Ark Simulator, Don't I Lack a Physical Body?

He remained curled up, not moving immediately. He simply turned his head slightly, carefully observing Enya beside him out of the corner of his eye. Enya was still sleeping soundly, her breathing steady, clearly not awakened by the commotion. He listened intently for a moment, confirming that apart from the sound of wind and snow, there were no other unusual noises.

The time has come.

Su Rui moved his body extremely slowly, as if in slow motion. He carefully and slowly removed his head from Enya's arm. The process was unusually slow, as if afraid of disturbing the person in his arms. Enya only unconsciously murmured something, and her arms tightened slightly, but she did not wake up.

Su Rui held his breath and paused for a few seconds. Then, he continued to move his torso, arms, and legs, millimeter by millimeter... each movement was extremely gentle, as if he were disassembling an extremely precise bomb. Thanks to his rigorously trained and perfect control over his muscles, he successfully "peeled" himself from that warm embrace without disturbing Enya.

He walked barefoot on the cold floor without making a sound. He turned and glanced at Enya, who was still fast asleep on the bed. Moonlight streamed through the icy window, outlining her serene sleeping face. A complex emotion flashed in Su Rui's eyes—guilt, resolve, and a hint of... lingering affection that even he himself didn't realize. But quickly, this emotion was replaced by an even firmer determination.

He had promised Enya he wouldn't go down the mountain for the time being, but he couldn't really sit idly by. Especially when he thought of the undisguised worry and fear in Enya's eyes when she mentioned her sister, Ensia Silverash. Although he, Su Rui, wasn't some kind-hearted, indiscriminately good-natured person, he couldn't bring himself to hide on the mountain and do nothing, knowing that the person he cared about (Enya) was worried about her family.

He had to go check it out. At least to make sure the girl named Ensia Silverash was safe, and to find out what SilverAsh was up to. If everything was alright, he would return quietly before Enya woke up, pretending nothing had happened. If... if there were any bad signs, perhaps he could do something in advance, or... at least bring Enya definite news so she wouldn't be kept in the dark and passively waiting.

Having made up his mind, Su Rui no longer hesitated. He nimbly grabbed a set of dark clothes (prepared by Yela, also with a tail opening) that had been prepared beforehand and placed on the chair at the foot of the bed, and quickly changed into them. He then carefully gathered and coiled the iconic, fluffy snow leopard tail around his waist, securing it with a specially made wide belt. Over this, he covered himself with a dark cloak, pulled up the hood, and completely concealed his silver hair and ears. Instantly, he blended into the shadows of the room, his aura becoming as elusive as a ghost.

Like a wisp of smoke in the night, he silently glided to the door, his fingers lightly resting on the doorknob, ready to turn it—

Just as he was about to turn the handle, a chilling, tangible coldness, without warning, darted in from the crack in the door and from the shadows of the corridor like a venomous snake, instantly locking onto him! That coldness was not a physical low temperature, but a kind of... pure mental pressure, carrying an all-knowing, all-controlling, godlike indifference and majesty!

Su Rui's body froze instantly! Every muscle in his body tensed to its limit in a fraction of a second! He turned his head sharply, his dark eyes as sharp as knives, shooting towards the door! His right hand had already subconsciously and silently pressed against his waist (where several small tools he had "manifested" from his terminal for self-defense and unlocking were hidden, although they were not very powerful).

The door was silently pushed open from the outside, to his astonishment and uncertainty.

A slender yet upright figure, as if solidified from the darkness, stood silently at the doorway. She was still wearing her impeccably tailored maid outfit, her long black hair neatly combed into a bun at the back of her head. Her face was expressionless, her dark eyes like the deepest, coldest night, icy and unblinking... staring at Su Rui.

Yela.

She really wasn't asleep. Or perhaps she had expected it all along?

Su Rui's heart sank. He knew that in front of Yela, any disguise or stealth was futile. This woman's perception far exceeded his imagination. He slowly released his hand from the tools at his waist, but his body remained in a guarded posture, his dark eyes meeting Yela's gaze without flinching.

The two stood silently facing each other at the entrance to the dimly lit corridor. Only the howling wind and snow outside the window served as background noise, amplifying the suffocating silence.

After a long while, Yela finally moved. She didn't speak, but slowly took a step forward, entered the room, and then... gently closed the door behind her. The soft click sounded particularly clear in the silence.

She walked up to Su Rui, so close that Su Rui could smell her familiar, chilling scent, a blend of ice and metal. Yela's dark eyes, like the most precise scanner, scrutinized Su Rui's "night-walking" attire, her gaze lingering for a moment on the tail held fastened by the belt. Her lips curled down almost imperceptibly—perhaps with a hint of—disapproval? Or perhaps—a knowing "I knew it"?

"You're going down the mountain," Yela said, not as a question, but as a statement. Her voice was extremely low, like a whisper, yet it carried an undeniable, icy quality that clearly reached Su Rui's ears.

Su Rui pursed his lips, not denying it, but simply nodding slightly. He knew that lying to Yela was pointless.

"The Holy Maiden does not wish you to go," Yela continued, her dark eyes fixed on Su Rui's, as if trying to discern every thought in his mind.

Volume 18, page 1143: It's not enough to just look at it.

"I know," Su Rui's voice was also low, tinged with a barely perceptible frustration, "But I can't... just wait here."

Yela looked at him silently, her dark eyes seemingly churning with countless complex emotions, but ultimately settling into a deep, unfathomable calm. She didn't immediately object, nor did she rebuke him. She simply... quietly, with a scrutinizing air, looked at him.

This silence was more stressful for Su Rui than direct opposition. He shifted uncomfortably, trying to escape Yela's oppressive gaze. "Move aside," he said in a low voice, his tone firm. "I'll just go check it out and be back before dawn. Nothing will happen."

Yela didn't move. Her gaze slowly moved from Su Rui's face to his slightly pursed lips, then back to his eyes. Then, Su Rui did something completely unexpected—

Suddenly, she reached out, her movements swift as lightning, yet incredibly gentle... and pulled Su Rui into her embrace! It wasn't a hostile restraint, but rather a... possessive embrace, yet with controlled strength... a hug?!

Su Rui: "!!!"

Caught off guard, he stumbled into Yela's fragrant embrace! His nose pressed against the stiff collar of her maid outfit, and he could clearly feel the not-so-plump, yet exceptionally resilient curves of her body beneath the fabric, and... the cool body temperature emanating from the clothing! Yela's arms, like iron hoops, were firmly wrapped around his waist and back, rendering him unable to move!

"You...!" Su Rui was both shocked and furious. He tried to reprimand her in a low voice, but Yela's arm tightened even more. Her other hand even... rose up and, very naturally, as if it had been practiced countless times, covered the top of Su Rui, which was covered by the hood. Then... her fingers deftly slipped into the edge of the hood and precisely pinched his furry snow leopard ear, which had instantly stood up in fright!

"Ugh...!" A familiar, tingling sensation came, and Su Rui's body trembled. His protest was blocked in his throat, turning into a muffled whimper. He tried to struggle, but Yela's strength was astonishing, and she seemed to know how to control his sensitive spots. Her fingers gently kneaded his earlobe, bringing waves of comfortable sensation that made his limbs go weak, greatly weakening his will to resist.

"I can pretend I didn't see it." Yela lowered her head, her cold lips almost touching Su Rui's ear, and spoke slowly in a whisper that only the two of them could hear. Her tone was flat and even, yet it carried an unquestionable, almost transactional tone. "I can also help you... cover it up before the Saintess wakes up."

Su Rui stopped his futile struggle, a hint of wariness and... confusion flashing in his dark eyes. He raised his head, meeting Yela's dark eyes so close to his own, trying to decipher her intentions. "Conditions?" he asked hoarsely, his voice trembling slightly from the stimulation in his ear.

A fleeting, almost imperceptible glint of triumph seemed to flash deep within Yela's dark eyes, but it was as fleeting as an illusion. She tilted her head slightly, her icy gaze lingering on Su Rui's pale lips, which were parted slightly in surprise and embarrassment, for a mere second.

Then, in that cold and indifferent tone, she stated her "conditions" word by word:

"Let me... hold you a little longer. And..." She paused, a dark current seeming to surge in her eyes, but her tone remained terrifyingly calm, "... kiss me. Here." With her free hand, she lightly touched her cold cheek with her fingertips.

Su Rui: "!!!!!!"

His eyes widened instantly, his dark pupils filled with disbelief, absurdity, and... immense shame! A hug was one thing! But... he wanted to kiss her?! Kiss Yela's face?! This icy, expressionless woman with no sense of restraint?! What a joke! What kind of condition was this?! Was she taking advantage of his misfortune?! Or... pure, twisted pleasure?!

"You... you're insane?!" Su Rui squeezed out the words through clenched teeth, his cheeks instantly turning bright red, even the ear that Yela was pinching felt incredibly hot! He felt his mind go completely Blank from the overwhelming shock and shame!

"The choice is yours." Yela's tone remained unchanged, as if discussing the weather. "Accept the conditions, and I'll help you. Don't accept..." She released her grip on Su Rui's ear, making a move to let go of him, a cold, undeniable chill flashing in her dark eyes. "... You can go back to bed now and continue sleeping. I will personally 'escort' you back, and... make sure that tonight, and ever since, you cannot leave the Holy Mountain without alerting me."

Her threat was clear and effective. Su Rui had no doubt that Yela was capable of it. If she got his eye on him, his plans for tonight (and any future private actions) would be completely ruined.

A surge of immense shame and anger at being "coerced" welled up in Su Rui's chest. He stared intently at Yela's face, so close yet expressionless, which now seemed exceptionally "hateful." Moonlight streamed in through the window, outlining the hard lines of her profile and her unfathomable black eyes.

Time passed second by second, each second feeling like an eternity. The sound of wind and snow outside the window seemed to subside, as if awaiting the outcome of this "deal".

Ultimately, his worry for Enya and his urgency to investigate the situation down the mountain overwhelmed the shame that was threatening to engulf Su Rui. He gritted his teeth and let out a low, almost desperate, and humiliating growl from deep within his throat, "... Fine!... I promise you!... Hurry up!"

A fleeting, almost shrewd glint, like a master planner, flashed in Yela's dark eyes. She didn't speak, but simply tightened her embrace around Su Rui, holding him even closer. Her chin rested gently on the top of Su Rui's head, her nose almost imperceptibly brushing against his soft hair. Her embrace was cold and firm, yet it possessed a strange, reassuring sense of stability.

Su Rui stiffly sat in her embrace, his cheek forced against her cool neck, where he could feel the steady, strong throbbing of her carotid artery. He closed his eyes, forcing himself to ignore this extremely shameful and bizarre position, his mind focused solely on ending this "nightmare" as quickly as possible.

Yela hugged him for a long time, so long that Su Rui was about to burst again, before she finally, very slowly, released her arms.

Volume 18, Chapter 1144: Secret Help

Su Rui immediately took a step back, creating distance, her cheeks still flushed red, her dark eyes glaring fiercely at Yela, as if she wanted to devour her alive.

Yela seemed oblivious to his murderous glare, merely turning her head slightly, bringing her pale, cold left cheek closer to Su Rui. Her eyes were even slightly closed, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow beneath them, her expression calm... as if she were merely waiting for an insignificant touch.

Looking at Yela's "at your mercy" (or so he thought) posture, Su Rui felt a surge of heat rush to his head! He wanted nothing more than to turn around and leave immediately, or even punch her! But... thinking of Enya, thinking of his sister down the mountain, thinking of his humiliating promise...

He took a deep breath, then another, as if to bolster his courage, or perhaps to gather his strength. Finally, he abruptly closed his eyes, and with an almost death-defying, stiff posture, swiftly and lightly touched Yela's cold, smooth cheek with his lips!

It felt slightly cool to the touch, carrying Yela's unique cool fragrance. It was gone in an instant, as quick as a hallucination.

Su Rui jerked back as if burned, taking several steps until his back hit the cold wall. He gasped for breath, his cheeks as red as a boiled shrimp, his dark eyes filled with shame, humiliation, and... an indescribable confusion. He could feel his lips burning!

Yela slowly opened her eyes. She raised her hand and, with her fingertips, gently stroked the cheek that had just been touched. There, a faint trace of Su Rui's warm and soft touch seemed to linger. The ice in her dark eyes seemed to completely melt away, replaced by a... extremely deep light, filled with satisfaction and a strange gentleness... though that light was fleeting, so quick that one might think it was an illusion.

"Deal." Yela lowered her hand, her icy composure returning, her voice regaining its usual chill, but upon closer listening, it seemed... to have gained a barely perceptible... gentleness? "You have one night. You must return before dawn. Do not venture into the core area of the SilverAsh Family, do not engage in conflict with anyone, your primary objective is to ascertain and confirm Miss Ensia Silverash's safety. If you discover anything unusual, retreat immediately, without hesitation."

She paused, her dark eyes fixed on Su Rui, and added, her tone carrying an undeniable warning. "Remember, your safety is paramount. If you don't return before dawn, or if I sense you're facing unmanageable danger... I will descend the mountain immediately. What happens then will be beyond your control."

Su Rui took a few deep breaths, forcibly suppressing the shame and confusion in his heart, and forced himself to calm down. He knew that what Yela said was true, and it was the final line he had crossed. He nodded, his voice a little hoarse. "... Understood."

Yela said no more, stepping aside to let the door open. At the same time, her fingers swiftly traced several complex and profound runes in the air. A faint, almost imperceptible pale golden light flashed, and the door lock clicked open automatically.

"Go," Yela whispered, giving Su Rui a deep look with her dark eyes. "Be careful."

Su Rui glanced at her one last time, then without further hesitation, pulled down her hood and, like a ghost, silently slipped out of the room, disappearing into the dark corridor outside.

Yela stood there, staring silently at the empty doorway. After a long while, she slowly raised her hand, her fingertips gently brushing her cheek once more. There, it seemed, still lingered the faint warmth of that fleeting touch.

"... Come back soon." She murmured to herself in a voice only she could hear. Then, she turned and silently left the room, gently closing the door behind her. She didn't return to her own room, but stood quietly outside Enya's door like a loyal guardian, her back against the cold wall, her eyes closed. Her senses, like the most sophisticated radar, spread outwards from the Holy Mountain, firmly locking onto the aura of the silver-haired boy who was rapidly descending the mountain and disappearing into the snowy night.

This night will likely be extraordinary for Su Rui, for Yela, for Enya, and for all of Kjerag. And what changes will this nighttime operation, which began with "coercion" and "transaction," bring? Only time will tell.

The winter nights in Kjerag were bitterly cold, with wind and snow like knives. But for Su Rui (the snow leopard version), this harsh environment became his best cover. Like a silent phantom in the night, he moved swiftly through steep ridges, jagged ice cliffs, and knee-deep snow. His furry snow leopard ears keenly caught the faint sounds in the distance in the howling wind—the footsteps of patrols, the low barks of hunting dogs, and... the faint light and noise from human settlements. His large tail, coiled around his waist, became his perfect balancer, allowing him to maintain astonishing agility and stability on the slippery and steep mountain paths.

The descent was smoother than he had anticipated. Perhaps it was because of Yela's silent "acquiescence" and "help" (Su Rui thought awkwardly about the "deal"), but he encountered no unexpected obstacles along the way. He could even vaguely sense an extremely faint yet exceptionally pure spiritual power, imbued with the aura of ice and snow, brushing past him like invisible threads, erasing some traces that might reveal his whereabouts (such as overly clear footprints in the snow), and seemingly... subtly pointing in a certain direction.

Was that... Yela guiding him from the shadows? Su Rui's heart skipped a beat, and he gained a deeper understanding of the power of this icy maid (goddess). He did not resist the guidance, but followed the faint sensation and hurried towards the area at the foot of the mountain where the lights were most concentrated and the buildings were the most magnificent.

That place is the core territory of the Silverash Family, the headquarters of the Karlan Trade Co., and also SilverAsh's residence—a vast architectural complex at the foot of Holy Mount Karlan, combining the style of a traditional Kjerag stone fortress with the grandeur of a Victoria manor.

Su Rui lurked in the shadows of an icy thicket on the outskirts of the manor, his dark eyes scanning the defenses before him like the most sophisticated instruments. Towering stone walls, patrolling guards, and the faint glow of Originium Arts warning arrays... the defenses were tight, but not impenetrable. At least, for a stealth user of Su Rui's caliber, they were not insurmountable obstacles.

Volume 18, Chapter 1145: The Infiltrator

Su Rui didn't choose to sneak in through the main gate or the side gate; that would be too foolish. His gaze fell on the towering spire of the main building of the manor, adorned with intricate carvings and icicles. That was the relatively weakest point in the defenses, yet also the most difficult to climb.

Su Rui took a deep breath of the icy air and flexed his fingers. He didn't use any fancy Originium Arts (in fact, his current state was rather unstable), relying solely on his enhanced physical strength, exceptional balance, and... a small amount of instinctive talent derived from his "snow leopard" form. Like a real snow leopard living on cliffs, he silently and almost vertically began to climb up the slippery, cold rock face! His fingertips precisely gripped the grooves in the crevices and reliefs, his toes (wearing specially made soft-soled boots) firmly clung to tiny protrusions, and his tail, coiled around his waist, now acted like a third hand, deftly wrapping around protruding icicles or stone carvings, providing additional support and adjustment.

The wind and snow howled, almost lifting him off the high wall. But he remained as steady as a rock, his movements fluid and breathtaking. In just a few minutes, he had, like a ghost, scaled the spire terrace at the very top of the main building.

Without pausing, he slid down the steep roof like a gecko, precisely avoiding several tiles that might have been set with alarms. His target was clear—the huge arched window on the third floor of the main building, with the largest balcony and carved with the double-axe emblem. According to information Yela had "inadvertently" revealed earlier (or rather, part of the "deal"), that was where SilverAsh, Enciodes Silverash's study and bedroom, was located.

Su Rui landed lightly on the wide, snow-covered balcony without making a sound. He crouched down, his dark eyes peering into the room through the frost-covered glass window.

The room was enormous, its furnishings luxurious yet stark. A massive fireplace, roaring with fire, occupied an entire wall, dispelling the chill of the winter night. Dark solid wood bookshelves were filled with books and files, while maps and documents lay open on a large desk. On the other side of the room was a four-poster bed draped with heavy curtains. At this moment, the curtains were drawn low, and the silhouette of a reclining human figure could be vaguely seen inside, breathing evenly, seemingly already asleep.

Su Rui's ears twitched slightly, catching every subtle sound in the room—the crackling of the burning wood in the fireplace, the howling of the wind and snow outside the window, and... the steady, long breathing of the person on the bed. He held his breath, extended a glove coated with Originium Arts that could block most detection and alarm signals, and gently placed it on the latch of the window frame. With a slight movement of his fingertips, an extremely faint "click" sound, almost completely masked by the sound of the wind and snow, rang out, and the latch was silently pried open.

He pushed open a gap just wide enough for one person to pass through sideways, and like a slippery fish, he silently slipped into the room. The cold, snowy air rushed in instantly, but was quickly swallowed up by the warm, spring-like air inside. Su Rui gently closed the window behind him, his movements as light as brushing away dust.

He stood in the shadows in the center of the room, not moving immediately. His dark eyes, like those of the most composed hunter, scanned the entire room once more. The documents on the desk, the maps on the wall, the expensive wines displayed in the wine cabinet by the fireplace... Finally, his gaze settled on the large bed with its curtains drawn low.

Enya's worried younger sister, Ensia Silverash, wasn't here. So, his primary goal was to ascertain SilverAsh's attitude, and... see if he could find any clues about Ensia Silverash's whereabouts, or... any hints of the SilverAsh Family's next move.

He could have searched the room like a ghost and left quietly without leaving a trace. But for some reason, looking at the large bed that symbolized the core of the SilverAsh Family's power and ambition, and thinking of the complex emotions of disgust and alienation in Enya's eyes when she mentioned this brother, and the way she tossed and turned because she was worried about her sister... a sudden, irrepressible, almost mischievous impulse welled up in Su Rui's heart.

He didn't want to leave empty-handed. At the very least... he wanted this "troublesome SilverAsh" to know that someone had been there. He wanted him to know that those on the Holy Mountain weren't completely ignorant of everything below, nor were they... completely incapable of reacting.

And... perhaps... we could give him a gentle "reminder"?

Su Rui's lips curved upwards in a barely perceptible, yet chilling, arc. He tiptoed to the large, softly leather-covered armchair by the fireplace and sat down quite naturally. He even adjusted his posture to make himself more comfortable, and the bushy tail that had slipped out from under his cloak spread out and rested lightly on the armrest.

Then, he reached out and picked up an empty glass from the low table beside him. With remarkable ease, he reached into the nearby liquor cabinet and casually took out the most appealing-looking (most fancy label?) amber-colored spirit. He skillfully unscrewed the cork (without even making a loud noise) and slowly poured the spirit, exuding a rich aroma of Oak and spices, into the glass.

The amber liquid gleamed alluringly in the fireplace light. Su Rui picked up his glass, but didn't drink immediately. He simply brought the glass to his nose and sniffed it lightly. The strong aroma of alcohol mixed with complex fragrances made him frown almost imperceptibly. He actually... didn't really like such an overly strong smell. But at this moment, this glass of wine was part of his "performance."

He turned his head slightly, his gaze falling on the large bed. Then, with his fingertips, he tapped very lightly, yet with a certain rhythm, the smooth surface of the glass.

"Bite--"

A crisp, subtle, yet remarkably clear sound suddenly rang out in the silent room, where only the crackling of the fireplace could be heard! Like a pebble thrown into a calm lake!

Almost the instant the sound rang out!

The previously steady and long breathing on the bed stopped almost imperceptibly! Then came the extremely slight rustling of fabric! The low-hanging curtains, without any wind, were slightly lifted up by one corner!

A pair of cold, sharp, hawk-like eyes, initially showing signs of confusion upon awakening, instantly transformed into extreme vigilance... gray-blue eyes shot out from the gap in the curtains! With unparalleled precision, they locked onto the... uninvited guest on the sofa beside the fireplace!

Their eyes met!

The air seemed to freeze at that moment! The firelight from the fireplace danced on their faces, reflecting completely different expressions— Su Rui's was nonchalant, with a hint of languor and scrutiny; while SilverAsh's was shock, vigilance, and a trace of offended, cold anger!

Volume 18, page 1146 has been discovered.

SilverAsh (Enciodes Silverash) slowly sat up in bed. He didn't get up immediately, nor did he exclaim or shout. He simply stared intently at Su Rui on the sofa with his grey-blue eyes, which seemed to see right through people. He looked to be around thirty years old, with a handsome yet cold face. His short, SilverAsh hair was neatly styled, and even though he had just woken up, he exuded an unassailable dignity and... a deep-seated shrewdness. He wore a dark silk robe, the collar slightly open, revealing his well-defined collarbone. He radiated a sense of oppressive authority, as well as... a warrior's restrained sharpness.

"Who are you?" SilverAsh's voice rang out, deep and steady, revealing little emotion, yet every word seemed to carry an icy chill. "How did you get in?" His gaze swept quickly over Su Rui's heavily concealed cloak, lingering for a moment on the slightly trembling, furry ears peeking out from the hood. A fleeting, inscrutable look of surprise crossed his eyes, but it quickly returned to its cold scrutiny. Finally, his gaze settled on the untouched amber-colored liquid in Su Rui's hand.

Su Rui didn't answer his question. He didn't even look at SilverAsh, but simply tilted his head back slightly, brought the strong liquor in his glass to his lips, and took a small sip.

"Tsk..." The thick, spicy liquid slid down his throat, bringing a burning sensation. Su Rui's brows furrowed instantly, and his face revealed undisguised, genuine disgust. He smacked his lips, as if savoring some kind of unpalatable poison, and then... very casually... placed the glass, still more than half full, on the low table beside him, making a soft "clunk" sound.

His posture and movements made it seem as if he were the master of the room, and SilverAsh was merely an unwelcome intruder who had disturbed his enjoyment of wine.

His SilverAsh -grayish-blue eyes narrowed instantly! The chill in his eyes almost froze into ice! His hand, hidden under the blanket, moved almost imperceptibly. Su Rui's keen ears caught a very faint, metallic scraping sound—was it a weapon hidden under the pillow? Or some kind of alarm trigger?

But Su Rui remained as steady as a mountain. He even... adjusted his posture, sinking deeper into the soft animal-skin sofa, and his bushy tail unconsciously brushed lightly against the armrest.

"The liquor wasn't very good," Su Rui finally spoke, his voice slightly hoarse from drinking strong liquor, his tone flat yet carrying a strange casualness, as if he were commenting on the weather. "The defenses here... are just so-so."

SilverAsh remained silent, merely observing him coldly, seemingly assessing and calculating. This uninvited guest, capable of silently infiltrating his most heavily guarded bedroom, sitting so calmly before him, even commenting on his wine... was no ordinary person. Those beast ears... were they a disguise? Or some rare racial characteristic? What was his purpose?

"The Browntail Family buried seventeen animal traps coated with paralyzing poison under the third lightning-struck tree east of the Old Forest Road, targeting large livestock and... people wearing heavy armor," Su Rui suddenly said abruptly, his gaze still not on SilverAsh, but on the leaping flames in the fireplace, as if talking to himself. "The Perroch Family's shepherds recently secretly poured a slow-acting herbal powder into the water source upstream of ' Grayrock Creek,' causing diarrhea and weakness in livestock. The dosage was small, but it adds up."

He paused, picked up the glass of wine that had been rejected from the low table, took another small sip, his brow furrowing even more, but he swallowed it anyway, and continued in that calm tone, "The two families have met privately three times. The locations were the hunter's hut in Blackpine Valley, the abandoned outpost on the south bank of ' Ice-Tear Lake,' and... a distant cousin of the Browntail Family at a newly opened fur shop in the trading post. It seems they weren't just talking about the mines, but also about... a few old grudges from years past, and... the cut-off percentage of the Karlan Trade Co. on the eastern trade route."

With each word Su Rui spoke, the coldness in SilverAsh's eyes deepened, but at the same time, a hint of undisguised shock and solemnity flashed across his face! Some of this information he already possessed, some he was investigating, and some... he knew absolutely nothing about! Moreover, the locations and details mentioned by the other party were terrifyingly precise! This was definitely not something a madman who spoke carelessly could fabricate!

Who exactly is this mysterious, beast-eared uninvited guest? Why is he telling me all this? This information is undoubtedly extremely beneficial to the SilverAsh Family! It allows them to take precautions in advance, and even... counterattack!

"Why are you telling me all this?" SilverAsh finally spoke again, his voice still steady, but the scrutiny and probing in it were now unmistakable.

Su Rui put down his wine glass, this time with no intention of drinking anymore. He turned his head slightly and, for the first time, looked directly at the SilverAsh on the bed. His obsidian-like eyes appeared unfathomable in the firelight, calm and undisturbed.

"For no reason." Su Rui's voice was soft, yet carried a strange penetrating power. "I just feel... even though Enya doesn't say it, she probably... still cares." He paused, then added two more words, his tone softening slightly, "...at least, she cares about Ensia Silverash."

"Enya?!" SilverAsh pupils suddenly contracted! The calm expression he had maintained finally cracked! He abruptly sat up straight on the bed, his gray-blue eyes flashing with a sharp, knife-like light as he stared intently at Su Rui! "You know Enya? Did she send you?! Where is she?! How is she?!" A barrage of questions came out like a machine gun, his tone filled with undisguised urgency, worry, and... a complex emotion that Su Rui couldn't fully decipher.

It seems that SilverAsh isn't entirely without feelings for his sister Enya? At least, this subconscious concern isn't entirely feigned.

Su Rui didn't answer his question. He simply stood up slowly, his movements still unhurried. He pulled down his hood, once again concealing his face and those conspicuous ears in shadow.

"The drink is awful." Su Rui gave the amber liquid he'd rejected one last glance, his tone tinged with genuine complaint. Then, he looked at SilverAsh, a faint, yet chilling, glint flashing in his SilverAsh eyes. "Mind your own business. Don't bring trouble... where it shouldn't."