bookcurios Chapter 193 Xuannv 57
Chapter 193 Xuannv 57
"Okay, I get it. Brother, you are trapped here. Does Master know about this?" Jiaojiao asked softly with her clear eyes full of worry.
When Zi Tong heard this, a look of bitterness and resentment suddenly emerged on his face, and he slowly said, "I can tell you this. Back then, Bai Zhi was such a despicable villain! Master had always been kind to him, but he betrayed Master with a ruthless heart. In order to protect the Purple Fox Clan, Master took great pains to open up a new, secret place so that the Purple Fox Clan could live there safely. After that, Master arranged for me to transfer the Purple Fox Clan members, while he stayed behind alone to deal with Bai Zhi and buy time for us to transfer."
At this point, Zi Tong paused slightly, a gleam of reminiscence flashed in his eyes, and he continued: "Originally, we lived quite well in that secret realm. Although it was not as prosperous and lively as the outside world, it was peaceful and harmonious, and everyone could live in peace. But who could have thought that one day, we suddenly felt a violent shock coming from the secret realm. At that time, my heart skipped a beat, thinking that the master must have encountered a great danger. I was so anxious that I didn't have time to think about it carefully. I just wanted to go out and help the master. As a result, the insidious and cunning Bai Zhi took advantage of me. He used sweet words to confuse me, and I was deceived out of the secret realm without knowing it."
Zi Tong's voice became increasingly low, filled with deep self-blame and grief: "Because of my recklessness and carelessness, my entire Purple Fox clan was brutally exterminated by that beast Bai Zhi! And Bai Zhi, not knowing the whereabouts of our master from us, got angry and imprisoned me in this hellhole, hoping that my master would come to save me so that he could harm my master. Humph, he is so vicious!"
"This... Senior Brother, I really have to say something to you." Jiaojiao frowned, looking puzzled and annoyed, "How could you be so easily fooled by Bai Zhi? Since you already knew that Bai Zhi had ill intentions and would harm you, why did you still foolishly believe those nonsense he said?"
"I, I, I..." Zi Tong opened his mouth and said "I" three times in a row, but he couldn't come up with a reason that would make people feel it was natural. On the contrary, his cheeks were as if they were burned by fire, and they quickly turned red. He looked like he had done something wrong and was exposed on the spot.
"Senior Brother, do you have something to hide? Why are you suddenly silent?" Jiaojiao is a very straightforward woman who can't keep things to herself. She likes to get to the bottom of things and won't give up until she gets a self-evident answer from Zitong.
Zi Tong lowered her head slightly and was silent for a long while before she said in a voice as small as a mosquito: "I... I like Master. Also, before entering the secret realm, I talked with Zi Ning, and I... I confessed to her. Zi Ning said at the time that if I could come back from the secret realm safely, she... she would marry me." At this point, Zi Tong's voice became smaller and smaller, almost inaudible, and she could no longer conceal the shame on her face.
"Ah? Then shouldn't I call you master?" Jiaojiao said with some surprise.
"No, Zi Ning and I haven't yet." Zi Tong didn't say anything but fell into memories.
In ancient times, the Purple Fox clan lived a peaceful life, but they encountered a crisis of annihilation. The instigator of all this was the insidious and cunning Bai Zhi.
Bai Zhi covets the secret treasure guarded by the Purple Fox Clan and wants to take the position of Fox Ancestor, but he is also afraid of Zi Ning, who is very powerful in the Purple Fox Clan. Zi Ning is extremely intelligent and has profound magical powers. She sensed Bai Zhi's evil intentions and knew that a fierce battle was inevitable. In order to protect her people, Zi Ning decided to do her best.
After careful consideration and difficult preparation, Zi Ning, relying on her powerful spiritual power and expending countless efforts, actually opened up a mysterious and hidden secret realm. This secret realm is like a paradise, surrounded by clouds and mist, and full of spiritual power. It is an excellent habitat, enough for the purple fox clan to temporarily avoid Bai Zhi's persecution.
However, the danger was not over. After Bai Zhi learned of Zi Ning's actions, he became more and more angry and accelerated his offensive against the Purple Fox Clan. Zi Ning understood that someone had to hold Bai Zhi back in order to buy enough time for the clan members to be relocated. So, she asked her apprentice Zi Tong to relocate the clan members.
Zi Ning said to Zi Tong with a serious face: "Zi Tong, the situation is critical now. I have opened up a secret realm to keep the people safe for the time being. But Bai Zhi will definitely not give up. I need you to lead the people to move to the secret realm as soon as possible, and I will stay to hold him back."
When Zi Tong heard this, her eyes widened immediately, her face full of anxiety and reluctance: "Zi Ning, how can this be! Let me take the people away first, leaving you alone to face that evil thief, it's too dangerous! How can I watch you go to risk your life? If you want to go, we can go together. At worst, we can fight him!"
Zi Ning looked at Zi Tong's concerned and stubborn look, feeling touched and helpless. She sighed softly and said, "Zi Tong, don't be impulsive. You know that Bai Zhi's target is me and the clan's secret treasure. If I leave, he will definitely chase me relentlessly. By then, the clan members won't have time to move away, and will end up being wiped out. I stay and hold him back. This is the only way to save the clan members at the moment."
Zi Tong still frowned tightly, her hands unconsciously clenched into fists, her voice trembling slightly with excitement: "No, Zi Ning, I can't let you face that danger alone, I... I can't bear to let you take risks!"
Seeing him so insistent, Zi Ning became anxious. She stamped her feet and was about to persuade him a few more times, but unexpectedly, Zi Tong suddenly seemed to muster up great courage, stepped forward, and held Zi Ning's hands tightly. He looked into her eyes with a fiery and firm gaze, and said loudly: "Zi Ning, actually...actually, I have always liked you, from a long, long time ago. Every time I see you, my heart beats wildly as if it is out of control, and my mind is full of your figure. I don't want to lose you, and I don't want you to face danger alone. Do you understand my feelings?"
Zi Ning was stunned by Zi Tong's sudden confession. She stared at Zi Tong blankly and forgot to respond for a moment. After a long while, she came back to her senses. A touching blush appeared on her cheeks, and her eyes were full of emotion and tenderness. She raised her hand slightly, gently stroked Zi Tong's face, and said softly: "Zi Tong, you silly girl, why did you say it only now? In fact... In fact, I don't like you, but I have never shown it."
When Zi Tong heard this, his eyes suddenly lit up with surprise. He was about to speak, but Zi Ning shook his head gently, his expression becoming serious: "But, the lives of our tribe members are at stake right now, we can't ignore them because of our children's personal feelings. Zi Tong, you must take your tribe members to the secret realm first, this is your responsibility."
Zi Tong's eyes dimmed for a moment, but soon hope was rekindled. He stared at Zi Ning and said firmly, "Okay, I'll listen to you. I will lead the tribe to move as soon as possible. But you have to promise me that you must come back safely. When you come back, we will get married, okay?"
Zi Ning looked at Zi Tong's eyes full of expectation and worry, her heart was filled with warmth and touching. She nodded vigorously and said with a smile: "Well, I promise you, Zi Tong. As long as you can come back safely, I will marry you, don't worry."
Just like that, in this moment full of crisis and affection, the two made a solemn promise, and then each shouldered their own mission, and resolutely embarked on different paths for the future of the Purple Fox Clan.
Although Zi Tong was full of worry and reluctance, he finally listened to Zi Ning's words, endured the inner torment, and devoted himself to the arduous task of transferring the Purple Fox Clan. He organized the clansmen in an orderly manner, leading them along the secret passage, slowly heading towards the newly opened secret realm. Along the way, Zi Tong's heart was always tightly clenched, and the scene of Zi Ning facing Bai Zhi alone kept appearing in his mind. Every scene was like a sharp blade, piercing his heart fiercely.
Days passed, but Zi Ning showed no sign of returning. Zi Tong stood at the entrance of the secret realm every day, looking forward to it, his eyes full of anxiety and expectation, as if Zi Ning would suddenly appear before his eyes if he looked long enough.
Until one day, the peaceful secret realm suddenly shook violently. The shaking force was like surging waves, one after another, impacting every inch of land in the secret realm, causing the entire secret realm to fall into a panic. Zi Tong's heart suddenly tightened, and a strong sense of uneasiness instantly surged in his heart. He knew that something must have happened, and Zi Ning might be in danger.
At that moment, Zi Tong was anxious to rush out to check the situation, but he stopped abruptly after taking a few steps. Zi Ning's previous words were still echoing in his ears. She chose to face Bai Zhi alone to protect the tribe. If he went out rashly, what if he ruined her plan? Wouldn't that be a waste of her efforts? Moreover, the tribe still needed him to protect them here. If something happened to him, what would happen to the safety of the entire tribe? Zi Tong hesitated in place, struggling with a dilemma.
Just when Zi Tong was hesitating, a sinister and complacent voice suddenly came in. It was Bai Zhi's voice. He laughed wildly and said, "This Zi Ning is really stubborn. Humph! I have tried every possible means, but she still refuses to tell me how to open this secret realm. Is the Purple Fox Clan going to fend for itself in this secret realm? But it doesn't matter. I have plenty of time. I will be outside this secret realm and cut off one of Zi Ning's tails every day. I want to see if the Purple Fox Clan will come out to save her. Hahaha..."
The vicious words were like a cold wind, blowing straight into Zi Tong's heart, making him feel as if all the blood in his body had solidified. Zi Tong's eyes were instantly bloodshot, his hands clenched into fists, and the anger and worry in his heart were like a volcano about to erupt, rolling violently in his chest. He knew that he could not hesitate any longer. No matter what, he had to find a way to save Zi Ning, even if he had to fight to the death with Bai Zhi!
Unexpectedly, just when Zi Tong was trying to suppress his inner impulse and was struggling to balance reason and emotion, his fellow tribesmen could no longer hold back.
As a ten-tailed celestial fox, Zi Ning has always been a highly respected existence in the purple fox clan. Her wisdom, her magical powers, and every effort she made to protect her people have made the clan members admire her and regard her as the spiritual pillar and soul core of the purple fox clan.
At this moment, when they heard Bai Zhi's vicious words and learned that he was going to persecute their fox ancestor so cruelly, the tribesmen were instantly enraged, and a surge of blood rushed to their heads. They shouted one after another, shouting in indignation that they wanted to go out and rescue Zi Ning.
"No, calm down!" Zi Tong saw this and hurriedly spoke out to stop them. His brows were furrowed, and his face was full of anxiety and worry. Zi Tong knew that if the tribesmen just rushed out without caring about anything, it would undoubtedly be a sheep walking into a tiger's mouth. Bai Zhi was waiting for them to fall into the trap. By then, let alone saving Zi Ning, I'm afraid the entire Purple Fox lineage would be destroyed here. He was thinking about preserving the bloodline of the Purple Fox clan and not letting the inheritance of the ancestors be destroyed.
However, the impulsive tribesmen would not listen to Zi Tong's advice. They were filled with worry about Zi Ning and resentment towards Bai Zhi. They felt that if they did not go out to save people, it would be a great disrespect to the Fox Ancestor and a shame for the Purple Fox tribe. So, groups of tribesmen rushed towards the exit of the secret realm without caring about anything, like a surging tide, and instantly disappeared from Zi Tong's desperate and helpless sight.
Bai Zhi's sinister and cunning nature was fully revealed at this moment. In fact, he had never really caught Zi Ning. The previous words about torturing Zi Ning outside the secret realm were just a lie he made up. His purpose was to use the deep feelings of the Purple Fox Clan for Zi Ning to lure them out of the safe secret realm.
Those tribesmen who were blinded by anger and eagerness could never have imagined the hidden conspiracy. As soon as they left the secret realm in a hurry, they fell into another trap set by Bai Zhi, like moths to a flame - a more secret and dangerous secret realm.
This secret mirror seemed to have an endless strange power, like an invisible shackle that tightly bound the tribesmen who rushed out. Even though there were several powerful tribesmen in the tribe, they were the pillars of the tribe on weekdays, but at this moment, facing Bai Zhi's carefully planned conspiracy, they seemed so powerless. They struggled hard, trying to break through the confinement of the secret mirror, using their own spiritual power and various spells to tear open the dark curtain that trapped the tribesmen, but everything was in vain.
Bai Zhi stood outside the secret mirror, looking at the Purple Foxes struggling in it, with a ferocious and smug smile on his face. Just like that, the Purple Foxes, who once had a great reputation in this fairy world, were wiped out by Bai Zhi's conspiracy because of this momentary impulse. The shouts and struggles of the tribesmen gradually dissipated in the secret realm, leaving only endless sadness and despair.
Jiaojiao looked at Zitong's face full of despair and didn't want to hit him hard. All she could say was that things in this world are unpredictable.