Chapter 53: We Have This

Mo Lie's fingers hanging at his waist twitched lightly, his gaze on Lin Manzhi, and he asked slowly, "Zhi Zhi, what do you think?"

He also recognized Lin Ling's older sister? So he's asking about his own plan.

Actually, there's no need to worry about Lin Ling…

Lin Manzhi thought, a bit concerned, "She is the female of the Lin family in Ansen City… if it's not a hassle, could you investigate what she's been up to lately?"

Hua Zheng saw his chance to show his ability, "No problem, I'll have someone from the Iron Claw Gang investigate."

Lin Manzhi: "…Thank you."

With Hua Zheng helping to gather information on Lin Ling, she quickly pushed the matter of meeting Lin Ling out of her mind, followed Mo Lie back to the street, watching the exotic scenery.

The Shamaness's apothecary flagship is located in a bustling district; the locals all wear similar tunics with headscarves, only the fabric is a bit finer than what the Beastfolk outside the city wear.

Seeing the passersby's clothes, Lin Manzhi thought she now had money, and considered looking for ready‑made shops to buy two brand‑new outfits for herself and him.

She lifted her hand to slightly pull up the coarse cloth covering her eyes, and Mo Lie, walking beside her, suddenly reached out and grabbed her hand.

Before the grasped hand could exert force, Lin Manzhi habitually leaned toward Mo Lie, because Mo Lie isn't the type of male who likes physical contact; when he does this, it usually signals something is happening.

Lin Manzhi obediently rested against the beast's chest, not asking any questions in such a situation.

Mo Lie, unexpectedly, found the other so synchronously leaning into his embrace, her head just at his shoulder; when her whole body was slightly stiff and nervous, her first instinct was to press close for safety, evoking a feeling of pity.

He protected Lin Manzhi and kept walking forward, as if nothing had been noticed.

"There are a few little black cats following behind," Mo Lie turned his head toward Hua Zheng, his voice indifferent, "Go keep them company."

His blue eyes hidden beneath the black headscarf, his pale lips and sharply chiseled jaw exposed, he said calmly, "Remember, keep your movements low."

Hearing that, a flash of ferocity flickered in Hua Zheng's golden‑brown eyes, like a Flower Leopard that smelled blood, "As you command, my master."

The tall beast, clad in a light‑gray robe, slowed his steps and stopped in place; the crowd on the street kept moving forward, soon swallowing Hua Zheng's figure.

Lin Manzhi placed her hand in Mo Lie's, forcing herself not to look back at Hua Zheng, as Mo Lie led her through the crowd toward an alley.

She realized that the people trailing her were probably sent by Su Liu; they had discovered the special medicinal plant Lettuce, and most likely intended to get to the bottom of it and seize the Lettuce.

She guessed correctly; after seeing the Lettuce, Su Li also wanted to keep the Lettuce plant solely in her own hands.

Who would be so foolish as to willingly spend Beast Coins for such valuable Lettuce?

After an hour, Li Yi and his party returned, bodies scarred, to beg forgiveness.

Su Li saw her loyal and formidable male attendants all bearing marks, a bad feeling flashed in her mind, and she asked darkly, "What happened?"

The male attendants knelt, not daring to look up; Li Yi, clutching a chest with two broken ribs, said, "Shamaness, please forgive my incompetence. Her male attendants are too powerful; we were secretly following them and he discovered us."

Su Li inhaled sharply, a look of disbelief crossing her well‑kept face.

She should know that Li Yi, by her side, was the champion selected from the Beast‑Fighting Arena, a warrior who could take on thousands alone.

He was discovered so quickly, and still couldn't defeat the opponent.

It seems the Wooden Female who came to sell Lettuce truly came from a great noble who refuses to reveal their identity.

Su Li, thinking that, had no mood to blame Li Yi, waved them away.

She also didn't intend to send more people to trail and investigate; the Wooden Female didn't kill the trackers this time, letting Li Yi return injured alive—a warning.

It meant the other side hadn't broken off relations and still intended to cooperate; if she kept sending people to test, the male attendants sent out might not survive and would completely offend the Wooden Female, ruining the Lettuce partnership.

Su Li understood this, stood up and left; regardless, the most urgent thing now was to quickly test making medicine from this batch of Lettuce.

……

Lin Manzhi didn't know how long she'd been following Mo Lie; she bought several outfits and fresh meat along the way, and when she returned to her Kuangsha City residence, Hua Zheng had also followed.

Hua Zheng naturally followed the two into the house; Mo Lie carried food toward the kitchen, and Lin Manzhi sat on the soft couch in the living room, recalling the earlier tailing, and turned her head to look at Hua Zheng.

He showed no visible scars, just as when they met that morning, wearing a clean gray shirt, his short golden hair catching the light.

Hua Zheng sensed the spotted female's gaze on him, turned his head and smiled kindly, trying to appear gentle, "What's the matter? Do you have any orders?"

Lin Manzhi: "Nothing…"

She asked nothing, got up and headed toward the kitchen to find Mo Lie.

Hua Zheng, judging by his look, didn't intend to leave.

However, that didn't matter; Lin Manzhi trusted Hua Zheng completely—he'd even die for Mo Lie—so there was nothing she needed to hide from him.

She thought so, but when she entered the kitchen, she still laid the tapestry depicting a black sand mouse on the floor, blocking the view from outside.

Although this did little for the scent‑sensitive leopard‑type beast, it gave human Lin Manzhi a bit more sense of safety.

She looked up, saw Mo Lie's back; he was placing the freshly bought food on the stove beside the mud stove, the half‑open mud stove leading to a small courtyard.

Hearing faint footsteps, Mo Lie turned and saw Lin Manzhi; his usually volatile expression softened a bit, "Zhi Zhi, wait out there a moment; I'll finish the barbecue right away."

Lin Manzhi pulled down her headscarf, walked toward Mo Lie while lowering her head to untie the small leather bag at her waist, "First, wash your hands. We have this now; easing the Spirit Core's pain is the priority."

Her fingers, while pinching the small leather bag, quietly slipped the tube of Spirit‑repair medicine back into the bag and took it out again, leaving the remaining two vials in the safest spot.

Speaking, Lin Manzhi opened the small box, revealing the familiar Spirit Core repair syringe inside.

Mo Lie's half‑face remained unchanged, eyes lowered; his gaze fell on the Little Female's hand holding the medicine, his cold‑white fingertips casually gripping a dagger, producing a faint Click‑click.