughts to be unearthed later. Right now though, he had the same urge he'd had as a child.

He reached out and tucked a strand of hair over Shen Jiu's shoulder. Shen Jiu tensed, his ears flicking.

"Thank you for helping me, A-Jiu," Wei Qingwei said.

"You should be thankful," Shen Jiu replied with an arched brow.

"Will you stay? At least for a bit. Let me host you on Wan Jian Peak."

Shen Jiu sneered. "As if that would work. Cultivators always wish to fight me."

"That's no problem," Wei Qingwei shrugged, wincing a little as the motion pulled at one of his wounds. "If that happens, I'll fight them first. My shizun will be alright with it. Besides I'm the successor you know."

"You'll fight everyone? In your condition. That seems doubtful." Shen Jiu rolled his eyes. He hadn't said yes, but he hadn't said no either. That was a good a sign as any.

Wei Qingwei took his chances, hand darting up to pet one of those fluffy ears. Shen Jiu's whole body twitched, his lashes quivering as his expression did some complicated thing. Wei Qingwei stroked his fingers along the silky fur and Shen Jiu jolted. A moment later two fluffy tails materialized behind him.

"Stop," Shen Jiu batted his hand away. "I'll lose my form."

Wei Qingwei blinked. "How does that work?"

Shen Jiu's blush came back full force. "I just learned how…I thought, if I saw you again…"

A light feeling bloomed in Wei Qingwei's chest. "You learned it for me?"

Shen Jiu's ears stood straight up and he shoved his hands into Wei Qingwei's chest.

"Ow." Pain cut through Wei Qingwei's body and he winced.

"I—" Shen Jiu's mouth dropped open, his tails twitching. "Why are you so fragile!"

Ah, so cute! Wei Qingwei thought. Shen Jiu looked cute mad, and looked cute embarrassed, and he looked cute concerned, too.

Wei Qingwei let out a long suffering sigh, closing his eyes and sinking back against the pillows. "A-Jiu is so cruel, taking advantage of my injuries to finish me off."

"What a fool you are." Shen Jiu glared. "I'm leaving."

Wei Qingwei caught his wrist. "After you just wounded me? Come on, stay a for awhile. I'll beg if I have to. Mu-shidi told me to stay in this bed, but if A-Jiu is going to run off then of course I'll have to get on the floor and kneel to show him my sincerity."

"Stop that," Shen Jiu tugged at his wrist. "You're a shameless fool. I shouldn't have saved you."

Wei Qingwei pulled back but he hadn't quite accounted for how light Shen Jiu would be. With a yelp Shen Jiu toppled over, sprawling half on top of him. He let out an oof, a deep ache radiating through his body, but he couldn't care less. Shen Jiu was now close enough Wei Qingwei could make out the different colored flecks of green in his eyes, the sweep of his individual dark lashes, the way his lips parted to show just the hint of sharp eye-teeth.

Wei Qingwei reached up to tuck an escaped strand of hair over Shen Jiu's shoulder. "You're so beautiful."

Shen Jiu gaped, his cheeks flushing red. "Shameless!"

"I'm injured," Wei Qingwei defended. "I can't be blamed for anything I say."

Shen Jiu's gaze was icy but Wei Qingwei had a good read of him now. He ignored the cold look in favor of leaning in a little closer.

"But you know what would make me feel better?"

"What?" Shen Jiu's lips thinned, ears twitching. He was so close. If Wei Qingwei just leaned in…

He tugged Shen Jiu's hair gently. "A kiss."

Shen Jiu stiffened, a squawking gasp escaping his pretty lips. He was really so cute. Truly, it must have been fate that they met. He leaned forward before Shen Jiu could try and run off again and pressed his lips to Shen Jiu's flushed cheek.

Shen Jiu sputtered. "You—"

Wei Qingwei leaned over and kissed him on the other cheek for good measure.

"What is wrong with you?!" Shen Jiu exclaimed.

"Who can act rational when they're looking at your face," Wei Qingwei laughed, too pleased with himself in spite of the glare. Maybe this was the effect of whatever Mu Qingfang had given him but what did it matter when Shen Jiu clearly didn't mind as much as he put on.

He leaned in, their noses brushing. Shen Jiu tensed but didn't pull away.

"I'm going to kiss you now," Wei Qingwei whispered against his lips.

"You—" Shen Jiu hissed, breaking off as Wei Qingwei bridged the last distance and did exactly that. Shen Jiu's mouth was soft against his, moving slowly and unpracticed. His teeth caught Wei Qingwei's lips, a slow pleasure building in his chest.

Wei Qingwei stoked a hand down Shen Jiu's back, then along his narrow waist, before curving along his silky tail. Shen Jiu shivered against him, fingers curling in Wei Qingwei's robes. Wei Qingwei wanted to deepen the kiss, see what the inside of Shen Jiu's mouth tasted like. If he got a little more injured, what did it matter when he had a cute and peerless beauty laying nearly in his lap kissing him. His other hand lifted to thread through Shen Jiu's hair, pulling him closer and—

The door flew open and Shen Jiu jerked away, his face bright red and his glare cold as ice.

Wei Qingwei turned to find Yue Qingyuan standing in the doorway, breathing heavy, hair windswept like he'd flew here as fast as possible.

"Shixiong?" Wei Qingwei asked, but Yue Qingyuan wasn't looking at him. He was looking at Shen Jiu.

"Xiao Jiu!" Yue Qingyuan exclaimed.

Shen Jiu's eyes went wide, then his jaw tightened, ears laying flat back against his head.

Wei Qingwei, perhaps finally shocked by one too many strange happenings, leaned his head back and started to laugh.