Reaching a consensus

Upon hearing Yin Yunze's words, County Magistrate Zhou's face turned as white as paper. He hurriedly said, "The members of the Heavenly Wheel Sect are utterly depraved! I swear, I will do as the Lady Qingnü said and expel every single member of the Heavenly Wheel Sect!"

Upon hearing County Magistrate Zhou's words, he suddenly felt as if he were burdened with an invisible but extremely heavy shackle.

Feeling uneasy, County Magistrate Zhou saw Yin Yunze smiling and saying, "If you swear an oath before the gods and fail to keep it, you will be punished by heaven! Even if you are an official of the imperial court, you are no exception!"

Accompanying Yin Yunze's words was County Magistrate Li's scream, which immediately made County Magistrate Zhou tremble.

"Qingnü! You've gone too far!" At this moment, only County Magistrate Liu remained fearless, staring at Yin Yunze and angrily rebuking him, "You're nothing but a village god! What right do you have to use torture against the magistrate! Even if Lord Li is truly guilty, he should—"

"You're talking to me about qualifications?"

Smiling as he looked at County Magistrate Liu, Yin Yunze's fox ears and nine tails reappeared, revealing his demonic nature.

Not only that, but soon, Yin Yunze transformed from human form into an even more imposing prototype of a ten-foot-tall Nine-Tailed White Fox.

With a swaying gait, Yin Yunze walked up to County Magistrate Liu, looked down at him, and revealed a mocking smile on his hairy face, "Then, what right do you have to swagger in front of me?"

"The reason I've said all this to you is simply because I wanted to show my goodwill. However, it seems to have given you the wrong impression, making you think that I have to tolerate you!"

"But unfortunately, what I want, I can achieve without you! And what you want, only I can give you now! Therefore, you are the ones who are unqualified! I invite you to sit down merely out of respect for the imperial court!"

When you don't deserve my respect----"

Although Yin Yunze didn't make it clear, the sight of County Magistrate Li wailing outside undoubtedly proved what happened when Yin Yunze felt that people like them didn't deserve respect.

The other four, including the eldest, County Magistrate Feng, also avoided Zi Guang, not daring to provoke Yin Yunze.

Compared to the stunningly beautiful human girl, this wild nine-tailed fox is far more imposing.

"You fox demon! Don't think you can control everything just because you have some sorcery!" County Magistrate Liu, however, glared at Yin Yunze with fury and shouted, "The Supernatural Pursuit Bureau can easily suppress you—"

"Lord Liu, you really dare to say such things!"

Looking at County Magistrate Liu, Yin Yunze was somewhat helpless. "Aren't you forcing me to kill you by saying that?"

"I've been holding this in for so long, I just have to get it out!"

Looking at Yin Yunze, County Magistrate Liu solemnly said, "For the sake of righteousness, what does death matter?!"

"Heroic." Looking at County Magistrate Liu, Yin Yunze reminded him, "But what about your parents and wife? You may die a quick death, but what about your family? Alas, I'm not some kind of demon."

As he spoke, Yin Yunze took out a spirit puppet and threw it on the ground.

Driven by Law Power, the spirit puppet rapidly expanded and then transformed into the appearance of County Magistrate Liu.

Staring at the puppet that looked exactly like himself, County Magistrate Liu's pupils dilated violently. "Fox spirit, you!"

"County Magistrate Liu, rest assured, my spirit puppet will ensure your family can't tell the difference between the real and fake!"

Looking at County Magistrate Li, Yin Yunze said softly, "After you die, I will search your memories and discipline this spirit puppet so that, apart from obediently listening to me, it will be exactly the same as you were when you were alive, making it indistinguishable from you."

Then, when my business is nearly finished, I'll have it feign a serious illness. Rest assured, everyone will know that you died in office from overwork! After all, I quite admire loyal and righteous men like you!

"Of course, please don't scold me anymore. After all, as the ancients said, 'Women and petty men are the most difficult to deal with.' Actually, I don't have a very good temper either. If you really make me angry, I might do something that would tarnish your reputation—"

"You! You! You!"

Pointing at Yin Yunze, he said "you" three times in a row. County Magistrate Liu took a few steps back and slumped into his chair, breathing heavily. He was both angry and horrified, and he couldn't speak.

The other county magistrates, faced with Yin Yunze's chillingly cruel act, were drenched in cold sweat.

This is something we can't possibly say to our faces!

All the county magistrates knew that this was not only a threat to County Magistrate Li, but also a threat to all of them from Yin Yunze. Since he dared to torment County Magistrate Li and replace County Magistrate Liu, then they were just as likely to be replaced.

The most guilty-looking County Magistrate Zhou dared not continue his glib talk and slander. He immediately knelt down and kowtowed, slapping himself several times before crying out, "Lady Qingnü, spare my life! I was blinded by greed—"

I shouldn't have listened to the nonsense of the Heavenly Wheel Sect! I'll go back and kill all those thieves! From now on, I'll obey Your Majesty's every command! If Your Majesty tells me to go east, I'll never go west! If Your Majesty tells me to—"

"Shut up!"

Yin Yunze found County Magistrate Zhou's declaration of loyalty rather noisy.

Upon hearing Yin Yunze's reprimand, County Magistrate Zhou quickly shut his mouth and carefully observed Yin Yunze's expression.

Unfortunately, Yin Yunze is currently in his fluffy Nine-Tailed White Fox form, making it difficult to discern his emotions.

Seeing that the time was almost right, Yin Yunze decided to slow down.

After all, killing a good official who is protected by the Dynastic Karmic Luck, especially one favored by the Dynastic Karmic Luck, will still generate considerable Karmic Force, no matter how much you try to avoid it.

Most importantly, replacing them is easy, but without the Dynastic Karmic Luck, there's no way to establish a temple and bestow official titles upon Yin Yunze!

It was precisely because these ordinary people didn't know the secret that Yin Yunze was able to fool them.

Moreover, to put it another way, Yin Yunze did not want to harm an upright and good official like County Magistrate Liu.

There are already too many bad people in this world. Yin Yunze at least hopes that the few good people he has won won't die at his hands.

Of course, it would be even better if he didn't die.

Its enormous form then shrank, reverting to its original form as Nine-Tailed Fox -eared girl.

"Lord Liu, I spoke in anger just now, please don't take it to heart."

County Magistrate Liu was somewhat taken aback when he heard Yin Yunze suddenly apologize.

Then, County Magistrate Liu heard Yin Yunze shout, "Alright, Sloth, stop! Heal Lord Li and bring him in!"

Looking at County Magistrate Liu, Yin Yunze sighed and said, "For Lord Liu's sake, I will not pursue the matter with that Lord Li. Perhaps Lord Liu thinks I am extreme, but the Heavenly Wheel Sect has a blood feud with me! The people of the Heavenly Wheel Sect have repeatedly humiliated me, and even once nearly killed me—"

Therefore, I tend to lose control of my emotions when it comes to the Heavenly Wheel Sect. Actually, I have great respect for an upright person like Lord Liu. If possible, I truly don't want Lord Liu to be my enemy. Lord Liu, please don't force me—"

As he finished speaking, Yin Yunze's voice trembled with a hint of grievance, and he even managed to squeeze out a single tear.

Seeing Yin Yunze's gentle and weak demeanor, so different from his previous assertive self, County Magistrate Liu was touched.

Ultimately, County Magistrate Liu wasn't entirely fearless or lacking in common sense.

Seeing that Yin Yunze had taken the lead in showing weakness, County Magistrate Liu also relented, saying, "Your Lady Qingnü, actually, I was also in the wrong just now—"

Hearing County Magistrate Liu's words, Yin Yunze thought to himself, "It's done!"

"Thank you for your understanding, Lord Liu!"

After thanking County Magistrate Liu, Yin Yunze glanced at the other magistrates and said softly, "Please, gentlemen, return to your seats!"

Upon hearing Yin Yunze's words, the others quickly found seats and sat down.

Even Xu Hanxian's gaze towards Yin Yunze became much more complicated.

Xu Hanxian was probably secretly relieved that he hadn't really angered Yin Yunze back then!

As expected, the fox demon's nature is not something ordinary people can easily fathom.

After the others sat down, Yin Yunze turned his gaze to County Magistrate Li, who had been dragged in by Peng Shulan as if he had been pulled out of the water.

"Lord Li, you won't blame me for throwing a little tantrum, will you?"

Seeing Yin Yunze like this, County Magistrate Li couldn't help but shudder and shook his head repeatedly, saying, "I wouldn't dare! I wouldn't dare!!"

Then, he broke free from Peng Shulan's hand and sat down in a seat.

I was terrified that if anything went wrong, I'd be dragged out again.

This time, after everyone was seated, Yin Yunze took out a teapot.

Take some tea leaves and put them in, then conjure up a ball of pure white snow, and then cook it with Fox Fire.

After preparing the tea, Yin Yunze poured out ten cups and served them to the officials, including one for Yin Yunze Peng Shulan. Peng Shulan accepted the tea with a flattered expression, and Yin Yunze raised his cup to the officials, saying, "Gentlemen, please have some tea."

Faced with Yin Yunze's offer of tea, the adults naturally had no objections and all politely took a sip.

"What fragrant tea!"

"I consider myself a connoisseur of tea, yet I have never tasted such a delicate fragrance—"

"Your Majesty, what kind of tea is this?"

However, after tasting the tea, the county magistrates praised it highly.

Even County Magistrate Liu, after tasting the tea, nodded with a softened expression and said, "This tea has a refreshing and delightful fragrance! Even the imperial tea bestowed upon us by the Emperor back then didn't have this quality—"

What the heck? Is this really not Xu Hanxian being cheeky? Does it actually have some kind of fragrance?

Hearing everyone talking about that fragrance, Yin Yunze couldn't help but reach out and smell it.

Okay, still no smell!

I have this inexplicable feeling of being isolated!

However, this little incident did ease the tension somewhat.

Ignoring such trivial details, Yin Yunze looked at the eight county magistrates before him and said again, "After this cordial and in-depth exchange, and after fully understanding each other's perspectives, I believe you gentlemen have reached a consensus with me—"

"As we just agreed, I can supply Fox Rice to you gentlemen at a price of three coins per pound to help the people."

You can take the rice first and pay later, and the debt can be paid off before the adults' terms expire.

"And for you gentlemen, firstly, you must not sell this batch of Fox Rice for more than five coins. Furthermore, you must tell everyone who acquires the Fox Rice that this is a blessing bestowed by the Qingnü— "

"Secondly, I require you gentlemen to establish temples for me in your respective counties, and to build no fewer than five temples. The temples can be small in scale, but the distance between them should be carefully controlled, ideally two or three villages apart—"

"Furthermore, within your respective jurisdictions, you must expel all members of the Heavenly Wheel Sect that you can find!"

"Finally, if the number of believers within your jurisdiction is sufficient, I, as the God of Frost and Snow, may send a heavy snowfall across your territories!"

Having added another bargaining chip, Yin Yunze looked at the county magistrates and said, "Now that I've finished speaking, who agrees and who disagrees?"

It's supposed to be snowing, but in this kind of weather, even the thickest snow will melt into water the next day.

The essence of this statement is that as long as the number of believers increases to Yin Yunze's satisfaction, she will be able to send down rain.

Upon hearing Yin Yunze's offer, the county magistrates' eyes lit up.

Although a heavy snowfall cannot significantly change the current situation, its role in stabilizing public sentiment should not be underestimated.

"I agree!" This time, it was the nearly exhausted County Magistrate Li who shouted first.

Immediately following, County Magistrate Zhou, feeling guilty and eager to prove himself, said, "I agree too!"

At this moment, Xu Hanxian naturally couldn't hold Yin Yunze back. "I agree!"

County Magistrate Wang: "I agree!"

County Magistrate Yang: "I agree!"

County Magistrate Shen: "I agree!"

County Magistrate Feng: "I agree!"

In the end, only County Magistrate Liu remained unvoted to vote.

Faced with the gazes of Yin Yunze and the other seven, County Magistrate Liu finally sighed and said helplessly, "I agree!"

Seeing that a consensus had finally been reached, Yin Yunze smiled and said, "Then, esteemed gentlemen, for our common interests in the future, please swear an oath before me!"