Xue Yunxue's stomach had begun to growl.
They had already spent two days hiding inside that small cave, concealed behind the ever-roaring waterfall. There had been no news from Xiang Shuai and the others. If by tonight there was still no sign of them, they would have no choice but to leave and search for the nearest city—or slowly starve to death in this place.
Fortunately, Yun Wu had slaughtered enough wild beasts.
Their meat supplies were abundant.
However, with limited equipment, Xue Yunxue could only cook simple meals. She rubbed seasoning onto both sides of the meat, skewered it with sharpened sticks, and roasted it over a small fire. Fat dripped onto the embers, producing a sizzling sound as a rich, savory aroma quickly filled the cave.
Before long, a pile of roasted meat was ready.
Simple.
Yet incredibly tempting.
Yun Wu and Lin Yuan began eating without much conversation.
Xue Yunxue glanced at Yun Wu, the corner of her eye twitching slightly.
She had just taught him how to roast meat earlier. But the result…
was truly horrifying.
Burnt. Bitter. Completely inedible.
This man was the worst cook she had ever known.
How ironic.
In her previous life, Tian Yu—the reincarnation of Yun Wu—had been an excellent cook, often preparing delicious meals for her. Warm, attentive, always mindful of every detail of flavor.
But now?
This wolf nearly turned meat into charcoal.
Xue Yunxue let out a quiet sigh.
She could not complain.
Yun Wu remembered nothing of that past.
Unlike Lu Xiao… who still carried fragments of memories from their previous life.
Yun Wu took another bite of the meat.
Warm. Juicy. Rich in flavor.
For a moment, the taste distracted him from everything else—from Xue Yunxue's scent, still too strong, too sweet, too dangerously alluring.
Meanwhile, Lin Yuan appeared calm. He spoke little, yet from time to time, his gaze drifted toward Xue Yunxue.
Ever since the incident when her consciousness left her body to meet Tao Ling, Lin Yuan had repeatedly asked whether she had truly been asleep in that pool… or something else entirely.
And ever since then—
he had been watching her.
Constantly.
Relentlessly.
It made Xue Yunxue frown slightly.
This man… since when did he become like this?
Lin Yuan himself had only recently realized that something was wrong with him. A strange feeling—one he could not understand—had begun to grow within his once ice-cold heart.
That feeling was unfamiliar.
Slightly unsettling… yet also strangely comforting.
He did not like the fact that something within him had changed.
And yet—
he also could not deny that he liked that feeling.
Deep in his heart, fear lingered—fear at the memory of her soul suddenly disappearing.
What if he truly lost Xue Yunxue?
That thought alone…
made his chest tighten.
And that only made him feel even more uneasy.
Since when had he become like this?
Since when had he begun…
to care about someone this deeply?
He clenched his jaw slightly.
Perhaps…
it all began that night.
The night he lost control.
The night when instinct overpowered reason.
If only he had been able to restrain himself—
this feeling might never have appeared.
But now—
he had already felt it.
And he did not know…
whether he could ever return to how he was before.
There was still no sign of the other three beast husbands.
The second day passed without news.
Then the third day…
still nothing.
The waterfall continued to roar endlessly outside, as if the world itself had not changed at all—yet for Xue Yunxue, time felt increasingly tight.
Anxiety slowly settled in her chest.
She stood near the cave entrance, staring at the curtain of water cascading before them. Beyond it, the outside world looked blurred—cold, white, and distant. She worried about the safety of her three beast husbands… and also Luo Mei and Shaotian.
"…we can't keep waiting," she murmured softly.
The silence behind her was the answer.
Yun Wu and Lin Yuan both understood.
They had already agreed—if the situation remained unchanged for too long, they would head toward the nearest city and regroup there. This cave was cold, damp, and far too uncomfortable to stay in for long.
"I think they've already moved ahead," Xue Yunxue continued quietly. "Maybe they're heading toward a city as well."
It was the best assumption.
And the only one they had.
Their communication devices had been turned off from the beginning. Not without reason. Even the smallest signal trace could be tracked. And in their current situation, they did not know who their true enemies were—or how far their network extended.
It was safer to disappear completely.
Yun Wu stepped forward, unrolling a piece of parchment in his hand. The map was not modern technology, but a hand-drawn one—rough, yet accurate enough for this region.
Some corners were worn, showing it had been used often.
"From where we landed…" he murmured, tracing the map with his finger, "about two hundred kilometers northeast."
He paused.
Pointing at two tiny marks.
Barely visible.
"Qinghe… and Yunhe. Two small neighboring towns."
Both were insignificant dots. No markings of importance—clearly small settlements. Perhaps only a few hundred residents.
Or perhaps already abandoned, considering how far mutant creatures had spread.
Places that barely mattered on the world map.
Lin Yuan stepped closer. His gaze swept across the map quickly—analytical, calm, yet sharp.
"Qinghe is too exposed," he said at last. "It's near the main route and the border. Too many people can enter freely."
Which meant—
higher risk.
Easier to be found.
"What about Yunhe?" Xue Yunxue asked.
Yun Wu nodded slightly.
"It should be safer," he replied. "It's farther from the border, deeper into the forest."
Silence lingered.
The decision was simple—
but the consequences were not.
They would head toward a place they did not know.
Without information.
Without guarantees.
They did not know whether it was the right choice.
They could only gamble on their luck.
Yun Wu rolled up the map.
"Alright."
They had made their decision.
They would depart for Yunhe.
The next morning—they began to move.
The snowfall was heavier than the day before.
A gray sky pressed low overhead, making the world feel narrower and colder. The wind carried tiny shards of ice that struck the skin like fine needles. Xue Yunxue wrapped herself tightly in a thick coat—she truly disliked the cold.
The heavy snowfall made footprints easy to erase.
Which worked in their favor.
Over the past three days, Yun Wu had carefully observed the surrounding area.
Traces of their pursuers were still there.
But their direction had changed.
They were moving away.
As if they had lost their target.
They still did not know who had ambushed them. It might have been the rebel army—but there had been no insignia or totem on the attacking aircraft, making it uncertain. What was clear, however, was that their enemies used the latest type of combat aircraft and possessed exceptional maneuvering skills.
Lin Yuan glanced toward Xue Yunxue.
His expression shifted slightly.
His brows furrowed faintly.
Her heat scent was still present.
Though weaker now, it could still cause trouble. That scent would undoubtedly attract nearby beasts.
Without saying a word, Lin Yuan raised his hand.
Cold energy gathered silently—like a thin layer of mist infused with the power of the water element. It wrapped around Xue Yunxue's body, forming a subtle barrier that masked and suppressed her scent.
Even so—
it could still be detected at very close range.
Xue Yunxue did not refuse.
But she said nothing either.
In truth, she did not understand why the merman was doing it.
Of course—
a female beast in heat could not smell her own scent.
Yun Wu had already moved toward the vehicle.
A dark anti-gravity craft, half-covered in a thin layer of snow. Its surface was cold, its metallic lines sleek yet solid.
He touched the side panel.
The engine activated softly.
Almost silent.
The vehicle slowly lifted from the ground.
Snow beneath it swirled lightly, pushed by invisible waves of energy.
Lin Yuan gently helped Xue Yunxue aboard.
The merman—who was usually sharp-tongued and harsh—had become noticeably gentler overnight.
Had this man truly become more refined… more civilized?
Once the engine surged—
the vehicle shot forward.
Smooth.
Fast.
Cutting through the snow-covered forest.
After several hours of travel—
they finally reached their destination.
In the distance, Yunhe City came into view.
From above, the city looked small—
too small to be called safe.
Its outer walls were low and aged, parts of them cracked and covered in thin moss. There were no watchtowers, no symbols of power, no signs of prosperity like those seen in larger cities.
And yet—
that was precisely what made it feel strange.
The city did not look alive.
It merely…
endured.
Yun Wu slowed the vehicle and gently lowered it outside the city gate. Snow swirled beneath it as the engine powered down completely. Xue Yunxue brushed the snow off her robe.
The moment their feet touched the ground, the cold seeped up through the snow beneath them.
The city gate stood open.
Several guards stood there.
They wore no official uniforms. Their clothing varied—more like armed civilians than formal soldiers. Yet their posture was far from relaxed. Their gazes were sharp, their movements disciplined, and their vigilance far too high for a city this small.
Everyone entering was inspected.
One by one.
Without exception.
"Get down. Identity check."
A guard's voice rang out—firm, though not harsh.
Yun Wu stepped forward first, followed by Lin Yuan, who remained calm as ever. Xue Yunxue followed, pulling her robe tighter as the cold wind brushed against her face.
She could feel it.
Something about this city…
was not normal.
Too rigid.
Yun Wu handed over his identification without a word.
Lin Yuan did the same.
Then Xue Yunxue.
The guard took the three identity cards and examined them carefully. His eyes moved quickly—until they paused on two names.
His brows lifted slightly.
He looked at Yun Wu and Lin Yuan again.
"Are you former consorts of Princess Hu Shui?"
His tone shifted—subtly more cautious, even carrying a trace of respect.
Yun Wu simply nodded once.
Lin Yuan remained silent.
The guard did not press further.
He continued checking, then moved on to Xue Yunxue's identification. This time, his expression changed more noticeably.
"Both… of you are her official partners?"
He frowned slightly, clearly surprised that these two men already had a bonded partner so quickly.
There was a brief pause.
As if he was considering something.
But in the end, he returned their IDs and slightly bowed his head.
"You may enter."
His tone was now far more polite.
But before they stepped forward, he added in a lower voice—
"Apologies. Inspections in Yunhe have been stricter lately."
He glanced toward the snowy wilderness outside.
"Many refugees from Wulong City have come here. Some of them… are not good people."
There was a clear warning in his tone.
Yun Wu nodded slightly.
He understood.
A small city like this was an easy target.
And in times like these, the line between refugees and bandits was often thin.
They passed through the gate.
But before they had gone far, a voice from behind made Xue Yunxue stop.
"Hey… weren't there also two people with special identities who entered yesterday?"
Another guard spoke in a half-whisper.
Xue Yunxue froze instantly.
She turned.
"Who are you referring to?"
The question slipped out before she realized it.
The guard looked slightly surprised, but still answered.
"A military officer… and a young woman from the Luo family."
Xue Yunxue's heart quickened.
Shaotian.
And Luo Mei.
They were alive.
Relief surged through her chest, washing away some of the pressure that had been weighing on her.
"Where are they staying?" she asked.
The guard pointed toward the interior of the city.
"At an old inn in the center. It's easy to find—it's the only inn in this small city."
He gave a brief description of the location.
Without hesitation, the three of them immediately moved.
Yunhe City was far quieter than they expected.
The narrow streets were nearly empty. Snow piled along the sides without many footprints disturbing it. A few stalls were open, but their owners sat idly, without customers, occasionally blowing into their hands for warmth.
Most houses were closed.
Their windows dark.
As if no one lived inside.
The population of this city likely did not even exceed a thousand.
At last—
they arrived at the inn.
The building was old, its paint peeling away to reveal rotting wood beneath.
The floorboards creaked with every step, and the door hinges shrieked loudly when opened, as if they had not been maintained for years.
This inn looked more like a haunted house than a place to rest.
Behind the reception desk stood a young girl.
Her appearance was simple, yet clean, with a gentle and charming face. Her hair was neatly tied, and although her clothes were somewhat worn, she still carried herself with care, as if determined to remain presentable.
Xue Yunxue looked at her for a moment.
That face… seemed familiar.
There was something about her that stirred a faint recognition.
Unfortunately—
she could not remember where she had seen her before.
But before she could recall—
the girl's eyes widened.
Her face lit up instantly.
"You…!"
She hurried out from behind the desk, stepped forward, and grasped Xue Yunxue's hands tightly.
"You're the one who saved me back then, aren't you?!"
Her voice was filled with excitement—
and genuine gratitude.
Xue Yunxue was slightly startled.
She looked at the girl more closely, searching for a clue within that expression.
But her mind remained blank.
She was never good at remembering faces.
"You…"
She hesitated.
Very hesitant.
The girl's expression dimmed slightly.
But she did not give up.
"I'm the girl you saved from the Sang Mu bandits!" she said quickly.
And at that moment—
the memory returned.
That time when Yun Wu had used her as bait for the bandits.
And her first meeting with Lu Xiao.
"Ah…"
Xue Yunxue nodded slowly, her gaze softening as the memory became clear.
"Right… you're that girl."
The girl's face immediately brightened. The uncertain smile from before turned radiant and sincere, as if this reunion was something she had long hoped for.
"I didn't expect to meet you again here…" she said softly. "My name is Julia."
Her hand still held Xue Yunxue's, warm amidst the cold air filling the old inn.
Xue Yunxue returned the grip briefly before gently letting go.
Behind her, Yun Wu merely observed without reaction. He clearly did not remember the girl.
Lin Yuan was the same—
his gaze indifferent, as if she were just another stranger.
Julia suddenly seemed to recall something. She quickly turned back to the reception desk and grabbed a key from an old wooden rack.
"If you want to stay, we still have one best room available," she said enthusiastically. "I'll give it to you."
She handed the key over with both hands, full of goodwill.
Xue Yunxue looked at the key for a moment.
One room.
Her gaze shifted to Yun Wu—
whose expression immediately showed clear disapproval without any attempt to hide it.
Then to Lin Yuan—
who remained silent, yet his eyes carried the same refusal.
This situation…
was far too complicated to explain.
Xue Yunxue let out a small breath.
"Julia," she said gently but directly, "we're actually looking for two people. Their names are Shaotian and Luo Mei."
"Ah, them?"
Julia nodded quickly.
"They're upstairs. Third room from the stairs."
Xue Yunxue did not waste a second.
"Thank you."
She turned immediately and walked quickly toward the wooden staircase in the corner. Her steps were light but urgent.
Yun Wu and Lin Yuan followed closely behind.
The moment their feet touched the first step—
something felt off.
Xue Yunxue stopped briefly.
Her nose caught a scent.
Metallic.
Thick.
Warm.
Blood.
Yun Wu, right behind her, noticed it instantly as well. His eyes narrowed slightly.
Lin Yuan stopped a step behind, his gaze sharpening.
The scent was not faint.
Nor old.
It was fresh.
Xue Yunxue quickened her pace.
She climbed the stairs without hesitation, then stopped in front of the third door.
Her hand rose.
She knocked.
No answer.
A few seconds felt longer than they should.
She knocked again—
harder this time.
Finally—
footsteps sounded from inside.
The door opened slowly.
Shaotian stood there.
His face looked tired. His hair was slightly messy, and faint traces of blood still stained the collar of his clothes.
But the moment he saw who stood before him—
his eyes widened.
"Lady Yunxue?!"
His voice was filled with shock.
His gaze quickly shifted to Yun Wu and Lin Yuan behind her, then back to Xue Yunxue—
as if he could not believe they were truly here.
"Where is Luo Mei?" Xue Yunxue asked without preamble.
Her tone was calm—
but urgent.
"Mei, she—"
Shaotian had not even finished speaking.
Xue Yunxue had already moved.
She pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Her eyes went straight to the bed.
Luo Mei lay there.
Her body stiff.
Pale.
Bandages wrapped around her shoulder, but blood still seeped through the white cloth, staining it dark red. Her breathing was unstable, her chest rising and falling too quickly.
Her condition—
was bad.
Without hesitation, Xue Yunxue stepped forward.
She knelt beside the bed, her hands moving quickly yet precisely.
She checked the pulse.
Weak.
But still steady.
"How long has it been?" she asked briefly.
"Since last night," Shaotian answered immediately, unable to hide the worry in his voice. "I stopped the bleeding… but the wound won't close."
Xue Yunxue did not respond.
Her hands were already moving.
From her storage space, she took out small bottles of healing concoctions, clean cloth, and special needles and thread for stitching wounds.
Her movements were efficient.
Calm.
A reflection of the medical knowledge she had learned in her previous life.
She removed the bandage.
The smell of fresh blood intensified instantly.
The wound on Luo Mei's shoulder was now clearly visible—a deep tear that refused to close, as if something was preventing natural healing.
Xue Yunxue's eyes narrowed slightly.
This was no ordinary wound.
The weapon that injured Luo Mei had likely been coated with poison.
The entire right shoulder had turned dark around the puncture, making the injury look even more horrifying.
Without wasting time, she began.
Cleaning the wound.
Applying pressure.
Stitching what needed to be closed.
Her movements were swift—
yet incredibly careful.
At the same time—
a warm energy flowed from her hands.
Subtle.
Almost invisible.
But enough to accelerate healing from within.
Luo Mei let out a faint groan.
Her lashes trembled.
Then slowly—
her eyes opened.
That blurred gaze finally found a figure before her.
Xue Yunxue.
"Sister-in-law…" she whispered weakly.
Her voice was hoarse.
But there was relief within it.
The pain in her shoulder had lessened significantly.
Xue Yunxue did not stop working.
But her tone softened.
"You're awake," she said gently, her voice unconsciously warm. Her hands continued adjusting the bandage carefully. "Is there anywhere else that feels uncomfortable?"
Behind her, Shaotian finally released a breath he had been holding.
His tense shoulders relaxed slightly, as if a heavy burden had finally lifted.
He looked at Luo Mei, worry still lingering in his eyes—
but now mixed with clear relief.
Meanwhile, Yun Wu and Lin Yuan remained silent.
Watching.
Observing as Xue Yunxue subtly channeled her healing power.
On the bed, Luo Mei slowly moved.
She tried to sit up.
At first hesitant—
but then pushed herself into a half-sitting position.
Her movements were stiff at first.
But—
there was no pain.
No sharp stabbing sensation that had tormented her with every breath.
No burning from the poison spreading through her body.
She paused.
Her brows furrowed slightly.
Then unconsciously, she touched her shoulder.
Still bandaged.
But…
it felt lighter.
Strange.
Very strange.
Previously, even the best military medicine had failed to stop the poison's spread.
The wound had refused to heal—
as if something inside it was devouring her.
But now—
everything was gone.
Just like that.
Her gaze slowly shifted to Xue Yunxue.
Her eyes were filled with questions.
And a trace of disbelief.
Was this girl…
a miracle healer?
Her gaze sharpened with curiosity.
But before she could ask—
Xue Yunxue spoke first.
As if she did not want the conversation to linger on the wound.
"By the way, Mei…" she said lightly, though her eyes remained sharp. "Have you seen Luo Shixin?"
It was the question she had been holding back all this time.
The room fell silent.
Shaotian and Luo Mei exchanged a glance.