The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 303 - 197: Entering the Mountain Forest at Night

Chapter 303: Chapter 197: Entering the Mountain Forest at Night

Demon Fox!

Li Yan’s expression tensed, and a sense of alertness rose in his heart.

He could distinctly smell the Yin Evil Qi emanating from the old fox despite the distance between them, comparable to those of the Yin Gods in some temples.

A fox, as long as it develops spirituality and attains Dao, can be called a Demon Fox.

However, Demon Foxes also vary in quality and generally fall into three categories:

Wild Foxes, Ghost Foxes, and Heavenly Foxes.

Any fox with Dao can be called a "Wild Fox," and those that worship the moon at night with a skull atop their heads are referred to as Wild Fox Zen.

As they grow in their Dao, not only can they cast spells to bewitch people, but they can also summon legions of spirits and apparitions just like humans call upon soldiers, earning the title of "Ghost Fox."

At this point, they usually reach the pinnacle of a fox demon’s cultivation.

As for the legendary Heavenly Fox, it requires great fortune, very strong spirituality, and intelligence that even far surpasses ordinary people.

In ancient times, they were sometimes regarded as an omen of auspice.

Of course, if they took the path of evil, they could also bring disaster to the world.

The one before them is clearly a Ghost Fox.

Li Yan could smell that there were at least dozens of ghostly creatures surrounding it.

Given the situation, the Captain Bureau was also alerted. They bent their bows and notched their arrows with caution.

"Nobody move!"

Lv San suddenly shouted loudly, his eyes tense as he stared ahead and said in a low voice, "Leave this to me."

After speaking, he slowed his pace and walked towards the Ghost Fox.

Halfway there, Lv San stopped and imitated the call of a fox, seemingly attempting to communicate with the Ghost Fox.

However, unexpectedly, the Ghost Fox responded not with a call but with a strange clattering sound.

Enchanted Language!

A glint shone in Li Yan’s eyes.

The Enchanted Language was a means of communication between elves.

This Ghost Fox, capable of commanding numerous apparitions, employing spells, and knowing the Enchanted Language, could communicate with all kinds of beings and was considered the overlord of the mountain forest.

Even tigers, leopards, jackals, and wolves had to avoid its path.

With its assistance, many things could be simplified.

The men of the Captain Bureau held their breath, daring not to make a sound.

"Klo-klata klata..."

Lv San spoke the Enchanted Language with proficiency, and the exchange with the Ghost Fox went back and forth, sometimes tense like a drawn sword, sometimes easing into a calm atmosphere...

Finally, the exchange with the Ghost Fox ceased, it gave everyone a profound look, leapt upward, and disappeared into the jungle.

The dense fog and chilling wind also vanished with it.

Under the clear moonlight, everything that had occurred seemed like a dream...

"How did it go?"

Huang Wenzhong, the Thousand Households Commander, asked impatiently as he approached.

His heart was also very anxious since the case involved new types of gunpowder, a matter serious enough to cost heads.

But the culprit was cunning, and all leads had been cut off.

If it wasn’t for this, he wouldn’t have compromised with Li Yan.

Lv San was naturally not good at communicating with people, especially disliking those from the government, so he ignored them and turned to Li Yan, saying, "The old fox does indeed have news."

"The monk who fled is hiding in a stronghold in the mountain, but the old fox says there is a Divine presence in the stronghold that they cannot approach."

"Also, there’s someone in the stronghold who can summon Thunder Fire. There was a Fox Immortal with profound Dao in these mountains, protecting all the nearby Fox Clan, but that person killed it with Thunder Fire and even cut out its heart to cultivate a Spell."

"That stronghold is extremely secretive. The old fox agreed to lead the way on one condition: the person who killed the Fox Immortal must die."

"And the heart of the Fox Immortal must be returned."

"That’s easy to handle!"

Huang Qianhu readily agreed, turned, and said with a grave tone, "Households Commander Wang, gather all hands immediately, we’re entering the woods to capture the fugitive tonight!"

Li Yan’s brow furrowed slightly, reminding, "Sir, do not forget, the old fox mentioned that the stronghold is protected by a Divine presence, there will surely be a Magician assisting..."

"Don’t worry, Young Hero Li."

Huang Qianhu seemed unconcerned and said coldly, "With the knowledge of a Magician stirring trouble, would I come unprepared? Let’s enter the woods. Men from the Law Enforcement Hall will follow shortly."

Li Yan heard this and said no more.

For a case this significant and involving a dire Evil Skill, it was not at all surprising that the Law Enforcement Hall would be involved.

Soon, a large contingent of troops gathered at the city gate.

The Captain Bureau attributed great importance to this case, bringing a full two hundred men, all elite warriors, and with the soldiers from the garrison, they had more than enough force to attack a bandit stronghold.

Seeing everyone assembled, Lv San wasted no time and headed straight into the dense forest, with Li Yan and others closely following to provide protection.

Having struck a deal with the Captain Bureau, they naturally had to take the matter seriously.

A few walked in front, followed closely by Huang Qianhu with two Households Commanders, with skilled men scattered around to scout the way.

As for the large group of troops, they followed a hundred meters behind.

This was the formation for entering the mountain forest, with scouts and backup to avoid being surrounded and overwhelmed.

Should anything happen, they could quickly consolidate.

However, it proved to be an unnecessary precaution.

No wild beasts were seen in the woods, and it appeared as though all living creatures were deliberately avoiding them, with only a few will-o’-the-wisps flickering ahead to guide their way.

Seeing this, Huang Qianhu couldn’t help but feel alarmed.

The Jing Chu Mountain region had always been a thorn in the court’s side.

This vast mountainous area extends from Zhongnan Mountain in the west, Tongbai Mountain and Dabie Mountain in the southeast, to Funiu Mountain in the northeast, and down to Jing Mountain in the south... The area was alarmingly vast.

Moreover, with its continuous peaks, deep rivers, and sparse population, the land was fertile, suitable for water farming in the south and dry farming in the north.

In short, it’s a place where refugees could survive upon arrival.

Is that a good thing?

For the common people, it is a blessing. Whenever there were wars, droughts, locust plagues, or when people could no longer survive under the government’s harsh levies, they only needed to flee to these mountains to stay alive.

With just a few acres of fertile land, free from the court’s control, it was a joyous existence.

However, for the court, it was not such a good thing.

Throughout the dynasties, refugees have flocked here, and even the official figures counted millions outside the court’s jurisdiction.