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Xiao Jinyan rode at a slow pace because there were many wild pigeons in the forest, and soon he arrived at their frequent haunt.

Reaching the area where wild pigeons often appeared, Xiao Jinyan tightened the reins, stopped the horse, drew an arrow, and aimed at his target, ready to shoot.

Suddenly, he aimed at a tree not far away, and released the arrow.

The arrow shot forward at high speed when a hand suddenly extended from behind the tree, catching the arrow firmly with just two fingers.

Xiao Jinyan watched coldly as a masked figure emerged from behind the tree. Ever since he left the tent, he had vaguely sensed someone following him. The pursuer had extremely high kung fu skills and was adept at concealing their presence.

"Who are you to dare trespass the Imperial Family’s hunting grounds?"

The masked figure glanced at the arrow in his hand and flung it toward the tree behind him, where it stuck firmly into the trunk.

He seemed to approach slowly, but in a mere instant, stood in front of Xiao Jinyan.

Xiao Jinyan was amazed by the masked figure’s speed, which indicated a level of kung fu beyond his imagination.

The masked figure spoke in a low voice, "Who I am is not important. I only want to know how Xuetuan ended up in your possession."

At the mention of Xuetuan, a flicker of confusion crossed Xiao Jinyan’s eyes. Why would the masked figure inquire about Xuetuan?

"Xuetuan is my pet. What does it have to do with you?"

"Liar!" The masked figure’s gaze turned icy as he plucked a few leaves from a tree and shot them at Xiao Jinyan.

These ordinary leaves now seemed like hidden weapons, carrying an invisible force.

Xiao Jinyan, already on alert for an attack from the masked figure, swiftly drew his sword and "swooshed" through the air, knocking the approaching leaves to the ground.

The masked figure did not relent; he drew a flexible sword from his waist and thrust it at Xiao Jinyan.

After a few exchanges, Xiao Jinyan was gradually pushed back. The masked figure’s kung fu was too superior.

Struck by a palm blow from the masked figure, Xiao Jinyan stumbled back several steps, a sickly sweetness rising in his throat, which he fought to keep from vomiting.

It felt as though his internal organs had shifted, causing unbearable pain.

The masked figure pointed his sword at Xiao Jinyan, "Why do you have Xuetuan? Where have you taken Feng Wuyou?"

Xiao Jinyan countered coldly, "Xuetuan was raised by me. Why are you so insistent on this? I also don’t know anything about Feng Wuyou."

Hearing this, the masked figure became even angrier. "Are you saying you don’t know Feng Wuyou?" He gripped his flexible sword and stabbed at Xiao Jinyan once more.

Xiao Jinyan, bracing himself against the tree, stood upright and raised his sword to meet the attack.

Meanwhile, in the tent, Shen Chuwei looked down at the little tiger cub beside her. As the future king of the forest, it was very timid as a cub, scared stiff by the unfamiliar surroundings, unfamiliar scents, and Xuetuan’s arched back and bared teeth.

Xuetuan moved closer to sniff. Despite its small size, the future king of the forest still emitted the scent of a beast.

Xuetuan raised a paw to swipe at the tiger cub, "Meow."

Frightened, the tiger cub turned and burrowed into Shen Chuwei’s embrace, its butt facing Xuetuan, shivering.

Shen Chuwei looked at the shivering tiger cub and then at Xuetuan, who was ferocious.

"Xuetuan, you must not bully the smaller ones," she said.

Xuetuan retracted its paw and looked at Shen Chuwei with its deep blue eyes, innocently meowing, "Meow."

Shen Chuwei picked up the little tiger cub, which tucked its fluffy little head and timidly stared at her.

"The tiger cub is quite adorable when it’s young."

"Meow," Xuetuan cried out a bit louder, then turned and leaped off the bed to run outside.

Shen Chuwei was left in disarray, looking at the tiger cub’s innocent eyes. Could it be that Xuetuan was jealous?

After a moment’s hesitation, she put the tiger cub in its pen and lifted her skirt to chase after Xuetuan.

She saw Xuetuan running toward the forest from afar.

Shen Chuwei was nearly in tears. Why did it have to run? She really didn’t feel like moving, but seeing Xuetuan dash into the forest, she had no choice but to follow—losing Xuetuan would break her heart.

Tucking her skirt into her waistband, Shen Chuwei started to run quickly.

The deeper she went into the forest, the more she felt the cool shade under the canopy.

In her entire life, Shen Chuwei had never run so far in one go, and just as she was about to wear out, she heard the sounds of combat.

She stopped, following the noise, and saw two figures in the forest.

She immediately recognized one of them as Xiao Jinyan, and the other, the masked figure, seemed to be the one who had held Xuetuan earlier that day.

Could it be that the masked figure was an Assassin sent to kill Xiao Jinyan?

Considering this possibility, Shen Chuwei stealthily approached and took out the laxative she hadn’t had the chance to use today. She had thought it would go to waste, but now it seemed the laxative was fated for the masked figure to use.