"I, Grey Wolf, will wash away my past shame! If I don't catch a sheep, I will never give up. If once doesn't work, I'll try a hundred times. If a hundred fails, then a thousand. If that's not enough, then ten thousand! One day, I'll catch a sheep!"
Of course, Grey Wolf could hear all the chatter around him.
He looked up at the sky, tears glimmering in his eyes—yet within them also blazed determination. Even if ten thousand people stood in his way, he would go forward!
If he didn't catch a sheep, he would never rest!!
After making this silent vow, Grey Wolf didn't hesitate any longer. He suddenly pulled something out from behind him. On closer inspection—it was a pristine white sheepskin.
With no further ado, Grey Wolf threw the sheepskin over his body. Instantly, the menacing figure of a wolf transformed into a sheep. From appearance alone, he looked completely indistinguishable from a real sheep. Not a single trait of the wolf remained. Even his aura mirrored that of the sheep clan—completely flawless.
Truly, a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Wearing the sheepskin, Grey Wolf confidently strutted toward Sheep Village. When he arrived at the gate, he pushed it open and entered. The protective wards embedded in the fences didn't react at all. These enchantments only targeted other races—certainly not the sheep. He walked in completely unimpeded.
"He got in! Grey Wolf actually got inside!"
"That's impressive! He made that sheepskin outfit so convincing that the barrier didn't even notice. I wonder if he could also make a bearskin… or pigskin?"
"This is gonna be fun. He's infiltrated the village—classic 'wolf among the sheep' scenario. Pleasant Goat and the others are in for trouble now. This'll be a good show!"
The bystanders were clearly entertained, relishing the spectacle with great interest.
"He's interesting. This Grey Wolf really is something," Yi Tianxing remarked, his eyes lighting up with amusement.
That sheepskin was clearly similar in effect to the legendary Painted Skin—an illusion artifact with similar principles. Yi had to admit, Grey Wolf had talents worthy of respect. With that disguise, he could completely fool the village's wards. It was a masterful deception—almost indistinguishable from a true transformation.
Unsurprisingly, chaos erupted inside Sheep Village. Grey Wolf, now disguised, naturally wasn't there to make friends.
Soon after, he was seen leading a particularly plump little sheep out of the village. Halfway down the path, he knocked the sheep unconscious with a surprise blow and dragged it back to Wolf Castle.
After discovering the missing sheep, Sheep Village responded swiftly. Led by a sharp-witted lamb, a rescue party infiltrated Wolf Castle and somehow managed to retrieve the abducted sheep, safely returning to the village.
The whole incident was pure entertainment for the residents of Fairy Tale Town. They eagerly passed it around as juicy gossip.
"Grey Wolf! Where's the sheep you caught?!"
A furious roar echoed from inside Wolf Castle.
"Wife, calm down! I did catch Lazy Goat! It's just… Pleasant Goat must've come and rescued him. Please don't get the frying pan out again—AHHH!!"
Grey Wolf's pleas were quickly drowned out by a scream of pain.
A black blur flew out from the castle.
"I'll be back! Pleasant Goat, I will catch you someday!"
Grey Wolf's bitter scream echoed in the sky.
"Poor guy," said Bear Two, shaking his head and chomping into an apple. "I've heard him say that line hundreds of times already. Can't he change it up?"
"That's enough. Let's head back. We've been gone too long—can't let Logger Vick chop down trees in our forest while we're out. Protecting the forest is our duty!" said Bear One, clapping Bear Two on the shoulder.
"Right! Let's keep an eye on that Vick guy."
Bear Two immediately dropped his fruit and nodded eagerly.
"Alright, show's over, folks."
The seven dwarves also turned to leave with cheerful smiles. One of them called out to Yi Tianxing, "Hey big guy, wanna come to our place for some bread and cheese?"
"No need, but thank you," Yi Tianxing replied with a smile. "I'll drop by another time."
Visit their home? He looked at the dwarves, then at his own towering figure. It wasn't that he didn't want to go—it was just that he might collapse their whole house just by walking in. Besides, glancing at the sky, he noticed something falling… right in front of him.
Thud!
Grey Wolf crashed into the ground with a loud thump.
Fortunately, his tough hide and thick bones let him roll a few times before getting up mostly unharmed. But he quickly noticed a large shadow looming over him.
"Huh? Who are you? Haven't seen you around before."
He squinted up to see Yi Tianxing standing before him.
"I'm a traveler. A merchant from far away. Doesn't matter how you see me. You don't know me now—but now you do," Yi Tianxing said with a grin. "Grey Wolf… do you want to eat lamb?"
"Of course! I dream of it! I just want my wife to eat some real lamb! Since the day we got married, she's never had a bite. I… I'm a failure of a husband."
Grey Wolf looked moved and ashamed. Just thinking about it filled him with guilt. That was why, no matter how many setbacks he faced, he kept going after Sheep Village—relentless, never backing down.
"If you want lamb, I can help you."
Yi Tianxing's hand flashed with light. A fresh, plump, recently slain lamb appeared before them, its meat clearly tender and juicy.
"L-Lamb? Actual lamb meat?!"
Grey Wolf's eyes sparkled, drool pouring from his mouth uncontrollably.
This was an actual lamb! Already dead—ready to eat after peeling the skin! He could barely contain himself.
But then he felt an overwhelming pressure—a vague, terrifying threat hanging in the air. If he tried to steal the meat, something very bad would happen. He forcibly suppressed his urges, swallowed hard, and asked, "What do you want for it?"
"As I said, I'm a merchant. I buy and sell. Everything has a price, and everything can be traded. That includes this lamb. If you offer something fair, the meat is yours."
Yi Tianxing's smile deepened.
This dream-realm world was still full of unknowns, but so long as it brought him profit and strength, he would seize every opportunity. Why resort to killing when a mutually beneficial deal would do?
"I'll buy it! I'll buy it right now!" Grey Wolf shouted, almost jumping with excitement.
Yi Tianxing asked, "That sheepskin—can you make more? Or other types of disguises?"
"That's my invention—the Polymorph Beast Cloak. It's not just sheepskin. I can make bearskin, dogskin—anything! There's nothing I, Grey Wolf, can't craft!"
He brimmed with pride. Confidence radiated off him.
"Perfect. One Polymorph Beast Cloak, in exchange for one fat lamb. Sound good?"
Grey Wolf's eyes lit up like lanterns. "Deal! Ten lambs! Give me ten!"
For lamb, he would gladly trade away as many cloaks as needed. Letting his wife finally eat real lamb was his lifelong dream.
"Very well. Bring out the cloaks, and you'll have your lambs."
"The cloaks are back at Wolf Castle. Please, come with me. Let's trade now!"
No one was more eager than Grey Wolf. The dream of lamb at long last—it was so close he could taste it.
Yi Tianxing followed him without objection.
He handed the lamb over right away.
Grey Wolf, beaming, strutted into Wolf Castle with the lamb slung over his shoulder.
"You've got some nerve coming back!"
Red Wolf, dressed in crimson, stormed to the doorway with a frying pan raised—but stopped short upon seeing the plump lamb.
"Honey!"
Grey Wolf dropped to his knees in front of Red Wolf, presenting the lamb like a sacred offering. "We have lamb now. You can finally eat lamb! I finally made it happen for you!"
"You're amazing, honey! Real lamb! I want to eat lamb!!"
The frying pan was long gone. Red Wolf threw herself onto the lamb, weeping with joy. It had been so many years, and finally… finally, she would eat lamb again.
"I'll bring you lamb every day from now on!"
"You're the best!"
"Go boil some water—let's cook it!"
Red Wolf rushed off to prepare the feast.
Meanwhile, Grey Wolf invited Yi Tianxing inside and quickly returned with several Polymorph Beast Cloaks. These were all sheep disguises—perfect replicas.