Chapter 43: County Gossip and Anecdotes

The value of this calligraphy scroll was completely different in Ji Yuan's eyes compared to Lu Shan Jun's; Ji Yuan was immediately captivated by it.

Every character on the Sword Intent Scroll had a unique presentation, with each stroke embodying sharpness. Yet, when viewed as a whole, it gave the illusion of seamless motion, as if a hundred static characters were dancing in unison.

Ji Yuan became so engrossed that he lost track of time. The fox on the stone table watched him immersed in the scroll. The spiritual energy in the courtyard slowly dissipated after a while, but the fox dared not make a sound to disturb him.

It was not until dusk that Ji Yuan snapped out of his contemplation of the characters, sighing with emotion.

"Excellent characters, excellent swordsmanship!" he exclaimed. "I never imagined martial arts swordsmanship could reach such a level of profundity. This must be what it means for skill to be close to the Dao!"

This scroll was not written by an immortal cultivator; Ji Yuan sensed this the moment he touched it. It contained no spiritual energy nor any profound techniques in the cultivation sense.

The meaning conveyed by the characters was merely the momentum of a brushstroke like a sword. Yet, the scroll could be destroyed by simply soaking it in water, whereas even Ji Yuan's Yin Bamboo Slips could not be easily destroyed by ordinary water or fire.

Furthermore, what was recorded on the scroll was swordsmanship from martial arts, which cultivators often looked down upon as mere mortal tricks.

Yet, this integrated momentum of sword intent, similar in effect to a chess game, seemed to come alive in Ji Yuan's mind like a swimming dragon, imbued with wisdom and will!

'The martial artist who wrote this scroll must certainly not have been an ordinary martial artist, but rather a person of extraordinary talent and brilliance. I wonder if they are still alive in this world?'

As Ji Yuan was thinking this, he suddenly felt something was amiss.

'Wait,' he thought, 'why am I even thinking in such a refined and classical way? Damn, it's contagious!'

Ji Yuan quickly shook his head nervously. Turning his head, he noticed the previously drowsy fox on the table was much more alert. He then looked at the sky and saw that the sun was already setting.

"Hahaha... My apologies, I lost track of time," he said. "I should be brewing your medicine! Hmm, but there's no herbal stove or pot though..."

Ji Yuan knew exactly what was in his home and that he certainly didn't have an herbal stove. So, he would have to borrow one from the Yin family.

"You stay here and don't wander off. I'll be right back!"

With that, and seeing how obedient the fox was, Ji Yuan left the courtyard and headed to the Yin family's home.

Before he even reached the Yin family's courtyard, he heard Yin Qing speaking with great excitement.

"Mama, Mama," Yin Qing exclaimed, "on the way home today, Papa and I heard people talking about Mr. Ji! They said a red fox appeared in the market this morning, and it was chased and bitten by big yellow dogs and even beaten by people. The fox kept running and running until it ran right to Mr. Ji's feet, who was passing by, and it kept kowtowing to him!"

"Oh!? Did that really happen?"

Inside the Yin family home, the mother exclaimed in surprise, then looked at Yin Zhaoxian, who was sitting nearby lighting a candle with a fire starter.

"Husband, is what Qing'er said true?"

Yin Zhaoxian lit the candle and nodded at her.

"It should be true," Yin Zhaoxian replied. "Many people asked me about Mr. Ji on the way back today. They said the red fox was covered in blood, and it escaped the crowd by feigning death. Then it knelt and kowtowed before Mr. Ji, and the surrounding yellow dogs didn't dare to approach, and also..."

"Yes, yes, yes!!" Yin Qing interjected. "Mama, let me tell you, Mr. Ji just said one sentence, and those big dogs just backed away and left on their own! Mr. Ji even gave money to those two men who were beating the fox, asking them to let the fox go. Humph, why give them money?!"

Yin Qing's words were full of childish emotion, as if he had witnessed the event himself.

"Yes," Yin Zhaoxian added, "I heard that Jirentang also treated the fox later."

Outside the courtyard, listening to the Yin family discuss the day's events, Ji Yuan couldn't help but smile. He then gently knocked on the courtyard gate.

*Knock, knock, knock.*

"Is Master Yin and Madam Yin home? Ji Yuan is here to visit!"

Ji Yuan's clear and strong voice came from outside the courtyard, startling the Yin family, who had just been discussing him. Yin Zhaoxian quickly went to open the door, and Yin Qing immediately followed.

When the courtyard gate opened, Ji Yuan was standing outside. What was particularly striking were the bloodstains on his sleeves and chest.

"Master Yin!"

Ji Yuan gave a slight bow with cupped hands.

"Mr. Ji has arrived," Yin Zhaoxian said. "Please come in, please come in! Qing'er, tell your mother to brew a pot of tea!"

"No need!" Ji Yuan replied. "I only came to borrow an herbal stove and pot. I wonder if Master Yin has such items at home?"

Recalling the rumors from the market earlier that day, Yin Zhaoxian immediately understood and nodded repeatedly.

"Yes, yes, yes," he said. "I'll fetch them for you!"

"Papa, the herbal stove is here!"

Before Yin Zhaoxian could go look, Yin Qing, full of excitement, brought over the herbal stove and pot and handed them to Ji Yuan.

"Mr. Ji, here's the herbal stove!"

"Good, thank you, little Yin Qing!"

Ji Yuan took them with a smile. Although he couldn't see the specific details of the herbal stove, from its feel, it seemed to be a coarse pottery item. He could also smell a faint scent of charcoal ash, and both the stove and the pot were small.

"Master Yin, I have something to attend to at home, so I won't trouble you any longer!"

"Alright, Mr. Ji, please do as you wish," Yin Zhaoxian replied. "If you ever need my assistance, please don't hesitate to ask. I, Yin, am always at your service!"

As Yin Zhaoxian was bowing with cupped hands towards Ji Yuan, he saw his son dash out of the courtyard and stand behind Ji Yuan.

"Qing'er, what are you doing? Come back!"

"Mr. Ji, I want to go too," Yin Qing pleaded. "I want to see the red fox. I've never seen a fox before. Can I go see it? I promise to be obedient!"

"Qing'er!"

"Hehehe... Master Yin, please don't mind," Ji Yuan chuckled. "Little Yin Qing is at an innocent and naive age, and it's natural for him to be curious. How about this, he can come with me to the small study to have a look. I'll be sure to bring him back before dinner!"

"Hahahahaha, that's great!"

Yin Qing jumped for joy, while Yin Zhaoxian gave an awkward laugh.

"Then I'll trouble Mr. Ji."

'You little rascal,' Yin Zhaoxian thought, 'why didn't you ask your father to take you to see it too! Your father also wants to see it!'

However, out of concern for his dignity and Ji Yuan's feelings, Yin Zhaoxian couldn't voice his inner thoughts. With regret and even a hint of envy, he watched Ji Yuan and Yin Qing leave.

***

In the courtyard of Ju'an Study, the red fox on the stone table heard approaching footsteps outside. It also heard Yin Qing's clear voice constantly asking Ji Yuan curious questions about foxes. It cautiously tried to stand up but did not attempt to escape.

Soon after, Ji Yuan, carrying the herbal stove and pot, entered the courtyard with an excited Yin Qing.

"Oh, you can stand up now?"

Ji Yuan felt a bit more at ease. Seeing the fox's wary expression towards Yin Qing, he said with a smile:

"Little red fox, this is the son of a friend of mine; don't worry. Little Yin Qing, this is the red fox. It's badly injured right now, so try not to disturb its rest or touch it, alright?"

"Mm, I know!"

A child like Yin Qing had no resistance to the fluffy red fox; its body wrapped in cloth actually reduced the fox's deterrent as a wild beast.

He circled around, looking up and down, examining the fox thoroughly, almost reaching out to touch it. Meanwhile, the fox's eyes remained fixed on Yin Qing, not letting its guard down for a moment.

Yin Qing would ask "Does it hurt?" then sometimes recoil in fear when the fox hissed. The red fox, initially on high alert, eventually scoffed and ignored him. Ji Yuan found the sight of the human and the fox completely out of sync quite amusing.

After about half an hour, a dark, slightly viscous bowl of herbal medicine appeared in Ji Yuan's hand. Considering the fox's small stomach, he had purposely brewed it to be more concentrated.

*Whimper, whimper...*

The medicine did not smell pleasant, but with Ji Yuan watching, the red fox obediently licked clean the bowl of medicine placed at the corner of the table. Yin Qing, watching from the side, found it highly amusing and thought the fox was even more obedient than a dog.

A trace of spiritual energy was also infused into the medicine. By having the red fox drink it before it dissipated quickly, it would help the fox absorb the medicinal properties.

What was reassuring was that, after all, it was no longer an ordinary wild beast. With timely treatment and the aid of spiritual energy, the red fox's injuries were truly stabilized.

It was almost dinnertime. After taking the somewhat reluctant Yin Qing home, Ji Yuan finally had time to eat his first meal of the day. He could also bring back some meat for the fox.

And the strange tale of the red fox bowing to a human for help in the street, and the yellow dogs obediently walking away, gradually became an amusing topic of conversation for the people of Ning'an after meals.