"You know, I could do whatever I wanted, right? I'm not obliged to listen to you." HanYing stood, arms crossed, a subtle smirk playing on his lips.

Xueling's head snapped up, his eyes narrowing into slits. "Don't get ahead of yourself, snake," he hissed, his tone dripping with disdain .

FengXiu stepped forward, his usual easy-going smile taking on a sharp, almost dangerous edge. "Right… bold of you to assume you can harm her, or even lay a finger on her, when we're around."

XiShi, walked up to HanYing, stopping so close that they were practically nose to nose. Her gaze locked onto his, unflinching and intense as she tilted her head. "Also," she said, her voice a silken threat, "what's the worst you could do to me?"

HanYing's reply was chillingly calm. "I could mate with you if I wanted to."

XiShi’s lips curled into a dazzling smile, a stark contrast to the menace in her eyes.

"I could cut our spousal bond if I wanted to right after that!"

XueLing, pride swelling in his chest, felt a rush of protectiveness. That's my girl! he thought. FengXiu, meanwhile, was dabbing at his eyes with an imaginary handkerchief, a wide, proud grin on his face. HaoYue, as usual, was fast asleep, but XueLing was sure that, if he were awake, he'd be just as proud.

XiShi stepped back, her shoulders relaxed as she returned to beside the sleeping HaoYue. "So?" she asked, turning her gaze back to HanYing. "Are you going to be a good boy or not? Feel free to leave, no one's stopping you. But if you want to stay, then fix that attitude of yours and earn your keep." Her words were laced with a calm authority.

XueLing, face contorted with frustration, picked up the thread of the conversation. "And also, what are you going to do about your demonic tribe? I absolutely loathe the demons. I can’t believe I could possibly be having one in my family."

HanYing's eyes flickered downwards, his bravado faltering for a moment. "Well, about that… it won't cause trouble if I leave the tribe. Things could get messy if I stayed with them while also staying here… it could generate a situation like SangYe's for me. I just need to appoint someone on my behalf in my position there and cut ties if I want to leave." He spoke like someone weighing a difficult decision.

XueLing understood what HanYing meant—SangYe wouldn't be chased by them so desperately if he weren't an important figure to them .

"Think over it, and do whatever you want," XiShi said, her tone now gentler. I wanna go home, XueLing..."

" of course. We've got a lot of catching up to do , "
XueLing sighed.

Really. They did .