The crowd collectively turned to look at Chong Zhao, while Zhen Yu maintained a look of amusement, still watching the situation unfold like an entertaining spectacle.
“The Fox King has questioned the wrong person.” Chong Zhao finally spoke after a brief pause, his voice steady.
“The wrong person?” Chang Mei raised an eyebrow.
“I have already abandoned the path of the immortal sects and returned to Lingquan Palace. Whether Bai Shuo is a disciple of Lingquan or someone from Hao Yue Hall, she… has nothing to do with me anymore.”
Chong Zhao looked at Fan Yue, his voice just as cold and emotionless as theirs, devoid of any sentiment.
Their gazes clashed in midair, and the hall grew even colder, the atmosphere plunging to freezing temperatures.
“Aunt!”
Amidst the suffocating silence, Mu Jiu suddenly stood up, breaking the tension with exaggerated indignation.
“My little Bai and I are already close. If you’re so curious about her, I’ll bring her to see you next time! But right now, it’s still early, and we haven’t even finished dressing yet. If you want to interrogate someone, how about inviting this esteemed guest elsewhere to chat? I’ve been away from the clan for too long—I haven’t even had time to change into proper attire!”
Mu Jiu was practically declaring outright that he would not let this situation escalate further. If Chong Zhao refused to back down, he wouldn’t get the answer he wanted. Meanwhile, Mu Jiu could easily use this ‘Aunt’ of his [referring to Chang Mei] as a shield to deflect the scrutiny from Hao Yue Hall and Lingquan Palace, allowing the tension to shift away from them.
“Oh, I nearly forgot about this.” Chang Mei exhaled lazily, stretching her waist with a casual air.
“Hall Master, Palace Master, Jingyou Mountain hasn’t hosted outsiders in over a hundred years. Now that we are celebrating a small joyous occasion for our Fox Clan, with both of you here, it would be the perfect opportunity to enjoy the scenery of my mountain.”
“Of course.” Zhen Yu smiled meaningfully and nodded.
Fan Yue didn’t say another word and stood up, heading outside.
As the banquet concluded and the last guests exited the hall, silence fell over the grand chamber. Suddenly, in the corner where the wall met the ancient trees, the thick roots rustled and twisted, morphing into the shape of a human figure.
Long Er couldn’t speak, couldn’t move—his hands were still tightly bound by a thick rope. He widened his eyes in fury, glaring at Bai Shuo with indignation.
“Alright, enough already. Stop struggling, your eyes are about to pop out.” Bai Shuo flicked a hand, dispelling Long Er’s restraints.
Long Er found himself able to move again. His knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, his face pale and dazed.
“I must have been out of my mind to trust a trickster like you, and now I’ve been dragged into this hellhole.”
Bai Shuo cast a glance in the direction where Fan Yue had gone, shaking off the dust from the oil-stained hem of their robe. They grumbled,
“Long Er, quit messing around. This isn’t the time for your games.”
“Well, of course not. My dear little life depends on staying alive.”
“If you want to escape completely unnoticed, you’ll have to go somewhere even the Demi-Gods can’t sense.”
“No objections to that.” Long Er stretched his hand out toward Bai Shuo.
“I’ll enter the Fox Realm. I’ve already done what I promised for you. From here on, we’ll go our separate ways.”
Long Er was about to turn and leave when Bai Shuo yanked him back. In one swift motion, Bai Shuo wrapped an illusionary cloak over both of them. Instantly, the two figures became transparent, blending into the hall.
Bai Shuo narrowed their eyes at Long Er and whispered,
“What’s the rush? We haven’t finished our work yet!”
“You damn lunatic! Do you even know what you’re doing? There are three Demi-Gods on this mountain!”
Long Er let out a muffled cry but was quickly silenced by a firm slap over his mouth.
Meanwhile, Fan Yue leaned against the screen, quietly drinking, seemingly indifferent to their conversation.
“The Hall Master, aside from the secluded Silent Lake behind the mountain, the Fox Clan’s guards are not that strict. This valley doesn’t seem like a place where treasures are hidden.”
“If sneaking in were that easy, the Fox Clan would have already suffered an invasion from other demon clans. Outside of Jingyou Mountain, there’s still the protective barrier left behind by the previous Demon Emperor Hong. Anyone below the level of a deity can’t get past it. Jingyou Mountain is layered with defenses.”
Hua Hong frowned. “Even if we manage to find the Gathered Demon Jade, how do we take it away?”
“The Gathered Demon Jade is a key to open Hong’s barrier. It’s also a relic left behind by a fallen deity. Zhen Yu will undoubtedly carry it with them at all times.”
Hua Hong’s eyes darkened, and they clicked their tongue. “So, does the Hall Master plan to steal it from Zhen Yu by force?”
Fan Yue remained silent, neither confirming nor denying it.
“No way!” Hua Hong panicked.
“We can steal a piece from the Fox Clan first, and after refining it, we’ll go to Lingquan Palace. If we attack Jingyou Mountain now, we’ll be facing two Demi-Gods at once—it’s too dangerous!”
“The demonic aura has already invaded A-Yue’s spirit platform. I can’t wait any longer.”
“But…”
“Heavenly Fire—I have made up my mind.” Fan Yue interrupted coldly.
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