Chapter Twelve: The Vixen?

“Thank you, Elder Fox. I will never forget your kindness!” The excitement in Zhou Hongxian’s voice was unmistakable as he basked in the joy of being human again.

Yet the white fox made no reply. It remained sprawled motionless atop the rock, its eyes fixed intently on Zhou Hongxian, their depths swirling with an unfathomable complexity—there was confusion, perhaps regret, and even a hint of inexpressible joy.

But Zhou Hongxian, dull by nature and overwhelmed with delight, failed to notice any of this. He was still admiring his own hands, marveling at how slender, white, and delicate they were—hands so flawless they seemed almost unreal.

Wait, why are they so slender and delicate? A frown creased his brow as he realized something was amiss. Instinctively, he lowered his head, but all he saw was a swath of dazzling white, nothing else. Good heavens—such towering peaks that completely blocked his view!

Startled, Zhou Hongxian exclaimed, “Elder Fox, why have I become a woman?”

By now, the white fox had shaken off its strange reverie. It replied coolly, “If not a woman, what else did you expect? Did you want to become a man?”

“Of course!” Zhou Hongxian protested. “Elder Fox, did you make a mistake? Please help me correct my gender right away!”

“Correct it? You are a vixen—how could you possibly become a man? That would throw the order of yin and yang into chaos!”

“What? I’m female?” Zhou Hongxian could hardly believe it.

The question left the white fox momentarily speechless. After a long silence, it finally asked, “You mean to say… you can’t even tell whether you’re male or female?”

“I can tell the difference between a man and a woman, but how am I supposed to distinguish a male fox from a female? Who stares at themselves in the bathroom for no reason?”

An awkward silence fell. Only a chill wind swept through the air, making Zhou Hongxian feel cold all over. Suddenly, a dreadful realization dawned on him—he was completely naked!

A flush of embarrassment flooded Zhou Hongxian’s heart. He instinctively tried to cover himself. It was manageable below the waist, but the upper half was impossible to hide. In growing desperation, he pleaded, “Elder Fox, what must I do to become a man?”

The white fox paused, then after a long moment, let out a cold laugh. “You could die now and try your luck in reincarnation. Maybe then you’ll get what you want. But remember this—there’s a good chance you won’t even be a fox next time. You might come back as an ant!”

Zhou Hongxian’s face went pale with fear. “But aren’t fox spirits supposed to be able to change into anything?”

“Changing at will? Little fox, you give us too much credit. Those are just illusions, tricks meant to fool mortals and weaker cultivators. In truth, every demon has only two true forms: the original animal form, and the human form they attain through cultivation. Once the human form is achieved, it cannot be altered—except by force, if someone reverts you to your original shape.”

“So you mean I’m stuck as a woman for the rest of my life?” Zhou Hongxian was on the verge of tears.

The white fox chuckled. “What more could you want? The way you are now—radiant and alluring—countless women would envy your beauty. Isn’t that enough?”

His curiosity piqued by these words, Zhou Hongxian couldn’t help but crouch by the water’s edge and peer into its surface. Immediately, his heart skipped a beat. Staring back at him was the face of a young woman.

She looked no more than seventeen or eighteen. Her face was small and oval, with a faint blush coloring her cheeks. Her eyebrows were fine and thick, arched like willow leaves; her eyes were not large, but bright and enchanting, brimming with that foxy charm that seemed to captivate the soul. Her nose was not high, but it suited her delicate lips—naturally red, without the need for rouge—bringing her features together in perfect harmony.

Below her neck, there was an expanse of mesmerizing white. In the reflection, every curve was in its right place, slender where it should be, full where it must—a figure shaped to the very limits of beauty. Most astonishing of all, a long red tail trailed from her lower back, and together with her waist-length black hair, it created a strange yet bewitching allure.

“This tail is so embarrassing!” Zhou Hongxian frowned, and the woman in the water frowned back.

The white fox gazed at Zhou Hongxian, a momentary daze clouding its eyes as a long-buried memory surged forth.

Within a vast and opulent palace, a stunningly bewitching woman lounged with one bare shoulder, letting a handsome man with a face like carved jade rest his head on her pale thigh, nuzzling her at will. She held a grape in her mouth, feeding it to him directly, and the two of them melted into each other’s embrace.

When their passion ebbed, the woman smiled, lips red as petals. “Awei, do you think there is any woman more beautiful than me in this world?”

The man laughed heartily. “There is none more beautiful than my Lian. My Lian is one of a kind!”

“Hmph! I don’t believe you. Men are all the same, sweet-talking and slippery!” she teased.

He suddenly sat up, his expression solemn. “Lian, I’m telling the truth.”

She pouted. “You have so many courtesans in your harem. If I am truly unique, would you send them all away and keep only me?”

He hesitated, then smiled. “I can. Tomorrow I’ll dismiss them all—will that satisfy you?”

The woman beamed, her smile enchanting. “Awei, are you really so devoted to me? Then tell me, which is more important—me, or your kingdom?”

The man smiled tenderly. “Compared to you, the kingdom means nothing. I would give it all up for you.”

Hearing this, the woman’s expression grew faintly emotional. She kissed him deeply, murmuring, “Awei, I wish we could always be this happy.”

“Elder Fox! Elder Fox!” Suddenly, the voice of reality yanked the white fox from its memory. It looked up to see Zhou Hongxian crouched in the water, only her head exposed, her face flushed with embarrassment.

“What’s wrong?” The white fox concealed its own emotions and asked, surprised.

“Elder Fox, I’m not wearing anything. It’s so indecent. Can you teach me how to turn back into a fox?”

The white fox chuckled, and with a breath of white light, swept a layer of leaves from the forest. The leaves settled at the edge of the pool, transforming into a red dress fit for a woman.

“Since you have achieved human form, why revert to the fox? From now on, wear this,” said the white fox.

Zhou Hongxian eyed the red dress, hesitating. “I think I’d rather turn back into a fox.”

The white fox shook its head, its tone brooking no argument. “Either put it on, or stay in the water forever.”

Zhou Hongxian froze, a hint of embarrassment showing on her stunning face. “Alright… but Elder Fox, could you please turn around for a moment? I feel so awkward with you watching me.”

The white fox smiled. “Why be embarrassed? We are foxes—born without coverings. Only after becoming human do we adopt such customs. There’s no need to be bound by these petty rules.”

Zhou Hongxian shook her head. “No, I just can’t do it.”

The white fox was silent for a long time, then finally turned away. At the very instant it looked back, a wave of melancholy flickered in its eyes. “Alas, though she looks exactly like my Lian, her temperament and spirit are worlds apart. In the end, she is not my Lian…”