Lingxuzi#

His grey fur speaks of fierce might, With blood-stained fangs that gleam in the night. Claws like soul-reapers, tail swings death's song, Feigns Buddhist ways, but his bloodlust stays strong.

The grey wolf guai of the temple was once an exile from the Kingdom of Shituo. When Shituo was laid to ruin, the wolves fed, following the grey wolf on a long and weary road, until they found shelter under the banner of the Black Wind King.

Unlike the old Lingxuzi, who pursued immortality and detachment, the grey wolf cared nothing for the ways of deities and Buddha, nor for the empty promises of eternal life. Instead, his heart was set on mastering strength and skill. He honed his craft with iron claws and fangs until he could strip the very flesh from the bones of his foes.

When the old Lingxuzi vanished, Black Bear Guai saw fit to elevate the When the old Lingxuzi vanished, Black Bear Guai saw fit to elevate the grey wolf to be the new master of the wolf guais, giving him the name Lingxuzi and tasking him with guarding the Guanyin Temple. The wolf guais who came with the new Lingxuzi from the Kingdom of Shituo also rose in power and surpassed those who had served longer in the distribution of spoils and favors. The local wolf guais had little affection for the ways of the new Lingxuzi, and after finding themselves thrust aside, bitterness took root in their hearts. In their shared sense of grievance, they found a new unity of purpose. Often they gathered in secret, comforting each other, sharing the old memories when the old master was in power, and quietly plotting against the new one. But Lingxuzi was prepared. Under the pretense of a roll call, he gathered the local wolf guais in the temple and gave the signal to his loyal guards to seize the malcontents. The temple erupted into chaos. Lingxuzi then leaped down from the roof into the crowd, ready to devour all who dared to betray him.

The Fireblade Wolf, hearing the commotion, rushed over and managed to hold Lingxuzi off and bought the minions time to flee to safety. When Black Wind King learned of this, he was ready to unleash punishment upon the rebellious wolf guais, but the snake guai mediated, and peace was restored. Yet from that day forth, the local wolf guais refused to tread even within the shadow of the walls of Guanyin Temple.