Is it because love rivals see red when they meet, leading to a fight where they ended up killing each other?
Dullard’s little eyes rolled mischievously as he concocted a melodramatic story in his head—one where both sides suffered a crushing defeat.
“Brother Dullard, what are you looking at?” Liuli blinked her big eyes, puzzled.
“Shh!” Dullard turned and made a silencing gesture before stealthily peeking through the door crack under Liuli’s confused gaze.
The outer room was empty…
“Wait here, I’ll go in and take a look!” Dullard turned to Liuli, then with a flash, transformed into his original form and slipped into Jinlin’s room.
The reason he dared to barge in so boldly was that he was certain Jinlin wouldn’t do anything to him even if he got caught!
As for why he didn’t bring Liuli along—it was because the little fox would just get in the way.
Bringing that little fool inside would only make them more likely to be discovered.
Though being caught wasn’t a big deal, they had been sent by their master to gather intel discreetly. It was best to avoid detection if possible!
Dullard quietly sneaked inside. The outer room seemed empty, but he instinctively looked up at the ceiling beam.
Shuiliu was perched there, feigning sleep.
Jinlin’s residence had three rooms—a main hall upon entry, with a bedroom on each side, east and west.
Originally, Shuiliu and Jinlin each occupied one.
Now that Shuiliu was keeping watch from the ceiling beam in the outer room, his own quarters must have been vacated.
But between the two rooms, which one should he check first?
Dullard’s little eyes rolled again, and he quickly made up his mind.
Since that idiot Shuiliu definitely wouldn’t notice him, he might as well peek into both rooms.
As long as he confirmed Jinlin and Feng Zihuang were alive and not trying to kill each other, he could report back to his master!
With his plan set, Dullard quietly crawled toward the eastern room, poking his head through a door crack.
Inside, several fist-sized luminous pearls illuminated the room as bright as day.
Jinlin sat at a table, holding a book—though whether he was reading or just lost in thought was unclear.
Nothing unusual here. Dullard turned and stealthily made his way to the western room, peeking through another crack.
This room also had two luminous pearls, but Feng Zihuang seemed to have already gone to bed.
Looks like these two love rivals were coexisting peacefully…
Dullard curled his lip and quietly retreated. Since they hadn’t fought, he could report back to his master and reassure him.
“Mmm…” A pained, muffled groan suddenly came from Feng Zihuang’s room.
At the same time, Jinlin’s teasing voice rang out. “What are you looking at?”
Dullard jolted in alarm.
Oh no! He’d been caught!
Jinlin smirked coldly at Dullard, who had reverted to his original form—half his body inside Feng Zihuang’s room, half his tail still outside.
He bent down, reaching for Dullard’s tail.
Sensing the movement, Dullard instinctively lunged forward, darting entirely into Feng Zihuang’s room.
“Phoenix King.”
The moment Dullard entered, Shuiliu’s polite voice sounded from outside. “A foolish member of my clan has mistakenly entered your quarters. I beg your forgiveness. May I enter and retrieve him?”
As Shuiliu spoke, Dullard sighed inwardly.
Great. He was completely exposed! His round little eyes fixed on the bed in the room, waiting for Feng Zihuang to rise—and then…
Dullard had no idea what would happen next.
Outside, Shuiliu also waited for Feng Zihuang’s response.
But after a while…
Silence.
The room remained eerily quiet, as if no one was inside at all.
“Phoenix King? Are you there?” Shuiliu finally couldn’t help but ask again.
Inside, Dullard sensed something was wrong.
He could clearly see Feng Zihuang lying on the bed, still in his crimson robes, the red fabric spread across the entire bed…
Yet, Feng Zihuang hadn’t reacted to his intrusion, nor to Shuiliu’s repeated calls.
Was Feng Zihuang just a heavy sleeper?
Dullard tilted his head. Someone of Feng Zihuang’s skill should wake at the slightest disturbance, ready for battle at any moment!
Something was definitely off. Dullard transformed into human form and cautiously approached the bed.
A few steps later, he reached the bedside—and nearly jumped in fright at the sight before him!
Outside, Shuiliu and Jinlin exchanged glances. Hearing no response, they assumed Feng Zihuang had left.
“Master, I’ll go in and drag that brat Dullard out!” Since Feng Zihuang wasn’t here, Shuiliu saw no need for formalities.
He raised a hand, ready to push the door open.
Jinlin didn’t object, simply turning to leave.
If Feng Zihuang wasn’t in his room at this hour, he was probably off harassing Xuexue. Unacceptable! He had to go ruin that bastard’s plans!
“Ah!”
“Wh-what’s going on?!” Just as Jinlin reached the door, Shuiliu’s shocked cry came from inside.
“How should I know?!” Dullard’s voice was equally panicked.
Footsteps rushed toward him, and soon Shuiliu stood before Jinlin, face grim.
“Your Majesty, the Phoenix King is in trouble!”
Jinlin’s expression darkened as he strode into Feng Zihuang’s room.
There, Feng Zihuang lay motionless on the bed, his face a ghastly shade of blue-purple.
Gone was his usual handsome, devil-may-care demeanor—now he looked utterly terrifying!
Even though Jinlin despised him, the sight still made him suck in a sharp breath.
His scrutinizing gaze turned to Dullard, the first to enter. “What happened?!”
“I don’t know!” Dullard shook his head frantically. “I came in and he didn’t react at all. When I checked, he was like this!
He… seems poisoned!”
“Shuiliu, summon the Grandmaster!” Jinlin ordered grimly, stepping forward to examine Feng Zihuang.
No matter how much he disliked Feng Zihuang, the man’s status was undeniable.
He was the Phoenix King of the Avian Clan!
If anything happened to him in Luoyun Mountain, the Avians would never let it slide.
The Aquatic Clan wasn’t afraid of them, but Jinlin had no intention of taking the blame!
He had no idea how Feng Zihuang had ended up like this, but for now, saving him was the priority.
Shuiliu rushed off, while outside, Liuli—upon hearing the news—immediately ran back to inform Yun Qingxue!
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