Yun Zhen moved through the forest with slow, careful steps, pushing branches aside with the worn dagger the clan gave him. The deeper he went, the thicker the air felt, like something heavy pressed down on the trees. His meridians stung every time he stepped too hard, so he kept his weight low and his breath steady.
The small gourd at his waist thumped against his hip whenever he crouched to check the herbs he was supposed to collect. The first patch—green leaves with a bitter scent—grew near a fallen log. He knelt down and plucked them one by one, stuffing them into the cloth bag.
He whispered, "At least the herbs don't run away."
A soft pulse flicked in his chest.
[Host condition unstable.]
"You complain more than an old woman," he muttered, standing slowly.
He looked deeper into the woods. Shadows moved between trees, but none came close. The beasts out here were cautious, which meant something bigger roamed somewhere ahead. He exhaled and shifted into the modified Silent Steps. It wasn't smooth, not pretty, but it kept his presence small.
Three more patches of herbs went into his bag before something changed.
A sound. It wasn't the rustle of an animal. It was too soft and careful.
Yun Zhen didn't turn his head. He continued crouching by the next herb patch, fingers brushing dirt aside.
"You can come out now," he said quietly.
Silence answered for a moment. Then a playful voice drifted from behind a tree.
"Should a handsome boy really wander this forest alone…? You're easy prey."
Yun Zhen sighed.
"And should a fox really stalk her prey so openly?"
There was a tiny gasp—more cute than dangerous.
"You sensed me?" the voice asked, almost offended.
"You breathe louder than you think," he said and stood up slowly.
The forest went still again. Then something stepped into view.
A girl walked out from behind a thick tree trunk like she was revealing herself on a stage. The sunlight caught her silver-white hair, making it shine like fresh snow. It fell all the way to her hips in soft, loose waves. On top of her head, two fox ears flicked, white fur twitching at every sound.
Her fox-like pink eyes curved with mischief, framed by long lashes that fluttered with teasing intent. She smiled—small cherry lips pulling into something sweet and cute, but absolutely hiding trouble underneath.
She stopped in front of him, letting her full appearance settle between them.
Her petite figure didn't match her curves at all. Her big, soft breasts pushed against the thin fabric of her light robe, creating a shape that would've made most men forget their own names. Her waist was small enough to wrap a single hand around. Her hips curved in a sharp, perfect line, and her plush fox thighs pressed together with subtle tension. Behind her, a long, fluffy silver tail swayed slowly, showing her mood even more clearly than her smile.
Yun Zhen looked at her with calm eyes, not reacting the way she probably expected. Her tail flicked in irritation.
She put one hand on her hip and leaned forward. "You're not supposed to look that calm. I worked hard on that entrance."
"You rehearsed it?" he asked.
"Of course I did," she said, flicking her ears. "A girl must appear cute and mysterious."
"You appeared too loud," he answered.
Her mouth fell open. "Too loud?!"
"You stepped on a root."
The girl's cheeks puffed slightly, and her tail bristled. "I'm a fox. I'm supposed to be light. elegant and silent."
"You failed on all three," he remarked.
She glared at him for half a second, then brightened again with a forcefully sweet smile. "Let's try something else then."
Her pink eyes softened, her lashes lowered, and her body leaned closer. A faint scent drifted from her—a sweet charm aura that curled in the air like warm smoke. She tilted her chin slightly, lips curving into a practiced, seductive smile.
"Do I look better like this…?" she whispered.
Yun Zhen blinked once.
Then he said, "Your illusion vein is unstable. You're forcing the charm."
Her seductive smile collapsed into confusion.
"What? No, I'm not— I mean— how did you even—?"
"You're overusing your left eye," he explained. "The glow fades too fast."
She stared at him with her mouth half-open.
"My left—? You— you shouldn't know that!"
"I do," he said simply.
She stomped her foot lightly, her tail puffing even more. "That's cheating!"
Yun Zhen raised a brow. "Knowing things is cheating?"
"Yes!" she complained. "Men are supposed to fall for my illusions!"
"Well, I didn't."
"Yes, I know!" she snapped.
She took a step toward him, pink eyes narrowed with irritation. "You ruined my fun. I haven't even properly stolen from you yet."
"Thank you for the warning," he muttered.
She lunged forward suddenly, one hand reaching for the storage pouch at his waist. Her fingers were fast—most men wouldn't have seen them coming.
Yun Zhen's hand shot up, catching her wrist gently but firmly.
Her fox ears shot straight up.
"H-How did you—?"
"You shook your hand before grabbing."
"I did not!" she protested.
"Yes, you did."
She tried again—stepping around him with surprising agility. She spun close, her hair brushing his arm like cold silk, and reached for the pouch again.
He grabbed her wrist again.
Her tail exploded into a fluffy mess.
"Stop catching me!"
"Then stop trying to steal."
"That's what I do!" she said, frustrated. "I'm a fox! Foxes steal!"
"I see," he answered blandly.
She huffed and stepped back, crossing her arms under her large chest. Her tail swished aggressively behind her.
"You're weird," she muttered.
"But you approached me," he replied.
"I approach everyone!" she shot back.
"And do you steal from everyone?"
"I try."
"And do they notice?"
"Usually no," she admitted, pouting.
Yun Zhen clicked his tongue. "Then your technique needs work."
She blinked. "Now you're giving me advice?"
"You need it."
She stared at him as if she'd never seen someone like him before. Then her lips slowly curled into a dangerous smile.
"You are interesting."
"Well, that's unfortunate," he muttered.
She leaned in closer, her fox ears twitching as she studied his face. "Your aura is strange. You look weak on the outside, but something about you feels… deep."
He didn't answer.
She took another step, close enough that her tail brushed the edge of his robe. Her eyes narrowed, focused. "You're hiding something."
"Curiosity is dangerous, you know?" he said.
"Well, I like dangerous," she replied with a grin. "It's fun."
Their standoff broke when a deep, violent roar shook the trees. Birds scattered overhead, and the leaves trembled under the pressure of something large moving through the forest.
Mei Ling's playful expression vanished instantly.
Her tail stiffened, ears shooting upright.
"That's not good," she whispered.
Yun Zhen turned in the direction of the sound. "They're close."
She stepped beside him, all charm gone. Her voice dropped into a serious tone. "We need to move. Something big is hunting."
"Agreed."
For the first time since she appeared, Mei Ling didn't look like a playful fox thief.
She looked like someone ready to fight.
And she looked at Yun Zhen not with irritation…
…but with interest.
End Of Chapter 8