Orange Lake was once a real lake, known for its resemblance to an orange. Legend says that the lake dried up overnight, turning into flat land, and it became haunted. Stories began to spread about hunters and woodcutters mysteriously disappearing there, and over time, it became a place rarely visited by people.
In truth, these hauntings were caused by the Fox Clan of Orange Lake. Unlike the people of Fangwai Mountain, the Orange Lake clan was more reclusive and had little interaction with mortals. In fact, even Yuan Zhong hadn’t visited this place in nearly a hundred years.
As soon as he jumped off the back of the Jile Bird, he was greeted by a group of white-robed clan members. At the head of the group was an elder with a long white beard that almost reached his waist.
Yuan Zhong smiled and greeted him with hands folded in respect. “Elder Xin Chou, long time no see. Your beard has grown even longer.”
Although he hadn’t been present for the event when Elder Xin Chou was the first to quarrel with Elder Ding Xu and led a group of clan members to migrate to Orange Lake, Yuan Zhong had long admired Xin Chou’s boldness. After all, there were few in the clan who dared to defy Elder Ding Xu.
Elder Xin Chou returned the gesture, looking very cordial. “Young Yuan Zhong, thank you for handling the War Ghosts’ provocation.”
Yuan Zhong laughed. “Elder Xin Chou, that’s an old name from many years ago. Let’s not bring it up now, shall we?”
Elder Xin Chou replied coolly, “You’ve been following Ding Xu for so long that you’ve learned to be just as secretive.”
Yuan Zhong acted as though he hadn’t heard the comment, his sharp eyes already spotting a graceful figure in white behind the elder. He immediately lit up with a beaming smile, gliding over and twirling around the young woman like a twist of dough, saying, “Sister Ziqing, it’s been years! You’ve become even more beautiful. Did you miss me?”
Ziqing smiled and patted his shoulder. “You haven’t changed a bit. Still the same as always.”
“But you’ve changed a lot, Sister Ziqing,” Yuan Zhong said, practically clinging to her. “You’ve become so stunning that I almost didn’t recognize you.”
Ziqing held his hand without hesitation and said, “Your sweet words haven’t changed either. Well, since you’re here, stay a few more days and tell me about Zifei. I didn’t even get a chance to see him before he died.”
Though she tried her best to hide her emotions, her voice caught slightly when she mentioned Zifei’s death.
Yuan Zhong fell silent, slowly straightening up. After a long pause, he said quietly, “I’m sorry.”
Zifei was Ziqing’s younger brother. When Ziqing left with Elder Xin Chou, Zifei was still a child and was forcibly kept by Elder Ding Xu. Yuan Zhong had never been able to shake the guilt over Zifei’s death, and the fact that Ji Tan Yin mysteriously hadn’t died only made him feel worse.
Ziqing quickly grabbed his arm and smiled, “It’s not your fault. Don’t blame yourself. Stay for a few more days. My husband always complains that there’s no one to drink with him when you’re not here.”
Yuan Zhong wasn’t in the mood for joking, so he forced a few polite responses. As they passed through the courtyard with the others, he noticed six tall platforms built around a small lake. Six clan members were stationed on each platform, continuously casting spells to reinforce the outer barrier.
He glanced at Elder Xin Chou with a bitter smile. “If I hadn’t arrived in time, would you have just strengthened the barrier to defend against those War Ghosts?”
The Fox Clan’s barrier was strong, but if six War Ghosts attacked simultaneously, no matter how thick the barrier was, it would shatter instantly. And if they encountered a perfect War Ghost like Li Chaoyang, who was a once-in-a-century phenomenon, the barrier would be no stronger than porcelain.
Elder Xin Chou stroked his long white beard and smiled. “Do you really think I wouldn’t have thought of that? This was to welcome you. Once you leave, entering again might not be so easy.”
Yuan Zhong let out a surprised “Huh,” only now realizing that this wasn’t the usual defensive barrier the Fox Clan would use. It seemed real and unreal at the same time, like something out of a dream. Rather than a barrier, it was more like an illusion. Its nature reminded him of the mist formation around the royal tomb on Wanlan Mountain, though it was far more sophisticated.
“Our clan and the War Ghost Clan have been at odds for generations. But if Ding Xu didn’t provoke them, there wouldn’t be so much trouble,” Elder Xin Chou sighed. “These layers of barriers are just a delaying tactic. If the War Ghosts come looking for us one day, it will at least give the people of Orange Lake time to escape.”
He noticed Yuan Zhong hesitating to speak, so he continued, “Ding Xu and I are on different paths. I will never submit to Fangwai Mountain. His ambitions are too great, while all I seek is freedom.”
Yuan Zhong patted his stomach, glanced at him, and suddenly laughed. “...I just wanted to ask, do you have any food? I’m starving.”
Elder Xin Chou burst into hearty laughter. “Of course! Come with me.”
Yuan Zhong didn’t know what the once-glorious Fox Clan had been like in the past. The records in the historical texts were nothing more than hollow words.
But before him now were flowers in full bloom, a fragrant aroma in the air, and the soft light of glowing pearls illuminating the faces of young women, making their skin look as smooth as jade. The gentle music of flutes and songs echoed faintly, blending with the scene of countless giant lotus flowers falling from the sky like rain. He thought that perhaps this was what the Fox Clan of old might have been like—carefree and at peace. This was something Fangwai Mountain could never offer.
Elder Xin Chou handed him a bronze wine cup filled with a potent liquor called “Drunken Dreams.” The rich, aromatic drink made his blood boil, and all his worries gradually faded. The guilt and sorrow over Zifei’s death slowly dissipated.
Elder Xin Chou’s voice seemed to come from a distant place. “Young Yuan Zhong, why not stay here for good? You’re not young anymore. It’s time to find a suitable girl and give our clan more children.”
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