"Wenwu, remember this. Next time, I won’t let you off so easily."

Amia’s way of addressing Wenwu had shifted completely. A faint flush still lingered on her cheeks as she released him from restraint, vanishing into the distance with a few swift flashes.

"Master, you’re still as ‘full of energy’ as ever," Mountain said, twisting his body awkwardly beside him.

Wenwu couldn’t help but shiver involuntarily at the sight.

"Master! Master!"

Wenwu heard Silver’s voice from afar. Glancing over, he saw Silver sprinting toward him.

In moments, Silver stood before Wenwu. "Master, how are you? Are you okay?"

"I’m fine. Not dead yet."

"Hey there, little Silver. Long time no see," Mountain called out.

"Uh… h-hello… long time no see, Uncle Mountain," Silver stammered.

Upon seeing Mountain, Silver reacted just like Wenwu—shivering involuntarily.

"Little Silver, how many times must I say it? Call me Mountain, sis-ter!" Mountain feigned anger.

Silver opened his mouth but couldn’t bring himself to say it.

Wenwu realized Mountain’s overwhelming aura was inflicting unseen distress on everyone nearby.

"Mountain, it’s fine now. You can head back."

"Got it. But Master, mind that wound of yours."

Huh? Wound? Wenwu had forgotten it entirely until now.

The instant Mountain disappeared, blood gushed from the wound on Wenwu’s thigh.

"Ah!" Silver screamed, startled by the sudden spray.

"Stop screaming! Where’s the medicine Fiona gave you?" Wenwu clutched his wound. He hadn’t realized Mountain meant the bleeding would resume once his power faded—earlier, it had only been temporarily sealed.

Flustered by the abruptness, Silver fumbled but managed to bandage it.

"Silver, how did you find me?" Wenwu asked, curious.

"Thanks to that one." Silver pointed to Bai nearby.

"Huh? Bai? You’re actually traveling with her?" Wenwu couldn’t fathom the courage it took for Silver to cooperate with someone who wanted to eat him.

"When you vanished, Master, I panicked. I didn’t know where you’d been sent. Then she showed up, claiming she could track your scent. I hated trusting her, but for you… I had no choice. And it worked."

Wenwu pictured Silver’s tense journey, constantly on guard against Bai. Seeing Silver’s genuine worry warmed him—in this world of betrayals, having one loyal servant meant everything.

Still, Bai tracking him by scent? Truly a glutton’s expert skill.

"By the way, why didn’t you ride horses?"

"Huh? Horses? Oh right—we have horses…"

Wenwu didn’t need to ask further. Their newly bought horses were definitely forgotten in Sor City.

"Silver, where are we now?" Wenwu needed to plan ahead.

"We’ve left Sor City. Keep going, and we’ll hit a canyon. Cross it, and we’re out of the Bansfaser Empire."

"How far?"

"Well… I’m not sure."

Flying across with Jade Star would be easy. The real issue was walking without horses—it’d take ages to reach the canyon.

"I’m hungry," Bai muttered beside them.

Wenwu wrestled internally. Must he keep this glutton? Abandoning her here meant starvation—but she’d helped Silver once. Leaving her felt wrong. He’d tolerate her for now, ditching this burden when the chance arose.

Meanwhile, the Four Spirit Guards escorted the shaken Felis back to Sor City. Duke Alessandro breathed a sigh of relief. Felis later explained everything, clearing the misunderstanding. Harvey’s father, reasonable as he was, called off the engagement, blaming it on childish tantrums.

On their journey out of the Bansfaser Empire, roles were clear: Bai sniffed out game, Wenwu caught it, and Silver cooked. With Jade Star’s speed and Mountain’s earth-wall traps, hunting was effortless.

After days of travel, they finally reached the canyon Silver described.

"Jade Star, can you carry two across safely?" Wenwu asked cautiously. A mid-air fall would be disastrous.

"No problem, my master."

Assured, Wenwu scooped up Silver and Bai, leaping across the chasm.

"Boom!"

No sooner had he landed than a distant explosion shook the ground. Dust billowed far away.

"Let’s check it out." Free from the Bansfaser Empire’s reach, Wenwu could investigate without fear.

Explosions continued as he hurried closer. For safety, he stopped at a medium distance—getting hit by stray fire while sightseeing wasn’t worth it.

"Boom!"

Another blast. Dust settled slowly, revealing the fighters: a man and a woman. But behind her… an entire army stood ready.

"It’s her."