All Done!

The woman was stunned by the blow, covering her face and looking at Wang Lang in disbelief, momentarily forgetting to cry out.

The surrounding villagers, Patrolman Li, Daoist Master Xuan Cheng, and even the little white fox held in Wang Lang's hand, were all dumbfounded!

The villagers were utterly awestruck, thinking that this Young Master Wang seemed refined and scholarly, but when it came to action, he was so decisive and ruthless. He was truly not someone to be trifled with!

The families of the other victims who had initially wanted to rush out and curse also saw this scene, and immediately fell silent like ducks with their throats squeezed, swallowing the words they were about to utter.

They then retreated back into the crowd, not daring to make a sound.

Patrolman Li was dumbfounded, wondering how this Young Master Wang's demeanor was so different from that of the elder Mr. Wang.

The little white fox's intelligent eyes were filled with shock and a hint of... an indescribable complex emotion.

To think... a human would strike down their own kind for an outsider, a demon like me? This is not what Mother told me.

Daoist Master Xuan Cheng's evaluation of Wang Lang rose again in his heart:

"This young man has righteousness in his heart, yet he will not be insulted. He appears calm, but hides his sharpness within!

He is good material, but his temperament... is a bit too upright."

Wang Lang shook his hand and looked coldly at the stunned woman. "Why don't you first ask what your good son did to bring about this murderous calamity?

Furthermore, it is not your place to comment on my actions, nor to slander me with foul language.

This slap is to teach you how to speak properly."

After speaking, he ignored the woman and turned to the exceptionally quiet little white fox in his hand:

"You continue. Why did you kill those people? Also, you seemed to be heading towards the Village Chief's house just now. Was the last target Shi Jun?"

The little white fox seemed not to have fully recovered from the shock of the oppressive aura.

Hearing Wang Lang's question, it subconsciously nodded its little head, its voice lowering a bit:

"Yes... yes. At the beginning of the month, I passed by the Back Mountain here and found a woman's soul under a cliff.

She harbored immense resentment and could not leave the spot. She then tearfully recounted her ordeal to me..."

"She said her name was Lin Xiu'er, and she was from a neighboring village. A month ago, she was passing through the Back Mountain of Creek Stone Village alone and unfortunately ran into over a dozen thugs led by Shi Jun...

Those scoundrels lusted after her and dragged her into the forest to violate her.

Afterward, fearing exposure, they decided to go all the way and heartlessly pushed her off the cliff!"

"Lin Xiu'er died with her eyes wide open, her resentment lingering... Hearing her story, I was filled with indignation and decided to avenge her!"

"Everyone I killed deserved to die! I ate their internal organs both to vent my anger and...

it is also a method of cultivation for our Snow Shadow Spirit Fox clan. We can refine the essence of malevolent thoughts within them. Tonight, I was here to kill the last mastermind, Shi Jun!"

After speaking, the little white fox looked sharply at Shi Jun, who was currently hiding behind the Village Chief.

Seeing all eyes focused on him, especially Wang Lang's calm yet immensely oppressive gaze, Shi Jun's legs went weak, and he collapsed to the ground, babbling incoherently:

"No... it wasn't me! It's lying! That woman fell by herself! It has nothing to do with me!"

"Wicked creature! Still dare to quibble!" The old Village Chief was now in tears, his face filled with shame and despair.

He raised his walking stick and fiercely beat Shi Jun with it.

"I... I've long heard of your misdeeds outside, and only thought you were young and ignorant, and repeatedly failed to heed my discipline. I never expected you to commit such heinous, inhuman acts!

It is I... it is I who failed as a father, shaming our ancestors and all the elders of the village!"

Patrolman Li stepped forward at this moment and announced loudly, "Everyone, tie this scoundrel up. I will hand him over to the City Lord's Mansion in the nearby Black Stone City to be dealt with according to the law!"

The villagers were now incensed. Their fear of the white fox had largely transformed into anger towards Shi Jun and the others.

Several strong young men immediately came forward and bound the struggling Shi Jun tightly with coarse hemp ropes.

The old Village Chief bowed deeply to everyone, his voice hoarse and sorrowful, "Everyone, this beast Shi Jun has committed such a grave crime. I will personally escort him with Patrolman Li to the nearby City Lord's Mansion, and request the City Lord to punish him severely according to the law!

And from today onwards, I, Shi Jian, no longer have the face to serve as the Village Chief of Creek Stone Village. Please elect a more capable person!"

After speaking, he seemed to age ten years in an instant, stooping his back and falling silent.

With the situation having developed to this point, the truth was clear.

Wang Lang, carrying the little white fox, walked aside and asked Patrolman Li, "Patrolman Li, how does your Demon Subduing Division plan to deal with this white fox?"

Patrolman Li looked troubled and chose his words carefully, "Young Master Wang, according to the laws of the Limitless Dynasty, and the rules of the Demon Subduing Division, this fox demon...

regardless of its motives, has after all killed more than ten people. Although they were wicked people, it has still violated the law.

According to procedure, I must escort it to Yuan Province for the higher authorities to decide."

Wang Lang stared at him, pressing the question, "I'm asking, according to custom, how will you deal with it?"

Before Patrolman Li could answer, the little white fox in his hand suddenly let out a sharp cry, laced with fear:

"They'll kill me! They definitely will! You important humans won't care if I killed good people or bad people!

They'll just see I'm a demon! They'll skin me and make a fancy scarf or a magical artifact out of me!"

Wang Lang looked at Patrolman Li, "Is that true?"

Sweat beaded on Patrolman Li's forehead. He stammered, then finally nodded with a bitter smile, lowering his voice:

"Young Master Wang, you see clearly... This... this is indeed possible.

Whether it's a good demon or a bad demon, and how it will ultimately be dealt with, is not something a small patrolman like me can decide.

His Excellency the Prefect, or those big figures in the Thousand Man Commandery... if they take a liking to this little fox's mystical nature, or its rare snow-white fur... the outcome, I fear... alas."

He sighed helplessly. In this world where strength reigns supreme, the law often serves the strong.

At this moment, Daoist Xuan Cheng chanted a Daoist salutation:

"Boundless Heavenly Venerable! Grievances have their source, debts have their owner. Since the truth is clear, Miss Lin Xiu'er's soul still needs to be transcended. I shall go to the cliff behind the mountain to help her attain rebirth and escape the sea of suffering."

With that, he clasped his hands in greeting to Wang Lang and Patrolman Li, his figure flickered, and he drifted away like a gentle breeze.

This action clearly indicated his intention not to get involved in the matter of how to deal with the little fox.

Wang Lang looked at the little white fox trembling slightly in his hand from fear, then at the troubled Patrolman Li, and a decision was made in his heart.

He lifted the little fox, which had started struggling again, and said to Patrolman Li:

"All those it killed deserved to die. It did not harm the innocent. Therefore, this little creature, I, Wang Lang, will protect.

Patrolman Li, you may report the full story, along with my stance, to your superiors."

As he spoke, Wang Lang ceased suppressing his aura. The majestic aura of Qi Induction ninth level, mixed with potent Bloodline Power, erupted forth.

This power far surpassed the Qi Induction sixth level he had previously displayed, and was even several times stronger than the Qi Induction seventh level aura Daoist Xuan Cheng had revealed!

This caused Daoist Xuan Cheng, who had not yet gone far, to turn back in shock, his heart trembling:

"Qi Induction ninth level?! And such potent Bloodline Power! This child... this child has been hiding his strength so deeply!"

Patrolman Li was even more impacted by the surge of power, his blood and qi churning. He stumbled back three steps before managing to stand firm.

His heart pounded, and he thought to himself, "Qi Induction ninth level?! And this physical body's Bloodline Power... Young Master Wang, didn't you say you were only Qi Induction sixth level before?!"

He quickly regained his composure, his face instantly filling with reverence, and his tone becoming extremely respectful:

"Young Master... Young Master Wang! Since... since you intend to protect this demon... no, this Snow Shadow Spirit Fox... naturally... naturally, there is no objection!"

"Regarding the imperial court and the Demon Subduing Division, I, your subordinate, will report the situation in detail and explain the pros and cons.

I trust my superiors will understand Young Master Wang's benevolent heart, and... the special circumstances of this matter."

Patrolman Li bowed and said, his tone incredibly firm, even changing his self-address from "Li" to "this subordinate."

In this world, strength was privilege!

Within the Demon Subduing Division, strength was paramount.

Qi Induction ninth level was already among the elite within the Demon Subduing Division, even qualifying to compete for the position of Thousand Man Commander!

To offend such a young, infinitely potential Qi Induction ninth level cultivator, for a fox demon that had killed a few evildoers?

His superiors, as long as they weren't fools, would never do such a thing!

Moreover, Wang Lang was the grandson of the esteemed Old Master Wang Xiaoyao.

Old Master Wang had shown much kindness and help to the lower-level cultivators of the Demon Subduing Division during his lifetime.

For reasons both emotional and logical, this favor had to be granted, and granted fully!

If he were to offend Young Master Wang on this matter today, let alone offending this promising young master, the mere rumor of ingratitude would be enough to make him unable to move an inch within the Demon Subduing Division.

Conversely, if he were to fulfill Young Master Wang's wish, he could both befriend a powerful individual and honor his relationship with Old Master Wang. It was a win-win situation!

His superiors would only praise him, Li Si, for understanding the situation and handling it smoothly!

Wang Lang was not surprised by Patrolman Li's change in attitude. He nodded, and the powerful aura around him slowly receded.

He decided to protect the little fox, partly because it was elegant and cute, fitting his aesthetic, and partly, and more importantly, because of its character.

A demon that acted as an agent of heaven, possessing its own code of conduct and sense of justice, was, in his opinion, much more lovable and precious than many hypocritical and greedy humans.

In this day and age, things with a chivalrous spirit, whether human or demon, were rare!

As for exposing his true strength because of this, he was not worried at all.

Hiding his strength was to reduce trouble, but if hiding his strength led him to violate his true nature and act timidly, it would instead hinder his progress.

He firmly believed that with the "Innate Qi" and "Ageless and Undying" traits, he had plenty of confidence and capital.

Wang Lang lowered his head and looked at the little white fox in his hand, which seemed to have not yet reacted and had widened its eyes in suspicion. He said:

"Did you hear that? From now on, you're under my protection."

Little white fox: "...???"

It blinked its eyes, looking at Wang Lang, then at Patrolman Li beside him, who was bowing with almost servile respect.

Then it realized... it seemed like it wouldn't be made into a scarf after all.