"Lord Xiahou, is it time for another court session?"
Observing the changes at the County Government!
Everyone couldn't help but be startled.
Some even couldn't resist stepping forward, wanting to eavesdrop.
However, what was unexpected this time!
Instead of opening wide, the main gate of the County Government was slowly closing. Two soldiers stood on each side like Door Gods.
Without orders from Li Jing, no one was allowed to approach.
Seeing this, the crowd felt an itch in their hearts, yet they had no way to scratch it.
"My lord!"
"Please, I beg you to save my son!"
Merchant Li knelt below, his headscarf askew, tears streaming down his aged face.
"Oh?"
"Tell me exactly what happened in detail!"
Although Li Jing was surprised, he still asked with a solemn expression.
"It's like this!"
"In the backyard of my house, there is an attic, long abandoned."
"It was of no concern at first."
"But several years ago, every time night fell, sounds would start coming from up there."
"I, too, have plucked up the courage to go check it out."
"I found that the attic was actually taken over by a den of foxes."
"At first, they coexisted peacefully."
"But the good times didn't last; last year, my son was enchanted by a fox demon!"
"He became infatuated, losing all desire for food and drink! He even moved into that abandoned attic to live, seeking pleasures day and night."
"He's become emaciated and lethargic."
"I worried he'd ruined his health, so I invited a Mage to perform rituals to expel the spirits, but... alas... I did not expect that the demon would be extraordinarily powerful."
"It has already driven away several mages!"
"Just yesterday, another mage came to my door!"
...
Merchant Li was quite eloquent, and in a short time, he explained the ins and outs and the cause and effect of the matter.
As Li Jing listened to the old man's words, he also couldn't help but nod repeatedly.
This fox demon seemed to understand how things work.
Just with these words, it proved to be much better than most.
After Merchant Li finished speaking, Li Jing then said, "Since Xiahou has been elected as the Investigation Officer!"
"One naturally cannot sit idly by concerning this matter!"
"Guards!"
"Assemble the troops!"
"Accompany me to visit the Li family!"
"I want to see for myself what kind of demon dares to be so brazen within my jurisdiction!"
"Yes!"
Upon receiving Li Jing's order, the guards, without any hesitation, nodded firmly and solemnly responded.
It took but the time of half an incense stick!
All the soldiers had already assembled.
Under the lead of the officers, they set off in a majestic procession toward the Li family's old residence.
Li Jing, clad in Armor and exuding Evil Qi, sat astride a tall horse, prompting all those he passed to bow respectfully with folded hands.
Li Jing also occasionally returned the gesture.
After about the duration of one incense stick, the main gate of the Li family's old mansion came into view.
Because he was on horseback, Li Jing could even see the back garden's attic.
Just as Merchant Li said, the attic was long abandoned; the white paper on the windows, almost all of it was torn and tattered.
Most importantly!
He faintly saw several strands of what seemed like demon Qi coming from that attic.
"My lord!"
"The demon hides in this attic!"
Seeing Li Jing looking into the distance, Merchant Li by his side hurriedly said.
"Mhm!"
Li Jing gave a slight nod, dismounted gracefully, and followed Merchant Li's lead into the back garden.
Though he had seen it from horseback, it was only by getting closer did he realize the attic was even more dilapidated than he had imagined.
In some places, the overgrown grass reached higher than a man's waist.
Everywhere was desolate; it was hard to fathom how the young master of the Li family could withstand such an environment.
As if perceiving Li Jing's thoughts, Merchant Li hurriedly stepped forward to explain, "My lord!"
"That fox demon is adept at the art of transformation!"
"At night, this place would be ablaze with lights!"
"A jade tower and splendid buildings!"
Hearing this, Li Jing finally understood.
He glanced first at the quiet and desolate attic, and then at the newly risen sun.
Only then did he say, "It is still early in the day now!"
"That fox spirit, I fear it is not within the attic."
"In that case!"
"I shall return in the evening!"
"I, the Investigation Officer, must see what kind of monster dares to bewitch people here!"
Hearing Li Jing's words, the people around could not help but nod in agreement.
The merchant Li had no objections either.
Because of the fox spirit's matter, Li Jing did not leave the Li family but stayed on, entertained with wine by the merchant Li until the afternoon.
When the sun had set!
Everyone was gathered together again.
And watched intently for any changes in the attic.
When the moon climbed atop the willows, the formerly dilapidated attic suddenly lit up.
The scene around also transformed.
Sure enough, there were jade towers and splendid buildings all around, a place ablaze with lights.
Where could any signs of dilapidation be found?
Faced with such a bizarre transformation before their eyes, everyone couldn't help but gasp in unison.
"They're here!"
"They're here!"
"The fox spirit has arrived!"
Seeing the figure of a young girl appear at the window, the merchant Li couldn't help but exclaim in alarm, murmuring instinctively.
In fact!
There was no need for him to point it out, as everyone knew the fox spirit had come.
As if hearing the voices, the dressing fox spirit paused her motions and gently turned her head.
As if she wanted to peer through the window and pierce through all that lay beyond!
Everyone's heart tensed with her movements.
However!
Regarding everything happening before him!
Li Jing remained unconcerned.
Before the Demon-slaying Sword, all demons are mere practice.
However!
This time he didn't slay the demon right away!
Instead, he took out a calling card from his bosom, then lifted his palm.
The card shot through the window like a bolt of lightning into the attic!
The young girl dressing up inside, clearly not anticipating this, instinctively startled.
The previously bright light went out in an instant!
The once brightly-lit attic was plunged into darkness again.
Just when everyone thought the fox spirit had fled,
The lights in the attic shone once more. The tightly sealed doors were also pushed open with a creak.
Several girls clad in silk, with slender waists, came out one by one, a glow of spring on their faces as they looked at the crowd.
Hiss!
With a soft sound!
The Demon-slaying Sword in Li Jing's hand sprang out halfway, with the talismans on it flickering with a flowing light.
"Demon Clan!"
"These girls, they're all from the Demon Clan!"
Seeing the reaction of the Demon-slaying Sword, everyone immediately realized.
Just as everyone fell silent, the leading woman came forward, crouched to give a greeting, and cheerfully said, "I did not expect the respected Investigation Officer Xiahou to grace us with his presence!"
"We are truly rude."
"If the Officer does not mind,"
"Please join us in the tower for a banquet!"
As they heard the words of the fox spirit, the bystanders were taken aback, with some instinctively wanting to step forward to stop him.
However, before they could speak up,
Li Jing had already gestured dismissively.
"Since there's an invitation,"
"it would be rude of me, the Officer, to refuse!"
"Wait for me outside!"
"I will attend the banquet alone!"
As the crowd expressed their concern for Li Jing's safety and wanted to caution him, Li Jing had discreetly raised the Demon-slaying Sword high.