CHAPTER 144: CHAPTER 144: "SPY

In sight, Sai Yin’s chiseled face magnified before her eyes.

Gazing directly into his haloed eyes, Wen Shu felt a bit dizzy, striving to steady her breath, answering flawlessly.

"...That’s what happened, my Beast Husbands abandoned me!"

Her face colored with a look of pain, tears welled up at the corners of her eyes.

However, the cautious Sai Yin remained unmoved.

The female before him exuded strangeness in many ways.

He had traveled a long way, coming from the sea domain to Beast City for negotiations. This female was very likely a spy sent by that political rival of Alentia.

Sai Yin questioned relentlessly, trying to find a flaw, until the bonfire was halfway burned down, only stopping at Jin Yu’s compassionate intervention.

"Xiao Wen, female, I’ll take you to rest."

Wen Shu was assisted away, cold sweat had already seeped from her back.

The Mermaid Clan was naturally endowed with a power to entice hearts, the higher the rank, the more outstanding the ability.

If her spiritual power were weak, she would have already spilled all the secrets, this Sai Yin was too dangerous, she needed to find a chance to leave the team quickly!

The slender silhouette of the female, lying in a side posture under the shadow of the giant tree in the dim firelight, exhausted and slipping into sleep.

Meanwhile, behind the bonfire, Sai Yin’s cold and intent gaze remained fixed on her.

"Something’s not right with her," he drummed his fingers on his knee, a dark flash passing through his purple eyes, stating seriously, "Keep an eye on her actions, inform me immediately of anything unusual."

As his words fell, he retracted his gaze, yet noticed Jin Yu kindly covering the female with a robe.

Sai Yin furrowed his brows, shifting his focus back onto the female again.

She propped herself up, her face in the shadow seemed a bit pale.

Seeing Jin Yu holding the robe, her troubled expression eased slightly, and her rosy lips curled into a grateful smile.

"Thank you."

Across the mellow firelight, witnessing this scene, Sai Yin pursed his lips slightly, arms crossed, leaning by the tree root, his gaze locked onto the beautifully featured female, without shifting away.

She didn’t seem to be pretending, but he trusted his instincts more.

Perhaps Jin Yu and they might be deceived, it seemed he had to keep a personal watch over this female...

The next day at dawn, Wen Shu, ever cautious, did not sleep a wink, even with her back turned to them, she still felt a gaze closely observing her every move.

Feeling all uneasy, she intended to go to the riverside to wash her face, just as she turned around, she crashed into a pair of dark purple eyes.

"Xiao Wen, female, good morning."

Sai Yin bestowed a gentle curve to his brows, pacing towards her, handing over some steaming food, "How did you sleep?"

Why was he the one bringing it?

Wen Shu avoided his gaze, focusing on the swaying hem of his robe, struggling to maintain an image of desolate pity.

"I’m fine... Thank you."

Taking the food, she didn’t wish to say much more, turning towards the riverbank, placing the food aside, scooping up the cool water, splashing it on her face.

The refreshing stream washed away some of the gloom; she dragged her sleeve to wipe her face, looking towards the end of the river, recalling the whereabouts of the missing Wu Xuan.

Where is he now? Has he fled Alentia?

Yet, before she could worry too long, the sunlight beside her was suddenly overshadowed by a tall figure, Sai Yin looking towards where her eyes had drifted, pondering, said: "What are you looking at? Why the nostalgic look?"

His light voice startled Wen Shu, her heart tightening.

And before she could gather herself, the male turned his face, his stunning purple eyes staring straight at her, "Are you thinking of your Beast Husband?"

Seeing him probing as if guarding against a thief, endlessly, Wen Shu pinched herself.

Rising abruptly, like a rabbit ready to bite, she accused softly, "I appreciate your help, but what’s entertaining about poking at wounds?"

After shouting, she covered her face turning away to run, crouching at the base of a tree, nibbling on the food, silently lamenting her misfortune, deciding not to wander anymore until reaching Beast City.

Glaring fiercely with reddened eyes at him, Sai Yin paused for a few seconds, realizing he might have gone overboard.

But...

He looked at the female squatting beneath the tree, like a mushroom growing; she had been so close just now, yet showed no reaction to his face.

The Mermaid Clan naturally could perform the Charm Technique, and with his exceptional talent from a young age, no need for deliberate use, just eye contact was enough to bewilder others...

Sai Yin slowly straightened up, tidying his robes, returning to the team, realizing last night was indeed no illusion.

For the remainder of the day, he kept his eyes ahead, even while deliberating with his subordinates, his peripheral vision remained on Wen Shu.

But strangely, the female was eerily silent, even since climbing onto the Tiger Beast, her movements hadn’t changed at all.

This is...

Sai Yin rested his face, glancing up at her from below, the female’s alabaster face lay in her arms, her graceful eyebrows subtly furrowed, that lip pressed on her arm, appears full and red.

The aggrieved look, it was just like a certain furry little beast.

He pursed his lips, inexplicably finding it amusing. The suspicion in his heart eased a bit. What kind of spy would throw a tantrum during a mission?

Feeling he might have wrongly accused the female, though still cautious, he leapt to her side to make amends for his hastiness.

But before he could speak, the female glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, turned in the opposite direction, and left him with nothing but the back of her head.

Sai Yin opened his mouth, staring at a stray hair on top of her head. Unconsciously, a smile formed at the corner of his lips. He said sincerely, "Xiao Wen, I’m sorry. After we leave Alentia, I’ll compensate you."

Compensation?

The resolute Wen Shu wavered for a moment. She was currently penniless—could she borrow some money from him?

However, as soon as the thought emerged, she denied it. She could ask anyone for money, except for characters from the plot!

"No need."

The cold words blocked Sai Yin’s offer. Having no experience in comforting females, he suddenly felt at a loss.

Jin Yu, observing this scene, felt his worry ease a little.

He held back his clan-driven leader, a thought flickering in his mind: The leader has been an adult for so long and has no female.

Although Xiao Wen was not outstanding, this was the first time the leader had proactively approached a female...

Noticing the fleeting confusion on Sai Yin’s calm face, he knowingly asked, "Leader Sai Yin, did the female get angry?"

"I have experience in comforting females."

The old beastman was eager to act. Sai Yin looked at the female on the tiger’s back, eager to make amends, and nodded, "How should I do it?"

One was willing to teach, another willing to learn.

Wen Shu remained motionless until the evening glow spread across her face. She saw the tall wall ahead and finally stretched her slightly numb legs.

She had no identity information, but the city was close to the dense forest, so the guards were much more relaxed.

Jin Yu had her hide in the sack, allowing her to smoothly evade the Body Inspection Stone.

The group did not linger in Beast City; they left through another gate as night fell.

"Xiao Wen, we have left Alentia." Jin Yu’s reminder came from the other side.

Wen Shu poked her head out of the sack, glanced at the receding walls, then looked at the dense forest in the distance, feeling the air was much fresher!

When the group stopped under a tree, the bonfire was lit again.

Seated next to Jin Yu, she pondered that Wu Xuan might already be searching for her, making her eager to escape.

"Xiao Wen."

Sai Yin suddenly called out to her.

Wen Shu snapped back to reality, raising her eyes towards the other side of the bonfire.

She saw the noble and handsome male slicing meat with a bone knife, his movements full of grace, a smile playing on his lips.

After swiftly finishing, his long fingers lifted a bowl as he stood and walked toward her, "I made this myself; would you like to try it?"

His sensual voice inexplicably softened.

Wen Shu stared blankly at his face, not understanding what was happening, but she still decisively refused, "No need..."

Upon hearing this, Jin Yu, behind her, frantically signaled to Sai Yin with his eyes.

Receiving the hint, Sai Yin hesitated for a few seconds.

His broad figure leaned forward, he grabbed Wen Shu’s hand, and forcibly placed the bowl in her lap, "Hurry and eat, or else..." it will get cold.

He was reciting a script in his mind, but the soft and delicate feel completely enveloped in his palm made him inexplicably nervous.

His heart skipped a beat. Feeling a bit strange, he immediately let go, completely forgetting the rest of his words.

The steady figure staggered back, quickly sitting down across from her.

"?"

Wen Shu glanced at his back, feeling bewildered.

She lowered her eyes to look at the meat in the bowl, still streaked with blood, and instantly understood.

Was this some kind of warning to her?

Thoughtfully, Wen Shu took the bowl aside, turned her back on everyone, and crouched under a secluded tree to quietly dump the meat.

Sitting at the base of the tree, she waited for the right moment to leave.

Finally, in the early hours, the males of the Sea Clan fell into a deep sleep.

Remaining alert, Wen Shu leaned against the tree, carefully moving toward the dense forest.

But as soon as she circled a giant tree, a voice suddenly sounded by her leg, "Xiao Wen, where are you going?"