CHAPTER 45: CHAPTER 45: LEADING THE ENEMY INTO THE TRAP

After the fox girl finished speaking, she raised her hand and carefully arranged the light gauze in front of her chest.

The colorful man had a gloomy expression, his fists slightly clenched: "Husan Niang, are you using Fox Mother to pressure me?"

Husan Niang smiled faintly: "Hurong, you seem displeased, but considering the current situation of your Tiger Race, what does it matter if I use Fox Mother against you?"

Hurong’s eyes became more sullen, then he unclenched his fists as if resigning to his fate and sighed: "This time, in cooperating with you, I am being sincere, without a trace of falsehood."

Throughout history, it is said the fox borrows the tiger’s might, yet in Lingzhou, the Fox Mother’s clan does the opposite.

Originally, the Tiger Demons of Lingzhou were a formidable force; even the monkeys and Tree Lord of Cangyun Valley had to show them deference.

However, recently, the Tiger Demons stirred up demon havoc, caught by the lackeys of the Evil Extermination Bureau, nearly facing extermination.

Now, the Tiger Race’s secret cache concerns their survival and could help them return to greatness.

But the Tiger Race lacks manpower and can only compromise, relying on the Fox Mother to obtain the cache.

They are merely a part of the plan to acquire large quantities of cultivators’ blood, which is the key to unlocking the cache.

As for why they don’t seek cultivators from sect forces, it is because the energy and blood of those from the Evil Extermination Bureau are the most abundant.

The cultivation techniques they practice, supplemented by a large amount of Blood Crystals acquired desperately, make their energy exceed that of the forces in Lingzhou.

Precisely because of this, the Evil Extermination Bureau remained as stable as Mount Tai.

Facing Husan Niang’s threat today, Hurong could only suppress his anger, swallow his pride.

Husan Niang covered her mouth with her hand, giggling charmingly: "Since you are sincere, that’s good."

Hurong’s eyes flickered: "What do you intend to do?"

The people from the Evil Extermination Bureau had walked into the trap, yet Hurong didn’t know Husan Niang’s thoughts.

For security, he needed to know the entire plan.

Husan Niang extended her pale jade-like finger, pointing to her forehead.

The next moment, three snow-white tails emerged from her shapely, rounded hips.

Two of them fell to the ground, transforming into two naked women identical to Husan Niang.

Husan Niang released her hand, a cold smile playing at her lips: "Three Copperside Lieutenants have arrived this time; with two avatars plus you and me, we will lead in three directions."

"We will strike with full force, first slaughtering one Copper Lieutenant, then pursue another, back and forth, annihilating them all."

Hurong’s eyes widened in disbelief: "You’re mad, all I need is the State Official’s blood."

Husan Niang shook her head, saying: "Not enough; you also don’t want insufficient blood energy, risking failure in opening the cache, do you?"

Hurong remained silent for a long time, his colorful physique turning into a monstrous killing intent: "First kill Nie Hu, during the Tiger Race massacre, his hands were not without blood, and among the three Copper Lieutenants, he is the strongest."

Husan Niang nodded slightly: "That’s perfect."

...

The night grew increasingly deep, as thick as ink.

In the room, the oil lamp flickered, shadows mottled.

Nie Hu and Ma Rou were immersed in cultivation, leaving only a trace of spirit outside to detect any abnormalities.

Qin An had long since wiped the black knife, returned it to his waist, but his hand never left the hilt.

This calmness bore a hint of boredom, yet Qin An was accustomed to it.

He enjoyed solitude, without anyone disturbing, it was instead a good thing.

Outside the window, a cold breeze blew into the room, causing the oil lamp to flicker slightly.

Qin An sat grandiosely, eyebrows slightly raised, his calm gaze sweeping towards the window.

At the window, shadows flickered, and soft footsteps like drizzle were heard.

Nie Hu and Ma Rou both opened their eyes simultaneously, frowning.

The gentle rain-like breeze slightly intensified, pushing the unlatched door open a crack.

Outside on the street, villagers emerged from their houses one by one, stepping outside.

Their eyes vacant, limbs stiff, like puppets on strings.

"It’s coming... I’ve come..."

Accompanied by murmurs, the villagers divided into three groups, heading in three different directions.

At this moment, the state official of the Evil Extermination Bureau had already stepped out, just in time to see Nie Hu, Qin An, and Ma Rou heading out.

With furrowed brows, Liu Mei removed the Life-taking Rope from her waist, saying: "Each direction differs, heavy with doubts, be extra careful."

Nie Hu waved: "The three of us will each take a part of the people, dispersing to follow."

During their exchange, the villagers seemed unaffected, even Mr. Yang walked dazedly in one direction.

Qin An stroked the black knife, pondering: "Dispersing is not a good idea."

The situation being unusual, if they scattered their forces, they might be picked off one by one.

Unexpectedly, upon saying this, Nie Hu revealed a hint of a cold smile.

"How long have you been a Copper Lieutenant compared to me?"

"If the Fox Girl had overwhelming power, would she need to act this way?"

"She’s fishing, and so am I, if she only absorbs two portions of energy from these three waves, wouldn’t she fall into my trap?"

Three consecutive questions, yet Qin An’s expression remained calm as water.

Nie Hu’s analysis also made sense.

If they combined forces, and the fox girl took the other two portions of energy and fled, they would end up with nothing.

But Qin An knew, Nie Hu’s words were aimed at him.

Ma Rou gently shook her head, giving Qin An a look, implying he shouldn’t mind.

Qin An raised an eyebrow, slowly saying: "You question me thrice, let me ask you once."

Nie Hu frowned: "What?"

Qin An replied indifferently: "As a fellow Copper Lieutenant, who do you think you are to speak to me this way?"

This statement left the scene in silence.

Quite a few state officials were listening to commands, and upon hearing Qin An’s confrontation, all felt a chill.

Under Cheng Sufeng, there were many Copper Lieutenants, but only Nie Hu had a fiery temper.

Qin An’s remarks could instantly spark conflict.

Nie Hu’s hair bristled: "Just a newly appointed Copper Lieutenant, how dare you speak to me this way?"

Ma Rou felt helpless.

She knew Cheng Sufeng’s intention, sending her merely to mediate, but both parties were anything but calm.

Qin An stared directly at Nie Hu: "Unconvinced? Settle it now or later under supervision."

He joined the Evil Extermination Bureau solely to obtain cultivation techniques and Blood Crystals, never wanting to be embroiled in power struggles.

If Nie Hu continues to target him, Qin An wouldn’t mind sending him on his way with the black knife.

Nie Hu squinted his eyes, fierce light glinting like lightning: "The mission is important, afterward, I’ll come to you, you just wait."

"Disperse and pursue!"

Though fiery by nature, he knew to prioritize.

Many state officials, upon hearing this, formed three groups.

Nie Hu personally led a team, pursuing one direction.

Ma Rou said: "Qin An, take care of yourself."

Qin An nodded slightly, watching Ma Rou leave, then waved to the remaining state officials: "Let’s go."

Soon, the village returned to silence, no one left.

...

It was a moonless night.

Qin An followed the villagers straight ahead, arriving three miles outside the village.

Suddenly, the stiff-moving villagers halted, their eyes rolled back, and all fainted on the ground.

Qin An drew the black knife from his waist, scanning the front, exuding a killing aura.

In the silent darkness, a delicate figure slowly emerged.