Chapter 29: 029 Ears and Tail

It was as if everyone had crossed a barrier. Those violently surging emotions receded like a tide, leaving only the comfort basked in the warm afternoon sun.

People finally realized how long their bodies had been tense. Relaxing, a faint weariness surfaced.

In the livestream, Ming Ruan and the fluffballs had just finished eating. Former Council Speaker Xie Gewen, who had stirred up a tempest online, was docilely tilting his wolf head, letting Ming Ruan carefully clean his muzzle.

That is, wiping his mouth after a meal.

The gray wolf ate quickly but elegantly. Ming Ruan only wiped a few times, applied some special interstellar cleaning balm, rubbed it in, and the fur became clean and smooth again.

“All done, next!” Ming Ruan patted the gray wolf’s head. The gray wolf didn’t dodge, propping its head up to be patted, then moved away to lie down.

The next one obediently stepped forward. It was the little fox.

The fox was not as quiet as the gray wolf. Several times, when Ming Ruan lifted its head, it slyly dodged away.

Ming Ruan playfully tussled with it for a while, teasing the fox into squeaking barks using his more agile human form, then hugged this whimpering fox into his arms, squeezed and rubbed it, finally cleaning it while holding it close, and only then let the little fox go.

After being released, the little fox was somewhat reluctant to leave, sticking around, but Ming Ruan, a master of fairness, had already turned his attention to the white tiger.

Ming Ruan was about to call it over when he saw the white tiger lift a paw.

No need.

Su Yuyun made a gesture of refusal, then walked into the washroom to clean himself.

Although he needed more contact with Ming Ruan to maintain mental stability in his beast form, there were many ways to make contact. Having his mouth wiped was not within his acceptable range.

He didn’t know what Xie Gewen and Shi Huai were thinking.

Su Yuyun thought coldly.

However, what he thought was polite distance, in Ming Ruan’s eyes, was a handsome big cat lifting its paw, tempting him to commit a crime.

The paw pads were even pink!! Oh heavens!

Hugging the little fox, Ming Ruan sat primly on the sofa, ready to properly squeeze those big, thick paws once the white tiger came out.

Waiting, post-meal drowsiness washed over him. Ming Ruan, holding the fox in his arms, his head resting against the slowly rising and falling flank of the gray wolf, drifted off to sleep, lying on the sofa in a daze.

This left the livestream audience greatly shocked:

Was this top star, who fought anyone who crossed him, secretly snuggling? Was this Xie Gewen, who dominated the official sphere, the Council Speaker, carefully slowing his breath, letting someone use his belly as a pillow?

On StarNet, wave after furious wave centered on Ming Ruan was surging, countless people caught up in the drama!

Yet the center of the cyclone was peacefully, leisurely taking a nap.

People felt mixed emotions, yet also felt themselves becoming completely relaxed.

[Ah, so this is Ming Ruan’s livestream? Different from what I imagined.]

[This posture seems off, isn’t he seeming to sleep on both Shi Huai and Xie Gewen at once? Feels wrong.]

[New fan, right? It’s always been like this, sleeping with both. Even three at once before. doge]

[So relaxing. Love it.]

The netizens who charged in fervently were now all soft and limp.

As everyone chatted idly…

A large hand with distinct knuckles, clean and slender, suddenly entered the camera frame.

That hand reached towards Ming Ruan’s cheek, as if to brush away a strand of hair that had stuck to the corner of his lips, but paused just a hair’s breadth away.

The fingertips curled slightly.

Then finally reached forward, brushing the pesky strand away.

[Someone?? Who??]

[Who’s in Ming Ruan’s room? Is the sanatorium zone allowing others in?]

[Heard from my uncle that Executors can bring people in if they apply.]

That hand left the camera frame. A moment later, a soft blanket was carried by those hands and draped over Ming Ruan.

The fox was also gently lifted by the scruff of its neck from Ming Ruan’s arms and set aside.

The gray wolf quietly moved away, replaced by a soft pillow for Ming Ruan’s head.

The livestream buzzed with speculation once more over this scene!

Today, in this highly anticipated livestream room, the viewers were certainly not just ordinary gossip-mongering citizens.

In the silent hall, exquisite food was abandoned. People originally in formal attire, spinning in the dance area, were now frozen, standing or sitting. The atmosphere was stagnant. The only thing moving in the entire place were the livestream images on everyone’s Light Brains.

“Was that the Adjudicator?” Looking at the hand in the frame, a noble asked quietly.

No one answered.

Facing the stiff situation, the High Noble suppressed his anger, took a breath, and said slowly, “Ladies and gentlemen, please do not forget our original intention.”

“The sanatorium zone is key to beastification. We simply do not wish for those of us who carry noble blood to be pushed aside by those barbaric individuals—we want the position of the 12th District Executor to be filled by a more suitable person.”

“Secondly, regarding that Adjudicator who oversteps his bounds, tainted with noble blood, we wish to know definitive information on his beastification status, to better… formulate more suitable plans for this nation’s future.”

The High Noble stood, raising his glass: “We shall forgive the ignorance of the commoners and remain loyal to the path we have chosen, yes?”

This speech somewhat improved the atmosphere in the hall. A noble responded, “Of course, my Lord. So what shall we do next?”

“Perhaps we have overcomplicated things.” The High Noble sat back down gracefully, taking a small sip of wine. “We simply need to invite that Executor to be our guest, and I imagine many questions will be answered.”

The nobles’ eyes darted around, thoughtful.

This was a simple open scheme.

Everyone knew this “invitation” for Ming Ruan was likely a one-way trip.

If the Adjudicator stepped forward to prevent it, then his beastification status would be clear at a glance.

If he didn’t step forward, then using this opportunity to deal with Ming Ruan wasn’t a bad choice either.

Someone brought up: “Then, what about the Council’s official complaint…”

The High Noble sneered and shook his head.

An official complaint requires the complainant to appear in person.

Was Xie Gewen still considered a person now? Just a mentally unstable beast.

A beast, talking about filing official complaints?

Nobles, trained only in how to flatter their superiors, thought this was an absolutely flawless, brilliant plan. For a moment, the hall was filled with an atmosphere of glee.

Until a young female voice hesitantly spoke up: “But… if it means directly clashing with the Adjudicator, shouldn’t we wait for Mr. Clarence to decide?”

The air froze. The High Noble’s face fell.

The Clarence family, by the hierarchy the nobles liked to follow, was the most prestigious among this group. But its head and his wife were still outside the star system, searching for a way to reverse therianthropy for their only child, and hadn’t returned.

“Unnecessary.” The High Noble stood. “Timidity is hardly a fine quality, my Lady.”

And so, the matter was settled that simply.

The crowd dispersed.

The noblewoman who had just spoken rolled her eyes behind everyone’s backs: Ming Ruan must be hiding some big secret. With Duke Clarence away, how dare these people stir up trouble like this?

Besides, the Clarence family’s eldest son was also in the 12th District. She just had a feeling…

Ah, forget it. No point thinking about it. The lady opened Ming Ruan’s livestream on her ride back. Might as well decompress by watching Ruanruan!

…

When their own interests were at stake, the nobles’ efficiency was undeniable.

It happened very suddenly.

On an ordinary morning, Ming Ruan started his daily forest patrol as usual.

If there was anything special, it was that late last night, after giving a brief greeting, the gray wolf had left and hadn’t returned by morning.

So today’s patrol only included two fluffballs: the fox and the white tiger.

Everything seemed perfectly normal, until a certain point when Ming Ruan suddenly realized the little camera floating beside him had vanished.

“What’s wrong, hey?” Ming Ruan poked his Light Brain, wondering if interstellar space also had “no signal.”

The next moment, a small object flashing red light was thrown down from high above, landing beside Ming Ruan.

Ming Ruan didn’t recognize it, but Su Yuyun and Shi Huai saw it clearly—this was a Light Brain Jammer.

Right then, a faint layer of blue light shimmered in the seemingly empty sky, and then a gigantic flying sedan, blotting out the sky, suddenly appeared in mid-air. The shadow it cast completely engulfed Ming Ruan!

Just like in some Earth sci-fi film, four entities, humanoid yet mechanical, dropped directly from the sky. Landing on bent knees, they straightened up. With a flick of their light mech’s hand, a long blade of light instantly appeared in their grasp.

They walked over, swords drawn, the light blades leaving long, scorched black trails on the ground.

It all happened so suddenly. The moment Ming Ruan saw the massive flying sedan in the sky, he had already activated his Executor protective shield, stepping forward to stand in front of the fox and white tiger, his hands behind his back pushing them, signaling them to quickly get on the flying sedan.

The four mechas completely surrounded Ming Ruan. One of them spoke: “Lord Executor, we mean no harm. We simply wish to invite you for a chat. Please, come with us.”

What was this? An interstellar kidnapping?

Ming Ruan’s head was full of question marks.

But he knew, with this show of force, he definitely couldn’t resist.

“No problem.” Ming Ruan spread his hands, showing he was harmless, even voluntarily taking a few steps forward, innocently adding, “We can go right now.”

The next second, Ming Ruan felt something pat his waist, neither too hard nor too soft.

It was the white tiger’s tail!

Damn.

Ming Ruan had been so proactive precisely hoping the people in front would forget the white tiger and fox’s existence. Who knew this usually smart fluffball would fail to cooperate at this crucial moment!

A scoff seemed to come from the opposing light mech.

“Of course, Lord Executor. But before we leave, they need to be dealt with as well.”

The mecha raised its arm, which was equipped with an emitter. It clenched its fist. Space seemed to warp, with ripples spreading out from its hand as the origin.

The next moment, the little fox suddenly let out a muffled groan, collapsing to the ground, suppressing painful cries.

On the other side, the white tiger’s claws shot out, carving deep marks into the earth. Its golden eyes were abruptly tinged with a ring of red.

The Beastman Disruptor. It could temporarily render a beastman completely incapacitated—a device those nobles had secretly developed.

The old nobility was indeed arrogant. They acted blatantly, calculating that the other factions wouldn’t easily break the current official balance just for a minor Executor.

They were like insatiable wild beasts, baring their fangs, flamboyantly testing the others’ limits.

But they had miscalculated.

Su Yuyun closed his eyes. His form began to change.

In all their plans, they had completely failed to account for Ming Ruan’s ability and value!

And at this moment, the mecha was looking at Ming Ruan opposite him with some surprise.

The clearly conscious and normal 12th District Executor, the instant the disrupter activated, suddenly swayed unsteadily as if unable to stand, and collapsed softly.

This…? An accident? Theoretically, the Beastman Disruptor should only work on beastmen. The mecha froze on the spot.

But the scenes that followed pushed him from shock into an abyss of disbelief and panic!

Just as Ming Ruan was about to hit the ground, a pair of hands clad in black gloves caught his shoulders, slowly lowering him.

Only then did the mecha realize the white tiger had vanished, replaced by that tall figure no one in the star system would ever mistake.

“Adjudicator, Su Yuyun…” The mecha instinctively stepped back half a pace, subconsciously raising the light sword before him in defense.

How could this be!

So the white tiger was Su Yuyun. They had confirmed it.

The Adjudicator was indeed beastified.

But how could this be!

Why did he suddenly turn back into human form at this moment! How did he do it! Why, why would he take the initiative to expose himself!

But the shocking facts were not over yet.

The little fox, lying prone to the side, saw Ming Ruan collapse and its pupils constricted!

In that instant, Shi Huai felt an infinite surge of emotion well up in his heart: unwillingness, powerlessness, fury…

His heart, like a volcano sealed shut at the bottom of the sea, began to gurgle with scorching magma, surging upwards with unstoppable force! Finally, a strange power broke through all blockades, flowing through every part of his body in a split second.

The little fox on the ground vanished, replaced by a young man with large fox ears atop his head and a fox tail dragging behind him.

Reverse Therianthropy. He underwent Reverse Therianthropy too!

The mecha felt countless sharp roars blasting inside his head. His mind was a tangled mess, trembling, unable to process the situation.

This was huge. Report to superiors. Yes, must report to the noble lords immediately!

However, before the mecha could react any further, Su Yuyun’s single-shoulder cape, symbolizing supreme honor, fluttered lightly. He stepped forward in his black military boots, closing in.

As he walked, Su Yuyun extended his right arm to the side. Golden light surged, and a thin layer of mecha shell covered every vital point on his body.

With a backhand motion, he pulled a weapon resembling a longsword from thin air.

This was Su Yuyun’s light mecha combat form! No interstellar citizen could fail to remember those combat maneuvers, the pinnacle of human operation, that lone warrior charging deep into enemy lines to behead the Alien Clan leader!

Now, that lethal edge was reflected in the mecha’s eyes, making his heart tremble.

Was all this necessary? Just for one Executor…

At a certain moment, Su Yuyun planted his foot heavily and stomped, his whole body leaping up like a wild goose! Behind him, that long white tiger tail granted him maneuvers even more refined than before.

Closing in, dodging the oncoming attack, twisting his body, the blade light slashed down!

Dispatch with a single strike!

Above, in the heavy flying sedan, the High Noble watching the situation below had a heart pounding wildly. He was drenched in a cold sweat, as if just fished out of water.

He sat back down, trembling, and opened his Light Brain to try and sort out his chaotic thoughts.

But with just a single glance, he saw today’s hottest headline:

#Beastman Research Institute Issues Statement: Ming Ruan May Possess Reverse Therianthropy Ability! [Explosive]#

#Former Council Speaker Attends Testimony, Has Recovered Human Form!! [Hot↑]#

#Ming Ruan Livestream Unexpectedly Interrupted, Possibly in Danger! [Hot↑]#

It was over. It was over.

The High Noble’s mind went blank.

Simultaneously, Ming Ruan, who had been inexplicably knocked unconscious by the Beastman Disruptor, slowly opened his eyes.

Propping himself up with his hand, he touched a warm palm.

“Hey, don’t move around.” By his ear, an unfamiliar young man’s slightly magnetic, slightly hoarse, pleasant voice sounded.

Ming Ruan was stunned for a moment, abruptly sat up, and looked behind him.

It was a young man with fox ears atop his head. Under Ming Ruan’s direct gaze, the fox-eared youth’s ears involuntarily twisted back, a slight hint of unease showing.

Turning his head again, in the distance, a familiar figure was dispersing the light armor on his body.

It was the boss.

Seems like he was rescued.

Ming Ruan was slightly relieved.

But on top of the boss’s head and behind him… those were…

Tiger ears and a tail…?