Fang Zhou thought a major incident had occurred but upon asking, he found out that overnight, all the livestock of the Wang Family had been slaughtered, including the horses ridden by Ling Xiaoyue and Fang Zhou. Also killed were several servants responsible for feeding the livestock.
Fang Zhou didn't mind much about himself, he could just buy another horse, but the horse called Yue Ya'er that belonged to Ling Xiaoyue was a treasure. It had been with her for a long time and was like family to her, it was unbelievable that it was killed too.
This was indeed a big deal, and Fang Zhou could hardly imagine the heartless Ling Xiaoyue getting furious.
He hurried to Ling Xiaoyue's room and knocked on the door: "Bang bang bang, get up, something terrible has happened!"
The door quickly opened, and Ling Xiaoyue, yawning, appeared in front of Fang Zhou, discontentedly saying, "What is it, why are you wailing so early in the morning?"
"It's you who's wailing." Fang Zhou frowned, "Your horse is dead."
Ling Xiaoyue was momentarily taken aback, then grabbed Fang Zhou's collar with both hands, saliva flying as she sprayed: "You unfilial disciple, I am your master, equivalent to your mother, and you dare to curse me? This is totally outrageous!"
Fang Zhou struggled: "Who cursed you? I am saying your horse is dead!"
Ling Xiaoyue became even more infuriated, pinching Fang Zhou's ear and shouting: "You can't curse my mother either, I am your master, equivalent to your mother, and my mom is equivalent to your grandmother. How dare you curse that she die, this is outright perverse behavior, are you forcing your master to enforce family rules?"
Fang Zhou, exasperated, stomped his foot: "Are you crazy or brainless? I am saying your horse, your horse is the one dead!"
"You're still cursing!"
"Damn it, your mother's dead!"
Finally, Ling Xiaoyue realized, it was her horse that died, not her mother.
She ran to the stable to take a look, then came back fuming: "It was that little fox seeking revenge last night, daring to kill even my horse, totally asking for death."
Fang Zhou wanted to comfort Ling Xiaoyue, after all, the precious horse was like family to her.
Before Fang Zhou could speak, Ling Xiaoyue called the butler over and asked, "Does anyone buy horse meat?"
The butler nodded: "Familiar butchers do buy horse meat, but the price..."
Ling Xiaoyue waved a hand to interrupt the butler: "This is a celestial treasure horse; eating its meat can prolong life, not the same as ordinary horse meat."
The butler's eyes suddenly gleamed: "I understand, let me handle this celestial horse, I guarantee everything will be properly taken care of."
This butler would definitely keep the celestial horse's remains to enjoy alone, possibly even secretly stashing some celestial horse meat for himself.
Ling Xiaoyue didn't care about these details; converting it into money was fine by her.
After the butler hurriedly left, Ling Xiaoyue then noticed the confused look Fang Zhou was giving her: "What kind of look is that?"
Fang Zhou: (눈_눈)
So much for treating the treasure horse like family, is this how you treat your family?
Ling Xiaoyue, understanding Fang Zhou's point, suddenly sighed nostalgically: "Yue Ya'er often told me, it wished that even after death its body would contribute to the world. I am fulfilling its last wish; I am heartbroken by its death, but I can't stop moving forward because of the pain, as long as we continue, it will surely be waiting for us ahead, do you understand?"
Fang Zhou: "希望のはな繋いだ绊が..."
Ling Xiaoyue curious asked: "What are you singing?"
Fang Zhou shook his head: "I don't know, it just came out spontaneously."
Ling Xiaoyue: "But you understand what I said, right?"
I understand my foot, please be human, this treasure horse really was unlucky with you, ridden by you during its life and even sold by you after its death.
...
Despite being force-fed water last night, Wang Fulai was still in high spirits the next day.
After learning that all the livestock had been slaughtered overnight, Wang Fulai secluded herself in her room, remained silent for a long time, then ordered the butler to bring over several large plates of golden ingots, personally presenting them to Ling Xiaoyue and Fang Zhou.
"Yesterday, Fulai was blind and negligent towards two great masters; any scolding or punishment is acceptable, Fulai dares not complain, please ma...
Secondly, Wang Fulai realized that the demon fox from last night was thoroughly enraged, hence it killed humans and livestock to vent its anger. If at this time Ling Xiaoyue and Fang Zhou were to wash their hands off the matter, then his entire Wang Family would indeed face a lethal threat.
Ling Xiaoyue glanced at the several large plates of gold ingots, and with her sharp eyes, she could tell that there were at least five hundred taels of gold.
Although Wang Fulai was wealthy, five hundred taels of gold would empty almost half of his family fortune. His heart was bleeding, but wealth is external; money lost can be earned again, but lost lives are irrevocable.
Despite the pain that nearly suffocated him, Wang Fulai had a sincere smile on his face, hoping that the two masters could feel his sincerity.
Ling Xiaoyue indeed felt the sincerity. With a wave of her hand, her long sleeve swept over the gold, and the plates of gold instantly disappeared.
This scene shocked the Wang Family members and even surprised Fang Zhou.
Could this be the legendary Sleeve Universe?
I want to learn! I want to learn! I want to learn this!!!
Ling Xiaoyue showed a satisfied smile and then asked Wang Fulai, "You've been bullied by that little fox for so long, haven't you thought about reporting to the authorities?"
These days, with demons rampant, the government had established Demon Extermination Bureaus, recruiting many extraordinary folks specifically for demon eradication.
For a large city like Qingde City with a population of a hundred thousand, at least one team from the Demon Extermination Bureau would be stationed to easily handle a small fox.
Wang Fulai revealed a bitter smile, "We have already reported it, but the city's Demon Extermination Bureau had just left a month ago to deal with demons attacking travelers at Lianyun Mountain; they won't be back for months, and my Wang Family can't wait that long."
"Then you are indeed unfortunate."
Although Qingde City has the city god's protection, the city god only manages spirits and evil entities, not demons; even if the city god wanted to, he couldn't manage them.
Ling Xiaoyue stood up, "Let's go, don't you have a son who nearly lost his life? Let's check on him."
Wang Fulai was initially a bit uneasy, afraid that Ling Xiaoyue would take the money and do nothing, but now he finally breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly said, "Please, masters, follow me."
Fang Zhou deliberately fell behind and secretly asked the steward, "Is that immortal horse taken care of?"
The steward replied, "It's been taken care of, what would you have me do, master?"
Fang Zhou hesitated for a few seconds, then said in a low voice, "My horse, it's also an immortal horse."
The steward looked at him in surprise.
Fang Zhou showed an embarrassed smile.
Surely, that woman can't earn all the money, right?
...
The group arrived at an elegant small courtyard; Wang Fulai dismissed a few servants and led Ling Xiaoyue and Fang Zhou into the room.
Inside the room, incense was burning, and there was also a faint scent of medicine, which wasn't very comforting to smell.
A very emaciated young man lay on the bed, nearly reduced to skin and bones, pale skinned and with sunken eyes.
Seeing his mother bringing two strangers into the room, Wang Minghong couldn't evade and could only lower his eyelids, a bashful crimson blush spread across his pale face.
If a young girl posed this way, it might evoke pity, but such shy twisting from a grown man naturally failed to stir any sympathy from Fang Zhou.
Ling Xiaoyue only glanced at Wang Minghong and immediately diagnosed, "This is a case of Yang energy deficiency; your son has been excessively drained by that little fox, a few times more and his life will not be spared."
Wang Fulai gasped, looking at his son with worry and pleaded with Ling Xiaoyue, "What should we do, master? Please save my son."
"My service has always been reputed as shining; you can relax about the money."
Ling Xiaoyue gave Wang Fulai a reassuring look, "After I exterminate that little fox, I'll refine a Yang Reviving Pill for your son. One pill will guarantee him bursting with vigor as if he were a celestial being."
Wang Fulai listened with joyous laughter, feeling the money was well spent.
Ling Xiaoyue then said to Fang Zhou, "Ask young master Wang, about the..."
Under the righteous gaze of Fang Zhou, Ling Xiaoyue finally swallowed the rest of her question and changed her words, "Inquire about the details, through which we can evaluate the little fox's strength and from its strength, determine its range of activity and hiding spots. Learn this, apprentice."
Fang Zhou then nodded, "And then?"
"Then? If that little fox doesn't dare come tonight, I'll personally visit and turn it into a scarf; would you want one?"