633: Chapter 44 Gao Yong

"Wan Yuzhi, what is your relationship with the fox demon hidden beneath your home?"

The one asking this was Xu Changqing.

He asked this because many tools had been discovered earlier in the fox demon's lair beneath Wan Yuzhi's home.

Among them were instruments for making scented powder from flowers, as well as knives.

Based on the situation at the scene, it was speculated that the fox demon hiding there had most likely harmed people.

And the fox demon's lair was located beneath Wan Yuzhi's home; Wan Yuzhi was also a fox demon.

If Wan Yuzhi had participated in harming people, he would inevitably have to capture her to prevent others from falling victim to her in the future.

Hearing this, Wan Yuzhi's expression changed slightly; a flicker of hesitation passed through her pair of charming fox eyes, but in the end, she answered truthfully, "This humble one is of the same clan as them."

Then, she shifted the topic: "However, this humble one has never taken a human life."

As she spoke, Wan Yuzhi raised her hand as if taking an oath: "This humble one can swear to the heavens; if these words are false, may I be struck by lightning!"

Seeing her speak with such conviction, Xu Changqing's expression softened slightly.

At that moment, Gao Yong woke up.

Looking at the vaguely familiar surroundings and unfamiliar faces, he was stunned at first. Only when he saw Wan Yuzhi did he come to his senses, and then he called out, "Wife."

"Husband." Wan Yuzhi responded with surprise and joy, hurriedly running over.

Xu Changqing hesitated for a moment but ultimately did not stop her.

Wan Yuzhi and Gao Yong immediately embraced each other.

Because he had been asleep for too long, Gao Yong's mind was still a bit muddled. Subconsciously, he asked, "What happened to me?"

Hearing this, Wan Yuzhi quickly let go and explained, "You were poisoned by water and have been unconscious for a long time. That you can wake up now is all thanks to the Dao Lord saving you."

Saying this, she pulled Gao Yong to kneel together before Meng Li, expressing gratitude: "Thank you, Dao Lord, for your compassion and for saving my husband."

Gao Yong was a bit confused, but out of trust, he followed along: "Thank you, Dao Lord, for your compassion in saving Gao's life."

Meng Li waved his hand: "Don't thank me so hastily. Although I was the one who acted, the one who advocated saving him was Daoist Xu, along with these few."

He paused briefly, pointing at Xu Changqing, Jing Tian, and the others.

Wan Yuzhi was somewhat surprised but still followed along, thanking Xu Changqing, Jing Tian, and the others together with Gao Yong.

However, as soon as the human and the demon finished expressing their thanks, Xu Changqing stared at Gao Yong and asked, "Do you know your wife's true identity?"

Gao Yong was instantly stunned.

Wan Yuzhi's face abruptly changed color.

Clearly, she had not told Gao Yong that she was a fox demon.

Sure enough, in the next moment, Gao Yong asked, "What does the Daoist mean by that?"

Xu Changqing replied, "To be frank, your wife is not human; she is a demon, a fox demon!"

Gao Yong's expression froze, then he forced a smile: "Is the Daoist perhaps joking? My wife and I have been married for over ten years; how could she possibly be a demon?"

Seeing this, Tang Xuejian crossed her arms and said, "Grandmaster Changqing is not joking. If you don't believe it, ask your wife."

Gao Yong turned to look at Wan Yuzhi and inquired, "Wife, is what they said true?"

Wan Yuzhi desperately wanted to deny it, but she understood even more clearly that she could no longer hide it. Thus, she said bitterly, "It's true. I... am indeed a fox demon."

After saying this, she closed her eyes in pain and revealed her fox tail.

Gao Yong felt as if struck by lightning. It took him a long while to recover, after which his expression became complex, and he said to Wan Yuzhi, "You... why didn't you tell me earlier?"

His voice trembled slightly, as did his body, but he did not step back or avoid her.

This reaction surprised Xu Changqing, Jing Tian, and the others, as well as Wan Yuzhi.

Tang Xuejian asked in astonishment, "You're not afraid?"

Gao Yong answered truthfully, "Afraid? Naturally, I am afraid. I am just a Mortal. Suddenly learning that the person by my pillow is not human but a demon—how could there be any reason not to be afraid? But my wife has been married to me for so long and has never harmed me. I believe she will not harm me in the future either, so I'm not that afraid."

Wan Yuzhi's face lit up with joy.

"But she's a demon!" Tang Xuejian emphasized.

"So what?" Gao Yong retorted, then continued, "Humans say demons are terrifying, yet they don't realize that sometimes the human heart is more vicious than demons. My wife has never harmed me, nor has she harmed any human. Even if she is a demon, she is a good demon."

"Husband!"

Wan Yuzhi's beautiful face was full of emotion. Overjoyed to the point of tears, she retracted her fox tail and threw herself into Gao Yong's embrace.

Tang Xuejian and Xu Changqing fell silent.

Lan Kui's eyes sparkled. Then, as if thinking of something, she first glanced at Jing Tian, then looked toward Meng Li. The former showed no reaction; the latter instantly noticed, turned his head to look, and his gaze met hers.

She immediately lowered her head like a startled fawn.

Meng Li smiled soundlessly.

Hong Kui noticed this scene, pursed her lips, but said nothing.

Meanwhile, Xu Maoshan, standing to the side, hugged Jing Tian and began to wipe away tears.

Jing Tian asked, puzzled, "nickname, what are you crying for?"

Xu Maoshan replied, "Boss, it's so touching! I'm so moved!"

Jing Tian: "..."

The others were also amused by Xu Maoshan's words, and the atmosphere instantly became much more relaxed.

Gao Yong clasped his hands and said, "Thank you all for saving my life and informing me of my wife's identity."

"If you do not mind, please come to my humble home and allow Gao to host a banquet to express my gratitude and thanks."

To this, Xu Changqing, Jing Tian, and the others naturally declined politely.

Because they were not the ones who had acted to save him; they had only agreed to save Gao Yong and had not thought of seeking repayment. Moreover, they also knew that over the years, Wan Yuzhi had sought medical help everywhere to cure Gao Yong's illness, almost exhausting the family's wealth.

Additionally, they still had a mission to attend to.

After some polite exchanges, Meng Li, Jing Tian, and the others returned to the Inn.

Halfway there, Jing Tian suddenly remembered how Meng Li and Wan Yuzhi had returned separately, as well as the issue of how Wan Yuzhi had addressed Meng Li earlier. Curious, he couldn't help but ask, "Elder Brother Meng, didn't you chase after Wan Yuzhi earlier? Where did you chase her to?"

"White Tofu, Pig Woman, and I searched all along the way but didn't see either of you."

"Also, why didn't she return with you, but instead came back separately, and why did she call you 'Dao Lord'?"

As these questions were raised, Xu Changqing, Tang Xuejian, and the others also grew curious.

Hong Kui even swiveled her gaze sharply toward Meng Li.

Lan Kui also turned her eyes toward him.

Seeing this, Meng Li carefully considered his words and said, "After I went to chase Wan Yuzhi, I chased her to a tavern-like demonic Realm..."

"Demonic Realm? What is that?" Tang Xuejian asked.

Xu Changqing explained, "The so-called 'demonic Realm' is a hidden, special space. Their locations are extremely secretive; inside, there is another world, even a self-contained domain. Many demons and monsters like to use them as hiding places, and some reclusive experts also use them as Immortal Caves."

"The fox demon's lair beneath Wan Yuzhi's home is one such demonic Realm."

"Demonic Realms are concealed and difficult to find, especially those with owners. The owners generally take measures to cover their tracks."

"Thus, it's quite normal that we couldn't find Brother Meng and Wan Yuzhi earlier."

Tang Xuejian, Jing Tian, and the others then understood.

Then, Lan Kui asked Meng Li, "Elder Brother Meng, what happened next?"