Chapter 41: Love Under the Hunter's Wings
At that moment Li Yitan spoke in a firm, resolute voice.
"This is good.
Anyway, whether you practice cultivation or not, whether you are beautiful or ugly, there is no need to worry.
"Remember that you, Ling Ru, are my maid. You belong to me alone."
"My girl — I am Li Yitan."
The girl in front of him trembled with excitement, but he did not notice.
Then he took out his bottle and handed it to her.
"Here, take this cold liquid and drink it."
At that moment Ling Ru thought in her heart: This is the first time in my life that someone has cared for me like this. I couldn't practice cultivation, and that ugly mark on my face was enough to make everyone avoid me. Even my father… my mother never gave me any affection at all.
I never knew what family warmth meant.
Ling Ru's thought in her heart: But with my young master… I felt an indescribable happiness.
At this moment Ling Ru could no longer suppress her feelings; tears poured down and she began to cry.
"Wuu…"
"Wuu…"
"Wuu wuu…"
"Wuu wuu…"
[Ding: Hunting progress +78, +79…]
Ling Ru said in a low voice, "Wuu, master… I…"
Ling Ru could no longer hold back her emotions; she rushed into Li Yitan's arms and burst into tears against his chest.
At that moment, a small delicate hand gripped Li Yitan's tall body tightly, while her slight frame trembled with sobs.
At that moment Li Yitan embraced her and soothed her in a gentle voice:
"It's okay, it's okay.
"No one will bully you."
[Ding: Hunting progress +89, +90…]
Because of the opposite-sex attraction aura… and the growing closeness aura with the opposite sex, it was natural that she would be drawn to me in this way, but what I did not expect… was the depth of her feelings.
However, believing that she fell in love with Li Yitan from the first day is natural — she truly loves him and it was inevitable that she would completely surrender to the person she loves after he showed her affection.
Ling Ru…
She was not crying only because she was moved, but because of years of injustice and suffering, the feeling of loneliness, being shunned in a world that shows no mercy to the weak, and regular bullying.
I felt her trembling breath on my chest, her slender body clinging to me even more as if she feared I would disappear if she left me even for a moment.
I patted her head gently and whispered near her ear:
That time is over, Ling Ru… You are now under my wing. Whoever dares to humiliate you from now on… I will tear them apart with my own hands.
Her body trembled, then she lifted her head and looked at me with tear-filled eyes, containing an old fear… and a new hope.
Ling Ru spoke softly: "Master… may I… stay by your side forever?"
I smiled at her, whispering in her ear: "I will not let you go."
[Ding: Hunting progress +96, +97, +98…]
I didn't answer her with words; instead, I gently wiped her tears with my thumb, then lifted her chin so her eyes met mine directly.
She spoke: "Ling Ro, your place is not behind me as a servant, but beside me… If you wish to stay, let it be out of true desire… not out of obligation, but as a choice."
Her body froze for a moment, then her lips trembled, as if she could hardly believe what she had just heard.
Ling Ro whispered, "My lord… I am useless and ugly, I would only be a burden to you…"
Yet her voice was filled with astonishment, longing, and fragility.
I couldn't control myself. I leaned in slightly, drawing closer to her lips. Our breaths mingled, and the warmth of the moment melted the coldness of her past.
I didn't need to say another word.
When our lips finally met, it was a light, gentle kiss… yet it carried everything: the promise, the protection, and even the permission for her to finally dream.
Her body trembled in my arms, and her hand clutched my cloak as if she didn't want the world to take it from me.
I slowly pulled my lips from hers and whispered near her ear:
"From now on… you are mine, and no one will dare to look at you without my permission."
[Ding: Hunting Progress +99…]
I looked at her hair and thought about the meaning of hunting.
Hunting is the act of pursuing wild animals or birds with the aim of killing or capturing them, for meat, fur, or hides, or sometimes for recreational or sporting purposes.
Hunting involves:
1. Killing the prey: The most common form and usually the main objective.
2. Capturing the prey: Less common, often used for scientific research or breeding purposes.
This is hunting on the ground.
But in the realms of fantasy, hunting takes on a broader meaning. There, it is not limited to killing or capturing the prey; it also involves subjugating and controlling it, turning it into a follower, a pet, or even a servant.
In these contexts, hunting does not end with death; it reaches its peak when complete control over the prey is achieved.
And that is why my handling of Ling Ro is correct and considered true hunting, because this type of hunt does not end in death… it reaches its pinnacle when full dominance over the prey is attained.
My current prey is Ling Ro.
Ling Ru — just an ordinary girl, constantly bullied and mocked, called the "ugly girl" because of the mark marring her cheek.
She yearned deeply for love and care, dreaming of finding someone who would embrace her weakness and cherish her heart.
It was no surprise that events would unfold this way — after all, the young man who had entered her life was handsome and wealthy, the kind of man many girls dreamed of marrying.
It is easy for people to love beauty, but hard to love what is called ugly… a truth that cannot be denied.
Ling Ru, who had long been branded as "ugly," had already lost all hope that anyone could truly love her.
And then, suddenly, she found herself in the arms of a handsome, wealthy young man who spoiled her gently and confessed to her without hesitation… the very man she had fallen for at first sight.
Yet, something was bothering me.
"System, why hasn't the hunting gauge reached 100?"
Ling Ru had completely surrendered herself to me — so why wasn't it complete?
[Ding: Host, Ling Ru is considered a successful hunt. However, the evaluation will not be finalized until her personal plot begins. For now, she is merely an ordinary girl — not yet a heroine. But… once her personal storyline activates and her 'Plot Halo' awakens, the hunting gauge will automatically reach completion, and you will receive the 'Hunting Chest,' as she will be considered a fully successful hunt.]
Does that mean… it will happen a year from now? Right?
[Ding: Yes, Host. According to the chronological sequence, Ling Ru's personal plot is expected to begin after one full year.]
I see…
So all I need to do now is protect her… feed her, drown her in pleasure and warmth. I will care for her with affection and patience until the time comes to harvest her.
But once her personal plot begins… the real game will start.
I smiled slowly.
I thought to myself: Ling Ru… you don't know it yet, but you will become an important piece on my board.
And at that very moment, she suddenly hugged me.
Her soft chest pressed against me, her arms trembling as they wrapped shyly around my waist, as though she feared I might slip away.
Her breath was warm, mingling with mine, and her eyes — filled with hesitation and tenderness — looked straight into my own.
Ling Ru spoke in a soft, husky voice: "Master… does my face bother you?"
I gazed at her silently for a moment. Her cheeks were flushed with embarrassment, and her lips trembled between hesitation and longing.
I reached out and gently touched her cheek, then lifted her chin so she would face me.
I smiled at her.
And said, "Never… In my eyes, you are more beautiful than the sight of a full moon reflected upon a golden lake, resting quietly within an ancient forest."
Her eyes widened, and her whole body trembled.
Ling Ru whispered, "Are you telling the truth?"
I leaned closer until my lips almost brushed her forehead, and whispered, "That's less than the truth… your beauty can't be described in words, for it isn't just in your face — it lies in the heart that chose me."
Ling Ru couldn't hold herself back any longer; she closed her eyes and rested her head against my chest, her hands pressing tightly against my back, as if she wished to melt into this embrace forever.
I wrapped my arms around her waist and held her silently.
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