Chapter 1049: Chapter 766_2

Shen Tang was silent for a moment; using the System Power would also lead to energy leaks, making it possible for powerful and vigilant Beastmen to discover it.

Lu Xiao clearly did not want to see her.

[Host...] The System’s voice became cautious, [Lu Xiao might want to bear it on his own.]

"...I know."

[He probably hid himself to avoid what just happened.]

The System sighed, [People like him seem gentle, but they’re harsh on themselves. He probably wants to get through this ordeal by relying on himself.]

Shen Tang didn’t speak, she just headed southeast.

[If he can survive this ordeal, he will come back to see you. If he can’t...] The System paused, [He probably feels he’s not worthy of seeing you.]

Shen Tang’s steps faltered, her fists clenched at her side, and she walked even faster.

...

Three days.

Shen Tang searched for three days.

On the first day, she followed the traces he left behind, but every time she was about to catch up, he would vanish.

On the second day, she had the System expand the search area, still to no avail.

On the third day, she had almost turned over this entire mountain range.

In the evening, the System suddenly spoke, [Head north, about three kilometers, there’s a cave. He seems to have stopped.]

Shen Tang rushed over without another word.

The cave was under a steep cliff, thoroughly concealed by vines and bushes. Without the System’s guidance, she wouldn’t have found it at all.

The moment she pulled aside the vines, a damp, rancid odor hit her face.

Frowning slightly, Shen Tang ducked down and entered.

The entrance was narrow, but the further inside she went, the more spacious it became, and the light grew dimmer. Scattered on the ground were the corpses of small wild animals, most of them decayed beyond recognition, their bones mixed in the mud, emitting a nauseating stench.

Shen Tang’s nose tingled.

Lu Xiao, the perfect figure admired by countless Beastmen for his flawless handling of all matters and meticulous attention even to the tiniest details in private, was now hiding in a place like this.

She continued deeper inside.

From the depths of darkness came a muffled, painful moan.

It sounded like a trapped beast’s cry, intermittent, each sound seemingly forced from the depths of his throat.

Shen Tang’s steps halted.

Then, the sound stopped.

"Don’t, don’t come closer."

His voice was hoarse, like sandpaper scraping stone, trembling with fear, carrying a tone she had never heard from Lu Xiao before—

Supplication.

"Don’t look at me..."

In the darkness, his voice shook like paper being torn by the wind, "I don’t want you to see me like this—ugly...filthy...wretched..."

Shen Tang’s tears suddenly welled up.

The dignified man who always stood by her side to shield her from storms now hid himself in this reeking darkness, his voice shattered and humble.

"Ah Xiao." Shen Tang’s voice was soft, but she didn’t stop her steps.

"Don’t come closer!" Lu Xiao’s hoarse voice was filled with terror, "I beg you... Tangtang, I beg you..."

Beg.

When had he ever begged others?

Shen Tang’s tears fell, but she wiped her face, continuing to move forward.

She was his companion.

If he couldn’t take this step, she would step forward for him.

In the deepest part of the cave, she finally found him.

The man was curled up in the corner, backing against the cold rocky wall, his hair disheveled and stuck to his face in strands. His once tall and robust figure had thinned considerably, his coat hanging loosely as if draped over a skeleton.

Dozens of syringes lay scattered on the ground, some empty, others with remnants of liquid.

There were sedatives, inhibitors, and many drugs she couldn’t even recognize.

All had failed.

His breath was chaotic, sometimes savage, sometimes despondent, like a string stretched to its limit, ready to snap at any moment.

Upon hearing her footsteps, Lu Xiao abruptly raised his head.

In an instant of clarity, he saw who had come.

Then, in those eyes, emotions surged—pain, guilt, shame, and a deep, almost self-destructive something—

He struggled to stand, to run away once more.

Shen Tang flipped her palm, and several vines emerged from the earth, entwining around his wrists and ankles.

Having taken too many sedatives in a short time, Lu Xiao’s body was significantly weakened, unable to break free from her restraints.

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