Chapter 460: Hu Jianbai Appears

"Lv Qianhu, you actually believe this nonsense? How could the Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan take this child as their son‑in‑law?"

Wei Yuan scowled, glared at Lü Tu, and angrily said: "Lv Qianhu, I've never dealt with you before, nor have I offended you; why are you targeting me like this?"

Is it because I gave this child a copy of "Gentleman's Words", worrying that I stole your disciple, that he abandons the path of martial cultivation and instead prepares for the imperial examinations?

If so, Lv Qianhu, rest assured, I do see a bright future for this child.

But I know my own limits; I lack the ability and the right to take this child as a disciple, so you need not single me out over this minor incident!

If it weren't for fearing that the mysterious figure was still lurking nearby, ready to strike—Tang Anzhi would have died at the other's hand—he didn't know whether Tang Anzhi had previously offended them or what, but he was very worried that he might follow Tang Anzhi's footsteps; with Lü Tu around, he felt a slight sense of safety.

If it weren't for his own life safety still relying on Lü Tu's protection, Lü Tu's false accusation—*cough cough*—without evidence, suspecting him, he couldn't help but curse loudly.

"Who says that the child becoming a Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan son‑in‑law is a falsehood?"

Just as Lü Tu was about to casually find an excuse to brush off Wei Yuan, a cold laugh rang out, followed by a refined middle‑aged man entering from outside; his gaze roamed the Zhang Family main hall and finally settled on Wei Yuan, making Wei Yuan feel as if a tiger were staring at him.

"How did he get here?"

Wang Ping'an was startled, his heart instantly filled with caution.

The newcomer was indeed the Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan clan leader Hu Jianbai; he was deeply suspicious, wondering if Hu Jianbai's appearance this time was aimed at Wei Yuan.

If so…

He does have a good show to watch!

Wei Yuan wanted to hide behind Lü Tu to avoid Hu Jianbai's gaze, but Lü Tu was some distance away; if he slunk behind Lü Tu, it would look especially shameful, so he said:

"Who are you?"

Of course.

He didn't act that way because, although Hu Jianbai's gaze was unfriendly, he could sense no murderous intent; the other party might be ill‑disposed, but not enough to strike him down, and with Yu Die and Lü Tu nearby, regardless of whatever opinions Yu Die and Lü Tu held of him.

One of them is a Hundred Commander of the Demon‑Suppression Office, the other a Thousand Commander; they are obliged to protect this Qingyang County Magistrate, for if it became known that they, the Hundred and Thousand Commanders, allowed a single court official to be slain by a villain, they would each face severe punishment.

Otherwise.

When life‑threatening moments truly arrive, not to mention embarrassment, even if he had to kneel and call out "grandfather", he could still manage it.

"Who am I?"

Hu Jianbai stared coldly at Wei Yuan, his face full of mockery, and said with a grin:

"Wei County Magistrate, you often come to my Jiu tou shan ji shi, and you actually ask who I am; don't you find that funny?"

Jiu tou shan ji shi receives all manner of guests; regardless of their status or deeds, as long as they are in Jiu tou shan ji shi and have not committed wrongdoing, they are welcomed without fail.

Before Wei Yuan, the Qingyang County Magistrate also visited their Jiu tou shan ji shi, but never as frequently as Wei Yuan, who would go there almost whenever he had free time.

As for what he does, being the host of Jiu tou shan ji shi, how could he not know? Does he also mingle with the Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan women?

He has seen many men like Wei Yuan, who indulge in wine and women; but someone as lecherous as Wei Yuan, he can't say it's his first time seeing, yet it's not common— even though Wei Yuan is the Qingyang County Magistrate, he has no interest, so he doesn't know how many times Wei Yuan has come to Jiu tou shan ji shi.

They have never even met once!

It's not that he harbors prejudice against lecherous men; in his view, male‑female love is natural, but someone like Wei Yuan, a wine‑and‑woman devotee, is obviously without prospects, and even as the Qingyang County Magistrate, he's not worth approaching.

"Y‑you‑you, are you the Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan clan leader Hu Jianbai?"

Wei Yuan trembled all over, his face turned pale, pupils contracted, and with a shaking voice he denied:

"Y‑you‑you, what are you saying? I don't understand you; what do you mean, that I often go to Jiu tou shan ji shi? I—I haven't really left Qingyang County Seat, how could I often go to Jiu tou shan ji shi?"

Jiu tou shan ji shi is a place frequented by all sorts of fringe sects, Evil Cultivators skirting the law's edge, and monsters; as the Qingyang County Magistrate, if people learned he often visited such places, it would somewhat damage his reputation.

However.

What he is now pondering is not how to deny his frequent trips to Jiu tou shan ji shi, but why Hu Jianbai appeared here.

He remembered that not long ago, he had teamed up with Tang Anzhi to frame Hu Jiushisan, nearly endangering Hu Jiushisan's life; a rarely seen Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan clan leader suddenly appearing before him could very well be seeking revenge, leaving no room for saving face; he shifted his posture and hurriedly slipped behind Lü Tu.

This novel you

Face, how could it be more important than life?

Lü Tu looked at the embarrassed Wei Yuan who had ducked behind him; a flash of contempt flickered in his eyes, but he said little, gazing deeply at Hu Jianbai and said:

"Chief Hu, I don't know whether what you just said is true or false; could it be that you truly intend to let that child become a Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan son‑in‑law?"

He is a Thousand Commander of the Demon‑Suppression Office, whose duties involve slaying demons; for a well‑behaved, backgrounded race like the Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan that rarely causes trouble, both he and Daxia turn a blind eye.

With such a position, it's inconvenient for him to deal with monsters; regarding the Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan clan leader Hu Jianbai within his jurisdiction, he's not very familiar, but from gathered information he can tell what kind of Fox Demon Hu Jianbai is.

He knows Hu Jianbai is not a fox that relies on Qingqiu fox lineage to borrow a tiger's might; he possesses strong cultivation and lives by his wits, so there's no contempt.

"Lord Lü, have you seen that child?"

Hu Jianbai looked at Liu Dongzhu's embrace, where, aside from being slightly plump, the unremarkable Wang Ping'an lay; a flash of surprise crossed his eyes, but he didn't answer immediately, instead replying with a question.

Lü Tu nodded.

Hu Jianbai asked again: "Since Lord Lü, you have examined that child, so tell us fairly—does that child qualify to become a Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan member?"

Lü Tu opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but the words wouldn't come out; he took a deep breath, as if exhaling all his tangled thoughts, and said:

"With this child's potential, he is qualified to become your Nine-headed Mountain Fox Clan son‑in‑law!"

(End of chapter)