Chapter 877
However, he was not acting out of guilt or self-blame.
Instead, he looked towards Bai Qingrou and Yuan Tianqing, "Uncle Bai, Uncle Yuan. I am truly innocent. Considering all the years I’ve served Tianlan Sect, even if I haven’t earned any merit, I’ve at least suffered some hardships. Please spare me!"
"There were so many Evil Demons at the time, I, I thought I was doomed. That’s why in fear I ran back!"
"I, I never imagined that Qin Qi was really that powerful, taking down a dozen Evil Demons all by himself..."
Yuan Tianqing snorted coldly, "Wu Hao, you have truly disappointed me!"
After he spoke, he waved his large hand, pressing down on Wu Hao’s head.
Wu Hao, in despair, still wanted to struggle.
But as Yuan Tianqing exerted more force with his palm, Wu Hao was instantly killed on the spot.
On the battlefield, there are clear rules.
All cultivators, once off the battlefield, must not flee back. Deserters are sentenced to death.
And Wu Hao’s crime was not just merely being a deserter!
After dealing with Wu Hao, Yuan Tianqing then looked at Qin Qi, "Qin Qi, you’ve worked hard. You did well, and I will fully report your merits. At that time, the merits you both acquire will be evenly split, which should be about a thousand merit points each!"
Upon hearing the mention of around a thousand merit points,
even Baiqing Residence showed a hint of envy on his face.
Clearly, those thousand merit points were very precious to him as well.
Ming Lan immediately stood out, her red lips slightly parted, "City Lord Yuan, of the two thousand merit points for completing this task, I only need two hundred. The rest can all go to Qin Qi!"
"This task was almost entirely completed by Qin Qi alone. Not only did I fail to contribute, but without Junior Brother Qin’s help, I fear I would have perished long ago!"
"Regarding the merit points, I’m really unworthy of receiving so many."
Qin Qi immediately waved his hand, "Senior Sister Ming Lan, don’t undervalue yourself. You contributed quite a bit to this task as well!"
"Junior Brother Qin, you needn’t say more."
Ming Lan was quite resolute, "Our Ming Family has always been open and straightforward in our conduct. We absolutely do not cling to life fearfully, nor do we take advantage!"
"Junior Brother Qin, these merit points are rightfully yours. City Lord Yuan, please allocate the merit points as such!"
Seeing Ming Lan’s firm stance, Yuan Tianqing nodded with a smile.
Qin Qi had nothing more to say.
But he quickly recalled the issue with the Fragrant Fox.
He said slowly, "However, City Lord, Holy Maiden. Besides the matter with Wu Hao, there was a small episode during the flag planting!"
"Additionally, this small episode nearly caused our entire army to be wiped out outside the city!"
"What happened?" Yuan Tianqing was immensely surprised.
Qin Qi said coldly, "The Fragrant Fox!"
Baiqing Residence’s face turned extremely ugly in an instant.
Bai Qingrou also showed a hint of surprise between her brows, "How did this involve a Fragrant Fox?"
Qin Qi explained the sequence of events thoroughly.
"Though the Fragrant Fox was carried by Ma Yan, it certainly wasn’t intentionally carried by him."
"From what I deduce, someone deliberately placed the Fragrant Fox on Ma Yan!"
"The purpose was to ensure that everyone planting flags on this expedition would perish on the spot!"
"If I didn’t have some hidden abilities myself, I would have long died under the fangs of those Evil Demons!"
Upon hearing this from Qin Qi, Bai Qingrou glanced at Baiqing Residence, her exquisite face turning noticeably somber.
Others may be unaware, but how could she not know?
This Fragrant Fox is a rare species.
And her disciple, Baiqing Residence, just happened to have raised one!
Yuan Tianqing also seemed thoughtful, his gaze lingering on Bai Qingrou for a moment, but he said nothing.
Bai Qingrou spoke gently, "This matter indeed involves some trickery, but it proves nothing."
"Really!"
With Qin Qi’s intelligence, upon seeing Baiqing Residence’s face, he had already figured out most of it.
Moreover, today Ma Yan had only met with Baiqing Residence and Wu Hao.
From all that, the mastermind behind the Fragrant Fox was almost certain!
He smiled, "This matter, Holy Maiden, you needn’t bother yourself. I think, since the Fragrant Fox is a rare item."
"And Tianqing City is only so big, there shouldn’t be many who raise one."
"As long as a little investigation is conducted, the true culprit should be quickly uncovered!"
"By then, I believe in the fairness and justice of Holy Maiden, you will surely bring the perpetrator of this evil deed to justice, providing a reasonable account for me, Junior Sister Ming Lan, and the deceased Senior Brother Ma Yan!"
"Am I right, Holy Maiden?"
Qin Qi’s words were clearly pointed.
Bai Qingrou understood, clenching her silvery teeth and tightening her small fists.
Yet Ming Lan clearly didn’t understand, shouting angrily, "This Fragrant Fox incident was definitely done deliberately. Once I find out who did it, I won’t let them get away!"
Baiqing Residence stood beside them, visibly panicking.
Even cold sweat started to discreetly form down his back.
After all, there aren’t many who raise Fragrant Foxes, and it would be easy to trace it back to him. If it became public, not even Bai Qingrou could protect him.
He looked towards Bai Qingrou, hoping his master would clean up the mess for him.
Bai Qingrou finally sighed, then, slightly parting her red lips, whispered to Qin Qi, "Qin Qi, if you agree not to pursue this matter further, name whatever condition you wish!"
Qin Qi had been waiting for Bai Qingrou to say just that.
He smiled lightly, then yawned, "But, right now, the pressing matter is still the battlefield!"
"As for investigating the Fragrant Fox, that can wait for later!"
Upon hearing Qin Qi change his stance, Bai Qingrou finally stepped in to mediate, "Yes, for now, the war effort is priority. Qin Qi, Ming Lan, since you’ve just completed a task, take some time to rest!"
"Since the flag planting task is done, the subsequent battles should start to shift Tianqing City’s circumstances!"
Qin Qi was quite curious, "Holy Maiden, City Lord, what can one thousand eight hundred merit points do?"
Yuan Tianqing laughed warmly and explained, "These merit points can buy many things. With eighteen hundred points, you could choose a spiritual elixir capable of advancing your current cultivation level! If you have more points, you might even select some fragmented magical treasures!"
Qin Qi thought for a moment, "Magical treasures?"
Yuan Tianqing then realized, "Oh right, you’ve come from the Martial Arts District side. How to describe magical treasures? Most are innate creations of nature!"
"Suppose, the magical treasures and treasures you and I use today are mostly man-made."
"Then these magical treasures require gathering the essence of heaven and earth to naturally form these treasures, which even without being refined into personal treasures, possess immense powers!"
"Such treasures are usually come across by chance, and each one’s divine abilities are unique!"