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Chapter 18 : Dramaaa
The sun was high in the sky as Ling Huai approached the towering golden gates of the Aurora Kingdom. The walls stretched endlessly on either side, gleaming under the sunlight, and the entrance was guarded by tall men in heavy armor. Their spears stood upright, sharp and polished, ready to strike down anyone who posed a threat.
Despite the beauty of the kingdom's entrance, Ling Huai kept her expression blank. She had traveled far and was exhausted, but she knew better than to show weakness in a place like this.
At her feet, two small creatures followed closely—one was a tiny, black-furred fox with big golden eyes, and the other was a midnight-black panther cub with soft fur and silver eyes that sparkled like the moon.
Bai, the little fox, let out a tiny yawn and curled his fluffy tail around himself. He looked harmless, small, and utterly adorable.
The Omen, the panther cub, was slightly larger, but he too played his role well—his ears drooped, his tail swayed lazily, and his silver eyes blinked sleepily as if he were nothing more than a tame kitten.
To anyone watching, they looked weak and harmless.
That was exactly the point.
Ling Huai didn't want attention, and having two "meek little pets" helped her avoid suspicion.
As she approached the gates, she pulled her hood lower over her face, but it did little to hide the worn state of her clothing. Her robe was dusty, wrinkled, and slightly torn from the long journey. Strands of hair had escaped from her ponytail, framing her face in a messy way. Her boots were covered in dirt, and her overall appearance made her look like a wandering beggar rather than a warrior.
The moment she stepped closer, one of the guards stationed at the gate sneered.
"Beasts?" he repeated, looking down at the two small creatures by her feet. His tone was filled with mockery as he scanned her from head to toe. "Beasts are allowed inside, but you need to pay a fee. A high one. And looking at you…" He scoffed. "I doubt you can afford it."
Ling Huai remained silent.
The guard continued looking at her, but this time, his expression changed slightly. His eyes lingered on her face, and a flicker of interest crossed his features.
Even though her clothes were worn and her hair was messy, her features were striking—sharp, elegant, and with a fierce gaze that held an untamed wildness.
A slow smirk spread across his face.
His eyes darkened as he took in her delicate lips and the smooth curve of her neck. He licked his lips absently, already lost in lewd thoughts.
I bet she'd look even better moaning my name…
His fingers twitched at the thought, and he took a step forward.
And then—
She was gone.
His breath hitched.
"What the—?" His eyes darted around, searching for her, but she had disappeared in the blink of an eye.
A sudden, strange warmth spread through his chest, then lower. His heartbeat quickened, his hands grew sweaty, and his body suddenly felt hot.
An unnatural desire burned in his veins.
His legs trembled slightly, and his vision blurred. He blinked rapidly, but everything around him seemed to twist and shift, as if he were seeing through a fog.
"What… is this?" he muttered, gripping his chest as his pulse raced uncontrollably.
His breath came out in short, heavy pants, and a deep shiver ran down his spine.
Unknown to him, Ling Huai had already poisoned him.
With a mere brush of her fingertips, she had laced his skin with a rare poison from the Wisteria flower—a toxin that didn't kill but instead amplified desire to an unbearable degree.
His mind fogged over with unnatural lust.
Somewhere in his hazy thoughts, he realized that she had done something to him.
He stumbled backward, fumbling in his pouch until his fingers found a small vial. Emerald water.
With shaking hands, he popped the cork and swallowed it. A cold, soothing sensation spread through his body, neutralizing the poison.
By the time his mind cleared, she was already gone—vanished beyond the gates, blending into the bustling city inside.
Inside the Aurora Kingdom
Ling Huai moved swiftly through the busy streets, ignoring the cold, unkind stares that followed her.
People whispered as she passed.
"Who let a beggar in?"
"Ugh, look at her clothes."
She ignored them. She had dealt with worse.
Instead, her attention was drawn to the kingdom itself.
It was more beautiful than she had imagined.
The streets were paved with smooth white stone, and golden lanterns hung from curved rooftops, casting a soft glow over the bustling markets. Exotic flowers bloomed in vibrant colors, their sweet scents mixing with the aroma of freshly baked bread from nearby stalls.
Grand buildings with intricate carvings and gold-trimmed windows towered over her, their beauty unmatched.
Even she had to admit—this place was stunning.
She glanced down at Bai and the Omen, who were still in their small, harmless forms.
A thought struck her.
"Can you two turn into humans?" she whispered, making sure no one else could hear.
Bai smirked. "Of course."
Without another word, the two small creatures strode into an empty alleyway.
And then—
Their bodies began to change.
Bai's small, fluffy form shimmered, his fur melting away into smooth skin. His limbs stretched, growing longer, more muscular, until standing in his place was a tall, handsome man.
His black hair was silky and framed his sharp jawline perfectly. His golden eyes held a mischievous glint, full of confidence and danger. His lean, toned body was wrapped in dark robes embroidered with golden patterns, and his fingers—long and elegant—rested lazily at his side.
Then there was the Omen.
He was breathtaking.
His silver eyes glowed eerily under the lantern light, and his long, black hair cascaded over his shoulders in waves. Unlike Bai's lean build, the Omen's chest was broader, his muscles more defined, and his posture radiated a silent dominance. His tunic, deep crimson with silver embroidery, clung perfectly to his powerful frame, making it impossible not to stare.
Ling Huai blinked, then gaped.
"You…" She reached out and poked Bai's solid chest. Then, unable to resist, she grabbed the Omen's toned arm.
Bai chuckled smugly. "Like what you see?"
She quickly pulled back, scowling. "I was just testing!"
Omen's lips curved slightly. "Mm-hm."
As they stepped out into the street, a group of market girls caught sight of the Omen and instantly squeaked.
Ling Huai frowned.
"Hmph. A cat is getting a lot of attention," she muttered.
Bai laughed outright, while the Omen simply smirked.
This was going to be fun.
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Ling Huai walked ahead confidently, her boots tapping lightly against the stone pavement. Bai and the Omen followed beside her, blending seamlessly into the crowd. The kingdom was grand, lively, and full of unfamiliar faces, but something else nagged at her mind.
Then it hit her.
She stopped suddenly in the middle of the street.
"Wait," she said, turning to them. "Where are we going to sleep?"
The Omen halted beside her, blinking.
Bai, however, froze.
A slow, awkward smile spread across his face as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Uh… I didn't think of that."
Ling Huai's jaw dropped.
"What?!" Her voice came out louder than she intended, earning a few passing glances from the crowd.
"We've been planning this whole journey, and you never thought about where we'd stay for the night?" she hissed, lowering her voice.
Omen chuckled nervously. "Well, I assumed we'd figure it out when we got here..."
Ling Huai pressed her fingers to her temples. "Unbelievable," she muttered.
Bai Feng , who had been silent, crossed his arms. "We need money first," he pointed out. "It's not like we can just take a room for free."
Omen snapped his fingers. "Exactly! So, we sell something!"
Ling Huai narrowed her eyes. "Like what?"
Bai glanced at her, then at her belt, where small glass vials of shimmering liquid were neatly tucked into small loops.
"Maybe your medical potions?" he suggested casually.
Ling Huai stared at him blankly.
Then, she laughed.
For a moment, Bai relaxed—until he saw the sharp glint in her eyes.
In the blink of an eye, her hand snapped toward his neck.
Bai barely dodged, stumbling backward with a startled yelp.
"Whoa—wait! I was just suggesting—!"
"YOU WANT ME TO SELL MY PRECIOUS POTIONS?" Ling Huai lunged again, but Bai darted behind the Omen, using him as a shield.
"Come on, you don't even use all of them!" Bai protested, peeking out from behind the Omen's broad shoulder.
Ling Huai cracked her knuckles. "Oh? Then maybe I should use them on you instead," she growled.
Bai gulped.
The Omen let out a low sigh. "Enough," he said. "We'll find another way."
Ling Huai huffed, crossing her arms. "We better."
Omen spoke again. "So… sleeping on the streets isn't an option?"
Ling Huai grabbed a random wooden spoon from a market stall and hurled it at him.
The Omen yelped and ran, dodging between carts and laughing.
Ling Huai shook her head, muttering under her breath.
Bai Feng , meanwhile, watched the exchange with a small smirk before turning to her. "Let's find a job instead," he suggested. "Something quick and easy."
Ling Huai sighed. "Fine. But if it involves cleaning horse stalls, I'm going to kill you, Bai even you Omen. "
The Omen and Bai chuckled, amused.
Omen, from a safe distance, shouted, "Noted!"
And with that, they set off in search of a way to earn their stay for the night.
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