Chapter 83: She Took the Initiative

Chapter 83: Chapter 83: She Took the Initiative

Chi Jie’s deep golden eyes narrowed slightly, his long black lashes failing to conceal the emotions churning within them.

’Interesting. This little game of playing hard to get is certainly novel. You’re also courting death.’

Yun Chi felt his claws getting a little tired.

His tiny body wasn’t even as big as the flat screen. Swatting it from left to right with his two claws was like making the little Chi squirm his entire body just to crawl across.

’Hiss, so tired...’

With a soft PLOP, Yun Chi’s little claws went limp, and his entire body flopped bonelessly onto the screen. His chubby form immediately took up a large portion of the display. Then, a silent vibration started up from beneath his rear.

The camera orb had been purchased for live streaming. For convenience, Feng Si had set its main page to the ’Si Shi Xiao Si’ backend.

Just then, the screen displayed a message: [You are initiating a "video connection" request]. The target was a user named "Nameless," whose friend request had only just been approved.

Feng Si had muted the device, afraid the buzzing would disturb her cub. Now, the smart system was silently and faithfully executing its programmed task.

BEEP—

At that same moment, a video call came through from the very sub-female who had just caught his attention. Chi Jie stopped in his tracks again, his eyes turning cold. ’Is this sudden change of heart because they found out who I am? But I’ve set this private comms number to hide all personal information. No one should know.’

He didn’t believe in coincidences. ’Some Beastman has to be pulling the strings. Who could have orchestrated this?’

A list of high-ranking Beastmen in the Empire, along with those from other empires, flashed through his mind.

He slowly raised an eyebrow, a hint of interest sparked by the conspiracy aimed directly at him.

’Looks like those old factions haven’t given up yet.’

Chi Jie lowered his eyes.

The next second, after disabling his own camera permissions, Chi Jie pressed ’Accept’.

Because the chubby cub’s body was pressing down on the screen, the first thing to appear was the pattern of vertical stripes on soft cotton fabric. But before he could frown...

Extremely light footsteps approached. After a soft RUSTLE, the object blocking the camera lens shifted slightly, slowly revealing the caller’s appearance.

Although the warm, yellow light was turned down very low, Chi Jie’s video feed wasn’t affected by the brightness.

A warm, yellow light glowed in the room. It was already bedtime. While waiting for the Yun Duo mush to cool, Feng Si had taken the opportunity to wash up, rinsing the black spots from her face and removing the wolf ears from her head.

Chi Jie watched with a cold gaze.

He was stunned.

What now appeared on half the screen was a female carrying a bowl into the room. A white bathrobe was tied loosely around her slender waist, its dangling sash fluttering against her dazzlingly long legs as she walked.

Her skin was lustrously white and delicate, her damp black hair cascading down her back. Her eyes were as dark as the night sky. A stray strand of hair traced a path from her collarbone down into her robe, creating an atmosphere of subtle sensuality.

From her slender waist to her long legs...

Chi Jie instinctively averted his gaze and shut off the communicator.

The screen vanished into the pitch-black forest. The woods fell so silent that not even the chirp of an insect could be heard. The only sound reaching his ears was the POUNDING of his own heart.

Chi Jie took a deep breath and started walking, pressing a hand to his left breast.

Even though he had recognized at a glance that the female from a moment ago was the sub-female streaming online—a disguise that only confirmed his suspicions of a plot against him—he couldn’t understand why a sense of turmoil was now disrupting his usually calm thoughts.

’Very good.’

’Those relentless Beastmen lurking in the shadows have finally added a bit of spice to my boring life.’

Annoyed, Chi Jie transformed into his beast form. A colossal, pitch-black behemoth appeared in the forest. Its dark, glossy body unfurled, and in an instant, the giant Chi vanished into the heavy darkness.

「Late that night.」

Lip Fei’s communicator rang.

The moment he heard the special alert from his wrist device, he shot up in bed. Without even a word to his partner, he hastily threw on his brown official robes and dashed toward the Imperial Palace.

Upon seeing the figure on the throne, Lip Fei also noticed the three Beastmen responsible for managing the Empire’s communications network.

"Your Majesty, I’ve searched the entire Southern Wilderness network. There are no signs of an intrusion into the Imperial Palace..." the Head of the Network Department said. "I am your most loyal subject, I swear it. I would never be disloyal."

He spoke in a quick, anxious rush, as if afraid any delay would lead to him being suspected of treason. "I don’t believe Chi Shou and Chi Jun could have any allies. They are young and have yet to leave any descendants. Also! The Northern Wilderness is only kept in check thanks to you—"

The Beast King’s cold voice echoed from the throne. "I understand. You are dismissed."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The three from the Network Department visibly relaxed, bowing at once before taking their leave.

Prime Minister Lip Fei, who had just been summoned, was left behind. Being called to see the Beast King twice in a single night had his heart lodged in his throat.

"Your Majesty." Lip Fei bowed his head, his gaze fixed on his own feet in a gesture of respect.

Chi Jie looked down at the top of Lip Fei’s head.

He had just reviewed the profile that had been sent to him. This black-haired female, Feng Si, who had suddenly appeared in Nantong City, was registered there as a sub-female of the Wolf Clan.

Her prior history was a complete blank, which was highly suspicious.

Resting his chin on his hand, he spoke. "After being rejected, she proactively sent another request, then feigned an accidental reveal of her identity as a female. Do you think things are really that coincidental?"

Lip Fei understood at once. This was about the woman the King had mentioned earlier. His expression grew inscrutable. "You added her as a friend online... didn’t you?"

Chi Jie corrected him, "She added me."

Lip Fei: "..."

’Yes, but have you considered why you even agreed? You’ve summoned me twice because of her!’

"Fate can be quite coincidental sometimes!" In answering the King’s questions, Lip Fei was careful never to limit himself to a single answer.

"Your Majesty is of noble status and is also unmated. I believe we cannot rule out the possibility that some Beastman with ulterior motives, seeking to curry favor, has specifically selected a female tailored to your tastes. They might be taking an unconventional approach to get close to you and capture your attention. You see..."

"See what?" Chi Jie raised an eyebrow.

Lip Fei took a step forward and asked cautiously, "Do you find this female’s appearance to be... particularly to your liking?"

No answer came from the throne.

After some deliberation, Lip Fei offered a careful reminder. "In my personal opinion, you have never paid much attention to females. And as for the red-haired female you spoke of, despite being the ruler of the South Desolate Continent, you have yet to find her. One must admit, you are a male beast without a mate..."

Lip Fei paused, then continued:

"All male beasts share a single weakness: a rising Original Value will affect their rationality. They require the soothing presence of a female, who holds a natural attraction for them."

"However, I have another theory. Since she managed to hold your gaze and capture your attention, is it possible that..."