[Equippable Item: Fox Demon Corpse (Intact)] [Rank: Second Rank] [Equipment Effects: ① Sturdy Physique (White): Physique receives a slight increase (physical strength, total stamina, and reaction speed all improve). ② Qi-Blood Abundance (White): Total Blood Qi receives a slight increase. ③ Charm Fragrance Resistance (Blue): Can greatly reduce the effects of Charm Fragrance at Second Rank and below.] [Permanent Solidification Condition: Equip this item for ten full days, or while it is equipped, slay any demon beast of Second Rank or above.]
Mu Yang glanced at the Fox Demon Corpse, which had already transformed into a fox-headed humanoid.
Its effects were similar to those of yesterday's Rat Demon Corpse. Both had attributes that increased strength and Blood Qi, but this one also had an attribute that resisted Charm Fragrance.
Mu Yang guessed it was related to the fragrance she had released just now.
After some thought, Mu Yang did not rush to equip the Fox Demon Corpse. Instead, he casually grabbed the Feather-Command Broadblade beside him, then carried the Fox Demon Corpse and kicked the door open.
Bang!
The doorframe exploded, and the Fragrant Pavilion, which had been filled with song and dance just moments ago, fell silent.
Everyone's gazes turned toward him involuntarily.
They saw a valiant young man emerge from the room with a blade in one hand and a Fox Demon Corpse as tall as a person in the other.
"Who is so bold as to make trouble in the Hu Family's Fragrant Pavilion?"
"He seems to be the new head constable who came with Constable Wu. Did he drink too much?"
"Wait, look at what he's holding!?"
"Th-this... is a Fox Demon?"
Some of the slightly tipsy patrons sobered instantly in fright upon seeing the Fox Demon Corpse in Mu Yang's hand.
Wu Cai was equally dumbfounded. He had just come out with two girls in his arms, intending to head for the private room next door.
He stared blankly at the Fox Demon Corpse in Mu Yang's hand.
No, what was going on?
What had just happened?
Wasn't Brother Mu drinking with Hu Mei?
Where had this Fox Demon's corpse come from?
As everyone stood stunned, the madam of the Fragrant Pavilion had already come over with seven or eight servants wielding clubs.
"Who is it that dares cause trouble in our Fragrant Pavilion!" The madam's voice was shrill as she tried to seize the initiative.
But the next second, she fell silent.
Because Mu Yang had already carried the Fox Demon Corpse over and stopped before her, step by step.
In theory, the Fragrant Pavilion, backed by the Hu Family—one of Qingxi County's Three Great Families—should not have feared a mere constable.
Yet under Mu Yang's icy gaze, the madam was like a chicken with its throat clutched. She could not utter a single word.
With the madam silent, the servants around her did not dare act rashly either.
They were only hired hands and had never trained in martial arts. How could they dare challenge Mu Yang, who held a blade and carried a Monster's corpse?
Their silence did not mean Mu Yang would remain silent.
He looked down at the madam and spoke each word with ringing force. "The Fragrant Pavilion harbored a Monster, treated human lives like grass, and even attempted to assassinate this constable. What crime is that!"
His sonorous words, bolstered by his vigorous Blood Qi, spread through the entire Fragrant Pavilion.
The madam standing closest to Mu Yang was struck so hard that her head buzzed. Unable to keep her footing, she collapsed to the floor with a thud.
"A misunderstanding, Head Constable Mu! It is all a misunderstanding!"
Just as the atmosphere inside the building grew tense, a middle-aged man in brocade hurried over.
Hu Deshui, a collateral member of the Hu Family and the steward of the Fragrant Pavilion.
"Steward Hu, I brought my brother here to enjoy ourselves, and this is how you treat us? Does your Fragrant Pavilion still want to stay in business!"
Wu Cai seemed to have finally come to his senses. He immediately strode forward, bristling with anger.
Tonight, he had intended to properly entertain Mu Yang and use the opportunity to draw closer to him.
Who would have thought it would nearly bring disaster upon them?
In his fury, his words were exceptionally harsh.
"My apologies, my apologies, Head Constable Wu, Head Constable Mu. This Fox Demon was by no means deliberately sheltered by my Hu Family. It is only that I am ignorant of martial arts and was blinded by this Fox Demon. I beg the two of you for forgiveness."
As he spoke, Hu Deshui pulled two sizable gold ingots from his robes and, with a fawning smile, pressed them into Mu Yang's and Wu Cai's hands.
"Two head constables, I am deeply sorry. Everything you spent today will be free of charge!"
After saying that, he turned to the crowd in the building, cupped his hands, and said with an apologetic smile, "A Monster suddenly appeared in our Fragrant Pavilion today. Fortunately, Head Constable Mu and Head Constable Wu stepped forward generously and subdued it, averting disaster before any accident occurred. Still, your enjoyment has been disturbed. I shall make the decision—everything you spend tonight will be free of charge!"
Just like that, under Hu Deshui's groveling apologies and generous offer of free service, the crowd's alarm and suspicion quickly subsided.
Many people even took advantage of the free drinks to order several more pots of wine.
Hu Deshui did not mind. Though the free service hurt his purse, compared with preserving the Fragrant Pavilion's business, such losses were worthwhile.
"Two head constables, Hu once again offers his apologies. So long as the two of you are willing to honor our Fragrant Pavilion with your presence in the future, not a single coin will be charged!" Hu Deshui said sincerely.
Seeing this, Wu Cai lost his initial anger and merely turned to look at Mu Yang.
"I don't get the final say today. I'll listen to my brother here."
"Steward Hu, when hiring people in the future, remember to keep your eyes open."
Now that things had reached this point, Mu Yang naturally would not continue pressing the matter.
For one thing, Hu Deshui's apology had been sincere, and he had even offered a large gold ingot as compensation.
For another, the Fragrant Pavilion was ultimately Hu Family property, and the Hu Family was one of the Three Great Families, as famous as the Wang Family. With his current strength, it was unwise to make matters worse.
Most importantly, after the incidents with Huang Laodeng and the Rat Demon, he did not believe Hu Deshui's claim of negligence at all.
If the Wang Family could collude with Rat Demons, why could the Hu Family not consort with Fox Demons!
If his strength were not still too low, he would have wanted to charge straight into the Hu Family and force them to reveal the Fox Demons' lair.
"Head Constable Mu is right. Hu will certainly keep his eyes open in the future!" Hu Deshui said with a fawning smile.
"Brother Wu, let's go."
Mu Yang lifted the Fox Demon Corpse one-handedly and walked outside.
Hu Deshui seemed to want to raise a hand and say something, but as he watched Mu Yang and Wu Cai's retreating backs, he ultimately did not dare make a sound.
"Ah, these truly are troubled times. I only hope the Fragrant Pavilion's business will not be affected."
Hu Deshui pinched the bridge of his nose in distress.
Who knew what madness had seized the family head, insisting that Hu Mei, a Fox Demon, stay in the Fragrant Pavilion.
He was merely an ordinary man who had yet to enter the realm. Facing Hu Mei, a Fox Demon, every day left him trembling with fear, terrified that something might go wrong.
Had he not reacted quickly enough and been willing to bleed gold today, the Fragrant Pavilion's business would likely have taken a severe blow.
"Perhaps I should pack my belongings and head to the Prefecture City. It doesn't matter if I earn less—at least it would be safer..." Hu Deshui muttered softly.
Mu Yang did not know what Hu Deshui was muttering about.
After politely declining Wu Cai's invitation for a late-night meal, Mu Yang impatiently carried the Fox Demon Corpse back to the courtyard the old constable had left him.
It lay in a small alley near the city wall. The location was somewhat remote, but it was cheap and came with its own small courtyard.
With the old constable's means, buying this place had already been no easy feat.
Mu Yang threw the Fox Demon Corpse onto the ground, then drew his blade and beheaded it, wrapping the Fox Demon's head in a burlap sack.
Exchanging it for Merit Points required a Monster's head, so he naturally had to preserve it carefully.
Once everything was ready, he immediately went to the headless fox corpse and thought to himself.
Let me see what difference there is between the boosts from a Second Rank Monster's corpse and a First Rank Monster's corpse!
"Equip, Fox Demon Corpse!"
Before you continue