The Little Fox's Immortal Cultivation Encyclopedia

Seeing Duan Mianli's fluctuating expression, Niu Qizhang snorted and was about to leave, but was immediately stopped by the man: "Don't be in such a hurry to leave. Tell me again, what changes have occurred in the county after that corrupt official was gone? Explain clearly, and I will forgive you for being late."

Seeing that Chief Niu still had a long face, he added, "I was rash just now, but you were also absent from your post first. Don't delay, I'm in a hurry to report to the magistrate."

Since Magistrate Zhang took office, he first carefully examined the accounts of money and grain, and then privately summoned veteran officials like Niu Qizhang who had been in the county government for a long time but had never participated in corruption. After questioning them gently, he recruited them for his own use, rooted out a group of core corrupt officials, severely punished them and dismissed them from their posts, as a warning to others.

He then personally presided over the court sessions, strictly enforcing attendance rules. Anyone absent from their post, shirking their duties, being late, or leaving early was punished with ten strokes of the cane on the spot. In addition, the county magistrate had nearly died upon his arrival, and the yamen runners were all afraid of a repeat of the county magistrates dying one after another and the prefectural governor holding them accountable. As a result, everyone acted immediately upon receiving the order, and the atmosphere in the yamen was completely renewed.

Although Niu Qizhang himself had no great ambitions and would slack off whenever possible, he respected Magistrate Zhang quite a bit. He could only sigh and say, "What changes could there be? After the previous magistrate died, County Assistant Magistrate He temporarily took over the duties. In order to find the magistrate, he sealed off all the wards and strictly checked the pedestrians coming and going at the city gates, but unfortunately he found nothing."

He seemed to suddenly remember: "Oh, the biggest change is that the curfew was reinstated for those few days."

Duan Mianli stroked his chin, pondering, "Could this be their purpose? To take advantage of the curfew and the darkness to carry out their plan in secret?"

Ignoring the old man, he strode into the hall and urgently reported, "Magistrate Zhang, I have some new leads."

"The fox understands completely now." After digging and nudging the soil and directing everyone to fill it back in, the fox finally breathed a sigh of relief and said to Da Liu.

"Fox, what do you know?" Big Willow was exhausted from digging in the soil and collapsed to the side.

"There's a huge mass of malevolent energy under this tree," the fox said confidently. "Those bad guys must be planning to harm this peach tree first, just like they did to you, before they go after everyone in the city."

Da Liu shrank back in fear, then asked, somewhat puzzled, "Why would they do that?"

"Because they are bad people," the fox said matter-of-factly. "And why would a fox know what they're up to?"

The fox patted the ground with its paw and continued, "This huge stench must have been deliberately collected by them. Just like Erlang is one of those bad guys, you are the Yin energy. No matter where Erlang wants to go to play with snakes, as long as the fox catches you, Erlang won't be able to do anything."

Da Liu nodded and then shook his head: "I understand, but Erlang is not a bad person."

The fox ignored the foolish snake and focused on casting illusions, blurring the memories of the servants and brokers, making them believe that they had just been burning incense and offering prayers under the tree. He then gave them some money and sent them away.

This matter must not be known to too many people. If one is not careful, the fox will never be able to eat rice cakes or roasted meat again, and no one will cheer for the fox anymore.

Moreover, the evil energy entering the body is very painful, and people in the city, who have not done anything wrong, cannot suffer this pain.

The fox felt a heavy responsibility on its shoulders, but its body was too small to bear so much. It couldn't be the fox who was troubled alone, so the fox decided to spread the word and let others share the burden.

The queen bee cannot leave the hive, and the mice have short legs; they would probably starve to death before they even get here. After much thought, the only option left is to go find someone.

The fox made up its mind and turned to instruct Big Willow: "You stay here and don't let anyone dig any more holes in the tree. Stay away from the tree and if there is any danger, run away first."

"If the fox hasn't returned by nightfall, then your spirit should leave your body and go south to search for it."

"Don't worry, Fox," Da Liu said earnestly, straightening up.

The fox didn't linger any longer and turned to run towards the county government office. It weaved through streets and alleys, slipped under shelves, and brushed against bamboo baskets, speeding away like a gust of wind.

"Huh?" Halfway there, the fox stopped, as if it had caught a familiar scent. It turned its head to look at the square courtyard on the side of the street.

In the courtyard.

"Students, you must review what you have learned today after class." The teacher packed up his books and got up to leave.

Pu Caiyu stretched and reached out to stroke Da Huang's warm fur. Da Huang sat upright by the desk, affectionately licking the child's palm.

Since arriving in the county town, Uncle Zhang has made me study at this academy. My father was worried that I wouldn't fit in with my classmates since I was new here, so he sent Dahuang over to keep me company.

The classmates all liked the dog, and the teacher allowed Dahuang to stay in the yard.

One day, when Caiyu was playing with other children, she casually mentioned that Dahuang had brought her food, which was overheard by a passing gentleman.

The teacher stood and listened carefully for a while, then left without saying a word. But the next day, the teacher allowed Da Huang to come into the classroom to accompany him in his studies.

The students pressed for details, but the teacher simply replied, "Dogs and horses are metaphors for gentlemen. If a dog sees a person walking, it will imitate them; what harm is there?"

"Caiyu, Caiyu!" Several playmates crowded around, interrupting Pu Caiyu's thoughts, "Look what I have in my hand!"

They furtively pulled Caiyu aside, keeping her far away from Dahuang.

Pu Caiyu looked up and saw that they were holding a calligraphy scroll in their hands.

"Dahuang, not allowed to enter the academy?" Pu Caiyu read it aloud subconsciously, her heart tightening. "These are the teacher's words. Is he trying to send Dahuang away?"

Pu Caiyu's playmate chuckled and pressed her down, explaining, "No way! We stole some of the teacher's calligraphy practice paper, cut it up, and pieced it together."

"We want to test whether Dahuang can read or not. We'll stick the words on the door later and see if Dahuang can come in."

"We bet he wouldn't admit it."

"I bet he'll admit it."

"Stop gambling, the master forbids us from gambling." Pu Caiyu imitated the master's stern face, "I'll slap your hands."

"It's just a bowl of sweet soup, it's fine." The chubby little boy with the round face shrank his head. "Just tell me if you want to see it or not."

"I want to see it, but I won't gamble." Pu Caiyu smiled, walked over and patted Big Yellow's head, took out a wooden ball, and took it to play in the yard. The other children took the opportunity to bend down and stick the calligraphy on the door, close to the ground.

Mr. can't see from this angle, but Da Huang definitely can.

After playing for a while, the teacher returned to the lecture hall, took out books, and began to proofread and explain them to everyone. Several children threw the ball far away, and while Da Huang was retrieving it, they hurriedly ran back into the hall and sat down, their eyes glued to Da Huang.

Big Yellow ran back happily, but stopped at the door, put its head close to the calligraphy, and sniffed it carefully.

It squatted on the ground, tilting its head as if thinking about something. After a moment, it spat the wooden ball aside and ran straight out the door.

"Yay! I won! Big Yellow really can read!" The chubby boy jumped up happily, about to show off to his friends, but when he saw their upright posture, his heart skipped a beat.

"It's over!" 』

Big Yellow was unaware of what was happening inside the hall. It had only suddenly smelled a familiar scent and, out of curiosity, had chased after it. Just as it rounded the corner of the academy wall, it was knocked down by a paw that fell from the sky.

"So slow." The fox retracted its claws.