Chapter 22: The Fox Family's Demise

Arvandus and Haldis were completely stunned by Alfox's deference to Ruxley. Their minds went blank, and when they looked at Ruxley, their gazes were filled with an overwhelming fear that bordered on terror. Alfox was the war god of the Saultrouge Kingdom's Martial Department! If even he showed such respect toward Ruxley, then just how formidable must Ruxley's background be? Ruxley, with his hands still behind his back, looked at Alfox with a calm yet icy demeanor. "Mr. Marsh, with your abilities, I'm sure you're well aware of everything that's transpired recently. So, I'll ask just one question: are you here today to stop me?" As Ruxley's words echoed through the tense atmosphere, the air grew thick with anticipation. Everyone held their breath, eyes fixed on the unfolding scene, too afraid to even move. The situation had escalated beyond a mere personal vendetta between Ruxley and the Fox family. It had now become a confrontation between the Saultrouge Kingdom's Martial Department and the Shura Palace. If things went wrong, today could mark the start of something catastrophic. Alfox's expression grew serious as he replied, "Lord White, I deeply regret what happened to your sister. The presence of a beast like Redlyn in the Saultrouge Kingdom is a failing on the part of our Martial Department. If you seek revenge, we will not stand in your way." "But!" Alfox's voice dropped, becoming even more somber. "I ask that you show mercy on behalf of the Martial Department. Spare Arvandus and the warriors of the Flying Swallow Army. They may have erred, but they don't deserve to die for it." Alfox's words were filled with sincerity, even bordering on a plea. The truth was, the power of the Shura Palace was too immense. If a full-scale conflict erupted between the Martial Department and the Shura Palace, it would result in untold bloodshed across the Saultrouge Kingdom—an outcome Alfox could not allow. Ruxley looked at Alfox, his voice cold and detached. "I am very clear about settling my grudges. Those who deserve death will meet it; those who don't, I won't kill without cause." With those words, Ruxley's eyes flashed with a cold light, and he flicked his right foot. Whoosh! A pebble, no bigger than a pinky finger, shot through the air like a bullet, piercing Arvandus's right chest in an instant. "Ugh!" Arvandus's body convulsed, and he fell to one knee, clutching his chest in pain. Alfox glanced indifferently at Arvandus and spoke coldly, "Why aren't you thanking Lord White for his mercy?" Though Ruxley had wounded Arvandus, he had deliberately avoided any vital spots. It was a minor punishment, a leniency that Arvandus recognized. Trembling, he raised his head and stammered, "Thank you... thank you, sir, for sparing my life!" Ruxley's reply was cold. "For secretary Marsh's sake, I'll spare your life today. But if there's a next time, even if your minister himself pleads for you, I won't show mercy again!" With that, Ruxley turned away from Arvandus, his attention now fixed on Haldis. Seeing Ruxley approach, Haldis's face turned ashen with fear. Panicked, he cried out to Arvandus, "Brother! Please, save me!" But Arvandus lowered his head in silence, ignoring the plea. Even Alfox wouldn't stand up to Ruxley, so how could he dare to intervene? Despair filled Haldis's eyes as he dropped to his knees before Ruxley, desperately begging, "Lord White, I was wrong! Please, spare me, spare our Fox family! This was all because of that beast Redlyn. I'll hand him over to you right now. Just please, spare our family!" Ruxley's gaze was icy, devoid of any pity. the Fox family had committed countless atrocities over the years, their hands stained with the blood of innocent people. Scum like them had no place in this world. With a chilling determination, Ruxley threw a punch without hesitation. The next moment, Haldis's body exploded into a mist of blood, leaving nothing behind. On the side, Redlyn, witnessing his father's gruesome end, was paralyzed with fear. His face turned deathly pale, and a foul-smelling liquid soaked his pants as terror overwhelmed him. He lay on the ground, desperately trying to crawl away despite his broken limbs. But with his hands and feet shattered by Ruxley, he could only inch forward using his chin, moving pathetically in a futile attempt to escape. Ruxley walked over to Redlyn and pressed his foot down on his back. Redlyn's body shook violently as he wept and begged, "I was wrong! I was wrong! I won't dare do it again! Please, spare my life! I don't want to die, I don't want to die!" He was only in his twenties, with his whole life ahead of him. He didn't want to die here, not like this. But no matter how much he pleaded, Ruxley remained unmoved. With a cold gaze, he exerted more force with his foot. Splat! In an instant, Redlyn's body exploded into a mist of blood, just like his father, completely erased from existence. Ruxley looked up and coldly commanded the Shura Palace warriors around him, "Anyone belonging to the Fox family—kill without mercy!" "Yes!" the Shura Palace warriors responded in unison, their voices filled with murderous intent as they charged at the remaining members of the Fox family. "Ah!" Amidst a chorus of screams, over a hundred elites of the Fox family, including a dozen elders, were slaughtered by the Shura Palace warriors. Not a single one was left alive. Silence fell over the scene, a heavy, oppressive silence. The families of Eastern City turned pale, their eyes filled with dread as they looked at Ruxley, as if they were staring at a devil incarnate. Those who had previously supported the Fox family felt a deep sense of panic, wishing they could flee the scene at once. Even Tarragon and his daughter looked stricken with fear and regret. They were fortunate to have personally visited Ruxley earlier to apologize. Otherwise, the Heulos family might have suffered the same fate as the Fox family. "You… who exactly are you?" Vanesse asked, her voice trembling, all traces of her earlier arrogance gone. Now, she finally understood why Ruxley had refused her help earlier—because he didn't need it at all. Remembering how she had arrogantly mocked Ruxley, thinking him overconfident, Vanesse's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She wished she could disappear on the spot. But as she gazed at Ruxley's cold, handsome face, a new and unfamiliar feeling began to stir within her. She had always believed that only women could evoke such emotions in her, but now it seemed she was wrong.