Volume 5 Chapter 101

Volume 5 + Chapter 101: The Fox General Shall Return Like Lightning

Xia Yi walked over, intending to pick up Little Red.

However, her hand passed straight through Little Red’s body.

Only then did she notice that Little Red had already become translucent, her very existence beginning to fade.

“It’s about time… for me to bid you farewell…”

Little Red revealed a bitter smile.

The little fox immediately sensed that something was wrong and hurried over. “Fox God, what’s happening to you?!”

“I’m leaving,” Little Red said.

“Why?” Xia Yi pressed urgently. “Is it because you’ve overused your divine power?”

Little Red was merely a spiritual remnant hastily left behind by the Red Fox Deity, and she possessed only limited divine power.

Earlier, she had used that power to create a protective barrier for Xia Yi and the little fox.

And when the little fox entered the Sakura Moon barrier to battle the shadowy yokai, Little Red had also expended divine power to assist her.

After all that consumption, she had little power left to sustain her own existence.

“Fox God, I’ve already awakened the Nine-Tailed Fox God bloodline, please, let me find a way to restore your divine power so you won’t disappear!” the little fox said anxiously. “Come with us!”

Little Red shook her head. “While it’s true that my divine power has been greatly depleted, that is not the reason I must leave…”

“Then why?”

“I exist as a spiritual remnant left behind to eliminate the evil manifestation. Once the evil manifestation dies, the Sealed Land disappears, and my mission is complete. There is no longer any reason for me to remain.”

“But…”

The little fox hesitated, unable to continue.

Deep down, she already understood, 

The spiritual remnant and the evil manifestation were counterparts.

Once the evil manifestation vanished, the remnant would vanish as well.

“Yue Liu, I am already someone who has died. The dead should not cling too tightly to the world of the living.”

Little Red paused briefly.

“Though my past is filled with regrets, I do not regret it. I have no need to live another life.”

“Fox God…”

The little fox’s nose stung with emotion.

“I have lived my entire life for the Fox Clan. I’m a bit tired now… it’s time for me to rest.”

The small red nine-tailed fox let out a yawn, turned in place three times, and then lay down peacefully.

“You should go. Keep it quiet, I want to have a good sleep.”

“Wuuu… Fox God… I… I understand…!”

The little fox wept uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face. But as the Fox God’s shrine maiden, she had no choice but to obey her god’s command.

“…Goodbye, Little Red.”

Xia Yi didn’t know what else to say.

She had known Little Red for less than two days. This little being had appeared so suddenly, and now was leaving just as suddenly, leaving behind a faint sense of emptiness in her heart.

But this was Little Red’s own choice. In the end, Xia Yi simply said goodbye.

“Mm, Xia Yi… goodbye.”

Bathed in sunlight, Little Red closed her eyes and drifted into sleep.

Perhaps, after a lifetime of toil, she could finally rest, her expression serene and peaceful.

The little fox couldn’t bear to leave, standing there and crying endlessly.

In the end, Xia Yi grabbed Yue Liu’s wrist and pulled her away.

“Wuuu… Fox God…” the little fox sobbed, wiping her tears.

After walking some distance, Xia Yi quietly turned back for one last glance, 

The small red nine-tailed fox was gone, having vanished into the warm sunlight.

…

…

Xia Yi and the little fox returned to the Feiyan train.

The locomotive sounded its whistle and began to move. Beneath its wheels, rails of condensed ice formed from magic, guiding the train as it departed from the ground.

Yue Liu pressed herself against the window, gazing at the Sealed Land growing ever more distant, still immersed in the sorrow of parting with Little Red.

Though Xia Yi was exhausted, she still went to the refrigerated storage car, took out some ingredients, and quickly prepared a simple meal.

“Eat something, Fox Radish.”

She placed the food in front of the little fox.

“I’m not very hungry… my destined rival, thank you for your concern…” the little fox shook her head.

She still looked dejected, her ears drooping softly.

“You’re overthinking it, Fox Radish. I’m just considering your stamina recovery,” Xia Yi said as she sat down. “We still have to head to the battlefield at Mizuo Castle. I don’t want you dragging me down or affecting my performance.”

“What?! I would never be a burden!”

The little fox bristled at the provocation, her ears snapping upright in indignation.

“I’ll eat! And I’ll perform even better than you, just you wait!!”

That’s more like it.

Xia Yi smiled and began eating as well, restoring her strength in preparation for the next battle.

…

…

Outside Mizuo Castle.

On the battlefield, the Restoration Army was locked in fierce combat with the Fox Clan forces and the White Night Cult.

The battle had already raged for nearly two days and nights. Although the Restoration Army held a numerical advantage, the Fox Clan troops were highly trained, and the White Night Cult wielded numerous powerful techniques. Working together, they had steadily forced the Restoration Army back, unable even to reach the city gates.

“Report to Lord Senluo.”

On the city walls, the Fox Clan officer Fenghua reported the situation.

“The rebel forces are in continuous retreat. Our army has pushed the front line forward. The enemy no longer poses a threat to Mizuo Castle.”

“Heh heh heh! I told you, the dragonfolk are nothing but useless fools, too scared to act! And those rabble are no match for us!” Senluo laughed arrogantly. “Victory is already in our grasp. I’m ready to dedicate it to the High Priest!”

“Lord Senluo, we cannot claim victory just yet. Even in this situation, the rebels continue to resist stubbornly. They can likely hold out for quite some time.”

“Why?”

“I’ve heard that among their forces, they are rallying morale with a single phrase…”

Fenghua paused briefly before continuing.

“‘Princess Yue Liu will return like lightning!’”

“How ridiculous. With that pseudo-god shrine maiden’s personality, she’s probably already fled at the sight of this situation. How would she dare return to the battlefield?”

Senluo sneered with utter disdain, his words dripping with contempt for Yue Liu.

Fenghua clenched his fists in anger, but he could only suppress his fury and endure in silence.

“Notify all troops, full assault! Wipe out the rebels in one strike!” Senluo ordered.

“…Yes.”

Fenghua could only relay the command, ordering the Fox Clan army to charge.

The fox soldiers advanced with overwhelming force, weapons in hand, surging toward the Restoration Army.

The rebels could no longer hold the line, just as they were about to be crushed, thunder suddenly roared across the sky.

In the next instant, a strike like lightning descended, exploding across the battlefield.

The surging sword energy forced the advancing Fox Clan army to halt in their tracks.

At the same time, a figure stepped forth from the lightning…

And every face on the battlefield filled with shock.

“I have heard your call… and now, I have returned!”

Yue Liu’s voice echoed across the entire battlefield.

[https://ko-fi.com/golden_dragon]