35 – The Wolves and the Deer

“So this Pangu, he split the heaven and the earth. Then he pushed heaven for 18,000 years before dying and his body transformed into the world?” I asked while driving

Fumo nodded and continued reciting smoothly:

“His breath became the wind and clouds.

His voice became thunder.

His left eye became the sun, right eye became the moon.

His blood became rivers and oceans.

His hair became forests and plants.

His bones became mountains and ores.

His marrow became spiritual veins and spirit stones.”

“Huh. So kind of like Ymir,” I noted the similarity

After yesterday’s heavier discussion, we had settled into this lighter kind of exchange. It felt comfortable. We didn’t exactly go into this discussion deeply and Fumo has been an excellent listener. I suspected he was deliberately keeping things surface-level to avoid deeper conflicts. Honestly, I was relieved too. Frankly, I am not ready for that either. I was just a guy with a useless degree whose roommate happened to have a priest for a father. My knowledge wasn’t exactly rock-solid. Not even confident I remember the entire Bible either. Not to mention the various interpretations, theological discussion and such.

“Is Ymir the name of your God?” Fumo asked curiously

“No, no. Just a figure from Norse mythology. Unlike Pangu, Ymir was born from primordial ice and was later killed to create the world. The closest story to Pangu splitting chaos that I know of is the Babylonian myth, the Enūma Eliš. In that one, the god Marduk defeats Tiamat, the primordial goddess of chaos, and splits her body in half to form heaven and earth.”

Fumo’s eyes lit up with interest. “Fascinating. Two very different myths. Your world must have been incredibly diverse. How did people reconcile all those contradicting creation stories?”

I shrugged. “We don’t do much? Old Norse people raid and invade Christian lands for more bountiful lands. But then they convert to Christianity. I don’t know the entire detail but it is apparently for more practical reasons like diplomatic alliances, marriages, and trades. As for Babylon, they were conquered by the Persians a long time ago.”

I paused for a second, then added, “Honestly, I’m more surprised there isn’t more than one creation myth here.”

Fumo thought for a moment, his expression calm and reflective as he gazed at the passing scenery.

“In this world, the tale of Pangu is the most widely accepted creation myth. Almost every sect and kingdom teaches it in some form. There are small variations depending on the region or cultivation path. Some say the world was born from chaos, others believe Pangu was guided by the will of the Heavens. But the core story remains largely the same.”

He paused thoughtfully. But ultimately doesn’t comment on why there’s no different creation myth

“How does Christians creation myth go then?” Fumo moves the topic on the lighter side once more

“It is a bit boring compared to other stories. But the gist of it:

On the first day, God created light and separated it from darkness

On the second day, God created the sky

On the third day, dry land and all vegetation

On the fourth day, God created the sun, moon, and stars

On the fifth day, God created creatures of the sea and sky

On the sixth day, God created all land animals and formed humanity in His own image, giving them stewardship over the earth

On the seventh day, God has finished his work, rested, blessed the seventh day and made it holy.”

Fumo listened and nodded. Seemingly already expecting that everything revolves around God. I get the feeling that he asked this not out of pure curiosity either. I had a feeling he wasn’t asking purely out of curiosity, but I had no reason to hide anything. Unless, he is asking because there’s an Inquisition equivalent of an organization here hunts heretics. I quickly shook the paranoid thought away.

Suddenly, both of us sensed it at the same time. I slowed the truck.

In the distance, trees and chunks of mountain were being thrown into the air. A fierce battle between Foundation Establishment experts was raging.

“That’s the place, right?” I asked.

“Indeed,” Fumo confirmed.

“Should we intervene?”

I try to send my divine sense discreetly. Only to feel another divine sense brushing mine.

“Papa!”

I blinked. “Papa?”

“What?” Fumo looked equally confused.

A small white-furred fawn burst out from the thicket.

“Papa! Papa!” she cried, sprinting toward us at full speed. “I knew you would come back! Is this an immortal carriage? Papa! Papa!”

She zoomed around the truck in excited circles like a blur of white wind.

I grip the steering wheel tightly, now leaning back. Fuck! How the fuck should I even deal with this?

glanced at Fumo. “What should I do?”

“Truth is usually the best starting point,” he replied calmly.

“Yeah… I think so too.”

I stepped out of the truck. The fawn immediately ran over but skidded to a stop, staring at me with wary eyes.

“Look kid. I am not…

“Papa gained human form!” she interrupted, jumping with pure joy. “Papa looks scary now… and smells different. Is this a disguise?”

Before I could respond, she leapt toward me. I instinctively sidestepped. She tumbled onto the ground with a small, pained “Wuh!”

“Papa is angry with me?” Her ears drooped as she looked up with glistening, sorrowful eyes. “But Papa promised… Papa would carry me in his arms after gaining human form.”

I clench my hands. I need to tell her that his father is dead. And that I have used his corpse as part of my new body. I know I should say it. But…

But not like this.

“I’m sorry. Just surprised,” I muttered, opening my arms. “Come here. One more time.”

“Yay!” She bounced up and leapt into my embrace.

Catching her in my arms. With my size, the fawn is unbelievably small. Can almost fit in my hand.

‘You have to be firmer, brother Danxing.’ Fumo speaks telepathically

‘I know. But there's a better way to tell her. And certainly not like this.’ I answer back

A massive explosion erupted in the distance, rising into a pillar of flames.

“First mother, second mother, and fourth mother are fighting against the ashen wolves.” The fawn whispers, still nestled in my arms.

“Where’s your third mother?”

“Third mother is keeping watch of the family.” Then she gasps, ears twitching nervously. “Don’t tell her I snuck out again.” She add in a whisper

“We’ll see.” The fawn’s ears dropped again. “Why are they fighting the wolves?”

“Hmm. The first mother thinks papa leaves to punish the wolves. But after you didn’t come back after a long time, the rest come looking for you.”

I close my eyes. God. I can already feel that this will be very complicated. I looked at the truck. Already wanting to just go away from here. Let these problems sort themselves out. Then I looked at Fumo. There's already a sort of understanding of each other between us. He did not give any sort of gesture of what I should do. The decision is my own. He will not judge what I do.

“Papa and monk friend will help mothers?” Then finally, I look down on the fawn in my arms

I stared at the distant battle, then down at the small, trusting creature in my arms. After a long pause, I began walking toward the fight.

“There’s something you need to know.” I said quietly. “And you will not like it.”

The fawn’s ears flattened. “Papa is going to leave again soon?”

“It’s worse than that.” I muttered. “But, everyone else should also hear this.”

—

In the shattered clearing, three majestic white-furred deer stood against three snarling Ashen Wolves. At the forefront, the First Mother, a powerful 3rd level Foundation Establishment beast, stomped her hoof, causing the earth to tremble. Massive stone spikes erupted from the ground, forcing the wolves to leap back.

The largest Ashen Wolf, a 2nd level Foundation Establishment alpha, countered with a roar. A wave of crimson flames surged forward like a blazing tide, melting the stone spikes into slag. The other two wolves flanked from the sides, spitting streams of fire that turned the surrounding trees into pillars of flame.

The white deer responded in perfect sync. The First Mother channeled dense Earth Qi, raising thick earthen walls and launching sharp stone lances, while the Second and Fourth Mother summoned rolling boulders and reinforced the ground to trap the wolves’ paws. The Ashen Wolves answered with explosive fire bursts and scorching claws, shattering stone and turning the battlefield into a chaotic mix of scorched earth and molten rock.

Both sides were evenly matched. The deer’s sturdy Earth Qi gave them superior defense and control over the terrain, but the wolves’ aggressive Fire Qi granted them terrifying destructive speed and momentum. Neither side could gain a decisive edge. Every earth-shaking stomp was met with a devastating flame explosion, leaving the battlefield scarred and trembling under the violent clash of opposing elements.

BOOM!

A railgun fires in between them before they can continue the fight. The thunderous boom echoed across the battlefield, startling both the white deer and the ashen wolves into a tense standstill. They finally noticed me standing there with the small fawn nestled in my arms and Fumo quietly at my side.

“Husband!”

“Mother!”

The three deer and three wolves cried out at the same time. A heartbeat later, confusion spread across all their faces as they took a proper look at me. I had expected this. After all, the previous owners of the bodies I absorbed were likely their missing husband and mother.

The two Qi Refining wolves bared their fangs and howled aggressively at me.

“Mother! Kill that little prey in your arms and join us! Let’s hunt these deer together!”

At the same time, the two Qi Refining white deer stepped forward, calling out desperately,

“Husband! Please drive these filthy wolves away! Protect us and our child!”

Meanwhile, the Foundation Establishment First Mother deer and the Alpha Ashen Wolf both stared at me warily. Their eyes were filled with suspicion and caution, clearly sensing that something was deeply wrong with the “husband” and “mother” standing before them. But too wary with each other to properly address me.

“Years of sniffing shit have addled the wolves, he is clearly our husband!” One of the deer mocks

“You deer can never see straight, she is clearly our mother!” One of the wolves insult back

The exchange was so absurdly childish that I almost laughed. But this needed to end.

“ENOUGH!”

My voice, amplified by soul power and Merit Essence, boomed like thunder across the mountains. Both groups instantly fell silent. The wolves lowered their heads and tucked their necks, while the deer froze in visible panic.

“I think it would be best if both of you stopped fighting now.” I said calmly

I glanced at Fumo. ‘Where’s the site where you found the wolves' corpses?’ I ask Fumo telepathically

‘A little further ahead.’

I walked between the two wary groups, heading toward the new clearing near the cliff. Both the deer and wolves followed at a cautious distance, their eyes filled with fear and suspicion. After all, it is clear I have a connection to their missing family member.

“You… you are not our mother,” The foundation establishment wolf tries to growl but comes out meeker than intended “What are you?”

“I am here to find out.”

After a short walk, we reached the clearing near a cliff following Fumo’s direction. Like before, I fully concentrate once more. Pulling back the memories of the place. Sensing the faint hue of the memory, I use my soul power to see the past once more and project it so all can see.

What appears is a pack of ashen wolves. Three dozen of them. The largest one, their mother no doubt, is lying down and nursing her wound. There’s poison in her wound. Based on the diary, it would be from Jinlian’s.

Suddenly, two familiar blades fly with blinding speed. Piercing through the wolves before they can react. Followed by a familiar streak of blinding light that incinerates the wolves and incapacitates the mother. This is not a fight like with Jinlian, but a massacre. 

A familiar figure appears, whistling as he walks playfully. The mother wolf pounces with anything she has left. But chains connected to the two blades stopped her by a few centimeters. The cultivator gathers blinding light in his hands and places them on the mother wolf’s head. Blinding light erupts as the mother wolf’s head is reduced to a skull in seconds.

The three edged sword and the lightning dagger flies back to his hands. He then carved the wolf’s chest to get the heart and butcher the wolf for any usable parts. The skin, the claws, the fangs. Anything usable. As the cultivator leaves however, he spots a pair of young pups. The cultivator approached the two pups. He opens his hands. Then a flash erupts.

Barks of anger erupt from the wolves. Then I realize that I growl in anger too. My head turned into the wolf’s skull without me knowing. 

“I hate it when animals look at me like that.” The cultivator said before leaving. 

The only thing left from the pups are their bones.

Then of course, the past me appears. Before absorbing the wolf parts, the past me is just a deer with pitch black fur with a skull for the head. He comes to the corpse of the wolf mother and opens its mouth. Tendrils of viscous red erupts from the mouth as the past me absorbs the corpse. Bones and spines cracking as the body changes. So does the skull as a new pair of eye sockets appear, filled with the wolf’s eyes. The past me tried to stand but hunched unnaturally.

Once again, the past me follows the young cultivator. But it stops suddenly. Somehow noticing the bones of the two pups. He absorbs the remains of the pups too. The small bones replacing the missing claws and fangs. The vision ends as the past me follows the cultivator once again.

I looked at my hand.

Scaled and furred. 

Clawed with the remains of children.