Chapter 849 - 837: A Familiar Feeling
Though his looks were obscured by the veil, just those eyes alone, enchanting as a demon, alluring and intense, with a birthmark at the corner resembling a tear, could ensnare anyone with a single glance.
Su Muyao met his gaze across the distance, her heart skipping a beat uncontrollably.
"Shen Ci’an?"
Bloody eyes are a trait of the Blood Clan Beastman.
Those eyes somewhat resemble Shen Ci’an’s, yet somehow they differ.
The gaze is different, the aura distinct as well.
Shen Ci’an’s aura is more bewitching, while he, though possessing enchanting looks, emanates a cold and proud air.
Suddenly, Su Muyao thought of someone.
It was Xuan Che!
But during the battle on Holy Mountain, Shen Ci’an had said Xuan Che sacrificed himself to the Holy Tree.
If he sacrificed himself to the Holy Tree, he might have vanished, how could he appear here?
What is truly happening here?
Or is it merely someone who looks like them, but isn’t the same?
Thinking it might be Xuan Che, Su Muyao couldn’t contain her excitement, her eyes glistening as she looked at the man.
After Xuan Che’s sacrifice, Su Muyao and Shen Ci’an were deeply saddened.
They desperately wanted to find a way to bring him back.
But without a single clue, unfamiliar with the Holy Tree of Holy Mountain, they were at a loss.
Xiao Jihan could feel Su Muyao’s excitement, gently holding her and saying, "He looks like Shen Ci’an, but he isn’t."
Just one glance, and Xiao Jihan could determine.
"If I’m not mistaken, that should be Xuan Yan, the Young City Lord of Black Rock City."
Su Muyao knew it wasn’t Shen Ci’an; her excitement stemmed from guessing it was Xuan Che.
But Xiao Jihan didn’t know of Xuan Che’s existence, and she wasn’t sure how to explain it for the moment.
She thought of explaining it to Xiao Jihan once they returned home.
...
Xuan Yan lowered his head to look at that female, meeting her excited gaze, feeling his cold heart race uncontrollably.
He pressed his hand against his chest, furrowing his brows, confused.
He couldn’t stop his gaze from lingering on her, spotting her immediately amidst the crowd, struck by a peculiar feeling.
Even though he detested females.
Beside him, his subordinate Jin Li noticed something off with the Young City Lord, nervously asking, "Young City Lord, what’s the matter?"
"Is your body in pain again?"
Jin Li’s face paled, terrified that something might happen to the Young City Lord.
He knew that the Young City Lord spent most of his time unconscious and weak when with the Bird Clan.
After waking, he was guided by the High Priest of the Bird Clan to return to Black Rock City.
With his exceptional wisdom, the Young City Lord was the reason Black Rock City became prosperous and lively.
Of course, many remarkable females came to admire him, wanting to marry into his household.
Unfortunately, the Young City Lord detested females.
To avoid trouble, the Young City Lord seldom appeared in public, and when he did, he would stealthily monitor the market from the second floor through a veil.
He occasionally checked on the patrol duties.
With Snow Season approaching, the Young City Lord must lead everyone to prepare extensively.
Otherwise, during the snow season, the Fierce Beasts and wild beasts, lacking food, will instinctively attack the tribe and city.
Moreover, other large tribes might invade for resources.
The Young City Lord has been working hard lately, inspecting every day, unknown to others.
Xuan Yan murmured, "I’m fine."
But his heart felt empty and a bit painful.
He didn’t know why.
Having been asleep most of the time, many of his memories were blurry.
Regarding that female... her gaze made him feel no aversion or rejection, rather a peculiar sensation.
Moreover, her gaze was excited, yet tinged with sadness, as if she knew him.
But after searching through his memory, he couldn’t recall ever meeting her.
Or did she recognize him as the Young City Lord?
He knew many females came to Black Rock City just to see him, even wanting to become his wife chief, yet he refused.
Just thinking about it made him feel restless and repulsed.
But this female’s gaze wasn’t greedy and fervent like others, but mixed with excitement and sorrow.
Sure of not having met her, Xuan Yan turned away saying, "Let’s go."
Su Muyao watched his fading silhouette, eyes revealing a trace of loneliness, "He... he doesn’t recognize me."
Realizing this, Su Muyao felt a bit melancholic.
Xiao Jihan, not wanting Su Muyao’s sorrow, softly consoled her, "It’s okay, as long as we’re in Black Rock City, there’ll be opportunities to meet."
He sensed that person indeed possessed Level 6 strength.
"I’ll inquire more about the situation."
Concerning this Young City Lord.
Xiao Jihan couldn’t bear to see Su Muyao sad.
Suppressing her feelings of gloom, Su Muyao softly said, "I’m fine, maybe he’s not who I think he is, Xuan Che."
Perhaps it was merely someone very similar to Xuan Che in this Beast World.
Maybe she was mistaken.
Because when he looked at her, his gaze felt entirely unfamiliar.
Su Muyao adjusted her mood, but lost the desire to continue shopping, after buying a few items, they returned home.
Back home, Su Muyao began washing cabbages, then layered cabbage and salt in a thorough cleaned and sterilized vat to pickle them.
"When the sauerkraut is ready, many dishes can be made."
During winter, Su Muyao enjoyed eating sauerkraut.
Like sauerkraut buns, sauerkraut dumplings, or even sauerkraut fish.
Xiao Jihan used his superpower to craft a small stone mill and began grinding corn.
Given Xiao Jihan’s Level 6 Ice Ability, he accomplished tasks quickly.
Da Bao was also helping alongside.
After preparing the sauerkraut, Su Muyao started sowing soybeans in soil to sprout them.
While they were busy, snow heavily began to fall, with large flakes dancing in the northern wind.
The gate of Black Rock City was supposed to close at dusk, yet due to such heavy snowfall, the City Lord ordered an early closure.
Thus, throughout Snow Season, the gate remains shut.
Only when the Black Rock City’s large hunting team needs to hunt will it temporarily open.
Essentially, it no longer accepts outsider beastmen.
While working in the courtyard, Su Muyao heard beastmen passing by the gate, talking.
"Luckily we arrived just in time; any later, and we wouldn’t have made it through."
"Indeed, this year’s snow season came early."
"Thankfully we entered the city; we’re safe now."
"Though we must pay some Beast Crystal, safely passing Snow Season enables earning more Beast Crystal."
Listening to these words, Su Muyao’s expression changed, "So the gate’s closed."
"Yes, following Black Rock City’s rules, the gate remains shut all Snow Season."
Su Muyao recalled how imposing the gate was; seemingly carved from a giant stone, requiring several Level 5 Beastmen to open or close.
Su Muyao said, "Thankfully, we arrived yesterday."
Living inside the city brought safety and relaxation.
Outside in a mountain cave, one had to stay alert, unable to sleep soundly.
Now, even cooking won’t attract wild or Fierce Beasts.
In the evening, Xiao Jihan cooked, while Su Muyao prepared stewed chicken in an iron pot, with cornbread around the edge.
The lack of seasoning made the stew mildly flavorful.
Unbeknownst to them, their home emitted the aroma of their delicious cooking.
Neighbors could smell the tantalizing scent.
"How can food smell so good?"
"No idea, likely cooked with fire. It’s said there’s fire in Black Rock City; one can buy Fire Stone to kindle."
"No, we mustn’t misuse it, none of us can control fire, and it’s dangerous if mishandled."
"I wonder who our neighbors are; perhaps we could learn from them?"
...
Elsewhere
Xuan Yan returned to the City Lord Mansion, skipping dinner, feeling unfocused.
His heart ached subtly.