Torsten Hewson
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v4c72: Relfections and One Last Task
🕑 Added 2023-12-17 03:33:42 +0000 UTCNezan watched on idly as once more food and drink was brought out. He had a small smile plastered on his face as he watched Yun Ren entertain the rest of their kin with colours and swirling lights.
It was a scene of levity, compared to the oppressive atmosphere that Nezan had created.
He sighed. He had nearly succumbed to Da Ji’s hate; the blood fury inherent in all foxes when their ire was roused. The savage, destructive malice that demanded to see everything burn. The mere idea that they could once more own the mountain had been too much. It had stirred his heart and set his Qi on a dark path forwards.
His heart, his being, his identity was all tied into what seemed like a never ending war to get it back. He had been but a child when it had fallen, and afterwards his cousins had spirited him away to a hidden realm where he had trained to grow strong enough to enter the war.
He had fought for centuries. He had probably killed more members of the Shrouded Mountain Sect than any other person or organization could ever claim. He had torn out their throats with his teeth even as their swords stabbed into his guts. He had burned them to ashes with foxfire. He had imposed twisted visions that had driven them insane.
He had never been alone. At first, he had followed the stronger foxes, mad on Da Ji’s hate. They demanded that everyone must fight, declaring that this war was their solemn duty.
So they did. There was no such thing as a non-combatant fox for the first part of the war—when they gathered in their hundreds to challenge the Shrouded Mountain Sect.
Indeed, Nezan still remembered the impassioned plea of his cousins during the conclave that had convinced the majority of their kin to stay instead of fleeing the province when the tide of the war became obvious.
Oh, some likely had left; but the bulk of the foxes had stayed.
This was their home, and it was their duty to fight to their last breaths to defend it.
Even as their numbers dwindled, Nezan fought. His survival was what saw him get, to use a human term, promoted; he fought and he fought and he fought until one day he found himself as one of the strongest foxes left alive, with everybody following his lead.
So he continued the battle. For his family, and for all those who had died, it was their duty to.
Somewhat ironically it had been Wen who had started to change things. Even though she was barely coherent when she first came to them, her mind reeling from whatever tortures the Inquisition had inflicted on her, she had been the one to see their population problems. She had convinced Nezan and the others to start setting up more hidden villages and to start making deals with the other human sects who disliked the Shrouded Mountain Sect.
It had been her that convinced him that not everyone needed to fight… nor should they fight. They needed those who would preserve their culture and their ways, so that one day they could finally rise again.
And then it had been her that had given her life for them in that final, fateful battle. Her amongst some of the last foxes who had strength left. A rear-guard action, to protect their last real village and buy time for their evacuation.
They had turned the valley into a burial mound. Three Elders of the Shrouded Mountain Sect had gone to their doom along with nearly a thousand cultivators when his dearest had turned herself into an avatar of living lightning.
Nezan, too, had nearly perished in that battle. He had been grievously injured, his cultivation nearly shattered.
But his people had still needed his help.
He laid Wen’s body to rest, along with her sword, then returned to the Howling Fang Mountains. Nezan had been working more off instinct more than anything else. He couldn’t remember how many people he had to bribe or lie to. He couldn’t remember how many times they nearly lost everything. But in the end, Nezan became Honoured Uncle Nezan.
The technical leader of their race, by seniority if nothing else. The leaders of the clans swore they would wait for his word and for his return, and that their children would forever honour him.
With that, Nezan could finally rest. He staggered back to Wen’s grave and he slept.
He slept for ages; a human cultivator surely would have perished by old age, but the foxes of the mountain were known for their longevity.
But it took him entirely too long to recover. Each time he awoke, it was almost like a dream. He would work on Wen’s Tomb or he would sneak out to a village to make sure they were still there.
And then, one day, he found an intruder in his den who, with his words and actions, had made the world swim back into focus.
At first he had been content to sleep. He was an old relic, and his kin were… relatively safe. Yet the Shrouded Mountain Sect had reared its ugly head, once more threatening his family.
All of a sudden, he was back in the war. Back in the never-ending battle to retake his homeland… no matter the cost.
He had tried to distance himself from the dark feelings, for Nezuhua’s plea against restarting the war had moved him. The reality of the situation was plain, yet even this had not really succeeded.
At first, the force that had been assembled had been a contingency plan. A “just in case” if Shen Yu was serious about only Bi De receiving his protection as his student. Of course, he needed not really worry… but he had anyway. Yuanlin was a specialist in rescue operations. In the few cases the Inquisition managed to catch a fox these days, it was Yuanlin who went to try and intercept them before they made it back to the mountain.
The news of what had happened had completely broken the dam on his emotions, however. All of a sudden, for the first time in as long as Nezan could remember, they had a true chance of retaking their home… and it had gripped his soul.
It was a question he had to ask. It was something he had to demand or Nezan would not be Nezan anymore. Even as his Qi bubbled and roiled from indecision, it was something he had to do.
Even though his heart had been wavering, he had to have one last, defiant gasp.
Thankfully, his boy once again succeeded magnificently.
“You’re a fox, aren’t you? Why would you pay in blood for a mountain you might be able to get for free by going about this with half a damn brain?!”
Indeed, the words had been a spike directly to his soul. Chastising Nezan for not being enough of a fox? The boy had shown sheer gall in doing that! But the wound to his pride had done the trick. The Hate of Da Ji had recoiled to a bare simmer as its focus shifted, latching on to the demand for subtlety and manipulation over brute force and salting the earth.
A perfect victory, where the only blood spilled was that of his enemies.
He lost himself for a while, thinking of the best path forwards. The best way to slowly work his people back into their rightful place. Invited in, no, begged to come back by whatever remained of the Shrouded Mountain Sect.
“Uncle? Are you well?”
Nezuhua’s voice broke into Nezan’s thoughts and he blinked. The hall had been opened again and the rest of the children were there. Yun Ren had Summer’s Sky out, using the blade to create spiraling fractals in the air. Bi De was deep in conversation with Xue Ji, the officious-looking woman writing something down for him. Ri Zu was speaking with Nezuhao, the old woman chuckling at whatever the girl had said.
In addition to them… were the former members of the Shrouded Mountain Sect. Yushang was expertly losing a game to the few children who were here. Han was once more speaking with Da Jin, listening seriously. And finally, Yuanlin was speaking with Shao Heng, the stoic man nodding along to whatever she was saying.
“I’m fine, dear,” he said, giving Nezuhua a small smile.
He sighed as he gazed thoughtfully at the scene before him. Yun Ren was right. Nezan had time. Time to do this right.
He sighed again and closed his eyes, pushing and shoving the snarling animal in his soul down so it was a bit quieter.
He had promised Yun Ren he would visit his family. And why not bring the rest of their distant cousins too?
Yes. That was a fine idea.
Wen would have approved.
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They stayed with the foxes for three days. It was a three day respite which Bi De had sorely needed… even though it was not perfect. No, perfect would have been at home; all of them knew that. Yet still, he was free to be himself and free to steal quite a few wonderful moments with Ri Zu.
But alas, they had duties to attend to. They were needed to the north, to ensure the Shrouded Mountain Sect had truly been attacking the demons as they claimed and clearing them out properly.
Their party was comprised of himself, Ri Zu, Yun Ren, Yushang, Han, Shao Heng, and Nezan; the rest of the foxes would instead be dispersing back to their own homes… and in Nezuhua’s case, they would be making preparations to travel to the Azure Hills, so that they could travel there as soon as Bi De and his party returned.
Bi De had also given a letter to one of the foxes, who swore she would deliver it beforehand. Bi De had been out of communication for a while and his Master needed to be informed, just in case this took longer than expected.
There was little in the way of goodbyes. Nezan and Yun Ren—whom Nezan had taken pity on and taught how to hide his ears and tail, much to Yushang’s disappointment—merely bid their kin farewell and declared that they would see them again soon.
And thus off they went, heading north.
The mood was optimistic as Yushang bugged Yun Ren to take out his tail again, much to the other man’s annoyance.
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There was a ringing in his ears. His entire body felt like it was burning and freezing at the same time as the wind howled and his body rocked side to side. It was incredibly uncomfortable.
He suddenly dropped slightly, as whatever he was on rocked more.
He was being carried, he realised. And the person carrying him had just stumbled.
“Stay with me. Come on, Yingwen! Stay with me!” Fenxian demanded over the wind, his voice tight with pain. “We’re gonna make it!”
Zhou Yingwen of the Shrouded Mountain Sect opened his eyes… and then immediately wished he hadn’t.
It was dark and the air was filled with snow, but it did nothing to hide the state his companion was in.
He could see Fenxian’s skull. The blackned bone was visible in the ruin that was his face. His clothes had been burned off, and his leg had a bone sticking out of it, his own bone. His brother disciple was barely standing, and Yingwen would not burden him anymore.
“I am awake. Put me down. I can walk,” Yingwen said, trying to lessen the burden on his fellow.
Fenxian laughed. The sound was pained.
“No, you can’t,” Fenxian replied.
Yingwen blinked and then looked down.
Oh… it appeared Fenxian was correct, for the first time in forever. Yingwen could not walk.
He had no legs.
He let out a rattling breath and turned away again. He fell silent as Fenxian trudged along, Yingwen’s eyes roving around and trying to make out anything through the blizzard around them.
And then he saw it, the briefest of flashes before it melted back into the snow.
“Fenxian.”
“I know,” his brother disciple tersely replied.
Then they heard it. It was low, almost masked by the wind.
The rattling breath that sounded like laughter.
Yingwen swallowed, his mind flashing back to the abominations that had been in the mountain.
Fenxian started moving faster, no matter how much the movement pained him.
The rattling laugh was joined by a second, and then a third.
Yingwen felt despair start to creep up on him. The same despair he felt when Elder Shenhe had fallen.
Shadows danced through the snow, hounding the last surviving members of Elder Shenhe’s Fulmination Squadron.
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Sorry for the wait. Laster chapter was an extremly annoying one to write, adn that effected this one but I think I resolved the issues I had with this one.
Also: Dun, Dun, Dun.
One more chapter until break.
Editors: Aaron “Pastafarian” Sofaer, Massgamer,
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Comments
Talespinner Lore
Just noticed the title says *Rel*fections, not Reflections.
Randall Brynsvold
Among other things (e.g. he said he wanted to check on the demon-hunting task force in the north), Shen Yu is their ride.
Len
i agree, i think she was - well i hope so- captured. i IMAGINE Shen Yu is going with BiDe as well, since a few chapters back (chapt 69) Bi De said he(Shen Yu) was going to check on the north where Shenhe was with the squad killing demons. i imagine most of the SMS elders are earth realm since the patriarch was Sky. so purple hair dude is high earth or low sky realm most likely, i highly doubt he is higher than that.
Matthew Bartlett
As cool as that would be, I expect that we will have to wait till next winter for the general who commands the winter to truly come into there own.
Matthew Bartlett
I hope the fulmination squad gets saved by our group. I wanna see how they take getting saved by foxes.
DrNutella
Uh i just reread the chapter, where the demon guy plans the ambush on the elder. Based on the wording it seems like he wanted to take her alive. So maybe the gang can save her and some others. I hope they didn't all die.
linkhyrule5
There is very little a cultivator healer cannot do with sufficient skill and materials. But most cultivators cannot regrow limbs on their own, naturally, no.
Featherweight
I kinda hope the General that commands the winter Guides these poor wayward souls to the farm.
Melanie Me
No the rest of the group with Yingwen that went with him to the dueling peaks.
Truedragon5374
And no, the SMS team is already in Azure Hills. The Frozen Wastes are north of the Azure Hills and the Howling Fang Mountains. They would have traveled from the Mountains, through Yellowrock Plateau, then into the Hills. That group and thier concubine demon are still ready to make trouble.
Truedragon5374
I don't think so. At least not quickly and not those of low-mid levels. In some series breaking through into a very high realm with restore a body to whole, but we don't know if BoC works like that. But Jin has knowledge of modern prosthetics and is good at chi reinforcement. And we know something like a sword can be imbued with a chi network so maybe they Fa Ram can cludge a prototype golem limb replacements. Heck the Empire has those Jade Armor mecha things that mortals can pilot, so maybe they already have something like that.
Lonnie Sizemore
Yay foreshadowing! 😆
Pierre laplant
Woo
Splutty
Relfections and one Lats Taks.
Gardor
"i'll have to take you seriously, I'll have to use my full power" seems a little bit too much like a cliche xianxia character trope for Bi De.
Gardor
I dunno, when Bi De listed the squad going north, he didn't mention Shen Yu
Zach Cooper
Holy crap i didnt expect that ending, its gonna be a long month with no chapters🥺🥺😭
Andrew Denton
She was sleeping with one of her juniors. A "sweet spot" sounds like a euphemism.
Marcin
Demons are kinda careless... u dont willy nilly kill people that will be missed. It raisses questions... And questions always bring trouble :D
Melanie Me
Oi... can cultivators regrow limbs? And did the rest of the SMS gang from Azure Hillls die in the ambush?
Old Dog
As always, thank you for the chapter. I appreciate how it dovetails into the previous chapter and better explains Nezan's "change of heart" about attacking the SMS to retake the mountain. I hope you have an enjoyable break. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, (I'd say enjoy the Eid but that is long past) and Happy New Year.
Zellcos
You have named this chapter relfections.
Demian Buckle
Thank you for the Chapter.
Szymon Szczełkun
If that foxs was a girl there is chance of seeing senior brother li ru play act of saving damsel in disstress when she is assulted by shrouded mountain sect elder :D
Szymon Szczełkun
Was it though ? I can't really find a need to be bipolar with all their action and displaying gradual change from wrong to right direction in this case would just be plain and unintresting . When the feud lasted for so long and so many blood has already been spilled there is no right or wrong answer about continiuing the war just priorities and ones point of view . In this case establishing majority of foxes as vegneful bunch that with nezhan would prioritize their hatred and honour of the fallen ancestor over the current wellbeing of their tribe just for it to change with a few words from yun ren about value of their lives and family would come as one dimentional and cheep instead .
Sebastian Rubin
Darn those spooky scary skeletons! Sucks to be them when Shen Yu is inbound...
Victor DoUrden
Not enough Yushang (& RiZu) on fox tail action
faeriehunter
Shenhe probably was indeed captured. Yulong (the guy who looks remarkably like Meiling) stated his intent to do so in Epilogue: Butterfly's Wings. "And then he’d deliver to his Master a pretty gift. He had heard Shenhe was a beauty, with hair of spun gold and stormy eyes."
Nemo
I mean, we basically got that in the tournament.... for bi de at least
Just A Dude
Howling Fang sounds more like wolves, though.
Just A Dude
IIRC, he was headed north to check on the expedition. I may be wrong, though.
Just A Dude
10 spirit stones says Yingwen and Fenxian are get saved by Shen Yu Interrupt.
Sal
AHHHHHHH
Net
Oh no!
G
I want the scene: Bi De and RI Zu are presented with the antagonist. - Bi De : "We'll I have to take you seriously." Transforms into a Cock. - Ri Zue: "I agree" transforms into a Rat to ride said Cock. TO VICTORY!!!!
Eleana
Thank you for the chapter! I look forward to every word you write 🤗
Barry Morgan
I am kinda glad that we may see the Fa Ram crew meet up with Yingwen and Fenxian again. It will be fun to see their minds get blown by Bi Di and friends. On another note, while I'm concerned, of course, for Shenhe, I'm even more concerned for that fox who will be carrying a letter to Jin. Who is in Verdant Hill. Where Elder Zeng looks to be deploying his investigation team.
Alex Rahr
The second after Zang Li. He knuckled under hard when Jin showed up and alerted the Shrouded Mountain to signs that Li had been a demon or under their influence.
Victor Segura
Its a good chapter in isolation, but the work on the previous chapter still makes it come as rushed and the rest of the kin as one dimensional. It was so easily done that it feel cheap this introspection. If at least there was some remembrance of Wen ( a flashback dialogue?) Helping Nezua, instead of giving a wikipedia resumen of his life. Sorry but this two chapters are by far the weakest of the entire story
Apeljohn
Was he one of Cuckoo Boy's hapless minions? Can't remember that far back.
D J Meigs
Damn, I liked Shenhe. I kind of pictured her like professor Mcgonagall, very stern but with a sweet spot for her disciples. I was looking forward to getting to know her better.
daniel koval
I don’t know man, being captured by demons is probably worse than dieing to them…
Bender
What? Hope Shenhe didn't die....just when the Wen legacy is restored.... That would be a travesty!
Lanter
Aaaaaa this year is going to end on an epic cliffhanger isn't it? As much as I wanted them to look upon shen yu and despair, not like this. Thanks for the chapter
CringeWorthyStudios
Hopefully.
CringeWorthyStudios
*shakes demonic fist* “Those meddling kids!”
Stady the Savior
NOOO!!!! Not Yingwen!!!!
Giovanni Paches
Poor demons, they probably would have gotten away with all this if it wasn't for one of their agents messing with Jin lol.
Dirk Gent Lee
This bout to be a hell of a cliffhanger fam
Alex Rahr
Two typos The chapter title has 'reflections' misspelled And then it had been her that had given her life And then it had been she that had given her life
Rynn Kanra
... still no news about the ongoing war... when we got some glimpse of a not so important squadron.
matthew gilley
Honestly, I was rooter for her to take over the shrouded mountain human section.
Sam
I was thinking them joining and it just being the "Howling Fang Sect"
Benjamin Lawton
Was she actually killed, though? All we know is that she fell down during the battle – she may have been KO'd and captured, for all we know.
MatrixM
Oh noes! I wonder where we'll leave off during the break. Finding survivors/bodies? Either way, this isn't gonna be resolved for a while, yet.
Bonifacio Mario Peña Jr.
Oh look the demons came out of hiding.
Benjamin Lawton
Maybe, maybe not. Just because she fell during the battle, doesn't necessarily mean she died or was killed – Unreliable Narrator is a thing, after all.
Neil H
I wonder if the former enemies will end up joining to become something like a "Shrouded Fox Sect," thus reclaiming the mountain.
BlueMage_VT
Thank you for the chapter!
Memememe
Looks like Elder Chongyun's plan to reform the sect under Elder Shenhe has hit a bit of a snag, what with her apparently killed by demons.
LenoraeKB
Oh no I liked Shenhe from what little we saw of her. I was hoping for her to become matriarch of the shrouded mountain sect. Maybe she was just badly wounded or captured?
Kasinki
Thank you for the chapter CF! Take care of yourself, chief.
WarStrider72
Not sure if she's dead
WarStrider72
Ah, I see a cliff in the future for us readers
Andrew Denton
She seemed cool, though.
BigBro Bluesman
...shit ok yeah I did NOT except the elders death..
GameJunkie999
Wait. Where is Shen Yu? Bi De didn't mention him in their group,
Vicente Huerta
No shenhe we barely know you
Memememe
Relfect upon your mistakes.
V01D
Your author’s note has some really bad typos, are you ok?
Sean Ulrich
Relfection-> reflection
WarStrider72
thanks for the chapter boss!
WarStrider72
1st
