Volume 1, Chapter 18 – Red Spring Pavilion

"Sister Shiyuan, what's wrong?"

The silver-haired fox demon turned her head, confusion etched across her delicate features.

Song Shiyuan forced a smile, suppressing the emotions within her.

Even if he's a sword practitioner, he's not necessarily Song Shixuan.

Don't be anxious; you still need this little fox demon's help. You can't be too obvious and arouse her suspicion.

"What's over there?" Song Shiyuan asked, pointing ahead.

A luxuriously decorated courtyard lay before them, the faint sounds of women's laughter wafting through the air.

Song Shiyuan sensed the aura of a sword practitioner emanating from that direction.

It was faint, but she could tell the presence was weak.

"That is… Red Spring Pavilion," the little fox demon replied, her gaze flickering uncertainly to Song Shiyuan.

She hesitated, asking, "Sister wants to go to that place?"

Song Shiyuan maintained her composure; though, a flicker of puzzlement crept into her mind.

Throughout their journey, the little fox demon had been vibrant and eager. Now, for the first time, a troubled expression clouded her features.

Could it be that there's something wrong with that place?

"That place… isn't allowed to be entered, is it?" Song Shiyuan inquired, her tone casual.

"…Not really." The little fox demon poked her cheek with her index finger, clearly conflicted.

"Ah Xi just… don't like that place…"

Could there really be something in this Fox Palace that the little fox demon dislikes?

Song Shiyuan had assumed her enthusiasm for the palace would be boundless.

Even when those fox demon maidservants bullied her earlier, the little demon hadn't shown such discomfort.

So, what exactly is this Red Spring Pavilion? Why is there a sword practitioner's aura there?

Song Shiyuan pursed her lips, determination setting in.

No matter what, she needed to find a way to investigate.

But now, with the little fox demon clearly averse to the place, speaking directly would be a mistake.

"Sister is very curious about that place?" the little fox demon asked, her eyes searching Song Shiyuan's face.

Song Shiyuan's gaze flickered.

"If little fox demon sister doesn't like it, then let's not go." She smiled warmly. "After all, it's little sister who brought me out to play. Wherever little sister wants to go is fine."

She sidestepped the question, retreating to advance.

Would this foolish fox demon grasp her intentions?

Song Shiyuan wondered.

And how would this kind-hearted little demon, always considering others, choose?

"Umm…"

A soft hum escaped the little fox demon, her face a canvas of emotions—hesitation, entanglement, indecision.

Her gaze darted between the imposing Red Spring Pavilion ahead and Song Shiyuan's delicate features, searching for clarity.

Song Shiyuan observed her with calm patience, awaiting her decision.

"Okay…" A spark ignited in the little fox demon's eyes as if she had finally resolved something within herself.

"Ah Xi don't like the smell inside, so let's take a walk around outside with Sister."

"As long as we don't get too close, we shouldn't smell it…" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Though faint, her words reached Song Shiyuan's ears.

Smell? Was it merely the scent that repulsed her?

Song Shiyuan had anticipated something far more sinister lurking within, something that would instinctively disturb this innocent little fox demon.

But it was just the smell.

"Sister Shiyuan, let's go." The little fox demon strode forward, grasping Song Shiyuan's hand.

"Follow Ah Xi, don't stray too far; this place… isn't suitable for someone like Sister to visit."

With a smile, Song Shiyuan trailed behind her, curiosity piqued.

As they neared the Red Spring Pavilion, Song Shiyuan pondered what kind of overpowering scent could evoke such a visceral reaction from the little fox demon.

Suddenly, a sharp, sickly-sweet, fishy odor surged into her senses, hitting her like a wave.

Song Shiyuan's smile faltered.

Ah, now she understood the little fox demon's discomfort.

What kind of establishment was this Red Spring Pavilion? Why was there such an overwhelming fox scent?

The odor made her temples pulse with discomfort!

"Stop! What are you doing sneaking around?!"

Three fox demons in maidservant skirts—yellow, green, and blue—suddenly blocked their path.

Song Shiyuan's brows arched.

Well, well~ Old acquaintances indeed.

These were the very fox demon maidservants who had tormented the little fox demon during their first encounter.

The pungent smell had emanated from them!

Song Shiyuan instinctively covered her nose and mouth, leaning slightly toward the silver-haired little fox demon.

The familiar sweet fragrance of the little fox demon eased the overwhelming fishiness, bringing some relief to Song Shiyuan.

She cast a discreet glance at the little fox demon's profile.

How could two fox demons possess such drastically different scents?

Or perhaps, this little fox demon beside her was simply one of a kind?

The leading yellow-haired fox demon lifted her chin, a smirk on her lips.

"Why is it you?"

"What are you doing sneaking around near the Red Spring Pavilion?"

The little fox demon fidgeted, her pale hand gripping her sleeve tightly.

"Speak, Ming Zhaoxi," the blue-haired fox demon demanded with an air of superiority. "A single-tailed fox demon who has just transformed—what brings you here?"

"Oh? And you've brought a little sword practitioner?" The blue-haired fox demon's eyes flicked to Song Shiyuan, narrowing as she noticed the collar around her neck.

"Isn't this the little sword practitioner from Lingxiao Sword Sect, sold to the Fox Palace by Mister Song a few days ago?"

Recognition flashed across the faces of the three fox demons as they assessed Song Shiyuan.

Song Shiyuan's eyes hardened at the sight of these three lesser fox demons.

Their cultivation was weak, barely reaching three tails—comparable to early to mid-Foundation Establishment stage among human cultivators.

Even with most of her power sealed, she can easily handle all three.

This wasn't the first time she'd heard a fox demon claim she had been sold here.

Captured was more like it!

The "Mister Song" the blue-haired fox demon mentioned—was he the degenerate sword practitioner that the little fox demon had been ordered to serve by the Fox Monarch?

Who was he?

"Ming Zhaoxi," the yellow-haired fox demon sneered, "you brought her to the Red Spring Pavilion. You wouldn't be having fun behind the Monarch's back, would you?"

"This is a concubine personally chosen by the Monarch. Do you, a mere miscellaneous fox demon, dare to covet her?"

"Ming Zhaoxi, you're so bold!!"

The three fox demons closed in, relentless.

The little fox demon trembled, her voice barely above a whisper.

"No… Ah Xi didn't… She just brought Sister here for a stroll…"

The three fox demons laughed mockingly.

"Ming Zhaoxi, caught red-handed, and you still dare to quibble?"

"A fox demon and a sword practitioner, sneaking around the Red Spring Pavilion. You expect us to believe it was just a stroll?"

"Taking a stroll can lead you to the Red Spring Pavilion, oh~~!"

The little fox demon's eyes brimmed with tears. "What Ah Xi said is true. Sister Shiyuan and Ah Xi really didn't do anything…"

"And 'Sister Shiyuan'! Calling each other so intimately, and you claim you didn't do anything?" The yellow-haired demon taunted. "Now, we'll tell Supervisor Xian'er! Let her punish you severely!"

"No!" The little fox demon's panic surged as she grabbed the yellow-haired demon's sleeve, only to be kicked away.

"Get away, you mutt! Don't touch me with your dirty hands!"

The little fox demon stumbled back, falling hard, but a graceful figure caught her.

Looking up, her eyes glistened with tears. "Sister Shiyuan…"

Song Shiyuan's gaze dropped slightly, her focus shifting from the little fox demon's pitiful expression.

When she turned her attention back to the three lesser fox demons, her eyes were already filled with a sharp sword intent.