“What should I do? What should I do…”
A thousand thoughts whirled rapidly through his mind. The cunning fellow, without waiting for the young divine constable to act, shouted loudly first, “Stop!”
The sword light filling the sky retracted back into the blade. Beigong Zheng halted his attack in confusion, while Shiniang curiously turned her gaze toward Qiao San.
“Beigong Zheng, the flower-picking villain is right here on this mountain. Will you solve the case and save people, or waste time here? It’s your choice!”
“Swish—” Suspicion as sharp as a blade pierced Qiao San’s soul. Beigong Zheng’s fierce glare involuntarily loosened slightly.
Qiao San’s eyes remained clouded, but a deep brilliance suddenly shone within them. For the first time, his clarity of heart reached Beigong Zheng’s mind. With the aid of the Ten Yang Qi, the frowning youth instinctively believed the rogue’s words.
“Fine! I’ll trust you this once! I’ll arrest you after rescuing the victims!”
“No problem! Then we’ll see who comes out on top!”
Qiao San understood the reason behind Beigong Zheng’s hatred, but this wasn’t the time to explain.
Black and white, united by a common goal, unexpectedly formed an unlikely alliance. The wonders of worldly affairs left the “innocent” fox spirit marveling in astonishment.
Beigong Zheng and Qiao San walked side by side toward the mountain cliff, while Shiniang, after a brief moment of contemplation, changed her original plan and followed closely behind. She certainly didn’t want Beigong Zheng ruining her perfect scheme.
Delighted that obstacles had turned into assistance, Qiao San’s heart brimmed with joy. However, before a friendly smile could reach his face, an unexpected twist left him both amused and exasperated.
Just as Shiniang approached within three feet of Beigong Zheng, the ancient longbow on the youth’s back suddenly emitted a strange, low hum!
Both Shiniang and Beigong Zheng’s expressions changed drastically. Beigong Zheng instantly stepped back, his face darkening once again.
“Demon! Daring Shani! So it was you, rogue, colluding with this demoness!”
As he roared furiously, Beigong Zheng gave a flick of his pale wrist, letting the bow slide from his shoulder into his palm. Then, bending his knees and crouching low, he gripped the glowing bowstring and drew it back.
“What the—?!” Qiao San blinked hard as if staring at a fool, unable to help but question whether Beigong Zheng had suddenly gone mad, for there was no arrow on the bowstring at all. How could a bow without arrows possibly harm anyone?
“You damn lunatic, Beigong Zheng!” Qiao San’s anger transformed into a string of curses. He had no intention of wasting more time and turned to leap toward the cliffside.
Though Qiao San regarded Beigong Zheng as a fool and madman, Shiniang did not share that view.
The fox spirit’s heart quivered, her delicate shoulders shifting. The once demure Shiniang suddenly radiated overwhelming beauty. Her tall, graceful figure was enveloped in a dazzling aura, and those enchanting, full breasts “magically appeared,” instantly capturing all of Beigong Zheng’s attention.
Under her gracefully arched brows, Shiniang’s eyes shimmered with allure. Her voice, imbued with the arcane fox technique, directly pierced the young man’s heart: “Young master, this maiden is innocent! Hmm…”
“Ouch!” Qiao San, whose feet had just left the ground, wasn’t even the target of Shiniang’s “attack,” yet he still suffered the consequences. Unprepared for the sudden surge, the lecher’s body went numb—except for one part. Dazed and weakened, he collapsed heavily back to the ground.
“Hehehe…” Though her beautiful face feigned sorrow, Shiniang inwardly felt immense satisfaction. If even the Ten Yang Body could be bewitched, how much easier would it be to ensnare a human youth in his prime?
“Shameless demoness, die!”
Unexpectedly, amidst the seductive, alluring aura surrounding him, Beigong Zheng not only didn’t succumb to lust, but his expression turned even more disgusted, his killing intent intensifying. Coldly shouting, “You shall not live!”
His fingers released, the bowstring vibrated violently. The echo still lingered in the mountains when an invisible “magic arrow,” imperceptible to the human eye, tore through the void.
———— The Demon-Slaying Bow, the Shadowless Arrow!
The arcane fox technique failed mysteriously. Shiniang’s expression changed, and her demonic instincts warned her of a deadly threat. Her yao form flickered as she hastily fled toward the still-dazed Qiao San.
The Shadowless Arrow pierced the fox spirit’s body—but only her illusory form. Though Shiniang’s combat abilities were nothing special, she had devoted herself to mastering escape techniques.
Was the Demon-Slaying Bow truly so simple? With a mere thought, the young divine constable redirected the missed “magic arrow” mid-air. It twisted violently, leaving a long glowing trail as it ruthlessly surged toward the shape-shifting fox spirit.
Demons must be exterminated without mercy! Especially this seductive, shameless fox demoness—he loathed her beyond words.
“Ahh—”
The arrow vanished upon piercing its target, and a piercing scream shook the heavens. The fox spirit wasn’t dead. The Shadowless Arrow had struck a human instead—the rogue Qiao San!
In the critical moment, Shiniang spun and hid behind Qiao San. When the divine arrow aimed at the rogue’s chest, Beigong Zheng hesitated not a second. He was no merciful soul.
Kill early or kill late—it’s still killing! This scoundrel deserved no mercy either!
The scream still echoed when Beigong Zheng once again drew back the Demon-Slaying Bow. Even brighter light locked onto the still-recovering young fox spirit.
Before Beigong Zheng could release the string, Shiniang vanished once more.
“Whoosh…” The gentle mountain breeze suddenly lost its rhythm. The space around the wildlands strangely contracted, as if concentrating entirely on Shiniang alone.
Mist gracefully rose around her. The tall girl, dressed in a flowing green gown, stood serenely within the mist, her clothes fluttering, her hair lightly swaying, exuding an aura of sanctity that instantly filled the heavens and earth.
Still the same Shiniang, her eyes, ears, mouth, and nose unchanged, yet now she seemed to be in heaven while previously she had been on earth—a peerless beauty, captivating the world with an enigmatic, divine grace that redefined beauty itself!
In Beigong Zheng’s eyes, though the girl remained silent and motionless, offering no explanation, his fingers began to loosen, and his thoughts gradually shifted.
Had the Demon-Slaying Bow erred?! Was she not a demoness, but a celestial maiden from heaven?!
Within the span of a teacup’s time, the bowstring slowly lowered. A trace of regret flickered in Beigong Zheng’s eyes. As his lips moved, he was about to respectfully inquire where the immortal maiden hailed from.
Just as the divine arrow’s glow vanished, the “fairy” suddenly flew away. With only escape techniques to her name, how could Shiniang possibly contend with the Demon-Slaying Bow? That was a divine weapon left behind during the divine-demonic war a decade ago!
“Despicable! Demoness, don’t escape!” Beigong Zheng’s face turned dark with fury, bitterly resenting his momentary doubt toward the divine bow. Clenching his teeth hard, he leaped forward, stepping over Qiao San’s lifeless body, chasing after the fox spirit relentlessly.
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