Chapter 10

Princess Iron Fan hailed from the Rakshasa Clan, and her combat prowess in a fit of rage was not to be underestimated. If she were truly some delicate and frail fairy maiden, she wouldn’t have been able to hold Emerald Cloud Mountain, nor would she have dared to take the unruly Great Demon Bull Demon King as her husband.

Fu Li had initially assumed that Bull Demon King’s marriage into Thunderclap Mountain was something the couple had agreed upon together. So when the old bull went looking for trouble, he hadn’t considered coming to Emerald Cloud Mountain to reason with Princess Iron Fan—after all, the two were husband and wife, and would naturally side with each other.

Now that he knew the couple hadn’t reached a consensus, of course he had to come and lodge a complaint. This was called dismantling the enemy from the root, leaving them with nowhere to hide.

Just imagine—Bull Demon King wreaking havoc and enjoying himself outside, only to return home and find the aggrieved party had gone to his wife to complain. Right now, he’d be eating well, drinking well, and basking in his wife’s comfort, which would surely infuriate the old bull to death.

The beautiful maidservant sister settled the pitiful little prince of Thunderclap Mountain comfortably, covering the table with fruits and pastries. Afraid the young prince might feel uneasy, she placed the tea and immediately led the other maids far away.

Once the maidservants had left, the pitiful little fox cub instantly perked up. If he weren’t on someone else’s turf, he might have transformed back to his original form and bounced straight to the heavens. “Senior, senior, how was that? Wasn’t I super impressive?”

Whether it was acting cute or playing the victim, he was a professional!

Zu Long: “…”

Yuan Feng: “…”

Shi Qilin: “…”

“Impressive, super impressive.”

So impressive that it stunned the three of them, these uncultured great demons. Truly impressive to the extreme.

The little fox cub wagged his tail smugly. After all that commotion, it was nice to rest here for a while. He wondered how the fruits and pastries of Emerald Cloud Mountain tasted—he hadn’t tried the local specialties yet.

After all, it was over a thousand li away—in later times, that would count as crossing provinces. Since he’d made the rare trip, he ought to thoroughly investigate.

The spirits hovered weakly nearby. Seeing the little cub too busy to pay them any mind, they simply set up a barrier to whisper among themselves. Nine-Headed Bug and Ten Thousand Saints Princess knew quite a bit, so they needed to carefully analyze the situation across the Four Great Continents.

Suddenly, the Azure Wave Pool trembled violently, sending dragon princes, grandsons, shrimp soldiers, and crab generals tumbling to the ground. Bull Demon King, who had already reached the ceremonial archway, turned back to help Wan Sheng Old Dragon stabilize the situation. Only after confirming the tremors were purely natural and not caused by some demonic mischief did he leave.

This delay gave the little fox cub just enough time to stir up trouble.

The old bull rode his Azure Water Golden-Eyed Beast back to Emerald Cloud Mountain, preparing to descend and seek some tender moments with his wife, when a flash of sword light dazzled his eyes. “My lady, my lady, spare me—why are you angry again?”

Princess Iron Fan had changed her attire, her face cold as frost. The twin Green Edge Swords gleamed with a chilling light, startling Bull Demon King into retreating hastily. “My lady, my lady, let’s talk this out—why bring out the swords?”

Outside, he feared nothing, not even immortals, and could battle them for hundreds of rounds. But now, the one confronting him was his wife. No matter how skilled he was, he couldn’t lift a finger against her, and could only yelp in pain and beg for mercy.

Dodging wasn’t an option—if he avoided it this time, the consequences next time would be even worse. As long as he still wanted to return to Emerald Cloud Mountain, he had no choice but to endure being scolded with his ears pinched.

Princess Iron Fan seized his nose, her delicate hand as strong as a thousand pounds. “What exactly have you been up to out there?”

“Madam, madam, it hurts, it hurts!” The Bull Demon King’s nose was pinched, and he replied in a muffled voice, “This old bull didn’t do anything wrong. Yesterday, I went out to Azure Wave Pool to drink with Wan Sheng Old Dragon and accidentally lost track of time. That’s why I came back late. Don’t be angry, madam. Next time I don’t come back at night, I’ll definitely let you know.”

“Drinking with Wan Sheng Old Dragon?” Princess Iron Fan sneered, tightening her grip. “If you were just drinking with Wan Sheng Old Dragon, why would the little prince from Thunderclap Mountain come to Plantain Cave to complain?”

“Ah? What?” The Bull Demon King’s eyes darted around. Seeing he couldn’t hide the truth any longer, he lowered his head and fawned, “Madam, don’t be upset. Let me explain.”

Having been married to him for nearly five hundred years, Princess Iron Fan could tell exactly what this fool was thinking the moment his ox eyes rolled. “Fine, let’s go back inside first. Let’s see what excuse you have this time.”

The nose was a weak spot—even the Bull Demon King couldn’t withstand having it pinched. After much groveling, he finally freed his nose, but before he could rejoice, the little fox cub by the table startled him again.

Wait, why was this brat still in Plantain Cave after lodging his complaint? Shouldn’t he have gone back to Thunderclap Mountain?

Fu Li swallowed the last bite of pastry, took a sip of fruit wine to moisten his throat, and in the blink of an eye, transformed back into that pitiful little fox. “Sister, he’s glaring at me.”

Princess Iron Fan’s almond-shaped eyes widened. “You’re even bullying a little cub now?”

Bull Demon King: “???”

He was wronged!!!

“Madam, madam, listen to me. It’s all a misunderstanding.” The Bull Demon King dared not show his anger and racked his brains for an explanation. “This old bull did go to Thunderclap Mountain yesterday, but I truly meant no harm.”

The Old Fox King Wansui had just passed away. After being neighbors for so many years, it was only right to pay a visit. If any troublemaking demons dared to harass Thunderclap Mountain and the Jade Faced Princess and her brother couldn’t handle it, this old bull could lend a hand.

Fu Li curled his lips.

Tch, shameless.

The Bull Demon King poured a cup of fruit wine and offered it to the little ancestor. “Little brother, tell her, your Big Brother Ox really meant no harm.”

The little fox cub glared at him, then hid behind Princess Iron Fan, his eyes quickly welling up with tears. “Sister, look, I don’t even know him, yet he calls me ‘little brother.’ What’s he trying to do?”

This stupid ox never learns! Didn’t I tell you not to call me ‘little brother’? Do you want to get struck by lightning again?

The Bull Demon King stared at the Thunderclap Mountain prince, who was now acting all pitiful, and recalled the same prince who had been baring his fangs and claws at the entrance of Cloud-Touching Cave. He opened his mouth but couldn’t find the words.

Why the double standard?

Princess Iron Fan blocked the Bull Demon King’s line of sight and gently patted the frightened little fox’s head. “Don’t be afraid, little prince. It’s getting late today. Let me have a maid escort you back to Thunderclap Mountain. Another day, I’ll bring this old ox to personally apologize. How does that sound?”

“Sister, there’s no need to apologize. Just keep the Bull Demon King in check.” The little fox cub whispered, cautiously glancing at the old ox before shivering and shrinking back. “I know the way back to Thunderclap Mountain. No need to trouble the maids. Rest well, sister. I’ll take my leave.”

Before Princess Iron Fan could say another word, he turned into a streak of light and dashed out.

“Quick, see if you can catch up with him,” Princess Iron Fan sighed, rubbing her forehead. She couldn’t bear the thought of the little one returning alone.

The little prince was only two hundred years old, not even as old as her Red Boy. Their Red Boy had cultivated for over three hundred years before they dared let him venture out alone. That little prince couldn’t even properly transform into human form, and when he arrived, he was covered in filth—who knew how much hardship he had endured on the way.  

The Bull Demon King listened dumbly as the Jade Faced Princess sighed, stunned for a long moment before finally finding his voice again. “No, my dear, that little prince is quite formidable. No need for us to worry about him.”  

He could summon lightning to strike him—how could he be someone easy to bully?  

That was heavenly lightning, the number one nemesis of earthly spirits and demons. Getting struck by it hurt like hell.  

The old bull shuddered at the memory of those two bolts, rubbing his arms to shake off the goosebumps, his ears perked up for any sound outside, afraid that a thundercloud might suddenly appear overhead at any moment.  

Sure, he was thick-skinned and could take a beating, but that didn’t mean he enjoyed standing there getting struck by lightning.  

The worry on Princess Iron Fan’s face vanished instantly, replaced by a chilling glare that made the old bull shrink back. “I told you not to provoke the Jade Faced Princess. What’s your meaning now? Is my Emerald Cloud Mountain not grand enough for you? Already thinking of finding a new home?”  

When the little prince was here earlier, she had held back for fear of setting a bad example. But now that the little fox had left, if this old bull didn’t give her a proper explanation, their days together were over!  

The Plantain Cave was filled with the sounds of their bickering, while the little fox cub who had stirred up the trouble slipped away without a care. A real man never looked back at the explosion.  

No matter how badly the old bull got scolded, he deserved it. Princess Iron Fan was amazing—pure-hearted, incredibly powerful, and the owner of an entire mountain. A celestial maiden like her willing to take him in was something he should be secretly celebrating. But no, he had to eye the pot while eating from the bowl.  

Luckily, Princess Iron Fan was reliable. Otherwise, if he wanted to deal with the Bull Demon King, he’d have to rely on those three rather unreliable senior experts. Now that would be truly nerve-wracking—who knew what would happen next?  

The spirits watched the little fox cub’s masterful performance and finally understood why the mortal realm had the saying “a fox borrowing the might of a tiger.”  

This kid really knew how to play the game!  

Fu Li laughed cheerfully. After returning to Thunderclap Mountain, he first made an appearance before the Jade Faced Princess, then, unable to sit still, ran off to the Mountain God’s shrine in the back hills.  

“Elders, can the Mountain God see you?” the little fox cub asked uncertainly. “My sister and the other little demons in the Cloud-Touching Cave aren’t strong enough in cultivation to see you, but the Mountain God of Thunderclap Mountain is, after all, a deity. Could he accidentally harm you?”  

Zu Long’s expression turned odd as he patted the overly worried little fox cub on the head. “Stop overthinking. No one in the Four Seas and Eight Desolations who could harm us has even been born yet. A mere Mountain God? He can only see us if we allow it. If we don’t want him to, he won’t. Don’t worry about it.”  

Fu Li rolled his eyes at him. “Spouting nonsense again.”  

“No one who could harm us has been born yet”? If that were true, how did they end up as spirits?  

Ah, well. It wasn’t like he minded that his Golden Finger Grandpas weren’t as impressive as others. Having them at all was already a blessing—no need to be picky about quality. After all, he hadn’t complained when his golden finger arrived two hundred years late, had he?  

If the owner of the golden finger didn’t mind, the golden finger itself shouldn’t be comparing itself to others.  

Couldn’t even spin a decent lie—really, what was he to do with him?

The little fox cub put on an air of maturity, clasping his hands behind his back and striding ahead with measured steps. Only upon seeing the Mountain God’s temple did he return to his usual self. “Mountain God, Mountain God, have you decided where to build my father’s temple yet?”

There weren’t many flat areas on the mountain, yet perched on the steep cliffs stood a resplendent palace, more spacious and magnificent than the temples humans built to worship heaven and earth in their cities.

The Mountain God of Thunderclap Mountain had just herded his chickens back into their coop when he heard the little lord’s voice and hurried out.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to build a temple for the Ten Thousand Year Fox King to receive offerings—it was just that souls scattered by heavenly thunder couldn’t benefit from incense and worship, no matter how much was offered. But since the little prince insisted on erecting a memorial tablet for the Old Fox King, he had no choice but to comply.

The Mountain God emerged with his rugged, uneven head, suppressing his worried expression as he greeted the cub. “Our Thunderclap Mountain is a divine abode with many suitable spots for temples. The wasteland west of the mountain stream has its back to the hills and faces the water, with plenty of space. What does the young prince think?”

Fu Li blinked. “I don’t understand these things—you decide. But remember, the temple you build for my father can’t be any less grand than the one he built for you. Otherwise, I won’t let the mountain’s little spirits bring you offerings anymore.”

The Mountain God sighed helplessly. “Rest assured, young prince.”

“Oh, and leave some space in Father’s temple. I have three elders who need to be worshipped together.” The fox cub suddenly remembered his Golden Finger Grandpas, his eyes crinkling with amusement as he silently reassured them not to worry. Then he pulled the Mountain God aside to whisper additional instructions.

Once the temple was built, not only would his father become the most formidable ghost in the underworld, but he’d also have three powerful subordinates gifted by his precious cub. He’d surely be moved to tears.

Author’s Note:  

Fox Cub (excitedly): Father! Look at the lackeys I found for you!  

“Lackeys” (smiling): *sharpening knives.jpg*  

Fox Dad (trembling): My son… *sobbing* So filial… *sobbing*