Everywhere was calm and silent, just like the past nights in the Bulk King's sect. Some guards were always on the lookout here and there.
The fox girl from the library peeped out from behind a wall where she was hiding and noticed some guards passing by. After a while, she came out of hiding.
This was the spot behind the library where Lu Feng had arranged the meeting point. She was hesitant to come, knowing Lu Feng was in prison and wondering how he would escape.
But the pain she felt was too much, so she decided to give it a chance. This decision landed her in this position where Lu Feng wasn't.
"He couldn't make it," she sighed, falling flat and resting on the wall while hugging her legs, attempting to suppress the pain.
"Or should I get over my fears and let a guard have me tonight?" she stared at the moon, confused. "Lu Feng said he had other ways. Should I hold on for a few more minutes?"
Having nothing to do, she looked left and right in anticipation of Lu Feng. She waited for over ten minutes, and it didn't look like Lu Feng would show up.
"Hmph, what made me think a slave could help me, let alone escape without getting caught," she muttered, standing up, dusting herself off, and about to leave when she heard a voice.
"Jing-Si? Is your name Jing-Si?" asked the sudden, unseen person. "Up here," said Lu Feng, waving from where he sat on the roof.
"Lu... Lu Feng? How long have you been there?" she stuttered, asking.
Lu Feng stretched his body and leaped from the roof, landing perfectly on his toes without making a sound.
"Before you came… just making sure you came alone and weren't double-crossing me with the guards."
Jing Si was taken aback; it hadn't crossed her mind that Lu Feng might think of something like that.
"But, how did you get out without setting off the alarms?"
Hearing the question, Lu Feng gave a cunning smile. While a guard had been stationed at his prison cell, they saw Lu Feng in a meditative state, legs crossed. "Stupid, what do you know about meditating? Slaves can't reach the late-stage beast," the guard scoffed. "You're already a waste, Lu Feng."
But the meditating Lu Feng said nothing, as if he couldn't hear anything—as if he were a clone set to remain in that position.
No matter what the guard said, Lu Feng heard it all and could see if he wanted to, but he lied instead.
"I know a guard or two who works well with bribes. Forget how I escaped; let's get to why you're here. I'll need to see your beast again," said Lu Feng.
"My beast?"
Lu Feng gave a long look. She had clearly heard what he said, so why was she repeating the question instead of giving an answer?
"I need to see your beast," Lu Feng repeated.
Just like earlier in the library, the circle appeared, and a snow-white fox appeared beside Jing Si's pale lap.
'The fox is fragile; she's probably still at the early beast stage. There's no telling how big the fox could be if it reaches the late stage,' Lu Feng assessed the beast as he knelt on one knee.
He truly admired the fox beast in front of him, enjoying how easy it was to run his hands around its fur. The early beast stage was like a baby's crawling stage—anyone could hold them. But from the mid-stage, it became harder, and at the late beast stage, the creature grew big and terrifying, with fangs and claws exposed.
'I can't believe the owner of this body got past the early stage just by spying on naked women. He truly is as cunning as his beast—a nine-tailed kitsune,' thought Lu Feng.
"What's wrong? Is the problem with my beast?" asked Jing Si. Lu Feng had been analyzing her beast for a long time without saying a word to her.
"No, the fox just needs attention, that's all… You need to tame the beast, and I believe you know how that's done."
"Yes," Jing Si replied quietly, her gaze fixed on the little beast. "But you said you have other ways, didn't you?"
"I do, but it isn't for taming the beast. Dual taming can't be cheated. What my technique does is reduce the pain you're feeling from the beast's hunger. You'll still need to tame it," Lu Feng explained. Either way, if Jing Si wanted her beast and herself to grow stronger, dual taming was required.
"Don't let the fact that you're a common maiden stop you from reaching your true potential. True strength doesn't come from doubts or fear… It comes from those who dare," said Lu Feng.
He stood up, and the beast formation, along with the beast itself, vanished. It was time to get down to the business he was here for.
"But you do have a technique to suppress the pain for tonight, don't you?"
"Yes, I didn't lie about having a secret technique. But it will cost you—a lot," Lu Feng replied, making the "a lot" sound slightly louder.
"I... I don't understand," Jing Si stuttered, her innocent, beautiful face looking puzzled.
"As much as I want to help you, I also want to help myself… So there'll be rules you'll have to follow, or you can keep dealing with the pain. Are you in?" Lu Feng's once friendly facade was nowhere to be seen.
"Rules?"
"You have a tendency to repeat questions. Don't forget, I escaped through bribery. I was given a particular time to stay out, so I need a quick response."
Lu Feng was emotionless, his facade resembling that of a killer.
"Let me hear the rules."
Lu Feng clicked his tongue upon hearing that, leaned against the wall, and began stating them.
"Good. There's only one rule: Are you willing to do anything I say?"
Jing Si was quiet for a moment. Anything Lu Feng said? She didn't know what was going on in Lu Feng's mind, but she knew that if she agreed, she could end up as one of Lu Feng's pawns.
"You know what? You seem to be lacking quick responses. I'll be off," Lu Feng threatened, moving to leap over the roof, but she quickly held his wrist.
"Wait, I will do anything you ask, just help me."
Lu Feng felt her hand shaking. The pain was taking over, which was good; he wanted this—a situation where she'd be pained and make rational decisions.
"After I help you… you'll spread this to the maidens and make sure no guards hear of what's happening here. It starts here and ends here," said Lu Feng.
Jing Si gave a desperate nod, as if urging Lu Feng to hurry up with the technique before she might be consumed by the pain.
Or worse, if her beast died within her… she could be paralyzed for life. She needed to suppress the pain.
As she fell to the floor and hugged her legs in agony, Lu Feng kept staring at her. He needed her mind to be unsettled because, for what he would ask, she couldn't hesitate.
"Since you've agreed to do as I say," Lu Feng muttered, stepping closer to her. His position was bathed in the moon's light. "Like I said, I'll be helping myself as well"
Then, he emotionlessly uttered the words that made Jing Si's eyes widen.
"Spread your legs."