Chapter 1195: Each has Its Own Concerns
Yang Haoran didn't immediately give Bai Yuanhua a satisfactory explanation. Instead, he posed a question to him.
At any other time, Bai Yuanhua might have slapped him, or at the very least, felt intensely annoyed. But this time, no displeasure arose within him, because it was a question that equally weighed on his mind.
While not every member of his White Fox Clan had gathered at the mountain peak, the vast majority were present. Among them were also several grand masters of the Demon King level. Yet, this formidable lineup had, in a short span, all fallen under the influence of the eerie flute sound. Not a single one was spared, save for him, the clan patriarch.
There was no need to mention the clan members below the Demon King level; their strength was limited, and the opponent's power was considerable, so it was perfectly normal for them to lose their minds under the flute's influence. However, even the Demon King level clan members, though not immediately losing their minds, were still profoundly affected, finding it extremely difficult to resist. This left him both shocked and bewildered, unable to comprehend how such a flute could possess such immense power!
Of course, he wouldn't proactively question Yang Haoran about such a matter. After all, he and Yang Haoran were not friends but adversaries, at least for now. To openly inquire of his foe about such an embarrassing situation was something he simply couldn't bring himself to do.
However, since Yang Haoran had taken the initiative to ask, it suited his intentions perfectly. Yet, he didn't let his inner emotions show, maintaining a grim face, wearing an expression of extreme impatience.
"What do you mean by that?"
Bai Yuanhua asked in a low voice, while Yang Haoran responded with a faint smile.
Yang Haoran didn't conceal the matter of the Heart Demon Flute from Bai Yuanhua. After all, the Heart Demon Flute being in his possession was no longer a secret, and there was no need for him to hide anything.
Although his words didn't explicitly state why the White Fox Clan members were instantly controlled by the Heart Demon Flute, Bai Yuanhua wasn't foolish. Through Yang Haoran's explanation, Bai Yuanhua immediately understood.
"Are you implying that under my governance, the members of my White Fox Clan have been living in extreme suppression, accumulating significant negative emotions, which is why the vast majority of them instantly lost their minds, and even Demon King-level clan members found it difficult to suppress the awakened negative emotions within them? Is that right?"
Bai Yuanhua asked in a low voice. Although his tone had subtly shifted from before, it remained unpleasant. The words "Demon Cult's supreme treasure, Heart Demon Flute" had initially caused him great shock, but Yang Haoran's subsequent remarks left him no longer in the mood to care about any Demon Cult treasures.
In response to Bai Yuanhua's question, Yang Haoran smiled noncommittally before continuing to speak.
"Haha, those aren't my words, Patriarch Yuanhua. You said them yourself. If you learn more about the Heart Demon Flute, this demonic artifact, you'll find that your analysis is not incorrect."
Bai Yuanhua frowned deeply. He didn't speak again, instead his face was dark as he pondered something.
Seeing this, Yang Haoran naturally understood what Bai Yuanhua was thinking. However, he didn't have the leisure to stand there waiting for Bai Yuanhua to fully grasp the issue, as he had other matters to attend to.
"Had the situation not been urgent, I believe my people wouldn't have easily resorted to using the Heart Demon Flute. Nevertheless, their actions, regardless, were somewhat improper and highly impolite towards the White Fox Clan. So, as their superior, I extend my apologies first to Patriarch Yuanhua and the entire White Fox Clan. However, Patriarch Yuanhua need not be enraged. Their inner demons were merely awakened; they weren't manipulated into fighting each other, so their physical bodies suffered no harm. Once the Heart Demon Flute's influence is removed, they will immediately return to normal."
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Yang Haoran's voice interrupted Bai Yuanhua's contemplation. Bai Yuanhua turned his gaze back to Yang Haoran, his expression not softening despite Yang Haoran's apology.
Bai Yuanhua's grim expression at this moment wasn't solely due to the anomaly at Snow Fox Mountain today. Yang Haoran's recent words, or rather, Bai Yuanhua's own recent analysis, were also a considerably important factor.
"You can spare me your insincere apologies. Quickly restore my clan members to normal. If anything truly happens to them, you, Yang Haoran, will have made an enemy of our White Fox Clan. Even if I have to pursue you all the way to Jingling Continent, I will make you pay a terrible price!"
Yang Haoran paid no heed to Bai Yuanhua's threat, the faint smile still gracing his face.
"Haha, Patriarch Yuanhua, as long as you promise not to harm those four and allow them to leave Snow Fox Mountain, I will immediately restore the White Fox Clan members here to normal."
Yang Haoran said with a smile. Bai Yuanhua stared at Yang Haoran, his eyes narrowing slightly, like a fierce beast fixing its gaze on prey.
"If I agree, will you believe me?"
Bai Yuanhua asked in a low voice, while Yang Haoran immediately responded with an affirmative smile.
"Haha, of course I'll believe you. Your status as the White Fox Clan's Patriarch is enough for me to trust you. After all, your words and actions don't just represent you personally, but the entire White Fox Clan. What reason could I possibly have not to believe you?"
Yang Haoran's words carried a hint of flattery, but Bai Yuanhua wasn't buying it.
"You believe me, but I don't believe you. If I let those four leave and you don't restore my clan members to normal, or even harm them, wouldn't I look like a fool then?"
Yang Haoran's expression remained unchanged as he immediately responded with a smile.
"Haha, Patriarch Yuanhua, you needn't worry about that at all. The monk can run, but the temple cannot. If I, Yang Haoran, were to truly do such a thing, you could simply come to the Ninth District of the Jingling Continent Underworld Office to find trouble for me. With your strength, if you were to come knocking, the casualties in my Ninth District would be considerable, as you can well imagine. Moreover, I bear no grudge against the White Fox Clan, nor do I have any personal animosity with you, Patriarch Yuanhua. Why would I push this to the extreme and provoke a Demon Saint, wouldn't you agree?"
Bai Yuanhua frowned deeply. He didn't immediately answer Yang Haoran, but instead wore an expression of deep thought. Seeing this, Yang Haoran continued to speak.
"Actually, the reason I appeared here using a Division Charm to meet with Patriarch Yuanhua isn't solely for the safety of those four. I also have a transaction I'd like to discuss with you, Patriarch Yuanhua. If this transaction goes through, both of us stand to gain a considerable amount. I've brought this deal to your doorstep myself, which can also be seen as a small token of apology for my subordinates' rash actions today. I wonder if Patriarch Yuanhua is willing to accept?"
At the mention of a transaction and benefits, Bai Yuanhua's expression shifted slightly, revealing a look of surprise and suspicion.
"What transaction? And what are these benefits?"
Bai Yuanhua asked. Yang Haoran didn't answer immediately, instead his gaze swept once more over the White Fox Clan members still caught in their madness. Seeing this, Bai Yuanhua's heart instantly understood something.
After a slight hesitation, Bai Yuanhua gritted his teeth and nodded to Yang Haoran.
"Alright, I agree, but I have one condition: first, let my clan members return to normal, and only then will I let them leave. Otherwise, I won't feel at ease!"
Compared to Bai Yuanhua, Yang Haoran was much more straightforward, immediately giving an affirmative reply.
"Haha, although it's not quite the outcome I desired, it's fine. I'm willing to show Patriarch Yuanhua my sincerity for cooperation, so I choose to believe you."
After these words, Yang Haoran gently waved his hand behind Bai Xue and the other three. Seeing this, Jing Miao understood Yang Haoran's intention and immediately blew the Heart Demon Flute in her hand once more. However, this time, the flute's sound had changed dramatically. It was no longer eerie and unpleasant as before, disturbing one's mind. The sound that now echoed was gentle and melodious, bringing tranquility to those who heard it.
As the flute's music began, those White Fox Clan members who had been struggling to suppress the outburst of their inner demons suddenly felt their bodies relax. The violent, bloodthirsty impulses within them rapidly receded, and their muddled minds also cleared.
As for those White Fox Clan members who had completely succumbed and whose inner demons had been fully awakened, the blood-red color in their eyes now vanished at a visible pace, and the low, frantic roars ceased to escape their mouths.
Since the latter group's strength was inferior to the former's, the latter were mostly unaware of what had caused their previous changes. Some didn't even realize their bodies had transformed, and after regaining consciousness, they wore bewildered expressions.
The former group was different. Although the power of the Heart Demon Flute had also significantly affected them, they hadn't completely lost their rationality. Thus, they knew what was happening, and some had even heard Yang Haoran's entire conversation with Bai Yuanhua crystal clear.
After these individuals regained consciousness, without exception, their expressions were grim, and at the same time, they felt extreme apprehension. If Jing Miao hadn't stopped playing the Heart Demon Flute earlier, allowing the eerie sound to persist, they couldn't be certain if they would have been able to suppress the awakened inner demons within them.
"Demoness! You seek death!
!"
After the Head of the Enforcement Hall regained consciousness, he too felt immense apprehension. It was precisely this dread that made him unwilling to see the same scene descend upon him again. Coupled with the fury now filling his heart, as soon as he fully recovered, he immediately locked his gaze onto Jing Miao, who was clad in blood-red robes, and with a furious roar, he prepared to strike her with an angry blow.
"Stop!"
At that very moment, Bai Yuanhua spoke coldly, and the Head of the Enforcement Hall's action paused.
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