The heavy roar of engines shattered the calm of the camp that afternoon.
The previously peaceful sky was suddenly covered by a massive shadow. An armored flying vehicle bearing the Cloud Legion's insignia slowly descended, its energy propellers spinning violently, whipping dust and tent fabrics into wild motion.
In an instant, the entire camp erupted into chaos.
People rushed out of their tents, guards lifted their heads in disbelief.The missing group… had returned.
The vehicle's doors opened with a heavy clang. One by one, soldiers stepped out, their bodies covered in wounds and exhaustion—yet alive. Some nearly collapsed the moment their feet touched the ground.
The City Leader hurried over, breathing heavily from running too fast.
"You… you really came back…" His voice trembled between relief and disbelief.
The atmosphere instantly turned noisy. Cheers, suppressed sobs, and relieved laughter blended together.
Since morning, he had already sent several flying scouts to search for them, yet none had returned with satisfying results. And now… they had come back on their own.
But the commotion was not over yet.
From the sky, a massive golden shadow dove downward.
Giant wings split the air, a powerful gust sweeping across the camp grounds. A majestic golden eagle landed proudly in the open field—and seated upon its back was a young girl.
Xue Yunxue.
Her hair was slightly disheveled, her clothes dirty and stained with dried blood, yet her body was completely unharmed.
The crowd immediately burst into disbelieving whispers.
"That's her…""She survived?""Impossible…"
Luo Shixin descended first. The golden eagle's body was soon enveloped in light before transforming back into his human form. He stood tall in his armor, expression calm as ever—as if bringing someone back from the brink of death was nothing extraordinary.
News of the group's survival spread rapidly, sending waves of joy throughout the camp.
But not everyone was pleased.
At the edge of the crowd, Bai Ling's face slowly darkened.
Her gaze locked onto Xue Yunxue—sharp, filled with disbelief… and anger she could barely conceal.
Her jaw tightened. The overwhelming emotions nearly destabilized her human form. Coarse tiger-like fur began appearing along the side of her face, making her appearance increasingly wild and distorted.
She did not even notice.
Beside her, Eyen immediately paled.
His eyes widened when he realized what was happening.
She… was losing control.
Without hesitation, he grabbed Bai Ling's arm.
"We need to leave," he whispered urgently.
Before anyone else could notice something strange, he quickly pulled her away from the crowd and led her back toward their tent.
To most people, the hurried movement appeared ordinary.
But not to Luo Shixin.
From where he stood, the general's sharp eyes followed their departure without blinking. His gaze remained calm—yet cold and calculating.
He missed nothing.
And in that brief second, he already understood—
something had happened.
The City Leader quickly signaled for the tent doors to be sealed and guarded from outside. The lively atmosphere gradually turned tense. Only important figures remained inside the large command tent—Luo Shixin, Xue Yunxue, several officers, and a few surviving soldiers, including Shen Wu.
Bai Zhou sat at the head seat before them, his hands clasped atop the table. His gaze was heavy, as though every word spoken in this room carried the weight of lives.
"What exactly happened to your group?" he finally asked, his voice low but oppressive.
Shen Wu swallowed. Though his injuries had not fully healed, he stood upright like a true soldier.
"Our group entered the northernmost territory," he answered slowly. "We detected several low-level mutant creatures, so we led our forces there to eliminate them."
He paused, jaw tightening as memories of the nightmare resurfaced.
"But… it was a trap."
Several people in the room exchanged glances.
"A group of mutants above level fifty was already waiting for us," Shen Wu continued. "Some of them even possessed regenerative abilities. Our attacks barely affected them."
The room fell even quieter.
The sound of the officers' breathing became audible.
Shen Wu lowered his gaze briefly before continuing, his voice much softer this time.
"Out of more than two thousand soldiers who departed… only around fifty survived."
The words fell like a heavy stone.
Several people inhaled sharply. Even the fire in the furnace seemed to dim.
"The others… all perished," he said quietly. "Including the medical team."
Shen Wu's gaze then shifted toward Xue Yunxue.
Genuine respect filled his eyes.
"Fortunately, we encountered this young lady," he continued. "She provided aid, healed the wounded, supplied medicine and food… and helped us escape from high-level mutants."
Instantly, everyone's attention returned to Xue Yunxue.
Admiration, shock, and disbelief mixed within their gazes.
A young girl… had saved the remnants of an entire army from total annihilation.
Bai Zhou narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze deep as if trying to read something hidden beneath Yunxue's calm expression.
Meanwhile, Luo Shixin stood silently beside her, his expression unchanged—though his eyes had grown sharper.
He knew the story was still incomplete.
And the more pieces that were revealed… the clearer it became that what happened in the north was far from an ordinary battlefield accident.
Bai Zhou gripped the armrest of his chair so tightly his knuckles turned pale. The muscles in his jaw tensed as he restrained emotions difficult to hide.
Losing more than two thousand soldiers was not merely a military failure—it was a devastating wound to their city.
The meeting room fell silent. Only the occasional crackle of fire echoed, adding pressure to the heavy air.
Slowly, Bai Zhou's sharp gaze shifted toward Xue Yunxue.
It was heavy, filled with questions… and suspicion.
"How did you suddenly disappear," he asked quietly yet forcefully, "only to end up with the missing expedition group?"
All eyes immediately turned toward Yunxue.
Xue Yunxue had expected this question. Since the journey back, she had rehearsed her answer countless times in her mind.
Telling the truth would reveal too much—about the trap, about those who might have intentionally allowed the group to perish… and about certain individuals present in this very room.
It was not merely dangerous.
It could spark open hostility with the City Leader.
And she was not yet strong enough to face that.
Yunxue took a small breath, then lifted her head calmly.
"That night, I heard that one of the groups had lost contact," she said steadily. "And one of my beast husbands was among them."
She paused briefly, allowing her words to sound natural.
"So I took the initiative to search for him… and eventually encountered them when their situation had already become desperate."
Her answer flowed smoothly—so smoothly that it almost sounded like the truth.
The room fell silent once again.
Several people nodded slowly. The explanation sounded reasonable—emotional enough that no one felt compelled to question it too deeply.
But not everyone truly believed it.
Beside her, Luo Shixin cast a glance toward Xue Yunxue.
His gaze was calm, yet profound.
He knew.
He had personally witnessed part of what had happened. And he was intelligent enough to realize that Yunxue's story was only half the truth—perhaps even less.
This girl… was deliberately hiding something.
For a brief moment, their eyes met.
There was no panic on Yunxue's face. No plea for help.
Only calmness… and unwavering resolve.
Luo Shixin shifted his gaze forward again.
If Yunxue chose silence, then he would remain silent as well.
Some truths, when revealed too early, became blades that wounded their owner instead.
"Very well. You should all return to the camp immediately and undergo medical inspection. We cannot risk any beast-humans becoming contaminated," Bai Zhou ordered.
"Thank you for your generosity, City Lord," Luo Shixin replied.
Though he spoke without expression, Bai Zhou still felt intimidated by the general's natural authority and overwhelming presence.
Then he suddenly remembered something important.
"What about the Snake Prince? Will he be returning as well?" Bai Zhou asked. The mere existence of that prince had been enough to rob him of peaceful sleep.
"Yes. He is currently breaking through the forest together with my other beast husbands," Xue Yunxue answered calmly. "They should return soon."
Night was approaching.
A cold wind drifted between rows of tents, carrying the scent of damp earth and burning firewood. After bathing, Xue Yunxue still felt restless. She intended to return to the medical tent, hoping exhaustion would eventually force her to sleep.
But halfway there, a voice stopped her.
"You don't need to sleep in that tent. I've prepared a more comfortable one for you," Luo Shixin said.
Xue Yunxue blinked in surprise at the sudden change in his attitude. Normally cold and stern, his tone now sounded noticeably gentler.
Confused but compliant, she followed him.
They stopped before a large tent near the guarded area. It was clearly different from the others—sturdier, warmer. When the curtain was lifted, a faint fragrance greeted her immediately. Inside, a clean bed was neatly prepared, and a heater radiated comfortable warmth, completely dispelling the night's chill.
"Sit here for a moment," Luo Shixin instructed.
He pulled a chair before a small table fitted with a mirror. Though she did not understand his intention, Xue Yunxue obeyed.
Only seconds later did she realize his purpose.
Luo Shixin stood behind her, picked up a towel, and began drying her hair with slow, careful movements. His touch was gentle—almost too gentle for a general known for ruthless decisiveness on the battlefield.
Xue Yunxue stiffened.
A great general… drying her hair?
Her heartbeat became uneven.
"I want to ask you something," Luo Shixin said suddenly.
"About what?" she asked, trying to sound calm.
"Why did you lie to the City Lord?"
Her breath caught.
She had never told anyone about her kidnapping—about being abandoned alone in a mutant-infested forest. Yet somehow, this man seemed to understand everything already.
"A small lie benefits me," she replied softly. "At least I don't have to openly oppose the City Lord. Besides… who would believe an ordinary girl without background accusing his daughter of ordering someone to kidnap me and leave me as mutant bait?"
Luo Shixin's movements suddenly stopped.
The towel froze among strands of her black hair.
"Why do you call yourself a girl without background?" his voice softened. "Do you not consider your status as the lawful partner of a general?"
Xue Yunxue's ears instantly flushed red. Those words felt too close… too personal.
"Even in my eyes," Luo Shixin continued quietly, "the City Lord is nothing."
She fell silent, an unfamiliar warmth filling her chest.
"I'm used to relying on myself," she murmured. "Before and now… I never had a strong background."
Memories surfaced—her life before coming to this world. Once an orphan with a warm orphanage family, yet in this world she had learned to depend only on herself.
Luo Shixin watched her reflection in the mirror, his gaze calm yet filled with rare gentleness.
"You can rely on me now," he said slowly. "You don't need to be afraid. I will always stand on your side."
The words slipped out naturally, surprising even himself.
Xue Yunxue smiled faintly, warm and sincere.
"Thank you," she said softly.
A comfortable silence lingered before Luo Shixin spoke again.
"So… do you know who kidnapped you?"
"Yes. One of Bai Ling's husbands—the City Lord's daughter."
"The white-haired youth?"
"That's right."
Luo Shixin picked up a comb and began brushing her hair slowly, his movements patient and careful.
"Did you see him carrying anything? A blue potion… slightly murky?"
Xue Yunxue thought back. During their final battle, the man had indeed thrown a cloudy blue bottle toward her—but it had shattered before reaching her, destroyed by the vines she controlled.
"Yes… I think he did carry such a potion. Is something wrong?"
Luo Shixin remained silent for a moment before answering.
"That wasn't an ordinary potion," he said quietly. "It was a chemical substance produced from palace laboratory experiments years ago… and all of it was supposed to have been destroyed."
"Is it dangerous?" she asked.
"Yes," Luo Shixin answered without hesitation. "If that liquid touched an open wound, you would become infected and transform into a mutant. Even its scent alone can attract high-level mutants."
Xue Yunxue fell silent.
So it was true.
Bai Ling had not merely wanted to remove her—she wanted to completely destroy her, turning her into a creature without consciousness.
All for Yun Wu?
The thought made her chest feel heavy.
Meanwhile, Luo Shixin had finished drying and combing her hair. Her long black hair now fell neatly down her back, soft and shining beneath the tent's warm light.
Yet he did not step away.
Instead, he took something from his pocket—a small golden pendant that shimmered faintly, as if containing gentle light within.
Xue Yunxue blinked in surprise as Luo Shixin stepped closer.
Carefully, he lifted her hair aside, revealing her pale neck, and slowly fastened the pendant around it.
His fingers barely brushed her skin, yet it was enough to make her breath hitch.
She froze.
This ice-cold general… capable of such tenderness?
"In this pendant," Luo Shixin said softly, "I left a trace of my spiritual energy. No matter where you are, I will be able to track you."
He paused, then added lightly—his tone unusually relaxed,
"It's even more advanced than any GPS."
A faint blush spread across Xue Yunxue's cheeks.
Whether because of their closeness… or the hidden meaning behind the gift, she could not tell.
She touched the pendant gently with her fingertips.
Warm.
It seemed to pulse faintly beneath her touch.
"Isn't this too precious?" she murmured quietly.
Luo Shixin's gaze softened.
"No," he answered briefly. "Your safety is far more valuable. As your husband, protecting you is my responsibility."
Xue Yunxue's heartbeat quickened slightly.
For a moment, the tent fell into silence—only the faint crackling of the heater's fire could be heard.
"Get some rest. I'll be in the tent next door if you need me."
After saying that, Luo Shixin calmly stepped outside. The tent curtain swayed gently behind him before closing once more.
Night had fully descended.
He walked toward his private tent located directly beside Xue Yunxue's. The guards stationed nearby immediately saluted, but Luo Shixin merely gave a short nod before entering.
The moment he stepped inside, silence enveloped the space.
He sat at the edge of the bed and activated his chakra computer—a transparent device that projected a faint bluish light into the air. An energy screen slowly unfolded, displaying rows of classified research data.
His fingers moved swiftly as he reviewed old reports concerning mutant serums.
His brows gradually furrowed.
The anti-mutant serum… was still far from completion.
Years of experimentation had only managed to slow the virus's progression, never stopping it entirely. The latest data showed that an infected individual would transform into a mutant within twenty-four hours.
The newest generation serum could extend the incubation period to seven full days.
But the final result remained the same.
After seven days… the transformation became irreversible.
Not a single case of recovery had ever been recorded.
Luo Shixin let out a long breath.
Even worse, the origin of the virus itself remained a mystery. There were no records of its first appearance, as though it had suddenly emerged into the world without warning.
Only one fact was certain—
The rebel faction had begun using the virus as a biological weapon.
Half the world had already fallen into their hands.
The spreading data displayed on the screen showed terrifying numbers. Contaminated zones expanded by up to ten square miles each day. City after city collapsed without meaningful resistance.
Luo Shixin's gaze turned icy.
In a world already drowning in chaos… someone still dared to develop artificial compounds to deliberately turn humans into mutants?
That was not merely a crime.
It was madness.
He raised a hand and slowly pressed his temple. The exhaustion he had long ignored finally began to surface. The burden of war, the rebel threat, and now… someone daring to target Xue Yunxue using a forbidden substance.
Unconsciously, his gaze shifted toward the tent wall—the direction where Xue Yunxue rested on the other side.
He closed the chakra computer, and the blue light faded, leaving the tent illuminated only by the warm glow of night lamps.
Removing his boots, Luo Shixin lay down on the bed and closed his eyes.
But his mind refused to calm.
The image of long black hair he had just dried… flushed cheeks… and that small, trusting smile surfaced in his thoughts without permission.
The previously quiet camp gradually changed as the night deepened.
Several bonfires still burned faintly, casting swaying shadows across rows of tents. Distant conversations slowly turned into low laughter… then were gradually replaced by other sounds—restrained breathing, soft moans, and passionate whispers drifting from several soldiers' tents.
Some beast-men had brought their partners along for the expedition. As long as the women remained within camp and did not enter combat zones, military regulations allowed it.
As the night grew later, those sounds became clearer.
The air itself seemed warmer… more restless.
Inside his tent, Luo Shixin slowly opened his eyes.
His brows tightened slightly.
His hearing, far sharper than that of ordinary beast-humans, made every sound outside painfully clear—even the faintest whisper felt as though it echoed beside his ear.
He inhaled deeply.
As an adult beast-man nearing twenty-five years of age—and despite already having a lawful partner—he had never once shared intimacy with her.
Not because he was incapable.
But because he had always chosen restraint.
He had long been known as calm, rational, and possessing nearly perfect self-control. Even during his rut cycles, he suppressed instinct through rigorous training and energy meditation.
But tonight was different.
The sounds outside slowly awakened something he had buried deep within himself.
Something warm… wild… and far too alive to ignore.
His breathing grew slightly uneven.
He immediately sat upright.
His gaze sharpened, as if recognizing a danger not from enemies—but from himself.
"…This isn't good."
He rubbed his face roughly before standing. Without hesitation, he grabbed his military coat and put it on.
Better to move.
Better to leave this atmosphere before his focus slipped.
Luo Shixin stepped outside.
The cold night air greeted him instantly, cooling the heat slowly rising within his body. His steps were steady as he began patrolling the camp, inspecting guards one by one.
Yet every time he passed rows of tents… those sounds returned.
And without realizing it—
someone's image appeared in his mind.
Long black hair.
Clear eyes.
And the girl resting not far from where he now stood.
Luo Shixin's heartbeat pounded harder.
He stopped briefly.
Then exhaled slowly, forcing himself back to calm.
Moments later, he rose into the night sky, flying through the darkness to patrol from above—before he truly lost control.
Around one in the morning, the camp gates became lively once more.
Heavy footsteps approached from the darkness of the forest. Xiang Shuai and his group had finally returned after an exhausting journey. Their bodies were covered in dust and the scent of mutant blood, clear proof that the return trip had been far from easy.
The guards quickly cleared a path, while patrol officers—including Luo Shixin—stepped forward to receive them.
Luo Shixin's gaze swept across the group, ensuring none were seriously injured. Fortunately, all four men appeared unharmed.
"Where is Xue Yunxue?" Lu Xiao asked without preamble, his low voice unable to conceal his anxiety.
"She's resting in her tent," Luo Shixin replied calmly.
Before another word could be spoken—
Lu Xiao's body suddenly transformed into thin black mist.
The mist shot forward, cutting through the night air like a formless shadow, sweeping across the entire camp. Within seconds, it located an aura he recognized with absolute clarity.
That tent.
The tent where Xue Yunxue was resting.
The journey back had truly exhausted them. Along the way, they had fought no fewer than twenty battles against mutants that kept appearing as if drawn by something unseen. Even Xiang Shuai had nearly lost control several times due to energy depletion.
Lu Xiao ignored the fatigue weighing down his body.
He only wanted to see Xue Yunxue as quickly as possible.
Black mist silently slipped through a gap in the tent.
Inside, the atmosphere was warm and peaceful.
Xue Yunxue slept soundly on a simple bed, her body wrapped in a thick blanket. Her breathing was soft and steady, and the vigilance usually visible on her face had completely faded, replaced by rare tranquility.
For the first time since being separated from her…
the tightness in Lu Xiao's chest eased slightly.
He slowly returned to his human form beside the bed.
His hand lifted unconsciously, gently brushing her cheek. His fingertips carefully moved aside strands of black hair that had fallen across her face.
The crimson glow in his eyes softened.
As though all the anxiety he had suppressed throughout the journey had finally found a place to rest.
But suddenly—
"…Jun Hao…"
A faint murmur escaped Xue Yunxue's lips.
She was talking in her sleep.
Lu Xiao froze.
His red eyes trembled faintly.
Jun Hao.
That name.
An unreadable expression slowly appeared on his face—not anger, nor sadness… but something far quieter.
His hand stopped midair.
For several seconds, he simply stared at her face without moving.
Slowly, he lowered his head and pressed an incredibly gentle kiss against her cheek—so light it felt almost like a passing night breeze.
"I'm here…" he whispered softly, even though he knew she was deeply asleep.
Then, without a sound, his body dissolved back into black mist.
The mist drifted out of the tent, leaving behind only a faint lingering warmth.
The lantern fire inside Luo Shixin's tent flickered dimly, casting long shadows across the thick fabric walls. The air felt silent—far too silent for five men whose auras were as powerful as theirs.
Luo Shixin slowly raised a hand.
A wave of spiritual energy spread outward, forming a transparent barrier that sealed the entire tent, ensuring no one outside could overhear their conversation.
Only then did he sit back down.
His gaze was sharp yet calm.
"Yun Wu," he said quietly, "can you tell us what truly happened?"
All eyes immediately turned toward the black-haired man.
Yun Wu let out a long breath. His shoulders lowered slightly, as if the burden he had carried finally found release.
He began to speak.
About the mutant trap.
About how their forces were destroyed one by one.
About the fatal injuries that had nearly claimed his life.
And about Xue Yunxue… appearing at the most impossible moment.
He hid nothing.
Not a single detail was omitted.
The longer he spoke, the heavier the atmosphere inside the tent became.
Xiang Shuai unconsciously clenched his fists, guilt surfacing because he had not returned to camp alongside Yunxue. A cold pressure slowly radiated from Lu Xiao, weighing down the surrounding air. Lin Yuan leaned back casually, but his narrowed eyes revealed deep calculation.
When the story ended, a long silence lingered.
But Yun Wu was not finished.
"There's one more thing…" he said quietly.
Everyone's attention sharpened again.
Yun Wu's gaze dimmed slightly, as though even he still struggled to believe it.
"Yunxue possesses healing power."
The air inside the tent seemed to freeze.
"…She healed me. She even reassembled every shattered bone in my body. You all know—there isn't a single potion in this world capable of such effects."
For the first time since the meeting began, Luo Shixin completely lost his usual calm expression.
Several people held their breath at once.
Healing power?
That was not merely rare.
It was… almost mythical.
In this world, even plant-element abilities were considered heaven-blessed gifts. But pure healing—the ability to pull someone back from the brink of death—had never been recorded in modern history.
Just how many secrets did that girl truly possess?
"Tch…" Lin Yuan's voice broke the silence.
He crossed his arms, the corner of his lips lifting faintly.
"No wonder even the God of Death seems reluctant to take her."
His tone carried equal parts mockery and admiration.
Lu Xiao shot him a cold glance.
This merfolk's tongue was truly poisonous.
Lin Yuan merely smiled lazily, completely unapologetic.
Lu Xiao then looked at each of them in turn. His vampire aura slowly filled the tent, cold yet steady.
"This matter," he said quietly but firmly, "must remain our secret."
His gaze hardened.
"No one else can ever know."
Everyone understood without further explanation.
If that power became known—
Xue Yunxue would become prey for countless forces with their own ambitions.
She would become a target.
Hunted by cities, kingdoms, laboratories, and even rebels.
Not to be protected.
But to be possessed.
Yun Wu lowered his gaze, his voice calm but resolute.
"I won't allow anyone to lay a hand on her."
Xiang Shuai nodded slowly.
"Anyone who tries… will have to go through us first."
At last, Luo Shixin leaned back in his chair. His expression returned to calm, yet his gaze had grown far deeper than before.
Outside the tent, the night remained quiet.
But within it, an unspoken pact had already formed—
five apex predators, now united by a single purpose.