His mouth stretched into a thin line as his fingers clenched tightly.

What is this nonsense she's blurting out now?! Shouldn't it be "power, prestige, wealth"?!

Why did it always seem that despite the countless assets at his disposal, she will constantly desire something else?

Only the sound of Bai Qingyue's sharp exhale was heard in the room. The darkness concealed his gloomy expression.

Unwilling to give up, he kept on asking, "Would you rather marry a poor man or a rich man?"

"... dun wanna marry men…"

Li Meirong paused for a moment, a moan of frustration rose from her throat, as though she couldn't be bothered with this conversation. Shortly after, she added, "troublesome."

"!!!"

Bai Qingyue's urge to throttle the woman only heightened with each passing word!

How can you be so difficult?!

His eyebrows drew together into a frown and his expression turned increasingly menacing, yet, he kept probing her with questions, refusing to give up.

"But if you had to choose?"

"Poor is better."

He growled inwardly and muttered, "Of course…"

What did he expect? He should simply anticipate her desires to be the opposite of whatever he could provide. She would always want the opposite!

Bai Qingyue's molten eyes glowed with a murderous light. If Li Meirong was to wake up right this moment, he wasn't certain he'd be able to stop himself from having his way with her.

"Why do you think Zhu Qingyue is a bastard?" His whispered question was tinged with venom.

"He's… bad news."

"Woman!" Bai Qingyue hissed, outraged. Fortunately, Li Meirong stayed in her semi-conscious state. His hand was positioned near her throat, claw-shaped fingernails extending threateningly.

Between uneven breaths, he dangerously whispered, "Who is Mo Cheng to you?"

A bloodthirsty aura surrounded him, preparing to lash out depending on her reply.

"A friend." She whispered, almost inaudibly.

"Do you have feelings for him?"

The temperature in the room dropped by several degrees. Li Meirong's skin was covered with goosebumps. "No! No…" Her face contorted into a grimace, tilting her head sideways.

The vehemence in her negative response calmed Bai Qingyue's wrath and turned the bitter taste in his mouth into sweet honey.

"Mmm…" He hummed appreciatively, moving the predatory claws higher, reaching her pale cheek and turning his palm to stroke her tenderly, brushing his knuckles against her skin, ever so gently. The violent air around him dissipated altogether.

If she was so easy to capture, where would be the fun in that?

Bai Qingyue lowered his head until his breath mixed with hers, slowly pressing his lips against the juicy rosebud of her own. It was only momentary, yet the soft feel of hers remained with him.

As regretful as it was, Li Meirong's answers caused Bai Qingyue's resolve for his explanation to crumble. Knowing the girl's unpredictable thought pattern made him uncertain of her decisions.

Admitting his true identity may prove to be a risk far too hazardous to gamble with.

Only after the girl falls deeply in love with him would it be appropriate to reveal himself.

Since this was the last opportunity he would get to see her tonight, Bai Qingyue covered Li Meirong's small hand with his own. He gave the dainty hand a squeeze and reluctantly transported himself out of the room.

On the Bestiary division island, inside the courtyard of Grandmaster Zhu Zhang's mansion, was a path cloistered with archways and pillars made from nephrite jade and bricks of gold. The stunning path led to an ancient five-story pagoda. Each of its carefully designed eaves was covered with a layer of Yulan Magnolia petals, decorating the tower. The pure white of the petals gave the illusion of falling snow.

On the last floor of the tower, on the balcony edge sat the Grandmaster of the Bestiary division, former Sovereign Lord of the Celestial Foxes in the heavenly realm and deserter of his clan, Bai Zhang.

The god in question appeared in his usual human disguise, reclining against the rail. His eyes were clouded, lost in thought while staring absentmindedly at the nearby foliage.

A trail of mist materialized behind Bai Zhang's back, right before he heard the informal greeting of his son, current Sovereign Lord and ruling Fox God, Bai Qingyue.

"No wonder you're in no hurry to return, there's enough splendour in your mortal palace to last you a lifetime."

Hearing the taunting words, Bai Zhang squeezed his eyes shut, clearing them of their constant despair before turning around and confronting his son.

"Didn't your mother teach you any manners when speaking to your elders?" Bai Zhang rebuked.

Bai Qingyue's gaze hardened and he greeted his father in a mock salute.

With a sigh, Bai Zhang consented the greeting. It would take quite a while to make peace with this boy.

Bai Qingyue spread his black sleeves in a flamboyant manner as he gracefully lounged onto the lacquered softwood armchair.

"There's been a change of plans." His near androgynous features had a wicked appeal to them. The edges of his lips curved slightly into an arrogant smirk as he placed his knuckles against his chin.

Bai Qingyue was a man who rarely showed a delighted expression, but when he did smile, it made his enemies cower in fear. Bai Zhang was unfamiliar with his own son's usual attitude, but even he could tell those flashing fangs carried a vengeful malevolence rather than a good-natured intention.

This devilish spawn is my child? Bai Zhang worriedly thought to himself.