Chapter 64: Addicted—The Helpless Fox Clan Chief, Hu Shuxuan

"Can you look at me with the same eyes you use when seeing garbage?"

Huh?

As the words fell, Ling Tian stared blankly at Hu Yunying. What kind of request was this? In all his years, he had never heard such an absurd plea. Asking to be beaten was one thing, but to ask to be looked at with such an expression—this was a first.

Seeing Ling Tian’s bewildered gaze, Hu Yunying’s face blushed as if set aflame. She herself felt the request was a bit much, but whenever she thought of that look, she felt a strange peace. Perhaps she was in love with the sensation? She found herself oddly disappointed if Ling Tian didn’t look at her that way.

Ling Tian was silent for a moment, confirming Hu Yunying wasn’t joking. He tugged at the corner of his mouth; since she insisted, he couldn’t refuse. After all, it wasn’t really a problem for him.

So, Ling Tian looked at Hu Yunying with eyes as if she were trash.

Hu Yunying gazed back, her eyes misty and filled with affection. There was a thread of longing there, almost tangible. Ling Tian felt a chill at the bottom of his heart—was she actually enamored with this look? Otherwise, she wouldn’t have completed the task.

But wasn’t this little quirk somewhat problematic?

Hu Yunying stared into Ling Tian’s eyes as if she wished to etch them into her heart forever. She moved closer, step by step. The distance between them shrank unconsciously.

Ling Tian considered whether he should remind her, when suddenly a loud commotion erupted outside.

"Hey, what are those two talking about? Why can’t we hear anything?"

"Stop pushing me! You’ve squashed all my food!"

"Eat, eat, eat! All you do is eat. You’ll turn into a little tubby one of these days!"

"You’re the tubby! I’m going to hit you!"

"Hey, you dare hit me? I’ll fight back..."

The noisy bickering startled Hu Yunying from her reverie. She glanced at the space between them and stepped back a few paces, feeling regret—she’d retreated too soon! If only she had pretended not to hear the voices outside, then...heh heh...

But her body had already moved, creating distance between herself and Ling Tian. Now, stepping forward again would be too obvious—a betrayal of her feelings.

With a sigh, Hu Yunying withdrew the barrier. She turned to see Xiao Ling’er and Fox Immortal in a tussle.

Hu Yunying cast them both a faint glance. She wondered, she hadn’t provoked them recently, so why was she facing such calamity now?

She couldn’t stay; after exchanging a quick farewell with Ling Tian, she left.

"Alright, what are you two doing here?" Once Hu Yunying departed, Ling Tian stepped in to mediate. He reached out and lifted Fox Immortal by the scruff of her neck.

He would never lay a hand on Xiao Ling’er; after all, he’d spent much time with her and understood her temperament. If not for Fox Immortal’s instigation, Xiao Ling’er would never have come to eavesdrop.

"Hehe, we were just too full and went for a stroll. Who knew we’d end up here? Talk about coincidence..." Fox Immortal struggled briefly, then gave up and spun her eyes, lying as easily as breathing.

But before she could finish, Ling Tian flicked her forehead, shooting her a glare.

"You really think I’m stupid? I know you came to eavesdrop!"

Fox Immortal covered her head and muttered quietly, "If you knew, why ask?"

Wasn’t this blatant bullying? No, bullying a fox!

Ling Tian set her down; of course, his question was just an excuse to flick her forehead. Did she really think he was that idle? It was also a warning for others.

"What did you hear?" Ling Tian turned his gaze to Xiao Ling’er, posing the question.

Xiao Ling’er shrank back; after seeing Fox Immortal’s fate, she didn’t lie. She told the truth, detail by detail.

"It seems Sister Yunying is truly grateful to you," she concluded.

Ling Tian twitched his lips—did that need saying? She’d be remiss not to thank him!

"Alright, eavesdropping isn’t a good habit. No next time." Ling Tian patted Xiao Ling’er’s head, settling the matter.

Fox Immortal felt the scales tipping in Xiao Ling’er’s favor. How come she got a gentle pat, while Fox Immortal received a flick to the forehead? Comparing people was infuriating!

Before Fox Immortal could complain, Ling Tian and Xiao Ling’er walked away. Watching their backs, Fox Immortal stomped her feet and followed, a plan brewing in her heart.

Previously, when Ling Tian said he could make the fox tribe strong and free from oppression, she had doubts. But recent events dispelled them.

He truly had ability! Otherwise, how could he have saved Hu Yunying’s grandfather—a problem even the White Tiger clan couldn’t resolve?

His solution proved something. Maybe his words were true!

With hope rekindled, Fox Immortal’s heart was restless. If this was possible, her tribe would no longer need to make annual offerings or appear so frequently at human markets.

Every time she saw such scenes, she felt pain. Now, having glimpsed hope, she would seize it—at any cost.

Still, Ling Tian hadn’t made any improper advances toward her. This human was truly odd.

Could it be she wasn’t attractive? Impossible—she was among the finest of the fox clan. Even with his pickiness...

Fox Immortal, what are you thinking? Isn’t this just fine? Must someone take advantage of you for you to be satisfied?

Fox Immortal shivered—yes, this was just fine.

She trotted after them, wondering to herself, when would Ling Tian send her back as promised?

...

Fox Tribe.

"Mother, I acted on my own regarding this matter. As for little sister..." In the palace, Fox Baiyi explained the situation to his mother, keeping his head bowed and barely daring to breathe.

Still, he hoped his mother would rescue his sister. He’d been here for days, but she had given no clear answer.

He didn’t want to abandon his sister. If truly nothing could be done...sigh.

"So, you’re saying that human youth is with the third saintess of the White Tiger clan?" Above, Fox Shuxuan sat draped in red robes, her face radiant with allure, eyes like stars, hiding her true thoughts.

She spoke slowly, posing the question.

"Yes, I am certain—she is undoubtedly the third saintess of the White Tiger clan." Though Fox Baiyi felt strange, he answered honestly; it was her first time asking, and not about his sister.

"Do you know, I just received news that Tiger Yunqing’s injuries have fully healed!" Fox Shuxuan sat upright, hands folded on her lap, watching Fox Baiyi as she spoke.

"Healed? But that was demonic energy!" Fox Baiyi exclaimed, but as he recalled his mother’s previous words, a startling guess formed in his mind.

"Mother, are you saying that human youth cured him?"

How could it be such a coincidence? The human youth had only just arrived, and the demonic energy tormenting Tiger Yunqing for years was suddenly gone.

If someone claimed there was no connection, he’d never believe it!

"Exactly." Fox Shuxuan glanced at Fox Baiyi—this son was decent, though sometimes lacking clarity.

"From this, his taking Xian’er away shouldn’t be ill-intentioned. Right now, he is a benefactor of the White Tiger clan." Fox Shuxuan offered guidance.

Fox Baiyi paused, then understood her meaning. If Ling Tian had posed a threat, the White Tiger clan wouldn’t treat him so.

The implication was that Ling Tian bore little hatred toward the demon tribes.

"But..." Fox Baiyi opened his mouth. No hatred didn’t guarantee his sister’s safe return.

"I know what I’m doing. She is my daughter; I care for her as much as you do." Fox Shuxuan’s tone softened, then she looked at Fox Baiyi with heartfelt sincerity.

After hearing this, Fox Baiyi sighed, said nothing more, acknowledged her words, and left the hall.

Fox Shuxuan watched her son’s departing figure, furrowing her elegant brows and shaking her head with a wry smile.

"Even if he really takes her away, what can the fox tribe do?"

Fox Shuxuan’s cultivation was only at the eighth realm of the Saint King...

...

The next day, Ling Tian rubbed his eyes, facing Phoenix Feather. He hadn’t expected Phoenix Feather to be so proactive—almost unnervingly so.

"Friend Tian Ling, why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?" Phoenix Feather felt uneasy under Ling Tian’s gaze, looking away, one moment fiddling with his hair, the next picking at his nails.

"No, but..." Ling Tian left the sentence unfinished as Tiger Yunqing and Hu Yunying arrived.

"Young friend, did you sleep well last night?" Tiger Yunqing asked, clearly pleased.

This youth, the more he saw him, the more he liked him.

"Very well, thank you for your hospitality." Ling Tian let Phoenix Feather off the hook and replied to Tiger Yunqing. Whatever Phoenix Feather’s intentions, he would play along.

Tiger Yunqing glanced at his granddaughter, then at Ling Tian, before speaking:

"Young friend, I have thought it over. Ultimately, this matter concerns us and the Phoenix clan; I shouldn’t trouble you..."

He paused, then continued, revealing his intention:

"So, I would like Yunying to accompany you, just so this matter can be clarified..."