Chapter 24: Calen Hughes, Here to Pay Homage to Your Highness

The next day.

Outside the Wolf Howl Forest.

Thin mist scattered slightly; morning light was sliced by layers of branches into tiny golden shards, falling upon damp moss and fallen leaves, the air carrying the scent of damp earth.

A gray rabbit sat quietly on the grass, nibbling the tender shoots beside its paws; its ears flicked left, then right, its moist nose trembling in the air—until it confirmed only the rustle of wind through treetops, then lowered its head again.

Clearly, any slightest disturbance would send it fleeing at once.

Swish!

With the twang of a bowstring, an arrow shot out like a venomous snake from the underbrush.

Its sharp tip sliced through the air with a faint whistle.

The rabbit, hearing the sound, sensed danger; its ears snapped upright, its body leaning back to leap away.

But the arrow was too fast—its hind legs had barely pushed off when the arrow pierced its brow, exiting through the back of its skull, spraying a string of glistening blood droplets.

Thud.

The rabbit collapsed to the ground, twitched briefly, then lay still.

At that moment, two figures emerged from the underbrush: one a tall, handsome young man with black hair.

The other, a slender brown-haired boy with a stern expression.

Seeing the rabbit’s headless corpse on the grass, the brown-haired boy’s sternness instantly vanished, replaced by stunned disbelief.

“My Lord, have you been blessed by the God of Storms and the Hunt?” Boge exclaimed in awe.

As a hunter, he knew full well how difficult it was to train an archer.

It required more than extraordinary eyesight and mental fortitude—it demanded endless, tedious repetition.

Even he, had his father not laid a foundation for him since childhood, could never have achieved such precision.

And yet his Lord, who had fired that “divine arrow” just yesterday, had undergone such a radical transformation in a single day—as if he had become an entirely different person.

“I merely paid a little more attention.” Xia Mingyu, bow in hand, gazed steadily forward, speaking calmly.

Though Boge was now his attendant, Xia Mingyu had no intention of revealing the truth behind his ability—he understood well the saying: talk too much, and you’ll slip.

Tap-tap-tap.

At that moment, another rabbit burst from the grass, sprinting swiftly toward the underbrush ahead.

Divine Mind Wander, activate!

“Xia Mingyu” drew an arrow from Boge’s quiver, nocked it with practiced ease, and snapped his arm forward in a powerful release.

The motion flowed like water, utterly smooth, without a single wasted or stiff motion.

Swish!

The arrow struck precisely into the rabbit’s right eye, exiting through its left, spraying a spray of blood.

Perfect kill!

“Often, consciousness is merely a burden to the body.”

Xia Mingyu, returning to himself, stared at the rabbit’s corpse and silently sighed within.

Boge, who had watched the entire scene, stood frozen in utter shock.

His Lord had matched his own years of relentless training in just one day!

Boge suddenly felt utterly useless.

“My Lord, am I really that useless?”

On the way back to the village, Boge trudged along, carrying the two rabbit corpses, gloomy.

“You are my loyal attendant, and my most precious treasure. Believe in yourself.”

Xia Mingyu smiled faintly and patted the boy’s back in encouragement.

He was only putting on a small show—he didn’t want his key combatant to lose morale.

“Yes, My Lord! I will never disgrace the surname you’ve granted me! One day, I will become a Dragon Hunter like Lord Chu from your homeland!” The boy, never having been exposed to such pressure, instantly regained his fire.

“Heh, I believe in you.”

The two gradually vanished into the forest’s mist.

At the entrance to Fruit Basket Village.

“Prince Mingyu, I humbly greet you on behalf of my lord, Viscount Calen Hughes.”

Upon arriving, Xia Mingyu saw the same knight who had come to collect taxes—now kneeling respectfully before him on one knee.

This sight stirred a flicker of tension in Xia Mingyu’s heart, yet his face remained calm, his voice indifferent as he asked:

“What is your purpose here?”

“My lord has learned of your arrival and is deeply honored. He prepares to present humble gifts and pay his respects at the hour of mid-afternoon. He humbly begs your permission.”

Knight Solin bowed deeply, his weathered face filled with eager anticipation.

At these words, Xia Mingyu’s heart began pounding rapidly.

He knew the nobleman of the kingdom’s ruling class would not be fooled as easily as the villagers or even the knights.

One misstep, and he risked being exposed—and bleeding out on the spot.

“Very well. I look forward to meeting your lord.”

Despite his inner turmoil, Xia Mingyu answered calmly.

After these days since his transmigration, he had learned: avoidance would not improve his situation—only bold action could uncover a way out.

Of course, the main reason was that he understood clearly: though Viscount Hughes sounded courteous through Solin’s words, it was merely a polite prelude to force.

Coming to pay respects is a sign of respect.

If he refused, next time it wouldn’t be just Solin arriving—but a squad of fierce, bloodthirsty soldiers.

“Your Highness, thank you for your grace! My lord will not be a moment late!”

Hearing this, Solin beamed with joy. He rose slowly, bowed deeply, then leapt onto his towering steed and galloped off toward Viscount Hughes’s temporary encampment.

He could hardly wait to deliver this good news to his lord.

“My Lord, you’re truly incredible—even Viscount Hughes comes to pay you homage!” Boge couldn’t help but praise.

To everyone in the village, Viscount Hughes was a figure as elusive as a dragon.

Throughout Black Wolf Domain and neighboring territories, tales of Viscount Hughes’s valor and benevolence were sung.

Some said he cherished his people, imposing the lightest taxes in all of Sosia Kingdom.

Others claimed he was a fearsome warrior who, in battle, had slain multiple knights single-handedly, earning the title “The Howling Wolf.”

And yet even such a great man came personally with gifts to pay homage to his Lord.

What an honor!

Boge felt becoming the Prince’s attendant was the happiest thing in his life—enough to outweigh all past suffering. He gazed at his Lord with unwavering loyalty.

“Sigh. If only I’d majored in theater instead of psychology back then.”

Feeling the boy’s “burning” gaze beside him, Xia Mingyu sighed inwardly.

Happy Lichun, folks—please drop a few Moon Tickets~ Thanks (ω)

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(End of Chapter)