128: Chapter 128: Whoever finds the demon fox first becomes the city lord.

The ruins in the east of the city.

Xiao Ran leaned against a wall, eyes closed in deep thought.

Elder Ying's sudden appearance had made him a bit more wary.

Once upon a time, he had envied Li Changsheng for having a dao protector to protect him as the Daoist Sect's Saint, while he, as the Demonic Sect's Saint, had nothing at all.

Now he had a dao protector as well, but he wasn't happy about it.

Because Elder Ying didn't look like a good person at all!

But now was not the time to look into that.

At the very least, Elder Ying's presence meant the White Emperor wouldn't dare to deal with him openly.

"As long as I don't face that old geezer directly, it won't have much of an impact."

Xiao Ran thought to himself.

The gap between the Void Refinement Stage and the Nascent Soul stage was simply too vast.

So vast that no matter how many preparations he made, it never felt like enough.

Xiao Ran calculated his situation in his mind.

On the other side, Bai Linger sat nearby, occasionally stealing a glance at him before quickly looking away.

She seemed to want to say something.

Just then.

A figure walked in from outside the ruins.

It was an old man in gray robes with a majestic aura surrounding him.

A Soul Transformation stage powerhouse.

This person was none other than the Head Steward of White Emperor City.

"Uncle Fu."

Bai Linger spotted him immediately.

After seeing Xiao Ran and Bai Linger, Uncle Fu bowed slightly.

"Young Master Xiao, Young Miss, the City Lord requests your presence."

Hearing this, Xiao Ran feigned a look of surprise.

"The City Lord is looking for me?"

The steward nodded.

"The City Lord says there are important matters to discuss and wants you and the Young Miss to go over now."

Xiao Ran remained silent for a moment before standing up.

"Let's go."

Bai Linger hurriedly followed.

The three of them passed through the ruins and walked toward the City Lord's Manor.

Along the way, collapsed buildings, panicked crowds, and City Guard clearing the debris could be seen everywhere.

The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox's rampage had destroyed at least a third of White Emperor City.

Xiao Ran looked up, sneering in his heart.

This old thing was truly willing to go to extremes just to possess him.

...

City Lord's Manor, Council Hall.

When Xiao Ran and Bai Linger stepped into the hall, they found it already filled with people.

The White Emperor's eight legitimate sons were all present.

Some looked anxious, some had furrowed brows, and some were expressionless, but without exception, everyone was looking at the primary seat in the hall.

There, the White Emperor leaned back in his chair.

In just one night, he seemed to have aged thirty years.

His once pitch-black hair was now mostly white.

His face was sallow, his eye sockets were sunken, and there were still traces of dried blood at the corner of his mouth.

His hands rested on the armrests, veins bulging and trembling slightly.

He was the very image of a dying old man in his twilight years.

"Father!"

Bai Linger cried out and rushed to the White Emperor's side.

"You... how could you..."

The White Emperor raised his hand and gently patted the back of hers.

"It's fine, your father won't die just yet."

His voice was hoarse and weak, a world away from the high-spirited City Lord of yesterday.

Bai Linger's eyes instantly turned red.

"Father, you..."

The White Emperor shook his head, signaling her not to say more.

He looked up, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

Eight sons, one daughter, and... Xiao Ran.

"Everyone is here."

"I have called you here to settle a few matters."

He spoke slowly.

Everyone held their breath and focused.

The White Emperor took a deep breath; though his voice was weak, it still carried a hint of authority.

"First, although I repelled the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox in our battle, I have also damaged my Foundation."

"I'm afraid my days are numbered."

"This matter must not be spread abroad."

He looked at the crowd.

"If anyone leaks this and causes panic in the city, or draws the demon fox to take advantage of our weakness, do not blame me for disregarding our father-son bond."

The eight sons hurriedly responded.

"We understand, Father."

The White Emperor nodded and continued.

"Second, although the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox escaped, her injuries are equally severe."

"She must be hiding somewhere to heal. You all..."

He looked at his eight sons.

"From this day forth, lead your men in a city-wide search. Once you find any trace of the demon fox, report it immediately."

The eight sons looked at each other and nodded one after another.

The White Emperor paused, his voice suddenly becoming meaningful.

"Whoever can find the demon fox, or... provide key clues that allow me to completely slay her..."

"That person shall be the next City Lord of White Emperor City."

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the hall changed abruptly!

The eyes of the eight sons lit up instantly!

City Lord of White Emperor City!

That was a lucrative position that counted for something even in the entire Northern Territory!

Controlling the Free City in the lawless zone, a commercial hub that raked in gold daily, with countless powerhouses serving as retainers...

Who wouldn't want to be the City Lord?

"Rest assured, Father, I will surely do my utmost!"

"The demon fox couldn't have gone far. I'll go search right now!"

"Take care of your health, Father. I shall take my leave!"

"..."

In an instant, the eight sons scrambled to voice their commitment.

The White Emperor was already tired of hearing these words.

He immediately waved his hand.

The eight sons instantly understood the White Emperor's meaning and hurriedly left.

They were afraid that if they were a step late, someone else would seize the initiative.

Xiao Ran watched from the side, sneering in his heart.

This old thing certainly knew how to manipulate people's hearts.

With one sentence, he had his eight sons searching the city like mad dogs.

As for what they were searching for...

Perhaps only he himself knew.

Soon, only the White Emperor, Bai Linger, and Xiao Ran remained in the hall.

The White Emperor leaned back in his chair and let out a long breath. The majesty on his face instantly vanished, leaving only exhaustion and weakness.

"Linger, help me to the back palace."

Bai Linger hurriedly stepped forward to support the White Emperor.

Xiao Ran followed behind without a word.

...

Back palace, in the sleeping quarters.

The White Emperor leaned against the bed, his face still sallow.

Bai Linger sat by the bed, holding his hand, her eyes rimmed with red.

Xiao Ran stood to the side, looking at the father and daughter with a perfectly measured look of concern, while inwardly complaining wildly.

Old thing, your acting is quite convincing.

This complexion, this aura, this weak appearance...

If he didn't know the truth, even he would have been fooled.

"Linger..."

The White Emperor spoke weakly.

"I'm here, Father."

Bai Linger hurriedly leaned closer.

The White Emperor looked at her, his eyes full of affection.

"I... I'm afraid I really won't last much longer."

Bai Linger's tears instantly welled up.

"Father, don't talk nonsense, you will get better..."

The White Emperor shook his head.

"I know my own body."

"Burning my Origin three hundred years ago already damaged my Foundation. This time, I forced myself to use my Domain to fight the demon fox..."

He sighed.

"To have lasted until now is already a miracle."

Bai Linger cried so hard she couldn't speak.

The White Emperor raised his hand and gently wiped the tears from her face.

"Don't cry, your father isn't dead yet!"

"Linger, do you know?"

"Before your mother was killed, she always had a wish, which is also my wish."

Bai Linger sobbed.

"Tell me, Father, I will definitely fulfill it."

The White Emperor's gaze slowly fell upon Xiao Ran.

Xiao Ran's heart stirred.

Here it comes.

"Xiao Ran."

The White Emperor spoke.

Xiao Ran took a step forward.

"Your son-in-law is here."

The White Emperor looked at him, his eyes full of gratification.

"You are a good boy. With Linger following you, I am at peace."

Xiao Ran bowed his head.

"Father-in-law, you flatter me."

The White Emperor continued.

"My only regret is that I haven't been able to see you and Linger... leave behind a Bloodline."

He paused, his voice becoming even weaker.

"If I could hold a grandson before I die... I could die in peace."

Hearing this, Bai Linger's face instantly turned red.

But seeing her father's weak state, her heart was filled with sorrow.

"Father... I..."

The White Emperor waved his hand.

"I know this matter cannot be rushed."

"But I... really don't have much time left."

He looked at Xiao Ran.

"Xiao Ran, can you... promise me?"

Xiao Ran looked up at him.

Their eyes met.

In his eyes, Xiao Ran saw affection, expectation, reluctance...

And a hint of... greed, buried deep at the very bottom.

Xiao Ran sneered in his heart.

Old thing, your acting is truly superb.

But on the surface, he wore a solemn expression.

"Rest assured, Father-in-law, I will definitely... work hard."

The White Emperor smiled with gratification.

"Good, very good."

He waved his hand.

"Alright, you two go on. I'm tired and need to rest."

Bai Linger wanted to say more, but Xiao Ran gently pulled her.

"Let's go, let your father rest."

Bai Linger nodded, gave her father a reluctant look, and followed Xiao Ran out of the sleeping quarters.

The door closed.

The White Emperor lay on the bed alone, the weakness on his face slowly disappearing.

In its place was a cold smile.