Volume 1, Chapter 16 – The Sword Practitioner’s Confidence
It was unmistakably her dream.
Yet, the heroine was not her.
And neither was the male lead.
What a terrifying nightmare it had been.
Even now, recalling the scenes sent a dull throb through Song Shiyuan's eyes, as if she was getting a stye.
Her complexion darkened.
"Did big sister have a nightmare?"
The silver-haired fox demon tilted her head, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
She raised her small hands, reaching out toward Song Shiyuan.
"What are you doing?"
Startled, Song Shiyuan instinctively stepped back.
Her expression flickered. A whirlwind of emotions crossed her face as she regarded the little fox demon.
Unfazed, the fox demon stepped closer, her delicate hands gently pressing against either side of Song Shiyuan's head.
With a gentle yet firm pressure, she began to ease the tension that had gripped her.
"Don't be afraid~~ Don't be afraid~~!"
"Nightmare go away~~!"
The little fox demon's soothing voice wrapped around her like a warm blanket.
Song Shiyuan's expression twisted in confusion. This little fox was treating her like a child…
"Little fox demon, I'm not a child."
Her voice firm, she asserted.
The fox demon shook her head slightly, but her hands remained steady, continuing their calming pressure.
Song Shiyuan frowned, poised to protest.
Suddenly, a faint, sweet scent enveloped her senses.
"This is…"
Her eyes narrowed, recognition dawning.
She had encountered this scent before.
The little fox demon was releasing pheromones, drifting from her fingertips.
Instinctively, Song Shiyuan wanted to retreat. To push the little fox away.
The first time she had inhaled this fragrance, it had led to a night filled with strange dreams.
Now, having just now escaped one, she had no desire to plunge into another.
"Sister, don't move."
Lu Zhuxin, the little fox, saw through her apprehension and held her ground.
"It's alright, trust Ah Xi."
Song Shiyuan hesitated. This time, the fox demon's pheromones didn't stir the supreme yang energy within her.
Instead, the gentle, sweet aroma began to wash away the fatigue left by the nightmare.
The little fox demon was soothing her with her pheromones.
Fox demon pheromones had the power to ignite desires, often used for more intimate, unspeakable purposes.
However, when wielded with care, they could invigorate the spirit, calm the mind, and alleviate negative emotions.
They could even uplift one's mood and reinforce belief.
Yet, such control was rare; most fox demons preferred to use their pheromones for seduction.
"Sister, is this okay?" Lu Zhuxin asked sweetly. "No strange feelings?"
"Mm…"
Song Shiyuan gazed at the little fox demon's innocent smile, her expression growing increasingly complex.
That face reminded her of two haunting nightmares.
A voice deep within warned her relentlessly.
She, Song Shiyuan, was now a prisoner of the fox demons and couldn't trust any of them.
She should push this little fox demon away immediately!
But as the sweet fragrance enveloped her, a tinge of reluctance crept in.
This scent was undeniably pleasant.
Soft and fluffy, just like the little fox demon, it wrapped around her like a warm embrace.
When Song Shiyuan remained silent for too long, a flicker of nervousness crossed Lu Zhuxin's small face.
"What's wrong? Didn't Ah Xi control it well?"
Song Shiyuan's expression softened. The fox demon's soothing touch was genuinely enjoyable for a sword practitioner.
With just a few simple actions, she felt the nausea and fatigue from last night's nightmare dissipate considerably.
"No, it's very effective, thank you."
She ultimately didn't push her away.
After all, she had been captured by the fox demons, imprisoned in a dungeon, and forcibly taken as a concubine by the Fox Monarch.
Two nights of nightmares had left her spirit taut like a bowstring.
The little fox demon's gentle touch eased her tense mental state. And surprisingly, she found herself enjoying it.
"Big sister likes it," Lu Zhuxin said, her eyes curving into crescent shapes, radiating happiness.
She paused, sensing it was enough, and slowly withdrew her hands.
"Sister, if you have any worries next time, you can come find Ah Xi," Lu Zhuxin offered.
As Song Shiyuan watched her pull away, an imperceptible longing flickered in her eyes.
In truth, she wouldn't mind if Lu Zhuxin stayed a little longer.
But the memories of last night's dreams clawed at her heart once more.
Dreams are just dreams—don't think too much. Dreams and reality are opposites, she reminded herself.
Brother Shixuan and her fellow disciples were all imprisoned.
She, Song Shiyuan, couldn't afford to lose her composure over two nightmares.
Fox demons are full of lies and thrive on manipulation, so what?
As long as she maintained a firm will and upheld her principles, nothing could shake her heart.
The fox demons ensnared the sword practitioners in those tales because their hearts were impure and their wills were frail.
Song Shiyuan was certain that if Brother Shixuan were present, he would make the same choice.
Yet, she held an advantage that others lacked. She was a woman, anchored by her affections for someone specific—she would never be swayed by another woman. The fox demons' seductive tactics were utterly ineffective against her!
Her gaze shifted from confusion to unwavering resolve.
With Lu Zhuxin's fox demon pheromones enveloping her, Song Shiyuan felt an unfamiliar surge of confidence.
"How do I find you, little fox demon?" Her voice was steady now.
"Ah Xi lives next door, sister." Lu Zhuxin pointed to the opposite side. "Ah Xi is there most of the time."
Surprise flickered across Song Shiyuan's face.
The little fox demon resided so near to her? What a coincidence.
"That day… you received the news of my arrival in advance?"
"Her Majesty had instructed that this courtyard be prepared for the newly arrived sister." Lu Zhuxin's expression remained placid.
A pause ensued. So, the Fox Monarch had already informed her? It made sense now; the little fox demon was ready ahead of time.
Whether to trust this little fox demon was entirely up to Song Shiyuan.
Regardless of her innocence, Song Shiyuan needed her assistance.
She realized the palace's restrictions didn't bind the fox demons here; the only one limited was her, the outsider sword practitioner.
This little fox demon, who had come to her aid, was her only ally.
"Thank you." Song Shiyuan smiled. "Can you help me with one more thing?"
The little fox demon nodded eagerly. "What does sister need my help with?"
"Her Majesty has chosen me as a concubine, but I know very little about fox demons," Song Shiyuan explained. "So… can you help me learn more about them?"
"Of course, sister." Lu Zhuxin beamed with delight.
"So, which aspect does sister want to start learning from?"