Chapter 93: Chapter 93: Silencing Witnesses
In the biting cold wind, the tall male figure struck the struggling female unconscious and then slowly stepped onto the ice.
He was draped in a jet-black beast skin robe, and his deep blue curls, reaching down to his waist, flowed freely in a carefree manner.
As he approached, his exotic, handsome face was slowly exposed under the pale moonlight.
With chiseled features, high cheekbones, deep-set eye sockets, and a pair of clear, light blue eyes faintly visible under drooping white lashes.
Seeing the female on the opposite side full of vigilance, the male looked at her with deep eyes, with a faint smile that was hard to detect at the corners of his eyes.
In response to his seemingly gentle gaze, Wen Shu felt a chill creep up her spine.
Such distinctive features, it was hard not to recognize him!
This smiling guy right in front of her was the deputy leader of Black Thorn Valley and Rah’s comrade through thick and thin.
The key point was that the current scene was identical to the one in the original story.
In the narrative, the protagonist, upon returning to Beast City, continuously set up the heroine, ultimately leading her into the dense forest during a Beast City event.
As a result, she was almost killed by a mutant beast and caused Bai Qiao to be kidnapped by lurking bandits and taken back to Black Thorn Valley to be tortured.
The one who kidnapped Bai Qiao was none other than Lan Ze, the smiling tiger who still had a conscience.
On a certain day in the future, after the heroine gives birth to several of Rah’s cubs, he regrets his actions and even risks his life to rescue Bai Qiao...
However, this part of the story was supposed to occur after the snowy season ended!
Yet now, many events have been skipped due to this massive snowfall, bringing everything several months forward!
The more Wen Shu thought about it, the more anxious she became, but there was no time to ponder further as more pressing matters were at hand.
The moonlight overhead was blocked by the towering figure, and Lan Ze already stood by the fire, looking at her with a soft gaze.
"Female, aren’t you going to run?"
His voice was as clear as flowing water, slightly magnetic, deliberately softened to be soothing and endearing.
If someone unfamiliar with him would certainly be deceived by appearances.
But Wen Shu knew very well how terrifying he was.
Lan Ze was a rare Ninth Rank Beast with strange and powerful superpowers; any face he’d seen, he could track accurately without fail, no matter where it was.
If he truly wanted to catch her, even with ten legs, she couldn’t outrun him.
A hint of timidity appeared on Wen Shu’s face, and she lowered her head, shivering, curling up by the tree root, stammering, "Don’t, don’t kill me... I didn’t see anything!"
Her frail, trembling voice was nearly drowned out by the crackling of the flames.
Seeing her so frightened, Lan Ze retracted his gaze without a word, turning with Bai Qiao’s legs in his grip, thinking that any female daring enough to appear alone must be interesting...
But he couldn’t carry her anymore, so he let the little female fend for herself.
In sight, the swaying black robe brushed past the flames, as he slowly walked toward the depths of the dense forest.
Wen Shu breathed a sigh of relief, lifting her head slightly to watch the broad-shouldered back of the male.
His strides were unhurried, his curled long hair swaying lightly, while the pale-faced Bai Qiao was draped over his back, still frowning with discomfort even in unconsciousness.
Remembering Bai Qiao’s unconscious warning when the snow heap collapsed, Wen Shu frowned.
Being captured and brought to Black Thorn Valley was supposed to be a chance to meet the male protagonist, yet Bai Qiao’s journey was far from pleasant.
But perhaps it was a necessary part of the plot, as during her escape, she would inherit the Beast God’s legacy.
However...
Wen Shu clenched the branch in her palm, a conflict flashing in her eyes, and as she vacillated, the male ahead suddenly stopped.
"Hmm."
Lan Ze let out an ambiguous murmur, slowly turning his head.
His clean eyes brushed past the dark color and looked quietly towards the fire, where a hastily stuffed fish was about to turn to ash.
Noticing his gaze, Wen Shu froze, tensing her back silently.
"Brilliant, skilled at disguise, even hunts..."
Lan Ze sauntered closer, the corners of his eyes curving, his gaze lightly settling on her face, asking with a bit of surprise, "Little female, is your name Wen Shu?"
The leisurely tone was like inquiring about the weather.
Wen Shu’s heart tightened, trying to maintain her composure, she tremulously raised her eyes, showing confusion on her face.
After exchanging a look with those blue eyes, she fearfully hugged her legs, crying, "Who, who are you talking about?"
The female curled up into a ball, exposing only half a pale face, long lashes fluttering ceaselessly, truly appearing terrified.
Seeing her like this, Lan Ze rubbed his chin, somewhat troubled, crouched down, staring closely at her face, "Isn’t it?"
For a moment, the dense forest fell silent.
Facing the male’s probing gaze, Wen Shu felt a tingling on her scalp, fearing the slightest flaw would be exposed.
She nervously swallowed, about to speak when suddenly a soft laugh sounded overhead, and soon, a warm hand grasped her shoulder.
Her long lashes trembled as she looked up at Lan Ze.
Seeing his eyebrows raised slightly, with the curve at the corner of his eye deepening, he spoke pleasantly, "It’s okay, once we return, it will naturally be clear."
Feeling the hand slide down to her arm, Wen Shu lowered her eyes, gripping the stout branch, ready to make a move.
Just then, a rustling came from the bushes ahead, Lan Ze’s smiling brows instantly coated with coldness, as he turned toward the source of the sound.
Wen Shu focused intently, eyes constantly fixed on the male before her.
As the sound approached, muffled calls were faintly heard, "Wen Shu female! Bai Qiao female!"
It was the males from Beast City.
Wen Shu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, stepping back to free herself from Lan Ze’s grip, seeing his eyes narrowed dangerously.
Terrified, she shrank back, feigning bravery as she warned, "You, you’d better leave quickly, our people are coming!"
However, Lan Ze merely looked at her, showing no sign of fear, even lifting the corners of his lips slightly, "I’m not afraid..."
His voice was gentle, like a comforting whisper, raising a long, fair hand.
Attached to a beast tendon, a pendant suddenly swung down, swaying mid-air.
Wen Shu focused her gaze and realized it was a dark sentry made of beast bone.
Her heart gave a jolt.
Since Lan Ze was here, there must be a lot of lurking bandits in the dense forest!
The snow had caught the Beastmen off guard, and no one expected it to melt so quickly.
At this time, Beast City’s defenses were at their weakest, the perfect opportunity for Black Thorn Valley to strike.
If he wanted to avoid alerting others, Lan Ze would surely silence Yining and the others!
As thoughts whirled, the male in front shook the whistle, and with a chilling voice, indeed said what she feared.
"Now that they’ve come, there’s no leaving."""
In her view, the male hooked his finger, ready to blow the dark sentry whistle, Wen Shu cast a glance at the stirring grass, seized the branch, and fiercely stabbed at Lan Ze!
The female’s sudden move stunned Lan Ze for a moment, seeing the sharp branch aiming at his face, his breath caught, and he leaped back a few steps.
Raising his eyes again to meet the female’s sharp gaze, a glint of excitement flickered in his eyes, "Why stop pretending?"