Chapter 158: Chapter 156: Unworthy of the Name ’Immortal

In some northern cultures, the Fox Immortal is considered a being superior to humans. The word "Immortal" in its name grants it a much higher status.

Such beings can protect a family, ensure their safety, and even bring them wealth.

They possess special abilities, much like Immortal Law.

Their comings and goings are never dictated by humans. Instead, it is humans who seek their aid. Only to fulfill a pact or repay a kindness will they agree to become a household god.

But for the landlady, the household god had never actually protected her home or her family.

So, for her, the household god’s existence was now meaningless.

It was better to give it to Wen Ying, who was clearly no ordinary person.

She believed that what Wen Ying was doing on the old street had to be a good thing, something that would benefit everyone.

That was why she had unhesitatingly foisted the slumbering Fox Immortal upon her.

"Auntie, are you sure?"

The landlady nodded. "Logically speaking, the Fox Immortal never protected my family, so I don’t owe it a thing. In fact, it owes me. I don’t want that debt repaid, so let’s just call it even."

The landlady seemed to think of her son, who had left home years ago and never once come back to see her, and she couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness.

But she didn’t let her sorrow show. Inside, however, her heart was bleeding.

She wondered what, in her entire life, she had truly lived for.

They left together. As they reached the inn, Wen Ying suddenly turned to the landlady. "Auntie, could I have a photo of your son?"

The landlady froze for a moment, but then nodded. "Wait here, I’ll go get it."

Judging by the clothes, the photo was clearly very old, but it had been kept in pristine condition.

Wen Ying frowned as she looked at the boy in the photo, with his thick eyebrows and large eyes.

’What on earth could make a son not contact his own mother for so many years?’

’His mother should be his only living relative, and the landlady is clearly a good person.’

"Little Ying, if you want to look at it, you can take it back to the clinic." The landlady’s voice was heavy with exhaustion, and Wen Ying didn’t refuse.

Cradling the Fox Immortal, she returned to the clinic.

Chaochao’s mother and Qin Hanyun were sitting in the clinic, looking as if they had just finished a meal they’d bought. They immediately stood up when they saw Wen Ying.

At the sight of the fox in Wen Ying’s arms, Chaochao’s mother initially thought it was cute and started to approach. But then she remembered being possessed by the Fox Immortal, and she quickly pulled her leg back. "Doctor Wen, is this fox...?"

"The Fox Immortal," Wen Ying said bluntly.

Chaochao’s mother took a step back, her heart still pounding with fear.

She was terrified, both of the Great Immortal and of it possessing her again, causing her to miss her chance to see Chaochao.

Qin Hanyun, however, noted Doctor Wen’s calm expression and stepped forward to get a look at the legendary Fox Immortal.

’It was just a small, white-furred fox, nothing like the creature of legend.’

"Its energy reserves are depleted, so it’s in a deep sleep. It won’t be waking up for a while."

Hearing Doctor Wen’s explanation, Chaochao’s mother finally stepped forward to get a closer look at the fox... the Great Immortal that had possessed her.

It looked no different from an ordinary fox. She had once taken Chaochao to an aquarium to see all sorts of exotic animals, and foxes had been among them.

If she hadn’t experienced it firsthand, and if Doctor Wen hadn’t confirmed it, Chaochao’s mother would never have believed that this fox was the legendary Fox Immortal.

Such creatures had once only existed in tales of the supernatural. Now, one was right beside her, and she’d had an unforgettable encounter with it.

Wen Ying held out the Fox Immortal, but to her surprise, neither of them had the courage to take it.

So Wen Ying placed the Fox Immortal on a table. "I’ll get a cage for it in a few days. It should be a perfect fit."

Chaochao’s mother and Qin Hanyun were left speechless.

’Doctor Wen really is something else,’ they thought. ’The Fox Immortal that others either feared or coveted was, in her eyes, nothing more than a pet.’

’Then again, it really did look like a pet.’

Perhaps because of Wen Ying’s nonchalant attitude, their own feelings toward the Fox Immortal became less complicated.

"Wen Ying, about that Nezha statue... how much do I owe you?" Chaochao’s mother asked, taking the initiative.

She was worried she might forget and take advantage of Doctor Wen’s kindness, which could create a karmic debt.

She didn’t want any karmic entanglement to affect her chance of seeing Chaochao.

"Let’s say five thousand."

"I’ll pay, I’ll pay!" Qin Hanyun insisted. "It’s all thanks to Doctor Wen for saving my sister. I didn’t bring a proper gift with me, so I can only use money to express my gratitude."

As he spoke, Qin Hanyun scanned the payment code and transferred fifty thousand yuan.

After chatting with Doctor Wen for a while longer, Chaochao’s mother was about to head back to the inn. But then, thinking of the Fox Immortal, she turned to Wen Ying.

"Doctor Wen, the inn... it should be safe now, right?"

Wen Ying smiled. "Don’t worry. I’ve already checked. Other than the Fox Immortal currently lying on this table, there’s nothing else there. You can rest easy."

As Chaochao’s mother and Qin Hanyun walked down the street, she asked, "Brother, do you think Doctor Wen is an ordinary person?"

"What do you think she is?"

"She’s definitely not an ordinary person. She’s even more incredible than some master of the arts. Do you think... Doctor Wen could be an Immortal who has descended to the mortal realm to face a trial?"

It was a wild thought, but Doctor Wen’s abilities truly surpassed their comprehension.

Qin Hanyun didn’t believe in things like Immortals, but for this question, he had no answer.

"Regardless, Doctor Wen is our benefactor. And she’s a good person."

Chaochao’s mother nodded. She felt that more deeply than anyone.

From the moment they met, Doctor Wen had always been on the losing end of their transactions. She had spent all her family’s savings trying to treat Chaochao’s illness, and had even gone deep into debt.

That was why she had no way to repay Doctor Wen with anything of equal value. But now... Chaochao’s mother looked at Qin Hanyun. "Brother, if I really am your sister, then..."

Seeing his sister’s hesitation, Qin Hanyun’s heart ached for her. "Don’t worry," he said. "We’ll repay your debt to Doctor Wen together. Mom and Dad are both alive and well. Our family may not be one of the most prominent ones, but we have money. More than we could spend in a lifetime." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Hearing Qin Hanyun’s words, Chaochao’s mother felt a great sense of relief. "When I was trying to get Chaochao treatment, I borrowed a lot of money," she explained. "Chaochao’s father certainly won’t pay it back, so I was thinking that money..."

"Don’t worry," he said. "I’ll take care of everything related to Chaochao. All you need to do now is prepare for tomorrow, and then come home with me."

Chaochao’s mother simply nodded, saying nothing more.

When the two of them returned to the inn, the landlady insisted on refunding their room fee and told them their meals would be free of charge.

*

Wen Ying gazed at the Fox Immortal on the table. ’What Fox Immortal?’ she mused. ’In my eyes, it’s more like a common spirit.’

’"Immortal" is a word it’s not worthy of using.’

"Still not waking up?" Wen Ying murmured.

The little fox lay motionless, showing no signs of waking.

"I’m thinking of buying an iron cage for you. It should be fine to just toss you in there, right?"

Wen Ying murmured to herself, only to see the slumbering little fox suddenly—