Free Web NovelChapter 30: Chapter 30 Prepare Yourself
Han Luo took the tiny piece, shook his head, and placed it in his mouth. At first, his expression remained casual, but soon the smile on his face slowly faded. His eyes narrowed slightly as he chewed, and Xue Yao felt the emotion from him change.
Curiosity became surprise... and surprise became suspicion.
’He noticed something,’ Xue Yao thought, her heart tightening. ’What could I be that I am the best chef in the beast world? Hehe... if I’m considered the best, what will they do when they taste my mother’s food?’
Han Luo swallowed slowly before looking at the roasted rabbit in her hand.
’A girl without cultivation should not be able to cook food that stirred the wolf bloodline. It was not merely delicious. The meat carried spiritual energy that had been drawn out gently, refined through fire, seasonings, timing and control. It did not feel like ordinary cooking at all.’ Han Luo thought inwardly.
His eyes returned to Xue Yao. "You cooked this?"
"Do you see anyone else holding the stick?" Xue Yao replied.
Tian Lan quietly wiped her mouth, while grinning at Xue Yao’s sharp tongue. ’If you fall into trouble, count me out.’
Han Luo laughed softly, but this time his laughter carried something colder. "You are an interesting human."
"I get that a lot." Xue Yao puffed out her chest in pride.
’There is nowhere I go that people don’t know me. They find me interesting one way or the other. I know I’m cool... I guess the wolf beasts just need to get used to my grace and charm.’ Xue Yao boasted inwardly.
"Really?" He leaned closer, smiling again.
Xue Yao’s scalp went numb, but before she could answer, the little boy had already grabbed the piece from her hand with the shamelessness of a bandit.
"Hey!" Xue Yao shouted, her spirit almost left her.
"I am still growing," he said with his mouth full, completely confident.
"You are growing into a robber." Xue Yao frowned.
The boy nodded proudly. "A strong robber, and I’m not, hey, call me little ancestor."
’Little Ancestor my foot. If I ever get my hands on you, I’m going to skin you alive... no.. no my precious meat... noooooo." Xue Yao cried inwardly.
Han Luo shook his head before looking at the guards, who were now staring at the meat as though they were abandoned pups in the rain. "All of you have suffered for three days?"
No one answered. They all averted their gaze.
"Because of this?" Han Luo asked, even though he too was unable to resist the urge to eat the meat.
Still no one answered.
Well, he wouldn’t blame them. Cooks were considered a national treasure as they could easily control anyone with their food. That was why they were always revered. The higher their level of cultivation, the more influence they have on the people. And not only that, they are highly protected because they are scarce.
Han Luo sighed, "Human, can you give us more meat?"
"Why should I do that?" Xue Yao asked while staring at the remaining twelve pieces hanging above the fire that was slowly dying out.
"I’ll owe you another little favour." He said with an unsettling smile.
"You better keep to your words, else..." Xue Yao paused when she realized she was going too far.
"Fine," she muttered in defeat while walking back to the grill. She picked the ten grilled rabbits who were whole except for the intestines removed from their stomachs.
’My plan finally worked... yeah!’
She handed the meat to Han Luo while maintaining a nonchalant attitude.
Han Luo took eight of the rabbit meats from the ten Xue Yao had given to him, and tossed them toward the guards. "Eat, then return to your posts before Fang Zhen finds out and writes a complaint long enough to bury me."
The guards froze.
Yun Kai was the first to catch a piece.
"Thank you, Beta Han Luo." They all lowered their heads in gratitude.
The guards shared the meat amongst themselves.
The moment Yun Kai bit into it, his eyes rolled slightly, and he held the meat with both hands as though he had found his life’s purpose. The others followed, and soon the corridor became filled with suppressed groans, twitching ears, wagging tails, and several wolves trying very hard not to cry.
Xue Yao stared at them. ’Good. Very good. Eat more, remember my kindness, and later when I ask for help, you better not pretend you don’t know me.’
For the first time since being thrown into the prison, the guards no longer looked at her only as a prisoner or a breeder. Their emotions were still mixed with caution and fear of the Alpha, but there was also gratitude, curiosity, and a strange warmth that had not been there before.
Xue Yao slowly smiled.
Han Luo noticed that smile and returned it, though his smile looked far more dangerous. He took a bite from the piece in his hand and handed the second one to Little Ancestor.
Little Ancestor collected the pieces so fast to be followed by human eyes. He immediately started devouring it.
Han Luo wiped his fingers, then spoke in the same casual tone as if he were merely asking about the weather. "By the way, human girl, prepare yourself."
Xue Yao’s smile froze. "Prepare for what?"
Han Luo picked another piece of meat from the little boy, ignoring the child’s betrayed gasp. "The Alpha wants you to serve him tonight."
The meat in Yun Kai’s mouth almost fell out. The guards immediately lowered their heads. They suddenly became sad. If she left, they wouldn’t have any more chance of eating her food again.
They all were aware of what befalls royal breeders... Death.
Xue Yao’s heart sank to her stomach. ’Hell no!!!’
Han Luo chewed slowly, his eyes curved with amusement. "Since you cook so well, you should be useful enough to stay alive a little longer."
’Was that advice? Wait, he is showing me a way out...’
Xue Yao stared at him, while inwardly her soul had already packed its belongings and ran ten miles away.
’Serve the Alpha? Tonight? That grumpy wolf? Tian Lan, you stupid system, your mission is about to get me killed faster than expected.’
Tian Lan floated beside her shoulder, still licking oil from her fingers. [This is a good opportunity.]
Xue Yao almost spat blood. ’Good opportunity, my ass.’
