"This is a tragedy!"
Fang Zhou shook his head, then went over to check on the demon fox.
The demon fox had breathed its last; Fang Zhou, manipulating Hu Lai's left hand, pulled out the riding crop. It felt like a waste to throw it away, but it seemed too despised to keep.
He carried the demon fox's body back to the courtyard, dumped it on the ground, then returned to Wang Minghong's room and used a Fire Stone to light a candle.
[Successfully defeated the demon fox]
[Reward: Masculinity*4, Blue Card*1]
A blue card slowly revolved in Fang Zhou's mind.
This was the moment Fang Zhou had been looking forward to the most; card-drawing games were truly addictive and irresistible.
"May the non-paying players be forever non-salvaged, may only the King of Luck bring ease to hardship, let the Golden Legend appear!"
After reciting the spell, a spark flashed in Fang Zhou's eyes, feeling as though the luck from all over the world, from the heavens above to the yellow springs below, had descended upon him.
His consciousness focused entirely on the card as he chose to use it.
The blue card began to spin at high speed, exploded into a burst of light, and turned into a myriad of particles which then recombined into a ball of flame.
[Fireball Technique: Releases a fireball that causes an explosion and burning effect]
It was another Skill Card, but Fang Zhou was far from happy. He even rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things.
Fireball Technique was a retro-style skill, simple and direct. It was a staple skill that every mage protagonist in ancient times was required to learn, and one of the three basic skills that novices had to master.
Unfortunately, due to the progress of the times and changes in aesthetic taste, the hardworking Fireball Technique was ultimately callously abandoned by philanderers and could only occasionally appear in the dusty corners of memories.
Fang Zhou never imagined that he'd actually draw the Fireball Technique. It wasn't that he looked down on this classic skill, but could he possibly get an upgraded version of it?
It was just one word apart, but why did it feel like a world of difference in terms of class?
Alas, the system didn't support returns, so Fang Zhou could only silently store the Fireball Technique, treating it as a nostalgic collection. After all, having it was better than not, and skills could be upgraded with Masculinity, perhaps one day the prestige of the Fireball Technique could be improved.
From the moment Fang Zhou entered, Wang Minghong had been sneakily watching him. Seeing Fang Zhou zoning out for a long time, he couldn't help but ask, "Big brother... what about that demon fox?"
Fang Zhou came back to reality and replied, "Don't worry, I've killed that demon fox; you're safe now."
Wang Minghong was slightly shocked and immediately burst into tears.
Fang Zhou looked at him, perplexed, "Why are you crying?"
Could it be that he had developed feelings for the demon fox over time?
Did I just ruthlessly tear apart a couple?
Why does it feel so satisfying?
Wang Minghong quickly wiped away his tears and explained, "No, I'm... happy... You don't know, these past few days have been so terrifying, I've suffered so much... sniffle."
As he mentioned his sorrows, Wang Minghong couldn't help but cry again. Perhaps relieved of the burden in his heart, he even revealed details he previously refused to share.
"I originally thought he was the partner destined for me in this life. Only after revealing our true selves to each other did I discover he was also male. He... he..."
Wang Minghong said 'he' several times, then covered his face with his hands, tears streaming out, "... turned out to be larger than I am."
Fang Zhou sucked in a breath of cold air; a picture seemed to be forming in his mind.
He shook his head quickly to disperse the image, for he shouldn't think any further or he might lose his appetite tomorrow.
"You don't have to be afraid anymore, the demon fox is dead and won't come to hurt you."
This Wang Minghong was also a pitiful person, a victim. Fang Zhou comforted him a bit, then handed him the riding crop, "This is an Immortal Beast Spiritual Root refined by a secret technique. It can replenish Essence and strengthen the body; you should use it to make a soup."
Wang Minghong took the riding crop and hugged it to his chest, gratefully looking at Fang Zhou, "Thank you, big brother, you really are a good person."
Receiving a 'Good Person' card, and from someone of the same sex at that.
Fang Zhou didn't know whether to laugh or cry, so he could only toss the 'Good Person' card back, "You're a good person too, get some good rest and don't stay up late."
Wang Minghong nodded and lay down with the riding crop.
Fang Zhou got up to leave, but as he exited the room, he faintly heard the sound of Wang Minghong smacking his lips, "How come this Immortal Beast Spiritual Root tastes so weird when licked?"
Fang Zhou hurriedly closed the door.
...
Ling Xiaoyue soon returned, carrying four dead foxes.
Fang Zhou was startled: "Why are there so many demon foxes?"
He originally wanted to show off to Ling Xiaoyue that he single-handedly killed a fox demon, but Ling Xiaoyue's feats were so impressive that he could only swallow his words.
"A big one was leading four little ones."
Ling Xiaoyue dumped the foxes on the ground, next to the one Fang Zhou had killed, forming a furry pile.
Fang Zhou noticed Ling Xiaoyue brought back only four and asked curiously, "Did one get away?"
"I intentionally let one go. There must be a few more in their den, we'll catch them all at once."
Ling Xiaoyue took a swig from her flask, then patted Fang Zhou's shoulder, "Not bad, not bad at all. You're worthy of being my disciple, I even thought about coming back to save you."
Fang Zhou knocked her hand away annoyingly: "If I didn't have some skills, I would have been dead by the time you returned."
"Hehe, don't be angry, my apprentice."
Ling Xiaoyue was in a good mood tonight, probably because she made some money, and smilingly said to Fang Zhou: "If I'm free tomorrow, I'll teach you a set of Qi Gathering Technique and swordsmanship so you can protect yourself."
Fang Zhou's interest was piqued, but he looked at her warily: "How much will it cost?"
Ling Xiaoyue grabbed her flask and threw it at him in frustration: "What's this about money? Do I seem like the sort who's only after money?"
Fang Zhou dodged the flask and rolled his eyes at her: "Do you want the truth or flattery?"
Ling Xiaoyue stood with her hands on her hips: "I want to hear flattering words."
"None, scram!"
...
The staggering little Daoist boy left the Wang Family and came outside.
Not far from the exit, he saw another figure limping along the road, who also noticed him.
"Master! What happened to you?"
"Disciple! What happened to you?"
Master Ji had a swollen face and head as big as a pig's, while the little Daoist boy also looked beaten up.
The master and disciple faced each other, ultimately sighing in unison: "Alas, let's not talk about it."
With tears in his eyes, the little Daoist boy advised, "Master, the Wang Family is too dreadful; we can't go back there."
Master Ji deeply agreed: "I understand, let's find another place. I refuse to believe we can't make a living in Qingde City."
The master and disciple supported each other, slowly disappearing into the length of the street.
Unbeknownst to them, a demon fox whisked past on the eaves of a nearby house.
The demon fox moved through the streets and alleys under the cover of night, eventually slipping into a secluded garden.
With a flash of red light, the demon fox transformed into a middle-aged beauty.
The beauty's face was pale, and her shoulder bore a deep wound, with fresh blood staining her fox fur.
Stumbling out of the garden, she entered a courtyard but could not keep upright and tumbled to the ground.
Soon, a patrolling Protector found her and hurried to call for help; shortly after, a middle-aged man in brocade clothes rushed over.
"Hu Lai! How did you end up like this?"
The middle-aged man helped her up quickly and noticed she was alone, both shocked and angry: "Hu Lai, where are the children?"
The beauty broke down in tears: "The children won't be coming back; you must avenge them."
After listening to Hu Lai recounting the incident through her sobs, the middle-aged man's face darkened, and a fierce look flashed in his eyes.
"The Wang Family! I will make you pay in blood for this debt!"
He punched the ground, shattering the solid floor to pieces.