"This city… it's truly incredible," Moa murmured softly.
With his abilities, Moa could perceive everything—three hundred and sixty degrees without blind spots. Even things that escaped Xue Yunxue's vision were perfectly clear to him. The flow of the city's energy, the formation patterns embedded within its buildings, and the pulse of life hidden beneath the bustling crowds—all of it lay bare before his perception.
Like Xue Yunxue, Moa was stunned.
Neon lights intertwined with shimmering spiritual energy. Towering buildings rose in orderly rows, while humans and beast races walked side by side in harmony, without chaos or conflict. Wulong City radiated prosperity and order—something rarely seen elsewhere.
"I once heard Tao Ling mention Wulong City," Moa said quietly. "He said it was one of the most beautiful cities on Planet Qui. Back then, I thought it was just a story… but now I understand."
He fell silent for a moment, as if swallowing the awe swelling within him.
"Truly beautiful."
Since birth, Moa had been nothing more than a small tree attached to the Immortal Peach Tree. For over five thousand years, he had never stepped beyond the Forbidden Forest—not even once. To him, the outside world had only existed as images formed from inherited knowledge and memories.
His knowledge was vast like the ocean, yet it all came from teachings—not experience.
Today, for the first time, Moa was truly seeing the world that had once lived only in stories.
But the splendor did not last.
Yun Wu's anti-gravity vehicle moved away from the city center, entering an area where light slowly faded. Tall buildings gave way to cramped, dull low-rise structures. Streetlights dimmed, spiritual energy thinned, and the air grew heavy.
They arrived at the outskirts near Wulong City's southern wall.
Here, prosperity came to an abrupt halt.
Slums stood crowded together, some on the verge of collapse. Wild beast-children ran barefoot through the streets, their eyes wary and hollow with hunger. Thugs still ruled openly—law existed only as far as strength could enforce it.
However—when Yun Wu's vehicle passed through, every gaze changed.
No one dared approach.
No one dared speak.
The name Yun Wu was a warning.
His presence marked a boundary no one dared cross.
Some eyes glanced toward Xue Yunxue in disbelief—even fear. A girl so young and beautiful… brought home by that ruthless black wolf?
They stopped in front of a modest house standing beside the southern wall of Wulong City.
The house was not large, but its yard was spacious, surrounded by tall black iron fences. From the outside, it looked abandoned—dry leaves scattered across the yard, windows clouded with dust, the terrace floor dull and gray, as though time itself had stopped visiting.
This is that mad wolf's house? Xue Yunxue thought.
It wasn't maintained at all.
Yet once the door opened and they stepped inside, the interior slightly eased her shock.
It wasn't as bad as she'd imagined. The furniture was simple and neatly arranged, merely coated with a thin layer of dust from long neglect. No clutter. No chaos. Everything sat in its place—cold and silent, just like its owner.
What truly froze Xue Yunxue in place were the walls.
Various weapons hung there—long swords, spears, daggers, and strange weapons she couldn't even identify. Each blade radiated a chilling aura, as if it had drunk blood on countless battlefields.
Further inside, rows of animal head trophies adorned the walls—wolves, bears, giant serpents, and other savage beasts. The hollow gazes of their skulls seemed to watch anyone who entered.
Xue Yunxue swallowed unconsciously.
I hope those are really beasts…
Not beast-men.
She glanced at Yun Wu walking ahead with casual steps, as if all those terrifying decorations were nothing more than ordinary ornaments.
"Are those… beast-men heads?" she asked through telepathy, her voice betraying her caution.
"No," Moa replied calmly. "They are ordinary animal heads—not beasts, and certainly not beast-men."
Only then did Xue Yunxue release a breath of relief. The tension pressing on her chest finally eased.
At least, Yun Wu hadn't crossed the line of decorating his walls with humanoid heads.
For now…
"You can use the room upstairs," Yun Wu said flatly, his voice devoid of emotion. "I'll take the room downstairs."
He didn't even turn back—as if the decision was final and not open for discussion.
In his heart, Yun Wu no longer worried about the girl escaping. The collar around Xue Yunxue's neck was enough to track her whenever he wished. It functioned as an identity marker—and indirectly, a mark of ownership.
As for the explosion threat he had mentioned earlier?
That was a complete lie.
But Yun Wu knew well that for a naïve girl whose eyes still reflected awe toward the world, such a lie was far more effective than iron chains. He didn't need to bind her body—only her fear.
Xue Yunxue, of course, knew none of this. She merely touched the collar at her neck, her heart pounding with anxiety.
Yun Wu soon left for the city center, leaving Xue Yunxue alone in the house.
Once the wolf-man disappeared from sight, Yunxue frowned and surveyed the house again. Dust clung to every corner, dried leaves littered the yard, and the air felt stuffy.
Xue Yunxue had never liked dirty things.
Without hesitation, she rolled up her sleeves and began cleaning. She swept the floors, wiped the windows, and tidied the furniture. Moa helped by creating small whirlwinds of wind energy, clearing the yard of dry leaves—even though Tao Ling forbade him from revealing his true form, he was allowed to use his power to assist her.
Leaves flew, dust lifted, and the house that once looked abandoned slowly came back to life.
The work wasn't finished until late afternoon.
Xue Yunxue's stomach growled softly. Hunger struck mercilessly. She opened the refrigerator—and her expression stiffened.
Beer.
Hard liquor.
Bottle after bottle, nearly filling the shelves.
That stinking wolf… a full-fledged drunkard.
She snorted quietly. Fortunately, a few pieces of frozen meat were stored in the lower compartment. Using the spices she had, Xue Yunxue began cooking. Soon, several simple yet appetizing dishes were neatly arranged on the dining table.
Warm aromas filled the room, dispelling the coldness that once clung to the house.
After cooking, however, Yunxue felt sticky and uncomfortable. Only then did she realize—it had been days since she last bathed.
Without hesitation, she went upstairs to the bathroom. Warm water flowed, steam filled the space, and the tension in her body gradually melted away.
Meanwhile—
Yun Wu was on his way home.
From several hundred meters away, his sharp nose caught an unfamiliar scent, making his steps pause.
Food.
Warm. Rich. Irresistibly tempting.
The closer he got, the stronger it became.
Standing before his own gate, Yun Wu frowned.
This scent… is coming from my house?
When he opened the gate, he froze.
The yard was clean and orderly. The dried leaves that once piled everywhere were gone. The ground looked freshly swept, the air crisp. His house—his own house—looked entirely different, as though it had been replaced within a few short hours.
Yun Wu narrowed his eyes.
Just hours ago, this place had been dull and neglected.
As he stepped inside, seeing the spotless floor, he hesitated—then quietly removed his shoes and entered in socks.
A faint doubt crept into his mind.
Did I mistake someone else for Hu Shui?
As far as he knew, Hu Shui was extraordinarily lazy. Not only did she neglect cleaning, she barely took care of herself. Dusty clothes, tangled hair, and an unpleasant scent had become her trademarks.
Cleaning someone else's house?
Nearly impossible.
Yet his instincts immediately rejected the doubt.
Yun Wu knew better than anyone—every living being possessed a unique scent, an unmistakable signature. No beast could imitate another's scent.
And Hu Shui's scent… he would never mistake it.
Like freshly ripened peaches when she was clean—sweet, soft, warm.
And like rotten peaches when she was filthy—sour, sharp, nearly nauseating.
More importantly, the soul bond was real. Such a bond could not be faked or misdirected.
And now—
Yun Wu inhaled slowly.
The scent of fresh peaches filled his house, mixed with the clean fragrance of soap drifting down from upstairs like a teasing mist.
An unfamiliar scent…
Yet far too intimate.
His steps halted.
His gaze lifted toward the ceiling.
That girl… is bathing?
His eyes shifted unconsciously to the dining table.
Several unfamiliar dishes sat there—golden hues, reddish-brown tones, a thin sheen of oil reflecting the light. Warm aromas surged forth, stirring a hunger he rarely acknowledged.
It came suddenly—like a wolf awakened from a long slumber.
Without a word, Yun Wu pulled out a chair and sat down, his gaze fixed on the food, sharp and vigilant—as if the meal were an enemy to be examined before conquest.
At that moment, light footsteps sounded from the stairs.
Xue Yunxue descended. Her black hair was still wet, droplets falling onto her shoulders and collar. The fresh scent of soap blended with a faint peach fragrance, subtly altering the atmosphere of the dining room.
She froze briefly upon seeing Yun Wu already seated.
Their gazes met—brief, awkward.
"I'm sorry," Yunxue spoke first, her voice soft but sincere. She pulled out a chair across from him and sat. "I was hungry, so I used your kitchen without permission."
Yun Wu didn't answer immediately. His eyes lingered on the dishes, then slowly shifted to her face, sharp and probing.
"You cooked all this?" he asked at last, his voice low.
"Of course," Yunxue replied lightly with a small shrug. "Who else would it be?"
Yun Wu glanced back at the table, brows knitting slightly. "What exactly did you make? I've never seen food like this."
Yunxue smiled faintly, pointing at each dish.
"This is fried meat. This one is sweet-and-sour meat. And that's stir-fried meat."
The names sounded foreign to Yun Wu.
He swallowed unconsciously.
The small movement didn't escape Yunxue's eyes. Without saying more, she took an empty plate, placed it in front of him, and served him several pieces of meat.
"Eat," she said gently. "I cooked for two. I hope you like it."
Then she took her own food and began eating immediately—quickly, without pause. She was clearly starving, her fingers trembling slightly as she held her chopsticks.
Watching her eat so eagerly, the vigilance in Yun Wu's eyes slowly faded. He finally picked up a piece of fried meat and took a bite.
His eyes widened slightly.
The outer layer was crisp, while the inside was tender and juicy. Rich spices blended with savory flavors, exploding on his tongue like lightning.
Without realizing it, he took a second bite.
Then a third.
Before long, Yun Wu devoured his meal, even refilling his plate several times, completely forgetting his cold image. His movements were direct and ravenous—like a wolf finally feasting after a long hunt.
Xue Yunxue glanced at him between bites.
Seeing the usually cold and wary man eat so eagerly, the corners of her lips lifted unconsciously.
Maybe my college friends weren't entirely wrong…
The way to conquer a man really does start with his stomach.
As she watched Yun Wu eat, his savage, icy aura weakened—at least for now. If she behaved well enough, proved useful enough, perhaps this wolf would loosen the leash around her neck.
After dinner, exhaustion finally caught up with Xue Yunxue. After washing the dishes, she went upstairs and locked herself in her room. The soft glow of the chakra computer on her wrist lit up her face as she began browsing information about this world.
The more she read, the heavier her chest felt.
Half of Planet Qui had fallen into darkness. Dark forces controlled mutants and rebels, supplying them with weapons and slowly corroding the world from within. Meanwhile, the surviving kingdoms remained divided—suspicious of one another, fueling hidden conflicts. To maintain a fragile balance, political marriages were used as cold, cruel tools.
That was when she saw a name that froze her fingers.
Xiang Shuai. Serpent Clan.
Youngest prince of the Kingdom of Sheluo.
—Hu Shui's husband, bound by political marriage.
A chill ran down Xue Yunxue's spine.
She had always feared snakes.
Cold scales. Calculating eyes.
She prayed fervently—
Please… let me never have to meet that serpent-man husband in this life.
She continued searching for more information.
Suddenly, the chakra computer on her wrist flickered violently. An incoming call appeared—its contact name making her eye twitch.
"Damn Bastard 1"
Absorbed in her browsing, Yunxue reflexively tapped—accidentally answering.
The screen shifted to a video call.
A man appeared.
The aura radiating from the screen stole Yunxue's breath. His presence was oppressive, commanding submission with a mere glance. Sharp eyes with golden pupils stared directly at her—cold, dangerous, and heavy with pressure. His face was impossibly handsome, as though sculpted by divine hands. Long silver hair cascaded over his shoulders, reflecting a chilling glow.
Definitely not ordinary.
On the other side, the man also froze briefly—then his surprise turned into restrained fury, laced with unmistakable killing intent.
"Who are you?" he demanded, his voice low and piercing.
"Why are you answering that filthy wolf's number?"
His tone was icy, his anger barely concealed.
Xue Yunxue's heart pounded.
Without thinking, she cut the call. The screen went dark. She hurriedly shut down her chakra computer, as if afraid the man might crawl out of it.
The room fell silent.
She swallowed, her palms cold with sweat.
She didn't recognize the man.
She didn't know why the call came to this device instead of Yun Wu's.
Her brows furrowed.
Could it be…
Yun Wu has more than one account?
Or… did that man intentionally call this number?
For some reason, a sense of dread crept into her chest. That golden-eyed man felt far more dangerous than Yun Wu.
Xue Yunxue pulled her blanket up to her chin. The night air felt warmer—a sign that spring was nearing. Gradually, tension left her body, her breathing steadied, and she fell asleep.
But her sleep was far from peaceful.
In her dream, she ran across dark, damp ground. From the mist came the sound of scales scraping. A giant serpent slithered after her, its body towering like a hill, its cold eyes locked onto her. Its jaws opened wide, fangs gleaming as if to swallow her whole.
"—!"
Xue Yunxue jolted awake.
Her breathing was ragged, her back drenched in cold sweat. Her heart hammered violently, the dream feeling terrifyingly real. She clutched her chest until her heartbeat slowly calmed.
Morning arrived.
After tidying herself, Yunxue prepared a simple breakfast. Yun Wu woke later than usual. Without much conversation, he finished eating, then retrieved several daggers and weapons from the wall, strapping them to his body with practiced motions.
Yunxue watched silently.
From last night's information, she already knew—Yun Wu was a hunter. A mercenary who eliminated rebel forces. His pay depended on the number and strength of his targets.
But she said nothing as Yun Wu left. She merely watched his back until it disappeared beyond the iron gate.
Once the house fell quiet again, Yunxue went into the yard. She knelt and planted a few small flowers. Her hands grew dirty with soil, yet her expression was calm—as if the simple act soothed her mind.
Several beast-children from the nearby slums stopped and stared from afar, their gazes filled with curiosity… and fear.
A woman so beautiful living in the home of such a ruthless hunter was strange enough.
But what stood out most was the collar around Yunxue's neck.
A dog collar.
The same question crossed all their minds—yet none dared voice it.
Xue Yunxue looked at the children with pity. They were thin, their clothes ragged and dirty, their young faces burdened with caution beyond their years.
She raised her hand and smiled gently.
"Come here…" she called softly.
The reaction she received was completely unexpected.
The children froze—then their faces went pale. Without a word, they turned and ran, as if fleeing something terrifying.
Their footsteps scattered, dust flew, and the yard fell silent again.
Xue Yunxue stood frozen.
"Why… did they run from me?" she murmured, a faint ache in her heart.
Before she could think further, Moa's urgent voice rang in her mind.
"Sister Xue! They weren't running from you—something dangerous is approaching!"
This time, Moa's voice was tense.
Xunxue's heart slammed.
She scanned the yard instinctively. The air felt different—colder, heavier. As if something lurked within the shadows, holding its breath.
Without hesitation, she turned and ran inside, slamming the door and locking it. She leaned against it, panting.
"Safe…" she whispered.
But the relief lasted only a second.
Something cold and slippery suddenly wrapped around her waist.
"—!"
Xue Yunxue stiffened, blood freezing. When she looked down, the world seemed to stop.
A snake's tail.
Silver scales glimmered faintly—cold, powerful, terrifyingly strong. The coil tightened slightly, stealing her breath.
Slowly, trembling fear spreading through her fingers, Yunxue lifted her gaze.
And there he was.
The man from the video call last night.
He stood behind her casually, his upper body tall and imposing. His face was divine—sharp jaw, straight nose, golden pupils gleaming coldly. Long silver hair flowed down, elegant yet deadly.
His lower body—
was that of a massive silver serpent.
The scaled body coiled across the floor, radiating crushing pressure. His long tail wrapped possessively around Yunxue's waist, as though she were prey he had waited long for.
He looked at her, lips curling into a faint smile.
A beautiful smile—
yet horrifying.
A forked tongue slid out, licking his lips slowly.
"So…" he said, his voice low and velvety with threat,
"what are you doing in that filthy wolf's house, Hu Shui?"
A crushing cold aura filled the room.
Xue Yunxue swallowed with difficulty.
Terror slammed into her without mercy. Her entire body locked, blood freezing, breath caught in her throat. The massive serpent's tail tightened mercilessly around her waist, making even the smallest movement impossible.
Cold scales pressed against her skin—slick and hard—like death itself embracing her.
Her legs went weak. Her heart thrashed wildly, nearly bursting. For a moment, her mind went blank.
She couldn't move.
She couldn't scream.
Only raw, primal fear remained.
Moa, help me! Xue Yunxue screamed silently in her heart.