Chapter 440: Chapter 379: The Fox Clan Has Only One Mate

“What’s wrong?”

The old village chief hesitated. “Well… I used to serve the Lord Divine Venerate, and I’ve never seen him bring a female back to his residence. Let alone have someone stay the night! He’s never even had an unfamiliar Male Beast over!”

Sang Luo was at a loss for words and took a sip of tea to hide her guilt.

Her relationship with Yan was… complicated.

’If I say we have nothing to do with each other, that’s not right. We’ve been physically intimate.’

’But if I say we’re in a relationship, that doesn’t seem right either.’

Seeing her silence, which in the eyes of an outsider was tantamount to a shy admission, the old village chief’s inner gossip flared up. “Noble female, are you the Lord Divine Venerate’s partner?”

PFFT!

She nearly spat out a mouthful of tea.

’This old village chief is certainly blunt!’

Sang Luo hurriedly explained, “No, he and I are just… I want to be the Lord Divine Venerate’s apprentice, but he hasn’t agreed yet. I’m still in a probationary period, and I have nowhere else to go. The Lord Divine Venerate was magnanimous and kind enough to let me stay.”

“Oh, so that’s how it is.” Xu looked a little disappointed.

“Sigh. The Lord Divine Venerate has been without children for so many years. If he runs out of life essence without leaving behind a single child, I’m afraid the line of the Nine-tailed Divine Fox clan will truly end…”

“The Lord Divine Venerate has lived for so long. He must have met powerful females he fancied in his youth, right? It shouldn’t be hard to have a child. Could it be that… he doesn’t like children?” Sang Luo’s mind raced as she probed for information.

“What Male Beast doesn’t like children? Protecting one’s offspring is an instinct carved into a Male Beast’s very bones. I’m afraid it’s just…” The old village chief seemed to think of something but didn’t continue.

Once things at Jingshan had settled down,

Sang Luo returned and went straight to the study. If Yan wasn’t tending to his herb garden, he was in the study reading medical texts.

“Reporting to the Lord Divine Venerate, mission accomplished! Does this mean I’ve passed the test?” she asked with a playful smile, her hands behind her back.

Yan knew everything she had done over there, and it was indeed an outstanding performance.

Yan half-closed the scroll in his hand and looked up at Sang Luo’s delicate, beautiful face. Her willow-leaf brows, her lovely almond eyes narrowed in a smile, the corners of her eyes tilted slightly upward. A cunning liveliness was mixed with a hint of alluring charm, and her smile was as sweet and warm as the sun, making his gaze waver for a moment.

He lowered his long-lashed eyes, his tone as gentle as ever. “I’ll say it again: I have no interest in taking an apprentice.”

“Huh?”

“If you want to learn medical skills, you can ask me anytime. Let’s dispense with the formality of a master-apprentice title… As for your child’s illness, I will also help look for a solution.”

Sang Luo was so stunned by the pleasant surprise she felt dizzy. “Is what you’re saying true, High Priest?!”

Yan looked up at her.

Realization dawned on her, and she quickly corrected herself. “Thank you so much, Yan!”

Remembering his unfathomable, ancestor-like age, she felt a little awkward calling him by his name.

She then pulled out a letter and handed it to him.

“After your soul scattered and you ascended a hundred years ago, Qingqiu got a new Beast Emperor. He was about to take the seat of the Lord of Qingqiu, but then you unexpectedly returned. He must harbor a grudge and wants to drag you down, spreading rumors everywhere. When I went to deliver the medicine this time, I was slandered and obstructed by his subordinates… The evidence I’ve collected these past few days is all here. I won’t worry about the rest!”

She offered it as a thank-you gift.

Yan nodded and accepted it.

Sang Luo stretched. “I haven’t had a good night’s sleep these past few days. I’m exhausted, so I’m going to go catch up on my sleep!”

“Mm, the weather is nice today. The bedding has been aired out in the sun.” Yan stood up and walked over to her.

A faint scent of herbs washed over her. They were standing extremely close. Sang Luo froze, her heart starting to beat a little faster. But Yan only lowered his head, took her sleeve, and felt the fabric. “Qingqiu has been cold and rainy this autumn. Your clothes are a bit thin. I’ll have some new ones prepared for you.”

Sang Luo breathed a sigh of relief, yet for some reason, she also felt a twinge of disappointment. She nodded, flattered. “Thank you, High… Yan!”

“Go back and get some rest. Tomorrow, between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., I will take you to study.”

Sang Luo nodded earnestly. 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. was basically eight in the morning. She hurried back to her room to dive under the covers and sleep.

…

「Late at night.」

The moon was bright and the stars were few, the night shrouded in a heavy mist.

The room was silent.

The person on the bed was sleeping soundly, her expression gentle and peaceful. Her lips were a tempting, ruby red. Any Male Beast who saw this scene would likely find it hard to control himself.

Yan stood before the bed, his eyes no longer clear and light like they were during the day. A hint of profound darkness had crept into them.

He reached out with his long, jade-like fingers, wanting to caress her face, but stopped just a moment before touching her and pulled his hand back.

Desire, conflict, hesitation, confusion…

His heart was wavering, betraying him.

The person on the bed seemed to be having a pleasant dream. Her pink lips parted slightly, and a soft murmur escaped.

Yan’s fingertips curled slightly. He turned and left.

…

When Sang Luo woke up, the sky outside the window was just beginning to lighten with the dawn.

Since she couldn’t get back to sleep anyway, she got out of bed in her undergarments to wash up.

The side room she was staying in was right next to Yan’s. On her way back, she happened to glance into his room and saw something bright red on the table… It looked like clothing. Curious, she walked over to take a look, and it was indeed an outfit.

Yan wasn’t in the room; he had left early, and she didn’t know where he’d gone.

She picked up the garment to examine it. It was a magnificent red dress, made in a style for females.

She was the only woman here.

It must be the outfit Yan had prepared for her. Judging by the size, it looked like it would be a good fit.

Sang Luo took the clothes back to her room. After changing into them, she discovered that while the dress looked vibrant and beautiful, the fabric felt a bit old to the touch. It didn’t seem new.

Just as she finished changing and stepped outside, she ran into Yan, who was just returning.

“Oh, you’re back…”

Sang Luo was about to ask him where he’d been, but she noticed his expression was a little off and her voice trailed off.

Yan stood rooted in the courtyard, staring blankly at the dazzling, fire-bright female before him.

He was like a block of wood nailed to the ground, forgetting how to move, forgetting how to breathe… His Adam’s apple bobbed. He reached out a hand, but his fingertips were trembling.

Sang Luo thought he was simply stunned by her beauty. She walked forward with a charming smile. “Am I beautiful?”

“…Very beautiful.”

He cupped her face, his voice full of deep emotion.

A gentle affection, yet tinged with a hint of sorrow.

Meeting his affectionate gaze, Sang Luo’s heart sped up. Her mind went blank for a second, losing its ability to think, and she failed to notice that faint trace of strangeness in his eyes.

Yan lowered his head and kissed her lips.

Sang Luo’s eyes flew wide open. She forgot to breathe!

The next moment, Yan carried her to the bed in the chamber.

His kiss was passionate and tender, an eruption of long-suppressed loneliness. It was clumsy and artless, knowing only how to conquer and claim, seeking everything… Just like that other time, Sang Luo was kissed until she was almost breathless. Her face was flushed, but more than that, she was overcome with an indescribable shyness. Even the tips of her ears were burning red.

Slowly, Sang Luo’s breathing grew heavy, and a certain primal desire stirred from the depths of her being!

Her soft arms wrapped around the man’s shoulders, her fingers gently stroking his broad, firm back, which only drove him into a greater frenzy.

After an unknown amount of time, Yan finally released Sang Luo.

He looked down at her charming, aroused face. The coldness in his fox-like eyes had completely vanished, replaced by a deep, carnal desire!

“Members of the Fox Clan only have one partner in their entire lives,” he said suddenly, his voice still laced with light pants.

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