Chapter 57

 Above, the moonlight of eternal night shone, while below, the sea of burning magma surged.

This time, Jinji remained silent in response to him.

"Wang, but your current state is not suited for hunting."

He expressed his doubts honestly. Despite having cultivated into human form and possessing the great wisdom of a spiritual beast, his perspective remained imbued with the unworldly, serene aura of heaven and earth, untouched by human concerns.

Gu Tingshuang appreciated this straightforwardness, which was why he liked the wolves of Spirit Mountain. The world always said that wolves were cunning, fearing that their intelligence might rival that of humans. But the white wolves had always acted with dignity, never engaging in dishonourable deeds, always centring their actions around the glory of the White Wolf God clan.

He despised humanity, and he despised his own identity as a human just as much.

But with Ning Shiting’s arrival, everything had changed.

Tonight, the wind and snow were still. Spirit Mountain was unusually quiet.

Gu Tingshuang once again set foot in the Shizi Manor, a place he hadn’t visited for many days.

Amidst the wind and snow, the Shizi Manor, as expected, had partially collapsed due to years of neglect. During the day, people worked tirelessly to repair it, but at night, they retreated.

This must have been arranged by Ning Shiting, knowing how nostalgic Gu Tingshuang was, still holding on to the memories this manor carried—his only bright moments in youth. Every broken or collapsed part was restored exactly as it had been before, some areas reinforced but deliberately made to look worn, striving for an identical appearance to the past.

He silently surveyed everything around him.

With no one living there, the lights naturally wouldn’t be lit.

His eyes still hadn't fully recovered, and without any lights at night, he couldn't see clearly. The wheelchair bumped and collided as he moved along, repeatedly running into obstacles. Even though nothing had changed here—this was the place he had lived in for fifteen years—it felt as though he were visiting for the first time, like a moth trapped in a lamp, unable to find its way and constantly crashing into the glass.

Today, he hadn’t called the little wolf to guide him.

Jinji had accompanied him longer than any other wolf, and he knew Gu Tingshuang’s temperament better than anyone.

He stood silently behind him, guarding him. Without Gu Tingshuang’s personal command, Jinji would not presume to assist with the wheelchair, knowing that for the head wolf, such an action could be considered an offence.

Gu Tingshuang fumbled in the darkness and found that the wheelchair had gotten stuck in a crack in the ground. Suppressing his growing frustration, he reached out and grasped the spiritual essence of a nearby sacred tree.

At the moment his command was issued, the ancient tree stretched its branches, and the ground trembled. Thick vines quickly grew, widening the crack and gently lifting the wheelchair free, allowing Gu Tingshuang to regain control smoothly.

He continued onward, passing the main hall and arriving at the secluded courtyard where he used to train. The gate creaked open, with burn marks from past fires still visible on either side.

Beyond lay the boundary of Spirit Mountain.

Jinji knew where he was headed. The moment they crossed the back hall's threshold, his human form dissipated like smoke, reverting into a large wolf. Its ears stood upright, teeth bared, as it stayed alert beside Gu Tingshuang.

Only then did Gu Tingshuang extend his hand and offer it to Jinji to sniff: "Go find the others, go check on your wife and children."

The white wolves of Spirit Mountain always had a fixed dwelling. However, after the recent snowstorm, most of the mountain’s creatures had perished, and many of the once-habitable places had collapsed. The remaining creatures fought and struggled for survival, but only the white wolves, blessed by divine protection, knew of a safe place where they sheltered their pups and the mother wolves.

The rest of the male wolves had come to seek refuge with Gu Tingshuang. In the days that followed, some wolves realised that compared to the frozen wasteland of Spirit Mountain, the conditions at the Qing Wang’s residence were better. They even began sneaking fire basins and charcoal back to Spirit Mountain to keep the wolf pups warm.

Ning Shiting noticed this behaviour. When he asked Gu Tingshuang whether they should bring the rest of the wolves over, Gu Tingshuang declined.

Since Gu Tingshuang had refused, Ning Shiting didn’t bring it up again. However, the supply of animals and fresh prey suddenly increased by more than double, along with a substantial boost in charcoal and furs.

Some wolves understood and brought supplies back to the mountain. Gu Tingshuang pretended not to notice, turning a blind eye to the situation.

The wolf pack had always lived together in a designated place. The cliff edge over the sea of magma was said to be the dwelling of the White Wolf God King a thousand years ago.

After the catastrophic snowstorm, this became the only truly safe place on Spirit Mountain.

This cave, deep and expansive, was more suited as a temple for the wolves. It was the only place on Spirit Mountain where the spiritual energies of gold, fire, water, wood, and metal converged in perfect balance. Above, the moonlight of eternal night shone, while below, the sea of burning magma surged. The land here was made of Tianhe soil, left over from the creation of the heavens and earth. Half celestial, half earthly, it allowed one to feel both as though they were walking in the sky and gazing down at the soil—a sacred training ground unknown to the rest of the Nine Prefectures.

Due to the ever-present heat from the extreme magma, the snow yao couldn’t threaten this area. The nature of the snow demons made them instinctively fear this celestial fire.

This place was one of the few remaining locations in the Nine Prefectures where dense spiritual energy still lingered. However, Gu Tingshuang could not make use of this energy. His spiritual roots had long been destroyed, and now, the only thing that could aid him in his cultivation was the Soul Returning incense that Ning Shiting specially prepared for him.

The reason he had come here was simple and clear—to check on his remaining kin.

The wheelchair slowly ascended the steep slope, the resistance making the climb arduous. Gu Tingshuang, with his mortal body, quickly felt his arms ache and his palms dampen with sweat.

But his movements never faltered, and not even his expression changed.

When he finally reached the edge of the cliff, a vast expanse of silver greeted him—wolves, large and small, sitting in orderly rows, all respectfully waiting for his arrival and inspection.

A mother wolf approached him with a newborn pup in her mouth. Gu Tingshuang took the pup into his arms, gently touching its forehead with his fingers to bestow his blessing. This honour was something each pup would experience again when they grew up. Upon reaching adulthood, every wolf would challenge the head wolf.

Those who succeeded would replace the leader, becoming the new head of the white wolf pack.

Those who failed would still be honoured for their courage and refusal to submit, receiving recognition from the pack and the king’s blessing.

Only those who did not dare to stand or flee from battle would be despised and exiled by the entire pack, becoming lone wolves—the origin of the "lean wolves."

Gu Tingshuang gazed at the sea of silver fur and the gold specks of eyes gleaming like fireflies. For a brief moment, he set aside his worries, and in a clear voice, he asked, “Who among you today?”

Though his tone seemed casual, his gaze was sharp and full of light, exuding a natural aura of authority and leadership that compelled submission from those before him.

He had noticed early on that there was a young adult white wolf lurking above the cave, cautiously observing him.

This wolf was a male, and by rights, it should have been staying down at the Qing Wang’s manor. Yet, it had followed Gu Tingshuang all the way here today, eager for a duel.

This wolf had an exceptional bloodline. If their relationships were mapped according to human familial ties, it would be considered the Little Wolf’s cousin. However, while this wolf had grown into a majestic, imposing figure, Little Wolf was still at Ning Shiting’s feet, rolling around playfully and seeking affection.

Its fur was sleek and silver, with eyes of gold that gleamed like glass and amber. Born under the dim light of a fading moon, Ning Shiting had named it Yuehui.(1)

The moment Gu Tingshuang finished speaking, he reached out and gently turned his wheelchair. At that exact moment, Yuehui sprang out from the shadows atop the cave, leaping through the air with a low growl—only to land right where Gu Tingshuang had retreated from, catching nothing but air. It tumbled and rolled to the ground.

The other wolves began to gather, watching this unfolding challenge.

One missed strike was merely the beginning.

Yuehui was patient, but Gu Tingshuang was even more so. Despite Yuehui’s careful lurking, its breath, tinged with killing intent, was easy for Gu Tingshuang to detect. He had already read the wolf’s thoughts, anticipating its every move.

Under the moonlight, the scene of one man facing one wolf presented a chilling contrast, a battle that would make anyone's skin crawl. Yet, this eerie standoff was nothing unusual for Gu Tingshuang.

For him, fighting against wolves or humans—there wasn’t much of a difference.

Hide your thoughts, learn to manoeuvre with the enemy, aim for their weaknesses, and avoid their traps...

For some reason, a voice echoed in his mind—a gentle voice from this afternoon, that of the Jiaoren: “If Dianxia could knock me out once more…”

He had underestimated Ning Shiting.

Gu Tingshuang had always been skilled, but this afternoon, why had Ning Shiting sensed him, preventing him from succeeding?

He raised his chin slightly.

Today, he wore very little. As a youth, he wasn’t afraid of the cold. All the cloaks, scarves, and hand warmers Ning Shiting had prepared for him, he had pushed aside, coming here in only a thin robe. In the ice and snow, he appeared fragile.

To wolves, humans were vulnerable, lacking thick fur, sharp claws, or the power to smash through a mountain. For a white wolf to snap a human’s neck was as easy as a person biting into a juicy cherry.

Gu Tingshuang calmly watched Yuehui, making no moves.

It was as if he hadn't brought any weapons with him, standing there with empty hands. His chin raised slightly, exposing his vulnerable throat, the smooth curve of the knot of his throat visible.

He was such a fragile yet unusual king, the Young Wolf Wang.

In that moment, Yuehui’s confidence surged. With a low growl, it launched another direct attack, without hesitation, leaping toward him!

The fierce assault froze in mid-air, gradually slowing as if moving through thick water. At that instant, a violent wind tore through the forest behind Gu Tingshuang, splitting it into two sides, opening a deep gorge stretching hundreds of miles!

The wind swept through the chasm, and a sea of flames at the cliff's base surged upward, staining half the sky red. Amid the roaring torrents, a faint golden light glimmered in Gu Tingshuang’s eyes.

He stood up, drawing the sword hidden in the axis of his wheelchair just before the winds reached him. With one thrust into the ground, he stabilized himself like a statue. At the same time, a small knife emerged from his wrist sheath. Yuehui, meeting Gu Tingshuang’s gaze, felt its battle spirit wane in the face of the relentless wind as its consciousness was slowly overtaken by Gu Tingshuang.

To the pack of wolves, this was a miracle—an unbreakable command, as unstoppable as avalanches or blizzards. Yet even in an avalanche, wolves find a way to survive.

But this was a battle, not a regular command. Yuehui resisted fiercely, mustering all its killing intent, charging against the wind to bring Gu Tingshuang down. But Gu Tingshuang stood firm. The moment Yuehui hit the ground, it found a dagger pressed against its throat.

The winds died down, and all became calm.

Yuehui had lost.

Its ears drooped as Gu Tingshuang released the dagger. “You’ve done well,” he said, reaching out to pat its head.

Yuehui let out a low whimper, accepting his touch, wagging its large tail.

None of the wolves found it strange that Gu Tingshuang was now standing. His long sleeves trailed to the ground, his dark robe concealing the veins bulging in his hand.

With one hand on his sword, he propped himself up, his back now throbbing with intense pain.

Jinji Bei retrieved his wheelchair, blown away by the wind, and Gu Tingshuang sat back down.

After making a hand gesture, the wolf pack gradually dispersed.

Gu Tingshuang’s face remained impassive, though his left hand could no longer bend properly.

“The king does not enter the temple—why? Do you still not acknowledge us?” Jinji Bei, now in human form, obediently stood beside him, asking.

Gu Tingshuang glanced at the ancient cave and said, “That place is not mine.”

“You are the reincarnation of the White Wolf God. That is your territory. Or do you still believe I was wrong, and refuse to accept this truth?”

Jinji Bei said, “When we sought you out years ago, asking you to lead our pack, you were the same as now—revealing your divine power under the moonlight, but never lifting your head to gaze at the moon. The shadow of the White Wolf God is in the moon.”

His words sounded like a song, or perhaps an ancient, long-forgotten ballad.

Gu Tingshuang replied, “I am just me. I care nothing for reincarnation or the afterlife, nor do I have a god to worship. A wolf’s instinct should be its guide. Though the White Wolf God has protected you for millennia, that protection is not mine to give. I am but a mortal, born of mortal parents, and it is mere fate that brought us together. I am fortunate to have your companionship, that is all.”

Jinji Bei responded, “But to us, you are a god. You hold the unquenchable golden flame we’ve sought for a thousand years. That flame is the legacy of our White Wolf God’s bloodline.”

Gu Tingshuang said, “You don’t need to seek that from me. The strong will always lead. One day I will grow old, retreat, or die like any other mortal. The pack will continue to live and thrive as it always has.”

Jinji Bei hesitated, confusion written across his face.

The devotion these wolves had toward him was something Gu Tingshuang had never fully understood.

He possessed a heavenly spiritual root, capable of sensing spirits and communicating with the wolves. It all seemed to exist solely to allow him to control the wolves of the Spirit Mountains. Yet he wanted nothing to do with the legend of the ancient White Wolf God.

“Gu Tingshuang is Gu Tingshuang. Mortal names are of no consequence, but I am myself. Whatever I do, I do as I wish.”

The wind behind him gradually subsided, and the crimson waves of molten lava receded, ebbing in waves.

Just as Jinji Bei was about to speak again, Gu Tingshuang suddenly placed a finger to his lips, signalling for silence.

Jinji Bei followed his gesture, turning with him as Gu Tingshuang wheeled around.

The fire fell back like the receding tide, and the cliff across from them slowly came back into view.

But now, a thick fog had settled over the opposite side, as if a heavy rain had fallen during the windstorm. The rain and fire mingled, turning into vapour and forming a dense mist. Within that mist, something dark and ominous seemed to stir.

Gu Tingshuang’s gaze sharpened as he silently fixed his eyes on the shadow. Then, with a sudden movement, he gripped the handles of his wheelchair.

As the fog parted in the wind, for just a moment, his eyes locked with something across the cliff.

It was a pair of crimson eyes, devoid of any spirit or thought. But in that instant, as Gu Tingshuang looked into them, it was as if he saw himself!

Foot Note

1. 月晦 (Yuè huì), “Dark Moon”.