Chapter 1274: Setting the Trap

Go get my prey back!

Sitting on horseback, a flash of excitement crossed the girl's face, and the sweat beading on her forehead dampened her neatly tied hair.

Looking at the distant deer she had shot dead, lying on the ground still twitching, Shen Yan's excitement only grew. Yet on that strikingly beautiful, cold-eyed little face, her mouth slightly opened, showing she was somewhat fatigued.

Her long, firm thighs gripped the hunting horse beneath her, the white spirited horse snorted as it shook its head, sending out a nasal sound.

Lin An silently charged forth on his brown horse, and with a swift, clean swoop, he easily scooped up the fawn on the ground.

Swift as the wind.

Only to see the wild deer, struck in the neck by an arrow, still seemingly struggling, its forelegs instinctively contracting and kicking wildly, the light of life in its large eyes gradually fading.

The continuously flowing fresh blood carried a scorching, sweet-and-fishy scent.

Viscous, vivid.

Soon, the fawn that Lin An had roughly brought back left a crooked trail of blood dripping across the grass as they returned.

Perhaps it was her nature, but Shen Yan's temperament was completely unlike that of other noble girls.

As Lin An escorted her back with her prey, she unhesitatingly reached out her hand, as if to properly admire her spoil.

Even though she was a bit fatigued, her hair from continuously chasing prey was soaked with sweat, and even inside her tight hunting attire she was drenched in sweat, causing her to involuntarily loosen her chest binding, yet this still couldn't stop her desire to continue.

Compared to the boredom of reading and playing music in the manor, she preferred to ride freely in the wilderness, hunting game; especially whenever she personally killed a living creature, the thrill of mastering life always gave her immense satisfaction.

Lin An silently handed the fawn over, his right hand inadvertently gripping the girl's arm as if to help her hold the deer steady, observing her condition without a word.

The martial strength in this world should be quite low.

Lin An could clearly feel that the girl's physical fitness was at best slightly better than an ordinary person's, yet she still couldn't match even the most common fodder soldier.

Being able to kill this deer was possible only because he was secretly controlling it.

Otherwise, relying solely on the girl's strength, her arrow would have no killing power beyond twenty meters, let alone hitting the mark precisely.

Very weak...

Any slight danger could harm her...

The girl, breathing somewhat hastily, grabbed the rear of the arrow lodged in her neck while holding the young dew; gazing at the soon-to-die prey, she couldn't help but reveal a proud smile; if one ignored the blood covering her hands, she looked at that moment like a perfect painting, that hint of joy captivating.

If it were an ordinary person with weaker willpower, upon seeing that face they would likely gladly do anything to make the girl happy.

"Very good, attendant."

Her voice clear and pure, like a tsundere princess, the girl expressed satisfaction to Lin An for the first time.

Delighted, she hardly cared about Lin An's rude grip on her arm, even as he silently drew closer to her, she paid no heed.

It was as if her attention had been wholly captured by that fawn.

Just as if her heart were at its limit, the girl's small hand gripping the arrow's nock hesitated for a moment, then, in a burst of hurried breathing, she actually pulled the entire arrow out.

"Splash"

Almost instantly, from the previously sealed wound, a jet of blood spurted out, and before she could dodge, it even splashed onto the corner of her mouth.

She instinctively stuck out her tender little tongue, Shen Yan licked the blood at the corner of her mouth, her left hand holding the fawn's neck, not gripping tightly, even more restrained; although the scene was so bloody, even qualifiable as "dirty" cruelty, under the intense sensory stimulation, her face actually flushed crimson, as if she were extremely excited.

She hadn't gone out hunting in a long time.

Although the attendant had always been obedient, whenever she wanted to do this, he would always jump out to dissuade her.

As an imperial princess and the daughter of a commander, she must not damage her image. Such a lowly act is something only a crude hunter would do—how could she be allowed to do it? If there were other guards present, they would surely be horrified upon seeing this scene and would harshly rebuke Lin An for letting the young lady do such a thing!

"Attendant! Very good!"

"I'm very happy."

"Continue, go find me another prey!"

She lifted her head haughtily, unmindful of the blood staining her delicate little hands, and commanded Lin An.

But perhaps after coming to her senses, she looked displeased at Lin An for grabbing her arm, her brows furrowing.

"Let go of your hand!"

"Without my permission, who allowed you to touch me!"

At the same time, Lin An, who was checking his newly increased favorability that had just dipped a bit, silently, as if obedient, directly let go of his hand.

He gave a slight nod, then charged forth on horseback again.

But with his back to Shen Yan, unseen by her, a flicker of coldness flashed from the depths of Lin An's eyes.

He had just been testing, testing what exactly the favorability was related to.

Physical contact, upgrades..

Things that make the girl happy..

Whether it was the former or both, he knew exactly how to count them toward favorability.

Continue searching for prey?

Heh...

You are my prey...

He was already getting a bit impatient.

Six minutes later.

Riding ahead, Lin An deliberately led the girl toward the outskirts of the hunting ground.

As they ventured deeper into the forest, the originally bright and splendid sunlight, shaded by the canopy, began to grow dim and gloomy.

The horse's hooves crushed fallen leaves and dry twigs, making a rustling sound.

As they crossed a clear warning line, the girl, deeply immersed in the excitement of seeking the next prey, was completely unaware that she had entered a dangerous environment.

When the two passed a rotting animal carcass hidden beneath the leaves, a cold wind wailed as it swept through the forest.

Within this wind, faint wolf howls mingled.

Intending to distance himself from Shen Yan, Lin An silently released his mental energy, which shot out like a fine thread, precisely striking the distant forest wolf.

Although his strength was limited, he couldn't release more spiritual power, but attracting some beasts was enough...

Soon.

Lured by the faint scent of blood, a black shadow that swiftly flashed through the forest lunged quickly.