Chapter 12: A Theft Nearly Costing a Life

Just a beast—if this were the 21st century, it would be nothing more than a stray cat that couldn't even find a meal! How dare it act so boldly in front of me, a fox demon? How could I possibly be afraid... no, impossible...

The more Ming Xi thought, the more uneasy she felt. Although she had cultivated for five hundred years in her past life and could easily handle such a creature, her current body was fragile and utterly powerless—she had no strength at all! What could she possibly use to fight this fiend?!

As she pondered, the monstrous beast swung its sharp claws again, stirring up a fierce gust that whipped dust violently into the air. Everything seemed to lose its footing. Even though Ming Xi tried to steady herself, it was nearly impossible.

“Mother!” Xiaotong cried out anxiously.

"…Don’t come closer!!” Ming Xi’s voice was the last thread of resistance. She knew well this wasn’t because the beast was so strong, but because her own body was too weak… too weak!!!

A powerful shockwave slammed into Ming Xi once more. She had no strength left to counterattack and couldn’t withstand the force. Her entire body crashed violently against the wall beside Chiming. A sharp pain radiated through her waist bones, and suddenly her vision darkened as she collapsed to the ground, utterly unconscious.

Outside, Xiaotong covered her mouth in shock, unable to utter a word. When the black beast bared its sharp fangs and advanced toward Ming Xi, a terrifying thought dawned on her—it might be the same ferocious monster that had been wreaking havoc and killing people in the county, one that no one could stop!

What could she do?

Holding her breath, Xiaotong watched the beast approach the fainted Ming Xi, its fangs glinting wickedly. Overcome with fear and desperation, she ignored Bailin’s protests and rushed forward to stand between the beast and her mother, glaring fiercely.

“Don’t you dare touch my mother!”

The beast growled disdainfully. It was about to tear the little one apart as well, but suddenly its attention was caught by Xiaotong’s left eye.

Even through the eyepatch, the beast sensed the formidable aura emanating from that eye.

Instinctively, it took a few steps back but was unwilling to let such prey slip away so easily.

It eyed Xiaotong warily, trying to discern the nature of this strange little creature.

“You… get lost! Don’t touch my mother!”

The beast growled low, its sharp gaze following every move Xiaotong made. Its perception far surpassed that of humans. Although Xiaotong stood firmly in front of Ming Xi, glaring fiercely, the beast easily detected that her entire body was trembling uncontrollably.

Such fear revealed that Xiaotong had no real power to resist it. Even if she harbored great spiritual energy within, it was all just for show!

Squinting its eyes, the beast was about to pounce when a burst of flames shot out. It swiftly dodged aside.

Bailin, using a faint flame, was still trying to make a last stand.

“Meow, we’re all cats here, can’t we talk this out? Why start by trying to kill?” Bailin shouted boldly at the beast, surprising even himself.

“What? You worthless thing think you can speak to me? Get lost, or I’ll wipe you out too!” the beast snarled, leaving both Xiaotong and Bailin stunned.

But Bailin retorted, “So what if I’m worthless? Does that mean I don’t deserve to live?!”

“Of course not! I need only three more human souls to ascend to the Nine Tails. Compared to that, what are you? A mere pet cat, a useless mistake summoned into existence. Just seeing you makes me sick! Get lost!!”

…Indeed, this beast had a reason for ravaging the county.

Its reason was simple—advancement!

“Meow, your number of tails doesn’t concern us! You can kill as many as you want, but as long as I’m here, you won’t lay a finger on my master!”

The beast sneered at Bailin’s protective words. “What if I want to kill her? Can you, you worthless thing, stop me?”

With that, it lunged forward again, but suddenly a voice rang out:

“Why waste words with such a beast!”

With that, a massive brush darted forward, tracing mystical symbols in the air. The beast recoiled in alarm at the approaching talismans and vanished instantly, leaving the glyphs to strike fiercely against Chiming’s spear.

The owner of the talisman then appeared inside the house, clicking their tongue in frustration at allowing the beast to escape once more.

At that moment, Xiaotong recognized the rescuer—it was none other than Shizhi Yan, the man who had been swindled out of five hundred taels by him earlier that day?!