The Fox King

Chapter 34: Bug Bite

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation

Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

After a moment, Zhe Huo spoke up to object. “Mr Tao, aren’t you a flower demon—and one of no minor ability, at that—why would you take an interest in such matters?”

Tao Feiyan delicately plucked several petals from his sleeve, and held them up for a sniff as he made his languid reply, “And who decided that flower demons can’t hunt other demons? You’re a hunter by profession, yet I have no need to fear you. In this trade, the strong have always reigned supreme—wouldn’t you say, Zhe Huo darling?”

To hear herself being called ‘Zhe Huo darling’ in that intoxicatingly melodious voice of his… her face was already on fire. Biting her lip, she struggled to come up with an effective reply—but that breath-taking visage of his, untouched by the ravages of this tainted world… it drove all coherent thought from her mind.

During a previous quest, she’d overheard someone saying that there were some famous places in Tiancheng where you could find some of the most gorgeous people in the world. The odd thing was that they were all men, working mainly as courtesans. There were even rumors that they were specially raised through illicit means.

Zhe Huo couldn’t help but think that if someone like Feiyan should visit a place like that, he’d steal the whole show, and turn everyone green with envy! She could feel herself getting lost in his charms too. If only she could have this man all to herself…

However, before she completely lost control over herself, there was a soft cry of pain behind her.

Snapping back to her senses, she turned and saw little Luo Qinghan holding his own hand, his face pale his teeth clenched. Slowly, he sank to his knees amongst the flowers.

Zhe Huo kicked herself mentally. She’d been so caught up flirting with this guy that she’d completely forgotten about Qinghan. She anxiously hurried over to kneel beside him. “What’s wrong, Qinghan?”

The little boy looked up, his voice feeble with pain. “My hand hurts… I think some bug bit me.”

“Let me see.” She pulled his hand out for a look, and sure enough, there was a tiny wound, red and swollen, marring his soft, fair skin. She pressed upon it gingerly, and the boy immediately began thrashing about in agony, his pointed ears twitching with spasms. Tears sprang from forlorn eyes, which looked up at her as he whispered, “It’s a sting from a wasp… Zhe Huo, am I going to die?”

These words filled her with panic. “Nonsense. How could it have been a wasp? Even… even if it was, all we’d have to do is get you the antidote in time. I’m taking you to the village elder right now!”

Forgetting about everything else, she picked the boy up in her arms and made to leave. However, as she rose to her feet once more, she heard Feiyan’s mocking laughter from behind. “Just a bite from an ordinary bug. Do you have to treat it like a matter of life and death?” The derision was plain in his tone.

Zhe Huo paused, but didn’t notice the child on her shoulder narrowing his eyes with dark promise.

She sighed a little, but had to turn and ask, “Is that true, Mr Tao? It was just a harmless bug?”

Feiyan gave her a teasing smile. “What would I gain from lying to you?”

Zhe Huo considered this a moment, then relaxed. She patted the boy gently on the back, saying, “Don’t be scared, Qinghan. It’s nothing. Come on, now—let me rub some ointment on it for you.”