The Speedrun Begins with Choosing Hunter

Chapter 372: Chapter 366: Dual Merits

A small, verdant hill.

From the outside, it was unremarkable, not even a place the men and women of the Capital City would choose for a spring outing.

In the center of the hill was a chamber about ten feet in diameter.

A fox sat cross-legged within the hollow, wisps of purple-gold energy swirling around its body.

Its expression was no different from a human’s—sacred and solemn.

Even more eye-catching were the six fluffy, white tails drifting freely behind it.

If someone well-versed in the arts of fortune were present, they would surely recognize that the purple-gold energy was the National Fortune of Xuanyang.

This Fox Demon was, of course, the Six-tailed Immortal Fox that had stolen the national fortune.

That’s right—it had hidden itself within the body of the hill.

The Six-tailed Fox slowly opened its eyes, a human-like smile spreading across its face.

’It’s done!’

’This national fortune really is wonderful stuff. Just a few days of cultivation are equivalent to a hundred years. If I can absorb all of it, I might grow another tail soon. Then, Xuanyang won’t be able to do a thing to me.’

The Six-tailed Fox was in high spirits.

It sensed the government soldiers occasionally searching the mountain and revealed a contemptuous smile.

’Stupid humans.’

’Once I’ve absorbed enough of the fortune, I’ll burst out of this mountain and wreak havoc. Then I’ll run back to the Southern Border. No matter how furious Emperor Xuanyang gets, he’ll be powerless to stop me.’

The Demon Race had only been driven from this land; it didn’t mean they weren’t powerful.

The Demon Sect’s ability to cause so much trouble for Xuanyang in the Northern Territory was largely thanks to the Demon Race.

’Absorb!’

’Absorb it all!’

The Six-tailed Fox began to ravenously devour the surrounding purple-gold energy.

Just then, it suddenly sensed a dangerous presence.

A white-haired human elder appeared atop the small hill. His appearance put the Six-tailed Fox under immense pressure.

It hadn’t absorbed enough of the fortune yet. This wasn’t the best time to strike.

Although it looked down on the Human Race, the elder who had suddenly appeared on the hill made it extremely wary.

’He shouldn’t be able to find me,’ the Six-tailed Fox thought.

It had learned an exceptionally profound concealment technique; otherwise, it would never have been audacious enough to steal the Xuanyang National Fortune.

But the elder’s next action extinguished all its hope.

The elder slowly raised his fist, then slammed it viciously into the ground.

One punch... two punches...

With each punch, the ground sank dozens of feet. In no time, he had punched halfway through the hill.

The Six-tailed Fox could no longer sit still, for the elder was getting closer and closer.

’Damn it, he’s here for me!’

The Six-tailed Fox’s heart filled with savagery. It was not going to wait for death.

Just as the elder was about to punch through the small hill, it struck without hesitation.

Terrifying Demonic Power surged madly toward the elder. At the same time, its sharp claws lunged, vowing to tear him to shreds. The dreadful force even made the small hill tremble.

The full might of the Six-tailed Immortal Fox was on display!

The elder seemed prepared. He floated backward, choosing not to receive the Fox Demon’s blow head-on.

The Fox Demon was about to press its attack.

Suddenly, it discovered another person had appeared behind it.

A man it feared!

"Minister Zhou, I’ve come to help you."

The Six-tailed Fox lost all will to fight. It knew it had fallen for the humans’ treacherous scheme.

It let out a long howl.

Violent Demonic Power erupted wantonly, expanding the cave to several times its original size.

The Six-tailed Fox had intended to use the opportunity to escape, but something that drove it to despair appeared.

Yet another human had appeared before it.

"Demon, die!"

...

The Six-tailed Fox was not beaten to death.

At least, it wasn’t dead when Bai Yuan saw it.

Bai Yuan gazed at the Six-tailed Fox and couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment.

’Achievement unlocked: Third Tier Eight Great Demon!’

This time, a total of three Ministers had been mobilized to capture the Six-tailed Fox.

In addition to Elder Minister Zhou of the Ministry of Rites, Minister of War Xu Dingchun and the Minister of the Ministry of Justice had also taken action, which was how they managed to capture the Six-tailed Fox alive.

The Six-tailed Fox was imprisoned in a huge, specially made iron cage.

It had been leaning listlessly against the iron bars, but as it was carried past Bai Yuan, it suddenly turned its head to meet his gaze.

’The Ten Thousand Demons Painting!’ it thought, horrified.

Only then did it remember seeing that weak human near the small hill before, though it hadn’t paid him any mind at the time.

’What cruel fate!’

’If I hadn’t run into the Ten Thousand Demons Painting, which hasn’t been seen in a thousand years, I might not have lost.’

’Hate!’

A frenzied killing intent shot from the Six-tailed Fox’s eyes.

Bai Yuan’s heart skipped a beat.

’Damn. Looks like this fox has its eyes on me.’

As a Demon Hunter, he was naturally sensitive to demons, to say nothing of the fact that the Six-tailed Fox wasn’t concealing its killing intent in the slightest.

Bai Yuan stroked his chin.

Although he didn’t know why the Six-tailed Fox hated him so much, it was better to get rid of it sooner rather than later.

Unfortunately, the Ministry of Rites’ Demon Prison was not his Black Prison, so he couldn’t act in secret.

"Looks like I’ll have to think of a way."

Just as he was pondering how to kill the Six-tailed Fox, Fanghua approached with an old man in tow.

"Lord Bai, we really have you to thank this time."

Fanghua was in high spirits.

By capturing the Six-tailed Fox alive, not only would he avoid losing his official post, he might even be credited with a great merit. He no longer cared about Bai Yuan’s bad reputation.

He stepped aside, his expression respectful.

"Minister Zhou, this is the Lord Bai I mentioned to you before."

Bai Yuan bowed to the elder. "This subordinate greets Minister Zhou."

This elder was the one who had first ascended the mountain: the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Zhou Xianhai.

He didn’t have much of a relationship with this elder minister of the Ministry of Rites; at most, they had seen each other during court sessions.

Zhou Xianhai was in a good mood. He stroked his beard and laughed heartily. "Lord Bai, you are truly a talent from the Hidden Dragon List, and a blessing for Xuanyang!"

If it hadn’t been for Bai Yuan’s demon-finding abilities this time, even he might not have escaped punishment.

At his level, although even the Emperor could grant a pardon, such an event would still affect one’s intangible fortune.

In more severe cases, it could even cause one’s cultivation realm to drop.

The realms of Confucian Martial Artists were always quick to rise and quick to fall.

The path of an official is not easy, and the Martial Dao is hard to climb.

Bai Yuan waved his hands dismissively. "This junior merely found a few clues. The main credit belongs to the other lords."

Zhou Xianhai replied, "This old man’s eyes aren’t so dim yet. I will report Lord Bai’s contributions to His Majesty without the slightest omission."

...

「In Taihe Hall.」

All the civil and military officials were gathered in the hall. Although it was not a designated day for a court assembly, the Emperor could convene one for special matters.

"Good! Excellent!"

Emperor Li Chengyuan gazed at the Great Demon, the Six-tailed Fox, imprisoned in an iron cage in the center of the hall, and exclaimed his approval twice.

He had been losing a lot of sleep over the matter of the national fortune recently.

He hadn’t expected the Ministry of Rites to find the true culprit so quickly. This was quite a surprise.

"With Zhou Aiqing in Xuanyang, it is truly a blessing for the state."

Just as he was about to continue his praise, Zhou Xianhai walked slowly into the center of the hall.

"The credit for closing this case does not belong to this old subject alone. Minister Xu and Minister Wang also contributed a great deal. However, this subject must make special mention of one person. If not for him, this Fox Demon would likely still be running rampant."

Li Chengyuan’s interest was piqued.

"Zhou Aiqing, tell me quickly, who is it?"

"The Left Deputy Chief Imperial Censor of the Imperial Inspection Office, Bai Yuan!"

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