The Queen In Red

The Queen In Red 25

When Dong Hua reached Feng Jiu, he hissed in pain at her majestic form when it clawed across his torso during her change. It was larger and heavier than her fox form.

His purple gowns turned into a crimson red, while pieces of his clothing clung to her claws.

Feng Jiu's majestic form began kicking and bucking as she felt Dong Hua trying to tame her.

He removed the barrier that sealed his scent and allowed it to swaddle Feng Jiu, which had her calm down immediately. He wrapped his arms around her, despite the heat he was feeling and held her close, before placing a sleeping spell over the beast.

Because Dong Hua had rushed to her while she was changing, The injuries he took were severe while his robes melted from the heat emanating from her body.

When the three High Gods reached them, Dong Hua waved away Zhe Yan's attempt to check over his wounds. Instead, spoke to Bai Zhi and remained fixed on Feng Jiu.

"How has this happened Bai Zhi? She is not yet High Goddess."

"I don't understand; it's impossible." Bai Zhi replied.

"But she also called on Shao Wan's magic? How? What does this mean?" Mo Yuan asked, lifting her paws to check if he could feel anything familiar.

"I need to see what happened in the Demon Realm." Dong Hua said.

He placed his hand on her chest to give her cultivation and relieve the effects of aura travelling she had done from the top of the tree.

"Yes. But first, we need to get Feng Jiu into an ice bath. We will need to force the change back, so she doesn't stir in pain, but the shock of her newfound form to her body will cause a terrible fever, which we need to break or it will kill her." Zhe Yan urged.

"What are you waiting for, get the bath here now." Dong Hua ordered still not taking his eyes off Feng Jiu. "Unless you want me to do it?"

Bai Zhen and Bai Qian moved quickly to prepare everything, they conjured a large bath and filled it with ice and water while creating a neverending supply of ice to appear on either side of the bathtub. Bai Zhi walked towards Dong Hua.

"You need to give her to me, brother, We need to undress her when she changes back, and she will need to soak in the water. I cannot allow you to do it." He stood next to Dong Hua, waiting for him to move.

Dong Hua let out a heavy sigh. "Of course." He reluctantly placed the heavy Feng Jiu into Bai Zhi and Bai Zhen's outstretched arms.

Bai Zhi faced Ye Hua while Zhe Yan left to prepare the infirmary knowing what he needed to do.

"Ye Hua, call Bai Yi, Bai Ren and the medicine king immediately, we will all need assistance once they leave the barrier." Before leaving, Ye Hua pulled Bai Qian into an embrace and pressed a soft kiss onto her forehead, he whispered into her ear, making her blush and left.

"Dong Hua." Bai Zhi gripped his wrist, "No matter what, you must not try to pierce or enter the barrier, it will kill us all if you do so."

Dong Hua's eyes followed Feng Jiu as she was lowered gently in Bai Qian's lap in the tub.

"Dong Hua, Did you hear what I just said." Bai Zhi tugged forcibly at Dong Hua's arm to pull his attention towards him. "No matter what you see, hear or feel, you cannot enter the barrier."

"I will not interfere with what you are trying to do." Dong Hua said flatly.

"Leave Bai Zhi. He will not hinder anything." Mo Yuan stood with Dong Hua watching the fox barrier appear.

"She will be fine; we just need to find out how this happened." Mo Yuan watched Dong Hua and shook his head while thinking, 'Ill-fated. what a terrible symbol of ill-fated.'

---

When Ye Hua found Bai Ren, she was in deep conversation with Bai Yi. He could see she was trying to give Mingmei to him to return to Feng Jiu. Bai Yi noticed Ye Hua walking towards them and called out irritated.

"Brother, come get little Mingmei."

Ye Hua had been part of the family for five thousand years, his brother in laws brusque personality and choleric temperament meant nothing to him.

The disagreements between Ye Hua and Bai Yi first occurred a few months after his wedding with Bai Qian.

Ye Hua learned of Bai Yi's fierce loyalty and protectiveness having almost been physically ripped apart by Bai Yi's very own majestic form.

Only, Ye Hua was a mighty dragon who would have quite easily defeated Bai Yi. Still, Ye Hua merely stood in awe as he, for the very first time, witnessed a family whose dedication towards each other went beyond all reason.

Bai Yi learned of what happened to his sister during her High Goddess trial by his father after Bai Zhi let it slip that both Bai Qian and Feng Jiu's love lives were tragic.

Bai Yi had stormed through Xiwu Palace demanding Bai Qian's return to Qing Qiu and an immediate divorce to be issued. Bai Zhi did not bother to stop him as he too wanted to take her away despite Bai Ren's refusal.

Ye Hua found the unconditional love and dedication his fox family in-laws showed to be awe-inspiring and wanted Ali and any other future children to grow up with that same kind of security that they would offer.

Of course, Bai Yi would be considered unreasonable at the best of times, especially when it came to Feng Jiu, but Ye Hua had grown up without knowing what love was. Although he supposed Haode and his father cared for him, he never knew if you could regard it as love.

Ye Hua walked towards the two and nodded politely; he put his hand out for Mingmei to run into, "Father!" Mingmei yelled out, running towards him.

He brought her into an embrace and chuckled having spent the last few minutes reminiscing about a family he had fit into perfectly.

"Apologies mother, brother." He kissed Mingmei's head while taking a lungful of her hair. He loved his daughter so much; it was fortunate that many others did too.

Seeing Ali walking towards them, Ye Hua had Mingmei stay with him for the day after a telepathic conversation between father and son gave Ali all he needed. He left immediately with Mingmei, giving the two High Gods and Bai Ren privacy they needed to discuss the urgent matter.

"I think it is best if we all return to the training grounds, Feng Jiu...."

Bai Yi grabbed hold of Ye Hua's arm, "Why is she there? What happened?"

"She's changed into the large fox form."

Bai Yi and Bai Ren looked at each other confused.

"The big fox form." Ye Hua used his hands and body to show the proportion of Feng Jiu's form in comparison to her small fox form, but due to the impossibility of ever being able to change outside of High God's, it never sunk in.

Ye Hua saw this and decided a more direct approach would be better.

"Feng Jiu has changed into her God form even though she has not yet Ascended."

"Impossible." Bai Yi said, looking at Bai Ren. "Mother, she's not High God, how can this happen?"

Bai Ren could not believe it either, but she knew that they needed to get everything prepared for when they leave the fox barrier.

Bai Ren placed one hand on Ye Hua's shoulder, while the other clasped his wrist. Her body stayed facing Ye Hua, but she turned her head to Bai Yi. "All will be well son, go get everything ready with Guan-Yi here, they will all need immediate relief once they finish. Guan-Yi and I will take over Qian Qian." She turned back to Ye Hua.

"You and I will get the Medicine King. You need to be aware of what's coming." Her smile was reassuring.

Bai Ren continued. "Bai Yi, be quick, it shouldn't take them more than a few incense sticks to finish."

Bai Ren had made things move so quickly that Ye Hua had no time to correct her. He told the Medicine King first since Bai Zhi asked for him even though Zhe Yan, the most sort after physician, would be there.

When Bai Ren saw that Bai Yi had left, she turned them to face the training field and started walking.

Confused, Ye Hua knew The Nine Heavens was the opposite way.

Bai Ren spoke first. "I know you went to see the Medicine King first; I just want to know what caused it."

"Without Bai Yi knowing?"

She nodded in response, "Was it Dong Hua Dijun?"

"Yes."

"It truly is a tragic love." Bai Ren said quietly although Ye Hua still heard it.

Entering the entrance of the field, they felt the magnetising power pulsing through the air; Ye Hua knew that the noise would be deafening had the Fox Barrier not silenced most of the sounds their combined fox magic would do. All they could hear was a deep hum.

"Ye Hua, before we continue, you will hear, see and feel many things happening around and in the fox barrier. You are by no means to try to enter it. You will kill all of them. Do you understand?"

Ye Hua had not considered his wife being in any danger, but for him to prepare as though Bai Ren anticipated his need to break it down had him second guess his answer.

Seeing him fight with it, she pressed on. "Bai Qian will die if you try to break it down."

He nodded reluctantly, "I will not try to halt what they are doing." He noticed Dong Hua and his brother sitting against the barrier.

"Qian Qian has taught me much of the change's foxes do after they ascend to High God's especially after what happened to Mingmei, but she ever told me that it would manifest through jealousy or if someone was trying to tear apart a foxes family." He moved his gaze to Dong Hua. "It could not be either of these reasons."

"Besides Bai Zhen, this is true, I do not understand it, although technically, Feng Jiu is High God; however, she has not ascended, so she, additionally, is not. Their first response is to break the fever that she will no doubt develop when she changes back. When we return home, we will study it more."

While they were speaking, the ground began to shake while the direction of the winds became confused as it was pulling and pushing everywhere. Ye Hua, then understood why Bai Ren warned him first not to try to intervene.

"She will change back soon, but they will be in there a little longer. Qian Qian will be hurt the most Ye Hua, prepare yourself, she will look worse on the outside, but the power coursing through her will allow her to heal faster than the other two. It is why my husband had her at the back; also, Feng Jiu's 'state' will not be appropriate for them to cuddle into."

He didn't need to clarify; he only watched his mother in law prepare a table with a small amount of food she could conjure. He was in awe of her ability to care for others and think clearly during such a time.

"Are you not afraid?" Ye Hua asked

"This is the sixth change I have been part of, all but Bai Zhen have changed because of emotional turmoil. Although this way of changing has never happened, there are many things about Feng Jiu and that old rock that are unusual."

"So you are not worried?"

"Yes and no. I know they will come out of this. I am more concerned about Feng Jiu after this, Bai Yi and Bai Zhen will need to go into seclusion soon. It is the uncertainties of everything after this that concerns me. We do not know what lies ahead for Feng Jiu."

Ye Hua nodded and watched. Bai Ren was right to warn him; it took much effort to keep from launching at the barrier.

---

When the Fox barrier sealed above them, Bai Zhi placed a privacy barrier around to keep anyone from seeing Feng Jiu naked.

Once, Bai Qian, had Feng Jiu positioned correctly and laying against her in the bath, she brought Feng Jiu closer to her chest. She hummed a soft low vibration to soothe Feng Jiu in preparation for the transformation they were about to do.

Bai Zhi and Bai Zhen stood on each side of the bath and conjured a thick cloth each, rolled it up and held on to it in wait.

When they released their tails, they whipped and pulsed magic to the tips of their tails, creating an electric current to surge between them. The power in their magic grew so powerful that it started pushing against the force field and made the ground shake vigorously.

Bai Zhi called out to Bai Qian. "Are you ready Xiao Wu?"

She nodded while bringing Feng Jiu in tighter. She clenched her eyes shut waiting.

Bai Zhi moved his gaze to his son and silently checked if he too was ready. When Bai Zhen nodded and placed the rolled-up cloth into his mouth, Bai Zhi followed suit.

They continued to push their fox magic to the tips of their tails and slowly bought their tails together until each of Bai Zhen's tails bound itself to each of Bai Zhi's. Electricity coursed through their bodies as if it wanted an escape.

Both began sweating as the pain intensified.

Bai Zhi gripped the side of the bathtub and crunched down hard onto the cloth.

Bai Zhen growled into the cloth while his hands that clutched the edge of the bath formed a deep dent.

Bai Qian moved all of their magic to her chest where Feng Jiu lay. Bai Qian screamed in pain as she would become the living vessel that would hold her fathers, brothers and her magic to force Feng Jiu's change back.

When Bai Qian felt their magic peak, she caused the power to magnetise just as it did in the Demon Realm, but this time she was in full control.

Her High Goddess energy began striking and pounding against the barrier trying to find an escape only to contract the magic by force into Feng Jiu, causing Feng Jiu to growl deeply making the ground quake and fox barrier shake.

Bai Qian repeated this again and again. It was excruciating for all in the barrier but dangerous for Bai Qian who could quite easily be killed by Feng Jiu, only, the bathtub they created specifically kept Feng Jiu in place to assist with keeping Bai Qian safe.

Unfortunately, Feng Jiu's claws had struck at all three of their arms and Bai Qian's face causing the water in the bathtub to turn red.

When the Majestic form had calmed down, Bai Qian felt Feng Jiu's body turning.

'She's ready!' she said telepathically to Bai Zhi, and Bai Zhen as the sounds ringing around them were too loud to be able to talk audibly.

Bai Zhen threw a thin red material across the bath to cover Feng Jiu.

Feng Jiu's beastly form started heaving, its bones cracking, making Feng Jiu growl in pain as the slow change back was beginning to feel as though her skin was on fire. Patches of her body changed first, her skin slowly replaced the fur.

While Feng Jiu was changing, Bai Qian had to keep dousing them both into the water and have the ice cling to her skin to assist with cooling her down.

Bai Zhen and Bai Zhi moved quickly to have the ice appear in the bath. After a few seconds, it would melt, forcing them to rotate the water to prevent it from evaporating. If it did, the heat alone would kill Feng Jiu and Bai Qian.

Anything after this needed to happen without magic as the conjuring of magic could cause Feng Jiu to turn back.

For two incense sticks, they worked tirelessly repeating the same steps. Feng Jiu screeched and shrieked in pain often as she felt as if glass pierced every bit of her skin simultaneously until all that was left was a panting Feng Jiu.

Bai Zhi sensed Dong Hua rush to the barrier when he heard her screaming the first time and felt him and Mo Yuan sitting against the wall of the force field, waiting.

---

When Feng Jiu's fever broke, and she came to, she panicked, seeing her surroundings. The Barrier, bath and power running through her had her knowing what took place.

She looked down her body which was naked and could feel the ice cubes sticking to her, the water was chilling to her bones, but oddly enough, there held relief in the feeling it brought.

She poked at Bai Zhi and Bai Zhen and choked on her tears, noticing the deep lacerations made to their arms. They were both bending, outstretched over the bath, having been so physically and mentally fatigued at the amount of magic they had used. The constant movement they had done filling and emptying the bath drained whatever energy they had left.

Feng Jiu knew the danger her family would have been trying to tame a part of her that was reserved for when she would become High Goddess. This knowledge had Feng Jiu lamenting as she tried to sit up.

Bai Qian slumped against the bathtub feeling Feng Jiu come to; she had been hurt the worst out of the three. Even though she didn't want her niece or let alone her husband to see her battered, she had no strength to hide the damage Feng Jiu had made; She whispered into Feng Jiu's ear what she needed to do before Bai Qian too, became unconscious.

Feng Jiu chanted a fox spell to let her father, mother and grandmother in; she needed to stay in the bath and soak a little longer, but the others required immediate care. Feng Jiu lifted the barrier and had the material cover her while watching everyone move to take Bai Zhi, Bai Qian and Bai Zhen out.

Bai Yi immediately shielded Feng Jiu from seeing what she had done to Bai Qian, but it was too late, she saw Bai Qian's neck and hands shredded which made Feng Jiu wail loudly.

Bai Yi cradled her tightly as tears escaped his own eyes, having not seen his daughter in so much distress before as she screamed and kicked the bathtub angrily at herself.

Bai Yi wrapped the material tightly around her and brought her into his aura to calm her down. He had never done this before, even when she was a small fox kit, he was rarely openly affectionate, only around their immediate family or if she felt scared or frightened. But this was different.

He almost lost her, had it not been for his father, brother and sister. She might have either killed or been killed. The thought almost had him emotionally crumbling, but relief washed over him.
Guan Yi and Bai Ren moved in to remove Feng Jiu from him and take Bai Qian's position.

"Honey, let's go." Bai Ren said to Bai Yi clasping his hand with one hand and elbow with the other.

As she ushered him out, Bai Yi saw Dong Hua and Mo Yuan standing close to the barrier entrance. Bai Yi darted straight for Dong Hua.

"What do you want, Dong Hua? What did you do to her to make her lose control like that?" He yelled at Dong Hua's empty face, which only angered him more.

Bai Ren pulled on Bai Yi to leave it alone. "Bai Yi, Stop this. Dijun only...." Dong Hua interrupted her by lifting his hand to allow Bai Yi to continue.

Bai Yi moved out of Bai Ren's arms and continued. "What else do you want to take away from her? Is not her love fate enough?" Bai Yi's face was inches away from Dong Hua who still did not flinch.

"What did you do to her Dong Hua?" He asked only Feng Jiu appeared at the entrance of the barrier, barely covered but noticeably weak.

"Father."

"Xiao Jiu, go back, you are not clothed. Go Now."

"Stop it father, leave him alone. Please."

Seeing her face redden and body swaying, had Bai Yi appear in front of her immediately. He turned her body to go back in. Feng Jiu stopped to look back to Dong Hua who was watching silently.

"Dijun." She called out softly

He didn't respond; his thoughts caused a deep frown to appear.

"Dijun?"

Mo Yuan nudged him by the arm to force his attention.

It was enough to have Dong Hua casually reply as if nothing bothered him. "Yes?"

"I will return to Qing Qiu tomorrow with my family. You may come with Mo Yuan to Qing Qiu only when I tell you to come. We will use the instrument grandfather said you were working on, once that is done, there will be no reason for you and me to cross paths." Feng Jiu's resolute stare remained fixed on Dong Hua's eyes.

Feng Jiu clasped her father's shoulder to balance herself and walked back in shivering as her body started to heat up and fever return having removed herself to early from the bath.