Chapter 65. Start the Operation (5)

Slurp.

"Is it delicious, you little thing?"

"Meow!"

Xuliang stroked Jinhu's head as he devoured the mutton piled on the plate without a care. After eating all that meat, he even drank the water in the bowl until it was empty. Jinhu's slender belly quickly swelled up.

Xuliang muttered with a grim expression.

"What kind of stomach do you have? You can eat so much and still become slim in half a day. And you don't even run around energetically."

Snap.

Jinhu, who had fallen back and yawned lazily, stretched out.

Xuliang, who had been quietly observing Jinhu, touched his shoulder and front legs. Jinhu seemed to enjoy it, purring continuously. His tail wagged gently as a bonus.

"…Definitely not an ordinary fox."

It wasn't just because of his large ears and tail. Even the bone structure was different. Not only did his behavior resemble a cat, but his bones were closer to a cat's than a dog's.

Xuliang pressed Jinhu's paw.

The claws, hidden under the fur, protruded. Although they were small and transparent, they were sharply curved like a cat's.

"Indeed, you are a mystical creature."

His body combined the robustness of a dog and the flexibility of a cat, yet it looked harmonious and not at all strange.

Xuliang's eyes became serious.

"What are you really?"

The bone structure alone was extraordinary.

Of course, it wasn't strange for such an animal to exist in the world. How vast is the world? There are many more peculiar animals out there.

Xuliang had a serious reason for pondering about Jinhu.

Hum.

A faint red demonic aura rose from his hand.

Despite the terrifying demonic aura swirling before his eyes, Jinhu continued to yawn. He seemed to be sleepy after eating.

'Interesting.'

His lack of reaction was highly suspicious.

Demonic aura is a product of the Reverse Heaven. Whether human or animal, encountering demonic aura should cause the body to stiffen due to its alien energy.

Yet, Jinhu showed no signs of tension. Instead, he seemed to find Xuliang's demonic aura comforting, rubbing his face against Xuliang's hand.

Xuliang's pupils turned red.

Hum!!

Increasing the output, the demonic aura from his hand became denser. The red aura, now glowing, surged threateningly with a crackling sound.

Jinhu lifted his head to look at Xuliang.

Sizzle.

The fierce lightning that leaped up vanished without a sound upon touching Jinhu's body.

'No, it didn't just disappear.'

Xuliang's lips curled up.

'Was it absorbed?'

Thinking back, it was strange from the beginning.

Now, his body was well-polished, and he was tense, with demonic aura protecting him like armor.

His hand, which would have been unharmed even if bitten by a wolf, bled when bitten by a mere fox cub. At the time, he was too busy to notice, but now, it seemed incredibly peculiar.

'He is definitely a mystical creature. If the other mystical creatures in the Shan Hai Jing are monsters, what is this one?'

Swish.

Recalling the demonic aura, Jinhu rubbed his face against Xuliang's hand again.

Xuliang, who had been staring at Jinhu, scratched his head.

"I can't figure it out. You're definitely not dangerous, and you do seem to have good intentions towards me."

Not knowing his true nature made him feel uneasy.

After pondering for a moment, Xuliang shook his head.

"Let's keep an eye on him for now."

Thinking hard wouldn't yield an answer. It seemed best to raise him as he had been.

'Hmm?'

Xuliang stroked his chin.

"Hmm…"

What should he do?

'What if I leave?'

It wasn't just a casual outing; it could be a permanent departure.

If the transport team went to a region where there was no Inner Sect, he could fake his death and disappear without a trace.

Of course, since he didn't know where they were going, the probability of this happening was high.

Ultimately, this outing was to gauge the Inner Sect's reaction. If it went well once or twice, he could gradually observe and then disappear at a crucial moment.

But if the opportunity arose, he could leave immediately.

"I can't just leave him behind."

"Meow!"

"Huh? Do you know something?"

"Meow!"

"Hmm."

Xuliang smacked his lips.

"Having a fox with me might draw attention, but…"

Well, he could carry Jinhu in his arms and run.

Still, they had formed a bond. He had brought Jinhu from Gaozhu Forest, and it wouldn't be right to abandon him irresponsibly.

"Let's go together."

"Meow!"

Jinhu jumped up and wagged his tail. His belly, which had bulged, jiggled with each wag.

This seemed more like a dog than a cat.

"Haha, you dog-like fox."

Xuliang stood up.

"Alright, let's get ready."

He put on a white robe over his black martial uniform and even wore a bamboo hat.

At that moment, Yinghua's voice came from outside the door.

"Master, shall I clear the dishes?"

"Huh? Oh, sure."

Creak.

Yinghua's eyes widened as she entered.

"Oh, Master. Are you going somewhere?"

"..."

"Master?"

Xuliang smacked his lips.

He had formed a bond with Yinghua, just as he had with Jinhu. Especially when he returned from Gaozhu Forest, Yinghua's reaction was quite touching.

If he had to escape, he wouldn't be able to say goodbye to Yinghua.

'What can I do? I can't ruin my life for a short-lived relationship.'

It was a reasonable thought, but it didn't feel good.

Xuliang roughly stroked Yinghua's head. Her expression turned as messy as her hair.

Xuliang smiled.

"Yinghua."

"Yes, Master."

"Take care of yourself and don't starve while I'm gone. Got it?"

"Are you going far?"

"Hmm? Well..."

A long journey towards freedom, perhaps?

Putting aside such thoughts, he made a vague excuse.

"Um, I'm going deep into the Inner Sect to practice."

"Practice? Why not here?"

"I want to get some stimulation in a new environment."

"Will it take long?"

"Maybe. I could be back in half a month, but if it takes longer..."

I might never return.

"Anyway, I'm leaving. Take care. I'll take Jinhu with me."

"Oh, you don't have to."

"What can I do if he wants to come?"

"Ah... I understand."

Yinghua bowed deeply.

"I'll take good care of the residence until you return!"

"..."

"..."

"Alright. Don't overdo it."

"Hehe."

Xuliang stroked Yinghua's head one more time and left the room.

"Safe travels!"

...I'm sorry, but please don't say that.

* * *

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, Chief."

It had only been a day, but Zhu Hua's complexion had clearly improved. The pallor had faded, and she looked more vibrant.

However, she was still not back to normal. Although she had circulated her inner energy through cultivation, her foundation had been severely damaged.

It would take a month to restore her foundation and about six months to return her body to its former state.

Xiao Lianxin sighed.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause you trouble."

"No, it's fine. I consider it a good opportunity to get some fresh air."

She usually didn't talk much, but she was trying to reassure Xiao Lianxin.

Zhu Hua thought of Xuliang's face.

'Is he the Third Young Master?'

She had seen the Third Young Master's face several times in the past. But yesterday, she didn't recognize him as the Third Young Master.

It wasn't because she was distracted, but because the Third Young Master she had seen in the past had a completely different aura.

'Was it just a prejudice?'

The Third Young Master she had seen before was cold and ruthless, and he was infamous for being a tyrant.

But what about the Third Young Master she had actually met?

'...He was even more terrifying.'

At first glance, he seemed playful and gentle. But Zhu Hua felt a powerful presence hidden in his clear eyes.

More terrifying than the leaders of the Inner Sect, it felt like facing one of