Alex held up the jade slip, his face burning. "City Lord Feng sent us! He was worried about you!"
Feng Long's anger deflated slightly as he recognized his scent signature on the jade. "Ah. Feng Yuan sent you." He looked between Alex and Jin Hao, then at his mortified companion. "This is... awkward."
The lioness finally found her voice, a sultry purr that somehow conveyed royal dignity despite the circumstances. "Feng Long, who are these cubs?"
"My apologies, beloved Yue Ling," Feng Long said formally. "These are representatives from my oath-holder, City Lord Feng Yuan. Gentlemen, this is Yue Ling, Princess of the Silver Moon Pride."
Jin Hao bowed deeply, still processing what they'd witnessed. "Princess! We're honored to meet you!"
Alex managed a strangled bow. "We didn't mean to interrupt... your... meeting..."
Yue Ling's laughter was like silver bells. "Oh, you sweet cubs. Is this your first time witnessing the dance of life?"
Both young men nodded mutely.
"How adorable," she purred. "Feng Long, darling, perhaps you should explain our situation to your city lord's messengers."
Feng Long cleared his throat, attempting dignity while still clearly aroused. "Yes. Well. You see, Yue Ling and I have been... conducting courtship rituals."
"For three weeks straight?" Alex managed to ask.
"Mating season waits for no one," Yue Ling said primly. "When the blood moon calls, nature must answer."
"The blood moon affects beast mating cycles?" Jin Hao asked, his scientific curiosity overcoming embarrassment.
"Indeed, young alchemist," Feng Long nodded approvingly. "The blood moon's energy intensifies all natural processes. For spiritual beasts, it triggers powerful mating instincts."
Yue Ling stretched languidly, her silver coat shimmering. "We expect cubs within the season. Future guardians for Feng City, if Feng Long's oath permits."
Alex felt his world reorganizing around this new information. "So you're not missing or captured. You're..."
"On honeymoon," Feng Long said proudly. "Though I admit, I should have sent word to Feng Yuan. The old human worries like a mother hen."
"He does worry," Alex agreed. "The whole city has been on edge without their guardian."
Feng Long's expression grew serious. "Yes, I've sensed the fear in the city's qi. These are dangerous times. But I needed to secure my lineage before the true troubles begin."
"True troubles?" Alex asked.
"The blood moon heralds more than just beast mating seasons, young cultivator. Ancient things stir. Old enemies wake. I felt it wise to ensure the next generation of guardians exists before..." Feng Long's voice trailed off meaningfully.
The cave fell silent except for the distant whisper of wind through trees. Alex felt the weight of prophecy in the lion's words.
"How long until you return?" he asked.
Feng Long nuzzled Yue Ling affectionately. "Another week, perhaps. The cubs must be properly conceived, and my beloved deserves proper courtship."
Yue Ling purred, rubbing against her mate. "Such a gentleman. Unlike some males who finish their business and immediately start snoring."
Alex and Jin Hao exchanged confused looks.
"I'll need you to carry a message to Feng Yuan," Feng Long continued. "Tell him I am well, conducting vital business for the city's future protection. I will return when the task is complete."
"And ask him to prepare a proper den," Yue Ling added. "Somewhere private where we can raise our cubs without human interruption."
Alex nodded, then hesitated. "Should we... mention what we saw?"
Feng Long's eyes gleamed with amusement. "That is entirely up to your discretion, young one. Though I imagine your education has been... expanded today."
Jin Hao suddenly perked up. "Actually, this gives me wonderful ideas for attraction enhancement pills! If the blood moon affects mating behaviors, perhaps I could synthesize—"
"NO," Alex, Feng Long, and Yue Ling shouted simultaneously.
"But the scientific applications—"
"No pills that affect mating behaviors," Alex said firmly. "That's a disaster waiting to happen."
Jin Hao pouted but didn't argue further.
As they prepared to leave, Yue Ling called out softly, "Young ones? A word of advice."
They turned back.
"When you find your own mates," she said with maternal warmth, "remember what you witnessed today. Gentleness, patience, and genuine affection matter more than technique or power."
Alex felt his face burning again. "We... we don't know anything about that stuff."
"Clearly," Yue Ling purred with amusement. "But you will, in time. And when you do, remember—the dance of love is sacred, beautiful, and not something to be ashamed of."
As they left the cave, Alex and Jin Hao walked in contemplative silence for several minutes.
"Brother," Jin Hao finally said, "was that educational or traumatic?"
"Yes," Alex replied.
Behind them, the sounds from the cave resumed, and both young men quickened their pace toward their abandoned campsite.
In her distant chamber, Shui Bing had experienced the entire encounter through her surveillance charm. Her face was buried in her hands, torn between mortification and helpless laughter.
"Innocent little idiots," she murmured fondly. "Your real education is just beginning.
The return journey to Feng City proved far more eventful than either Alex or Jin Hao expected. The forest seemed different in daylight—less mysterious, but somehow more threatening. They encountered three separate packs of demon wolves, all unusually aggressive and desperate.
"The blood moon's really gotten to them," Alex panted after dispatching another snarling beast. "They're attacking anything that moves."
Jin Hao wiped his brow, surveying the wolf carcasses scattered around their path. "Perfect test subjects for my new Pacification Pills!" He produced a handful of brown tablets. "These should calm aggressive beasts by affecting their brain chemistry."
"Jin, they're already dead."
"Details," Jin Hao waved dismissively. "Science waits for no one!"
They reached Feng City by evening, bone-tired and sporting various minor injuries. The guards at the gate looked relieved to see them return.
"Honored cultivators!" the captain called. "The City Lord has been pacing his study all day. Please, he's waiting in his manor."
Feng Yuan practically bounced on his feet when they arrived, worry etched deep in his features. "Well? Any news of Feng Long?"
Alex smiled, producing a small scroll Feng Long had hastily written. "He's safe, City Lord. Very safe. And very... busy."
Feng Yuan unrolled the scroll, reading quickly. His expression shifted from relief to confusion to embarrassment to pride in rapid succession.
"Oh," he said quietly. "Oh my. Cubs?"
"Future guardians for the city," Alex confirmed. "He says he'll return within the week, once his... business... is concluded."
"And he requests a private den be prepared," Jin Hao added. "Somewhere his family can live without interruption."
Feng Yuan's face lit up with genuine joy. "A family! How wonderful! Guards!" He called to his servants. "Prepare the East Garden pavilion! Clear it completely and set up comfortable bedding. And send word to the beast merchants—I'll need premium spiritual meat, cultivation herbs suitable for pregnant lionesses, and..." He paused, looking sheepish. "Perhaps some soundproofing formations."
Alex and Jin Hao exchanged grins.
"You seem relieved, City Lord," Alex observed.
"More than relieved!" Feng Yuan beamed. "With cubs coming, Feng Long will be even more protective of the city. And frankly, after five years of worrying about his bachelor lifestyle, it's nice to know he's found happiness."
The City Lord insisted they stay for dinner to celebrate, and Alex found himself looking forward to a proper meal after two days of trail rations.
"I'll have the kitchen prepare a feast!" Feng Yuan declared. "And perhaps... some entertainment to mark this joyous occasion."