Lysandra sighed dramatically. “That was only a piece. A fun-sized horror.”
The gorge suddenly felt colder. Mingxi wrapped his tails protectively around Poppy, drawing her close.
“Come. Huoyáo Jìng is ahead.”
Together—shaken, exhausted, but alive—they left the gorge and stepped toward the heart of fox territory.
Chapter 78
They barely crossed the threshold of Huoyáo Jìng before the realm responded.
Foxfire lanterns lining the forest paths flared to life. The wind shifted, carrying bright, crystalline qi. Deeper in the territory, a chime rang—not from wind.
A summons.
Poppy shivered. “Mingxi…”
“They sense us,” he murmured.
Not us, she thought heartbrokenly.Him.
The moment they entered the clearing at the heart of Huoyáo Jìng figures were already waiting. Not guards. Not attendants. His family.
Shen Mingzhao stood at their center, hands clasped behind his back, posture flawless, expression carved from stone. His dark hair was tied high; his charcoal robes shimmered with subtle silver threading. His gaze skipped over Poppy, Caelan, and Lysandra and locked straight onto Mingxi’s six tails.
The air sharpened.
“Mingxi,” Shen Mingzhao said quietly. “Explain.”
He didn’t shout. Worse: he exhibited controlled alarm. Xu Yunlian stepped forward, graceful and composed. Her eyes softened instantly at Poppy.
“Penelope, darling—are you hurt?” She brushed cool fingers to Poppy’s cheek. “You’re feverish.” Her gaze then fell to Lysandra and froze. “What happened to that girl?”
Caelan held Lysandra tighter. “Long story.”
Before Poppy could answer, Minghua burst from the house like a firework given sentience.
“Mingxi!” she screamed, sprinting across the courtyard. “Oh, my gods, you have six tails!”
She barreled straight to Poppy next.
“Thank the ancestors you’re alive! We saw the moon flare last night—the whole realm shook—what did you do?”
Mingxi groaned into his hand. “Minghua. Please lower your voice.”
“No!”
Mingjun appeared last—taller than Mingxi, more stoic, but clearly alarmed. His gaze swept over their injuries, Lysandra’s corrupted aura, Caelan’s wary stance, and then Mingxi’s six tails.
“Mingxi,” he murmured, “your qi is unstable. The wards rippled when you crossed the boundary.”
He stepped closer. “Do you need stabilization?”
Mingxi shook his head. “Poppy first.”
Mingjun nodded immediately.
Shen Mingzhao raised a hand. “Inside,” he said sharply. “Now. Mingxi will explain everything in the inner hall. Healers will attend to the wounded.”
