Yan Zhao and Lei Shuang, those two childish ghosts, were at each other’s throats.
The main tent was in an uproar, making Feng Jin’s temples throb with pain.
Bang—
Feng Jin slammed the table and roared, “Stop it right now! What are you all making a racket about?!”
A hush fell over the room, and Lei Shuang’s movements stopped.
Then, an orange peel descended from the sky and landed on top of her head.
Yan Zhao completely ignored Feng Jin’s command.
“Hey! You little brat!”
More angry than amused, Lei Shuang ignored Feng Jin too and flung the orange peel right back.
A new round of combat began.
The other two people and the fox in the hall: “…”
The little fox tried to stop Yan Zhao, tugging at her trouser leg to signal her to go outside.
Only then did Yan Zhao stop. Before leaving, she glanced at the complicated expressions on the faces of the people present.
She particularly stuck her tongue out at Lei Shuang, then picked up her little fox and left without looking back.
Lei Shuang, covered in all sorts of fruit peels, cursed, “Completely out of line!”
How could anyone be more childish than her?!
After Yan Zhao left, Lei Shuang shook out her clothes and cast a spell to clean herself up. Only then did she turn to Feng Jin and ask, “This little monster is a bit interesting. Where did you find her from?”
Feng Jin rubbed her troubled brow. “She came uninvited.”
It was an unexpected answer, and Lei Shuang burst out laughing. “So annoyed? If you don’t like her, how about I take her to Fog Devil Ravine?”
Feng Jin rolled her eyes at her. “Thank goodness, please take her away quickly.”
“No can do.” Lei Shuang’s mind spun quickly. “You’re setting a trap for me. I’m not leaving!”
Feng Jin: “…”
This person was the one who brought it up, and now she was turning it around and blaming her.
Feng Jin just felt exhausted.
“Whatever.”
·
After leaving the main tent, Yan Zhao yawned sleepily.
The little fox kept pulling on her trouser leg, seemingly wanting to head down the mountain, making urgent whimpering sounds.
Yan Zhao didn’t understand. “Where do you want to go?”
Little Fox: Whimper!
Anywhere! Just don’t stay in the stronghold, it’s too dangerous here!
If Lei Shuang discovered the Devil Clan bloodline hidden within Yan Zhao’s body and kidnapped her, it would be a disaster!
Yan Zhao picked up the little fox and rubbed its little head. “If we go down the mountain, we’ll have to find our own food, you picky little fox, can you handle that?”
Little Fox: “…”
Who really couldn’t handle it?
After saying that, Yan Zhao carried the little fox back to the guest room.
She closed the door, lay down on the bed, and covered herself up. “Don’t disturb me. We’ll talk when I wake up.”
Angry, the little fox jumped onto the bed and pressed its little paw down on Yan Zhao’s nose.
Yan Zhao: “?”
She couldn’t breathe.
She brushed the troublesome little paw aside, grabbed the little fox, and scooped it into her arms.
Yan Zhao wrapped her arms and legs around the little fox, holding it tight. She buried her entire face into the soft fur of its neck. “If you’re free, just sleep with me.”
Little Fox: “…”
·
As evening fell, Ling Jiancheng and You Ying finally found the bandit stronghold the villagers at the foot of the mountain had mentioned.
This place was remote, surrounded by lush trees that formed a natural barrier, making it very secluded.
When they reached the mountain, the stronghold was already lit with lamps.
Cooking smoke rose, and the evening breeze carried the aroma of food. If it weren’t for a nest of bandits living there, it would have looked like a scene of peaceful, mundane life.
The lookout in the watchtower soon spotted two men coming up the mountain, both dressed like Fuyun Sect disciples, and immediately sent word to Feng Jin.
When Feng Jin received the message, Ling Jiancheng and You Ying were already at the stronghold gate.
Ling Jiancheng gestured to You Ying, who nodded, stepped forward, and announced loudly, “I am a disciple under the Fuyun Sect Head. We have business to discuss with the Stronghold Leader. Would you two please inform them?”
Soon, Feng Jin appeared at the stronghold gate with Ah Ling.
Ling Jiancheng’s demeanor was steady and composed, with an impressive cultivation base, while You Ying was more sharp and aggressive.
These two were not comparable to the small fry from before.
However, their intent wasn’t clear from their faces just yet.
After a moment of thought, Feng Jin cupped her hands and asked, “May I ask what brings you two Immortal Masters from so far away?”
Seeing this, You Ying was slightly surprised.
At first glance, the bandit stronghold was full of rough, burly men. He hadn’t expected the person in charge to be a woman.
You Ying was direct. “I am You Ying, and this is my Senior Brother Ling Jiancheng. We have come because of a murder that occurred last night in Zhuangan Village at the foot of the mountain.”
Feng Jin raised an eyebrow. “What murder?”
It seemed Black Sky Tyrant’s body had been discovered. The authorities couldn’t solve it, so they had delegated the case to Fuyun Sect for investigation.
Feng Jin mused to herself. Yan Zhao was also a Fuyun Sect disciple, though the people from Fuyun Sect seemed unaware of her peculiarities.
You Ying replied, “The Village Chief of Zhuangan Village and a villager named Pang Da were both innocent victims, brutally killed by a Fiendish Devil. According to clues provided by the villagers, the monster fled up the mountain and disappeared.”
Feng Jin’s eyes narrowed. “What are you implying?”
You Ying stated rigidly, “We suspect it is hiding within the stronghold. I ask you to allow us in to conduct a search.”
Feng Jin scoffed. “And if I refuse?”
You Ying raised his sword. “If you refuse to cooperate, we will have no choice but to take offense.”
“Your Fuyun Sect is throwing its weight around quite impressively!” Before Feng Jin could speak, Ah Ling retorted first. “Several groups have already forced their way into our mountain gate, injuring many of our brothers. What, are you just using a different excuse now?”
Feng Jin glanced at Ah Ling but didn’t silence her.
Ling Jiancheng and You Ying were stunned. They frowned. “Fuyun Sect disciples forced their way into your gate?”
“That’s right!” Ah Ling put her hands on her hips and pointed at them accusingly. “One named Luo Qi, one named Lin Chao. Dare you say you don’t know them?!”
You Ying and the other man were speechless.
Ling Jiancheng stepped forward and said calmly, “In that case, I apologize on behalf of my junior brothers for their actions. But one thing is separate from another. The case in Zhuangan Village must still be investigated!”
You Ying chimed in, “Indeed. The escaped Fiendish Devil is too ferocious. If it is hiding in your stronghold, it could erupt and slaughter innocents at any moment. We are not unreasonable people. If we find no trace of the monster, we will apologize and leave.”
“Easier said than done!” Ah Ling didn’t budge an inch. “Those two men forced their way into the stronghold to steal our things. Who knows if you two are also harboring ill intentions?”
You Ying’s expression gradually grew impatient. Ling Jiancheng stopped him and said to Ah Ling, “I am willing to stake my honor on it. We came today only to investigate a case, with absolutely no malicious intent.”
Ah Ling wasn’t buying it and sneered. “How much is your honor worth?”
“You!” You Ying flared up in anger, raising his sword at Ah Ling. “Don’t push it too far!”
Seeing that Ah Ling was completely immune to both hard and soft tactics, You Ying turned to Ling Jiancheng. “Senior Brother, I think these bandits have guilty consciences! They must be hiding the Devil!”
Ling Jiancheng didn’t get angry. He looked calmly at Feng Jin. “You have an extraordinary bearing, likely a fellow cultivator. You should know Fuyun Sect’s stance on Devilish beings. If you are harboring a Devil, you are making an enemy of Fuyun Sect!”
A faint smile touched Feng Jin’s lips. “Two Immortal Masters, to accuse us of harboring a Devil requires evidence. Without proof, whether you’re from Fuyun Sect or any other sect, you have no right to force your way into someone else’s home.”
·
Yan Zhao slept until dark settled outside the window. The little fox’s ears twitched, catching some unusual sounds.
It seemed there was an argument outside.
It opened its eyes, listened closely, and indeed, there was a commotion outside the house.
Yan Zhao was fast asleep and hadn’t heard a thing.
The little fox wriggled out of Yan Zhao’s embrace, quietly jumped off the bed, went to the door, and nudged it open a crack to see what was happening.
The moment it looked out, the fur on its tail bristled instantly.
Ling Jiancheng?!
What was he doing at the stronghold?
You Ying was behind him.
The little fox pressed close to the courtyard wall and listened for a moment, finally understanding.
So Ling Jiancheng had come because of the tragedy in the courtyard at the foot of the mountain—the death of Black Sky Tyrant.
Recalling the original reason for leaving the mountain sect, Ren Qingyue’s heart sank. Could it be that because of last night’s events, those old fossils in the sect had changed their minds and wanted to capture Yan Zhao and bring her back?
Once Yan Zhao was caught, she herself would inevitably be exposed, and it would be a dead end.
No!
Ren Qingyue’s thoughts raced. She had to take Yan Zhao and leave immediately!
·
Having failed to negotiate with Feng Jin, Ling Jiancheng and You Ying could only retreat for now.
“Senior Brother, are we really just letting it go like this?” You Ying was indignant as they descended the mountain.
These bandits were completely lawless, showing them no respect.
“The more they act like this, the more it proves there’s something shady in that stronghold!” You Ying rambled on. “That female bandit leader is clearly a Rogue Cultivator. She must be involved in this!”
Ling Jiancheng retracted his gaze and walked steadily down the mountain. “Junior Brother, do not be impatient in any matter. We are disciples of Fuyun Sect. We must not ruin the sect’s reputation because of personal feelings.”
You Ying was silent for a moment, then bowed his head in acknowledgment. “Senior Brother’s lesson is correct. What do we do next, then?”
Ling Jiancheng’s tone was calm. “Since they demand we produce evidence, then we shall give them evidence.”
“Huh?” You Ying frowned, puzzled. “But… where do we get evidence?”
Ling Jiancheng’s steps paused slightly. “After tonight, we will have our evidence.”
You Ying: “?”
What did Senior Brother mean?
·
After watching Ling Jiancheng and You Ying descend the mountain, Lei Shuang appeared out of thin air next to Feng Jin.
She leaned in slightly and, in a voice only the two of them could hear, laughed and said to Feng Jin, “Beg me. Beg me, and I’ll help you.”
Just casually eliminating two troublemakers—she was very good at that.
Feng Jin glanced at her as if she were an idiot. “If you confront them directly, wouldn’t that confirm the accusation that I’m harboring a Devil?”
Lei Shuang: “…”
After nightfall, several shadows silently infiltrated the stronghold.
In the guest room, separated from Feng Jin’s residence by a single wall, Lei Shuang’s eyes snapped open.
The next instant, she teleported into Feng Jin’s room.
Feng Jin was meditating with her eyes closed. Disturbed by the sudden presence, she frowned at Lei Shuang. “What do you want this time?”
Lei Shuang had shed her daytime carelessness. Her expression now held a hint of gravity as she warned Feng Jin, “Something unclean has entered.”
Feng Jin narrowed her eyes and immediately understood. “Fuyun Sect?”
Lei Shuang’s silence was affirmation.
Feng Jin’s eyes flickered. “Fuyun Sect has been making moves recently. What exactly are they after?”
“I thought you didn’t care.” Lei Shuang’s expression relaxed. She toyed with the small pendant by her ear, feeling a long-lost sense of rapport. “So, should I intervene?”
Feng Jin lowered her eyes, a vague sense of foreboding rising in her heart.
After a moment, she sighed helplessly.
“Pass a message for me to that Spirit Fox in the next courtyard.”
Lei Shuang was stunned. “Who?”
·
The shadows searched the entire stronghold methodically and finally converged in an open area.
They all shook their heads. “Not found.”
“How is that possible?” one of them said in a muffled voice. “With so many eyes watching, could she have just vanished into thin air?”
No one answered. After another moment, the leader made a decision. “Search again. Dig three feet into the ground if you must, but find them. They must still be on the mountain!”
“Yes!”
The shadows flickered and vanished into thin air. Under the moonlight, only a clear pool remained.
Not long after, bubbles bubbled up from the water in the pool.
Splash—
Ren Qingyue broke through the surface of the water, holding Yan Zhao in her arms.
Yan Zhao lay in her embrace, her little face flushed red from sleep. The Deep Sleep Spell’s effect still hadn’t worn off.
Ren Qingyue dragged Yan Zhao ashore.
Uncomfortable from being jostled, Yan Zhao’s hand groped randomly and squeezed something soft.
So soft, and bouncy. She subconsciously squeezed it a couple of times.
The texture felt exactly like a fox’s butt.
Caught off guard, Ren Qingyue jolted hard and nearly dropped Yan Zhao right back into the water.
After a great effort to get ashore, she grabbed Yan Zhao’s offending hand and smacked it several times with sharp slaps.
Not behaving even in her sleep, she would make sure her palm was swollen!
In her dream, Yan Zhao felt her hand sting as if bitten by bugs. She pulled it back in pain.
Still fuming, Ren Qingyue pinched her cheek as well.
“If you touch me carelessly again, I’ll chop it off next time!”
