Volume 1, Chapter 19 – The Six-Tailed Fox Demon
[Hero saves the beauty, this script is a bit too cliché.]
The system interjected, disrupting the moment.
"Heh…" Lu Zhuxin let out a light chuckle.
"Your perspective is too narrow."
"This is clearly about enhancing the moral identity and self-emotional value of righteous individuals."
"Broaden your horizons, little system."
[Tsk…]
"Wh-what do you want to do?!"
The yellow-haired fox demon felt a chill creep up her spine under Song Shiyuan's fierce gaze.
The three of them were mere maidservants in the Fox Palace, utterly outmatched by Song Shiyuan, the pride of the Lingxiao Sword Sect.
Just a single glance from Song Shiyuan sent shivers through the trio of fox demons.
Wuwuwu… Sword practitioners are terrifying!
"I warn you!" The yellow-haired fox demon's hand trembled, concealed within her sleeve.
Yet, she mustered a stern expression and warned Song Shiyuan, "This is the Fox Palace! If you dare to attack us here, you won't leave alive!"
Unfazed, Song Shiyuan's expression remained unchanged. She didn't even acknowledge the three fox demons.
Initially, Song Shiyuan had no intention of intervening.
Engaging with a group of foxes in their own territory wasn't the wisest choice.
Especially since she was currently the concubine of the Fox Palace master.
No matter her past glory, in this realm, she was undeniably at a disadvantage.
However…
When Song Shiyuan witnessed the little fox demon being bullied by these insignificant fox demons, something shifted within her.
Sword practitioners embody sincerity, justice, and an aversion to evil.
She simply couldn't stand by and watch such cruelty unfold.
Moreover, the little fox demon's plight was partly her responsibility.
If Song Shiyuan hadn't made the initial request, the little fox demon wouldn't have crossed paths with these three malicious foxes.
Emotionally and logically, she couldn't turn a blind eye.
It had nothing to do with the little fox demon's species or her own beliefs.
Song Shiyuan had her own convictions.
"Sister Shiyuan…" The little fox demon tugged at her sleeve, anxiety lacing her voice. "Ah Xi is fine. She's not angry. You… you can't fight them."
"They are the close associates of Hu Xian'er, the head steward. If you fight them, they will definitely go and tell Hu Xian'er…"
Song Shiyuan tilted her head slightly, catching sight of the little fox demon's worried expression.
Despite being the one bullied, the little fox demon was concerned for her well-being, fretting over the trouble she might face.
"I know," Song Shiyuan said, reaching out and gently stroking the little fox demon's silver hair. "It's okay, I know what I'm doing."
"Mmm…" The little fox demon flushed at the affectionate gesture from the female sword practitioner.
"You deserve some lessons," Song Shiyuan continued calmly. "Regardless, she is your kin. You shouldn't bully her like this."
"And this time, it wasn't her fault," she added, her tone firm.
The yellow-haired fox demon clutched her sleeve defiantly. "You sword practitioner! Have you forgotten your identity?!"
"Do you really think you're still that genius from your sect?"
"Here, you're just our Majesty's concubine!"
Song Shiyuan raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.
A surge of sword energy shot into the air, landing with a clang at the yellow-haired fox demon's feet.
"Awooooo——!!"
The three fox demon maidservants shrieked in terror, huddling together and trembling.
So weak, they couldn't even handle a scare, Song Shiyuan thought to herself.
"Since when does a mere concubine have the audacity to lecture people from my Fox Palace?"
A cold voice sliced through the tension.
The three fox demons, relieved, immediately cried out, "Master Xian'er! Save us!"
"This sword practitioner is rebelling!"
Song Shiyuan frowned. Her grip on her sword tightened, ready for battle.
"I was just stating the facts," she replied, "I had no intention of offending anyone."
"Still dare to talk back?"
As the words fell, a thick fox tail swept down from the air, targeting Song Shiyuan.
She raised her hand to block it but was sent flying.
Blood spurted from her mouth.
With fierce determination, she prepared to counterattack, only to see the fox tail coming for her again.
"Sister Shiyuan!!!"
The little fox demon's cry pierced the air as she unexpectedly rushed forward, positioning herself in front of Song Shiyuan.
Song Shiyuan's pupils constricted in alarm.
The massive fox tail swept both of them away, sending them tumbling.
"Little fox, are you alright? Little fox?" Song Shiyuan asked, concern lacing her voice.
The little fox demon buried her head in Song Shiyuan's soft chest, her voice muffled. "Ah Xi's fine, cough… Just a little pain."
No one noticed the slight upward curve of her lips as she lowered her head.
"It's good that you're okay."
Song Shiyuan gently stroked the trembling back of the little fox demon beside her, her gaze fixed on the elegant figure of Hu Xian'er as she approached.
"Do the inhabitants of Fox Palace refuse to listen to reason?!"
"Reason? Heh." Hu Xian'er's voice dripped with disdain as she closed the distance.
With each step, her six fluffy white tails swayed gracefully behind her.
Song Shiyuan's eyes narrowed.
A six-tailed fox demon—her cultivation equivalent to the fifth realm of human cultivators, the Spirit Ascension stage.
In contrast, even if Song Shiyuan's cultivation wasn't sealed, she had just entered the fourth realm, the Nascent Soul stage.
The disparity between their realms was glaring.
Though sword practitioners often fought across realms, she knew she couldn't underestimate this six-tailed fox demon.
"Reason? In this Fox Palace, what I say is reason," Hu Xian'er declared coldly.
"And you, Song Shiyuan, are merely a concubine in this Fox Palace."
"Insubordination, violating the order of hierarchy, deserves punishment."
"Today, I will give you a simple lesson."
"Heh…" A sneer escaped Song Shiyuan's lips; she had no intention of wasting words on this biased head steward.
Hu Xian'er had been hostile from the start, her motives a mystery.
Since the confrontation was clearly intentional, further dialogue was futile.
"Little fox demon, are you feeling better?" Song Shiyuan asked, patting the trembling creature gently.
"Cough… Ah Xi is much better now, it's okay," came the soft, sweet voice as the little fox demon reluctantly lifted her head from Song Shiyuan's chest.
"Sister Xian'er held back at the end, so Ah Xi wasn't injured, just a little out of breath."
Song Shiyuan's expression softened slightly.
"Let's go back," she said.
"Mmm…" The little fox demon nodded in agreement.
The other three fox demons exchanged anxious glances.
"Head steward, you're just letting them go like this?!"
Hu Xian'er shot them a cold look.
"Today's matter ends here."
"Song Shiyuan, you are the concubine chosen by His Majesty. Do not come to Red Spring Pavilion again."
"If you do, the punishment will not be so simple."
Song Shiyuan's expression remained impassive as she took the little fox demon by the hand and walked away without looking back.
What secrets lay hidden within this Red Spring Pavilion?