Chapter 35: Wild Dog

She cried so sorrowfully.

Since they parted in the mountains, Yu Zhizhi had been worried sick about Dracula. When she heard what the Duke was reading and realized he was in trouble, the tears just wouldn’t stop.

But the Duke said she was crying too soon...?

Yu Zhizhi’s sobs came to a sudden halt. Sniffling, she lifted her tear-filled eyes to the man seated across from her.

He was dressed in a loose, deep-purple robe and held a newspaper in his hand. His golden, vertical pupils were fixed on her as an attendant beside him poured a cup of black tea.

The Duke continued to read.

"The Moonlight Array beneath the mountain forest was activated. The leader of Cang Country vanished in plain sight, his whereabouts unknown."

"The Sun and Moon Dual Formation..."

"Quite the impressive feat."

An unfriendly smile touched the Duke’s lips.

...Vanished.

Yu Zhizhi repeated the word in her mind.

A glimmer of hope sparked within her.

’Dracula might have escaped! They didn’t catch him, and they didn’t find a body. That means he’s still alive!’

"Done crying?" The Duke glanced at her.

Yu Zhizhi’s hand, holding the fork, trembled slightly. She speared a piece of carrot and stuffed it into her mouth.

The young female was eating with great focus.

She seemed to have completely forgotten she had just been crying, even though her nose was red and tear tracks still stained the corners of her eyes.

’This new little pet isn’t bad, all things considered. Her tear ducts are just a little overactive.’

The Duke turned a page of the newspaper. He lifted his teacup. "From now on, you are not to cry in front of me. Do you understand?"

"I understand," Yu Zhizhi replied softly.

A wind chime tinkled at the entrance.

A servant appeared at the door and bowed. "My Lord, Count Gray has arrived."

"Show him in."

Hearing this, Yu Zhizhi quickly stuffed the rest of the food into her mouth.

"I... I’m finished." She held up her plate, showing the Duke she had eaten everything.

"Go on and play," the Duke said, setting down the newspaper.

Yu Zhizhi’s eyes lit up. She quickly stood, gave a parting bow, and hurried outside.

She almost ran right into someone—

She looked up and saw a young man dressed in a white nobleman’s suit. He had amber hair and eyes, and he looked slightly taken aback when he saw her.

Yu Zhizhi lowered her head and slipped past him.

She was wearing a white, knee-length gossamer dress, her bare feet padding on the wooden floor of the corridor. Her steps were light, brimming with the morning’s joy.

She was truly happy that Dracula was not dead.

The pond in the courtyard was filled with blue lotus flowers. The servants cleaning moved gently and quietly, making almost no sound.

Yu Zhizhi walked past them.

The attendants all bowed.

She tried walking toward the exit and found no one stopping her.

Yu Zhizhi bit her lip and secretly slipped out. Leaving the courtyard of the study, she found a long path outside, shaded by trees on both sides, with cobblestones neatly arranged on the ground.

There was a pavilion up ahead.

She had only taken a few steps when she heard a young girl’s sneer.

"Ugly freak!"

The crack of a whip accompanied the girl’s unrestrained taunts.

"Look at you now. What female master would want you? I told you before to just be obedient and submit to me. I would have guaranteed you a life of splendor and riches. You blind fool, and now you’ve fallen into my hands anyway! Watch me beat you to death!"

Three more lashes followed. Yu Zhizhi, hiding behind a tree, could vaguely see a figure forced to kneel on the ground, held down by two Beastmen.

His back was ramrod straight, dripping with blood, but he refused to bend.

Yu Zhizhi suddenly heard the System’s voice.

[System: DING! Host has triggered a side quest!]

[System: Upon completion, you will receive a "Teleportation Scroll," granting one chance for instant teleportation on the already-revealed map.]

[System: Host, do you wish to accept this side quest?]

’A Teleportation Scroll?’

’If I had that, could I just teleport away after finishing the quest?’

Yu Zhizhi nodded hurriedly.

’I’ll take it! I’ll take it!’

She desperately wanted the Teleportation Scroll!

[System: DING! Congratulations, Host, for activating the side quest "Save the Wild Dog." Rescue this Wild Dog from the Snake Clan female and ensure his survival. If the Wild Dog survives for one month, the quest will be considered successful. Reward: one "Teleportation Scroll (Single Use)"!]

’Save the Wild Dog...’

’Does Wild Dog refer to the one up ahead who’s about to be whipped to death?’

"Who’s there!"

The servant beside the young girl saw the small figure hiding behind the tree and immediately shouted.

The guards on both sides of the pavilion drew their swords on the spot.

Yu Zhizhi had never seen such a spectacle before. She jumped, her face turning pale.

Feeling the cold steel of a blade against her neck, she dared not move. Coerced by the guard, she slowly stepped out from behind the tree.

The girl holding the whip narrowed her eyes. "Rabbit Clan? Has there been a banquet recently?"

"No, Miss."

"You—what’s your status? Why have you appeared in Lord Bo Lan’s residence? Are you a spy from some other power?" The girl approached, whip in hand.

"No, I came back from outside with the Duke."

Yu Zhizhi looked at the girl who was now approaching her. She had deep brown, vertical pupils and a cold gaze.

The eyes of Snake Clan Beastmen were especially easy to recognize; they were almost identical to a snake’s.

Yu Zhizhi couldn’t help but take a step back.

The girl closed in, casually pushing away the blade at the young Rabbit Clan female’s neck.

"I did hear that Lord Bo Lan brought back a pet. Is that you?"

"...Mm."

"Shouldn’t you be keeping Lord Bo Lan company? What are you doing in my pavilion?"

"I went out for a walk."

Once the Snake Clan female learned her identity, she waved a hand, and the guards all retreated. The immediate danger had passed.

The girl circled the little female rabbit. She smelled so fragrant; was it her body wash?

Or perhaps, her natural scent?

"My name is Mumu." She introduced herself. "I’m from the Snake Clan, from a faraway land. I’m visiting Lord Bo Lan’s home on behalf of my parents and won’t be returning until the end of the year."

"My name is—"

"I know who you are."

The Snake Clan girl cut Yu Zhizhi off.

"I saw the live broadcast. Everyone’s talking about you now, saying you were abducted by the leader of Cang Country. I never thought it would be Lord Bo Lan who brought you back."

After confirming Yu Zhizhi’s identity, most of the Snake Clan girl’s hostility vanished.

The other was a beautiful Rabbit Clan female, very pleasing to the eye.

Besides, she was a noble S-Class, just like her.

Yu Zhizhi had accepted the side quest. She desperately wanted the Teleportation Scroll, so she asked softly, "What happened to him?"

"Him? He’s blind, that’s what. He offended me."

The Snake Clan girl crossed her arms. "I told him to come serve me at night, and he wasn’t happy about it. He was so cocky just because he has a pretty face. Hehe, but I’ve already scratched it all up~"

Yu Zhizhi stared at her blankly.

"Do you want to mate with him?"

The Snake Clan girl’s eyes widened. "How could that be possible? Look at his status, and look at mine! At most, he could be my boy toy. I’d just toss him aside when I get bored."

"Too bad he’s disobedient and won’t submit to me. So, I’ll just have to kill him," the Snake Clan girl said with a detached air.

Yu Zhizhi’s side quest was related to this Wild Dog.

She thought for a moment, then said:

"Miss Mu Mu, could you give him to me? I can trade you something else for him."

"No way. My anger hasn’t subsided yet. I have to kill him, unless—"

"Unless Lord Bo Lan personally intervenes and assigns him to you."

A mischievous smile appeared on the Snake Clan girl’s face.

"Ms. Zhi Zhi, you should go find the Duke."