Jun Jiuli certainly wouldn't let his filthy hands touch her. Floating in mid-air, she opened her mouth to mock him.
"Oh, the Crown Prince has woken up. Was it difficult to keep up the act all this way? The General's daughter from the mountain has been waiting for you very anxiously."
Zhao Lingheng scrambled to his feet in a sorry state, looking at the room full of foxes, his former lover being tortured while tied up, and a strange being floating before him.
His eyes were devoid of any emotion, showing no surprise. He formed a fist with his hand and brought it to his lips, coughing out a mouthful of blood.
"Cough, cough, I don't know what you're talking about. I am the Crown Prince of Zhao, protected by the aura of a true dragon. You wicked creatures will not be able to harm me in the slightest."
Shui Wa: "Hahaha, dragon aura. Is he trying to make me laugh myself to death so I can inherit my host?"
Sensing Jun Jiuli's growing coldness, Shui Wa immediately corrected himself.
"Not in this life, nor any future lives. The host is mine alone."
Jun Jiuli: "White-eyed expression jpg."
Jia Yin's almond eyes widened in disbelief. In their three years of marriage, Zhao Lingheng had never told her these things. He had only said he was the son of a wealthy merchant, harmed by his half-brothers who coveted the family fortune, which was why he ended up in the mountains.
Every time she heard these stories, she felt it was unfair to Zhao Lingheng. She had wanted to draw her sword and go down the mountain to avenge him, but he would always stroke her head and say:
"When will the cycle of revenge ever end? Jia Yin, your purity and kindness make you the most beautiful woman in the world. I don't want you to stain your hands with blood for me; it wouldn't be fair to you."
"If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have met you. He and I are like brothers, blood is thicker than water. I no longer care about the past; I just want to spend the rest of my life with you in the mountains."
So, was it all a lie? He was actually a noble Crown Prince. And there was a General's daughter? Then what was she?
She instantly transformed into a tragic heroine, her eyes reddening as tears streamed down her face. She spoke in a mournful voice:
"A Heng, none of this is true, is it? This is all fake, you've never lied to me, have you?"
Zhao Lingheng didn't even glance at her. He began to survey the room again, calculating his odds. With his current state, he had no chance of winning. Jia Yin was so foolish; he could only try to bluff these foxes.
"Wicked creatures, do not slander me. How could I, the Crown Prince of a nation, be involved with something like you? I advise you to be sensible and send me back to Zhao immediately."
"If I do not return soon, my father, the Emperor, will be anxious and send troops to attack the mountain. By then, you will likely face annihilation. The cavalry of Zhao is known for its formidable might; do not harbor any illusions."
The foxes in the room suddenly recalled the previous scenes of being skinned and disemboweled. They let out low growls and bared their teeth at the man and woman, wishing they could tear them apart, drain their blood, and kill them.
"Such a big mouth. Let's see if you live long enough to see that."
"You... You are insolent."
Jia Yin quietly opened her closed eyes, a dull ache in her heart. Yet, she couldn't let go of Zhao Lingheng, unable to watch him die before her.
"My lord, A Heng meant no offense. My lord, you also don't want the ancestors of the upper realm to be stained by karma, do you? Please spare him this once. I, Si Niang, am willing to bear all the punishment."
"Your devotion remains unchanged, but he has no place for you in his heart."
"Even if it's just my one-sided affection, the love we shared over these years isn't fake. We were once so..."
"Alright, shut your mouth. You're being disgusting. Who wants to listen to your rambling?"
Vines instantly sealed Jia Yin's mouth. Zhao Lingheng was even more terrified by this scene. If Jia Yin had no power to resist, how could he escape with his injuries?
His heart turned to ashes in an instant, thinking of the glory and wealth waiting for him at the foot of the mountain. The supreme imperial throne, beautiful wives, and concubines he would have enjoyed would now be enjoyed by others. He was so enraged that he spat out another mouthful of blood.
Why was he so foolish, wasting three years for an allegedly genuine immortal pill and a demoness?
He should have immediately descended the mountain after recovering from his injuries. Now, trapped in such a dire situation, no amount of cleverness could overcome absolute power.
Jun Jiuli bound him with vines and tossed him aside, then began to deal with Jia Yin.
"Hu Si Niang violated tribal regulations by bringing a mortal into Fire Fox Village, nearly bringing disaster upon our clan. Although the disaster did not truly befall us, it would have been too late by then."
"Hu Si Niang is exempt from death, but she cannot escape punishment. She is sentenced to be expelled from the Fire Fox tribe and have her two tails severed. Does anyone in the tribe object?"
Silence fell upon the room. All the foxes were satisfied with Jun Jiuli's judgment. Jia Yin shook her head repeatedly, glancing towards the crowd of foxes.
She hoped someone would plead for her. Losing her tails meant all her cultivation over the years would be in vain. However, the foxes glared at her fiercely, their eyes filled with the anger and disappointment of betrayal.
The Fire Foxes, like humans, had a genealogy. The clan leader brought out the genealogy and personally crossed out her name.
Jun Jiuli personally wielded a sword and severed Jia Yin's two tails. She could no longer stand and reverted to her original form. Forcing herself not to faint, she wanted to know how Jun Jiuli would deal with Zhao Lingheng.
Jun Jiuli pulverized her ceremonial sword in front of her. Jia Yin could only shed silent tears, looking at Jun Jiuli with anger and resentment, as if vowing to get her revenge someday.
Jun Jiuli handed the clan leader a small booklet on demon cultivation.
"Go back and find a few people to copy this together. Everyone in the clan needs a copy. We must not harm others, but we must have the ability to protect ourselves."
"Yes, thank you, my lord."
"Also, I have set up a magical array at the foot of the mountain. From now on, mortals outside will not be able to enter, and we cannot leave. Do you have any objections?"
"This is excellent. My lord's considerations are thorough."
"Very well, you may all withdraw. I will personally cast these two out of the village. Rest assured, I will not harm Si Niang further. However, whether she can survive in the mountains in her current state depends on her fate."
Fox Liu Huo: "We dare not. This unfilial daughter has brought her fate upon herself to reach this point. My lord's judgment is just, and we will not question it." With that, he led his family out of the room first.
Jia Yin couldn't help but let out a couple of choked sobs, "Father, how could you be so heartless? You're abandoning Si Niang like this?" Tears silently rolled down her cheeks.
Jun Jiuli kicked her again fiercely, "All day long you only know how to blame others, without thinking about the ridiculous things you've done yourself."
"Wuwuwu~" She could only let out a few low whines to express her dissatisfaction.
Jun Jiuling stood up and kicked Zhao Lingheng in the eye he had lost the previous night.
"Hey, stop playing dead. The foxes have all left. Now it's your turn. Your wife was screaming so loudly last night; didn't you feel like begging for her? I really don't know what kind of eyesight she had to fall for trash like you. But I guess you're a match made in heaven, attracted to each other."
A sharp, cold blade touched Zhao Lingheng's spine. Zhao Lingheng's charade completely broke. He writhed and struggled on the ground like a maggot, constantly begging for mercy.