The Nine-tailed Celestial Fox gazed at Shenshu’s legs, her left eye shimmering with a misty light, making it impossible to discern her emotions.
But she maintained her gaze for a long time, without moving.
After a while, the Nine-tailed Celestial Fox let out a soft, charming laugh in her uniquely seductive voice and said,
“I was young back then, and although I never fought al-Asura, I knew well how powerful he was. To be honest, my confidence in your ability to retrieve Shenshu’s remains was less than fifty percent.”
“That’s because I’m not a pure martial artist.”
Xu Qi’an replied calmly.
The Nine-tailed Celestial Fox giggled coquettishly, reaching out her left hand to gently stroke her right cheek, smiling sweetly as she said,
“I’m growing more and more fond of this child. Yeji, how about we reward him with all of your sisters?”
Yeji’s heart sank. What Her Highness meant by these words was:
I’m growing more and more fond of him, and I want to make him the consort of the Wanyao Kingdom.
With Xu Lang’s strength, he definitely already belongs to the peak of Jiuzhou. Mistress needed talents to restore her nation, so it’s not strange for her to fancy him, he indeed has the ability and confidence… Yeji was inwardly resistant, because at this moment, Xu Qi’an was her man. If Her Highness truly fancied him, her own status might be reduced to just a maid accompanying the dowry.
Although the Yao did not care about titles, love was genuine. Even if it was Her Highness, if she openly snatched away the man she loved, she would still feel resentment and dissatisfaction.
Especially, apart from Bai Ji, those seven seductive bitches, each with their own unique charm, they would definitely do their utmost to seduce Xu Lang…
Fuxiang’s sisters, all soft and delicate like the gentle rain on Heaven Street? Xu Qi’an was moved for a moment, then couldn’t help glancing at the little white fox, shaking his head in disappointment. This little one did not count.
The Nine-tailed Celestial Fox walked over to Shenshu’s legs, raised her hand, and gently pressed it onto his calf:
“For five hundred years, every moment I have racked my brains, scheming how to undo his seal and how to lead the southern yao to reclaim our homeland.
“That day is finally drawing near.”
Your Highness, don’t just say words, at least provide a way to contact them if you’re not showing any pictures… Xu Qi’an took the opportunity to ask,
“When does Your Highness plan to act and lead the yao elite troops to reclaim the Ten-thousand Mountains?”
The Nine-tailed Celestial Fox pondered for a moment, then replied softly,
“When I return to Jiuzhou, I will awaken Shenshu, dispatch troops against the Western Region folk, and capture al-Asura alive to make him remove your final seal. I will gather all of Shenshu’s limbs except for his head, and then, attack Ananda.”
You want to attack Ananda as well? To retrieve Shenshu’s head? In that case, could Bodhisattva Agaruka continue to assist Yunzhou in attacking the Central Plains… Xu Qi’an’s thoughts raced, and he felt a quiet excitement inside.
“When will Your Highness return to Jiuzhou?” he asked.
“It will still take some time. During this period, I’ll have Yeji and the others discreetly recall the scattered yao in Jiuzhou, the gathering of troops will require time.”
Xu Qi’an nodded slightly, preparing for war was no trivial matter.
“Your Highness, do you know that Shenshu was the Asura King?”
Xu Qi’an dropped an explosive piece of news.
Sun Xuanji and Yeji’s expressions changed dramatically.
…The Nine-tailed Celestial Fox slowly said,
“It wasn’t until the end of the war between the Buddhists and the yao that I learned he was the Asura King.”
She doesn’t even know her own dad’s identity. Seems like back then, Shenshu and the Wanyao Kingdom Sovereign deliberately concealed it. Xu Qi’an then asked,
“In that case, do you also have asura blood in your veins? Why did Protector Qingmu say you are a pure-blooded nine-tailed Celestial Fox?”
The Nine-tailed Fox suddenly turned around, her clear, glowing eyes fixing intently on him. After a long pause, she laughed lightly and said,
“Silver Gong Xu’s abilities for solving cases are indeed extraordinary. Just a slight oversight and you’ve nearly seen through all my secrets.”
She paused, then sighed:
“I am not a pure-blooded nine-tailed Celestial Fox. I was born with eight tails. Back then, my mother used illusions to deceive the yao, making them believe that I was a true nine-tailed Celestial Fox.
“At the end of the war between the Buddhists and the yao, knowing she could not escape her fate, my mother split off a portion of her spiritual essence and infused it into me.
“With her essence, I was able to purge the asura blood and become a pure-blooded nine-tailed Fox. It was then that I learned Shenshu’s true identity.”
Xu Qi’an suddenly understood: “So, Your Highness, you sailed overseas to seek your kin in order to ensure the purity of the next generation’s bloodline?”
The Nine-tailed Celestial Fox nodded, then shook her head, smiling with narrowed eyes:
“If I find a suitable partner, I’ll make him my mate and bring him back to Jiuzhou to help me restore the Wanyao Kingdom. If I don’t fancy him, I’ll kill him and take his essence, preparing it for my future offspring.
“For now, I am more inclined towards the latter. But the oceans are vast and the islands many. Whether there are any more nine-tailed foxes out there, I cannot be sure.”
Yet from her words, Xu Qi’an extracted two core points:
First, the Nine-tailed Celestial Fox was not very confident in her rebellion, so she went abroad seeking kin to recruit under her banner.
Second, because searching the sea was truly a needle in a haystack, this plan was too uncertain, and she seemed to have changed her mind and made new plans.
Seeing that the conversation was almost over, Yeji hurriedly asked,
“Mistress, is this part of Master Shenshu’s body good or evil?”
She had always been concerned about whether, after awakening Shenshu’s severed limb, it would be willing to cooperate with Xu Qi’an in removing the Demon-Sealing Nails.
The nine-tailed celestial fox pondered briefly and said,
“In fact, it’s easy to deduce. The right arm sealed under Sangpo has a gentle and compassionate temperament; the left arm within the Stupa tower is savage and bloodthirsty; the torso is frank and straightforward; so the temperament of this leg excludes all the above.
“It might not be easy to deal with, but it’s unlikely to be evil or brutal. You can decide for yourselves.”
After speaking, the misty clear light in Yeji’s left eye faded, and she left.
Xu Qi’an and Sun Xuanji exchanged a glance. The former took out the Stupa tower, the Taiping sabre, and other magical items, while the latter tacitly started drawing the formation.
Any formation that required a third-rank arcanist to draw stroke by stroke was certainly a world-shaking array.
When Sun Xuanji finished carving the formation, following Xu Qi’an’s signal, Yeji pressed her thumb against her little finger and squeezed out two drops of vital blood, dripping them onto both legs.
The blood was instantly absorbed by Shenshu’s severed limb, and in a moment, these legs came to life.
They suddenly leapt from the table: the left leg aimed a flying kick at Yeji’s bewitching face, while the right leg attacked her abdomen.
Yeji’s expression changed slightly, and she fluttered back.
Buzz, buzz… the two legs were blocked by a clear barrier of light that rose up, this was the formation crafted by Sun Xuanji: a prison drawn on the ground.
Shenshu’s two legs ran wildly about the stone chamber, the left leg to the left, the right leg to the right. Realising they were separated, the left leg hurried to the right, the right leg scurried to the left.
Then “bang”, they crashed into each other and both fell flat.
They struggled hard to coordinate and move in sync but failed every time due to their differing intentions.
Is this Shenshu’s performance personality? A circus enthusiast? Xu Qi’an’s mouth fell open in shock.
Sun Xuanji and Yeji looked just as surprised, struggling not to laugh as they watched, astonished.
“Master Shenshu…”
Xu Qi’an coughed, interrupting the legs’ performance.
Shenshu’s two legs stopped and were attracted by Xu Qi’an. The next moment, they erupted with fierce fighting spirit, like unyielding warriors, charging at Xu Qi’an.
The right leg jumped up for a straight kick at Xu Qi’an’s face, while the left went for an underhanded attack at his groin.
Xu Qi’an, expressionless, stretched out both hands and grabbed each leg by the ankle.
Shenshu’s legs were immediately immobilised and could not break free no matter how they struggled.
After a brief standoff, Shenshu’s lingering soul conveyed its intent:
“Boy, your strength has earned my acknowledgement.”
“Senior, you have been sealed for five hundred years, you are just weakened.” Xu Qi’an released the ankles and bowed. “Junior is Xu Qi’an, I share a deep connection with you.”
“I’ve sensed it. You have part of my body inside you.”
Shenshu said arrogantly, “But that won’t be a reason for me to show mercy. Once I recover, I’ll seek you out for a fight to the death. You’re a worthy opponent, and your blood is tantalising.”
So, a combative personality… Indeed, Shenshu was the Asura King, and the Asura clan is innately combative, these legs inherited the combative aspect of Shenshu’s will… Xu Qi’an instantly understood.
“I can help senior recover. In exchange, you must help me remove the Demon-Sealing Nails in my body.”
Shenshu’s legs “looked him over” and snorted,
“Agreed! The stronger the enemy, the more excited I get.”
Once I remove the Demon-Sealing Nails, I’ll throw out the torso and let you two fight it out… Xu Qi’an looked at Sun Xuanji.
“Let’s re-seal senior for now.”
In their current state, Shenshu’s legs had nowhere near enough strength to pull out the Demon-Sealing Nails for him.
After Sun Xuanji finished sealing the legs and placed them into a wooden box, Xu Qi’an asked,
“Senior Brother Sun, what are your plans next?”
Sun Xuanji picked up his brush and wrote, “Go to Qingzhou and support the garrison.”
He glanced at Yeji and wrote, “I have a favour to ask, miss.”
Yeji hastily replied, “Senior Brother Sun, please speak freely.”
Sun Xuanji wrote on the paper, “I want to take the ape yao with me. No particular reason, I just think he’s talented and wish to take him as a disciple.”
Yeji looked at Xu Qi’an, who asked,
“Does Protector Yuan have any special use?”
Yeji shook her head and smiled. “That’s a good thing.”
…
In the valley, a bonfire blazed.
Sun Xuanji stood with his hands behind his back, with Protector Yuan beside him, looking reluctant.
Yeji led the yao of the valley in bidding farewell. Protector Yuan was not a minor yao, he had a certain status.
Learning that Protector Yuan was to go to the Central Plains with an arcanist of the Sitianjian, the yao were all unwilling to part with him and saw him off with tears in their eyes.
Protector Hongying’s eyes were red:
“Protector Yuan, I heard that most of the human clan are narrow-minded and petty. When you go to the Central Plains, remember to be cautious. Though Senior Brother Sun will protect you, you can’t completely be yourself.”
Protector White Ape’s expression was blank.
Protector Qingmu came forward with his walking stick and patted Protector Yuan’s shoulder:
“Young people should get out and experience the world. The Hundred Thousand Mountains are too small to contain you. The Central Plains is a land of outstanding people and rich culture. It will do you good to roam a bit, but you must come back. Fallen leaves should return to their roots. The Southern Marches are your true home.”
Protector White Ape’s expression was blank.
Miao Youfang also came over to pat Protector Yuan’s shoulder.
“See you in the Central Plains!”
All the yao offered farewells with tears, reluctant to part.
When it was about time, Sun Xuanji nodded to Xu Qi’an, placed his palm on Protector Yuan’s shoulder, and a beam of clear light shot up, enveloping them both. They vanished from the valley.
…
High above, the artillery fortress continuously leapt through space. Sun Xuanji stood hands behind his back, exuding the aura of a great master, staring at Protector Yuan.
Protector Yuan looked him in the eye with sapphire-blue clarity, and said,
“Senior Brother Sun, your heart is asking me: why was I so cold just now, and didn’t say farewell to my kin?”
Sun Xuanji nodded in satisfaction, this was indeed what he wanted to ask.
Protector Yuan fell silent, then said,
“Hongying’s heart told me: at last, that damned monkey’s gone. This is a true delight, tonight we’ll drink to our heart’s content and celebrate.”
Before Sun Xuanji could respond, Protector Yuan continued,
“Protector Qingmu’s heart told me: at last, that damned monkey’s gone. If he hadn’t left, this old man would disgrace himself eventually.
“The other minor yao’s hearts cried: go, go quickly…”
Sun Xuanji was dumbstruck. Suddenly, he realised that maybe taking Protector Yuan away was not such a good thing after all.
…
Qingzhou, Baisha County.
Qi Guangbo climbed the city wall, overlooking the city ablaze with smoke and chaos.
The Yunzhou army had just captured this largest frontier city. From now, the chain of defences built across the nine counties at the Qingzhou border had been completely destroyed, now incorporated into Yunzhou’s territory.
The Yunzhou soldiers were jubilant, but as commander-in-chief, Qi Guangbo did not feel any joy.
“Summon all unit commanders to convene in the gatehouse for council.”
Qi Guangbo said in a deep voice.
“Yes, sir!”
The deputy general, sabre at his waist, strode off.
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