Seeing the weasel trying to flee, Coal Ball immediately moved to block her, unleashing a spell to attack. Although Coal Ball’s magic had been neglected for a few years and she hadn't learned anything new, she hadn't forgotten what she knew. Her execution was no worse than it had been at its peak.
A fireball the size of a washbasin hurtled toward the weasel...
The weasel was so terrified its fur stood on end. Fortunately, its speed was sufficient. Though it was a close call, it managed to dodge the fireball, though its tail was singed. After evading the strike, the weasel didn't hesitate for a second, darting out like an arrow without stopping.
The weasel fled quickly, and Coal Ball couldn't catch up for a moment...
'I'll be fine once I'm out of the yard,' the weasel thought, spotting the hole it had used to enter. It then charged toward the opening at its maximum speed.
Unfortunately, just as it was about to reach its destination, the hole was suddenly sealed. Then, a fair hand reached out to grab it. The hand seemed slow, yet the weasel couldn't avoid it... in a daze, it found itself caught.
"I was wondering what the noise outside was! It turns out a weasel wandered in." Su Qing lifted the weasel with one hand, a contemptuous smile on her face. "Not only are you weak, but you certainly know how to pick your spots! Of all the places to go, you chose mine! I wonder what wicked plans a little demon like you has."
Su Qing's appearance was, of course, due to the commotion outside. During the standoff between Coal Ball and the weasel, the horse had also made some noise, waking her up. Since she was already awake, she decided to come out and see what was happening. Upon coming out, she conveniently caught the little demon.
Su Qing was quite surprised that a weasel who hadn't even achieved transformation dared to cause trouble in her courtyard. She didn't know whether to call the creature brave or suicidal. Usually, when ordinary demons saw her, didn't they all go out of their way to avoid her? It wasn't self-praise; it was simply the truth.
The weasel struggled frantically in Su Qing’s hand... but Su Qing held it so firmly it couldn't move. It was practically more docile than a pet.
Holding the weasel, Su Qing’s gaze fell upon the black cat, Coal Ball. Seeing Su Qing look over, Coal Ball immediately put on a proud expression, as if claiming credit.
Su Qing chuckled. "Yes, yes, Coal Ball, you're very impressive. Since you're so capable, you naturally deserve a reward! How about I go to the market tomorrow morning and buy you a live fish?"
Coal Ball’s tail curled high in delight, but she said, "It's just so-so. This General will reluctantly accept it."
Su Qing couldn't help but smile at this display... the cat's mood was entirely reflected in its tail. What it said didn't really matter.
Su Qing nodded. "Alright, it's late. I'm going to interrogate this little weasel. You go on and play."
Su Qing didn't intend to play with Coal Ball; even the reward would have to wait until tomorrow. Tonight, she had other things to do. For instance... finding out why this weasel was so bold. And how many people it had eaten. Of course, the exact number didn't matter; as long as it had eaten humans, it had to be punished. Moreover, this weasel seemed to have eaten more than one person... otherwise, the malevolent aura on its body wouldn't be so heavy.
Coal Ball flicked her tail and turned to leave, looking very haughty.
Su Qing smiled at the weasel in her hand. "Now then, it's time for our one-on-one. Don't worry, I'm no monster. If you confess honestly, I might give you a choice."
Of course, it was only a choice of how to die. Su Qing didn't mention that part.
Carrying the weasel, Su Qing returned to her room and began a simple interrogation. The weasel was very honest—mostly because it had no choice. Su Qing could crush it with one hand. No matter how slim the chance, it wanted to perform well to earn a chance at survival, so it answered everything Su Qing asked.
Unfortunately for the weasel, Su Qing never intended to let it go. She just hadn't made that clear at the start. The weasel was clever, but it was facing a big green snake of several thousand years... who was an expert at fooling such 'clever' little demons. How could it be a match?
The interrogation soon concluded. Su Qing released the weasel and then used a burst of Samadhi True Fire to burn it to ashes. The weasel died peacefully and quickly, without any pain.
"So this weasel was the demon the Land deity mentioned! Hah, what a coincidence. I planned to deal with it during the day, but I didn't expect it to be so impatient as to deliver itself tonight."
Su Qing looked at the ashes on the floor and shook her head with a smile. This turn of events was truly amusing. It made her chuckle.
She clapped her hands, dusting off the ashes. "Since this weasel came to its death, there's one less little demon to deal with tomorrow."
Su Qing talked to herself: "However, there are a few more people to deal with. Also, I can probably make something out of these demons' deaths. I just need to plan how to let these stories spread to maximize my benefits!"
Su Qing always remembered her most important goal.
"But, I'll take it slow! There's no need to rush." She thought as she lay down on the bed to sleep.
Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, it was dawn. After waking up and finishing her morning chores, Su Qing went out to deal with the remaining demons. Among them, some weren't so heinous, so Su Qing didn't actually kill them; she just gave them a warning and let them go. As for those who deserved to die... well, they undoubtedly became fertilizer for the trees.
After dealing with the demons, there was still plenty of time. It wasn't even lunchtime yet. Feeling she had time to spare, Su Qing went to find the leader of the scoundrels.
At that moment, the leader was still fast asleep at home... seemingly unaware that the helper he had recruited had already turned to ash.
"Truly a waste of a person," Su Qing said, shaking her head at the scoundrel. She then formed a hand seal and struck the scoundrel's head... This fellow was a menace and deserved to die; Su Qing wouldn't show the slightest mercy. Of course, the scoundrel wouldn't die immediately... instead, he would die later, by tonight at the latest, due to 'some other reason.' In short, it would have 'nothing to do with Su Qing.'
Having handled these matters, Su Qing didn't forget to buy a live fish for Coal Ball. It was a promise she had made. Su Qing wouldn't break her word.
Back at home, Su Qing gave the fish to Coal Ball. The cat happily took the fish in its mouth and left. As for where she went to eat it, only heaven knew. Su Qing didn't care much.
After Coal Ball left, Ao Yiyi, who had been to the temple construction site, returned home. Seeing Su Qing there, she approached to ask, "Sister Xiao Qing, have you finished dealing with the demons?"
Su Qing nodded slightly. "Yes, it's done. Just a few minor demons; it didn't take much time!"
In reality, if she hadn't wandered around and handled other business, she would have been back even earlier.
Ao Yiyi didn't find it strange and simply nodded. "Since the demon business is over, how do you plan to use this to develop incense power?"
"That! No rush. We'll take it slow; we have plenty of time." Su Qing chuckled. "More importantly, the first thing to settle is the matter of the City God!"
"Is that so? I thought you'd be in a hurry about the incense power," Ao Yiyi said.
Su Qing shook her head. "What's the rush? Incense power is never achieved overnight. Taking it slow is the best choice! We've only been here a few days; why be in such a hurry?"
Ao Yiyi nodded. "That's true! So, when do you plan to find the City God?"
"I'll go after lunch. Better to handle the City God's business early so I don't have to worry about it later." Su Qing stretched and leaned back in her chair, smiling. "By the way, about the statue... no rush there either. As long as it's ready before the temple is finished."
Ao Yiyi nodded.
After lunch, Su Qing left home again. This time, she went to the City God Temple. As a temple that every county town would have, the incense power here was still quite good. Many people came and went, and the courtyard was filled with drifting blue smoke.
Su Qing didn't reveal herself to the mortals. Instead, she used an invisibility spell and walked into the temple. Passing through the main hall, she arrived before the City God statue. She looked up at the statue.
Before Su Qing could do anything, the City God scrambled out in a panic. He literally rolled out. Perhaps he had been too hurried and accidentally tripped?
"You are a dignified City God; why is your gait so unsteady?" Su Qing frowned as she saw his state. She had come to hold him accountable, so she didn't put on a pleasant face, appearing somewhat stern instead. Su Qing's appearance was naturally of the cold and elegant type; now that she looked chilly, it gave off a sense of being miles away. It also made people feel an immense psychological pressure.
"In... in response to Lady Sovereign, this small god is seeing a female immortal like your ladyship for the first time and was slightly flustered, hence the accidental fall," the City God said in terror.
The City God was mortified. He was truly a disgrace; meeting a superior for the first time and making such a fool of himself. However, he blamed his own haste and fear for such a blunder.
Su Qing raised an eyebrow. "Hmph, fine. I didn't come here to see you make a fool of yourself. I have some questions for you."
The City God hurriedly replied, "Please ask, my Lady. As long as I know, I will answer truthfully and without the slightest neglect."
The City God was the boss of a county, but among the many gods and immortals, he was only a small grassroots manager. In terms of status, he wasn't very high. And in terms of strength... well, it was even harder to describe. If the incense power was good, he might barely reach the peak of the Divine Immortal realm. But if the incense power was poor... that was hard to say.
Therefore, when he saw Su Qing, he was so terrified and respectful. After all, the status of the person before him was that of a genuine big shot. Even ignoring status and just considering strength, she could kill him ten thousand times over. So how could he not be respectful?
Su Qing watched as the City God answered her questions one by one. But with every question she asked, the cold sweat on the City God's forehead increased. By the end, the sweat was pouring down like a waterfall. If the City God weren't a soul body and unable to truly sweat, the ground might have been soaked.
Su Qing's brow furrowed as she looked at him, and she said with some displeasure, "What? Did you really receive the report and fail to send anyone to handle it?"
"This... this, this, this... of course not. It's just... just that the manpower under me is limited, and I truly cannot look after everyone!" The City God's mind was racing. "I... I intended to have my subordinates handle the other demons first before dealing with the one in that town, but I didn't expect..."
The fellow was so scared he was stuttering, lacking any of the poise a City God should have. Su Qing was utterly speechless. As for his words, she would be a fool to believe them! This City God Temple didn't look like it was short on manpower...
Su Qing gave a light hmph. "You had better confess the situation honestly. That way, I might let you off with a lighter punishment. If you continue like this... don't blame me."
Su Qing naturally couldn't just kill the City God... he was, after all, an Orthodox Deity appointed by the Heavenly Court. If she killed him, she would have to bear some responsibility. So, for now, she was mostly just scaring him. She wouldn't actually start torturing him yet.
"This, this..." The City God stammered for a long time without saying anything.
After a while, Su Qing gave a cold "Hmm?" and asked, "What? You're unwilling to speak?"
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