Feng Autian raised her voice and laughed, “Hasn’t the Mu family army always been willing to live and die together? You would rather die together than rush out to save him. Is this not the so-called willingness to die together rather than seeking survival?”
Jibai and the others were momentarily stunned, realizing the truth. They hastily sheathed their drawn daggers, stood up in unison, and ignored the fatigue from kneeling all day. Limping and stumbling, they turned and rushed out of the tent.
Autian lightly raised her eyebrows. She wanted to see how long Mu Hanyao could hold out. She walked out of the tent with deliberate calmness. Looking up at the moon and sparse stars in the chilly night, she saw that Jibai had already given the order, leading the troops toward the woods five miles away.
Si Xi followed closely beside Ye Jinsu, not daring to speak much. She lifted her gaze slightly, observing Autian’s profile. Compared to the bone-chilling night wind, the regent seemed even more icy. However, Si Xi felt that the Regent Prince today was different from the past, with an added mysterious air of unpredictability.
The two soul reapers threw Mu Hanyao directly into the forest and then swiftly departed.
Mu Hanyao landed naked in the woods, illuminated by the moonlight. He propped himself up with one hand and was about to stand when he felt the stickiness in his palm and a pungent, overpowering smell of blood filling the forest, lingering persistently.
Alert, he surveyed his surroundings. Debris was scattered everywhere, and the night was shrouded in darkness, with a chilling wind blowing through the sinister woods. The dim moonlight reflected on the cold ground, emitting a bone-chilling and eerie atmosphere.
Opening the palm pressed against the ground, the putrid stench of decaying flesh filled the air. His eyes were cold, and even as a seasoned general on the battlefield, he couldn’t help but shudder at the horrific scene before him. He forcefully suppressed the nausea and discomfort in his heart, stood up from the ground, and became even more convinced of the regent’s cruel nature.
However, looking at the torn armor scattered around, soldiers from the Qi Kingdom? Suddenly recalling Feng Autian’s mention of treasures, he bent down slightly, suppressing his disgust. Only then did he confirm that they had been bitten to death by wolves.
With this realization, Mu Hanyao’s thoughts grew even more somber. He picked up a long knife from the ground, found a clean black cloth to cover crucial areas, and cautiously observed the movements in the forest, swiftly rushing towards the edge of the woods.
“Howl…” a mournful howl broke through the silence, echoing in his ears. Dark eyes flashed with a cold light of slaughter as he pulled out the long knife, lightly tapping his toes, and leaped out.
However, it was too late. In an instant, he saw numerous eerie green lights surrounding the entire forest, slowly closing in on him. He was shocked, not expecting a wolf pack to be present.
Wolves are the most brutal animals, and any prey they set their sights on is not likely to escape easily. Mu Hanyao knew the perilous situation he was in. The danger was closing in, and any movement on his part would attract the wolves to surround him.
Once, he had encountered wolves, but not a wolf pack of this magnitude. Now, alone and facing the attack of the wolf pack, how would he deal with it?
As he contemplated escape routes, he held his breath and swiftly and lightly stood atop a tall tree, observing their movements. Suddenly, a cold breeze swept by, and a figure appeared beside him.
Turning his gaze, he met a pair of phoenix eyes, seemingly smiling yet not, belonging to the remarkably beautiful face of Feng Autian. The moonlight cast an ethereal glow, complementing Autian’s expression that held three parts amusement and seven parts aloofness. Her lips were slightly pursed as if a single word from her could unleash the wolves to tear Mu Hanyao apart.
Mu Hanyao was about to speak when he felt the face before him draw near. The delicate skin, as fragile as a blown bubble, exuded a faint chill. The lips, as alluring as those of a woman, curved into a warm and inviting smile. Long brows like willows, phoenix eyes slightly narrowed – seemingly smiling, yet commanding respect. With an exceedingly gorgeous countenance, if not for her cruel nature and preference for male companionship, based solely on her beauty, many young talents in Feng Country would be enchanted by her.
While he was still in a daze, he felt a cool sensation on his chest. The strands of hair that hung in front of his chest had been lifted behind his ears. Autian’s arms, unbeknownst to him, had already glided past the sides of his face. The slender fingers intertwined within his ink-black hair, and in a moment, she retracted her arms, appraising him. “This Cloud Brocade hairband suits you well.”
Mu Hanyao’s gaze subtly darkened, and although he couldn’t fathom why Autian suddenly acted this way, being so intimately attended to by another man, especially the Regent Prince who favored male companionship, made him feel uneasy. He gently leaned backward, maintaining a certain distance from Autian, and lowered his gaze. “I am grateful to the Regent Prince.”
Autian paid no mind to his distant demeanor, contentedly admiring her handiwork. She lowered her head, her gaze falling on the black cloth covering his waist. Casually raising her hand, she effortlessly pulled the black cloth away. “How can such an ominous thing taint your body?”
Mu Hanyao hadn’t anticipated Autian’s actions, from personally tying his hair to now uttering such flirtatious words that were usually reserved for lovers of the opposite sex. It left him feeling stifled, unsure of how to handle the situation.
However, here he was, in such close proximity to Autian, with no covering whatsoever. Suddenly, a sense of inappropriate shyness flashed through him, and he was reluctant to let Autian see his current state of undress.
As he thought about it, his mind grew heavier. What was happening to him?
Hastily extending his hand, he tried to grab the black cloth, but Autian, having pulled it away, casually waved her hand. The black cloth fluttered down with the moonlight and the wind.
His gaze turned cold, and just as he was about to speak with a scornful tone, everything went dark. A robe had been draped over him. He lowered his gaze to see those fair and slender fingers skillfully fastening the belt. Autian took a moment to appraise him, her voice low, “Shall I give you another chance?”
Mu Hanyao’s heart chilled, pushing aside the inner doubts. His expression remained cold. “I…”
He was about to refuse when he heard the distant sound of approaching hooves. Shortly after, he saw Jibai leading the Mu family army charging into the woods, entering the encirclement of wolves.
Mu Hanyao’s expression darkened, realizing the danger. He looked up to see Autian squinting, calmly staring at him. “Consider it carefully. Those who don’t obey me will die, including the Mu family army. My pets haven’t eaten for a whole day.”
“General, where are you? We will follow you to the death!” Jibai hadn’t seen Mu Hanyao yet but sensed an uneasy atmosphere, especially as his warhorse beneath him continuously shook as if it sensed imminent danger.
Li Su rode forward and approached Jibai. “Look, these remains are the Qi nation’s soldiers devoured alive by the wolf pack.”
Jibai lowered his head and saw a gruesome scene beneath their horses – a landscape of blood and flesh. He frowned, “Has the General encountered trouble?”
“If the General is in trouble, we must avenge him.” Li Su’s eyes darkened.
A mournful wolf howl echoed once again.
The wolf pack, previously hidden, was now slowly advancing. Sinister green glows emanated a bloodthirsty chill as they drew near.
The warhorses, sensing danger, panicked and neighed, continuously kicking their hooves and stepping backward.
As Mu Hanyao observed the unfolding scene, he lifted his gaze. When he looked at Feng Autian again, the tightly clenched fists gradually relaxed. Finally, he let go, concealing the profound glint in his pitch-black eyes. “I entrust the Regent Prince to handle this matter.”
