"The three-year deadline has arrived!"
A resounding shout echoed. Outside the cave, a group of wolf demons—already capable of roughly human form—immediately knelt in unison.
Every member of the Yaoguai Clan held their breath. Their leader, the Wolf King, had finally broken through to the Fifth Realm after three years of secluded cultivation, ascending into the ranks of Great Demons!
Amid the wolves' long howls, a violent gust surged from the cave. Within the shadowy entrance, a pair of emerald-green eyes glowed. Then, a towering, muscular figure emerged, his massive frame nearly blocking the entire opening.
"Hail the Wolf King!"
The wolf demons bowed their heads, voices rising in reverence.
As the Wolf King stepped forth, the surrounding demons trembled uncontrollably. Only after the giant figure gave a slight wave did the kneeling wolves dare to rise.
"Congratulations, Wolf King," a gray rat demon popped out from the side, beaming with a human-like grin. "The Cult Master also sent me to deliver his regards."
"What is it?" The Wolf King frowned slightly.
This gray rat was a double agent between the Yaoguai Clan and the human empire—but his true allegiance lay deeper. A member of the Pantheon Cult, he served as a direct liaison to its leader.
Though the Wolf King also belonged to the Cult, this rat demon remained far more enigmatic.
"Hehe, nothing major," the rat chuckled, hopping onto a nearby boulder and leaning close. "Since you're nearby, the Cult Master assigned you a task."
"Recently, the Yaoguai Empress seems to have taken interest in a human within the Eastern Empire. She even went personally. With tensions simmering between our factions, this is the perfect chance to stir chaos—and reap the rewards."
"Just... kill a human?" The Wolf King's brow furrowed. "What human warrants her attention?"
"Merely a common doctor who treats patients and sells medicine," the rat whispered. "But from what I've observed... the Fox Empress seems rather fond of him."
"Hah?! The mighty Yaoguai Empress developing feelings for a *human*?!" The Wolf King's expression tightened.
Fellow canines... why pine for another species? Truly, enough to make any wolf demon green with envy.
The Fox Empress—wealthy, sovereign, breathtakingly beautiful. The ultimate meal ticket. The Wolf King had once dreamed of earning even a glance from her throne.
Though aligned against her through the Pantheon Cult, as a male creature, his heart soured as if he'd swallowed a whole crate of lemons.
"Since it's the Cult Master's order... I'll investigate," the Wolf King said.
"Perfect," the rat grinned. "Your assassination skills—silent, unseen, even against stronger foes—are unmatched. This task is foolproof."
...
Lu Feng kept his usual routine: wake up, open the door, then hole up gaming and petting his cat. With zero customers, why not enjoy the downtime?
Lately, though, something changed. At every mealtime, a gentle knock came, followed by steaming, fragrant dishes.
"Good afternoon."
Sisha stood at the door, food box in hand, smiling warmly.
"You really don't need to do this. I can cook," Lu Feng scratched his head but accepted the box anyway. The aroma was irresistible.
He ushered her in. Lu Feng, Yuzi, and Sisha settled around the table—sharing meals like this for days now.
Sisha had rented a place nearby. She checked on him daily, arrived punctually for meals, and cooked dishes perfectly tailored to his tastes—even his health-conscious preferences.
She showed zero surprise at Yuzi's appearance. *Truly well-traveled,* Lu Feng mused. *To the upper class, a cat-turned-human must be commonplace.*
Beautiful, wealthy, cultured, skilled in cooking and care—she was practically flawless.
Still, Lu Feng suspected a painful past: chasing love across continents, only to find betrayal. A shattered heart seeking temporary solace. And him? A convenient anchor.
*Poor girl.* He sighed inwardly. *Fine. I'll... temporarily fill that void in your heart.*
*(And save on meal costs.)*
"This meal ticket is delicious," he murmured, praising her cooking. For a heiress who could buy a high-end restaurant on a whim, such culinary skill was rare indeed.
"Mr. Lu Feng," Sisha set down her chopsticks carefully, "may I take something from the fridge?"
"Go ahead," he mumbled through a mouthful.
The fridge brimmed with supplies—meats, veggies, fruits. A homebody's paradise.
Lu Feng adored her meals; Sisha adored his "otaku snacks." At first he was puzzled, then realized: a pampered young lady would find instant noodles and canned goods... intriguing.
Sisha padded softly to the fridge and opened the door.
Inside lay strange roots and meat chunks:
Demon beast meat studded with blinking, rolling eyes.
Herbal roots glowing faint gold.
Eggs holding tiny demon hatchlings writhing in murky liquid.
...
Sisha swallowed hard. She took a piece of meat, deliberately avoiding its gaze, sliced it carefully on the board, and dropped the strips into a boiling pot.
