Xue Yunxue remained inside the residence for nearly a full week.
She couldn't take even a single step beyond the front gate.
Outside, snow fell almost every day.
Cold white flakes drifted endlessly from the sky above Wulong City. The streets were covered by a thin layer of snow that gradually grew thicker with each passing day.
City guards occasionally patrolled the street nearby. Their breath formed clouds of white mist in the freezing air. Although they didn't enter the courtyard because of the pressure from the Luo family, they still made sure that Xue Yunxue did not leave the house.
The winter wind blew fiercely.
From time to time, the small wind chimes hanging beneath the roof rang softly as the wind brushed past them.
Fortunately, life inside the house wasn't too difficult.
Her beast husbands took turns helping with daily necessities.
Yun Wu hunted in the forests outside the city.
Lu Xiao stayed near the residence to guard the surroundings.
Luo Shixin occasionally went out to purchase supplies they couldn't grow themselves.
Meanwhile, the front courtyard of Yunxue's house had gradually transformed into a small garden.
Even though snow covered parts of the ground, Yunxue's plants continued to grow vigorously. Green vines pierced through the snow, their fresh leaves glistening under the cold dew.
With the help of her plant element, vegetables, medicinal herbs, and spiritual plants grew much faster than normal.
Because of that—
they never lacked food.
Meanwhile, Xiang Shuai traveled back and forth to the Snake King's Tomb almost every day.
Using the Black Snake Pearl, he opened the portal to the spatial dimension and cultivated there for hours.
Inside the tomb world, the air was warm and filled with spiritual energy.
But every time Xiang Shuai returned—
he was greeted again by the biting winter wind and heavy snowfall.
That place truly contained the ancestral energy of the Serpent Clan.
His training had results.
Xiang Shuai's cultivation level had increased slightly.
However—
the silver-haired serpent prince was clearly dissatisfied.
He trained with extreme intensity, yet his progress felt far too small compared to the effort he had invested.
Still, he refused to stop.
Each time he returned from the tomb dimension, he also brought food and medicine that Xue Yunxue had prepared for the Emperor and Empress.
Their condition had improved greatly.
On the seventh day—
Luo Shixin received a large shipment from the capital.
More than an entire crate filled with documents.
These files had been collected by Luo Mei and Shaotian, who had been specifically asked to search through old government archives.
Every document concerned one subject.
The Chameleon Clan.
At the same time, a military summons arrived.
Luo Shixin was ordered to report to headquarters immediately.
Before leaving, he handed the entire pile of documents to Yunxue.
Inside the house, a small fire crackled in the fireplace.
Outside the window—
snow fell even more heavily.
The winter wind brushed against the glass with a faint whisper.
Xue Yunxue sat at the large wooden table in the center hall.
Stacks of ancient documents were piled in front of her.
She read them one by one with extreme care.
Lu Xiao sat nearby, occasionally helping her read and organize the information.
From the reports they discovered several important facts.
The Chameleon Clan truly possessed extraordinary abilities to change their face and body.
They could imitate someone with nearly perfect accuracy.
However—
the technique wasn't flawless.
There were two major weaknesses.
First—
they couldn't replicate the scent of the beast-human they were impersonating.
Second—
they couldn't change the color of their eyes.
The information was valuable.
But it still wasn't enough to solve the problem.
Because the biggest mystery remained the same.
There had been no reports of the Chameleon Clan for fifteen years.
It was as if they had completely disappeared from the world.
Suddenly—
the door opened.
A gust of cold wind and snowflakes swept inside.
Yun Wu had just returned from hunting.
Two large deer hung from his shoulders.
Snow clung to his black hair.
When Yunxue saw him, a thought suddenly appeared in her mind.
"A-Wu," she said softly.
Yun Wu turned.
"Have you seen Xuxu recently?"
Yun Wu paused slightly.
Only now did he realize something.
Since they returned to Wulong City—
he hadn't seen Xuxu even once.
If Yunxue hadn't mentioned her, he might have nearly forgotten the girl entirely.
"I haven't seen her since we returned," Yun Wu replied.
"Maybe I'll visit her place later."
He lifted the deer on his shoulder.
"I can bring her some of this meat."
Normally, Xuxu always looked for chances to approach him.
So it was rather strange that she hadn't appeared at all.
But Yun Wu didn't think too much about it.
If anything, he felt slightly relieved.
He didn't want Yunxue to misunderstand his relationship with that girl.
On the other side of the table—
Lu Xiao closed one of the documents.
"This report says the last members of the Chameleon Clan were massacred in Shaoh Village," he said.
"Since that incident, there have been no sightings of them."
Xue Yunxue raised her head.
"Shaoh Village?"
"Can someone go there to investigate?"
In truth, she wanted to go herself.
But under house arrest, that was impossible.
"I'll go," Lu Xiao said without hesitation.
Yun Wu immediately added,
"I'll come too."
"I've been there once."
"I know where the village is."
Xue Yunxue nodded.
"Alright."
"You two go."
After lunch—
Lu Xiao and Yun Wu departed.
The sky grew darker.
Snow fell heavier and heavier.
The journey to Shaoh Village was long.
Nearly five hundred miles from Wulong City.
Winter winds battered their vehicle throughout the journey.
When they finally arrived—
the village looked like a ghost settlement.
Snow covered almost every path.
There was no sound.
No people.
Wooden houses stood half-collapsed.
Many doors were left wide open—
as if the villagers had fled in great panic.
Some houses still contained furniture.
But everything was covered in dust and cobwebs.
On several walls—
dark stains of dried blood could still be seen.
Frozen weeds pierced through the snow.
Vines crawled over the walls of empty homes.
The entire village contained only around twenty houses.
Lu Xiao and Yun Wu decided to search them one by one.
Snow continued falling heavily.
The wind howled through the empty buildings.
Yun Wu walked toward a house standing slightly apart from the others.
The structure was almost collapsing.
Its roof leaned dangerously.
Several wooden boards had fallen from the walls.
He pushed open the broken door.
Creaaak…
Dust filled the air as he stepped inside.
Yun Wu slowly inspected the room.
Suddenly—
his foot stepped on something.
Crack.
He looked down.
A photo frame lay on the floor.
Yun Wu crouched and picked it up.
Inside the frame was a picture of a small family.
The photo was old and dirty, but the image was still clear.
A man.
A woman.
And a small child sitting on the woman's lap.
They looked happy.
Peaceful.
But—
when Yun Wu looked at the child's face—
his brows knitted deeply.
The child looked about four years old.
Long black hair.
Round green eyes.
And a face—
that felt incredibly familiar.
Yun Wu stared at the photograph for a long time.
Outside—
snow continued falling heavily.
Wind whistled through the broken walls of the house.
Yun Wu's gaze slowly turned cold.
That child…
looked exactly like Xuxu when she was little.
A dark aura slowly spread around Yun Wu's body.
His expression grew grim.
Very grim.
------------------------------
Inside the Mayor's Office of Wulong City, the atmosphere was tense.
Outside the large window, snow was falling heavily. The winter wind howled against the glass, causing the long curtains to sway gently.
Inside the room—
Eyen stood before the large desk of Mayor Bai Zhou.
His face looked sorrowful, yet behind that expression his eyes flashed with cunning.
"Please, Mayor… arrest Xue Yunxue immediately."
"I don't want that girl to escape," he said with urgency in his voice.
Bai Zhou leaned back in his chair.
His fingers tapped lightly against the table.
"Arrest the partner of General Luo?" he said slowly.
"I suppose I should ask the Emperor himself to do that."
He sighed.
"Even though I would love to execute her right now… touching someone related to the Luo family would severely affect my career."
Eyen lowered his head slightly.
But a faint smile almost appeared on his lips.
He had prepared for this.
"I heard that General Luo's father, Luo Jin, strongly opposes this marriage."
"And Princess Hu Lian also wants General Luo to become her partner."
Eyen lifted his head again.
"If my lord were to request their assistance… I believe the Emperor would certainly approve your request."
Bai Zhou raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
Eyen nodded calmly.
He had learned this information during their visit to the capital not long ago, when they attended the Star Princess coronation ceremony.
Bai Zhou immediately stood up.
"In that case…"
"I will send the message right now."
He walked toward the chakra computer in the corner of the room.
With quick movements, he sent messages to the residence of General Luo Jin and the palace of Princess Hu Lian.
Outside—
the snowfall intensified.
The wind battered the windows loudly.
A few minutes later—
the chakra computer flashed.
A reply arrived.
Bai Zhou read the message.
Then slowly smiled.
"Interesting…"
"It seems both the Emperor and Luo Jin have agreed."
He looked at Eyen.
"It appears that both the Luo family and Princess Hu Lian… truly dislike that girl."
For Bai Zhou—
this was a golden opportunity.
He had already declared himself a supporter of Princess Hu Lian.
The princess seemed very pleased with his loyalty.
If he could eliminate Xue Yunxue—
his future position would become even more secure.
"Prepare the troops."
Bai Zhou stood up.
"We will arrest her now."
Not long afterward—
more than one hundred soldiers marched toward Xue Yunxue's residence.
Thick snow covered the city streets.
The soldiers' footsteps left long trails across the white ground.
At the front—
Bai Zhou walked with an expression full of fury.
Beside him—
Eyen walked quietly.
A faint smile hidden on his lips.
His plan was finally unfolding.
-------------------------
At that moment, inside Yunxue's residence—
the house was unusually quiet.
Lu Xiao and Yun Wu were investigating Shaoh Village.
Luo Shixin had been urgently summoned to the capital.
Xiang Shuai was cultivating inside the Snake King's Tomb dimension.
Inside the house—
only Xue Yunxue and Lin Yuan remained.
But Lin Yuan wasn't even visible.
The lazy merman had been soaking in the bathtub upstairs since morning.
Xue Yunxue stood in the central hall, looking up toward the staircase.
Her brows were slightly furrowed.
Lin Yuan had been in the bathroom for almost half a day.
He had even skipped lunch.
Outside—
snow fell heavily.
The air was extremely cold.
Yet the man still hadn't left the bath.
"Strange…" Yunxue murmured.
She walked upstairs.
As she approached Lin Yuan's room—
her nose suddenly caught a sweet fragrance coming from inside.
It wasn't the scent of ordinary flowers.
The aroma was warm…
and slightly intoxicating.
Behind the door—
she could hear heavy breathing.
And… faint moans.
Xue Yunxue immediately grew worried.
What was that merman doing?
Was he sick?
She knocked on the door.
"A-Yuan?"
"Are you feeling unwell?"
"Do you want me to heal you?"
From inside the room—
Lin Yuan's voice came out hoarse and strained.
"No!"
"Don't come in!"
"I… I'm fine…"
His voice sounded strange.
Like someone struggling to suppress something.
Xue Yunxue sighed softly.
"Alright…"
"Call me if you need anything."
She turned and went back downstairs.
Perhaps Lin Yuan was bathing in some strange sea-flower potion, as usual.
She walked toward the kitchen to prepare dinner.
But—
just as she reached the central hall—
BRAAAK!
The front door burst open violently.
Snow and icy wind rushed into the house.
Dozens of soldiers filled the courtyard.
At the front stood Bai Zhou.
And beside him—
Eyen.
Eyen looked directly at Xue Yunxue.
His gaze was sly.
And deeply satisfied.
"Xue Yunxue."
"By order of the Emperor—"
"you are under arrest for the murder of Bai Ling."
The air inside the house instantly turned cold.
Xue Yunxue stood silently.
In truth—
she had expected this.
Sooner or later—
they would come for her.
But the situation now was extremely bad.
Inside the house there was only her—
and Lin Yuan, who seemed to be suffering upstairs.
Meanwhile, dozens of soldiers had surrounded the residence.
And in front of them—
Eyen smiled with satisfaction.
As if he had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
Xue Yunxue stood calmly in the middle of the hall.
Her face showed no shock.
Nor fear.
As though she had long expected this moment to arrive.
Outside—
snow fell even heavier.
White flakes drifted through the open doorway.
Cold wind swept across the wooden floor.
Before her stood Bai Zhou, followed by more than a hundred armed soldiers.
Beside him—
Eyen watched her with a faint smile.
His eyes gleamed with victory.
But Xue Yunxue only looked at them calmly.
"Fine."
"I'll go with you."
"There's no need to break my door just to arrest me," she said flatly.
Her tone carried no resistance.
But Bai Zhou had no intention of showing mercy.
"Chain her!"
Several large soldiers stepped forward immediately.
They carried thick iron chains usually used to restrain dangerous criminals.
The chains clanged loudly.
CLANG!
The cold iron wrapped around Xue Yunxue's wrists.
Heavy.
Freezing.
Yet Yunxue did not resist.
She simply stood still as her hands were bound.
Eyen watched the scene with satisfied eyes.
If that girl was imprisoned, Eyen would easily carry out the rest of his plan.
Xue Yunxue slowly turned her head toward the upper floor.
Her gaze fell on Lin Yuan's room.
The merman was still inside.
From the scent in the air and the faint moans she had heard earlier—
she knew Lin Yuan was in a very bad condition.
She closed her eyes briefly.
Then took a slow breath.
She couldn't think about that now.
If Lin Yuan came down in his current state—
the situation would only become worse.
Without saying another word—
Xue Yunxue walked out of the house.
Her hands chained like a dangerous criminal.
Snow immediately greeted her outside.
The cold wind blew through her long black hair.
The soldiers instantly surrounded her.
Bai Zhou stared at her with deep hatred.
Yet Xue Yunxue continued walking calmly.
As if she were not a prisoner at all.
-------------------------------
Meanwhile—
on the second floor.
Inside the steam-filled bathroom—
Lin Yuan lay inside the bathtub.
His body was half-submerged in water.
But his face was pale.
Cold sweat mixed with water on his skin.
He knew clearly that Xue Yunxue had been arrested.
He had heard everything happening downstairs.
Nothing could escape his senses.
However—
his condition was extremely bad.
His entire body felt unbearably hot.
An unnatural heat.
At the same time—
sharp pain pierced through every nerve in his body.
It felt as if thousands of needles were stabbing him from within.
He gritted his teeth.
"Tch…"
Outside—
snow fell harder and harder.
The winter wind howled around the house.
But the cold air did nothing to cool his body.
Instead—
his temperature continued rising.
Lin Yuan groaned softly.
"Damn it…"
"Why does the cycle have to come now…"
He cursed silently.
This was the merfolk mating cycle.
Something extremely torturous.
Normally it happened during spring, and of course he always prepared sedative injections beforehand.
But recently—
perhaps because of changes in spiritual energy or some other influence—
the cycle had come earlier than expected.
And this time—
it came at the worst possible moment.
He could barely move from the bathtub.
He had already injected himself with sedatives.
Unfortunately, they barely helped.
And now—
he had run out of them.
His whole body felt weak.
If he forced himself to move—
he might completely lose control.
Lin Yuan closed his eyes briefly.
Then with great difficulty he raised his hand.
Beside the bathtub—
lay a chakra computer.
He activated it.
Soft blue light filled the steam-covered bathroom.
Breathing heavily—
he sent an emergency message.
To only one person.
Lu Xiao.
The message was extremely short.
But enough to make anyone who read it move immediately.
Xue Yunxue has been arrested.Return immediately.
--------------------------------
Meanwhile—
the winter wind blew fiercely over Shaoh Village.
Snow fell thicker and thicker, covering the roofs of long-abandoned houses.
The sky looked gray.
As if the entire village had been trapped in a silent, mournful gloom.
Inside the nearly collapsed house—
Yun Wu still stood holding the photo frame.
And he understood one thing.
He was certain.
The child in the photograph was Xuxu.
She looked exactly like Xuxu when they first met.
Even though Yun Wu had almost forgotten what Xuxu looked like as a child—
seeing the photo awakened old memories.
After thinking carefully—
he realized something strange.
During all the years he had known Xuxu…
he had never once seen the girl's true form.
In fact—
he couldn't even remember asking about it.
Nearby—
Lu Xiao remained silent.
His eyes narrowed while looking at the little girl in the photo.
Yun Wu had already told him everything he knew.
A cold aura slowly spread from Lu Xiao's body.
This foolish wolf…
His thoughts were icy.
So easily deceived by a woman for so many years.
Lu Xiao glanced sideways at Yun Wu with slight irritation.
Had this wolf been malnourished as a child, causing his brain to grow slowly?
But before he could say anything—
BEEP!
The chakra computer on his wrist rang.
Lu Xiao immediately opened it.
Blue light appeared in the air.
A short message appeared.
Only two lines.
But enough to make Lu Xiao's expression instantly change.
His crimson eyes filled with cold fury.
The black aura around his body surged violently.
"Return immediately."
"They've captured Xue'er."
Lu Xiao's voice was ice-cold.
Yun Wu immediately turned.
"What?!"
His eyes widened.
Yet at the same time—
he had already expected something like this.
The plan to frame Yunxue had clearly been prepared from the beginning.
And now—
they had finally made their move.
Yun Wu's face darkened instantly.
His wolf aura exploded outward.
"Damn it…"
He clenched his teeth.
Without another word—
the two of them rushed out of the old house.
Outside—
snow fell harder than ever.
Winter wind swirled through the empty homes of Shaoh Village.
But they didn't care.
Yun Wu jumped straight into his vehicle.
The engine roared to life.
Lu Xiao entered the passenger seat.
"Full speed," he said coldly.
Yun Wu didn't even answer.
He slammed the accelerator.
The vehicle shot out of the village.
The anti-gravity car cut through the snow beneath it.
Violent wind battered the vehicle as it raced forward at full speed.
Snow swirled around them like a white storm.
But one thing was certain—
they had to return to Wulong City as fast as possible.
Because if they were too late—
something terrible might happen to Xue Yunxue.