Zi Ye clenched her fists and roared at him, "Don't tell me you forgot! We agreed you'd get a Jihu Gallbladder for that pervert, or you spit out the Seven-Colored Rose you ate!"

Tang Wen wore an expression of pure innocence. "Where does one even hunt a Jihu?"

Hmph, good thing you didn't forget, or I’d beat you till your teeth were scattered across the floor!

Zi Ye swung her fist and hopped back onto the airship. "Follow me."

Tang Wen was compliant, abandoning his own vessel to board Zi Ye's airship. However, as soon as he stepped aboard, he noticed things beneath his feet. He looked down: a prisoner-of-war knife, an Aurora Sword, a Buzz Grenade Launcher, assault grenades, a Vulcan machine gun... the list went on.

"Need all this to hunt a Jihu? This looks more like a setup for robbery and murder."

Zi Ye cast him a sidelong glance. "You'll understand when you see a Jihu."

A Jihu was, in fact, a Ziheng Tiger, the overlord of this planet before the settlers arrived. Even now, they remained the undisputed masters of the forest.

Back in the day, even Old Dog, the top Jihu hunter, needed a good week—sometimes a whole month—to take down just one. Zi Ye had never forgotten the time he was mauled by a Jihu and came running to that pervert for treatment.

She hadn't been confident she could hunt one herself, which was why she had made Tang Wen promise.

Now, it seemed Tang Wen might be even less capable than her!

A faint melancholy settled over Zi Ye. Robots would be available for purchase three days after the sprout bloomed. If she failed to hunt one in these next two days... She shook her head, banishing the thought of failure, then gripped Tang Wen's arm fiercely. "No matter what, you have to get that gall bladder, or don't even think about coming down here with me again!"

Tang Wen.

The best forest for finding the most potent Jihu Gallbladders was near Old Dog’s old residence.

The journey there was desolate. Silver Rune Star, already sparsely populated, had grown even emptier as many people had left.

Truthfully, on the other hemisphere of Silver Rune Star, many vicious criminals remained imprisoned. In the planet's history, there had been two great wars that ended in mutual devastation.

A peace treaty was later signed, establishing a strict boundary: never the twain shall meet.

Consequently, Zi Ye had conveniently dismissed the residents of that entire hemisphere.

She couldn't travel that far anyway.

But something had felt off all day.

The usual wild beasts were nowhere to be seen; they typically roamed everywhere.

Feeling uneasy, Zi Ye picked up the micro-submachine gun at her feet and began assembling it.

The submachine gun had the effect of paralyzing creatures and carried a small chance of killing biological enemies—a great asset for hunting Jihu.

Her petite frame and fair, delicate face, paired with eyes that shone like dark pearls as she gazed into the forest, created a jarring image while holding a submachine gun.

Tang Wen bent down, picked up the most elegant weapon among the pile—the Aurora Sword—and held it in his hand. He stepped off the airship first, looking back at Zi Ye with a slight smile. "Follow right behind me."

Zi Ye was startled by his refined demeanor.

Was this an attempt to protect her?

While it was true that whoever’s turf it was got the final say, she had been in charge for so long; letting him take the lead this once wouldn't hurt.

But still, would anyone go hunting tigers in a primeval forest wearing a business suit and gloves? This looked more like the posture for attending a grand banquet! —She completely forgot that the reason he wore the suit was because she hadn't been able to provide him with any other clothes.

Worried, she tugged on the corner of Tang Wen’s suit. "Are you sure about this? If a tiger shows up, are you going to abandon me and run?"

Tang Wen’s usually pristine face clouded over, and his tone turned frigid. "You try me."

Zi Ye stuck out her tongue and let him lead, staying close behind.

His frame was slightly slender, but his back was ramrod straight, his every movement radiating an unmistakable elegance. Even the Aurora Sword looked like a luxurious accessory in his grasp. While being protected felt nice, could he truly guard her?

Zi Ye considered it, deciding to stay highly alert herself. If Tang Wen couldn't hold his own, she’d step in. Of course, deep down, she knew that if Tang Wen faltered, her own mediocre skills would only result in repeated deaths against a Jihu.

Entering the forest, Tang Wen moved through the undergrowth as if strolling in a garden, while Zi Ye stumbled along behind him, occasionally snagged by thorns or tripped by vines.

The difference between them was stark. The little sprout couldn't help but grumble, "Silly little Zi Ye, why does it feel like everyone is smarter than you?"

Zi Ye: ...

The little sprout perched on her shoulder, staring at Tang Wen’s retreating back. "Look, look! Every step he takes seems precisely calculated. It feels like... yes, like the pilot of a Platinum-class mecha. Seriously, just watching him walk is a pleasure to behold!"

Zi Ye had been shocked when she first learned he was a Platinum-class mecha owner, but upon reflection, it felt inevitable. What puzzled her was the little sprout’s sudden change in attitude. "Didn't you like aliens? When did you switch sides?"

The little sprout zoomed in front of her face and made a face. "Who told the aliens to never show up! I’m almost forgetting what he looks like!"

Zi Ye realized that prolonged absence affected even the interface with a photonic computer.

Distracted by her chat with the little sprout, Zi Ye failed to notice Tang Wen stop and nearly collided with his back. She braked abruptly. "What is it?"

Tang Wen's expression was serious. "Signs of large animal movement."

That single sentence successfully chased away all of Zi Ye’s scattered thoughts. She steadied herself, looking at the paw prints and disturbances in the bushes. She pointed to the right. "I remember there’s a small stream that way; many animals go there to drink. And over here..."

"Probably the lair," Tang Wen finished the sentence, turning toward the direction of the lair without hesitation, efficient and decisive.

Zi Ye was taken aback. "Weren't we supposed to ambush them halfway, striking a fatal blow when they went for water?"

Tang Wen replied faintly, "Waiting for the rabbit is too troublesome. Striking directly at the tiger’s den will be faster."

That was too ruthless!

Zi Ye gasped. This method of operation was simpler and cruder than Red Hair’s approach!

Of course, the critical issue was whether Tang Wen possessed the capability to face a tiger pack? She glanced left and right, doubting he had the necessary prowess. If he were piloting a mecha, she would be a hundred percent at ease.

But this was a primeval forest; mechas couldn't enter!

Zi Ye’s judgment of people was quite primal: those with thick skin and strong bodies could generally fight, like An Junlie. Those with thin arms and spindly legs usually got beaten, like Li Chunyu.

Tang Wen wasn't as frail as Li Chunyu, but unfortunately, Zi Ye categorized him in the same group.

At that moment, she firmly tugged on Tang Wen. "We only need one gall bladder; there’s no need to take such a huge risk."

Tang Wen turned back and looked at her twice. "Fine. You wait here; I'll be right back."

Zi Ye helplessly massaged her forehead. "Forget it, I’ll go with you."

If she waited outside and he didn't emerge after a long time, she’d probably assume the Jihu had torn him to pieces...

The two did not follow the animal trails directly but instead walked about five meters parallel to the established paths. Tang Wen maintained his composure and ease, while the little sprout zipped happily above his head as if on vacation.

Zi Ye regretted to find that she was the only one in their party feeling tense.

This miserable world.

However, after walking for a while, she suddenly noticed something amiss and whispered, "Teacher, look, something seems wrong."

Tang Wen replied, "Mmm. Be careful. There are traces of human activity nearby."

Zi Ye secretly grew alert.

They were now deep within the rarely trod part of the forest. The mist was thick, and the occasional roar of a distant beast sent a tremor through the soul.

This forest used to be Old Dog’s exclusive domain; no one entered except him. Why, not long after Old Dog left, were outsiders encroaching? And they were deep inside, more than one of them.

Zi Ye gripped her gun tightly. "What should we do?"

Tang Wen remained silent, merely signaling her to proceed cautiously.

They lightened their steps and crept forward.

The deeper they went, the more obvious the Jihu’s tracks became. Zi Ye knew they were nearing the lair, but simultaneously, the signs of human movement were also growing clearer.

If nothing unexpected happened, it was likely a group of humans heading straight for the tiger's den.

As she pondered this, Tang Wen suddenly spun around, pressed down on her head, and crouched low.

Zi Ye felt suffocated, pushing his hand away, about to speak, when she suddenly saw moving figures not far ahead. Their silhouettes were tall, and they wore purple camouflage that blended almost seamlessly with the undergrowth.

She looked at Tang Wen with a puzzled expression. Tang Wen was perfectly calm and whispered softly, "Don't make a sound. Once they hunt the Jihu Gallbladder, we'll take it from them—black eats black."

Zi Ye wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead, her admiration for Tang Wen soaring to a new height.

Indeed, Tang Wen’s way of thinking was unconventional.

The two crouched silently for a moment, then saw two figures in camouflage creep forward about twenty meters away, carrying specialized hunting rifles.

"There are no people like this on Silver Rune Star!" Zi Ye muttered quietly by Tang Wen's ear. "They seem prepared."

Tang Wen gently placed his index finger over her lips, speaking in a breathy whisper. "Silence."

Zi Ye glared at him in dissatisfaction. He silently withdrew his hand and drew the Aurora Sword. Zi Ye thought he was just being cautious, but unexpectedly, the instant the two came closest, he suddenly sprang up, kicking one down with lightning speed, spun halfway around pressed against the other's back, and the Aurora Sword kissed the man's neck. "Drop your weapon."

The second man, knocked down by the kick, immediately jumped up and pointed his gun at Tang Wen, but with a hostage in hand, he dared not act rashly. Zi Ye was stunned.

What terrifying ambush skill! It was practically three parts superior to an assassin’s.

Zi Ye had clearly seen Tang Wen’s two moves; he used precise leverage, positioning himself with near-perfect accuracy. She couldn't imagine any way to evade that attack!

Tang Wen had once again shattered her perception of him.

She stood up from the concealing thicket.

The two men in camouflage turned their heads when they heard the noise, and upon seeing her, exclaimed in unison, "Sister-in-law!"

-RS