Chapter 30

"But I want to marry you, Gege."

Spirit Mountain was very quiet during the evening, with everything hushed as the last embers of daylight faded away.

The birds and beasts that had hunted and played during the day began to lie low, while the lovers of the moon started to emerge. Wolves and owls—the killers of the night, began to stir restlessly.

Gu Tingshuang walked aimlessly, and wherever he went, the beasts retreated and the birds scattered in fright.

However, a snow-white rabbit suddenly darted out.

It was still a young rabbit, small and fluffy. Perhaps it was too frightened to hide in time, or maybe it was so young that it didn’t understand what the appearance of a wolf would mean.

The little wolf’s consciousness crashed around in his mind, expressing a strong desire to pounce on the rabbit, tear it apart, and devour it. This was an instinctual desire belonging to the beast, but Gu Tingshuang forcibly suppressed it again.

The rabbit stared at him, showing no fear, only curiosity, its gaze warm and adorable.

Just like... Ning Shiting's eyes.

Ning Shiting, a person like him, seemed to naturally be like this, always looking at everyone that way. No matter what happened, he would always be the first to eagerly approach and be kind to others.

No matter how much one bullied him, he would never get angry, only saying in that gentle tone, "You."

It was as if he made some kind of concession, or perhaps because the person in front of him was Gu Tingshuang, he showed an indescribable fondness and indulgence. It could make one fall into such a gentle trap, lowering all defences and wariness. Gradually, one might think he truly cared for him.

But if his nature was to be amicable with everyone, to treat everyone equally well, then what should be done?

A ray of sunlight illuminated every corner, and the wolves disdain to share such light. They would rather spend their lives under the bleak moonlight because the moon exclusively shelters the wolf pack.

In the early days after Gu Tingshuang became disabled, some speculated that perhaps the tragic state of his family would evoke some compassion from the Wang Qing, and maybe the Shizi would unexpectedly benefit from this misfortune and receive some affection from him.

At that time, his situation was not yet so dire.

Back then, the Wangfei had just passed away, and the entire household was in turmoil, with everyone planning new paths for their future. One laundry maid saw this as an opportunity and persuaded her young daughter to come and serve him, thinking that this disabled Shizi might still rise again.

The girl was about his age and quite pretty.

Coming from a poor family, she probably had never been spoiled and usually did rough work.

When she came, she couldn't do the meticulous tasks properly and couldn't even brew a decent cup of medicine.

Gu Tingshuang said, "You and your mother should leave early. The doctor said my illness was incurable. I might never stand again, and taking care of a ruined person like me will be very hard."

The girl was not very articulate, perhaps knowing she was not one for sweet words, she just quietly went about her tasks.

Seeing his limited mobility, only able to sit up at the head of the bed each day, she somehow caught a wild rabbit and brought it to his bedside, saying, "Dianxia, I caught a rabbit for you. If you feel bored, you can play with it and pet it."

He had never seen such a clumsy and crude attempt at flattery. Before he turned ten, he had won the top prize in the Spiritual Beast Taming Competition every year, having encountered magnificent creatures like the Ice Kirin, the Chongming Bird, and the Nine-headed Jiao.(1)

A dirty, grey rabbit was far from being a fitting gift for someone of his stature.

Yet, she handed it to him with such apprehension and sincerity, her large, watery eyes filled with timidity.

That grey rabbit, devoid of any spiritual awareness, was perhaps bolder than the young girl. While the rabbit hadn't been frightened away, she seemed almost overwhelmed by shame and self-doubt, unable to lift her head—she had seen Gu Tingshuang before.

The boy was three years older than her. She had seen him from a distance while helping her mother, a laundry maid, at the estate. He was unparalleled in elegance, so good-lookingly dazzling. She had never seen anyone so handsome.

Not knowing how to address him, she had once softly called him "Gege," for which she was scolded by her mother, "The Shizi is not someone you can address like that!"

Even now, as he sat in a wheelchair, no longer able to be surrounded by adoring crowds as before, he still stood out from everyone else and continued to shine.

It was a pure, childlike affection, untainted by ulterior motives or desires. Liking was simply liking, admiration was simply admiration, with no need for further reasons.

A grey rabbit, fluffy and lovely, was the best gift she could offer.

Gu Tingshuang accepted it.

He said, "If in the future... if I still have a future, and you are willing to stay by my side, when we grow up, I will find you a good marriage, so your mother can be at ease."

The young girl softly replied, "But I want to marry you, Gege."

Gu Tingshuang was stunned and then fell silent for a long time.

"Say that again, ba.”

The next day, news arrived from the border of Dongzhou, brought by people from the Qing Wang, saying that there was no need to worry about the remaining arrangements for the Wangfei’s funeral.

If no one in the household could take charge, they might as well disband. Qing Wang had no time to be concerned with the affairs of his household in Xizhou because he was a general who regarded the battlefield as his home.

As for the Shizi, since he was disabled now, a few people would stay in the manor to ensure he was well-fed and taken care of. Beyond that, there was no need for further attention.

In the Immortal Continent, where people could live for ten thousand years, all those in power understood a simple truth: raising excellent offspring was akin to raising a threat that could divide one's own influence and power.

The astute ones had already left before the Wangfei’s funeral.

Those with some loyalty to their masters took the severance pay and left after the funeral.

After this news, the royal palace quickly emptied out.

Gu Tingshuang's wheelchair arrived, and he sat in it for the first time, trying to manoeuvre it and slowly move around.

The grey rabbit, devoid of spiritual awareness, couldn't be trained. On the first day, it soiled the bed and furniture, filling the air with a foul stench.

He struggled alone to discard the soiled items and clumsily put on his clothes.

The rabbit needed to eat grass, so he manoeuvred the wheelchair while carrying the rabbit outside.

The courtyard was meticulously cleaned of weeds. To find some grass for the rabbit, he deliberately took a longer route, passing by the Shizi's manor and heading toward a small path leading to the Baicao Garden.

This path went past the washing quarters. Just as Gu Tingshuang gently set the rabbit down to let it graze freely, he suddenly heard voices from inside.

It was a girl's crying and a woman's resigned scolding, "We need to leave. If we don't, we'll starve! Even Qing Wang has abandoned the Shizi. What can a little girl like you accomplish?"

With a sigh, the woman continued, "You say you like him, but what do children know about liking someone? We hoped that by staying close to the Shizi, there might be some hope with Qing Wang, that the Shizi might take you as a concubine someday, and our family would rise to prosperity! But now? Even Qing Wang has given up on him. The Shizi is already ruined..."

The girl's crying grew louder.

It seemed they had packed their belongings, as footsteps echoed from inside to outside.

The woman, holding the sobbing girl, stepped out and bumped into Gu Tingshuang.

Gu Tingshuang showed no reaction, merely lowering his eyes to look at the rabbit at his feet.

It was a small, chubby ball with cute, beady eyes.

As he bent down to pick it up, he couldn't shake the lingering memory of the sensation of crushing bones and splattering blood when he had previously crushed a rabbit in his hands.

Similarly, as he now inhabited the body of the little wolf, he could envision himself pouncing and brutally smashing the snow-white rabbit in front of him.

It felt as if, at this moment, he wasn't shattering the object before him but rather breaking through a sweet, illusory environment, through the gaze of someone as clear and captivating as the moon in the sea. These were obstacles on his path, causing him to falter, to waver, leading him away from the path of the wolf pack. He would become like the lowest kind of wolf, tail tucked between its legs, submissive to human commands, timid, and lost in the comforts of gentleness.

This was a descent, a betrayal of his nature. Wolves, to achieve their goals, could sacrifice everything, including family, allies, and themselves. No bait could make them waver or retreat; no enemy could make them fall back.

He had made this mistake once before and would not repeat it.

However, just as he pounced, a mechanism beneath the rabbit was triggered. Gu Tingshuang felt a sharp pain in his front paw as hooks pierced the little wolf's flesh, going through bone and sinew, lifting him up!

The excruciating pain seared into his mind. Gu Tingshuang, controlling the wolf with his spiritual consciousness, bore the full brunt of the agony, amplified countless times by his sensitivity to all things.

As his entire body was hoisted by the tightening trap, he let out a hoarse growl from his throat. It was not pain or anger but a warning.

In the darkness of Spirit Mountain's night, a dozen shadowy figures gradually emerged, and dozens of white wolves slowly appeared at the summit.

These white wolves were peculiar, unlike the group that had once followed Gu Tingshuang or the group that had yet to submit to him. The ancient divine wolves of Spirit Mountain were large, with smooth fur, and bright grey eyes, and moved at night like molten gold.

The wolves descending now, however, were much smaller, emaciated, with flat bones and drooping ears, their eyes dim. Each wolf bore a spiked collar around its neck, moving with a heavy clanking sound, the weighty shackles encumbering them.

It was the Hunters of Spirit Mountain

In Xizhou, there were those desperate enough to risk everything to gather the immortal herbs of Ling Mountain, using any means necessary to infiltrate the mountain. Ling Mountain was a forbidden place for strangers; the most direct way was to have a creature of the mountain lead them.

These hunters would capture solitary wolves, breaking their spirit much like taming hawks, eventually turning them into obedient dogs. However, these lone wolves were usually outcasts, weaklings, the shame of their pack.

The ancient white wolves were the most powerful and mysterious species in Ling Mountain. Beyond the legends of Xizhou, everyone sought the mythical wolf king whose eyes were said to illuminate the heavens and breakthrough time. For centuries, no one had seen the white wolf king.

Now, controlling the body of a small wolf, Gu Tingshuang felt the ruthless mechanism pierce through its left paw, hooking into the bone, tearing out a small piece, and exposing the crimson flesh.

Blood flowed silently, staining the wolf's belly and tail.

Amidst the wind came the hunters' hushed discussion, "It's a small one, a pity, but it'll do. Quick, before it attracts the pack, skin it and extract its bones for medicine."

The sound of the wind grew closer along with that of footsteps and the clinking of chains.

In that instant, the little wolf hanging from the tree opened its eyes wide, burning with fiery brightness.

Gu Tingshuang detached his spiritual consciousness from the wolf at that moment. With a final silent command, the small silver wolf bit off its own forelimb without hesitation!

It fell heavily to the ground, splattering blood everywhere. The hook above swayed, leaving only a blood-stained, mangled forepaw.

Even in this state, the little wolf refused to cry out in pain, having just witnessed how its leader endured unimaginable pain without flinching.

It let out a low howl, a mix of calm and deep pain. Above the mountains, the moon hung pale and indifferent.

"Not good, it's calling for the pack! Kill it now!"

The lead hunter patted the head of a nearby scrawny wolf, promising, "Good boy, once we're done, you'll get two pounds of venison."

Encouraged, the scrawny wolf circled a few times before charging at the small wolf.

This was a duel between an outcast and a crippled king. The scrawny wolf felt a twisted pleasure, recognizing the other wolf's privileged background, evident in its bright, almost golden eyes, reminiscent of the legendary white wolf king.

The scrawny wolf raised its tail, howling as it lunged, only to be instantly seized by an overwhelming force.

Gu Tingshuang's spiritual consciousness, with terrifying control, effortlessly dominated the scrawny wolf's body. Despite its poor physique and agility, he remained unaffected.

In a flash, the lead scrawny wolf turned, eyes aflame with gold. A low growl sounded as it slashed the throat of its comrade behind it!

This strike pierced through the spiked collar, embedding poisoned spikes into its forepaw, mirroring the small wolf's injuries.

The soul deep within trembled helplessly, witnessing everything in fear—every pain was endured by Gu Tingshuang alone, willing to suffer the same agony again to repay the wound.

One by one, the scrawny wolves fell. The first, the second, the third. When the forepaw was shredded, he used his teeth. When his teeth broke, he used his head.

Spikes pierced his jaw, the pack clawed and bit at him, tearing off half an ear, and ripping the flesh from his hind leg. Yet, his eyes remained bright as molten glass, filled with contempt and indifference.

What kind of willpower was this?

How much did it hurt?

Was this the ancient white wolf?

Even the hunters were stunned.

They didn't understand the change in the scrawny wolf, only noticing its actions mirrored the small wolf's.

It was madness, cold execution, and endurance.

The scrawny wolf, blood-soaked, stood defiant, eyes blazing with divine and demonic qualities.

The lead hunter, terrified, knelt, begging for mercy, "Is it the white wolf god-king? Please, spare me!"

The remaining scrawny wolves, sensing danger, tried to flee, only to be met by a new pack of white wolves, eyes like molten glass, illuminating the night.

The wolves followed the young wolf's call, ready to trample the unworthy.

The slaughter was silent.

The wolves killed with precision. Skulls shattered, spines snapped. They refused to taint themselves with dirty blood.

Everything was quiet and the moon was veiled in blood. No bird dared enter the white wolves' killing grounds.

Weapons against the king, kill! Ambushers with artefacts, kill!

Betrayed wolves turned into dogs, kill!

Clever hunters, kill! Those who fled hunted down and killed, the lone wolves breaking under the golden gaze.

The more intense the pain, the stronger the will to kill and the colder the anger.

As the bloodshed grew, Gu Tingshuang's excitement and spiritual power intensified.

The small wolf, missing half a forepaw, crawled towards him, full of admiration and pride.

It lay before the gaunt wolf, seeking comfort and recognition. Other strong white wolves offered their bodies for Gu Tingshuang's use.

But he returned to the small wolf's consciousness.

The pain amplified, every drop of blood like an ice pick to his soul.

In that moment, Gu Tingshuang sensed something beyond his control—his spiritual consciousness couldn't return to his original body.

He remained in the small wolf's consciousness, overwhelmed by uncontrollable spiritual power.

The wolf's eyes grew brighter, scorching half the mountain's flora.

Then the light vanished, the wolf's eyes dimmed, and Gu Tingshuang's consciousness sank into a dark abyss.

He dreamed of being a small wolf, unaware it was the result of his spiritual power merging with the wolf's memories.

Born of heaven and earth, carefree.

When bullied, he returned to his beautiful mother wolf, seeking comfort.

She would gently carry him, soothing him.

It was the warmest feeling he ever experienced.

Then the scene changed—he wasn't nestled with his mother but with a young man.

The man had a faint, intoxicating scent. Gu Tingshuang couldn't see his face, only his silver-white hair with a hint of blue.

For some reason, he felt a strong affection and reliance on this person.

He longed for his embrace, his gentle smile, and to hear him call his name.

He cherished his presence, his concerned frown, a mix of helplessness and affection.

He wanted to talk more, to touch his soft lips again, to hold him close, letting the scent permeate his bones.

He missed him to death.

Foot Notes

1. This is a different kind of Jiao (蛟, Jiāo) than the one in Jiaoren, this Jiao means dragon rather than shark.