The moment Su Nuo saw Qin Shuhe, everything clicked into place.
The day before arriving at Gan Zhe Temple, Qin Shuhe had been forced to hide alone for half an hour.
That was likely when she had been compromised—transformed from a human into a monster.
After entering the temple, Master Da Shan had detected something amiss with Qin Shuhe. So while Su Nuo slept, he had locked her in the underground prison beneath the granary.
Master Da Shan assumed Qin Shuhe was the only problem. Once she was secured, he believed the threat had been neutralized.
But he hadn’t realized that **Lu Qiyou** was also no longer human—he had simply hidden it even deeper than Qin Shuhe.
Under Lu Qiyou’s manipulation, Su Nuo’s rage was stoked, clouding his judgment until he attacked Master Da Shan.
Surrounded by ordinary people, the master hesitated to use force, giving Lu Qiyou the opening he needed.
Thinking back, Su Nuo realized—**everyone** who had sought refuge at Gan Zhe Temple had been exploited by Lu Qiyou.
Su Nuo had been driven by grief and fury over his fiancée’s death. But the others? Were they truly just mourning a shared tragedy?
Perhaps a few were. But most harbored far baser motives.
Without the monks, they wouldn’t have to risk repeatedly opening the gates to more refugees.
Without the monks, their food stores would last longer—they could eat whatever they pleased.
Without the monks, these temporary refugees could **claim the temple as their own**.
Without the monks…
In the end, Master Da Shan hadn’t been defeated by monsters. **He had been undone by the worst of human nature.**
What should have been a perfect sanctuary would now become a nest for monsters—a graveyard for humans.
Staring at the unmistakable marks on Qin Shuhe’s neck, Su Nuo staggered back, his face blank with confusion and terror. He no longer knew what to do.
As long as Qin Shuhe was alive, he could have faced any hardship with her.
But now… **was she even alive?**
Qin Shuhe smiled gently. She stepped forward, wrapped her arms around Su Nuo, and pressed her face against his chest.
*"Stay here with me. This place… will be paradise."*
---
Under a sky of blue and white clouds, a monster resembling a cross between a water buffalo and a lizard plodded slowly across the grasslands.
Four meters tall, with six legs, two claws, and a body covered in green, spear-like bristles, its massive horns were as sharp as blades. Though bovine in appearance, its mouth was lined with jagged teeth—clearly not a herbivore.
On the creature’s back lay a man in a long black leather coat, idly flipping through a novel titled *Mutual Forgiveness*.
This was, of course, **Wen Wen**. His mount was the **Burrower**, a subterranean monster he’d captured in the underground maze.
After parting ways with Chu Wei, Wen Wen had realized traversing the plateau on foot was unwise. So he’d summoned the Burrower as his ride.
Upon reaching the grasslands, the creature had rapidly adapted, evolving into its current grotesque form.
Besides the Burrower, Wen Wen had also released the rabbit demon **Bai Xiaomi** from containment to serve as his personal masseuse.
Even without Tao Qingqing, he’d never lack attendants.
*"Hey—stop! Help us!"*
A young girl’s voice rang out. The Burrower halted abruptly.
Wen Wen glanced over to see a girl in a pale yellow dress and fluffy hair waving at them.
Fuzzy white rabbit ears drooped from her head. Though her face looked no older than twelve or thirteen, her long legs brought her height to nearly 1.7 meters.
*"Tch. A rabbit demon? Got a death wish, calling out to me?"*
The Burrower turned, its four eyes locking onto the little rabbit. Drool pooled in its mouth as visions of **spicy rabbit heads and legs** danced in its mind.
Under its gaze, the rabbit demon’s ears shot upright. Trembling, she stammered to Bai Xiaomi, *"Big sis, c-can you control your pet? I’m kinda scared…"*
The Burrower’s eyes flashed murderously. It nearly lunged to bite her head off.
*Pet?!* **Your whole family are pets!**
Wen Wen smacked its back, and the creature obediently settled down.
That’s right. It **was** Detective Wen’s pet.
Studying the nervous rabbit demon, Wen Wen quickly pieced together the situation.
From ground level, she couldn’t see him lying on the Burrower’s back. So she’d assumed **Bai Xiaomi**—currently kneading his feet—was its master.
*"Well, this is amusing…"*
Wen Wen sat up and addressed the rabbit demon. *"I am Lady Bai Xiaomi’s guard. What business do you have with my mistress?"*
The little rabbit had been ready to bolt upon spotting Wen Wen. But hearing he was merely a guard, she relaxed, her eyes shining with admiration for Bai Xiaomi.
*"Guard?"*
Bai Xiaomi blinked in confusion. Since when had Wen Wen become **her** subordinate?
*"I want to know what this rabbit’s deal is. Play along, or I’ll snip your tail off,"* Wen Wen whispered menacingly in her ear.
Clutching her tail, Bai Xiaomi immediately straightened, adopting a haughty demeanor. *"What aid do you seek from me?"*
---
Minutes later, the Burrower lay sprawled on the grass, yawning boredly.
Wen Wen leaned against it while Bai Xiaomi and the rabbit demon sat facing each other, ready for her tale.
Before speaking, the rabbit dug out two carrots from her pocket, offering one each to Wen Wen and Bai Xiaomi.
*"My name is Bai Xiaobai. I’m from Rabbit Village in Qingqin Grassland."*
Wen Wen glanced around. Had the entire atmosphere of the Dim Territory shifted after her introduction? Was he really dealing with undead—or had he stumbled into a **fairy tale**?
*"Half a month ago, our village was attacked by a powerful wraith. Even Chief Bai Xiaoman died. That’s why I came to seek help."*
*"What kind of wraith?"* Wen Wen asked, taking a bite of the carrot. His eyebrows rose—it tasted like **milk**.
Bai Xiaobai tilted her head. *"I… don’t know?"*
*"Then what kind of help are you even asking for?"*
Rolling his eyes, Wen Wen prepared to shoo her away and continue his investigation.
Bai Xiaobai eyed him curiously before whispering to Bai Xiaomi, *"Sis, why does your guard keep interrupting us?"*
Bai Xiaomi shuddered, then forced a smile. *"He’s just… very blunt."*