The leading old man among these fox spirits, having just taken human form, spoke these words.
Upon hearing this, Old Mo and I both felt a jolt in our hearts.
"Yo," it seemed they had come for revenge.
And it was highly probable, they were the fox spirits from the Chasing Moon Cave of Mount Lianghu.
But at the time, there was no third party present, so how did they recognize us now?
The only possibility was the scent I and Old Mo had left behind.
This was something we couldn't conceal.
However, what was done was done, and we wouldn't be timid.
If we had to choose again, we would still kill that malevolent fox spirit.
Old Mo and I didn't respond immediately.
Only our martial uncle, standing before us, shielded us behind him:
"And who might you be?"
Although it was a somewhat redundant question, the formalities of the situation had to be observed.
As he spoke, our martial uncle also clasped his hands in greeting.
The old fox did not return the courtesy, but instead let out a cold snort:
"Hu Jiu from Mount Lianghu, and who are you? In Li Family Village outside Mount Wudang, were you involved in killing my child?"
Our guess was correct; they were fox spirits from Mount Lianghu.
Our martial uncle, neither humble nor arrogant, replied directly:
"This humble Taoist is Hu Xiao. My grand-nephew did kill a malevolent demon fox in Li Family Village outside Mount Wudang. If you say it was your child, then it was us."
Our martial uncle offered no further explanation.
Since the other party had recognized them, there was no point in saying more.
Seeing our martial uncle's straightforwardness and lack of any attempt to deny, the old fox was somewhat surprised.
But then, he spoke coldly again:
"Indeed, you have courage and dare to admit it.
This old man admires you.
Since ancient times, a life for a life. Since you admit that your grand-nephew killed my child, then let him take his own life!
With this, we shall be even, and I shall pursue this no further!"
This old fox was arrogant and acted as if he had us cornered.
But to our ears, his words were incredibly grating.
To ask us to commit suicide, what a joke!
"Are you joking?"
I blurted out abruptly, without any fear of this demon.
Old Mo beside me also responded in a deep voice:
"Just a wicked demon, and you want us to commit suicide? Why don't you go eat shit?"
Upon hearing this, the dozens of fox spirits opposite us all let out low growls:
"Presumptuous!"
"Audacious!"
"To speak to Lord Jiu like this, your very soul will be annihilated!"
"Lord Jiu, allow your little foxes to kill them and avenge the young master!"
"..."
One by one, angry voices erupted.
Overwhelming demonic energy surged towards us like a tide, engulfing us.
Instantly, the atmosphere became tense, reaching a breaking point.
Seeing this, Old Mo and I didn't hesitate, and with two swift sounds of "swoosh," we drew our long swords from our scabbard.
We had encountered all sorts of situations on our journey.
Would we be afraid of a few fox spirits today?
Seeing me and Old Mo draw our swords, the opposing side bared their fangs and claws.
Both sides were about to engage.
But at the same moment, our martial uncle and the old fox simultaneously raised their hands, restraining us.
Then we heard our martial uncle speak:
"Hu Jiu of Chasing Moon Cave, is that correct! You may have missed something. My grand-nephew killed a malevolent demon. That wicked fox was causing trouble in Li Family Village, ensnaring villagers' souls.
My grand-nephew encountered this and acted on behalf of heaven to kill it, which is entirely reasonable.
You now ask my grand-nephew to commit suicide. Heh, I'm afraid that reasoning won't hold."
Our martial uncle's words carried a hint of disdain, showing extreme protectiveness.
He did not act meekly just because the fox spirits were numerous.
This was one of the points I admired and respected most about my martial uncle.
No matter how powerful the opponent, when it came to protecting their disciples, my martial uncle was basically the same as my master.
Hu Jiu spoke coldly:
"My child cultivated for hundreds of years and kept to his duties. How could he possibly ensnare souls?
It must be your grand-nephew who harmed my child and fabricated an excuse.
This old man will give you ten counts. Either they take their own lives to atone for my child,
Or I will personally take action, seize you, and annihilate your souls.
You will not leave Fox Mountain."
Having said that, a powerful aura of fox demon, like a tsunami, surged towards us.
The pressure was immense, making it difficult for us to breathe.
Seeing the other party's aggressive stance, our martial uncle let out another cold snort:
"It seems there's nothing more to say.
You refuse a kind offer.
If you want to fight, then fight. There's no need to count to ten."
With that said! Our martial uncle's expression turned grim.
Seeing our resolute stance, Hu Jiu let out a low "wuwu" in anger:
"You seek death! Kill them."
As soon as the words fell, more than twenty fox spirits roared "ao ao" and unleashed their potent demonic energy, preparing to attack us.
At this moment, the three of us also unleashed our full cultivation, ready for a great battle.
However, just then, a much more intense demonic energy suddenly erupted from within the fox immortal cave.
That demonic energy rolled in, like churning winds and clouds.
Its sudden appearance made one's heart palpitate.
The next second, a figure flickered and emerged.
When it was seen clearly again, the figure had already appeared in our midst.
Upon closer inspection, it was the Fox Mother of Bashan Fox Clan, Hu San Tai Nai.
Seeing Hu San Tai Nai appear, no one dared to act presumptuously any longer.
Even this Hu Jiu dared not neglect her and hastily stopped his actions.
In terms of seniority, Hu San Tai Nai was the highest-ranking fox demon in the world today.
"Grand-aunt!"
"Great-grandmother!"
"Third aunt!"
The fox spirits from Chasing Moon Cave called out their greetings.
Our side also quickly ceased hostilities.
"Fox Elder!"
"Fox Immortal!"
"..."
As they spoke, they clasped their fists in greeting.
Hu San Tai Nai was still dressed in the attire of an old woman from the Republic of China era, with a cloth wrapped around her head.
Her appearance was kind and benevolent:
"What is happening? Guests are always welcome to my Fox Mountain. Why are you fighting?
Do you not show respect to me, Hu San Tai Nai?"
Her hoarse voice echoed.
As she spoke, fox cries of "yingyingying" sounded from all directions.
Fox spirits, one after another, rushed over, and soon we were completely surrounded.
We remained still.
But the fox spirits from Chasing Moon Cave suddenly became flustered.
Hu Jiu quickly spoke:
"Third aunt, please do not be angry. It's just that little Jiu discovered that these two are the murderers of my child.
Their aura has already been locked and imprinted by me.
There can be no mistake."
He then pointed at me and Old Mo.
Hu San Tai Nai turned her head to look at us:
"Young Qin, is this true?"
I clasped my hands in greeting and stepped forward:
"Fox Elder, we did indeed kill a fox spirit outside Mount Wudang.
It also claimed to be from Chasing Moon Cave of Mount Lianghu.
However, it was a malevolent fox, and it was ensnaring the souls of the villagers.
That is why we took action and killed it..."
"You lie! How could my child ensnare souls?
Now that my son is dead, whatever you say is useless.
But a life for a life, you must pay with your life for my son."
Hu Jiu roared in anger.
"Heh heh..."
I chuckled, too lazy to respond.
Because what he said was true. Now, whatever I said was useless.
If they didn't believe me, no amount of explanation would matter.
After all, the demon was already dead. If he wanted to fight, then let him fight!
However, at this moment.
A voice suddenly entered my ear:
"Young Master Qin, your subordinate Chen Long is willing to come forward and testify for you..."