Red Snow

Chapter 1

"Gu Gu!" Bai Qian yelled out, "They're here!"

The white fox ran deeper and deeper into the cave. She had hoped the sealing spell she placed on the entrance would hold. She doubted that. Those two were powerful celestials. The twin sons of the Heavenly Father. It would be a miracle if the seal lasted a minute.

She made it to the main chamber of the cave. There, her aunt Da Ji sat on her iron throne decorated with the skulls of her victims. The demoness Da Ji was a silver fox, nine-tailed and with a blood lust enough to fill a lake.

The once brilliant Da Ji, the queen of the Shang Empire. The favorite consort of King Zhou. Her aunt told her stories of how she used to have the king wrapped around her fingers. He would do anything to please her. He filled a lake with wine just for her and built her a forest of meat.

"Find a man, Qian Qian, " her aunt once told her, "Make him worship the steps you take. Make him listen to your every word. Then you'll know what true power is, "

Her aunt managed to tempt a mortal king and lived in eternal glory. She wanted Bai Qian to aspire greater. She would entice an immortal one.

"Already?" Da Ji smirked.

"Yes, Gu Gu," Bai Qian nodded.

Da Ji got up and stretched. Behind her, the silver tails opened up like a fan. She examined her nails, they were as sharp as knives.

Bai Qian could hear the footsteps charging in through the tunnels. She quickly ran to her aunt's side. Bai Qian concentrated on summoning the defensive spell her aunt had taught her. But it sputtered and sparked at her fingertips.

Da Ji rolled her eyes, "Honestly, Qian Qian, how many times do you need to try to get it right?"

Bai Qian grinned sheepishly, "Sorry, Gu Gu, "

Before she gave the spell another shot, two men burst into the chamber. Each of them held a sword charged with energy. One dressed in white while the other dressed in black. The white one sported a beard, looked older and much more experienced while the other looked younger and clean-shaven. And they both have the exact same fierce expression on their faces.

Da Ji laughed, "Look. What do we have here? 黑白无常 Hei Bai Wu Chang?"

The white one Mo Yuan pulled out his sword. He pointed it at Da Ji.

"Funny, " he commented, "Neither way, we will deliver you two to your death personally, "

He gestured to his brother, "Ye Hua, "

At his command, Ye Hua charged straight at the two foxes, his inky black cloak billowing behind him. Bai Qian quickly summoned her sword to reflect his blow. Sparks flew between their blades.

They had done this dance for a really long time. Bai Qian could anticipate Ye Hua's next move before he could even think of it.

She smiled as his blade narrowly cut her cheek. She, in turn, tried to sweep under his feet. He leaped away before she could.

He jabbed his sword at her again. Bai Qian jumped a few yards away before the tip reached her.

"Tired yet, pretty boy?" She asked as she landed on top of a rock spire.

"Stop calling me that, " he sneered.

Bai Qian didn't see why not? Ye Hua was pretty for a man. He had a sharp nose and a chiseled jawline. His long black hair flowed in the wind like silk following his every movement. Broad shoulders and a lean figure. Well-muscled arms hid under his sleeves. She could tell from the amount of time he tried to choke her to death.