Chapter 15 – Found
Right after that, Hua Mian saw a pack of various colored dogs in beast form, along with a huge black bear, rushing over and tearing into the Bloodthirsty Vine.
They attacked while retreating, pulling the vine’s attention away and out of its range.
“This whole area belongs to the Bloodthirsty Vine. Where did you newbies crawl out from? Don’t know anything and still dare run in here?”
The one in the lead was the black bear. His right ear looked like it had once been injured—torn open like a sunflower in bloom.
“Oh? There’s even a female?” Bear Kun stared at Hua Mian in surprise.
Hearing that, the other beastmen all turned to look.
Hua Mian lowered her hood, revealing a delicate, snow-pale face that made the group of fierce-looking beastmen widen their eyes in shock.
“Thank you for helping us. We happened to bring some healing potions—please accept them.”
After speaking, Hua Mian turned her head toward Chu Fufeng.
A flicker of struggle crossed Chu Fufeng’s eyes, but in the end he still pulled out several expensive healing potions. It was a proper repayment.
The black bear waved a paw.
“Ah, no need for that. We brothers just happened to pass by. You’re being too polite.”
“Yeah, yeah! See injustice on the road—draw the blade and help!” another beastman agreed passionately.
Seeing their matching uniforms and identical badges on their chests, Hua Mian guessed these men were likely a mercenary squad.
“Take them. No need to be modest. If not for your help, we probably wouldn’t have made it out.”
Hua Mian smiled warmly, her gaze drifting to the handsome golden-brown dog beside them, her eyes brightening.
In the end, the black bear and his squad accepted the potions, and both groups exchanged names—fake ones, of course, on Hua Mian’s side.
“You actually brought a female into a place this dangerous?”
Bear Kun looked at Chu Fufeng with disapproval, then shifted his eyes to the clear-eyed, innocent-looking Yan An. He seemed to want to say something but held back.
Chu Fufeng had no words and instinctively glanced at Hua Mian—
Only to find her expression cold, not giving him even a fraction of attention.
His heart tightened. His fists clenched.
She was upset?
Understandable—after all, he hadn’t been vigilant enough. It was his negligence that dragged her and Yan An into danger. Luckily, nothing happened.
Seeing Chu Fufeng silent and Yan An’s clueless expression, Bear Kun cast Chu Fufeng a contemptuous look—
Then gave Hua Mian a “such a poor thing” gaze.
Hua Mian did it on purpose. Chu Fufeng had nearly gotten her killed! Honestly, she was starting to regret not pushing him out to feed the Bloodthirsty Vine.
“You should get out of here soon,” Bear Kun advised. “This area hasn’t been cleared. Many wild beasts and dangerous plants remain, and there are all kinds of questionable beastmen around.”
Hua Mian knew he meant well.
“Thank you for the warning. But I heard Fire Lin Flowers grow in this area, so I’ve been looking for them. Strangely, these past few days we’ve been running into beastmen soaked in blood scent everywhere.”
Bear Kun, though aware she was just a normal female, still found her beautiful and answered patiently.
“Fire Lin Flowers? That’s old news.”
At that, the big golden dog beside him—quick-tongued and animated—launched into a detailed explanation of the feud between Shen Xueji, Yu Jin, and Sophia’s beastmen.
“I mean, Sophia’s beastman was too unreasonable! Didn’t give anything, just tried to grab the flowers. What kind of person does that? I honestly don’t know what Lady Sophia sees in him. Compared to him, I think Old Yellow here is pretty good!”
The golden dog looked extremely serious.
Hua Mian couldn’t help but smile faintly.
“Mm. I also think you seem like a good one.”
“Right?!”
The big yellow dog wagged his tail proudly—only to get smacked lightly on the head by Bear Kun, signaling him to shut up.
Hua Mian asked, “Have you found the two beastmen yet?”
Bear Kun shook his head. “Not yet. We’re searching too.”
Hua Mian probed further. The big yellow dog was happy to talk, but every time something important came up, Bear Kun interrupted and changed the subject.
Hua Mian said, “Then we won’t hold you up. We’ll try searching another direction. My child may not be able to wait much longer.”
Her eyes reddened, voice choking slightly—no one could tell the child she mentioned was completely made up as an excuse to find the Fire Lin Flower.
Bear Kun sighed.
“You are truly a good mother.”
After the two groups split, Hua Mian asked,
“The tracking signal—are you sure it’s pointing toward the Bloodthirsty Vine?”
Chu Fufeng blinked.
“Positive.”
“How did the vine detect us?”
…
Three hours later, three figures covered in mud and draped in vines, their faces unrecognizable, trudged back toward the Bloodthirsty Vine area.
“M-Madam… will this really work?” Yan An whispered.
“We tested on animals, didn’t we? What’s there to fear? Stop talking—hurry.”
Her tone wasn’t particularly gentle, but compared to how she spoke to others, Yan An still received a little patience.
Beside them, Chu Fufeng paused, feeling a small pang of envy toward Yan An. Just a little—but real.
The disguise was Hua Mian’s idea—crude but effective. As long as the vine couldn’t sniff them out, appearances didn’t matter.
They had also just received news from Chi Rui: Sophia had gathered many beastmen to settle the score, and Chu Fufeng also received a threatening message from Shen Yan demanding five million as compensation.
They needed to find Shen Xueji and Yu Jin fast.
Chu Fufeng led the way swiftly. After a while, Hua Mian suddenly felt a stabbing pain in her chest.
Damn. Her broken, sieve-like body was acting up again.
Fortunately, they soon approached the edge of the Bloodthirsty Vine’s territory. Gritting her teeth, Hua Mian pushed through.
There was no tracking signal ahead, but drag marks on the ground showed something—or someone—had been hauled this way.
They were close.
Once out of the vine zone, Chu Fufeng discovered another signal marker, pointing toward a cliff face.
Inside, Yu Jin—hearing movement—gripped his weapon and stood. He glanced at Shen Xueji, burning hot with fever, inhaled deeply, squared his shoulders, and went to the cave entrance.
“Yu Jin-ge!”
Yu Jin froze, staring blankly at three mud-coated vine monsters.
“Yan An?”
He looked in disbelief at the thin figure among them.
“Madam?”
Yu Jin struggled to describe his shock. His usually calm heart suddenly felt like it was being shaken awake.
Hua Mian snapped, “Why are you standing there? Come help me.”
Her voice was soft and weak, but Yu Jin heard every word clearly.
He strode forward immediately and caught her in his arms.
Many years later, Yu Jin would still remember this moment—because Hua Mian, who cared so much about beauty, had willingly dirtied herself head-to-toe for him.
Hua Mian had no strength left and simply leaned into him. She felt like she was dying. Yu Jin only got a little muddy—he was better off than her!
Feeling her weight and trust against him, Yu Jin’s eyes softened into a rare smile.
Yan An raised his hand beside them.
“Where’s Xueji-ge?”
Then they saw Shen Xueji lying in the cave, feverish and red like a cooked shrimp.
“Did he burn himself stupid?” Hua Mian touched his forehead—leaving behind a soot-black handprint.
At once, every beastman present stared at her, expression unreadable.
Hua Mian blinked.
“…What? Aren’t you all worried?”
Yu Jin, unable to help himself, let out a muffled laugh.
Yan An awkwardly scratched his head—only to get a handful of mud. Disgusted, he began wiping his hand in a fluster.
