Chapter Twenty-Four: Su Moran, the Fox of Qingqiu (Part Two)

Before this, something wholly unexpected happened to Haodan on his journey to Yucheng of the Great Xia Dynasty.

After Haodan and Susu had finally calmed their grief, they managed to come to terms with Old Hei’s death. Together, they buried his remains and erected a simple wooden marker as a grave. Then, they made their way to the gates of Yucheng, the capital, preparing to enter the famed Three Passes. But just then, a stranger emerged from the forest, barring their way.

This man was none other than the legendary Fox of Qingqiu, Su Moran—one of the two most handsome men beneath the heavens, as the world claimed. Among the Nine Tribes, he was known as “Su Twelve of Qingqiu.” In the mortal world, a poem circulated to describe these two paragons:

“Twin pillars beneath the Nine Heavens, none compare to the Omniscient and the Fox of Qingqiu.

The Omniscient is Luo Yu, the Fox of Qingqiu is Su Moran.”

The man appeared with a rush, his white-robed figure halting Haodan and Susu. At this moment, Susu, who had just begun to recover, seemed on the verge of recalling her memories. And yet, the very man Old Hei could not find in life—Su Moran—now appeared before them.

He was graceful, refined, and peerlessly handsome, clad in white fox-fur robes. His countenance was fresh and noble, with sword-like brows, starry eyes, lips tinted crimson, a presence at once dignified and aloof—a visage and bearing unmatched in the world.

“Young friend, I must trouble you to entrust my little sister to my care,” Su Moran said, his handsome face utterly impassive, living up to his name—indifferent and detached.

“Hey! How rude—you block our way without so much as introducing yourself, and expect me to believe you’re Susu’s brother?” Haodan retorted, though he suspected the man’s identity.

“My earlier discourtesy, I beg you forgive. Please, let me take my sister for a time. There are matters of great import within Yucheng that urgently require your attention. I know of what happened yesterday—thank you for risking your life to protect her. Should you ever need to find our clan’s empress, you need only come to Qingqiu’s domain. I have pressing affairs and cannot tarry here—please understand.” Su Moran paid no heed to Haodan’s suspicion, instead bowing with cold formality.

“That may be, but if Susu herself is unwilling, you can hardly blame me for refusing,” Haodan replied, glancing at Susu, whose clear eyes shimmered with unreadable emotion.

“Let me say this: what is happening in Yucheng is no small matter for you. If you delay, you may regret it forever. I will care for my sister—please, do not involve yourself in our family’s affairs just now.” Su Moran’s voice was emotionless, his face as though veiled in mist.

Haodan, hearing that something urgent was unfolding in Yucheng, immediately thought of his foster father, Cheng Tang. He did not hesitate long. After some quick thought, he bent to Susu and asked softly, “If this is so, Susu, would you go with your brother for now? Once I have dealt with my affairs, I will come for you—do you agree?”

She answered almost at once, “I… agree!” Her beautiful eyes flickered, her reply gentle and obedient.

“Then my sister and I, on behalf of our clan’s empress, bid you farewell for now.” With these words, Su Moran stepped forward, took Susu’s delicate hand, and with one last cold glance at Haodan, turned and walked away.

Halfway down the path, Susu looked back, reluctant to part, until Haodan was lost from sight. The scene mirrored that day outside the tumbledown hut, when Old Hei had led Susu away. Haodan watched, his mind overlaying the memory of Old Hei’s departure, and a strange sorrow welled in his heart. Yet he dared not linger, and so, gathering himself, he used the Void Step and sped into Yucheng.

Upon passing through the Three Passes, he immediately noticed the townsfolk abuzz with rumors. Blending into the crowd, he made his way toward the Summer Platform. Soon, he sensed the presence of Left Minister Yi Yin, with whom he had lived for over a decade. From the moment he entered the city, he had used his arts to seek out familiar auras, and so, following the crowd, he quickly found Yi Yin.

...

Haodan had witnessed the previous scene with his own eyes. Had Yi Yin not gripped his hand tightly, Haodan would surely have charged the platform, longing to strike down the Summer King on the spot. Gnashing his teeth, Haodan was consumed by wrath. Yet years of cultivation in tranquility under Nan Tongzi and Lady Qi had tempered his nature. Though quick-tongued, he was mature and prudent, and after seven years of training in the Void Realm, his flaws had been corrected by Bai Ling and Daoist Lord Lu Ya. Now, he was calm and decisive, never panicking, always weighing the situation and acting when the moment was ripe.

At this moment, General Guan Longfeng was being held by several soldiers, pushed step by step toward the blazing torture platform. Then, a strange thing occurred. Those who knew Guan Longfeng would have noticed that he suddenly ceased resisting. Instead, he leapt onto the burning iron platform himself, utterly fearless. In a matter of moments, he was reduced to ashes, his body consumed, his bones ground to dust, all without a single scream. The entire process was eerily calm, devoid of any cries of anguish.

When the ashes settled, the crowd erupted in clamor, voices rising in heated debate. Yet the Summer King, as if still unsatisfied, stared intently at the platform, as though he wished to watch every last wisp of ash drift away.

Within the prison cage