Chapter 118: Going Nowhere Without Fried Chicken

Wen Qian’s impression of Gu Mian was still stuck in their childhood: a small, soft little thing that could wrap around her arm.

"Really?" Wen Qian’s eyes lit up.

The man hummed a low assent, then leaned slightly toward her and fastened her seatbelt. The light in his eyes flickered, and his voice was a bit raspy. "It’s a little cramped in the car. Come to my room tonight."

Wen Qian was momentarily bewildered and didn’t react right away. ’A snake barely two fingers long... is that supposed to be a big deal?’

But she had no time to dwell on it, because a group of people had appeared outside the window.

"KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK." Someone rapped on the window.

Gu Mian calmly lowered the window a little and cast the person a questioning glance.

The man asked Gu Mian and Wen Qian for their IDs, and his expression softened after checking them. He returned their documents, adding a word of caution. "It’s very dangerous here. If you have no business here, you should leave at once... The alley has been cordoned off. Entry is prohibited."

"Mm." Gu Mian’s voice was as calm as ever. He started the car under the man’s watchful gaze.

"Aren’t we going to wait a bit longer?" Wen Qian asked him.

"There’s no need. Even if that thing does show up, we won’t be able to take it with us," Gu Mian said calmly.

People were lying in wait inside the alley, and the outside was surrounded several layers deep. There was no need for them to fight the officials for it.

Besides, they were clearly outnumbered.

"So now we..."

"We’re going home. I’ll turn into a snake for you."

"..."

Meanwhile, Chi Heng and Li Jiu had also arrived.

Parking the motorcycle by the side of the road, Chi Heng didn’t enter the first alley as they had originally planned. Instead, he chose the second one—a relatively busy alley that was full of blind spots.

Gu Mian had just sent a message to their temporary group chat that officials were lying in wait in the alley, so everyone had changed their plans on the fly.

As wanted Beastmen, they had to avoid the officials at all costs.

Aside from wanting to avoid a direct confrontation, it was more important that they not waste time in the same location.

The alley Chi Heng entered had once been a commercial street, but now its shops, large and small, were all closed. The lanterns hanging from the eaves were also going out one by one.

The little bird slipped out of his pocket, Li Jiu’s glossy black eyes filled with curiosity. He then flapped his wings and flew upward.

He landed silently on the eaves, observing the surroundings.

"Find anything?" the man asked after about five minutes.

The small bird flew down from the eaves, landed on his shoulder, and gently shook its head.

The surrounding light was dim, but it was more than enough for a Beastman. Aided by the streetlights, he could clearly make out his surroundings.

Although the scent of a Beastman lingered here, it was extremely faint... Clearly, it hadn’t been left today.

Giving a slight nod, Chi Heng said nothing more. He chose a hidden corner and began to observe everything in silence.

Shen Mqing and Ling Xuan weren’t so lucky.

Shen Mqing had always been flamboyant. The roar of his sports car’s engine drew a great deal of attention, and the moment he parked, everyone nearby couldn’t help but stop and stare.

Ling Xuan pulled his hat down, clearly wanting to avoid recognition.

He was always running errands for Yin Zhi. Before, what with helping Chi Ye and Shen Mqing, he had to make frequent trips to South City, so he was already on the authorities’ radar.

Therefore, Ling Xuan wouldn’t expose himself unless it was absolutely necessary.

Shen Mqing, in contrast, was far more casual. He hopped out of the car without a care in the world and made a beeline for the KFC next door. Ling Xuan thought he was seeing things. Only after confirming that the guy had *really* gone into the KFC did he dash after him.

’Seriously... what the hell is he even here for?!’

Thoroughly exasperated, but knowing Shen Mqing was the type who never listened, Ling Xuan could only wait silently by the entrance.

The two of them only headed for the alley after Shen Mqing emerged clutching a large bag of fried chicken.

The alley was long and dim, its path so narrow that only pedestrians and bicycles could pass.

At the end of the alley lay a commercial street, a stark contrast to the deserted narrow path they were on.

Unexpectedly, two people were already standing inside the alley. Ling Xuan couldn’t detect any Beastman scent from them, so he tentatively classified them as ordinary passersby.

Shen Mqing was still obliviously gnawing on his fried chicken. Only when he felt someone staring at him did he slowly raise his head.

’Seriously, why is everyone looking at me...’

The gazes of the two people opposite them were initially sharp, but their lips twitched the moment they saw Shen Mqing’s grease-smeared face.

They exchanged a glance, and the woman in the lead spoke up. "This area is cordoned off. If you have no business here, you should leave."

"Oh, okay." Shen Mqing was quick on the uptake. Hearing this, he immediately grabbed Ling Xuan and started to head back out.

However, they hadn’t taken two steps before something shot past overhead with a WHOOSH, then viciously attacked the person at the very back.

The sound of metal scraping against the wall was enough to make one’s skin crawl. Shen Mqing reacted first, yanking Ling Xuan aside.

The two of them quickly darted into the shadows. An instant later, the stench of blood assaulted their nostrils.

’Is this the thing we’re looking for...’ Ling Xuan frowned.

But before he could think further, the creature had already turned back, its target this time the woman who had just spoken to Shen Mqing.

It seized the woman by the neck, its grip leaving clear indentations.

Shen Mqing’s gaze traveled up its arm to its face, which was as pale as paper. Its teeth were sharp, its eyes nearly blood-red, and something unidentifiable was writhing at its collarbone...

A single glance made Shen Mqing’s skin crawl. He wanted to run, but then he remembered the mission Yin Zhi had given him and was instantly conflicted.

’This thing... I’m probably no match for it, am I?’

As he thought this, Shen Mqing couldn’t resist taking another look. ’This thing looks a lot like a Fuyi, but it’s way more ferocious... It couldn’t be an alien, could it?’

Sensing the young master beside him wasn’t much use at the moment, Ling Xuan ripped off his jacket and tossed it into Shen Mqing’s arms. Without further hesitation, he drew the dagger from his waist and darted forward.

In one smooth motion, he brutally plunged the dagger into the palm of the Mutated Bat Wings.

A bloody hole was gouged in its palm, and blood streamed out of it.

The Fuyi frowned. The hand gripping the woman’s throat tightened, its sharp nails instantly piercing her flesh...

As it siphoned a steady stream of blood from her body, its wound miraculously healed.

’That’s insane?!’

Shen Mqing was stunned. While the Fuyi on Blue Star could drink blood, they didn’t possess such powerful healing abilities.

And its wings... they looked as if they’d been forged from steel; every part of them looked completely indestructible.

As this thought crossed his mind, the young man’s gaze inadvertently fell on the first human the Fuyi had attacked.