"What’s wrong?" An Jin walked over and took his hand, her voice full of concern.
She looked up at him, long lashes fluttering gently. Her dark eyes were as clear and gentle as a placid autumn lake. Ward by the fire, the pallor of her face gave way to a rosy, delicate blush, like a budding flower.
Ling Hong’s heart stirred. He couldn’t resist pulling her into his embrace and lowering his head to peck her soft, fragrant lips.
"It’s about Moon Wolf City."
Ling Hong loosened his hold slightly. After so thought, he chose his words carefully. "They seed to want to surrender to , so... I didn’t wipe them out. Now that you’re back, what should we do with them?"
’Was he afraid I’d be angry at him for making a decision on his own?’
"Well, what do you think about it?" An Jin smiled, tapping his straight nose and turning the question back on him.
"..." Ling Hong pressed his lips together, saying nothing.
Perhaps it was his innate nature as a Wolf Beast, or maybe his life growing up in the tribe, but while he was an excellent executor, he was not a good decision-maker.
"...According to the laws of the Beast World, these invaders could be executed on the spot."
"Then why didn’t you?"
"I rember you said we needed laborers. I was thinking, if I just killed them, wouldn’t that be a waste?"
An Jin’s mouth fell open. She stared at him for a mont with her dark eyes, then couldn’t help but laugh. "So that’s what you were thinking about."
’I can’t believe he rembered sothing I ntioned so casually for this long.’
She had thought Ling Hong had spared them out of pity.
’After all, those Wolf Beasts were already prepared to surrender to him. Wouldn’t it have been a bit cruel to kill them then?’
"I don’t feel pity for invaders," Ling Hong retorted, indignant.
He might not enjoy slaughter like Gu Yin, but he would never go easy on invaders.
That was a Wolf Beast’s instinct—to protect one’s territory!
"Okay, okay. I wasn’t saying you’re soft-hearted. You’re the toughest, most powerful one there is."
Seeing the handso, cold man’s expression darken, An Jin couldn’t help but stand on her tiptoes. She gave one of his fluffy ears a gentle squeeze and then wrapped her arms around his long neck.
She tapped the tip of his nose and looked up with a smile. "So where are you keeping them now?"
A faint blush appeared on his face. "Most of the captured Wolf Beasts are being held in Beast Gathering City. I locked up the high-ranking Beastman Elders in the Sheng’an City prison. Do you want to go see them?"
"Take there."
Seeing that the snow outside was starting to let up, making it possible to go out, Ling Hong found a thick cloak to drape over her and led her to the prison.
Though they called it a prison, it was really just a large, empty building used to house the captives, with a few Beastman Warriors patrolling the periter.
When the Beastn saw her, they imdiately called out in respect, "Lord City Lord!"
An Jin nodded, offered a few words of greeting, and followed Ling Hong into the prison.
Inside the dim prison, the floor was covered with crude straw. A dozen or so Beastn were huddled in a corner, their cold eyes fixed on the opening wooden door.
However, the mont they saw Ling Hong clearly, their fierce expressions instantly lted into fawning obsequiousness. An aura of awe and worship radiated from them, and a few of the weaker Wolf Beasts didn’t even dare to look him in the eye.
’Huh?’ An Jin glanced from the dozen or so cowering Wolf Beasts to the expressionless Ling Hong. ’What in the world is going on?’
"Mighty Wolf King, have you finally agreed to take us in!?" the Wolf Beasts cried out joyfully. They were full of energy, showing no sign of being prisoners at all.
Their eager, fawning display... they were like a pack of stray puppies waiting to be adopted.
Ling Hong instinctively glanced at An Jin, eting her puzzled gaze. A small smile touched his lips. "I’ll explain in detail once we’re outside."
The two of them stepped back outside and found a spot under the eaves to shelter from the snow.
Once he was sure the Wolf Beasts couldn’t hear them, Ling Hong told her everything that had happened, from beginning to end.
"Are you sure those Wolf Beasts genuinely want to follow you? You’re sure they’re not just putting on an act?" ’Logically, after being defeated, proud Beastn like them should be resentful. It would be a miracle if they weren’t plotting revenge in secret. How could they be so eager to suck up to Ling Hong?’
"If they were Beastn of another race, it might be an act. But not them." Ling Hong looked at her seriously. "Jin, you don’t understand the submissive instinct of a Wolf Beast."
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