The little fox, clutching its paw and munching on it, blinked blankly and let out a soft whimper. After observing its surroundings for a few seconds, it realized it was safe and simply continued munching on its paw with its head down.

With one comrade dead, the remaining guards gritted their teeth, displaying a do-or-die courage. It was as if, if they simply puffed out their chests high enough, they could kill the mugwort with their sheer force.

Artemisia, of course, could not be killed by mere momentum. She raised her sword to block the sword slashing at her, and the opponent's sword split in two in her hand. Calmly, she pierced the man's heart, then flung him away, smashing him into another charging figure.

In just a few breaths, only the male supporting character remained standing in front of her.

Ai Cao walked up to him with a smile.

The man gritted his teeth and asked in a low, hoarse voice, "Who exactly are you? The Qing family has never mentioned you! How did Fox end up in your hands!"

Ai Cao asked with a smile, "Who is this Qing family you're talking about?"

The man said in a low voice, "...He was Fox's cousin in her previous life."

Seeing that Ai Cao didn't express any resistance to the nickname "Fox" for the little fox, he felt somewhat relieved.

The man thought to himself, "This short-haired country woman is probably attracted to Fox's beauty and wants to use Fox's fame to seduce him."

But how could he possibly be interested in such a wild woman?

His heart will always belong to the fox!

Although he still has a lot of room for development compared to other men, only he can give Fox a bright future!

The man smiled and held out his hand, saying, "If you give me back the fox, I..."

That's all he said.

The man's red eyes reflected the silver blade of the sword, and the overwhelming crimson blood surging from his body. The soul within him, seeing its physical form destroyed, tried to escape—

But the mugwort stabbed him again. The first sword destroyed his physical body, the second severed his spirit. His soul, which had not yet escaped, was cut in two by this sword, and could never be healed.

He collapsed limply to the ground.

In his hazy state, he saw the snow-white fox affectionately approach him. Its soft tail brushed against his face, like a kiss that had been delayed for many lifetimes.

Tears welled up in the man's eyes.

The little fox let out a soft "woof," dug out the tearful eyes with its paws, chewed them, and ate them.

Behind it, the points of light gathered together once again.