Chapter Twenty-Six: The Enchanting Fox Clan Faces Punishment

Situations where his identity was mistaken no longer surprised Gu Zhiheng. He must resemble some great figure, for many spirits who encountered him seemed wary, treating him with utmost courtesy. At first, he found it unsettling and would attempt to explain. But after it happened enough times, he grew tired of clarifying. With so many mistaking him, perhaps he truly did bear a striking resemblance.

Yet, when borrowing the identity of that person, Zhiheng always felt a certain apprehension—after all, much of what he had done was met with disapproval by many. Even Chu Xingran often said he was identical to that figure, and frequently mistook him herself. Like Chen Yuan, who, when transformed into a child, would politely address him as “Lord Jiu.”

“Ling Feng, your Fox of Allure clan has committed countless misdeeds—tell me, shouldn’t I thoroughly cleanse Mistbrow Mountain?” The words escaped his lips, though they were not what Zhiheng truly thought. He knew nothing of this place—neither Mistbrow Mountain nor its resident spirits. The sudden assertion left him momentarily at a loss for its origin. Could it be that the five old men that night had spoken the truth? Perhaps it was never a matter of mere resemblance—perhaps he truly was that very person.

But he found it impossible to believe—after all, that was a figure from over five centuries past. How could they possibly be one and the same?

“My lord, my lord, have mercy! The Foxes of Allure truly know their wrongs!” Ling Feng was panic-stricken; he had never expected to see this lord again in his lifetime. Had he known this day would come, he wouldn’t have dared commit such heartless acts! Had he known the lord had not died, he would never have ostracized and oppressed other clans, would never have banished the Black Serpents to solidify his own clan’s power. Had he known the lord would one day return to settle these accounts, he wouldn’t have dared bully Chu Xingran and Chen Yuan.

“Did you know that those two are my family, and Mo Han is of the Gu family as well?” Anyone who bullied Chu Xingran deserved to die. “Fox of Allure? Hah!” Whatever kind of fox you are, today you must be punished.

Those under his protection would never suffer his own cruelty—what right then did others have to harm them?

So it was—only men of true capability could protect those they cherished.

“My lord, I beg you, spare us, it was our fault!” Ling Xue’er, at some point, had crawled out of the pit, filthy and disheveled as she knelt before him.

But Zhiheng was never one to show mercy to the likes of her, especially those who had provoked him.

“Spare you? Did you ever think to spare Chu Xingran and Chen Yuan back then? How could I spare you now?” Call him unreasonable, call him cold-blooded if you will. No one could touch those he wished to protect.

Heh, once the decision was made to kill you, could anything change that?

With those words, his spell struck Ling Xue’er and Ling Feng, and even the ugly fox at their side did not escape. Zhiheng showed no mercy, leaving not the slightest chance for escape.

Today, not only would he deal with this father-daughter trio, but with the rest of the Foxes of Allure as well. Though he knew the others had not provoked him, his heart was set on this course—he even considered exterminating the entire clan.

“Bai Tangxi, today I grant you the chance for vengeance. I want you to ruin the Foxes of Allure.” Zhiheng suddenly pointed at the white-haired ape who had been there from the start. The name had appeared in his mind unbidden, and he voiced it without hesitation.

“My lord, how exactly do you want me to ruin them?” Heaven, the lord even remembered his name—how delightful!

“They like to keep others as slaves and servants, don’t they? Then let the entire Fox of Allure clan serve as slaves and servants from now on,” Zhiheng said coldly, his gaze devoid of any warmth, as if he were not the one speaking. He disliked killing, but he relished seeing his enemies in utter despair.

To him, making his enemies live in agony was far crueler than letting them die—it was the truest punishment.

Listening to Zhiheng’s words, Ling Feng felt as if the sky had collapsed. So, cause and effect did exist—retribution was real after all! Once, he had been favored by the lord himself, yet now he had come to this wretched end. Back then, the lord had esteemed the Foxes of Allure—how had things changed with time?

“Ling Feng, those who commit evil will bring about their own ruin; all of this is of your own making.” Zhiheng turned away, refusing to look again upon those kneeling on the ground.

On Mistbrow Mountain, clans punished in this way would face either annihilation or a lifetime in the Forbidden Zone. Compared to extermination, waiting hopelessly for death in the Forbidden Zone was a far crueler fate. After all, outside, one could continue their cultivation—even the outskirts were better than the Forbidden Zone.

So Zhiheng’s decision was nothing less than a suspended death sentence for the Foxes of Allure.

Bai Tangxi was quick; in about half an hour he returned from the Foxes’ lair.

“My lord, their powers have been destroyed, and all have been taken to the Forbidden Zone.” The Forbidden Zone—a terrifying realm indeed.

“Very well. You have redeemed yourself with merit and may leave the Forbidden Zone from this day forward.” As he spoke, a talisman landed on Bai Tangxi. Once the charm vanished, Bai Tangxi felt the restraints upon him dissolve.

Realizing he could finally leave, Bai Tangxi immediately knelt to thank Zhiheng, his respect deepening further.

The other spirits in the Forbidden Zone were dumbfounded—Bai Tangxi was allowed to leave? The lord was too merciful, letting Bai Tangxi go so easily.

“Disperse, all of you. In a hundred years, the Forbidden Zone will open—you may all leave then!” Zhiheng shook his head, unsure of his own words. He felt as though his mind were being controlled, his actions and speech no longer his own.

Since entering the Forbidden Zone, he sensed something amiss within himself, though he could not say what exactly was wrong. Yet, upon seeing Ling Feng’s face, he felt compelled to punish him—and even the whole Fox of Allure clan.

Even with Bai Tangxi, half an hour before, he had suddenly found that foolish ape familiar. The name had leapt into his mind, escaping his lips without conscious thought—then, after dealing with the Foxes, he had chosen to release him.

“Bai Tangxi, you know what to do with what remains. I’m tired and will rest now.” Ah, none of this was what Zhiheng wished to say!

“Xingran, let’s go.” Oh no—he had called her by her given name. Normally, he always addressed her as “elder sister.” Why had everything become so strange after entering this mountain?

Zhiheng turned and left, taking Chu Xingran by the hand.

Mo Han and Chen Yuan, lagging behind, exchanged a glance, feeling certain that things were not so simple—something was off about Zhiheng today.

Or could it be… him?

Impossible. Even if Zhiheng were that man reborn, this was already his sixth life—how could he suddenly recover old memories?

But looking closely, Zhiheng did not seem like someone who had regained his memories.

Or… had the Foxes of Allure done something?