South City.

At dawn, Xu Qi An lay on a soft, comfortable large bed, covered by a light fur cloak woven from silk unique to the south.

Night Lady lay beside him, pressed close, in a languid pose suggesting delicate helplessness.

“After living in the capital for many years, I’ve grown accustomed to everything human. Returning to the Southern Border, the demon race’s old way of life seems crude, lacking refinement.”

Night Lady sighed, saying: “I thought Her Highness would burn down South City and rebuild the Ten Thousand Demons Nation.”

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox had preserved twenty-seven cities built by the Western Region people as strongholds for the Ten Thousand Demons Nation.

Such a decision actually required great boldness, because not all demons could transform into human form, nor did all demons like living in human settlements.

Gathering in mountains and forests, and living freely in nature, were many demons’ ideal lifestyles.

So while preserving the twenty-seven cities, the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox also divided the Southern Border into activity zones for various demon clans.

To ensure sufficient military forces that could quickly engage in battle and follow orders, the divided areas were not far from the twenty-seven cities.

However, currently, most demons lived in the cities, firstly because the war had just stabilized, and secondly because enough demon soldiers were needed to manage the Western Region humans.

“Your Highness is a very rational woman—no, demoness. Preserving the cities and emulating human systems benefits the demon race more.”

Xu Qi An smiled.

Under the light fur, her smooth, soft body pressed against his. Night Lady recklessly tempted him while sighing:

“Her Highness worries that the Western Region countries won’t accept prisoners of war. Then whether to kill or keep these Western Region people becomes a problem.”

When the Western Region people came to the Southern Border to “pioneer” back then, they relocated hundreds of thousands of civilians, building cities in the Southern Border to exploit the herbs, timber, and mountain delicacies from the Ten Thousand Mountains.

Now, five hundred years later, the twenty-seven cities plus surrounding villages had a total population reaching one million.

Among these people, some died in the war, some fled back to the Western Region, but most became prisoners.

For the Western Region countries to accommodate so many people, food was the first problem, followed by housing, land distribution, and so on.

Whether they were willing to bear this burden was very questionable.

“Someone like her who thinks ten steps ahead couldn’t possibly have a countermeasure,” Xu Qi An smiled.

Night Lady adopted a feminine pose, fawning:

“Young Master Xu’s wisdom is no less than Her Highness’s.”

It’s still most enjoyable with Floating Fragrance, she knows how to please me, unlike the Imperial Mentor who just drains me… Xu Qi An sighed.

Not just the Imperial Mentor, but Mu Nanzhi, Lin’an, Li Miaozheng, Huai Qing, and others—these women were all unique products of their time. They either wielded beauty as a weapon, were spoiled and pampered, were even more chivalrous than him, or were female academic experts who made him feel inferior.

Thinking back to when he first came to this world, yearning for a mundane life with three wives and four concubines, Xu Qi An felt deeply emotional.

Even after reaching the Transcendent realm, living as a wealthy master remained distant.

That’s why they say ideals are precious—because they’re always out of reach.

Seeing she had successfully pleased her lover, Night Lady smiled seductively and continued:

“Her Highness says reclaiming Demon Mountain is only the first step. The demon race must then station troops at the border to help the Central Plains contain the Buddhist sect. Conveniently, these Western Region people can serve as militia, making full use of them.

“We can’t just feed them for nothing, and the demon race lives freely, not as particular as humans, we don’t need slaves. Only human nobility consider themselves superior, emphasizing rules, enslaving servants to display their status.”

After the demon race reclaimed the Ten Thousand Mountains, if they stopped there, the Buddhist sect could send troops to aid the Cloud Province rebels.

So the battle between the demon race and the Buddhist sect wasn’t over. Reclaiming the Southern Border was just the first step; they needed to station troops at the border afterward, maintaining a posture suggesting they might invade the Western Region at any time.

Only this would make the Western Region countries wary, and unwilling to send large-scale forces to the Central Plains.

This was containment.

Xu Qi An nodded: “A good method.”

He gazed at the bed canopy above, thought for a moment, then transmitted:

“What’s your relationship with White Lady, Clear Lady, and Her Highness? You sisters shouldn’t be purely fox spirits.”

This… Night Lady hesitated before transmitting:

“I knew you’d see through it eventually.

“We have nine sisters in total, White Lady is the youngest. Indeed, we’re not purely fox spirits, but more noble than fox spirits. We are Her Highness’s split souls.”

Xu Qi An was startled: “Split souls?”

Humans have three souls—”Heaven, Earth, and Human.” If he understood correctly, split souls meant one of these three.

Night Lady explained:

“Nine-Tailed Celestial Foxes are born with twelve souls. Besides the three souls, each tail has one soul. Upon reaching adulthood, nine split souls separate from the body with the tails, transforming into nine attendants.

“So the previous Ten Thousand Demons Nation ruler had at least nine intimate elders, which were the nine tails.

“Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox tails have a major ability—they can form physical bodies. So for us nine sisters, as long as our souls aren’t destroyed, physical bodies can be replaced and reformed anytime.”

Ah, so before I was dealing with corpses, now I’m dealing with tails… Xu Qi An’s expression became extremely complex.

“What other innate divine abilities does she have?” He took the opportunity to probe the Nine-Tailed Fox’s background.

Truthfully, Night Lady did struggle, as these were Her Highness’s secrets. But women’s psychological defenses are weakest in bed, and she quickly becomes disloyal, revealing the Nine-Tailed Fox’s innate divine abilities to Xu Qi An.

The nine split souls were one innate divine ability. The Nine-Tailed Fox had three more: Soul Capture, Swift Speed… The last innate divine ability was unknown, requiring the Nine-Tailed Fox to reach First Grade to master it.

Counting like this, the Nine-Tailed Fox had four innate divine abilities, worthy of being a demon king naturally endowed with spiritual essence… Xu Qi An’s thoughts flickered as he recalled how the Nine-Tailed Fox had used her enchanting voice to break Arhant Due’s chanting.

That must have been Soul Capture.

He then asked:

“No wonder White Lady’s innate divine ability is Swift Speed, what’s yours?”

Night Lady smiled:

“Young Master Xu, since our reunion in the Southern Border, haven’t you felt increasingly infatuated with this servant, increasingly reluctant to leave the Southern Border?”

Oh, so it’s the enchantment aspect of Soul Capture. I wouldn’t have noticed if you hadn’t mentioned it. It’s all Mu Nanzhi’s fault—after spending so much time with her, I’ve become completely immune to ordinary enchantment…

Xu Qi An turned over, supporting himself on his arms on either side of Night Lady’s waist, looking down at her. He cooperatively showed an infatuated expression, saying:

“So that’s why. No wonder this inspector thinks of Miss Floating Fragrance day and night.”

Night Lady was extremely pleased, her face full of joy.

Soon after, the bed curtains began swaying rhythmically.

…

Mu Nanzhi held White Lady, strolling through South Dharma Temple’s square.

The place was in ruins—the main hall collapsed, Buddha statues toppled, cracks and holes covering the bluestone-paved square.

Demon soldiers carrying weapons could be seen everywhere, directing Western Region people to repair the square’s holes and rebuild collapsed halls. Shouts and whip cracks were constant.

Mu Nanzhi knew repairing South Dharma Temple was the Nine-Tailed Fox’s order. According to White Lady, this was to make the demon race remember their humiliation and train diligently.

“Elder White Lady.”

“Greetings, Elder White Lady.”

Demon soldiers they encountered along the way respectfully bowed to White Lady in Mu Nanzhi’s arms.

White Lady very politely responded “mm-hmm” and “ah-ah” to the demon soldiers’ greetings in her childish voice.

“You little thing is already an elder, doesn’t that make this old lady a demon king?”

Mu Nanzhi rubbed White Lady’s head, mocking.

She enthusiastically watched the surrounding demon soldiers, some in beast form, others in human form but retaining bestial features like ram horns, eagle claws, or scales.

For the reincarnated Flower Goddess, this was fascinating.

Originally she had been quite afraid of demons, due to psychological trauma from being hunted by northern demon barbarians during her journey north.

Later she discovered male demons wouldn’t even look at her directly.

Mu Nanzhi couldn’t figure out if it was because her appearance was too ordinary, or if demons had a different concept of beauty than humans.

White Lady suddenly said softly:

“I might have to stay in the Southern Border.

“Her Highness had me follow Inspector Xu to monitor whether he was properly unsealing Shen Shu’s remnant limbs, but now Her Highness has restored the nation, and Shen Shu’s remnant limbs are assembled except for the final right arm in his body.

“I have no reason to keep following him anymore.”

The shallow smile on Mu Nanzhi’s lips gradually lost its curve.

White Lady looked up:

“Auntie, you’re unhappy?”

Mu Nanzhi sighed:

“When I initially agreed to travel with him, I thought even if we wandered the four seas as vagabonds, at least I’d have a companion, the journey wouldn’t be too lonely. But these past two months, I’ve spent half my time in the Pagoda Treasure.

“Fortunately, I had you for company, so it wasn’t lonely. If you stay in the Southern Border, how lonely I’ll be.”

Loneliness flashed in her eyes, her expression lost and melancholic.

Just then, a clear, crisp voice came from behind:

“White Lady!”

Mu Nanzhi turned around with the little fox in her arms to see a tall woman wearing light gauze, her skirts flying as she approached.

“Sister Clear Lady.”

White Lady called out sweetly.

Clear Lady beckoned, and White Lady jumped from Mu Nanzhi’s arms, running toward the sister she hadn’t seen in a long while.

Mu Nanzhi frowned slightly, somewhat reluctant to let go.

Clear Lady bent down to pick up White Lady, her bewitching fox eyes curving slightly before nodding lightly to Mu Nanzhi as she passed by.

Mu Nanzhi’s gaze followed her silhouette, words caught in her throat. Suddenly she saw White Lady’s head emerge from the blue-robed woman’s shoulder, raising a paw to wave.

She was promptly pushed back down by the blue-robed woman.

Mu Nanzhi smiled faintly, fell silent for a moment, then sighed softly.

…

At the peak of Ten Thousand Demons Mountain.

The silver-haired, fox-eared alluring mature beauty stood proudly at the cliff edge, saying:

“Two thousand six hundred li south of the Ten Thousand Mountains is an island covered in colorful silkworms. I named it Silkworm Island.

“North of Silkworm Island is a valley where the Netherworld Silkworms live. The island is shrouded in heavy miasma and poison gas—the valley’s poison can even paralyze Transcendent experts. The Netherworld Silkworms feed on the blood essence of fierce beasts, using silk nets they weave to catch sea creatures.

“However, with the Seven Fatal Worms accompanying you, neither the poison gas nor the colorful silkworms covering the island can threaten you.”

Highly intelligent, extremely poisonous, silk hard to break free from… Xu Qi An listened very carefully.

The silver-haired demon beauty raised her hand, and an animal skin map floated up:

“I drew this map last night.”

Xu Qi An took the map but didn’t immediately open it to look, instead asking:

“How did you know I wanted to resurrect Duke Wei?”

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox’s alluring red lips pursed as she smiled coyly:

“The white-bearded old fellow said so.”

The Supervisor… Xu Qi An was no longer confused, saying helplessly:

“It’s a pity we couldn’t capture Due or Asura. My Demon-Sealing Nail is still in place. After this battle, the Buddhist sect’s wariness of me has doubled. I don’t know when I’ll find a chance to remove the Demon-Sealing Nail.”

After the Transcendent battle at South Dharma Temple, Due and the others knew he wanted to remove the Demon-Sealing Nail and became extremely cautious. Xu Qi An couldn’t find an opportunity to capture either of them.

Whether Due or Asura, both were outstanding among Second Grade experts.

Repelling them was possible, but capturing them alive was too difficult.

“Then wait to follow your mother to attack Arantha in the future. By then, there will be ways to remove the Demon-Sealing Nail.” The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox squinted against the wind, her silver hair dancing.

My filial piety has gone bad… Xu Qi An mentally quipped.

The earlier the Demon-Sealing Nail was removed, the sooner he could advance to Second Grade. Waiting eight or ten years would make removing it meaningless… Xu Qi An silently sighed, then said:

“By the way, I have one more request!”

…

After lunch, Xu Qi An led a small mare with Mu Nanzhi riding on its back as they walked along South City’s wide streets toward the only intact north gate.

The other three gates had collapsed into ruins during the fighting and were being rebuilt.

Along the way, many streets and houses were also under repair. Western Region people in plain clothes carried bamboo baskets, stones, and timber, working under the demon race’s shouts and whip cracks.

“Why don’t they run away?”

Mu Nanzhi instinctively reached to stroke the little white fox in her arms but touched empty air. Loneliness flashed in her eyes, but she hid it well.

“In the city, they’ll at most be enslaved. Outside the city, in the Ten Thousand Mountains, they could be eaten by demons at any time.”

Xu Qi An seemed not to notice her distress as he continued leading the mare forward.

Mu Nanzhi made a sound of acknowledgment, listlessly watching the scenes on both sides of the street.

They soon reached the city gate, and Xu Qi An said:

“Our next stop is going to sea, to a place called Silkworm Island. It’s very dangerous, so I’ll have to trouble you to enter the Pagoda Treasure again. Also, help me cultivate some poisonous herbs.”

Mu Nanzhi sighed lightly:

“Xu Qi An, I want to return to the capital.”

Xu Qi An was stunned: “Return to the capital?”

Mu Nanzhi couldn’t look at him, turning her face away as she said softly:

“I often wonder if you’ve ever really thought about my feelings. Have you considered that I get bored and lonely in the Pagoda Treasure? It’s not that I’m unwilling to stay in the tower—you’re fighting outside, I can’t help, and naturally shouldn’t cause trouble.

“I just… I just feel you’ve never cared about my thoughts, my feelings…”

As she spoke, her eyes inexplicably grew moist.

Suddenly, she heard White Lady say indignantly:

“Auntie, then take me back to the capital with you.”

Mu Nanzhi habitually reached to pat her head, making an acknowledging sound: “Take you back to the capital…”

The latter half of her sentence cut off abruptly as Mu Nanzhi looked down in disbelief at White Lady in her arms.

“How did you come along?” Mu Nanzhi was both surprised and delighted, repeatedly looking back.

“Her Highness said to keep following Inspector Xu.” White Lady said sweetly.

She didn’t mind following either side, as both were close to her.

Mu Nanzhi suddenly raised her head to look at Xu Qi An: “You…”

Xu Qi An continued leading the mare forward, saying irritably:

“Now, running back to your mother’s home (the capital) at the first sign of grievance, what a delicate woman.”

After a pause, he said softly:

“When the world is peaceful, you won’t have to wander with me anymore. Give me a little more time, it won’t be too long.”

…

The Western Region’s sky was clear and blue, its terrain more rugged than the Central Plains.

Mighty eagles soared beneath the azure sky, cattle, and sheep called melodiously across the undulating grasslands, snow-capped peaks gleaming in the distance amid craggy red cliffs.

Arantha’s peak was covered in year-round snow, like a white-haired elder sitting cross-legged on the Western Region’s vast earth.

Amid never-ending sutra chanting, Asura passed through halls and temples, walked down a small path, and shortly arrived beside a mist-shrouded pond.

Arhant Due sat cross-legged on a lotus platform floating on the water, palms pressed together in meditation.

“Bodhisattva Guangxian is conferring with Bodhisattva Liuli to contact Bodhisattva Garuda.”

The ugly-handsome and martial Asura said in a deep voice.

The three Bodhisattvas must be discussing the loss of the Southern Border and the Buddhist sect’s subsequent strategic plans.

Due opened his eyes, pondered briefly, then said:

“Go to Demon Suppression Ravine to check if the Asura King’s remains are still there. I will go to the Chan Forest to see Buddha.”