Chapter 114

Out of the corner of his eye, Bai Jun noticed that Feixiao was sitting next to him, secretly laughing to herself. Suddenly, Bai Jun thought she was really silly.

But if we really have to blame someone, it's definitely Feixiao's fault.

Since this cunning fox dared to sneak into the kitchen to tease and provoke him, Bai Jun naturally wouldn't let her off easily. Otherwise, if this fox continued like this, she would definitely take advantage of his kindness and really think that Bai Jun couldn't handle her.

Bai Jun lifted her chin, scrutinizing her breathtakingly beautiful face up close. This time, there was no declaration of love, no sincere promise, but rather a teasing whisper, "Dear Merlin's Claw, weren't you so formidable just now? How come you've become such a pathetic sight in such a short time?"

"Hmph, who said that? I was just taking care of your health. Otherwise, you should be the one begging for mercy now."

Feixiao awkwardly turned her slightly flushed cheeks away, stubbornly maintaining her composure.

"It seems you still haven't realized your mistake?"

Bai Jun's eyes sharpened instantly. He gestured to Feixiao's fox ears, chose a suitable technique, and began to stroke them with lightning speed.

"Hahahaha, I'm so sorry, um, who knew you were so amazing... Husband, I was wrong!"

However, his words, lacking any domineering force, became as thin as a whisper as Bai Jun drew closer. Feixiao trembled slightly, and tears welled up in his eyes as he laughed.

"Speaking of which, Jiaoqiu and Moze haven't returned from confirming the procedures at the Prison of Deep Seclusion yet. Your plan is to escort Hoolay tomorrow and then head straight back to Yaoqing?"

Suddenly sighing, Bai Jun abandoned these meaningless methods of punishment, took a wooden comb from the living room table, and carefully combed the long hair of the woman in his arms.

The calendar hanging on the wall had already turned several pages; half of the seven days had passed in the blink of an eye. The journey from Luofu to Yaoqing took about a day and a half, which meant it was almost time to start preparing for the escort back.

Feixiao calmed down, her body slowly relaxing. This was probably her favorite moment. After a brief silence, she softly replied, "If there are no unexpected circumstances, this will probably be the arrangement. I will personally oversee the escort of the serious criminal Hoolay to Yaoqing."

"I understand. I'll go back to Yaoqing with you tomorrow," Bai Jun nodded in response.

"No, it's just escorting Hoolay. Even if the Buli person army were to invade, it wouldn't cause any trouble. It's not worth putting in too much effort. You can just stay here..."

"What I mean is --"

This time, before Bai Jun could finish speaking, Feixiao's slender fingers gently touched his lips. Her sapphire eyes, as blue as coral reefs, seemed to see through Bai Jun's thoughts, and she interrupted him with a gentle smile.

Feixiao did not explain why she did this.

He only said one sentence, "Do you really want to sever all the relationships you've built with other people so far?"

Bai Jun was speechless for a moment, but he knew he had to provide an answer to this question.

"... I have no idea."

Therefore, Bai Jun could only answer with his honest feelings:

"It may be painful, but your significance to me cannot be explained in just a few words. I have gained the power to distort your life, and if I must make a decision about this feeling, then what I just said is the only response I can give."

If you were to say that this was just a passing fancy by Feixiao, a way to kill time, or a way to tease him, then perhaps that would be it.

However, Feixiao gently stroked Bai Jun's face and said with a smile:

"Alright, stop being so macho now. I can still be the Merlin's Claw without you. Just stay in Luofu obediently, because... you also have relationships you can't easily give up, right? Like Sister Yukong, the way she looks at you is practically drooling."

It felt like Feixiao was coaxing her younger boyfriend, but their relationship had long since crossed the line between lovers. It's just that their way of getting along hadn't changed, or rather, it probably never would.

Feixiao is both a suitor who admires and loves Bai Jun, and also regards Bai Jun as a confidant with similar personality traits.

She would never impose her own petty ideas on him, forcibly making him her possession. At the same time, she would respect his every opinion and idea. More importantly, she knew that she would eventually be separated from Bai Jun because of her Moon Rage. Before that happened, the only thing she could do was to stay by his side.

"Why?"

Bai Jun didn't think Feixiao's words were purely out of interest, which was why he tacitly approved of Bai Jun's harem behavior. He always felt that the other party was acting unilaterally based on some kind of emotion.

Feixiao resumed her posture, and upon hearing Bai Jun's reply, couldn't help but chuckle, "That's because... I'm your wife, well, although you haven't proposed to me according to Foxkin's customs yet. Ah, but there's no rush, I can wait a little longer."

The fox nestled in its beloved's arms, feeling completely at peace.

"It's alright if you don't understand. Someone as naturally popular as Young Master Bai doesn't need to understand my thoughts. However, those girls probably like you too, right? That kind of unrequited love is painful, I understand that very well..."

This time, Fei Xiao didn't give Bai Jun a chance to continue speaking. Feixiao got off Bai Jun's lap, reached out and gently massaged his furrowed brow. "Alright, stop overthinking. Tell me what happened to you today? I heard you seem to have discovered something interesting."

Bai Jun silently enjoyed Feixiao's tenderness and, following her lead, began to recount the events of the day.

"Buli person, and the 'White Wolf Hunter Pack' at that—they're actually involved with the Medicine King's Legacy...?"

Feixiao gently hugged Bai Jun, nodding thoughtfully in response.

Over the years, the henchmen of "Buli" have ravaged countless worlds, and the Alliance has been on guard. Feixiao just never expected that they would join forces with the remnants of "Abundance," especially at this delicate time.

"Yes, the influence of the Medicine King's Legacy is deeply entrenched and has been plotting for a long time. Even in Yaoqing, we face similar problems. Moreover, the current situation in Luofu is complicated. Among the Six Commissions, the Alchemy Commission is missing Cauldron Master, and the Vidyadhara is leaderless and has become a disorganized mess. Although Jing Yuan did make some oversights in many details, it is by no means an oversight."

While confirming Feixiao's doubts, Bai Jun sighed and said, "How could Jing Yuan not know the risks of letting the Medicine King's Legacy Teachings cause trouble? However, risks can also be opportunities. The waters of Luofu have been stagnant for too long; it's time to stir them up, let the dregs rise, and clear away the turbidity."

After all, as fellow celestial generals, Feixiao naturally understood the difficulties of sitting in this position. Just as Jing Yuan said, the two had surprisingly similar views on many aspects of governing their flagships.

However, after hearing the information provided by Bai Jun, Feixiao's expression suddenly became solemn. Something came to mind that happened to connect with the current situation and formed a certain guess.

"Actually, the purpose of taking 'Hoolay' away was not just what Xiang Jing Yuan explained—"

Feixiao fiddled with Bai Jun's hair while glancing out the window at the city landscape bathed in the afternoon glow.

"Some time ago, scouts from the Verdant Hill Army reported that the Buli person's power was beginning to stir. The originally disorganized Buli hunting groups had started attacking and absorbing each other, forming larger hunting groups. Behind them, there was something called 'Mangus' guiding them."

"Mangus?"

Bai Jun stared in astonishment, his eyes wide.

He had never heard of such a title before. He had dealt with many Buli person before, but he had never heard of a similar one.

Feixiao was also well aware of this, so he immediately went on to explain Bai Jun's doubts:

"According to the intelligence brought by the scouts, that thing... is not Buli person. It is a woman who calls herself the 'Lord of Longevity,' with 'twelve faces, twelve pairs of fangs, as cruel as poison, and as changeable as quicksand.' Buli person believes she will bring them a chance to rise again, and Buli person's recent movements are enough to prove that they have grand plans. Therefore, Yaoqing must act quickly and take Buli person Bu Liren's leader, 'Hoolay,' who is imprisoned in Luofu Prison of Deep Seclusion."

This is also one of the important reasons for escorting the leader of the Buli person army, "Hoolay," on this mission.

"So I was thinking... you're saying that the purpose of this pack of White Wolf is precisely related to that 'Mangus' and the recent turmoil among the Buli person?"

Feixiao stated his guess as usual, and in his deep blue eyes was absolute trust in Bai Jun.

A brief silence fell over the living room. Just as Bai Jun's lips moved slightly, preparing to express his thoughts, the sound of a key turning in the lock came from the front door.

"I'm exhausted! The Prison of Deep Seclusion in Luofu is huge; I'm almost dead after walking around all day."

"I actually think the environment of Luofu's Prison of Deep Seclusion is quite nice, completely different from Yaoqing's, where I'm actually trapped underwater... Hmph, but whether I'm in the sky or underwater, escaping would be a piece of cake if I wanted to."

"Hey, hey, hey, you've fallen back into your old escape trap again? You're free now, but if the judges find out you're up to no good, they could lock you up for hundreds of years. Then the general and I won't bother getting you out of there."

The two people sitting on the sofa turned their gazes toward the door at the same time, where they saw the pink-furred fox and the man in the purple cloak changing into slippers and walking into the living room, complaining as they did so.

"Oh dear? Are General and Bai Jun already home?"

Bai Jun didn't rush to answer. He calmly helped Feixiao tie her hair before greeting Jiaoqiu Moze, who had just entered the living room, "Good afternoon. Have you two eaten yet?"

"The Prison of Deep Seclusion doesn't look like a place where you can eat normally. But speaking of which, you two... when did you become so close?"

Jiaoqiu's teasing gaze shifted back and forth between the two people tightly embracing on the sofa. When he noticed Feixiao's unusual demeanor, he covered half of his face with a feather fan with satisfaction, his smile quite meaningful.

Feixiao, this straight-as-an-arrow girl, has finally come to her senses...

"You have a problem with that?"

Feixiao reluctantly pouted. She didn't like the feeling of having her time with Bai Jun disturbed, so she pretended to flaunt it and moved closer to Bai Jun again.

"No, no, no, how could that be? Seeing the General find happiness is my lifelong wish as a military medic!"

"Didn't you say the time before last that your wish in this life was to watch the General remain clueless and end up regretting it for the rest of your life, watching Bai Jun get snatched away by someone else?"

"Would it kill you to shut up for a couple of minutes?!"

"Jiaoqiu, could you repeat what you just said?"

Having his secret exposed by Moze beside him, Jiaoqiu didn't care about setting fire to this bastard. The terrifying black aura emanating from Feixiao almost swallowed him up. He could only retreat backward, covered in cold sweat, trying to use his eyes to Bai Jun to save him.

Bai Jun didn't interrupt the bickering between the three of them. He really enjoyed the harmonious atmosphere, which felt like family, and it made him feel incredibly real and warm.

The initial feeling upon arriving in this world was not good. Everything was unfamiliar, the battlefield was brutal, and there was a sense of unreality that felt out of place in the real world. It was not as lighthearted as I had imagined, but rather an immense pressure that could drive a person crazy.

In this cold and unfamiliar world, to have a group of people who can trust you unconditionally is something to be proud of and feel happy about.

"Help! Help me, my idiot! General, spare me! Spare me! Spare me! I was just joking! My neck is going to break! It's going to break! It's going to break!!!"

That's right, no matter what happens, he will definitely protect the present situation.

Bai Jun secretly made up his mind.

Chapter 143 A Certain Underworld Messenger's Love Song (Three-in-One)

The long-deprived, Prison of Deep Seclusion.

Today was as lifeless as ever.

The Prison of Deep Seclusion is located within multiple grotto-heavens and overlaps with the Lunarescent Depths in the Scalegorge Waterscape. However, its main structure is hidden in the suspended area of the huge underground cave in the center of the Scalegorge Waterscape -heavens. Because of this, apart from the cries of the criminals, one can also faintly hear the sound of waves constantly rolling and the howling wind below the cave.

The endlessly spiraling, columnar staircase, like the ever-expanding columnar structure of Prison of Deep Seclusion, disappears into the darkness beyond sight.

The judges and underworld messengers moved through the dark and complex stone structure, peering out from the Chill Prison and its tunnels and drainpipes, and darting from one corner of the Chill Prison of Deep Seclusion to the other.

Among these places, there are also many places where judges and underworld officials rest and live.

In a cheerful mood Huo Huo hummed a song as she focused on her work.

She picked up the ink-soaked brush, considering where to place the final stroke for the best effect. Soon, she had probably made her decision, adjusting the ink density of the brush tip and gently drawing a stroke near the corner of the eye in the portrait.

The perfectly rendered eyebrows are as seamless as if they were always present in the painting. The overall lines of the painting are smooth and beautiful, making it a rare masterpiece from the perspective of both experts and laymen.

Portraits painted with a brush can be considered a type of ink wash painting, which can be traced back to the literati of ancient times. However, the subject in the painting is not the landscape, fish and shrimp that the literati loved, but a handsome man with a gentle smile.

"Hehehe, Lord Bai Jun handsome no matter how I look at him..."

Huo Huo's face flushed red, her eyes fixed on Bai Jun's portrait with fascination. If the ink hadn't been still wet, she probably would have pressed her face against the painting and rubbed it against it.

"But I always feel he's so much less impressive than Lord Bai Jun himself, and his smile should be much gentler..."

It's understandable to have this thought, since art is just a means of reflecting people's psychological needs. However, there is always a cruel gap called "dimensionality" between people's fantasies and reality, so it's understandable that people feel their works are not as perfect as they imagined.

This doesn't mean her paintings are bad; it's simply that her obsessive desire for perfection is at play.

Normally, she might turn a blind eye, but whenever she thought about how this piece represented Lord Bai Jun's smile, Huo Huo would feel an immense surge of motivation, determined to make it as perfect as possible.

"I finally have a day off, and since I still have a long break, I'll draw a few more pictures tonight!"

"It's one thing to have your head full of weird and lewd thoughts all the time, but how did you even come up with the idea of secretly drawing pictures for others? Isn't that a bit too shameless? Or is it that your sense of shame has completely disappeared by now?"

Ignoring the complaints from the Mr. Tail beside her, Huo Huo, in a great mood, started writing again.

In fact, Huo Huo really enjoys making handicrafts. It's not just that she likes to draw, but she enjoys the feeling of creating things she likes at will. Her interests are quite extensive, as evidenced by the fact that her room is filled with origami flowers, paintings, and various divination items.

This habit initially stemmed from Huo Huo's fear, or one could say cowardice.

When she first arrived at the Ten Lords Bureau, she couldn't adapt to the eerie and terrifying environment. She lived in constant fear and anxiety. Later, she heard that posting a portrait of Luofu General in the room could ward off evil spirits. She tried it, but it didn't work.

Ah, well, it's not that the general is useless, it's that the portrait is useless. You absolutely can't believe in these kinds of exorcisms.

Later, she learned to fold paper figures. This behavior might be seen by most people as a pitiful way to relieve loneliness, but in Huo Huo's eyes, these paper figures were undoubtedly excellent companions to alleviate fear. They not only made the room more lively, but also improved her anxious heart.

So whenever she has free time, she folds paper figures like crazy. Although she often gets teased by Mr. Tail and receives angry complaints like, "I wake up in the middle of the night to find a bunch of paper figures right in front of me, laughing. Isn't that creepy?!", Huo Huo is always happy when she thinks about having so many friends with her.

Not long after, I met Lord Bai Jun.

From then on, the paper dolls that should have filled the room were all taken down by Huo Huo without her noticing. In their place were many portraits she drew for Bai Jun. Although these works were just her little ideas, works that simply satisfied her inner wishes, and without any artistic embellishment, they were all quite outstanding and excellent works.

Mr. Tail had seen all of this. He didn't know much about the customs among the Xianzhou native, but seeing the little coward's smile growing wider and his life gradually becoming more hopeful, he was quite gratified, even though he didn't say it.

Just as Huo Huo was mixing ink and carefully considering what kind of Bai Jun she should draw next, her Tail, which was floating in the air and yawning, suddenly sensed a slight breeze rustling through the grass outside the door.

Immediately afterwards, a steady, forceful knocking sounded on the door of the room.

Tail raised its head and, in the dim light, saw the clock hanging in the room. It was around 10 p. m. The judges should have been out working long ago, and most of the underworld messengers who were supposed to be on missions had also left the Prison of Deep Seclusion. In other words, there must be some urgent matter for the little coward to come to.

"Hey, someone's looking for you."

"Lord Bai Jun, Lord Bai Jun, Lord Bai Jun... Ugh--!?"

However, Huo Huo was so engrossed in the joy of painting that she didn't notice the commotion at the door. Realizing this, Tail pouted in annoyance and quickly darted to the head of this silly, infatuated Foxkin, delivering a rocket headbutt.

"Idiot! There's someone at the door!"

Ignoring Huo Huo, who was crouching on the ground clutching her head, Mr. Tail shouted angrily.

"Waaah, I... I know... Coming, coming! Huh? Lady Hanya?"

A few seconds later, Huo Huo opened the door, and a tall, slender figure entered Huo Huo view. The person had faint dark circles under their eyes, and their voice betrayed their fatigue.

"I'm sorry to bother you, Huo Huo. I know tonight was supposed to be your day off, but there's been an emergency at Fyxestroll Garden, and the current manpower at Prison of Deep Seclusion is a bit insufficient. After careful consideration, the higher-ups think you're the most suitable person, so I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you tonight."

This statement left Huo Huo feeling somewhat regretful.