“You’re not my wife, so who are you to talk?”
【Master, that is all I brought out for now. There is still plenty more inside the mountain cave. If you wish, I shall go and bring every last bit of it here!】
“What? Xiao Jiu… you found all of this inside a cave? Are you certain?” Joy surged through Xia Yuge’s heart.
Oh, wonderful! It meant Xiao Jiu had not robbed a vault—he had truly discovered it in the mountains. Treasures with no rightful owner belonged to whoever found them. And she intended to take every single piece.
【Indeed. I found everything deep within a cave. If you doubt me, let me take you there—there is so much more!】 The little fox tilted his head.
“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go at once!”
Moments later, master and fox vanished into the night.
Deep in the mountains, within an unassuming cavern, Xia Yuge stood staring at chest upon chest of gold, silver, and jewels—relics from who knew what age. Her eyes nearly bulged from her head. Trembling, she ran her hands reverently over the treasures, her heart dancing with delight. Never again need she fear running short of money.
A quarter of an hour later, as the final chest of gold bars slid into Xiao Jiu’s spirit pouch, she let out a long, contented breath.
“Xiao Jiu, dawn approaches. We must leave.” She brushed dust from her hands and turned toward the cave mouth.
Cheep-cheep, cheep-cheep-cheep!
A night bird, returning to its nest, fluttered directly over their heads.
【Master—trouble! That bird reports men lying in wait ahead!】 Xiao Jiu’s voice echoed in her mind.
“Men lying in wait? Where? Who said that—the bird that just flew past?”
【Yes, Master. That very bird.】
“What else did it say?”
【It says it has seen those two men before. Earlier tonight—they were hunting someone clad in black.】
“Hunting a man in black?” Xia Yuge’s instincts flared. “Xiao Jiu… can you guide me there quietly?”
Spies? Assassins? The possibility struck her. Every heart beats with love for one’s country. She might have turned a blind eye had she remained unaware—but now that she knew, she could not simply walk away. Consider it… payment for the cave’s treasures.
Alas. Truly, there is no such thing as a completely free lunch. Xia Yuge sighed.
Together, master and fox slipped silently in the direction the bird had come. They had not far to go—perhaps two li—when she spotted flickering firelight ahead. It looked like a hideout. Perhaps even a base of operations.
Cautiously, she halted some fifty paces away.
“We have no way of knowing how many there are,” she whispered, frowning. “To rush forward recklessly would be dangerous.” She valued her life far too highly for carelessness.
【Leave this to me, Master. Simple!】
Xiao Jiu sniffed the air—and began furiously scratching and digging at the earth.
“Xiao Jiu… what on earth are you doing? Surely you don’t mean to dig a tunnel all the way there? I know nothing can stop you, but isn’t this… a little excessive? And dreadfully hard work?”
【Not a tunnel, Master. Rest assured. I merely intend to find us a little errand-runner—someone to go eavesdrop for us.】
“An errand-runner? Eavesdrop? Who did you have in mind?”
【Him, Master! Look!】
Xia Yuge glanced down. There, pinned firmly to the ground beneath Xiao Jiu’s paw, was a plump, jet-black mountain rat weighing nearly half a kilo.
Squeak-squeak! Squeak-squeak-squeak! The rat writhed desperately, straining to break free—but against a fox, its struggles were laughably futile.
Annoyed by the noise, Xiao Jiu dealt it a sharp cuff to the head. The rat instantly went cross-eyed, dazed and spinning.
【One more squeak… and I swallow you whole!】 Xiao Jiu threatened.
The rat froze. Terrified, it clapped both tiny paws over its mouth, eyes bulging, head shaking frantically—an absurd sight that nearly made Xia Yuge burst out laughing.
“Xiao Jiu… is there a way for me to speak with it?”
【Master—have you forgotten? We share a bond. Aside from entering my spirit space itself, everything else is shared between us—if only you will open yourself to it.】
“Truly?”
【Close your eyes. Empty your mind. Reach out and merge with my thoughts.】
“Very well.”
Xia Yuge shut her eyes, silencing every thought, and let her consciousness flow toward his. At once, a connection formed—and she heard it: a tiny, pitiful voice wailing in terror.
【Woe is me! Heaven above, Earth below, August Emperor, Royal Mother of the West, Mountain God and Local Spirit—hear my plea! Spare me! Do not let him eat me! I have an eighty-eight-year-old mother at home depending on me! Eighty-eight little mouths to feed! And my wife—she just birthed another litter! If he devours me, my whole household shall perish of hunger!】
The rat’s lamentations blared vividly in her mind.
Incredible! She could actually understand it! Xia Yuge suppressed a giddy smile.
“Hush, little one—your wailing is dreadful. Listen. You do not wish to be eaten? Then perhaps… we might strike a bargain?” She spoke gently, smiling.
【Who goes there?! And who are you calling little?! You are little! Your whole family is little! Slander! I invoke my right to silence! And my right to object! Besides—you are not my wife! How would you know whether I am little or not?! I am impressively large, thank you very much! Why else would I have sired over a hundred children?! And my wife—she praises my prowess every time! And furthermore—why should I obey you?! You are NOT my WIFE!】
The rat had been weeping piteously when Xia Yuge’s voice startled it. Before it could even locate where she stood, being addressed as “little one” sent its pride into a towering rage. It squeaked indignantly, spinning about furiously—only to receive another stinging blow across the head from Xiao Jiu’s paw. Dazed, it nearly sank into the dirt.
Xia Yuge stared, equal parts stunned and amused. Had mountain rats always possessed such… sensitive pride?
Xiao Jiu, however, was far less patient. He narrowed his golden eyes, raised a paw, and loomed over the trembling rat.
【Wretched rodent! Have you no gratitude? How dare you speak to my Master in such fashion? One more word—and I crush you where you stand! And since you are so concerned for your family… perhaps I shall go and swallow every last one of them instead!】
Xiao Jiu—magnificent as always! Xia Yuge silently gave him a thumbs-up, gazing at her fox with adoring admiration.
Nature, it seemed, still held true. Before a fox, the rat’s bravado instantly evaporated.
【Mercy! Spare me, Great Master! Spare me, Noble Fox Lord! I beg forgiveness! Never again! Never!】
For all its boasting, the rat could only quake in terror beneath the fox’s glare. No defiance remained. Shaking violently, it yielded completely—and did exactly as Xia Yuge bade it.
And so, under the cover of night, the little mountain rat scurried quietly forward toward the men in black.