As they drew closer to the capital, they began to catch the scent of other beasts.
Not just one or two—
but many.
Mixed together.
Yun Wu stopped abruptly and pulled Xue Yunxue into hiding behind a cluster of tall bushes.
A large group of beasts passed not far from them, bearing the totems of the rebel army. From Yun Wu's observation, several tents with the same insignia stood nearby.
It was clear—
the capital was under siege.
Xue Yunxue leaned close and whispered softly into the black wolf's ear,
"Is the capital under attack?"
Yun Wu gave a slight nod.
He felt the same.
"Then how are we supposed to enter under these conditions?" she asked.
"We should retreat for now," Yun Wu replied quietly.
He moved silently, carrying her away from the capital. Soon, he brought her to the top of a high cliff.
From there—
they could see everything.
The capital walls still stood strong, though parts had collapsed, and thick smoke rose into the sky. Overall, the city remained intact, but several areas had clearly suffered damage.
The rebel army surrounded it.
At least a hundred thousand strong.
From their vantage point, they could easily observe the enemy movements and relay information to Luo Shixin.
Xue Yunxue contacted the others, confirming their positions.
All four of her beast husbands—
as well as Luo Mei and Shaotian—
were already inside the capital.
The imperial army had successfully held back the rebels.
With the combined strength of the Luo family, the Hei family, and several smaller military clans, they had managed to repel the assault.
For now.
Xue Yunxue and Yun Wu decided to wait in a safe location.
Entering the capital at this moment—
was impossible.
As night fell, Yun Wu set up two tents behind the cliff, hidden from the capital's view while still allowing them to monitor the rebel camp below.
Here, the snowfall was lighter than near Wulong.
Even camping outside—
they would not freeze.
From a distance, Xue Yunxue caught a faint scent.
Sulfur.
Her eyes lit up slightly.
A hot spring.
And after several days without bathing—
she wanted nothing more than to clean herself.
"A-Wu, I think there's a hot spring nearby… I really want to bathe. I'll go for a while," she said.
Yun Wu frowned slightly.
The rebels were far below.
After a moment, he nodded.
"Be careful."
Xue Yunxue walked toward the cliffside, following the increasingly strong sulfur scent. About two kilometers away, she found it—
a small hot spring lake.
The water shimmered in a beautiful blue-green hue, reflecting the faint reddish glow of the moon. Large rocks surrounded parts of the lake, providing natural cover.
Her mood lifted instantly.
Without hesitation, she removed her clothes, changed into modest swimwear, and stepped into the water.
Warm.
Comforting.
Perfect.
Though the sulfur scent was a bit sharp, making her nose slightly uncomfortable.
She soaked quietly, enjoying the warmth.
Then—
her ears caught something.
A faint splash.
Not far away.
About ten meters.
Her heart skipped.
Whoever it was—
had appeared without her sensing any spiritual presence.
She could not even smell them.
Fortunately, she was hidden behind the rocks.
Carefully, she peeked through a gap.
And saw—
a man.
Red-haired.
Bathing not far from her.
He was strikingly handsome.
Refined features.
A high nose bridge.
Soft yet captivating face.
Skin as pale as milk.
A lean, muscular body.
Xue Yunxue swallowed.
Who was this man?
And how could someone so powerful suppress their presence so completely?
She needed to leave.
But she could not move.
If he noticed her—
she did not know whether he was friend or foe.
Just as she was thinking of a way to escape—
the man suddenly glanced sharply in her direction.
Damn.
He had noticed.
Without hesitation—
Xue Yunxue transformed.
Into her black fox form.
Small.
Ordinary.
Like a wild fox.
A form she disliked.
Stepping out from behind the rocks, her wet fur clung to her body.
"Strange fox…" the man said, a hint of mockery in his tone.
Xue Yunxue felt a flash of irritation.
She knew her beast form was not as elegant as others.
But hearing it from a stranger—
still annoyed her.
Even so—
she knew better.
This man was no ordinary person.
So she turned—
and ran.
Her four legs moved swiftly as she fled.
After some distance, she slowed, glancing back.
He was not chasing her.
Relieved, she continued—
until suddenly—
a pair of slender hands grabbed her.
Her small fox body was lifted effortlessly.
She nearly cried out—
but when she looked up—
she froze.
Silver eyes.
Beautiful.
Cold.
The same red-haired man stood before her, his damp hair swaying slightly in the night wind.
"You strange wild fox… why are you wandering in such a remote place?" he said.
His hand stroked her damp fur.
Xue Yunxue's entire body stiffened.
She let out a low growl.
"Still daring to threaten me?" he chuckled softly.
Warm energy flowed from his hand.
Gentle.
Drying her wet fur.
Slowly—
her body relaxed slightly.
Perhaps—
this man…
was not entirely dangerous.
"You will be my pet… I'll name you Lulu…"
What?
Now this man wanted to make her his pet too?
Why couldn't he just let her go?
No matter what—
she had to return to Yun Wu as soon as possible.
"Tuan Ares… why are you here? We've been searching for you to discuss the next plan," a man suddenly appeared behind him.
The red-haired man turned, still holding the black fox in his arms.
The newcomer froze in shock.
The supreme leader of the rebel army—
holding a small black fox with a faint white tip on its tail…
so gently.
Xue Yunxue was just as shocked.
The man who had arrived was wearing the armor of the rebel army. His aura—
terrifying.
At least peak level ninety.
And he addressed this man as "Lord"?
"General Hao, you came at the right time. I just acquired a new pet."
Cold sweat formed on Xue Yunxue's back.
This man…
was like Noctar?
One of the leaders of the rebel forces?
And that man—
a General?
She had to escape.
Now.
Her body, which had been still, suddenly struggled in Ares' grasp. With a powerful kick—
she broke free.
Without hesitation—
she ran.
Fast.
Straight into the forest.
"Lulu… come back…!" Ares called.
But she did not stop.
She accelerated, wrapping her body in a spiritual barrier to conceal her aura.
"Tuan Ares… we can find you another fox. Please return to your tent," General Hao said.
"No. Capture that fox. I only want that one."
The General hesitated.
But he could not refuse.
"…Understood. I will send men to search."
"Good… I'll be waiting."
Soon—
orders were issued.
"Go. Find a black female fox with a slightly white-tipped tail."
Fortunately—
Xue Yunxue had anticipated this.
She ran in a wide arc—
away from Yun Wu's location—
before circling back carefully.
Then—
she leapt into a nearby tent—
only to freeze.
Yun Wu was inside.
Before she could react—
he caught her effortlessly.
"Xue'er? Is that you?"
"…Yes, it's me."
Yun Wu lifted her small fox body up.
"I thought you hated your beast form… and didn't want anyone to see it."
His voice was flat.
Emotionless.
"There was… a situation. Can you put me down?"
Yun Wu placed her gently onto the warm bed.
"I'll stay in the next tent. You should rest."
Without another word—
he left.
Closing the tent behind him.
Xue Yunxue curled into herself.
She tried to transform back—
into her human form.
But—
something was wrong.
She couldn't.
She tried again.
And again.
And again—
failure.
Her body remained—
a black fox.
Small.
Ordinary.
Unchanged.
"…What?"
Her heart sank.
Was she…
really stuck like this?
Trapped—
in this form she hated most?