Chapter 28.1

“They could finally make for the next storyline.”

　　Everything happened so quickly. Jing Xi barely had a moment to register before the two figures before him were locked in a tense standoff.

　　As he moved sideways to get a better view, he discovered that the fugitives in question were none other than a gorilla and a moon bear.

　　Their physique far exceeded his expectations, though they still fell short of the Celestial Lupin Clan’s exaggerating proportions.

　　Amongst all the canine-type beastmen, the Celestial Lupin Clan reigned supreme in terms of size and stature. In their beast form, they wielded speed and strength that was downright awe-inspiring, establishing them as undisputed rulers of the Astral Realm. 

　　With that in mind, their hearts raced with the burning desire to escape. As the two fugitives gazed upon the endless expanse of vibrant flower fields, reality loomed before them as they knew that they could not possibly outrun a wolf. With no choice but to confront their fate, they squared their shoulders and braced for what lay ahead.

　　The moment they caught sight of the drama queen flitting in the edge of their vision, their frustration ignited like wildfire. With a swift exchange of glances, the moon bear took bold strides forward and was ready to restrain Duan Chi while his companion went after the drama queen. After all, this was their sole opportunity to shift the situation in their favor.

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　　Geekdt vs vbl nsdqwpksd, bl elnkelezu watle, “Cwknj, awd! R’zz…”

　　Jlqsal bl nswze lhld wvvla vbl osaep “bsze bkx cynj,” psxlvbkdt obkvl possrle cu kd y czwa. Rxxlekyvlzu aktbv yqvla, Pwyd Ubk pvawnj swv okvb y pkdtzl elyezu pokrl sq bkp ryo, pldekdt vbl xssd clya’p nsxrydksd bwavzkdt shla voldvu xlvlap kdvs vbl ekpvydnl.

　　“…” Mbl xssd clya nswze dsv alpkpv cwv zlv swv y pkzldv nwapl. ‘Tso pbyxlzlpp!’

　　Ekvb yd lyavb-pbyvvlakdt naypb, vbl xyppkhl tsakzzy’p cseu qlzz, nywpkdt vbl hlau taswde cldlyvb Kkdt Dk’p qllv vs valxczl. Rd vbl xkepv sq vbl ldpwkdt cayoz clvolld vbl alxykdkdt vos tktydvkn nalyvwalp, vblka xshlxldvp tayewyzzu alhlyzle y calyvbvyjkdt pktbv.

　　Mbspl sq vbl Ulzlpvkyz Nwrkd Uzyd olal y xlpxlakgkdt pktbv vs clbsze. Mblka ldvkal clkdt oyp nzsyjle kd yd kxxynwzyvl nsyv sq pdso-obkvl qwa, wdvswnble cu lhld vbl qykdvlpv bkdv sq nszsa. Mblka pkdlou xwpnzlp akrrzle okvb y altyz esxkdydnl vbyv sdl oswze ellx wdeldkyczu yzzwakdt. Gp Kkdt Dk scplahle vbl sdtskdt prlnvynzl, bkp lulp zsnjle sdvs vbl pvwccsad tsakzzy alrlyvlezu qzwdt cynjoyae kd bkp qwvkzl yvvlxrvp vs nbyatl yv bkx. Brsd pllkdt vbkp, y vbswtbv nswze dsv blzr cwv nallr kdvs Kkdt Dk’p xkde. ‘Twxydp esd’v lmynvzu byhl kv lypu kd vbkp kdvlapvlzzya lay lkvbla.’

　　Fupvlx ekpytalle, “Tsolhla, bwxydp byhl oyapbkrp yde nwaaldvzu pvyde yv vbl rkddynzl sq kdvlzzktldnl yxsdt yzz jdsod aynlp. Gzvbswtb nlavykd aynlp xktbv rspplpp qsaxkeyczl rsola, vblka kdvlzzlnvwyz nyryckzkvklp qyzz pbsav kd nsxryakpsd. Zsw okzz nsxl vs pll obu obld usw ldnswdvla vblx kd vbl qwvwal.”

　　Fkdnl Kkdt Dk prldv vsdp sq vkxl kd FvyaLlv, bl oyp yaxle okvb y pszke wdelapvydekdt sq vbl qwdeyxldvyzp. Ohld ps, yd kdpyvkyczl nwakspkvu tdyole yv bkx yp bl rsdelale, “Ps eaytsdp lmkpv kd vbl Gpvayz Slyzx? Zy jdso, vbspl xyzl zlyep kd psxl dshlzp obs wdelats psxl psav sq yvyhkpvkn nbydtlp¹ 返祖现象: Gvyhkpx alqlap vs vbl alyrrlyaydnl kd yd kdekhkewyz sq nbyaynvlakpvknp sq psxl alxsvl ydnlpvsa vbyv byhl clld ycpldv kd kdvlahldkdt tldlayvksdp. Zsw nyd alye xsal ycswv kv blal: bvvrp://ld.okjkrleky.sat/okjk/Gvyhkpx yde clnsxl vbl pszl eaytsd kd vbl ldvkal Gpvayz Slyzx?”

　　Fupvlx alprsdele, “Fsaau, cwv ds.”

　　A pang of disappointment went through Jing Xi as he resumed watching the intense battle unfolding before him.

　　As the alpha of the invincible Celestial Lupin Clan, Duan Chi surpassed even the mightiest clan member. Hence, taking on these two foes was a child’s play for him.

　　Even so, Duan Chi had a multitude of enemies, predominantly from the business world, and each thrived in their own right. These conflicts primarily stem from clashing interests, and who knows, there might come a day when they set aside their differences in pursuit of mutual benefit.

　　As for these two individuals, they were once the backbone of a certain organization. Following the dissolution, they evaded capture and led lives akin to clandestine rodents for over a decade. In contrast to Duan Chi’s impeccably attired foes, one might regard them as inconspicuous.

　　Yet, it was precisely this perceived inconsequence that irked Duan Chi the most. For they shared a deep-seated blood feud as they had taken Xiuwen’s parents away during his formative years.

　　With a surge of restraint, he resisted the urge to end them there and then. Instead, he delivered a decisive blow that left them with grievous injuries, forcing them to revert to their human forms.

　　At this moment, the driver rushed over and administered a shot to suppress their transformation. Noticing that they were lying naked and distressed on the ground, he cast a glance at the luggage by the car and wondered, “Do you think they’d have clothes in there? Should I help them in getting dressed?”

　　When the words reached Duan Chi’s ears, he immediately responded with an emphatic refusal.

　　These were the garments his darling had worn aboard the spacecraft for the past two weeks. So who were they to don them now?

　　With that in mind, he gave the driver two options — shed his own jacket or gather the torn remnants of fabric strewn about the ground from their transformation.

　　The driver eyed the burly figures and realized his outer coat could not cut it. Dignity be damned, he swiftly grabbed the four pieces of fabric scraps and cinched them around their waists.

　　Now, the fugitives stood one behind the other with makeshift loincloths that were the size of their palms. A gentle breeze swept through the scene, giving them an oddly refreshing sensation. Fuming with rage, one of them spat out, “Just put us out of our misery if you have the guts to do so, Duan Chi!”

　　Duan Chi’s gaze swept across them before retorting, “I’m not here to play the good guy. Letting you off this easily is something you don’t deserve.”

　　In a split second, his words rendered the fugitives utterly speechless.

　　Because of the drama queen’s significance, they chose to keep the meticulously constructed formidable force in the dark about today’s specifics, providing only the meeting time and location.

　　Now that they had fallen into the clutches of Duan Chi, there was a grim likelihood that they would meet the same fate as their fallen comrades — enduring torture until their last breath in prison. Their chest tightened at the thought, and years of suppressed frustration erupted in a torrent of vehement outbursts.

　　Disregarding their curses, Duan Chi turned and strode toward the curious bystander, lowering his head as he approached. 

　　All of a sudden, the imposing wolf’s head loomed large before him. As he examined it closely, he tentatively reached out to touch its nose, noting that the texture did not quite compare to the silky smoothness of human ears.

　　Duan Chi reclined on the ground and leaned forward slightly. “Up for a ride?”
　　Jing Xi wondered, “We’re not leaving?”
　　Duan Chi answered, “I’m waiting for someone.”
　　Jing Xi wasted no time and cut to the chase. “Is it because you’re short on clothes to wear?”
　　Duan Chi chuckled, “Care to lend me your dressing gown?”
　　Noticing him lying so close to the ground, Jing Xi nodded his head. “Sure, but make sure to get me a new one when you return.”
　　“Deal,” agreed Duan Chi before proposing once more, “So, shall we go on a ride?”

　　At this juncture, Jing Xi struggled to resist his impulses. Even so, the massive wolf’s sheer presence before him proved far too irresistible. Although its fur did not quite live up to his expectations, the mere sight of it beckoned him to bury himself within it, let alone the desire to go for an exciting ride.

　　With that, he clarified again, “Are you able to run steadily? Are you sure I won’t fall off?”

　　Duan Chi chuckled, “You can hold onto my fur. Don’t worry, it won’t hurt me.”

　　Reassured, Jing Xi hopped onto Duan Chi’s back, and what he witnessed next was nothing short of breathtaking. As his perspective shifted, a mesmerizing sea of flowers stretched out as far as the eye could see.

　　Duan Chi first began with a couple of light steps. Only after Jing Xi was well-accustomed to it did he begin to pick up the pace and transition into a jog.

　　In the remote wilderness, a gentle breeze carried the delicate fragrance of wildflowers, while embracing them with a gentle caress. Beneath the vast sky, it felt as if his very soul had shed his burdens and taken flight, setting him aglow with joy.

　　Meanwhile, Duan Chi sprinted to the edge of the blooming flower field before glancing back.

　　During that lapse of time, the massive wolf conjured a whirlwind of dust that swiftly enveloped the fugitives in a shroud of grime.

　　The poorly secured rope around their waists loosened, causing the tattered cloth to whip across their faces. On top of that, the drama queen’s endearing laughter delivered not just physical blows but also stirred their hearts with a bittersweet sensation.

　　“…” The duo muttered curses under their breath, ‘Motherf***er! Did you f*cking hear that, damn it?’

　　By the time the people Duan Chi contacted had arrived, they were met with an astonishing sight — a massive wolf gracefully curled into a perfect circle while conversing with the person it had encircled. Amid this surreal scene stood a young man with captivating features, the very one who had boldly declared only a few days ago that he would not be bound to Duan Chi. Hearts raced, and jaws dropped as a collective “Whoa!” resonated within the assembled group.

　　Noticing Jing Xi’s fondness for his wolf form, Duan Chi had foregone wearing a dressing gown.

　　As the group approached, he moved behind the nearby car and reverted to his human self. Swiftly, he slipped into the car to change into the attire they had brought along, transforming himself into the poised and composed CEO once more.

　　Having wasted far too much time on their journey, they refrained from prolonging their stay. Following a brief meal shared with their companions, they promptly departed the exiled star with the bound fugitives.

　　For the return trip, Jing Xi boarded Duan Chi’s private spacecraft. Apart from handing over the fugitives to the Celestial Lupin Clan on their Main Star, they made no other pit stops at any spaceport. Despite that, their round trip still consumed a significant chunk of time.

　　As for the purpose of their voyage, only Duan Chi’s trusty assistant was privy to the details.

　　Since Jing Xi intended for Duan Xiuwen and Jin Yumeng to spend quality time together, he decidedly withheld the real agenda from them. What’s more, Duan Chi was also in on it, as he was eager to train his nephew.