The Fox's Eternal Star: A Tale of Love and Fate

The sky outside the wooden railing suddenly darkened. The once soft and gentle clouds grew heavy and oppressive, veiling the sun and shielding the prying eyes of the heavens. On the long corridor, two figures chased each other, their minds entirely focused on one another, neither slowing their pace nor noticing the sudden change in the world around them.

Someone had deliberately summoned the clouds to obscure the sky, plunging the mortal realm into a hazy, impenetrable darkness. In this darkness, Zheng pursued Shining Li's figure like a thirsty deer chasing a mirage of a hidden spring, flickering in and out of sight. He couldn't let go. If they were to part again, who knew how many millennia would pass before they could meet once more?

To live as long as the heavens and the earth—what mortals dreamed of was nothing but torment and pain for him. His endless existence, filled with boundless winds and moons, could only hold this one shadow. And so, his life stretched on, a vast emptiness that left him lost and drowning in sorrow.

It turned out that celestial beings should never allow their hearts to stir. For once they did, the flames of love would burn not just for a single lifetime, but for thousands upon thousands of years, without end.

"Shining Li…" Zheng called out his name from behind, but Shining Li no longer wished to turn back.

How could he tell him that his heart had no room for anyone else?

"Get out!" Once inside the room, Shining Li tore off the old clothes Zheng had lent him. The fabric seemed to retain Zheng's warmth, seeping into his skin, trying to thaw the coldness within him. But for some reason, he felt a deep revulsion. Zheng was kind to everyone, and that thought filled him with a ridiculous, useless jealousy.

Zheng deliberately ignored Shining Li's commanding tone. He slowly closed the door behind him and watched as Shining Li stripped down to his undergarments, preparing to don the regal robes of the Empress of Chaoge. He knew those robes had been specially commissioned by Shou, woven from the finest silk of the south.

It was said that Shou himself had dressed Shining Li in those robes during the coronation ceremony.

Everyone in Chaoge knew that Shou had forsaken his three thousand concubines for Shining Li's unparalleled beauty, loving him alone and remaining inseparable from him.

Shining Li cared for Shou, perhaps even more than he cared for Zheng.

But Shining Li's heart should have remained pure. His eyes should have only ever looked at Zheng.

Realizing this, Zheng felt a wave of bitter sorrow wash over him. A thousand years of suppressed emotions threatened to boil over, the love and resentment he had buried deep within now surging like a flood, threatening to drown him.

He was no longer a celestial being. He was human now. And humans were meant to feel—love, hate, doubt, anger.

So perhaps he should indulge, no longer bound by meaningless restraints, and seize the only chance he had to love Shining Li freely.

Yes, he was human now, a mortal.

And so, he bolted the door and stepped forward with deliberate care, gently but firmly embracing Shining Li.

"Let go!" Shining Li stiffened, not expecting Zheng to act so boldly. Zheng had never initiated such intimacy before. In his fragmented memories, there was only Zheng's shy, helpless smile—whenever Shining Li had tried to kiss him, seeking warmth from his body.

"You've remembered me, haven't you? If there were no place for me in your heart, you wouldn't have been angry with Cui, nor with me. I know you hate me for making you wait so long, but I've returned. I came back for you, sincerely and wholeheartedly. I've come to take you away from this absurd place, back to the wild forests where we once lived carefree days." Zheng pressed tightly against Shining Li's back, leaving no space between them, holding him with a deep, unyielding affection.

"You came for the people of Yin!" Shining Li said coldly.

"I came for you," Zheng whispered softly into Shining Li's ear.

"I can no longer tell which of your words are true and which are false. You betrayed my trust once. I'm not a fool; I won't believe you a second time."

"You must believe me. I came only for you. The court is in chaos, the government is crumbling, and the western lords are already plotting rebellion. They accuse you of bewitching Shou, leading him to execute loyal ministers and oppress the people, plunging Chaoge into turmoil. If you stay by Shou's side, the day Chaoge falls will be the day of your doom." If not for Nuwa's help, he would still be trapped in the dark depths of Youdu, living in eternal darkness. He had defied the Jade Emperor's decree to escape, all for the sake of seeing Shining Li and pulling him away from this place of strife. The fate of the people of Yin meant nothing to him; it was someone else's concern.

Ever since he had been consumed by love, his heart had become clouded, his vision obscured. In the vast expanse of heaven and earth, only Shining Li's figure remained.

Love had stripped him of all but selfish desire, leaving him unable to care for others.

"I'm a fox, a demon, a creature of slaughter. Is such a wretched being worthy of your concern, a celestial being?" Daji, the serpent-hearted consort, had tortured officials, executed maids, and incurred the wrath of both gods and men. Everyone wanted her dead.

All of it had been Shou's doing. He had deliberately spread these rumors, some true, some false, some exaggerated, some fabricated. But it was Shou's will, and Shou's actions seemed to be leading toward some unknown goal.

Shining Li had never asked, nor had he cared to. He repaid kindness with kindness, and no matter what fate Shou intended for the Shang dynasty, he would help him see it through.

He broke free from Zheng's embrace, stepping away from his warm chest.

Shining Li knew he still loved Zheng. This emotion was something he couldn't strip away or cast aside. But the long years of waiting, the extinguished hopes, the cold despair, and the growing hatred had all swirled into his思念, growing larger with each lonely, desolate night, erasing his once-simple heart.

His love for Zheng was now tangled with countless emotions, leaving him filled with nothing but hatred whenever he faced him.

What could he trust in a man who had broken his promise?

Perhaps, aside from Shou, he could no longer trust anyone.

"I love you, and so I don't care what you are," Zheng replied, his tone unwavering, filled with tenderness. No matter how much time had passed, he could always recognize Shining Li at a glance, whether he was in his fox form or not. Those silver eyes always guided him to Shining Li, even in a sea of people.

"You love me? How amusing. Aren't celestial beings supposed to be detached and desireless? How could you love a fox demon?"

Shining Li reached for the silk robes to put them on, but Zheng snatched them away and tossed them aside.

"Didn't that talkative girl tell you? Both she and I have been reincarnated. In this life, we have flesh and blood, no different from mortals." He couldn't bear to see those regal robes on Shining Li. The feminine attire made Shining Li appear soft, seductive, and alluring—a far cry from the Shining Li he knew. It was an illusion Shou had crafted to deceive the world.

"No different from mortals? Does that mean I won't need much effort to kill you?" Shining Li's eyes burned with anger as he smiled, raising his hand. His icy, smooth palm rested on Zheng's neck, his slender fingers tightening around his throat. "Do you know how much I hate you? If you had decided to leave me that night, you shouldn't have saved me from the heavenly thunder."

Shining Li applied a bit more pressure, ready to take Zheng's life at any moment.

"I know you hate me, but I can't give you my life. I can't die yet." Zheng lovingly caressed Shining Li's cheek, blaming himself for turning Shining Li into this merciless being.

"What, are you scared?" Shining Li sneered.

"Yes, I am scared. This body, this identity—they're all fabricated. I descended to the mortal realm without permission, taking on human form. If my soul leaves this body now, the celestial soldiers will come to arrest me and bring me before the heavens to face judgment. I've waited so long to see you again; I don't want to leave you so soon." Zheng's eyes deepened, filled with affection.

Shining Li's grip loosened, and Zheng smiled faintly, a mix of joy and sorrow. He gently took Shining Li's hand and kissed it. The sensation of their skin touching, like the kiss he had once placed on Shining Li's forehead, had been absent for so many years.

"Why didn't you come find me?" Shining Li watched Zheng's every move, his thoughts in turmoil.

"I did. Ever since I escaped Youdu, I searched for you day and night."

"What is Youdu?" he asked.

"A place beneath the yellow earth, a vast, desolate wasteland of eternal darkness."

"Why were you there?"

"I made a mistake, and the Jade Emperor imprisoned me there."

"What mistake?"

"Because I allowed myself to love you."

Shining Li averted his gaze, the anger in his heart slowly subsiding.

Zheng watched his conflicted expression, smiling quietly. Holding Shining Li's hand, he felt an unprecedented sense of fulfillment, as if the void in his heart had finally been filled.

He only wished that they would never be separated again, that they could remain entwined for all eternity.

"So, do you still love me now?" After a long silence, Shining Li finally spoke.

"Yes," Zheng replied, the single word carrying the weight of a thousand years of longing. His tone was sincere and gentle, filled with affection.

Shining Li's questions ended there. He was confused. Part of him didn't want to forgive Zheng so easily, but Zheng seemed so genuine, so honest.

Zheng was nothing like the deceitful, cunning people of Chaoge. In front of Zheng, all his defenses felt unnecessary. He could believe that Zheng would never hurt him.

Even though he was the infamous nine-tailed fox demon, the seductive Daji who had bewitched King Zhou, Zheng's eyes still saw only him. His heart still longed only for him.

But…

That night when he left the Star-Gazing Tower, Shou's whispered words echoed clearly in his mind, lingering and refusing to fade.

If you leave the palace, don't linger, and don't let him near you. Otherwise, you're seeking your own death.

"I need to go back. Give me my clothes." Shining Li's enchanting face turned cold, his chin lifting as he erected an invisible wall between himself and Zheng.

Zheng shouldn't have come. He shouldn't have returned. Things were different now. The peace and tranquility of the past had been shattered, replaced by a blood-stained land of greed and desire. This was an era built on flesh and blood, a time shaped by the whims of gods and men.

Anyone who became entangled in this abyss would only meet the same fate as the declining Shang dynasty.

Zheng had to leave.

Don't be like him and Shou, already trapped, unable to escape.

"You can't go!" Zheng gripped Shining Li's hand tightly, refusing to let go. He knew why Shining Li had changed so quickly. Now that he had found him, Zheng was prepared for anything.

"Shou is waiting for me." Shining Li stared at Zheng's hand, feeling the warmth radiating from it. Suddenly, the cold mask he always wore began to crumble. He wanted to reject Zheng with pride, but he could no longer maintain his hardened stance.

"Don't go back." Zheng slowly pulled Shining Li into his arms.

The mortal body, the mortal mind, and all its emotions surged through Zheng. He didn't want to hear another's name from Shining Li's lips. It filled him with a bitterness he couldn't control.

Was it this mortal body acting out, or had he always wanted to do this? Zheng couldn't tell. He leaned down and gently touched Shining Li's lips, a wave of heat rushing through him, settling deep in his heart.

Shining Li was momentarily stunned by Zheng's sudden action.

Zheng hesitated for a moment, but ultimately couldn't resist the emotions he had suppressed for so long. Starting with a dry, tentative touch, he deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring Shining Li's mouth. The sound of his last defenses crumbling echoed in his mind, mixed with a roaring fire. Zheng could no longer think; he could only chase Shining Li's tongue, savoring its sweetness.

This unprecedented kiss left Shining Li dazed.

Unlike Shou's kisses, this one set his body ablaze. A sweet taste passed through his lips, his tongue, and down his throat, settling deep within him. But it wasn't enough. He wanted more, so much more…

The gentle clash of teeth and tongues, the tender yet possessive flavor—Zheng's true feelings were laid bare in this kiss.

Shining Li let out a low,沉醉的叹息, surrendering himself entirely to Zheng.

After what felt like an eternity, the flames of passion showed no signs of fading. Zheng gasped, trying to calm the intense emotions raging within him. He didn't know what would happen if he continued, but he needed to regain control.

Had that passionate kiss ended?

Shining Li gazed at Zheng, his slightly swollen, red lips glistening with moisture. Zheng's usually gentle and elegant face now bore a hint of something carnal. Shining Li stepped closer, pulling Zheng toward him.

He wanted more. He wanted this man.

Shining Li leaned in, his tongue lightly tracing Zheng's moist lips. Zheng's withdrawal had left him unsatisfied. He tugged Zheng closer, his tongue teasing the wetness.

The faint, tantalizing licks stirred Zheng's desire, leaving him floating in a sea of pleasure, unable to resist.

Shining Li sucked on Zheng's lips, his teeth gently nibbling, making them swell and tingle with a mix of pain and pleasure, driving Zheng to the edge of desire.

"Enough…"

As soon as Zheng spoke, Shining Li slipped his tongue into Zheng's mouth, mirroring what Zheng had done earlier, returning the fervor with equal intensity.

They fell onto the soft bed, sinking into the finely embroidered sheets. The smooth, dry sensation was indistinguishable from the hands roaming their bodies or the silk rubbing against their skin.

The kisses lingered. In the midst of their passionate exchange, they wove a tale of enduring love; in their rapid breaths, they spun a story of tender, burning affection.

They held each other, in this moment consumed only by each other's presence, free from the interference of gods or the constraints of fate. All that remained were the soft whispers of their entangled bodies, murmuring the words of love they had hidden in their hearts through countless years.

Zheng buried himself deep within Shining Li, feeling the tightness and tremors of his body.

"Zheng…" This numbing sensation, mixed with pleasure, made Shining Li cling to him.

Zheng kissed Shining Li's lips, a shudder running through him as warmth spilled into Shining Li. But a low, involuntary moan from Shining Li reignited the flames within him.

Without pausing for long, he began to move again, slowly and rhythmically.

A thousand years of love, once ignited, would burn until nothing remained.

Love until death…

Chaoge stood on a high plain, nourished by the waters of the Huan River, its fertile soil perfect for farming year-round.

The imperial city occupied a vast highland, overlooking the surrounding plains. To the east and north, it was bordered by the Huan River, while to the west and south, a large moat had been dug, connecting to the river and forming a natural defensive barrier.

This season brought warm weather and abundant rain, the Huan River winding its way with a rushing, roaring current. It flowed from the Yellow River in the heavens, carrying its waters and dreams, passing through Xiqi, the wetlands dotted with lakes and marshes, branching into the Huan River, and finally flowing past Chaoge.

The waters of the Huan River carried the longing of the people along its banks. It was said that Xiqi was a land of abundant resources and peaceful living, where the people paid heavy taxes but enjoyed endless millet and wild game. Moreover, its ruler, Bo Yikao, governed with benevolence, treating his people like his own children, ensuring that doors were left unlocked at night and lost items were returned, allowing his subjects to live without worry.

The people of Chaoge yearned for such a life but could not reach Xiqi. Beyond Chaoge lay five fortresses—Lintong, Chuanyun, Jiameng, Qinglong, and Fanshui—barriers meant to defend against invaders. Without the proper tokens, no one could pass, not even the most revered emperor of Chaoge.

Everyone was the same. With rumors of Xiqi's rebellion spreading, no one could cross the five fortresses to reach Xiqi. Even the emperor of Chaoge could only gaze at the flowing river, letting its waters carry their longing to the vast, boundless sea.

And then, Xiqi became nothing more than a distant, unattainable dream.

A dream for everyone.

But one day, someone arrived from that place.

A belated arrival, his carriage slowly making its way into the imperial city under the cover of night, the clatter of hooves on the cobblestones echoing loudly in the silent streets.

In the deep, dreamless night, many awoke at his coming. Some had been waiting, some had been hoping, and some had begged him not to come…

Bo Yikao, son of Ji Chang…

Another star destined to succumb to fate…

The gathering of four stars foretold an inevitable outcome… one that no one could escape…