"The first meal of my newfound freedom... and it is the flesh and blood of my own kin. How tragic."
As Hoolay spoke, he picked Xueyi up from the ground and crushed her mechanical body in his grip, snapping it apart.
"It has been too long, Warhead. We have come to welcome you home!" Modu stepped forward excitedly and looked up at Hoolay.
Hoolay tossed Xueyi aside and slowly advanced, listening to the roars of his kin as he took his place amid the gathered wolves.
"How many times has Qingqiu turned since our last hunt (how many years has it been)? Whelp of Du Lan (heir to Borisin blood)! Tell me your name!" Hoolay demanded, looking down at Modu.
"Great Khan Hoolay, enemy of the Foxians, hunter of all living beings," Modu said. "I am but a humble counsel officer of the Hound Hunter Pack, perhaps one of the most insignificant offspring ever born of your bloodline. My name is Modu.
"At least... seven hundred years have passed since you last led our people across the hunting grounds of the Sea of Stars. It fills me with boundless joy to see that you remain as cunning and keen as ever."
"Seven hundred years... Seven hundred years have passed." Hoolay studied Modu and his Foxian appearance. "Why has a whelp of Du Lan taken on such a form? Answer me, Modu. Why do you look like our most contemptible slaves and enemies... the Foxians?"
Hoolay's voice simmered with anger. He was clearly furious that Modu had disguised himself as a Foxian.
"I was commanded to come and free you from this accursed prison. SainJiyaa (fate) ordained it," Modu explained. "To that end, I had no choice but to swallow a potion and don the skin (appearance) of lowly beasts (Foxians),