Chapter 114: Humanitarian Merit

The next day!

Most of the weasel demons in the city had disappeared, yet a small number remained, continuing to wreak havoc. This situation naturally caught the attention of the bald-tailed pig demon chieftain.

"Chieftain, I shall order my men to investigate the situation immediately." Inside the room, a fat, foul-smelling pig demon with a bald tail grunted twice before hurriedly retreating.

No sooner had the pig demon left than another burst in, an excited expression plastered across his ugly, hideous face. "Chieftain, good news! Good news!"

"What good news?" asked the pig demon, who was lying on his bed being pampered by a brothel girl, looking thoroughly pleased.

"A green fox demon has arrived outside the city. She’s from Green Fruit Mountain in Yanggu County, and it seems she is the eldest daughter of that old fox demon," the pig demon reported breathlessly.

"Is it Miss Yu'er?" The bald-tailed pig demon chieftain, currently enjoying his pampering, leaped off the bed with a start. He threw on some crude clothing and ran toward the door, not forgetting to grab the pig demon who had brought the news to lead the way.

Within Yanggu County, a few men dressed as servants in green robes were carrying a sedan chair into the city. As they meandered down the street, the jade bells hanging from the sedan's curtains emitted a crisp, melodious sound. The fox demon clan was the most adept at the art of human transformation.

"Snort, snort!"

On the other side of the street, a group of pig demons came charging over, led by none other than the fifth-rank bald-tailed pig demon chieftain. He blocked the path of the sedan and said, "Heh heh... Miss Yu'er, what brings you to Yanggu County? Why didn't you notify me in advance?"

The sedan curtains parted, revealing a delicate and charming face. The surrounding pig demons all gasped, their mouths hanging open and drool dripping down.

"Pig Third, you all stink to high heaven. Get away from me at once!" The green fox demon showed a hint of disgust and waved her hand at the pig demons.

"Quick, all of you, get away from Miss Yu'er! Hurry, hurry!" As the chieftain commanded, hundreds of pig demons scrambled backward, trampling each other and grunting, their masses of fat wobbling in a chaotic display.

"Miss Yu'er, what business brings you to Yanggu County?" Pig Third patted his chest and said earnestly, "Currently, all of Yanggu County is under my domain."

"I have come down from the mountain to find a scholar and engage in an earth-shattering love story," the fox demon replied. "I have passed through several counties, but I haven't found anyone who catches my eye yet. Are there any scholars left in Yanggu County? Why not bring them to me so I may have a look?" Her eyes were filled with yearning and longing.

"Miss Yu'er, what’s so good about those frail scholars? They’ll likely be drained dry by us demons in a few days. Why not consider your humble Pig Third? I have a robust constitution and am extremely durable," Pig Third said, shaking his fat.

"Get lost."

"If you won't help, I shall find one myself. However, if you can truly find me someone who pleases my eye, I will personally act as a matchmaker and marry you off to a green fox girl. How about that?"

"Are you serious?"

"Naturally."

"Then watch closely, I, Pig Third, will get it done!" Excited by the prospect—for the green foxes of Green Fruit Mountain were all stunningly beautiful—Pig Third immediately summoned his men to hunt for scholars in the city.

"Stay away from me, you smell truly atrocious," the green fox demon said, waving her hand at him before signaling her servants to continue deeper into Yanggu County.

...

With green walls and black tiles, the residence featured two fierce-looking stone lions at the gate, a vermilion door, white jade steps, and heavy copper ring knockers.

"This place is not bad. I shall stay here while I am in Yanggu County," the green fox demon said, looking at the Su Residence with satisfaction.

One of her servants stepped forward to push the gate open, only to find it locked. He had to strike the copper knocker with force, producing a dull thud.

"Who is it?" a voice from the gatekeeper inside asked.

"My mistress wishes to stay at your home. Open the door and vacate the premises," the fox demon said.

"Do you know what place this is? How dare you speak such nonsense? Leave at once, or the Su Residence will not be so lenient," the gatekeeper replied, his voice filled with displeasure.

*Bang!*

The next second, the servant in green slammed his palm against the vermilion gate. The bolt snapped, and the door flew open. The gatekeeper’s expression changed drastically, and he immediately struck a gong, causing a group of nearby martial artists to rush out.

...

In the back courtyard, Su Yang had just finished consuming the medicinal effects of the fifth-rank great medicine and was tempering his foundation. A maid’s anxious voice came from outside: "Master, Master, it’s bad! A woman has come to the gate saying she wants to kick us out."

Su Yang opened the door, his clothes disheveled, a trace of displeasure in his eyes. "What is her cultivation level?"

"Fifth rank!"

"Fifth rank?" Su Yang frowned. "Lead the way."

If it were common seventh or sixth-rank agitators, he could leave it to his servants, but a fifth rank? The leaders of the Chen and Wei families in the city were both fifth-rank, but they were men. The bald-tailed pig demon chieftain was also a fifth-rank wild demon, but he was a male. Since when did a fifth-rank woman appear in Yanggu County? And why was she so arrogant?

Su Yang reached the gate to find his servants already injured and the two sides at a stalemate. Outside, several men in green were carrying a sedan chair.

*Qi-Gazing Technique.*

Beyond the pervasive demonic aura, the sedan was filled with a large amount of blue fortune—she was clearly of significant background.

"Are you the master of the Su family?" a charming, alluring female voice came from within the sedan.

"I am Su Yang, master of the Su house," he replied. "May I ask what brings you here, Miss?"

"Did your servants not tell you? I have taken a fancy to your residence. Move your family out immediately; I wish to live here. If you refuse, I shall have to cause some bloodshed," the green fox demon said, her tone cold yet filled with a seductive charm.

"Miss, isn't that a bit too overbearing?" Su Yang frowned, a flicker of killing intent hidden in his eyes. If he were forced to reveal his true strength, so be it. How annoying.

*Jingle!*

The sedan curtains opened, revealing a delicate, charming face. Her watery eyes gazed at Su Yang with affection, and she raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on her lips.

He was a truly handsome young man—elegant, refined, and composed, his eyes as calm as autumn water, like a banished immortal from the heavens.

"Is the Master of the Su family a scholar?" the fox demon asked, suppressing her inner excitement.

"I am indeed a scholar of Yanggu County," Su Yang nodded. "Why do you ask, Miss?"

"Wonderful, wonderful! This is simply wonderful!" Her face blossomed into a smile. She waved her hand and said, "Young master, you and I are fated. We shall meet again."

"Let's go."

As the servants carried the fox demon away, she remained looking at Su Yang with eyes full of tenderness.

"Master, what was that about?" Li Yeniu walked over, pointing in the direction of the departing sedan, looking puzzled.

"Let's go back!" Su Yang, unable to fathom the demons' motives, said, "Also, step up patrols."

"Yes!"

...

"Sigh, Grandmother insisted I undergo a love trial. With such a handsome young man, how am I supposed to pass it?" a resentful voice murmured from inside the sedan.

That afternoon, the bald-tailed pig demon sent over a batch of scholars, but the fox demon turned them all away. Having set her sights on a target, she no longer had interest in anyone else. She chose an elegant courtyard in the city and settled down.

That night, a bald-tailed pig demon burst into the chieftain's room in a panic. "Chieftain, we found out! We found out everything!"

"What did you find out?" Pig Third sat on a chair, the rosewood frame creaking under his massive weight. He looked at his subordinate with displeasure. "Stay calm, I’m not going to eat you!"

"Chieftain, the black-haired rat demon chieftain and the weasel demon chieftain were killed the night before last and the night before that, respectively. That is why they all fled the city."

"What? They were killed?"

Pig Third felt a chill. He stood up, pacing the room, sweat dripping from his body. "Those two were heavily wounded! How did I not think to take advantage of the situation and finish them off? They are great sources of energy!"

"Chieftain, what do we do now?"

"What else can we do? Quickly withdraw from Yanggu County and raid their dens; there must be plenty of good things there. Hurry, notify our boys, we’re leaving the city!"

Pig Third, unable to contain his excitement, waved his hand. The group of pig demons marched out of Yanggu County, heading off to plunder the dens of the rat and weasel demons.

Su Yang had missed his chance. He had intended to scout the wounded pig demon chieftain that night, only to find that there wasn't a single pig demon left in the city. With the city now devoid of most demons, he immediately ordered his sixth-rank subordinates to lead teams and begin hunting the remaining stragglers.

Two days later, as the remaining demons sensed something wrong and fled, Yanggu County was almost entirely free of demonic presence. In the Su Residence, a large stockpile of demon corpses had been gathered. Su Yang removed their toxins and stored them, planning to exchange them for long-lasting ancient medicines later. During this calamity, the martial artists of the Su Residence had not suffered many losses; on the contrary, their strength had grown, with many advancing from the ninth to the eighth, or eighth to seventh rank.

On the eighth day after the city was breached, gongs rang out across the streets. "The Green King has entered the city and driven away the demons! Citizens, come to the county office to receive relief grain!"

As the morning light broke, the sound of horseshoes, gongs, and shouts filled the air. In a small courtyard, an old woman with a cane and skin stretched over bone stepped out onto the empty street. After a long while, she realized the city was truly safe. She ran home to retrieve the body of her grandson, hoping to bury him in the ancestral grave.

"There are no more demons in Yanggu County! We are finally safe!"

Soon, the streets were filled with people. After the initial joy, they all headed toward the county office to collect their grain.

Back at the Su Residence, Su Yang suddenly felt a change. He opened his panel and saw a new column: *Humanity Merit.*

From the sky, a wisp of golden light, like drifting smoke, descended, containing the supreme principles of heaven and earth, and merged into his panel.

Name: Su Yang (Quasi-Immortal)
Incense Value: 193
Humanity Merit: 102
Realm: Fifth Rank
Techniques: [Incense Department+], [Qi-Gazing Technique+], [Seventh-Rank Mind-Control Insect+], [Root-Testing Technique+]
Secret Manuals: [Wild Bull Long Fist+], [Fire Dragon Overlord Three Spears+]
Data: [Sacred Book of Gynecology+]
Lifespan: 1010+
Family Descendants: 6
Family Progress: The family is thriving. You possess numerous guards and a respectable residence. Your first wife is less than seven months away from giving birth. You need to carve out a territory for your descendants and become the number one family in Yanggu County to obtain 5000 Incense Points and the [Sixth-Rank Mind-Control Insect].

Family Progress: To become the leading family in Yanggu County, you have a long road ahead. First, monopolize an industry and become the leader, earning over fifty taels a day to obtain 1000 Incense Points.

On the panel, a "+" sign appeared next to every technique and manual, indicating that they could all be upgraded using Humanity Merit.