"Fourth Sister was actually very good to our kin..."
On the road, Hu Mengyao suddenly spoke.
Yang Ruoyun, though slightly surprised, did not interrupt her.
"Our fox clan has a bad reputation. The human flood tens of thousands of years ago had a particularly severe impact on us. Many elders and seniors of the clan died in that catastrophe."
"And we foxes with shallow cultivation had to hide and flee, living in constant fear, never having enough to eat. Our lives were incredibly difficult."
As she spoke, a trace of sadness flashed in Hu Mengyao's eyes.
In fact, it wasn't just her; Yang Ruoyun herself still felt lingering fear. Back then, the human Dao fortune reached its peak. Humans were fearless; they could even drag down deities, let alone various spirits and demons.
"At that time, I truly believed that the demon race was nearing its end, disappearing completely into the torrent of history. I lost all hope for life, for everything."
"Back then, Fourth Sister was responsible for taking care of us. She was always so optimistic. She would risk danger to steal food for me from human villages, comfort us to live optimistically, and make us laugh, bringing us joy..." Hu Mengyao's voice trailed off as large tears rolled down her cheeks.
If it were true that Fourth Sister had deliberately leaked her whereabouts, the emotional damage to her would far outweigh any physical harm.
"We hid in the mountains for many years. Fourth Sister was the first fox to venture out, and she became the most successful. Even with her wealth, she didn't forget us. She bought us books, snacks, clothes, and so on, allowing us to learn new knowledge and understand human affairs..."
"The tuition and living expenses for my schooling were all provided by Fourth Sister..."
"Then perhaps we shouldn't go?" Yang Ruoyun said softly.
Hu Mengyao, however, shook her head. "I still want to get to the bottom of this. Otherwise, my heart will not be at peace."
Yang Ruoyun remained silent, instead reaching out and taking her arm, a gesture of the best support.
Although Hu Mengyao said this, the fox clan was inherently cautious. She wouldn't rashly go and question Hu Sisang directly.
If it wasn't Hu Sisang, that would be one thing. But if it truly was Hu Sisang, it would be no different from walking into a death trap.
Therefore, as they neared the beauty salon, Hu Mengyao took out her weapon, a massive brush.
Then, with a light stroke in the air, an exact replica of Hu Mengyao appeared before them.
Yang Ruoyun looked at what had happened with a bit of surprise, her expression thoughtful.
The newly appeared Hu Mengyao smiled at her original self, nodded slightly, and then walked into the beauty salon.
The original Hu Mengyao, meanwhile, pulled Yang Ruoyun across the street to a milk tea shop.
"Your magic is quite wondrous, and that brush of yours also looks extraordinary," Yang Ruoyun praised.
Hu Mengyao's cheeks flushed slightly at the remark. She then said softly, "The brush handle does have some history, as for the bristles on the tip, they actually fell off from my own fox tail."
Yang Ruoyun: ...
Seeing Yang Ruoyun's shoulders shaking violently, Hu Mengyao couldn't help but roll her eyes. "If you want to laugh, then laugh."
"No, no, *snicker*..."
Yang Ruoyun couldn't hold it in any longer. Hu Mengyao paid her no mind, instead looking outside the milk tea shop. Her vision was now connected to the other her, allowing her to observe the situation inside the beauty salon through her duplicate.
Although it was evening, it was the beauty salon's busiest and most lively time. Customers came and went, and staff bustled back and forth.
As Hu Mengyao walked in, a service staff member who recognized her immediately greeted her warmly.
"Where is my sister?" Hu Mengyao asked directly, without any pretense.
"Ah? She should be in the office at the back," the staff member, whom Hu Mengyao had stopped, replied after a moment's pause.
The beauty salon had four floors in total. Logically, as the leader, Hu Sisang's office should be on the top floor. However, her office was inexplicably on the first floor, in a secluded, out-of-the-way corner. Anyone visiting for the first time would likely have trouble finding it.
She had her reasons for doing this. Directly below her office was where she held captive the vampire she had tricked.
Only by sitting directly above the captive did she feel at ease. This was a cash cow, and she couldn't afford even the slightest mistake.
Because of Hu Sisang's office, there was a door separating the front and back sections, and ordinary staff were not allowed to go further back. As she crossed that door, Hu Mengyao glanced back.
The front section was noisy and boisterous, while the back section was quiet and serene, feeling like two different worlds.
Passing through an indoor courtyard, then along a long corridor lined with paintings on one side and shelves of wine on the other—all of Hu Sisang's treasures—she continued on.
However, before she could reach Hu Sisang's office, she encountered Hu Yulin.
Upon seeing Hu Mengyao, a flicker of surprise crossed Hu Yulin's face, but he quickly greeted her with a broad smile.
"Nineteenth sister, why are you here again? Have you found your friend?" Hu Mengyao was about to nod when she instantly reacted and shook her head.
"No, that's why I've come to ask Fourth Sister for more information."
"Is that so? I'll arrange for some people to help you look. Don't trouble Fourth Sister with such a small matter. She's busy with preparations for a collaboration with the Han Group; she has a mountain of things to do."
"Thank you, Fourteenth Brother. Then I won't bother Fourth Sister." Hu Mengyao said with a smile.
She then prepared to move further inside, but Hu Yulin stopped her again.
"What is it?" Hu Mengyao asked, her expression puzzled.
"Fourth Sister is resting. You shouldn't disturb her." Hu Yulin said.
"Is that so?" Hu Mengyao's face showed a hint of distress.
"If I came all this way without seeing Fourth Sister, she'll scold me when she finds out."
"Haha, we're all siblings. How could Fourth Sister scold you for such a small thing? You worry too much," Hu Yulin chuckled.
Then, he took Hu Mengyao's arm and started pulling her outwards.
"Come on, Fourteenth Brother hasn't seen you in a while either. Let's have a good get-together. I'll take you somewhere nice to eat."
"If that's the case, then thank you, Fourteenth Brother." Hu Mengyao did not insist further.
She then followed Hu Yulin all the way to the fourth floor.
"Fourteenth Brother, didn't you say you were taking me to eat something good? Why are you bringing me here?"
"I need to change my clothes."
"Change clothes? Why change? I think your current attire looks perfectly fine," Hu Mengyao said, appearing completely unsuspecting, as she and Hu Yulin entered the room.
Then, she froze. There was another person in the room.
A middle-aged man with fair skin and blond hair.
Before Hu Mengyao could ask anything, Hu Yulin placed a heavy hand on her back.
And Hu Mengyao instantly turned into a wisp of smoke, vanishing into thin air.
Hu Yulin also froze for a moment, then his expression changed drastically.
"Not good..."
He quickly went to the window and looked out at the street.
Meanwhile, in the milk tea shop, Hu Mengyao's face also changed greatly. She immediately grabbed Yang Ruoyun.
"Let's go."