Chapter 204: Things Are a Bit Off

Xiong Kui stared at the figure entering the doorway; its shape and scent were slightly familiar.

Even after many years without meeting, he still remembered the scent on the Beastfolk who entered.

It was, it was Xiong Yong.

His pupils narrowed, he tugged his Headscarf, and lowered his voice toward Lin Manzhi behind the counter: "Lord Lin, people have arrived from Sajin City."

The chance for merit he just mentioned came faster than he expected.

He had seen Xiong Yong a few times from afar beside the lord; since the latter belonged to the lord's Guard Squad, the most loyal warrior unit, he had deliberately observed him more and memorized his scent.

To this day he still remembered it firmly, without error.

A hidden delight glimmered in his eyes as he softened his voice: "The trade between Jia Jian and Sajin City didn't go as before; they finally sent people. Once you give the word, I can quietly take them down."

Lin Manzhi was startled: "How many have arrived?"

After deciding to cease providing treasure to Sajin City, they had been waiting for this day.

But she thought, given Lord Cha Lan of Sajin City's temperament in the original book, he would surely lead an army to flatten Kuangsha City, appearing first outside the city.

The Xiong Kui before her seemed unafraid; it didn't look like Lord Cha Lan had come.

Xiong Kui: "Only three people, here to look for Kuangsha City's medicinal plants, right?"

Behind the counter surrounded by the crowd, Lin Manzhi followed his gaze through the people toward the hall.

Three Beastfolk wearing linen Headscarves were looking around Yuequan Lou, appearing as outsiders unfamiliar with the place.

"Fine, I trust your skill; try not to disturb Yuequan Lou's customers. I'll leave handling them to you," Lin Manzhi said with a smile, feeling nervous inside.

Xiong Kui lightly patted his chest: "Leave it to me."

Lin Manzhi swiftly slipped out from the crowd, exited behind Yuequan Lou, and went back to find Mo Lie to tell him this matter.

Here, Xiong Kui whispered orders to his Guard Squad, then walked out of the crowd and blocked the three bear beasts.

His stature was extremely tall and robust, a notch larger than the three male beasts he stopped; he lifted the veil cloth, revealing a very rugged face, his brownish eyes flashing with unexpected delight:

"Xiong Yong, you finally arrived!"

Xiong Yong and the others were shocked: "??!!"

What shocked Xiong Yong was that someone here actually recognized him and called his name.

He and Hu Jiao, bearing the lord's orders, came to Kuangsha City, mainly for the newly emerged medicinal plants there.

While Hu Jiao led a large force to press forward, drawing Kuangsha City's attention, he covertly used the Sajin City merchant caravan's credentials to slip in, aiming to uncover the plants' secret and abduct them.

Now being recognized, hasn't the plan been ruined before it even began?!

Just as Xiong Yong's murderous intent flared, the male beast blocking the three spoke again, his face showing obvious friendliness, his lowered voice joyful: "It's me, I'm Xiong Kui."

Xiong Yong and the others: "........"

Huh? Xiong Kui is fine??

Wait, wait, wait—something's off.

Jia Jian was killed by Kuangsha City's lord; how can the Xiong Kui who was with Jia Jian still stand here unharmed? Not slain?

He wasn't locked up; why hasn't he reported back to the lord of Sajin City?

Xiong Yong's suspicious eyes stared tightly at the suddenly appearing Xiong Kui blocking him: "What's going on with you? You'd better give me a reasonable explanation."

At the dangerous moment, Xiong Kui, sensing his companion's approach, placed a hand on Xiong Yong's shoulder and pulled him close: "Come, this isn't a safe place to talk; follow me, and I'll tell you everything about Kuangsha City."

Xiong Yong gave a silent, cold laugh and followed Xiong Kui outward.

Three against one, the outcome is obvious.

He also wanted to find a deserted spot to clarify; if Xiong Kui, fearing death, kept hiding and wouldn't report back to the lord, after questioning him about Kuangsha City's plants, he would kill him.

None of the three had considered Xiong Kui might betray the lord; after all, Lord Cha Lan is a psychic Beastfolk, vastly different from the barren, sand‑filled, food‑starved "lord" who occupies Kuangsha City.

Xiong Yong and his two companions were on guard, though not heavily; they followed Xiong Kui out of Yuequan Lou, walked a winding path, and arrived at a remote house.

The house was small, its floor covered with a thin skin rug, devoid of furnishings and even a window; after closing the door, in the dim light the walls appeared smooth...

A dangerous warning flashed in Xiong Yong's mind.

He spun sharply, a cold bone dagger instantly strapped to his neck, its wielder being the nearby Xiong Kui.

And the two behind him had already been seized by ambushing Beastfolk, collars tightly locked around the male beasts' necks.

It was forged from the toughest ore, palm‑wide and a finger‑thick, placed on the most vulnerable spot of a male beast.

As long as they dare try to break free, the lock will spring a long blade; without sturdy hide or scales, they cannot resist.

The three, fearing brute force, tried to snap the neck chains with their hands; their hands and feet were also fitted with identical chains, which ordinary male beasts could not break free from.

Xiong Kui looked at the three, now bound like long worms, his eyes still full of joy, showing no sign of feigned sentiment.

Xiong Yong fell to the ground, anger surging to his head, veins bulging on his neck, he roared: "Xiong Kui, you actually dared... betray our lord!"

……

Lin Manzhi hurried back to find Mo Lie, intending to tell him about Xiong Kui's words regarding Sajin City.

However, the Warrior Legion of Sajin City had long been discovered by the desert‑garrisoned Kuangsha City army and promptly reported up to Kuangsha City's lord.

Mo Lie was about to go fetch her back when Lin Manzhi returned first.

At that moment, he sat in a chair, his hand loosely resting on Lin Manzhi's waist, head lowered, listening to the War Generals of the lower legion speak.

The Warrior Legion outside the city had already assembled, and the movements of the Sajin City legion were already known.

From the moment they stepped into the desert, that massive Warrior Legion surged into Kuangsha's territory; they could not hide at all.

Hua Zheng clenched his fist with full battle spirit: "Lord, the planting site in Xicheng Qu has been guarded by the second and third legions. This time Lord Cha Lan of Sajin City didn't come, sending his subordinate War General here to Kuangsha City; I request to join the battle."

Mo Lie casually lowered his gaze toward the crowd inside the hall.

Where his gaze fell, the robust male‑beast War Generals in the hall straightened their backs, each person radiating the excitement of wanting to fight.