The Secret of the Fox Bracelet

Chapter 4: Rebirth

I was startled by my grandmother's expression, wanting to nod but fearing her disapproval. "This is truly a cursed fate... a cursed fate!" she sighed heavily, her eyes filled with profound sorrow.

I quickly grasped her hand to console her, "It's alright, Grandma. I think he's a good person. He even saved me... he's not the monster you described."

Grandma suddenly glared at me, "Little Porcelain, he is a demon! You are human, and he saved you because he needs you. Don't be foolish!"

I immediately fell silent. Just then, a knock resounded at the door. Before I could move to open it, the door was pushed open from outside.

"The fox demon is highly skilled, having already taken human form. It's normal for a young girl to be beguiled by such a creature," a voice said.

I turned towards the door.

Standing there was a thin old lady, draped in a gray-black long robe that enveloped her entire body. Her face, exposed, was marked with deep lines.

Upon seeing her, Grandma hurriedly approached with a forced smile, "Madam Qin, you're early. Weren't we to meet at dusk?"

I frowned, retreating a step.

I knew Madam Qin. She was from the neighboring village, known for her spiritual prowess. People often sought her help for various troubles. But over time, she grew taciturn, muttering to herself in corners. People said she had angered her spirit guardians.

From then on, my relationship with her waned. Often, it felt as if she was no longer the same Madam Qin.

Madam Qin glanced at me, snorting coldly, "Come at dusk? To collect your granddaughter's corpse? Can't you see she's already ensnared by the fox demon?"

Her words instantly displeased me.

Could she not speak more kindly? I'm still alive, how could she talk of collecting my corpse?

Grandma continued to smile apologetically. Despite disliking her words, I greeted Madam Qin out of courtesy.

Unexpectedly, she grabbed my wrist, scrutinizing me from head to toe.

Her claw-like hands felt like iron clamps. Her gaze made me uncomfortable, as if she intended to dissect me with her eyes.

"It's been ages since I saw such a beautiful girl. In our ten-mile radius, where have we seen such a stunning maiden?" Madam Qin cackled, releasing my wrist. Grandma forced a smile, but Madam Qin's tone shifted.

"And it's precisely because she's as beautiful as a celestial being that the fox demon has taken a liking to her."

Grandma held my hand, sighing incessantly, "Thinking back, it's all the result of your father's misdeeds. If he hadn't killed that white fox, none of this would have happened..."

An uneasy feeling settled in my heart as I waited for Grandma to continue.

"Your father killed a female fox, the fox demon's wife. With her death, the fox demon now has its eyes on you, wanting us to give you to him!"

My head buzzed, nearly causing me to faint.

It was absurd!

Indeed, it was my father's fault, but expecting me to marry a fox... how could I agree to that?

Moreover, if it seeks retribution, why not go after my father?

I shook my head vigorously, clutching Grandma's hand. Madam Qin watched me for a while before saying, "That might not be necessary!"

Hope surged within me as I looked at her eagerly, only for her next words to douse it like cold water.

"Foxes are deeply affectionate creatures, recognizing only one mate for life. This fox demon, having gained spiritual powers, seeks to use your body to reincarnate his wife!"

That was even worse than marrying him...

No! I refused to live with a fox!

I lowered my head, tears brimming as the thought of being entangled with a fox demon filled me with sorrow.

Grandma, seeing my distress, quickly asked Madam Qin for a solution.

Madam Qin's face darkened several degrees. She then produced a red cloth bundle, emitting a peculiar fragrance.

"This is a family heirloom, capable of subduing that demon. It's rare. Later, you sprinkle this ash onto the food..."

I whispered, "Then I eat it?"

Madam Qin sneered, "It's for the fox demon!"

I sighed in relief, grateful it wasn't for me.

If I ate that ash, wouldn't it cause me severe stomach issues? Who knows what ailments it might bring!

"You are the one the fox demon desires. Stay in your room tonight. The fox demon will surely come for you. When the opportunity arises, make him eat this ash."

Madam Qin finished, her eyes fixating on me again, making me uncomfortable.

But she seemed wary of my household. After her instructions, she left, reminding me that the food sprinkled with the ash must be prepared by me, to carry my essence.

This posed a challenge. I had never cooked before. Clueless, I didn't know where to start.

Grandma, watching me, smiled, "You, a pampered girl... what will you do when you marry?"

Mid-sentence, she choked up, falling silent.

My heart ached too. Who would want their granddaughter married to a fox?

I spent the entire afternoon in the kitchen. Initially, I planned to make soup, but that seemed too deliberate. So, I decided on dumplings.

However, my culinary skills were so poor that the dumplings turned into leek and egg dumpling soup.

As night fell, Grandma went to a relative's house. I had no time to redo the meal, resigning myself to the dumpling soup.

I mixed the ash into the soup, where it dissolved, leaving no trace.

Night quickly descended, enveloping everything in darkness. There was no moon, not a sliver of light outside. I curled up on a chair, feeling utterly helpless.

After what felt like an eternity, I suddenly heard the door creak open. A gust of cold wind blew in, waking me instantly. I knew he had arrived.

A hissing sound came from the door. It felt wrong. Do foxes hiss?

As I pondered, something slick slithered up my arm. I stiffened, turning my head to meet a pair of green eyes.

A snake!

A golden-ringed snake, almost as thick as my arm!

My heart nearly stopped.

It coiled around my arm, its tongue flickering near my face. I dared not move, fearing it might bite my neck. But remaining still wasn't an option; the snake showed no intention of leaving.

In that critical moment, a cool breeze brushed past me. The snake trembled as if seeing something terrifying.

"Seeking death," an ethereal voice spoke behind me. The snake froze, dropping lifelessly to the ground.