Becoming a Fox Spirit from Under One Person

Chapter 92 A Timid "Rat" with Big Ears

Zhang Zhiwei's travels began at Longhu Mountain, passed through Anhui Province, reached Shandong Province, then traversed four provinces, detoured to Wudang Mountain in Hubei Province, and finally returned home.

Zhang Huaiyi then headed northwest, passing through Hubei, then through Shaanxi and Gansu, before heading south, following the route through Sichuan, Chongqing, Guangxi, and Hunan, before returning to Longhu Mountain.

In this way, the two brothers traversed most of the regions where the supernatural sects were located.

Chen Ruoan explained to the big-eared thief, "You're mistaken. Yesterday, I was passing through this area when a crudely made giant zombie appeared, which I dealt with. I originally wanted to stall for time to see if the corpse-maker would show up, but instead, I encountered you."

"By the way, why did you become the one collecting money? I heard from some people that your prices seem quite high."

Zhang Huaiyi understood what the fox meant and hurriedly waved his hand in denial. It was true that he was somewhat greedy and calculating, but that did not mean he would do despicable things to exploit the villagers.

If someone were to use underhanded methods to deceive others or extort money, even if Master didn't use his thunder magic, Senior Brother would probably slap them across the face.

"I told the person in charge of the city that I needed some travel expenses, just enough for me to get to the next county town."

"But the county magistrate is a bit strange."

During the Second Northern Expedition, the new county system proposed by the provincial government had not yet been implemented in remote small towns. The person in charge of the town was still called the "county magistrate," who was responsible for the affairs of the small town and also did some things such as maintaining stability, raising funds, suppressing bandits and pacifying the people.

After pondering for a moment, Chen Ruoan asked again, "Have you been discussing matters with the county magistrate?"

"That's right, he arranged all the food and lodging yesterday. Since Senior Brother Chen eliminated the demonic threat, then this is the reward..."

Zhang Huaiyi's fingers trembled as he pulled out some silver coins from his pocket.

Once the "smurf" got used to it, he felt quite uncomfortable having to transfer the money to the fox.

"The corpse refiner hasn't been dealt with yet," Chen Ruoan reminded him.

"Oh, I forgot." Zhang Huaiyi stuffed the money back into his pocket.

"Let's go."

"Where to?" Zhang Huaiyi asked, knowing the answer already.

"Are you playing dumb with the fox?"

A person who, after the Jia Shen Rebellion, could have raised his grandchildren to adulthood, and even died peacefully of old age without actively showing himself, displayed qualities of prudence, shrewdness, and intelligence in his youth. Having said all that, Chen Ruoan didn't believe Zhang Huaiyi couldn't guess the truth.

Since the mastermind behind it all isn't the "priest," then it must be the "village chief."

This remote county town had no schools, no newspapers, and no Western medicine. The people believed in ghosts, spirits, and deities more than in the government.

If the goal is to amass wealth, directly raising taxes could easily lead to popular uprisings or even investigation by the provincial authorities.

But using the excuse of "exorcising evil spirits and ensuring peace" is different; that involves people voluntarily paying money, nominally a peace donation.

The term "exorcising fee" sounds respectable, but it's actually quite formal.

"I wasn't pretending to be stupid." Zhang Huaiyi paused for a moment before explaining the whole story.

"Brother Chen, I actually sensed something was amiss yesterday. Hearing you mention 'profiteering' only confirmed my suspicions. My earnings don't match the money the people pay; it's obvious who's behind this."

O

Where were you last night?

"At the county magistrate's house. The way that guy spoke, there was a hint of coercion and enticement in his words. Now it seems that it wasn't just my imagination. Luckily, I declined the banquet yesterday under the pretext of fasting, and I was careful last night, keeping an eye on the guards at the gate."

"Why do you only tell me half of what you mean?"

Zhang Huaiyi always had to hide his true nature, which made the fox very tired.

"Firstly, I don't want to act based on guesswork. Secondly, even in a small county, the security force has over eighty people, with at least fifty armed. I'm worried."

For Zhang Huaiyi, given the unclear situation, the risk of breaking off relations was too great.

The fox was speechless after hearing this.

"Zhang Huaiyi, that's your weakness. If it were Zhang Zhiwei, he wouldn't care whether you, the county magistrate, stopped him or not; he would have just rolled up his sleeves and started slapping the zombies."

"I am indeed no match for my senior brother."

Zhang Huaiyi asked himself honestly, if he had encountered an ordinary ghost instead of a fox, he would most likely have continued his travels after dealing with it properly, and would not have paid any attention to the magistrate's scheming.

When wandering the martial world, survival is the top priority; he doesn't have the same confidence and ambition as his senior brother.

Chen Ruoan didn't say much. Zhang Huaiyi hadn't actually done anything wrong. In this world, the timid can live a few more years. It's human nature to seek advantage and avoid harm.

The fox wanted to leave, avoid the gaze of the onlookers, and then go into the city to find out what was going on.

Zhang Huaiyi stopped him: "The number of troops and guns I mentioned is a conservative estimate; the actual number will be even greater. I'm afraid we should proceed with caution."

"Senior Brother Chen, you're cunning enough. Let's play dirty."

The fox glanced at him and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? I'm perfectly upright and honest."

Chen Ruoan left, and Zhang Huaiyi sighed softly before chasing after him.

"What are you going to do?"

"Go to the guard unit's mess hall first and add some secret seasoning to their lunch."

He talked to Wei Shufen by the incense, spending all his time researching Gu poison. He happened to have the opportunity to refine a small amount of Gu poison to give the guards a good time.

.

After noon, at the governor's house, the table full of food and wine was in disarray, and the smell of alcohol mixed with the scent of perfume lingered in the hall.

After a hearty meal and drinks, the county magistrate, with one arm loosely around the beautiful woman in his arms, sighed and groaned with drunkenness.

"The situation is unstable, and it's hard to make money. I've been planning this for so long, creating a sense of unease throughout the city, just waiting to reap the rewards smoothly, but then a Taoist priest with real skills suddenly appears out of nowhere."

"We can't get in touch with Mr. Liu, and the remaining walking corpses have been killed by the ghosts. I asked that Taoist priest to subdue the female ghost, but I don't know how it will turn out."

"The province is still undergoing reforms, there's revolution everywhere! The old system was perfectly fine, why change it? I can't even be a father to the people anymore, so the title of 'parent official' is just an empty name now!"

Alas, it's early summer, yet it's such a troublesome time.

The beautiful woman chuckled lightly: "No matter how you change it, it's just a different way of saying it. As long as you're still in this position, in this small town, the heavens are under the jurisdiction of the gods, and the earth is under your jurisdiction. That won't change."

The county magistrate then asked in bewilderment, "Why did Mr. Liu abandon the walking corpse and leave without saying goodbye? In this chaotic world, his methods should be invincible, allowing him to thrive."

The beautiful woman asked, "Could it be related to that female ghost?"

"The corpse-driver was scared out of his wits by the ghosts? Hahaha! I just hope that Taoist priest can rid the city of ghosts and leave as soon as possible, so he won't cause me any more trouble."

"It's alright, what are you afraid of? The men in our hands are armed."

The county magistrate opened his small eyes and leered at the woman: "I also have a gun hidden somewhere. Want to play with it?"

"You're such a jerk!"

Two figures were crouching on the roof of the blue-tiled house.

The foxhound sat between the roof tiles, while Zhang Huaiyi sat cross-legged beside it. Every sound from inside the house reached their ears.

"I understand, I guessed correctly, let's do it."

"Now?" Zhang Huaiyi asked.

The fox was startled: "You still want to watch?"

What's coming next is content that requires payment to unlock.

.