Chapter 387: Killing the Good to Claim Merit

"This, this, this…"

For a moment, Hu Jiushisan stammered, not knowing how to answer.

"You don't know why your clan chief would let this newborn child become the son‑in‑law of your Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan, or perhaps you can't find an excuse?"

Tang Anzhi barked coldly, his tone unfriendly, "In fact, your Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan has never thought about letting this newborn child become your clan's son‑in‑law. Your purpose in tracking the Wang Family members is to endanger their lives, is that correct?"

As he spoke, a mass of magical energy tinged with a terrifying aura gathered in Tang Anzhi's palm and surged violently toward Hu Jiushisan.

"Stop!"

Yu Die barked coldly and acted immediately, intervening to stop Tang Anzhi from assassinating Hu Jiushisan.

"You, you, you dare to kill me?"

Hu Jiushisan was blasted away by the gust of air, his face full of terror.

If Yu Die hadn't acted in time, the Flying Sword hovering before it would have activated, shattering Tang Anzhi's incoming magical force; he probably wouldn't have realized it before his life was taken by Tang Anzhi's hand.

"Is this person truly an Imperial Attendant in the Weixian County Magistrate's office, truly a former Immortal Official of Qingyang County?"

Wang Ping'an's complexion changed in shock.

Tang Anzhi's sudden attack also startled him; whether it was Wei Yuan or Yu Die, they had spoken so much without taking action, yet Tang Anzhi, after saying just one sentence and before Hu Jiushisan could even answer, struck immediately.

If he didn't know Hu Jiushisan, and knew Hu Jiushisan could not be connected with Tang Anzhi, he would have doubted whether Tang Anzhi's actions were a murder to silence someone.

"So fierce…"

Zhang Chengyong's face was full of panic; just as he was about to speak a few words, his head was struck by Zhang Chengze, who scolded:

"If you have nothing to do, go find something yourself; stop spouting nonsense here!"

Tang Anzhi's sudden attack also frightened him; he worried that Zhang Chengyong's rambling, if heard by Tang Anzhi, would be noted and lead to a lethal strike.

He never imagined that Tang Anzhi, a kindly old man, could harbor such murderous intent.

A single disagreement led to a full‑blown fight.

Could it be that he has a grudge against this Fox Demon—no, against a monster?

"You monster, intending to harm the people of Qingyang County, why am I not daring to kill you…"

Tang Anzhi stared coldly at Hu Jiushisan, who lay on the ground like a puddle of sludge, his eyes unmasking a chilling murderous intent as he accused:

"Yu, the Hundred‑Holder, you are a Hundred‑Holder of the Demon Suppression Office; your duty is to slay demons and exterminate monsters. Now there is a monster intending to harm the people of Daxia, yet you not only fail to uphold justice, you even aid this monster. Are you still a member of the Demon Suppression Office?"

"Tang Imperial Attendant, what are you doing!"

Yu Die hadn't spoken yet when Wei Yuan hurriedly said, "This Fox Demon is a member of the Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan, not an ordinary monster—*ahem*—not the kind that delights in harming humans. The Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan has always been friendly with us."

Since settling in the Nine-headed Mountain, we've never heard of any Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan harming humans; how can you be sure they would stalk the Wang Family members to endanger their lives?

The Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan has the most entanglements with humans, and the most circulated tales are all scandalous stories; even he has been a protagonist in such tales. After years of close contact—*ahem*—living day and night together, he has come to know that the clan's ways could never harm humans.

Of course.

Among the Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan there are indeed scoundrels, but even the scoundrels are intelligent; they aren't foolish and know the consequences of provoking humans. Even if the authorities are unlikely to champion ordinary people, repeated misdeeds draw heaven's wrath and people's resentment, and officials, even if reluctant, must act.

Even the scoundrels within the Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan, if they truly intend to harm humans, have other channels; they use special means to purchase abducted humans from human scoundrels.

Rather than act themselves!

Hu Jiushisan tracking the Wang Family is somewhat inexplicable; Hu Jiushisan says their clan chief has taken a liking to the Wang Family's newborn infant, wanting this newborn to become the son‑in‑law of their Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan, which is absurd. Not even a three‑year‑old unfamiliar with the clan would believe such a thing.

Perhaps.

Hu Jiushisan may have other motives for following the Wang Family, just unwilling to disclose them, hence the excuse; but he believes Hu Jiushisan's tracking will not be to endanger the Wang Family's lives.

"Weixian County Magistrate, if it's a monster, how can you believe it? It stalks the Wang Family; if not to harm them, could it be that you truly believe its clan chief likes this newborn…"

Tang Anzhi barked coldly, but before he could finish, Yu Die cut in with a cold laugh, "Tang Imperial Attendant, whether the Fox Demon speaks truth or falsehood, Wei Yuan and I may not know, but I know you will strike suddenly—what is your purpose in killing this Fox Demon!"

Tang Anzhi, his face grim, said in an unfriendly tone, "Yu, the Hundred‑Holder, you mean that I am silencing someone by killing, that I arranged this Fox Demon to stalk the Wang Family?"

"Tang Imperial Attendant, I never said you were silencing someone by killing!"

This novel you…

Yu Die snorted, still angry. Tang Anzhi seized the moment when she wasn't watching and forced an attack on Hu Jiushisan. If she hadn't reacted in time, Hu Jiushisan might have already perished at Tang Anzhi's hand. She mocked, "I'm afraid, Tang Imperial Attendant, you'll use this incident to curry favor with the current Imperial Examination's top scholar!"

Hu Jiushisan was born of the Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan, which she knows; behind them is the Qingqiu Fox Clan as a backing. Hu Jiushisan was brought over by her, and now dies inexplicably at Tang Anzhi's hands. The Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan will not only blame Tang Anzhi as the murderer, but also vent their anger onto her.

She.

Of course she won't fear the Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan.

Not only the Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan, even a monster race stronger than them, as long as they commit wrongdoing and harm Daxia's people, she has the courage to slay them.

She just doesn't want to shield Tang Anzhi from the blade!

As for Tang Anzhi's own claim of silencing by killing, it's baseless. Though Tang Anzhi has been an Immortal Official in Qingyang County for many years and inevitably has dealt with the Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan, and can request their assistance, it comes at a price, and if the task fails the clan must fully rescue him.

Not to kill and silence!

If he were to kill and silence, he would face relentless pursuit by the Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan.

As long as Tang Anzhi's mind is clear, he would never undertake such a thankless, burdensome folly.

"Yu, the Hundred‑Holder, are you slandering me?"

Tang Anzhi, his face grim, said in an unfriendly tone.

Yu Die smiled faintly, saying nothing.

Wei Yuan, however, smiled broadly and said, "Tang Imperial Attendant, I have indeed underestimated you!"

(End of Chapter)