Hearing Ian Song's words, the faces of the seven great clans turned pale, all realizing they were caught in a dilemma: either stay and keep confronting Ian, or return and await the arrival of the imperial envoys!
After all, last night Ian had slaughtered 290,000 demon cultivators—these twenty thousand people weren’t even enough to fill the gap between his teeth. They were absolutely no match for him. As for waiting for imperial punishment, although there was a chance of clan extermination, at least there was a faint hope of survival.
So in the end, all seven great clans retreated back into the city.
"Father!"
A young girl threw herself into Harold Zhou’s arms.
"Renee, you don’t blame your father, do you?" Harold Zhou hugged his daughter tightly, face full of guilt.
"How could I ever blame you, Dad?"
"That’s good. You really are my good daughter. Come, let’s go thank Young Master Song—if not for his timely arrival, we’d be finished!" Harold Zhou took his daughter Renee and led her to Ian Song.
"Renee thanks Young Master Song for saving our lives."
Renee bowed respectfully to Ian Song, her clear eyes shining with deep admiration. Ian’s feats had already spread throughout Immortal Maple City—single-handedly slaughtering 290,000 demon cultivators, saving the whole city, and even capturing the giant serpent demon king alive. So all the city’s young men and women saw him as an idol, and fifteen-year-old Renee was no exception.
"No need for such formalities. It was nothing," Ian Song replied, raising his hand and gently lifting Renee Zhou up with a touch of true essence.
After a few more words with Harold Zhou and his daughter, Ian quietly left. Renee stood there, watching his departing figure, unable to look away for a long time.
By noon the next day, the envoy from the High Zhou imperial court finally arrived in Immortal Maple City.
After arriving in Immortal Maple City, the envoy didn’t immediately summon officials for reports, but sent her subordinates out to gather news from the city.
Two hours later, in the Immortal Maple City government office.
At the head seat sat the Silver Fox Princess, the imperial envoy, listening to her subordinates’ reports.
The Silver Fox Princess was the youngest daughter of the Prince of Gaoyang, deeply favored by the Empress and one of her trusted advisers. She had entered the palace at eighteen and rarely left the capital. This time, she had personally requested to come to Immortal Maple City.
When she heard that Ian Song had single-handedly slain 290,000 demon cultivators and captured the giant serpent king alive, a strange light flickered in her pale blue eyes. But with her silver fox mask on, her expression was impossible to read.
After hearing her subordinates’ findings, the Silver Fox Princess turned her gaze to Harold Zhou. "Lord Zhou, is all of this true?"
"Yes, Princess. It’s all true," Harold Zhou replied, bowing respectfully.
"Very well." The Silver Fox Princess nodded, but her eyes grew cold. "The seven great clans betrayed humanity and sided with the demons, helping them slaughter our people. Such crimes deserve death. However, the Empress is merciful. By her order, all clan heads are to be thrown into the death prison to await execution; all cultivators at Golden Core and above will have their cultivation abolished; those below Golden Core who are proven not to have killed may be spared; anyone found with blood on their hands is to be executed on the spot!"
At this, the Silver Fox Princess turned her gaze to a young officer. "Jason Starr, you’re in charge of this. If even one person escapes, I’ll hold you personally responsible!"
"Rest assured, Princess. I will not fail in my mission!"
Jason Starr quickly promised. He was a member of the Dragon-Taming Guard, one of the royal Three Guards, holding a fifth-rank post, and his cultivation had already reached the peak of late Soul-Split—enough to sweep aside any Soul-Split opponent.
"Good. Don’t disappoint me! Go!"
The Silver Fox Princess waved her hand.
Once Jason Starr left with his men, the Silver Fox Princess spoke again: "Harold Zhou."
"Yes, Princess."
"You did well stabilizing Immortal Maple City. I now appoint you as temporary Prefect of Immortal Maple City. Once the city is fully stabilized, I’ll personally petition for your promotion!"
"Thank you, Princess, for your support!"
Harold Zhou was excited. With the Silver Fox Princess backing him, the Prefect position would almost certainly be his—a fourth-rank post, a promotion by three grades.
Still, he knew he had to handle everything perfectly this time to truly win the Silver Fox Princess’s favor.
After Harold Zhou withdrew, the Silver Fox Princess turned to the quiet young maid at her side. "Sandy, go find out which inn Ian Song is staying at. I want to meet him."
For some reason, just hearing the name Ian Song gave her a strange sense of familiarity and warmth.
She still remembered that when she was eight years old, after a serious illness, her mind was suddenly filled with fragmented images. From that time on, she had someone craft a fox mask for her to wear.
Later, she earned the Empress’s favor and was given the Silver Fox title—that’s how she became the Silver Fox Princess.
Soon, the Silver Fox Princess and her entourage arrived at the Ruyi Inn, where Ian Song was staying.
The inn was now extremely popular—staying there meant you might catch a glimpse of Young Master Song up close. Even if you couldn’t get a room, dining there was worth it for the chance to see him.
So these past two days, the innkeeper had been all smiles, secretly hoping Young Master Song would stay forever.
"Honored guests, are you here to stay or to dine?"
Seeing the Silver Fox Princess and her entourage, the innkeeper immediately recognized their distinguished status and hurried over to greet them personally.
"We’re here to find someone. Where’s Ian Song? Tell him to come see us!" Sandy strode forward, her tone arrogant.
Hearing such a demanding tone, especially insisting Young Master Song come out personally, the innkeeper was displeased and replied coolly, "Young Master Song is very busy—not just anyone can see him."
"Hmph, do you know who my mistress is? Hurry up and call Ian Song out to greet her!" Sandy protested.
"Sandy, don’t be rude!"
The Silver Fox Princess spoke up: "Innkeeper, I’m the imperial envoy sent by the court, here to thank Young Master Song. Please announce my visit."
Hearing this, the innkeeper’s expression changed and he hurriedly replied, "Please wait a moment, I’ll go notify him right away!"
After settling the Silver Fox Princess in a private room, the innkeeper hurried off to report to Ian Song.
"The imperial envoy is here?"
Ian Song didn’t react much. After confirming where they were waiting, he headed straight for the private room.
*Knock knock!*
The sound of knocking on the door rang out.
"Come in!" a clear, crisp voice called.
Hearing this voice, Ian Song felt a strange sense of familiarity. He pushed the door open and his gaze immediately landed on a woman wearing a silver fox mask.
"How dare you! Show some respect to the Princess!" Sandy scolded when she saw Ian Song openly scrutinizing the Princess.
But as the Silver Fox Princess saw Ian Song’s face, her body trembled slightly. That sense of familiarity grew even stronger, though she found it odd—she had never met this man before, so why did he feel so familiar?
Ian Song ignored Sandy’s rebuke and activated his Clairvoyant Vision, looking through the Silver Fox Princess’s mask. Her true features appeared clearly before him, and a flash of surprise and delight flickered in his eyes. He couldn’t help but exclaim inwardly, "How can she look so much like...?"