Humans and Demons

"Kiss you? You’ve already said I belong to you," Hu Qiuyan blushed as she looked at Li Xintian.

"That was just..." Li Xintian remembered how so many people had seen Hu Qiuyan, and he changed the subject, "From today on, you can't go out anymore. Too many people have figured out your true identity."

Li Xintian knew that once some discovered who Hu Qiuyan really was, they would surely come for her.

"Are you worried I’ll be taken away by bad people?" Hu Qiuyan’s heart fluttered with happiness as she gazed at Li Xintian.

"I have things to do, so I'll go now," Li Xintian felt he should avoid further conversation, and with that, he left.

"Xintian, don’t go!" Hu Qiuyan called after him, but Li Xintian only quickened his pace.

Not long after leaving, Li Xintian ran into Hong Tianyun.

"Brother Zhixian, you’ve come at just the right time. We found nothing in Yunxiang Temple, but suspect the temple keeper, since the deceased all sought his guidance before their deaths. When we tried to investigate further, a fox demon appeared in the street, and an enlightened monk was subduing it—unfortunately, someone rescued the fox demon," Hong Tianyun said, his anger rising at the mention of the fox demon’s escape.

"I was the one who rescued her," Li Xintian knew he couldn’t hide it from Hong Tianyun, so he might as well admit it.

"Brother Zhixian, why would you save a fox demon?" Hong Tianyun was visibly agitated. "If you hadn’t, that monk could have subdued it. That’s so dangerous!"

"She’s my friend. She’s never harmed anyone. I can’t just let her be captured because she’s a demon," Li Xintian said, feeling this was nothing but prejudice.

"Friend? Since when did you make such a friend?" Hong Tianyun’s eyes widened in surprise.

"There’s no need to hide it from you. Sooner or later you’d know. The woman who came with me that day is the fox demon. But rest assured, she’s always been with me and has never killed anyone," Li Xintian confessed.

"You actually fell for a fox demon?" Hong Tianyun’s voice rose sharply.

Hu Qiuyan, who had followed and was now hiding in a corner, overheard their conversation.

"Don’t misunderstand. She’s a demon and I’m a human. Humans and demons are destined for different paths. It’s impossible between us. I’ve already hurt her once. I can’t let misunderstandings deepen," Li Xintian said, knowing that despite his feelings for Hu Qiuyan, they could never truly be together, and recalling the time he’d told her not to follow him.

Hu Qiuyan almost wanted to rush out and give Li Xintian a piece of her mind, but Hong Tianyun’s words made her pause.

"Brother Zhixian, while I’m not as learned as you, I have far more experience in matters of the heart," Hong Tianyun said, "But what you said isn’t right. Every decision comes from the heart. Since it’s so, you shouldn’t avoid it. She’s a demon—so what? Is that really a wall between you?"

"From the moment you made your first decision, you accepted this long ago, but you refuse to face it. Maybe you’re afraid of delaying her."

"Fate is wondrous. If you don’t seize it when it comes, don’t wait until it’s gone to realize its worth. Follow your heart, don’t let regret take root," Hong Tianyun patted Li Xintian’s shoulder, then left, for such matters could only be decided by Li Xintian himself.

Li Xintian was surprised that Hong Tianyun, married for several years, could say such things.

He realized he ought to face things properly. Avoiding it would only betray his heart.

Hu Qiuyan too, was in the corner, pondering Hong Tianyun’s words.

Li Xintian knew his avoidance stemmed from fear that Hu Qiuyan would be hurt, or lose her life, so he’d shunned her feelings. Now, he resolved to face them.

That evening, Li Xintian invited Hu Qiuyan to the rooftop.

"Xintian (Qiuyan)," both spoke at once. "You first," they said.

"Qiuyan, I’m sorry," Li Xintian managed, gathering his words, for the atmosphere was awkward after the morning’s events.

"There’s nothing to be sorry for. It was my own decision," Hu Qiuyan shook her head.

They fell silent, both gazing at the moon. Gradually, Hu Qiuyan nestled into Li Xintian’s embrace, listening to his heartbeat.

Li Xintian did not push her away, but instead wrapped his arms around her.

He was a fool in matters of the heart, wanting to speak but unsure what to say.

Hu Qiuyan was no different, equally clumsy with her feelings. So, in that subtle moment, human and fox held each other.

"It’s late. You should rest," Li Xintian said, lifting Hu Qiuyan in his arms and leaping down from the rooftop, setting her gently on the ground.

Hu Qiuyan’s face burned red as she nodded, lowered her head, slipped into her room, and quickly closed the door, her back against it.

Li Xintian watched her retreat and smiled. Sensing something, he jumped onto the rooftop and left the Hong residence.

The street was deserted, save for two streaks of light—one red, one white—racing after each other.

"Old hag, we mind our own business; why won’t you let me be?" The red light transformed into a young man dressed in black, his expression dark.

"Haha, what a joke. You tried to break into the Hong residence just now—don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to!" The white light became an elderly woman with snowy hair and clothes.

"The Hong residence isn’t your turf. If I want to enter, what concern is it of yours?" The young man glared at the old woman.

"Whether it’s my concern or not, power decides authority," the old woman transformed into a white fox.

The young man turned into a black fox.

So, they were fox demons with only a century’s cultivation.

The two foxes bared their teeth at each other.

They both darted forward, leaping and slashing with their claws, each narrowly missing the other.

They plowed dust across the ground, turned, baring their teeth at one another.

The white fox rushed forward, leaping to pin the black fox to the ground. They rolled and bit fiercely.

The black fox, pinned, used all four paws to kick the white fox off.

The white fox twisted mid-air to land gracefully.

The black fox leapt up, transforming into a standing beast form.

The white fox did the same.

Li Xintian arrived just then, standing on the rooftop, watching them.

"Who’s there?" Both fox demons turned towards the sound.

"Sorry to intrude, I’m just passing by," Li Xintian replied, instantly recognizing a dispute between two fox demons. He turned to leave, but the black fox had no intention of letting him go.

"After seeing my true form, you think you can leave?" The black fox leapt, blocking Li Xintian’s path in the blink of an eye.

"I said I’m just passing by. I don’t mean to disturb you," Li Xintian said helplessly. He’d detected something approaching the Hong residence and chased after it, only to witness this scene.

"You won’t leave so easily," the black fox, desperate for vital blood to defeat the white fox, said.

The black fox charged at Li Xintian, claws gleaming with demonic power.

Li Xintian was about to defend himself when the white fox leapt up, intercepting the black fox.

"Go, quickly!" The white fox used its demonic power to drive the black fox back, landing heavily, sending a ripple of force that knocked roof tiles to the ground.

"Sorry to disturb you—carry on!" Li Xintian turned to leave, only to be blocked again by the black fox.