Chapter 397: with translation of chapter title

As the chill on his neck faded, Wei Yuan could no longer contain the dread in his heart; with a "Thump!" he collapsed, gasping heavily, his face alight with the joy of having survived a calamity.

From childhood to now, he had indeed faced danger, but never like today—his life in jeopardy, a sword pressed to his throat—this was his first experience, and his first personal encounter with the risk of having to report to the Yama King.

Even though he had spoken with Wang Ping'an for many years, from Wang Ping'an's words one could tell that Wang Ping'an bore no murderous intent toward him.

He was a hundred—no, ninety percent sure he could survive Wang Ping'an's sharp sword, yet the Sword Apparatus at his throat constantly radiated chill.

It easily makes him frighten himself!

Who put his life in Wang Ping'an's hands, making life or death subject to Wang Ping'an's will?

"Tang, Tang, Imperial Attendant Tang, you just now have harmed me; I told you to stop, why didn't you stop? Do you really want to watch me die at the hands of this Evil Cultivator with my eyes wide open?"

Wei Yuan said angrily.

At this moment, he gradually recovered from the joy of having survived, and deep inside harbored resentment toward Tang Anzhi, the very person he had summoned to protect his life, who not only failed to protect him but almost caused his death, the chief culprit.

If it weren't for caution, if he were not Tang Anzhi's opponent, even though there were a group of constables around…

These constables, during the time he was held by Wang Ping'an, didn't even dare to let out a fart; he didn't expect that if he clashed with Tang Anzhi, these constables would have the courage to draw swords on Tang Anzhi.

He could only endure the urge to curse loudly, daring only to blame Tang Anzhi for being wrong.

"County Magistrate, at least you are a Confucian scholar; have all those years of Confucian studies been for nothing?"

Tang Anzhi looked at Wei Yuan's angry demeanor and almost burst out laughing; he hadn't said anything to him, yet he still had the nerve to blame him.

He truly didn't know where Wei Yuan got the nerve to say such things in front of him.

At least he's a Confucian scholar; after years of studying Confucian texts, he still lacks even the ability to protect himself.

Wei Yuan said angrily: "Imperial Attendant Tang, what do you mean by that? Is it that I was held by an Evil Cultivator, or is it my fault!"

"It's not you—yes, yes, County Magistrate, you're right; it's not your fault, it's my fault!"

Tang Anzhi couldn't help but want to curse loudly, but seeing Wei Yuan's demeanor, he knew that no matter what he said, even if perfectly correct, this dog thing wouldn't listen; after all, he's the sort who only blames others and never admits his own fault, so Tang Anzhi, too lazy to argue with him, said:

"County Magistrate, since that Evil Cultivator has been dealt with, shall we first eliminate the monster that sought to harm Wang the Third's family, then have someone investigate the Evil Cultivator's origins, to see who the mastermind behind the plot against Wang the Third is, daring to target him; I must avenge Wang the Third!"

He didn't want to argue with Wei Yuan, not because he's easy‑going; he's not the type who likes to take losses. The reason he wouldn't argue with Wei Yuan is that he still needed to profit from Wei Yuan, and there were many matters that required Wei Yuan's assistance.

"Imperial Attendant Tang, let this be the last time; I hope there won't be a next!"

Wei Yuan snorted coldly.

Knowing the incident had already occurred, words were useless; for now he still had to rely on Tang Anzhi.

However, once back, he would immediately enlist a powerful master to protect him; he could no longer place all his hopes on that bastard Tang Anzhi.

Later.

Wei Yuan subconsciously looked up, was startled, and exclaimed in shock:

"Where did that monster go?"

He was not at the spot where Hu Jiushisan had originally collapsed; the Hu Jiushisan that looked like a puddle of rotten mud seemed to have vanished without a trace.

"The monster is right there…" Tang Anzhi began instinctively, but before finishing his sentence, his gaze turned and, likewise seeing no sign of Hu Jiushisan, he exclaimed in shock: "How could it have disappeared?"

Hu Jiushisan lay on the ground like a puddle of rotten mud, not merely frightened but severely wounded.

Even taking healing pills would require at least several hours to regain any strength.

At this moment, even mustering all his strength, he could not escape from there.

Yu Die sneered: "Imperial Attendant Tang, that monster was naturally rescued by the 'fool' you mentioned!"

Tang Anzhi's face turned ashen, as if he hadn't heard Yu Die's reply.

Wang Ping'an does have some skill; otherwise he couldn't have saved Hu Jiushisan from his hands.

However, after he fooled Wang Ping'an with a few words, causing Wang Ping'an to withdraw the Sword Apparatus from Wei Yuan's throat, he casually struck, destroying Wang Ping'an, and thereafter he never regarded someone like Wang Ping'an as anything.

He has no experience in the jianghu at all; with a few casual words he can let his guard down. If it weren't for his formidable Paper Person control magic, walking the jianghu in his true form, he probably wouldn't even know how he died.

Such a sort of person is not worth his attention.

But upon hearing Yu Die's words, he realized that the 'fool' he had just insulted was actually Wang Ping'an, meaning he had been insulting himself.

This novel you to

Wang Ping'an used his true form and Wei Yuan as bait, diverting his attention, allowing him to easily eliminate Wang Ping'an, smugly pleased, and secretly despising Wei Yuan as a trivial plaything who was so easily seized by Wang Ping'an.

Little did he know.

Wang Ping'an, while he was basking in his triumph, stealthily rescued Hu Jiushisan, the monster he had framed to harm Wang the Third's family.

His original purpose was simply to rescue Hu Jiushisan and then withdraw; yet because he destroyed a Paper Person and became smug, what else could he be but a fool?

"Imperial Attendant Tang, look at the good deed you did!"

Wei Yuan snorted, allowing Wang Ping'an to rescue Hu Jiushisan; with no murderer to threaten Wang the Third's family, he could no longer leverage Wang the Third's connections, and he further incurred the wrath of the Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan. Although Hu Jiushisan held little status within the Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan, he was at least serving their clan leader.

He will still have to continue his duties in Qingyang County, and he doesn't know how long his promotion will take; should the Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan cause trouble during his tenure…

No.

There's no need to cause trouble; just whisper sweet nothings in front of his superior.

Most likely he won't get any good outcome.

It can be said: "Stealing a chicken and ending up losing the rice!"

Tang Anzhi, with a grim face, ignored Wei Yuan's accusation and coldly looked at Yu Die, saying: "Yu Die, could you tell me who this Evil Cultivator is?"

"You ask me?"

Yu Die's face was full of sarcasm; she didn't realize how thick‑skinned Tang Anzhi was—just moments ago he had murderous intent toward her, and now he had the nerve to ask her this, she said: "Senior Tang, I think you may have asked the wrong person; I don't know the Evil Cultivator you speak of!"

Tang Anzhi said in an unfriendly tone: "Didn't you say he saved your life? How could you not recognize him?"

(End of chapter)