Outside the screen, Nan Zhi opened a can of sparkling water, took a sip, and replied leisurely:
“Wouldn’t letting it die just like this be letting it off too easy?”
Saying that, she gave the soul-stunned red fox a shake and continued, “You’ve stayed in Dingyuan County for so long; have you saved up any silver?”
“You dark woman, you won’t even spare the silver on a demon.”
Perhaps realizing its time was near, the red fox didn’t bother sucking up to Nan Zhi anymore. Despondently, it shook out a dozen loose pieces of broken silver from its tail, letting them clatter onto the ground:
“Here, this is all I have. I only hope that for the sake of this silver, you’ll find a hunter with quick hands so I don’t have to suffer.”
“Your net worth is a bit meager. From the storybooks I’ve read, demons are always draped in gold and silver, wearing jade rings and jeweled pendants. How did you end up so pathetic?”
Nan Zhi counted carefully and found that the fox didn’t have much in savings—seventeen taels in total.
“If I had money, why would I still be a demon? I’d have become human long ago!
Read fewer of those storybooks written by penniless scholars. They always feature gorgeous fox immortals or aloof female ghosts throwing themselves at scholars—heh!
You should know that although our fox clan is lustful by nature, we don’t just mate with anyone so casually.”
The red fox rolled its eyes dramatically:
“If you want to kill me, just do it. What are you dawdling for? Anyway, since I’ve fallen into your hands, what else can I do?”
After saying this, however, it felt the grip on the scruff of its neck loosen.
Looking up, the red fox saw Nan Zhi standing in front of it, still weighing the seventeen taels of broken silver in her hand.
“I thought about it carefully just now, and fox fur isn’t really that special anyway.
Besides, you’re a male fox. Skinning you to make clothes for my little sister would be rather disgusting.”
Nan Zhi gestured behind the fox with her chin:
“Heaven values all living things, so I’ll spare your life just this once.
From now on, no stealing chickens, no chasing dogs, no dressing up as ghosts to scare people, and absolutely no... cough... sneak attacks while people are using the latrine.
In short, if you do it again, I’ll definitely skin you and turn you into a rug.”
“You’re really willing to let me go?”
The red fox was filled with suspicion, unsure what tricks this dark, sturdy girl was playing.
Yet with a chance at survival, it didn’t dare linger. It glanced at Nan Yi, tucked its tail between its legs, and scampered away.
【Cultivator’s compassion knows no bounds. Achievement Unlocked: “All Beings Are Equal” (I): (What difference is there between demons and humans?)】
【Demons’ Favorability +1, Reputation +10】
【Obtained: Heavenly Treasure Tree Lottery Ticket ×5, 《Moon-Worshiping Breathing Method》 ×1】
Another cultivation method had actually dropped!
She wondered if she could cash it out into reality.
Though excited inside, Nan Zhi showed nothing on her face.
Nan Yi stepped forward, his round, deer-like eyes smiling as he whispered to Nan Zhi:
“When did Sister Ye say she wanted a fur vest? Doesn’t she dislike all that fur and fluff the most?”
“I was just scaring the fox. If I didn’t say that, who knows if it would reoffend in the future?
Besides, it tried to splash me with filth earlier and called me a dark woman. It was high time to teach it a lesson.”
Nan Zhi tossed the silver into his arms:
“The Sage once said, ‘In teaching, there should be no distinction of classes.’ This fox has plenty of spirituality. Though untamed, its offenses were all minor. If we really sent it to the County Yamen—
Take this silver to the night watchmen’s homes and tell them the terrifying monster has been subdued by me, and this is the monster’s compensation for their medicinal expenses.”
“I’ve only ever heard of demons harming humans; when has there ever been a precedent for a demon paying medicinal expenses?”
Holding the silver, Nan Yi’s eyes curved into crescents as he looked at Nan Zhi with a smile:
“If we really sent the fox to the County Yamen, I’m afraid it would be skinned, its bones ground down, and paraded through the streets to pacify the populace.
After all, those who are not of our kind will surely harbor different intentions, right, Eldest Sister?”
Nan Zhi didn’t take the bait, feeling as though his words carried a deeper meaning.
Ever since she entered the game, this younger brother’s reactions had been somewhat peculiar.
Yet the Favorability display still showed Nan Yi’s affection for her at the maximum of ten hearts.
Besides, an entire dimension separated them, so there was nothing to fear.
Nan Zhi changed the subject and asked where Constable Zhang had gone.
“Constable Zhang... will probably hate all foxes under heaven from now on.”
Nan Yi pointed behind him and smiled. “With all that filth on him, I’m afraid he’ll be scrubbing for a long time.”
Thinking of Constable Zhang’s miserable state, Nan Zhi suddenly felt the beating she’d given the fox was still too light.
...
Perhaps Nan Zhi’s threats that day had worked, as no more foxes caused trouble around Wang Family Bridge.
After resting for a few days, the watchmen gradually regained their vitality.
Though lingering trauma remained—if they ever saw a beautiful woman at night again, they would probably never dare approach to take a look.
Thanks to Constable Zhang’s loud proclamations, Nan Zhi’s fame grew even greater than before.
Many people came specifically hoping to catch a glimpse of the legendary Eldest Daughter of the Nan family, who could exorcise ghosts and capture demons.
Even relatives from the same hometown and village came knocking, only to be driven out the door by Chen Jingui.
“These people are truly like flies, buzzing around and annoying everyone to death!
My Eldest Girl is capable, but she isn’t some pipa-playing courtesan in the Nan Mansion! Do they think they can just flap their lips and see her whenever they want?”
Chen Jingui stood outside the courtyard gate, yelling at the relatives who had been driven out:
“Back then, you all mocked my Eldest Girl for being simpleminded, gossiping and badmouthing her behind our backs goodness knows how many times!
Now that you see there’s a benefit to reap, every single one of you glares like fighting cocks and swarms right over!
Sister Ye, if you see people like this in the future, just take a willow switch and whip them right out!”
In the past, these relatives had laughed at Chen Jingui for raising a simpleminded daughter, secretly cursing that Nan Zhi wouldn’t live long.
Some didn’t even bother hiding it, saying it would be better to take Nan Zhi to the river and drown her rather than support a foolish daughter for a lifetime.
Now that she had a chance to hold her head high, Chen Jingui naturally wouldn’t let it slip by, venting her pent-up fury thoroughly in front of these people.
The ones driven out were a couple draped in gold and silver. The two looked remarkably alike—both possessed upward-slanting brows and triangular eyes, giving them a rather fierce gaze.
The gifts they brought had been tossed all over the ground. Pastries and fruits were scattered across the dirt, picked up by numerous watching children.
A sizable crowd of spectators had gathered around.
“Eldest Sister, my dear Eldest Sister,” the woman hurriedly said with a fawning smile. “Back then, we were blind and ignorant, failing to recognize a living immortal. But this matter right now really can’t wait!”
“That’s right, that’s right! All the neighbors are watching—just because you’re married doesn’t mean you can disown your own flesh and blood from your maiden family!”
The man also rushed to offer flattering smiles, exhausting every polite word:
“Look, we even brought so many tonics! These are all for your Eldest Girl. We came all the way from Wen County just to see our eldest niece and get closer.
Ah, of course, if she can really resolve this matter, the silver won’t be an issue at all...”
Chen Jingui didn’t give the two the slightest bit of face, spitting directly at them:
“Bah! What shameless nerve!
You two have done every wicked deed under the sun! When your old father was alive, neither of you showed him proper filial piety—you wouldn’t even buy him a decent coffin!
Now that retribution has struck and you dream every night of your old father crying and begging for help, instead of burning more gold and silver paper garments, you come running to my Eldest Girl to catch a ghost?
Let me ask you: what kind of ghost are you trying to catch? Are you trying to make it so your old father can’t even remain a ghost?!”
With that, Chen Jingui glared at the pair and spat viciously once more.
“Mom, don’t say anymore. Come inside and drink some tea to moisten your throat,” Nan Ye said, her face burning with embarrassment. Unable to think of any other way to stop her mother, she could only make an excuse. “Eldest Sister is meditating in her room. If you keep making such a racket, won’t you disturb her?”
Chen Jingui suddenly realized, slapping her forehead hard before pulling Nan Ye into an embrace:
“Right, right! Good Ye’er, you’re the clever one!
How could I have forgotten about that? Quick, close the door! Don’t let these two mangy dogs disturb your sister!”
With that, the Nan family’s main gate slammed shut, shutting out the prying gazes and severing the couple’s last shred of hope.
Rate on N.U.
