Chapter Five: Angelica's Fragrance Stirs the Air

Before dawn, Liu Ping had already risen. After dressing, he jogged all the way to the mountain’s summit to wait for the sunrise.

At the top stood a small pavilion, where Liu Ping sat quietly, regulating his breath. Ever since he had entered the sect the previous night, he felt his body greatly improved and his mind more lucid than ever before. He had once been fond of sleeping in, but now, whenever he wished to rise, his willpower completely overrode his body's desires. Even after running up the mountain in one breath, he was not the least out of breath.

“This Essence Treasure Manual truly is extraordinary,” Liu Ping murmured to himself, his resolve to cultivate further growing stronger. Not long after, as the sun began to rise, he closed his eyes, exhaled a long stale breath, and slowly inhaled the violet energy.

At sunrise, the violet energy that fills the world is the easiest spiritual energy to absorb—though scant, its purity is unmatched.

After three breaths, the violet energy dissipated, and what spiritual energy remained vanished as well. Liu Ping immediately ceased his absorption and circulated the energy he had drawn in through his body, refining it into spiritual power.

Sensing the faint increase in spiritual power within, he could not help but smile wryly, “It’s so little… but one mustn’t be greedy. Persistence is key.”

He jogged back home, ate breakfast, and sat down at his desk; for, as the saying goes, a day's plan lies in the morning. However reluctantly, he forced himself to read the classics.

Reading aloud as he went, after a while, he suddenly exclaimed in surprise, “Hm?”

He closed his eyes and recited the sentence he had just read: “The Master said, ‘To govern with virtue is like the North Star, which occupies its place and all the stars turn toward it.’”

“The Master said, ‘At fifteen, I set my heart on learning. At thirty, I stood firm. At forty, I had no more doubts. At fifty, I knew the will of Heaven. At sixty, I was attuned to it. At seventy, I could follow my heart’s desire without overstepping the rules.’”

“Zixia asked about filial piety. The Master said, ‘The difficulty is in the expression. When there is work, younger ones should do it. When there is food and drink, elders should be served first. Does this alone amount to filial piety?’”

After reciting several more passages, he opened his eyes abruptly, “Photographic memory? And I understand the meaning with ease… The body's original owner might recall these, but only after much effort, while I can speak them fluently. Has the traveler’s golden finger finally awakened?”

He shook his head, ceasing his jest, and pondered, “It’s probably because of this… The Essence Treasure Manual. I never expected it to have such an effect.”

With that, he memorized the Four Books and Five Classics in quick succession. Only then did his head begin to feel faint. After resting a while, Liu Ping took out some books that expounded upon the Four Books and Five Classics—texts with unique insights, highly beneficial for the imperial examinations.

Unnoticed, the morning waned into noon.

“Brother, it’s time to eat.” His younger sister entered, placing food on the desk.

“Hmm?” Only then did Liu Ping notice. “Why bring the meal in here?” he asked.

His sister Liu Yue smiled, “Brother, you’re working so hard! I knocked several times and you didn’t hear. Mother said not to disturb you, so I brought the food in for you.”

“I see…” Liu Ping was somewhat surprised at himself. To be so immersed in these classical texts for such a long time—how unbelievable! The aroma of the food made his stomach rumble, and he fell upon the meal with wolfish hunger.

Watching her brother devour his food, Liu Yue giggled, “Brother, eat more slowly! If Father saw you like this, he’d definitely scold you.”

Soon, Liu Ping finished his meal but still felt unsatisfied. He was not surprised; refining essence into energy would naturally increase his appetite.

“I’ll get you some more,” Liu Yue said, taking the plate and quickly heading out.

Watching his sister's retreating figure, Liu Ping felt a warmth in his heart. Though he had little sense of belonging in this family, his sister was truly endearing.

“This time, I must pass the autumn examination and become a scholar!” Liu Ping clenched his fist in determination.

Three days later.

After lunch, Liu Ping said, “I’m going out for a walk.”

His parents agreed immediately. He had not left the house for several days, being absorbed in his studies. They hoped a walk would relax him—a balance of work and rest.

Liu Ping walked into the woods. The yellow jade stone his sister had made into a bracelet hung from his wrist, emitting a cool, refreshing energy. Suddenly, the stone flared with a crimson light, and a fox’s shadow appeared before him.

“At last you’ve come! I thought you wouldn’t show up,” the little fox complained. “Human men are mostly heartless. I thought you were, too, little sir.”

Liu Ping sweated—heartless? He was speechless. “Do you even know what that means?”

The little fox leapt onto his shoulder, “Of course I do! I’m to marry you someday, aren’t I?”

“I thought you hadn’t agreed to that…” Liu Ping replied.

The little fox ruffled his hair, grumbling, “I gave you my dowry—how could I not have agreed?”

“Dowry? The fruits and pelts? Weren’t those thank-you gifts?” Liu Ping was taken aback.

“No, it’s that jade stone,” the little fox said indignantly. “Did you lose it?”

“Of course not!” Liu Ping showed his wrist. “I always keep it with me.”

“That’s better. I’m hungry. I want fish,” said the little fox.

“Fine… Shall I take you home and keep you?” Liu Ping asked.

“No. My demonic aura is too strong—I can’t restrain it. If I stay, your family will fall into trouble.”

“Then I’ll catch you a fish here,” Liu Ping offered.

“That’ll do, but you have to roast it,” the little fox insisted.

“How did I end up being ordered about so quickly…” Liu Ping laughed, heading to the stream.

He hadn’t seen the old Taoist these past days; it seemed he really had left. Such an irresponsible master—so powerful, yet he couldn’t spare a drop of nectar or elixir for his disciple’s cultivation? Stingy indeed…

Splash!

With a sharpened stick, Liu Ping thrust into the water and, in one motion, skewered two fish.

“Wow! Little sir, you’re amazing!” the white fox exclaimed from a stone nearby.

“Naturally,” Liu Ping said with pride, gathering firewood. He drew a symbol on the ground, chanting, “By the force of the law, act swiftly!”

“A talisman?” The little white fox stared wide-eyed in fascination. “How marvelous!”

A wisp of smoke rose from the ground… but the simplest fire-starting talisman failed.

“Failed…” Liu Ping laughed awkwardly. “Let’s try again…”

“By the force of the law, act swiftly!”

Hiss, hiss… Whoosh! A flame burst forth out of thin air, igniting the firewood.

“Finally!” Liu Ping sighed in relief, not wishing to embarrass himself. He scaled and gutted the fish, then set them to roast over the fire.

Soon, they were nearly done.

“They may lack seasoning, but at least they’re better cooked than raw…” Liu Ping set one roasted fish before the little fox and tended to the other.

The fox took a bite, beaming, “Delicious!”

“Really?” Liu Ping asked.

“Of course!”

“One day, when I’m a high official and earn mountains of gold, I’ll bring you every delicacy under heaven. Then you’ll know what true deliciousness is.”

“Thank you, little sir—I look forward to that day,” the fox replied cheerfully.

Suddenly, Liu Ping recalled, “By the way, you don’t have a name, do you?”

“No, I don’t. Didn’t I say so already… Ah! Are you going to name me?” the fox asked excitedly.

Liu Ping nodded, “If you wish.”

“Of course I wish! I’ve always wanted a name,” the fox said, her eyes shining.

“How about Bai Zhi?” Liu Ping suggested after some thought.

“Bai Zhi? Does it have a source? I heard that a name should have a proper origin. Don’t just make one up,” the little fox demanded.

“There’s a poem as proof: ‘In bitter tones, sorrow moves stone and metal, pure notes drifting into the unknown. From Cangwu, longing and grief arise; Bai Zhi stirs its fragrant presence,’” Liu Ping recited, improvising.

“Never heard of it. Who wrote it?” Bai Zhi, the fox, asked.

“Thick-skinned as ever,” Liu Ping replied.

The little white fox cried out in delight, “Did little sir compose it especially for me?”

“Mm…”

“Little sir, you really are a good person!”

“Haha… a good person… Of course,” Liu Ping mused. Had he just been handed a second “good person” card? Was this little fox teasing him on purpose?

“From now on, I’ll be called Bai Zhi! I have a name! Hahaha!” the little fox cheered.

Just then, a scream resounded from nearby. “Aaaah!”

“Hm?” Startled, Liu Ping looked toward the sound. “What’s happening?”

“Let’s go see,” Bai Zhi leapt onto his shoulder.

Soon, Liu Ping arrived at the source. A richly dressed youth lay collapsed on the ground, screaming in terror. Not far from him, a wolf the size of a young calf advanced, eyes wide, drooling, step by step.

From the wolf emanated a faint demonic aura that made Liu Ping’s heart jolt—A demon beast!

The giant wolf raised its head, growling—a warning.

The youth turned, saw Liu Ping, and shrieked, “Save me! Please, save me!”

“Ah Hu wants to eat someone again,” Bai Zhi muttered disapprovingly from Liu Ping’s shoulder.

“You know it?” Liu Ping asked.

“Yes, but I dislike him. He often attacks humans and never heeds the elders’ warnings. Such harm will bring disaster upon him,” Bai Zhi replied.

Liu Ping looked at the wolf, recalling from the body’s memories that this was the infamous “Ferocious Wolf.”

Bai Zhi suddenly chittered at the wolf, as if warning him.

The wolf turned, glaring, and growled low.

“I don’t understand. What are you saying?” Liu Ping asked.

“I told him to go away. He said if I keep nagging, he’ll eat me!” Bai Zhi replied with annoyance.

“Outrageous.” Liu Ping stepped forward, pointing at the wolf. Unleashing his aura, he shouted, “Wicked beast! Begone! To act thus against heaven’s order is to invite disaster!”

Feeling Liu Ping’s energy, the wolf’s fur bristled like iron needles—clearly shaken. It warily retreated step by step.

In truth, Liu Ping felt nervous. Such a display drained much of his spiritual power—if the wolf did not retreat, he would have no choice but to abandon the youth and flee.

Fortunately, the wolf gave a startled yelp and slunk away, unwilling.

“Little sir, you’re so mighty!” Bai Zhi stared in awe at the retreating wolf, whispering in delight, “No one on this mountain has ever driven off Ah Hu before—amazing!”

Liu Ping, however, felt only relief, wiping cold sweat from his brow. If the wolf had not retreated, he himself would have had to run—what was so impressive about that? Clearly, he must cultivate diligently! Without strength, he might one day be devoured in a single bite.