"I have to say, you in that outfit really do look like one of those ancient generals, all valiant and ready for war!"
Beside him, Dong Muyun observed Su Ping.
Mounted on âWar Wolf Old Sha,â Su Ping wore what could only be described as luxurious soft Scale Armor, crafted from the scales of Ironrock Giant Lizards. He even had a mechanical firearm holstered at his waist.
The Beast Master Association of Jianghai had authorized him to use Mechanical Weapons after the last assassination attempt on him.
Behind Su Ping was a dense pack of wolves, thirty or forty strong.
A pack of this size would likely cause an unimaginable disturbance if it appeared on the streets, especially in a bustling district. Fortunately, they were in the suburbs, specifically within his own Pet Beast base.
Su Ping snorted. "What do you mean, âlook likeâ? I *am* going to battle!"
Dong Muyun curled her lips. "Itâs the first time Iâve heard of an ancient general going to war with divine weapons, leading thousands to plunder an empty mountain stronghold with no enemies left, and even taking along Advanced Level bodyguard Battle Pets!"
Of course, that was just talk. Even if Su Ping hadnât mentioned it, Dong Muyun would have insisted on accompanying him once she knew his intentions. The Secret Realm was, after all, far too dangerous.
Su Ping seemingly missed the mockery in her words. Instead, he looked at her with some surprise. "You consider yourself an Advanced Level bodyguard Battle Pet? Alright then, call me âMasterâ and letâs hear it!"
Dong Muyun glared, her hand sheathed in Yunning. The energy cannon on her arm seemed ready to fire at Su Ping.
Just then, Yunningâs voice interjected, "Master, Mister Su Ping is your partner, and his status is special. Unless there is a life-threatening situation, it is not advisable to engage Mister Su Ping!"
"HAHAHA!" Su Ping laughed. "See? Even Yunning doesnât agree."
Dong Muyunâs face darkened. Yunningâs faceplate immediately deployed, and then Dong Muyun snapped, "Cut the crap! Iâm really pressed for time. I donât have all day to waste on your fruitless ventures!"
Su Ping looked skeptically at the woman.
Whatâs with her? Sheâs acting as if she has a short fuse.
But seeing she wasnât in the best of moods, Su Ping didnât continue to tease her. Looking at the wolves waiting patiently behind him, he addressed them like an officer rallying his troops, "Boys, are you ready!?"
"AWOO!"
In front of the Heart of Woods base, a chorus of wolf howls rose in unison.
Su Ping nodded in satisfaction. He recalled all the Forest Wolves into his Beast Taming Space, then grabbed the branch-like antler on Old Shaâs head, looking towards the distance with excitement. "Old Sha, letâs roll out!"
"AWOO!"
Old Sha seemed to snap to attention, like a soldier beginning his march, and strode out of the Heart of Woods gates with a bold and impressive air.
Seeing Su Pingâs show of bravado, Dong Muyun was amused despite herself, then shook her head helplessly.
Honestly, only this guy could drag me out for something so trivial,
she thought.
This is probably just going to be an outing, and he needs me, a Monarch Level Beastmaster, to act as his guard and bodyguard? Does this guy really think I have nothing better to do than to hang around with him all day?
Of course, Dong Muyunâs foul mood wasnât really because of this. It was purely due to a phone call that morning.
It wasnât from just anyone; it was from her esteemed father.
In truth, the father and daughter had spoken a few times before. Previously, however, Dong Muyunâs attitude had been relatively indifferent, especially since Dong Mutian had been rather quiet lately.
However, the situation had apparently changed. She had learned that Dachuan Company, their competitor against Tianyun Real Estate, had been acquired by Pingyun Companyâthe venture she co-founded with Su Pingâfor an unbelievably low price.
This news had undoubtedly reached the Dong Family.
While it would be extremely difficult for outsiders to glean the finer details, it posed no challenge for the Dong Family. They naturally knew that a very important figure had visited Linzhou that night.
So, the increasing frequency of her fatherâs calls over the past few days had given Dong Muyun an inkling of what was to come.
And that morning, he had outright asked a question he had never dared to broach before.
Her father, the patriarch of the esteemed Mirror Saint Dong Family lineage, actually wanted to use his daughterâs connection to meet Su Ping, a junior.
The implications were self-evident.
Dong Muyunâs gaze turned indifferent.
Su Ping is âmine,â
she mused.
Heâs my best chance to shed the Dong Family label. A prominent family provides an excellent platform and background, but in this era, itâs also a shackle. This is my best opportunity. I canât let the people around Su Ping, or those supporting him, think heâs connected to me only because of some tie to the Dong Family.
So, almost without a second thought, Dong Muyun had bluntly rejected her fatherâs proposal.
But I wonder what this kid thinks about it?
She glanced ahead at Su Ping, who was swaggering proudly on Old Sha as he crossed the road, heading purposefully towards the wasteland north of it.
At that thought, a smirk touched Dong Muyunâs lips, and she quickly followed him.
Su Ping, however, was oblivious to all this. He was currently mounted on Old Sha, scrolling through messages on his phone from the owner of the Secret Realm.