Shi Hou narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze passing over the edge of the ruins to settle on the figure whose red skirts fluttered in the wind.
Huo Ling'er.
And the dozen or so Fire Kingdom guards behind her.
At the center of the ruins, earth churned and buckled.
Shi Hou and Shi Hao exchanged one final punch in midair. The blast of wind split the ground, and both used the recoil to leap several yards backward, landing firmly on their feet.
Shi Hou's chest heaved as he shook out his somewhat numb right hand.
After that bout of purely physical combat, most of his frustration over losing his blood qi value had finally dissipated. Sweating it out had left him feeling much better.
Shi Hao rubbed his aching shoulder, grimacing as he sucked in a cold breath.
"You really went for the kill."
Shi Hou snorted coldly and ignored him.
A rustling came from the bushes to one side. Kang came huffing out of the dense forest with the big Black Pot on its back and the still half-asleep Furball in its mouth. The black pig shook its fleshy wings, dropping the Black Pot to the ground with a clang, then tossed Furball aside.
Shi Hou stepped forward, reached into the Black Pot, and lifted out the little Wolf God, who was still sleeping.
Awakened by the disturbance, the little fellow was somewhat dazed. It opened its round, glossy black eyes, saw Shi Hou's face, and let out a fierce little baby "awoo."
Its four short legs flailed as it caught hold of Shi Hou's beast-hide collar, then scrambled onto his left shoulder in a few quick movements and settled there.
Then it stuck out its tender pink tongue and affectionately licked Shi Hou's cheek.
Squatting on the right,