Chapter 37: They really just start fighting at the slightest provocation...

The Tushan fox demon clan has always stood tall among all demons, distinguished by their immense demon power, supreme charm, and sharp minds. The folded ears that set them apart from ordinary fox demons are the mark of the royal bloodline of the Tushan clan.

"Legend has it that there are three royals in this generation of Tushan fox demons. The Fox Demon King, Tushan Honghong, is one of them. But judging by the level of her demon power, she shouldn't be Tushan Honghong, right?" Wang Quanzui leaned in and whispered.

"Indeed, she is Tushan Yaya, the Second Master of Tushan and the younger sister of the Fox Demon King, Tushan Honghong." Yang Qingyuan nodded, observing the little fox demon with keen interest, imagining how this little girl might one day transform into a cold and haughty queen.

"That's a relief. Thankfully it's not the Fox Demon King herself; otherwise, we would be having some terrible luck..." Wang Quanzui patted her chest, a flash of relief crossing her eyes. Although there had always been controversy within the Yi Qi Dao League regarding whether Tushan Honghong truly possessed the combat power of a Demon Emperor, one thing was certain to Wang Quanzui: even if Tushan Honghong were not a Demon Emperor, her combat prowess was certainly far superior to that of ordinary Great Demon Kings!

"Hey, you two humans, what are you doing running around here in Huangfeng Ridge?" Seeing that the two humans didn't flee upon seeing her, but instead stared at her with such intense interest, Tushan Yaya’s brows knit together.

At this point in time, Dongfang Yuechu was not only far from living in Tushan, but his parents hadn't even met yet! Therefore, to the current Tushan Yaya, humans—especially those Taoist priests from the Yi Qi Dao League—were nothing more than troublemakers who had too much time on their hands and frequently came to Tushan to cause chaos. In years past, because Tushan fox demons were naturally charming, some members of the upper class developed a perverse obsession with them. It was not uncommon for people to take risks, kidnapping Tushan fox demons and trafficking them to the Heavenly Immortal Pavilion. Even though these shameless acts had diminished significantly in recent years due to the rising reputation and deterrence of Tushan Honghong, it was hard for someone who had witnessed the ugly faces of such human traffickers to feel any affection for the human race—unless the situation was as unique as Tushan Honghong’s.

If not for Tushan Yaya’s deep attachment to her sister—doing whatever she was told—her personality would have driven her to attack the moment they met. She wouldn't care who you were or what your purpose was; she would fight you first, beat you into the ground, and only then start asking questions.

"Naturally, we are here because of the situation in Huangfeng City." Wang Quanzui spoke first.

"We will handle that matter ourselves. You had better head back the way you came." Tushan Yaya frowned. Before arriving, she had heard the backstory of the conflict between Huangfeng City and Huangfeng Ridge from her sister, Tushan Rongrong. In Tushan Yaya’s view, the humans were clearly in the wrong, and she had initially wanted nothing to do with it. However, because Tushan Honghong was away organizing the Demon League and Tushan Rongrong was occupied with the daily affairs of Tushan, the task fell to her. Of course, Tushan Rongrong understood her sister well; she could count on her to fight, but asking her to handle complex diplomatic conflicts was a tall order. Thus, Rongrong’s instructions were simple: make Huangfeng Ridge stop targeting Huangfeng City and wait for Tushan Honghong to return.

"If you could handle it yourselves, why is Huangfeng City still blanketed in yellow sand?"

"For that, you should ask about the good deeds your fellow humans have done!" Faced with Wang Quanzui’s immediate and indiscriminate questioning, Tushan Yaya’s short temper flared.

"Even if someone stole your belongings, what does that have to do with the innocent citizens of Huangfeng City?"

"Then why don't you humans hand over the thief!"

"Little girl, did you eat gunpowder today?"

"You're the little girl! This lady is several hundred years older than you!"

"You..."

*Clang!*

Wang Quanzui, furious, drew her Dream-Illusion Sword, pointing the tip directly at Tushan Yaya. For some reason, despite this being their first meeting, she felt an inexplicable, mounting irritation the moment she looked at the little fox demon—a feeling she herself could not explain.

"What's this? Can't win an argument, so you're resorting to violence? Fine, this lady will play along to the end!"

With that, a terrifying aura, comparable to that of a Great Demon King, erupted from Tushan Yaya. Before Yang Qingyuan could react, the human and the demon were inexplicably locked in combat.

"Wait, why are you fighting over a few words?" Yang Qingyuan frowned. Initially, he had no intention of clashing with Tushan Yaya, knowing that since she was sent by Tushan, there was a specific purpose behind her presence. However, since Wang Quanzui had already engaged, he could not simply stand by. While Wang Quanzui was talented, she was likely no match for Tushan Yaya. With that thought, Yang Qingyuan prepared to join the fray with his three-pointed, double-edged spear.

Just as he stepped forward, a yellow whirlwind roared toward him from the sky.

"Hmph! Humans, not only did you steal my brother's belongings, but now you dare to come to my Huangfeng Ridge to act wild? This is truly bullying us too far!"

Accompanied by the nauseating stench within the gale, the voice of Jin Linglin echoed from the whirlwind. Yang Qingyuan quickly retreated, dodging the sneak attack. Seeing his strike miss, Jin Linglin slowed his rotation, revealing his true form amidst the swirling sand.

"You are..." Yang Qingyuan stood in the air, his spear in hand, gazing calmly at the demon.

"I am Jin Linglin, the younger brother of the Lord of Huangfeng Ridge, Jin Wuwei!"

Jin Linglin... it was him. A flicker of complex emotion passed through Yang Qingyuan’s eyes. A pathetic snake, played like a puppet by Feng Qi, who would go to his grave never knowing he had been nothing more than a pawn.