Chapter 78: Why?
Li Yu had a long dream.
In her dream, she was walking a red dog on a leash in the familiar streets of her childhood.
The dog was small, its barks high-pitched, punctuated by occasional howls.
Its little paws trotted along, its fluffy tail swaying, pausing every few steps to look back at her.
Familiar faces, blurred by time, smiled and greeted her.
“Li Yu, since when did you have a dog?”
“Such a beautiful color, is it dyed? It looks so natural!”
“So well-behaved, a good temperament is priceless when it comes to pets…”
Yes, a good temperament was more important than anything.
The dog was beautiful, quiet, not a picky eater, understood human speech, and its tail wagged happily; it was the perfect dog.
The only problem was that this dog was actually a wolf, a very…dog-like wolf.
Outside, it was perfectly behaved, maintaining appearances.
But once inside, it would become much larger,
And then pin her down on the bed, the sofa, the table, the wall, the floor, even the bathroom—licking her relentlessly.
And as it licked, it would transform into a young girl, her slender fingers pinning Li Yu’s struggling hands, demanding her cooperation.
Its soft fur would become a red dress, loose and revealing, as if a gentle tug would expose everything beneath.
The licking would turn into biting, the playful barks into soft whispers of “Master, Master.”
—She had never heard a dog make such sounds; it was absurd!
But the girl’s voice was beautiful, each whisper like a ripple in her heart…
Wait, why could she hear silver bells?
She didn’t have any bells in her house—
…
Li Yu opened her eyes to see a small gray ball of fluff curled up beside her, its pink tongue licking the silver bells on her wrist.
The bells chimed softly with each lick, seemingly amusing the little wolf, whose round eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Outside, the sky was dark, the wind and snow still howling, but a soft, moon-like light illuminated the room.
It had all been a dream.
She wasn’t back in her world, hadn’t brought Mu Tao home… She had even lost Mu Tao.
But she still had a chance to fix everything.
The little wolf continued playing with the silver bell.
The soft chimes and the warm, fleeting touch against her wrist.
“This is a Harmony Bell,” Li Yu said, gently touching the little wolf’s ear.
The little wolf looked up at her, its expression uncomprehending.
“Harmony Bells, they come in pairs.” Li Yu looked into its light brown eyes, a thoughtful smile on her lips. “Two people connected by these bells, no matter where they are, how far apart, can find each other through the sound.”
The little wolf tilted its head, confused, and gently patted the bell with its paw, as if wondering how it could find the other person.
Li Yu: “It’s broken, it doesn’t work anymore.”
“Awooo~” the little wolf whined softly, continuing to play with the bell.
“I broke it, because if I hadn’t…I wouldn’t have the chance to…finish this journey with her.” Li Yu’s voice was soft, a mix of regret and helplessness.
The little wolf didn’t understand but sensed her sadness.
It blinked, then cautiously moved closer, stretched its neck, and licked her lips.
It then quickly retreated, curling up into a ball, its light brown eyes staring at her innocently, as if afraid of being pushed away.
Li Yu froze, then, as the warmth on her lips faded, she smiled and gently petted the little wolf’s head.
“Are you…comforting me?”
The little wolf whined softly, relaxing under her touch, its paws curling upwards, revealing its soft belly.
Li Yu couldn’t help but smile, gently rubbing its belly.
It was soft and warm.
The strange emptiness and sadness within her seemed to dissipate.
She pulled the little wolf into her arms, nuzzling her face against its fur, letting it lick her cheek.
The rough, warm touch seemed to ease her fatigue.
After a while, she gently grabbed its paws. “Stop, stop!”
The little wolf stopped licking and tilted its head, looking at her with confusion.
Li Yu: “Can I…give you a name?”
The little wolf blinked, its eyes shining.
It nodded, then shook its head.
Li Yu: “Do you think…we need Qing Nü’s permission?”
The little wolf whimpered and nodded.
Li Yu: “Then let’s go find her!”
The little wolf nodded happily.
Just as Li Yu got out of bed and walked to the table, intending to warm some water, the door opened, and the bitter smell of medicine, carried by the wind and snow, filled the room.
Weisheng Xuanzhu placed a bowl of medicine on the table.
Looking at the dark liquid, Li Yu’s vision swam, and the spell warming the water in her cup dissipated.
Weisheng Xuanzhu: “It’s time for your medicine.”
Li Yu: “…Don’t you think that’s a bit cruel?”
He looked confused. “Why is it cruel?”
Li Yu: “I just woke up, haven’t even had breakfast, and you’re making me drink this bitter medicine…”
He still didn’t understand. “So?”
Li Yu: “So my day starts with…bitterness!”
He was silent for a few seconds, seemingly unable to comprehend her logic, then repeated, “It’s time for your medicine.”
Fine…
Li Yu sighed, picked up the bowl, frowned, and drank the medicine.
Like everything else, even drinking bitter medicine became easier with practice.
Although the taste was still awful, her resistance had lessened.
The little wolf looked up at her, concern and curiosity in its eyes.
Li Yu met its gaze, then, ignoring the pain in her legs, crouched down, lifted the little wolf, and nuzzled its head.
The little wolf, its face full of smiles, licked her lips happily.
Then its smile vanished.
It tilted its head and started licking the back of Li Yu’s hand, as if trying to remove the bitter taste.
Seeing its pained expression, Li Yu couldn’t help but chuckle.
They said demons, after gaining spiritual awareness, became more and more like humans.
Even this little wolf cub must have developed human-like taste buds.
She wondered if it would ever lick anyone again after this.
As Li Yu laughed, a thought occurred to her, and she looked up at Weisheng Xuanzhu. “I want to give Little Wolf a name, it would be easier.”
“Isn’t Little Wolf easy enough?”
“It’s different!” Li Yu said seriously. “There are so many wolves in the world, it’s just one of them, but with a name, it becomes unique!”
She released the little wolf, stood up, supporting herself against a stool, and said, “Besides, names are meaningful. Even you, unique in this world, have a name, don’t you?”
The little wolf whined and nodded, its eyes shining.
Weisheng Xuanzhu looked at the little wolf and said, “Talking to me is useless, you have to ask Qing Nü.”
“I was just about to, but your medicine interrupted me.” Li Yu poured herself a cup of warm water, trying to wash away the bitterness in her mouth. “But the path there is difficult, and I’m too weak to fly…”
Thinking of that long journey, she sighed.
She was injured; did she really have to walk?
…Actually, maybe not!
She looked at the little wolf, which was tilting its head, looking at her.
“Wei…last night, well, I’m not sure if it was night, but yesterday, Qing Nü made Little Wolf very big!” Li Yu put down her teacup and looked at him expectantly. “Can you…do that spell?”
Weisheng Xuanzhu: “Yes.”
Li Yu: “A little help?”
The little wolf, hearing this, ran to the door, scratched at it, then ran outside, rolled around in the snow, and barked excitedly, as if saying it was ready.
“It seems eager to carry you,” he said, and with a flicker of white light, summoned the wind and snow, enveloping the little wolf.
Not stellar energy?
Was he concealing his true power even in his own territory?
“Awooo~!”
A howl from outside interrupted her thoughts, and she quickly stepped out of the house and climbed onto the large wolf’s back.
Weisheng Xuanzhu also emerged, holding the empty medicine bowl, seemingly not intending to accompany them.
Li Yu: “Aren’t you coming?”
Weisheng Xuanzhu: “I’m going to the kitchen first.”
Right, it was almost time for a meal.
Li Yu lowered her voice. “The food yesterday…needed a little more salt, just a little, not too much, otherwise it would be too salty.”
Weisheng Xuanzhu: “…Alright.”
Li Yu wanted to say more, but before she could open her mouth, he transformed into a streak of light and disappeared.
Fine!
No point in talking to someone who couldn’t communicate.
Li Yu: “Let’s go, take me to Qing Nü!”
The large wolf nodded, howled softly, and then, its paws sinking into the deep snow, started running.
The snow continued to fall, the moon hung high in the sky.
Once again, she buried her face in the wolf’s thick fur, finding comfort amidst the biting wind.
Arriving at their destination, Li Yu immediately told Qing Nü about wanting to give the little wolf a name.
Qing Nü didn’t object, just asked casually, “Have you chosen a name?”
“Mu Tao,” Li Yu replied without hesitation.
“Which characters?”
“‘Mu’ for yearning, ‘Tao’ for intoxicated.”
Qing Nü crouched down, patted the little wolf’s head, and asked, “Why?”
Li Yu: “Huh?”
Qing Nü: “Why that name?”
Li Yu was momentarily speechless.
Why did she have to explain choosing a name?
The little wolf was Mu Tao, and Mu Tao was the little wolf. Calling Mu Tao “Little Wolf” felt strange, so she wanted to give it its proper name.
The reason was simple, but explaining it to Qing Nü wasn’t.
After a moment of silence, Li Yu smiled and said, “It sounds nice, no other reason.”
Qing Nü: “No other meaning?”
Li Yu: “The name itself is the meaning, why does it need a special meaning?”
Qing Nü chuckled and looked at the little wolf. “Do you like this name?”
“Awoo!” The little wolf nodded happily.
Qing Nü smiled and poked its nose. “Since you like it, that’s what we’ll call you from now on.”
She stood up and sat back down at the table, not asking any further questions.
Li Yu looked down at the little wolf and called out, “Mu Tao!”
The little wolf, overjoyed at finally having a name, wagged its tail and ran towards her, circling her feet excitedly.
“Stop spinning! I’m getting dizzy!”
The little wolf whined, then ran into the courtyard and rolled around happily in the snow.
Li Yu slowly followed, sat down by the doorway, scooped up some snow, and formed a snowball. “Mu Tao!”
She threw the snowball, hitting the little wolf, which froze, its eyes wide with surprise.
After a moment, it jumped on Li Yu, its fur covered in snow, and started licking her face enthusiastically.
“Don’t, mm—don’t lick, stop licking!” Li Yu said, laughing.
She held the scruff of its neck with one hand and, with the other, scooped up snow and playfully rubbed it on the little wolf’s face and into its mouth.
The silver bells on her wrist chimed, their sound mixing with her laughter, echoing in the quiet, snowy night.
The usually quiet courtyard was filled with joyful noises.
Qing Nü, watching them play, smiled faintly.
It was time to teach this little wolf how to navigate the human world.
After dinner, Qing Nü said casually, “Xuanzhu, starting tomorrow, teach Mu Tao how to read and write.”
A flicker of confusion appeared in Weisheng Xuanzhu’s eyes. “It’s still so young, shouldn’t we wait?”
“The earlier you start, the faster you learn, the better you remember.” Qing Nü teased him. “You started late, your mind rusty, you were a slow learner.”
“…”
Li Yu, suppressing a smile, asked curiously, “So late that his mind was rusty? How late did he start?”
“About three thousand years ago?” Qing Nü said, then, turning to Weisheng Xuanzhu, asked uncertainly, “Were you…four thousand years old then?”
He frowned. “I don’t remember exactly, around that age…”
Four thousand years old, that was indeed a bit late!
But then again, in a desolate place like the North Sea, who would have taught him?
But if everything Weisheng Xuanzhu knew was taught by Qing Nü after she arrived, wouldn’t that mean she had been in the North Sea for over three thousand years?
The North Sea was so barren, why would she stay here for so long? Was there a special reason?
Li Yu couldn’t figure it out, so she put the question aside for now.
Three days after regaining consciousness, as soon as she finished her medicine, Li Yu sat by the doorway, watching the little wolf’s reading lesson with amusement.
There were no writing materials in the North Sea, but the snow served as a blank canvas.
A pure white light illuminated a small area as the little wolf, looking listless, lay on the snow, clumsily tracing the first character it was learning with its paw.
More accurately, not the first character, but the first name.
Weisheng Xuanzhu had wanted to start with something simpler, but Li Yu believed that children should first learn their own names and the names of their loved ones.
So, the difficulty level of the little wolf’s first lesson was significantly higher.
The two characters of “Mu Tao,” for a little wolf just learning to write, were far too complex, and its paw wasn’t exactly a precise writing tool.
As it struggled, the little wolf suddenly became frustrated.
Li Yu heard a frustrated yelp.
The little wolf’s paws swiped angrily at the snow,
Then it lay down, its head on the ground, whimpering and biting at the snow,
Its round eyes burning with rage.
Li Yu stared, speechless.
She hadn’t imagined Mu Tao having such a temper.
But this outburst was brief.
As ice shards formed in the air, silently hovering around it, the little wolf flinched and quieted down.
“Continue.”
“Awooo…” The little wolf reluctantly resumed practicing, carefully tracing the characters of its name.
The ice shards hovered menacingly, mirroring its every move, preventing any further outbursts, until it finally mastered the two characters.
As soon as the stern teacher left, the little wolf whined and ran to Li Yu, complaining in a language she couldn’t understand.
Although she couldn’t understand the words, the frustrated tone was clear.
Li Yu patted its head and said gently, “If you’re obedient, and promise not to throw a tantrum like that again, I can ask Qing Nü to let me teach you how to write, then…Xuanzhu won’t have the opportunity to scare you anymore.”
She tilted her head and winked at the little wolf. “What do you think?”
The little wolf nodded obediently and licked her hand.
Qing Nü had no objections to who taught the little wolf.
“Anyone is fine, as long as it learns.”
Hearing this, the little wolf happily jumped into Li Yu’s arms.
Li Yu was patient, coaxing the little wolf through each character.
But the little fluffball wasn’t very enthusiastic about learning and needed constant encouragement, often resorting to licking and nibbling as a form of persuasion.
Time passed quickly.
In the blink of an eye, over a month had gone by.
During this time, the little wolf learned many characters, and Li Yu’s injuries improved significantly.
The scabs on her wounds had fallen off, and the chill in her meridians had dissipated.
Finally, she no longer needed that awful medicine!
This should have been a cause for celebration, but on the day she stopped taking the medicine, she experienced the most embarrassing moment of her life.
—Weisheng Xuanzhu decided to test the little wolf’s progress.
Li Yu swore she had been diligently teaching, and the little wolf had learned many characters!
But she had overlooked a crucial detail.
She had taught it simplified characters!
For a moment, she felt Weisheng Xuanzhu looking at her like she was an illiterate fool, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Li Yu, with your level of knowledge, you dared to teach Little Wolf? his gaze seemed to ask.
Of course, he didn’t say it out loud.
He just sighed deeply after a long silence and said calmly, “Starting tomorrow, you and Mu Tao will study together.”
Li Yu’s lips tightened into a thin line; she could only nod, not daring to speak.
The little wolf tilted its head, looking at them with confusion, unaware that its teacher was about to be demoted to its classmate.
Li Yu wanted to explain—although she had been careless, there was a reason.
Since arriving in this world, she had either been recuperating at Chaoxi Pond, traveling in the human realm, or on the run; she hadn’t had the time or opportunity to pay attention to the characters used in this world.
And it wasn’t that she couldn’t recognize traditional characters; whenever she saw shop signs in the human realm, her mind automatically translated them, she just hadn’t memorized their forms!
Fine, she would learn…
Knowledge was knowledge; learning more couldn’t hurt.
From that day on, Li Yu also picked up a twig and started practicing writing in the snow.
But to prove she wasn’t illiterate, she earnestly explained to Weisheng Xuanzhu, “Just to be clear, I’m learning from you not because I don’t know how to write, but because I’m…adapting to the local customs.”
“…”
“That’s how we write in my hometown, it’s a regional difference, not a mistake!”
“…”
“Don’t underestimate them, the characters in my hometown are excellent, simple, easy to remember, fewer strokes, just like your name—” Li Yu wrote his name in the snow. “See? Just a few strokes, much more convenient, right?”
“…”
“Want to learn? I can teach you!” Li Yu smiled, then, seeing his lack of interest, sighed. “Fine, fine, I’ll adapt to the local customs.”
She rolled her eyes and continued practicing the “new” characters she had just learned.
Li Yu, as a student, had a good foundation and learned quickly.
But Mu Tao, starting from scratch and having learned the wrong characters, was struggling.
After finally memorizing some characters, suddenly being told they were mostly wrong, the little wolf wilted dejectedly in the snow.
After a brief moment of despair, it used its paw to write its question in the snow—Why?
Since it wrote the question in simplified characters, the teacher punished it by making it copy “Why?” twenty times in traditional characters.
The snow was covered in messy characters spelling out “Why?!”
It was a beautiful sight, truly.
And Li Yu, despite her best efforts, couldn’t contain her laughter.
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