Chapter 770: Dragon's Den and Tiger's Lair, Ghost's Bane! I didn't come at the right time, no, you came at exactly the right time!
"Chen Huijie!"
Swire angrily pointed a perfectly manicured finger directly at Ch'en. Her tiger tail lashed behind her, knocking over a bottle of expensive wine.
"What do you mean by this? So you didn't call us here to get together at all! You wanted us to be your third wheels to ward off Hoshiguma?"
"Uh..."
Ch'en's expression was unnatural, her face flushed not just from the alcohol but from the piercing accusation. She clutched her glass, her knuckles white.
She indeed hadn't intended for them to come at first; it was just a casual excuse that she had to use to make them come. She needed buffers. She needed noise.
But one thing was certain.
"I never intended for you to be third wheels!" Ch'en argued, her voice rising an octave.
Because she didn't want any third wheels either. She wanted Ren to herself, but she was too cowardly to admit it, so she created this chaotic mess.
But now things had changed. The script had been flipped.
"And now we've become Hoshiguma's third wheels!"
Ch'en looked at Hoshiguma through gritted teeth, her golden eyes burning with betrayal.
Suddenly, a realization dawned on her like a splash of cold water.
"So that's it! I wondered why Hoshiguma, you suddenly cared so much about Ren's affairs and even suggested calling him to see if he and I looked like a married couple. It turns out you were the one truly after him!!!"
Seeing the truth exposed, laid bare in the smoky air of the apartment.
Hoshiguma, instead of acting guilty, calmly rubbed her head of beautiful green hair. Her shirt was already unbuttoned, revealing the impressive expanse of her Oni physique and the tribal tattoos that adorned her skin.
Having gotten what she wanted, she was fearless.
She simply confessed, a predatory grin spreading across her face. "You're right, Old Ch'en. I deliberately wanted to get Ren, and that included getting you all drunk so you'd be too slow to stop me."
"Now."
Hoshiguma wrapped her strong arms around Ren's neck, pulling him down so she could kiss the sensitive spot below his ear.
Full of triumph, she declared, "Ren is mine."
"???"
Ch'en's dragon eyes widened until they were almost perfectly round.
She had never seen such a shameless person! This was her partner! Her best friend! Stealing the man right out from under her nose!
However, Ren grabbed Hoshiguma's hand, stopping her wandering fingers for a moment. He scoffed, a sound of amusement vibrating in his chest.
"Heh, you seem to have misunderstood, Hoshiguma. I conquered the demon. You should say you are mine instead."
On this point, he was very firm. The hierarchy had to be established.
"..."
Hoshiguma narrowed her eyes, her Oni blood boiling with the challenge. She spoke stubbornly, her breath hot against his skin.
"You haven't conquered the demon yet, Ren. You're still far from it. Oni endurance is legendary."
"Oh?"
Ren raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze dark and challenging. "Want to continue?"
"Then let's continue!"
Saying that, Hoshiguma practically flew up in the astonished gazes of the three other women. She straddled him with practiced ease, disregarding the audience.
Just like that, right before their eyes, the... second half began!
"Hiss!"
Lin Yühsia had just gasped, covering her mouth with a gloved hand, preparing to turn around and flee this den of debauchery.
But she saw Swire pull off her expensive designer outer garment with a large, dramatic gesture. Buttons popped and rolled across the floor. Her eyes were red with competitive fury as she shouted, "Damn it! He's mine! I paid for the drinks!"
She pounced like a large cat trying to snatch a toy from a rival predator.
Holding Ren's head with both hands, ignoring the fact that Hoshiguma was currently occupying his lap, she blushed furiously and shouted, "I... I like you! Be my boyfriend! I'll buy you anything!"
With a tsundere maiden so boldly confessing to this extent, Ren naturally didn't mind responding.
"Alright. I accept the bribe."
Saying that, after steadying the rocking Hoshiguma with one hand, he leaned forward and kissed Swire's thin, trembling lips.
"This..."
Lin Yühsia was bewildered. Her brain short-circuited.
What kind of operation was this again? A multi-tasking miracle?
Seeing the large cat already turning green with envy and desire, and the Oni completely lost in pleasure, she felt that something bad was about to happen. Or something very, very good, depending on your perspective.
As she expected.
Ch'en also started!
The strict, by-the-book Superintendent finally snapped. She walked forward with a gloomy face, an aura of intense pressure radiating from her.
"Clang!"
She drew out Chixiao, her red sword singing as it left the scabbard. She pointed the tip directly at Ren's chest, right between Hoshiguma and Swire.
She said in a deep voice, trembling with suppressed emotion, "Ren! Marry me!"
"..."
Everyone stopped and looked at her.
Even Hoshiguma, who had already started her rhythmic assault, paused, looking at Ch'en in disbelief.
Is she that bold? Proposing at swordpoint?
Swire was about to scorn her for such a barbaric display, but Ren stopped her with a look.
He asked curiously, ignoring the legendary weapon threatening to impale him, "Ch'en, do you have feelings for me? Or are you just arresting me?"
"I... I didn't say that!"
Ch'en was even more stubborn than the sword in her hand.
Ren just nodded at this, keeping his face poker-straight. "Oh, then I won't marry you. I don't marry women who don't like me."
"You!!!"
Ch'en glared at Ren, her face flushed crimson, steam practically rising from her horns.
Because she truly had no reason to argue. Logic had left the building hours ago.
After trembling for a while, the sword tip wavering, Ch'en finally said in a voice as small as a mosquito, "I... I have feelings for you..."
Ren, of course, heard her perfectly. His senses were absolute. But he intentionally played with her.
"I can't hear you, Ch'en. Use the aura you have as the Guard Department's Superintendent! Speak louder! Is this how you command your squad?"
"Ugh..."
Ch'en's cheeks and neck were completely red, much redder than if she were drunk. She felt like she was burning up from the inside.
Taking a deep breath that expanded her chest against her uniform.
She shouted loudly, closing her eyes, "I SAID, I HAVE FEELINGS FOR YOU! WHAT ABOUT YOU? WHAT ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS FOR ME? CAN YOU MARRY ME?!"
This shout truly shook the heavens and earth, probably alerting the neighbors three floors down.
Ren grinned, a wolfish smile that promised everything. "Marry? If you dare to marry, I certainly dare to marry."
He beckoned with his hand, ignoring the sword.
"Come here, wife."
Ch'en dropped Chixiao. It clattered to the floor. She flew to Ren's side like a kite with its string cut, diving into the fray.
It could be described as a dragon on the left, a tiger on the right, and an Oni ghost in front.
This must be Lungmen's legendary formation: Dragon's Den, Tiger's Lair, and Ghost's Bane.
However, there was also an extra purple mouse standing awkwardly by the door.
He cast his gaze towards her.
Lin Yühsia said awkwardly, adjusting her glasses, "Did I... did I come at a bad time today?"
However, Ren showed a meaningful expression, his eyes glowing slightly.
"No, you came at just the right time. We were missing a mouse to complete the zodiac."
...
Meanwhile, outside in the neon-lit streets of Lungmen.
"Is this what a city on land is like?"
Gladiia walked around Lungmen, her silver hair reflecting the garish lights.
She had seen everything from the polished Upper District to the grimy, desperate Lower District.
She had gained quite a bit of insight into Lungmen in a short time.
She would describe it as backward, chaotic, and noisy.
But at least it wasn't like Aegir... silent, dead, and under siege.
"Whew..."
After a casual look, Gladiia returned to Ch'en's rented apartment building. She moved with a speed that blurred her outline.
Just as she reached the apartment door, intending to knock.
Swish.
Shirayuki, the stealthy weasel bodyguard, emerged from the darkness and appeared in front of her, blocking the path.
"At this time, no entry!"
Since Ren had intentionally not isolated Shirayuki from the sensory feedback of the room, she knew exactly what was happening in Ch'en's apartment. The sounds... the aura... it was not for outsiders.
So she voluntarily appeared and prevented Gladiia from entering to preserve her master's dignity.
"Hmm?"
Gladiia narrowed her eyes, her hand drifting towards her weapon concealed under her coat.
But she wasn't impulsive. She was a hunter, not a berserker.
From the moment she left, she had guessed that Shirayuki was brought along by one of Ch'en's companions—likely the Rat King's daughter—for surveillance and protection.
Since Ch'en and her companions had obvious high statuses, she guessed that this ninja was most likely someone from Lungmen's ruler, Madam Wei or the Rat King.
"Why?"
Gladiia asked calmly, her voice cold.
However, Shirayuki just looked at her without speaking, her shuriken ready.
"..."
A moment later.
Gladiia reluctantly took out her spear, the metal extending with a sharp clack. Her aura gradually rose, a pressure like the deep ocean crushing down on the hallway.
"Since you won't give a reason, then don't blame me for forcing my way in. I don't like being blocked."
"Sorry."
Shirayuki fearlessly assumed a fighting stance, preparing to engage a monster she knew she couldn't beat but had to stall.
Just as the two were about to fight at any moment.
Ren's voice came from their ears, projected telepathically.
[Let her in.]
"!"
Shirayuki's body moved slightly, the tension leaving her frame.
She put away her huge shuriken and consciously moved aside, bowing slightly.
However, Ren then added, [Shirayuki, you come too. Don't stand out in the cold.]
"..."
After Shirayuki nodded slightly, hiding the blush under her mask, she followed Gladiia, who had also put away her weapon, and entered the apartment together.
When the two stepped into the room.
The first things that hit them were the sounds—a symphony of gasps, cries, and wet smacks—and the strong, intoxicating scent of pheromones that hung heavy in the air.
And the chaotic scene in the living room.
It was a pile of limbs, tails, and horns. Ch'en, Hoshiguma, Swire, and Lin Yühsia were all entangled with Ren in various states of undress and ecstasy.
Shirayuki's round ears twitched violently, and she stood silently to the side with her head lowered, trying to become part of the wallpaper.
She knew what she should and shouldn't see. But she couldn't help but peek.
Gladiia only glanced once, her expression unreadable. Then she calmly looked at Ren, who was currently occupied with Ch'en's tail.
"Is this how land dwellers entertain themselves? It seems... inefficient."
Ren, immersed in the Dragon's Den, Tiger's Lair, Ghost's Bane, and the mouse, was unconcerned about this critique.
"I don't know about others, but I quite like it. It's very efficient for morale."
He paused, looking at the Abyssal Hunter. "Do you want to try? The water's fine."
"No interest. My physiology is different."
Gladiia asked calmly, ignoring the writhing bodies at his feet. "Where can I take a bath? The air here is dry."
While forcefully taking Ch'en's dragon body, causing the Superintendent to cry out in a mix of shock and pleasure, Ren pointed a finger towards the bathroom door.
"There. Clean towels are on the rack."
"En."
After nodding, Gladiia walked towards the bathroom as if walking through a battlefield, unfazed.
Soon, the sound of a shower could be heard, adding a rhythmic white noise to the chaotic symphony of the living room.
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