Because the Foxfolk enclave lies like a white fringe along the Ice Rock Empire’s border, the journey was short; Lanxia cut through cloud and cold, nearing it in under two hours.

A heaviness pooled in my chest, like wet ash. At first, when we tried to mount Lanxia’s back, Elaya was terrified, refused no matter what, and only settled after I murmured comfort until the fear ebbed. I couldn’t help thinking: is that slave-bred obedience carved too deep?

It’s hard to blame her. Among the beastkin, “human vassal” only applies to the stronger strains; the weaker ones wear invisible chains. The Foxfolk are not only frail but strikingly beautiful, so their status has long been that of slaves—silk faces, iron shackles.

Growing up in that winter of a world, and then getting seized by slavers and dragged to Moonhundred City’s auction like goods on a cold shelf, a stronger slave’s reflex is only natural.

I sighed, a ribbon of frost leaving my lips. This “prosperous peace” is lacquer over rotten wood; underneath, it’s still a cruel era of the strong devouring the weak. Compared to the wars a millennium ago, life is more guarded—you don’t wake each dawn fearing a blade of war. Yet the vulnerable still stand in the wind, their status unmoved, exploited and persecuted in new costumes by the powerful.

“Dear big brother, what’s wrong? You look clouded, like a sky before rain.”

“Something bothering you, big brother?”

“No, nothing.”

Words rose like sparks, then died. I only shook my head. Elaya suddenly pointed down into the green sea of trees and shouted, voice bright as a bell, “There! The Foxfolk settlement sits in the forest’s deepest heart!”

“Is that so? Lanxia, take us down.”

“Got it! Heh—humble beastkin, the dragon descends!”

With a gleeful cry, Lanxia dipped fast toward the forest; wind whooshed, treetops swayed like waves as we dropped lower and lower.

...

We soon reached the spot Elaya named, but the scene was anything but good—a few burly Tigers and Wolves were menacing a Foxfolk girl whose noble bearing shone even through her simple shrine-maiden robes.

“You’re just a little Foxfolk Saintess. Our Tiger prince favoring you is a blessing to your entire tribe!”

“Back off. Our Wolf prince saw her first!”

“What, you want to fight?”

“Don’t think thick limbs make loud voices. We Wolves don’t fear you Tigers.”

“Oh? So whoever wins gets the Foxfolk Saintess?” The Tiger brute rubbed his fists, eyes glinting like steel.

The Saintess could do nothing but stand there, face tight with bitter helplessness. The other Foxfolk watched from afar, anger trapped behind their teeth, too afraid to step in.

I was about to ask Lanxia to intervene when she simply opened her dragon jaws. A pale flare pulsed, and she breathed a lance of frost toward the Tigers and Wolves.

“So cold—ah!”

“What is—aaah!”

In a blink, those men who swaggered like storming bulls turned to crystal statues, frozen mid-boast without a chance to react.

“Heh. Mere beastkin daring to stage such a stale play before a dragon—it’s dull.”

We landed. Lanxia flicked her tail, and the ice statues skittered away like glass tossed into snow. She glanced around, interest thin as winter sunlight. “So this is where the beastkin live now? Such shabby nests. How tragic.”

“Lanxia, can you not? Pointing at someone’s wounds to their face is rude.”

Is it her simplicity or her unfiltered tongue? She always says whatever floats up, never watching mood or setting.

“...Uu!”

“What now, Lanxia?”

She turned that massive head and looked at me with pleading eyes. Even in dragon form, the expression was almost comical.

“Uuu! I know I was wrong. I’ll watch my mouth! Please don’t dislike me, Mizumi! Uuu...”

“...”

So that’s what she was worried about. Just how petty does Lanxia think I am?

“Am I that small and mean in your heart, Lanxia?”

“No, no! Mizumi Emperor is the gentlest, kindest person this dragon has ever met!”

“Then it’s fine.”

I stepped forward through the cold grass and reached up to rub her head, scales cold and smooth under my palm.

“That silly dragon’s at it again, taking advantage of dear big brother.”

“More like fishing for sympathy. Not that she needs it.”

Maybe it was my imagination, but Lingxiao and Lingsaki were glaring at Lanxia, eyes sharp as icicles. When I looked down, I saw the Foxfolk already kneeling around Lanxia, frozen as stones; even the Saintess was half-kneeling.

“Saintess, I’m back! Are you all right?!”

Elaya, too excited to sit still, slid off Lanxia and darted to the Saintess like a small deer.

“Huh? Elaya, weren’t you captured days ago? How did you return? Did—”

Seeing Elaya, the Saintess jolted upright, grabbed her hands, and asked a stream of questions, worry and relief mixing like rain and sun.

We dismounted as well and had Lanxia shift back to her human form. The air here felt clean, like spring water—better than Moonhundred City’s haze, probably because this is deep forest where people rarely tread. I let my eyes roam over the kneeling Foxfolk—men and women, roughly half and half, faces beautiful like carved jade.

“...Elaya, you’re saying the lords of the Mizumi Clan are willing to help the Foxfolk?!”

“Yes. The Mizumi lords are very kind and gentle. Out of compassion, they bought me—and soon after decided to save the Foxfolk.”

The Saintess hurried over and knelt before us, heart thumping like a bird’s. “Please forgive our offense, honored lords of the Mizumi Clan! We’re truly sorry!”

Silence slid over us like shade. A Saintess, yet she drops to her knees at the slightest wind?

“It’s fine. Stand up first. We don’t like kneeling in front of us. No need for overdone reverence—just be natural.”

“Dear big brother’s right. You make it look like we ordered you to kneel.”

“Agreed.”

Maybe some arrogant noble pups enjoy making people kneel to shine their own crowns. We genuinely dislike it.

“We’re truly sorry!!”

They apologized in unison, voices trembling like leaves, then rose, still skittish.

“Let’s start with introductions. I’m Mizumi Emperor. These are my sisters, Lingxiao and Lingsaki. We came for a simple purpose: resolve your Foxfolk crisis, and while we’re here, take a look at the beastkin settlements.”

“I’m Tianyu Lixue, Emperor’s friend.”

“I am the great Lanxia! Mizumi’s exclusive mount!!”

“Nalu Geas, Mizumi’s guide.”

As soon as I finished, Lixue and the others offered their simple introductions, words smooth as flowing water. The Saintess straightened, nervously smoothing her attire, then spoke. “My name is Retiel Goldfox, daughter of the Foxfolk chief. It is the highest honor under heaven to welcome you, honored lords!”

So she’s the chief’s daughter—no wonder she’s called a Saintess. Once Retiel spoke, the other Foxfolk followed, one by one, offering names, roles, and thanks with careful bows.

“Honored lords, if you don’t mind, would you come into the settlement to meet my fa—our Foxfolk chief? We’ll do our utmost to receive you!”

“We were just thinking of visiting your settlement. By the way, where is it?”

I looked around. No sign of dwellings, only a sea of lush leaves and trunks like pillars. Strange—so the settlement isn’t right here?

“Please follow us. It’s just back there.”

...

The Foxfolk settlement—more a small town than a crude camp. Ancient-styled houses and shops lined the tidy streets; broom marks showed care, and because the area is small, the gathered crowds made it feel lively, like sparks clustered on a hearth.

Yet worry weighed on most faces like fog. Because of that, the whole settlement’s mood felt a bit dim.

When we arrived, Foxfolk with upright ears and plush tails gaped, then murmured like a stirred pond. Several with rough tempers stepped forward to question us, but Retiel’s guards stopped them with hands like calm stone. Good thing; otherwise Lanxia would’ve made a loud mess again.

“Your people don’t seem very welcoming,” Lixue said, eyes sweeping like a cool breeze.

“No, that’s only because they don’t know who you are!” Retiel blurted. “If they knew your identities, they wouldn’t act like this! Please, for the sake of ‘the ignorant bear no guilt,’ spare them!”

“Lixue was just asking. Do we look that narrow-minded?” I sighed, half helpless, half amused.

“Sorry... It’s just habit.” Blushing, Retiel fidgeted with the silver-gray braid at her chest, fingers fluttering like nervous birds.

“Saintess, it’s fine! The Mizumi lords are good people, different from ordinary humans,” Elaya said, soothing her like warm hands over cold clay.

“Mhm. I know. The Mizumi lords are broad-hearted.” Retiel stole a glance at me, cheeks pink as dawn.

“So by your tone, the Foxfolk harbor hatred toward humans?” Lixue asked, shifting her angle like a blade turned in light.

“That’s true...” Retiel hesitated, her expression tight.

“No need to tiptoe. Say it straight.”

“Thank you for your understanding, Mizumi Emperor.” Retiel clenched her pale fists, knuckles white as snowberries. “The greatest harm to the Foxfolk hasn’t come from hostile beastkin nearby, but from humans.”

“Humans? Then what’s with those Tigers and Wolves?”

“Some Tigers and Wolves have been bought with dirty coin or false promises by greedy merchants. They help capture our people and sell them.” Her voice sharpened like ice shards. “In truth, most internal conflicts and wars among beastkin are stoked by humans.”