"Makes sense." Shen Tang rubbed her chin and posed another question, "But how do we suppress his desire to reproduce?"
Shen Tang glanced at Fu Teng, not far away, tormented and wishing he were dead, "This guy... doesnât seem like we can neuter him."
[Canât neuter him physically, but chemical castration is an option!], the system chuckled, [Just suppress his flowering and fruiting; there are potions for this in the Space Mall, developed for most plants in the Beast World, and it should work on Fu Teng too.]
"But didnât you say he can also reproduce asexually?"
[Asexual reproduction means splitting himself, which is different from sexual reproduction and comes at the cost of weakening himself. He wonât choose this method unless in special circumstances.]
The system said, [Donât overestimate him, Host. At the core, this guy is just a plant. His cunning is just a facade. Deep down, heâs a simple-minded being with no sense of good or evil. His sole purpose is to spread and reproduce, and nothing else concerns him. Otherwise, he wouldnât have been under Necroâs control for so many years.]
"Thatâs true." Shen Tang was silent for a moment but still hesitant, "But can you guarantee Fu Teng wonât engage in asexual reproduction again?"
[Fu Teng is too weak now. Even if he wanted to forcibly split himself, he couldnât reproduce further.]
"But taming him is so challenging. Plus, this guy is such an actor, manipulative and heartless. Who knows if one day heâll stab me in the back... I need to reconsider."
The death of Fu Tengâs main vine inadvertently broke the blood curse, freeing him from Necroâs control. Considering how much he hated Necro before, thereâs no worry about him being a spy.
Also, since the death of Fu Tengâs main vine, his power has greatly diminished and he probably canât even defeat a Beastman cub now.
Still, canât be careless. Fu Teng appears so obedient and harmless solely because heâs weak and powerless, forced to submit just to survive.
If he regains full strength with enough nutrition, space, and time, the first person heâd want to kill is definitely her!
Shen Tang buried her thoughts, raised her hand, and retracted the Earth Spike.
Fu Teng fell to the ground with a thud, his hair scattered, body covered in wounds, his snow-white skin bruised and battered, especially the bleeding holes in his chest, looking as tragic as a withering flower.
Even with a plantâs stronger recovery ability, this torment took half his life!
Fu Teng looked up at Shen Tang as she approached, tears in his beautiful eyes, and with a hint of hope in his voice,
"Xiao Gua... I knew you couldnât bear to kill me!"
The pitiful and vulnerable appearance of the beauty was truly heart-wrenching. If someone didnât know his true nature, theyâd likely feel sorry for him. But in the next second, this fierce beast would leap at them, tearing them to pieces!
Shen Tangâs expression showed no emotion as she coldly warned, "I wonât kill you for now, sparing your worthless life. Stay in the space quietly, but let me make it clear, if another plant withers there, I will deal with you without hesitation!"
Recalling the pain before death, Fu Teng trembled, bowed his head in despair, "I understand, Iâll be good, please donât kill me!"
"..."
After Shen Tang exited the space, she returned to her room to rest.
At the city gate, Luo Fei led a team over to change shifts.
Originally, he was dispatched to guard the distant city near Black Wind Village away from the Imperial City, but lately, due to rebel army attacks, he was forced to relocate.
The rebel army and Living Corpse Army were primarily concentrated at the Imperial City, and he, as a powerful Ninth Rank Beastman, was transferred to the city to assist in its defense.
Initially, he was more suited for front-line combat, but everyone has their own interests, and he found an excuse to stay and guard the city gate.
Itâs the closest place to His Majesty the Emperor.
With sweet fantasies in mind, hoping to increase his presence around Shen Tang, he might just get a chance!
Unfortunately, Shen Tang had been too busy lately, and Luo Fei couldnât even catch a glimpse of her, rendering his plans useless.
Someone began to gossip, "Boss, I heard some bad news, something that might threaten you!"
"Threat... what threat? Spit it out, and stop dallying, I havenât been afraid of anyone in all my years!" Luo Fei squatted at the city gate, polishing his knife, casting an impatient glare at the monkey Beastman in front of him.
The Beastman lowered his voice, "I heard thereâs a newcomer by His Majestyâs side!"
"What?!"
The knife clattered to the ground.
The squad under him all knew he admired the Emperor.
The Beastman said, "Boss, donât rush to ask. Itâs absolutely true! I have a friend serving by His Majestyâs side, who saw with their own eyes that a few days ago, His Majesty brought back an injured Fox Clan male beast, secretly entering the West City Gate late at night, something hardly anyone in the city knows!"
The person continued, "His Majesty even goes to visit him frequently at night, staying for a long time, only leaving in the depths of the night."
Luo Fei was deeply anxious.
Where did this fox spirit come from all of a sudden?!
Wait. He suddenly remembered, he heard the previous beast husband of the Emperor who died was a Fox Clan Beastman, could it be a replacement?!
If thatâs the case.
Doesnât that mean his chances are even slimmer?!
No, he canât wait any longer, he must take initiative!
The next morning, when Shen Tang woke up and opened the door, she saw Luo Fei squatting at her door, having no idea how long heâd been waiting.
She looked surprised, "Luo Fei, what brings you here?"
Upon seeing her, Luo Feiâs eyes lit up. Suppressing his excitement, he quickly explained, "I heard that recently, manpower around His Majesty is insufficient, so I wanted to come help."
After the war broke out, the Empire faced manpower shortages, and most of the able-bodied male beasts were sent to fight. Shen Tang rarely needed anyone to serve her, and with her Ninth Rank strength, she didnât need special protection. Hence, only a few guards stayed as a formality.
Shen Tang chuckled, "Itâs rare for you to be so considerate, but I donât have much happening here. Just focus on guarding the city gate with your team."
But that wonât do!
Guarding the city gate, he wouldnât see her at all.
Luo Fei, naturally, wouldnât voice his thoughts and presented himself as looking out for her, saying uprightly, "Your Majesty, you are of utmost importance! If real danger arises, these guards wouldnât be able to protect you. Itâs best to have a reliable, powerful person by your side."
Continuing, he lamented, "Too bad there are too few beast husbands around you. Major General Xiao Jin and others are sent to war, and thereâs no one by your side to protect you. I am willing to stay and protect you!"
Shen Tang thought he made a fair point and didnât think much of it, assuming Luo Fei wanted a more comfortable job than guarding the gates.
After all, being around the Emperor would definitely be more comfortable than enduring the elements at the city gates, so she agreed.
Luo Fei was thrilled and took out a bouquet of flowers from behind, "Your Majesty, these are for you!"
Shen Tang was quite surprised at the bright and beautiful flowers. Luo Fei had a fairly handsome face, though his dark complexion and somewhat coarse demeanor made this scene seem both heartwarming and amusingly incongruent.
She accepted the flowers, bent down to smell them. They were quite fragrant and seemed freshly picked. "Haha, where did you get these from?"
"With spring here, many flowers bloom in the woods near the city gate, so I picked some while passing by." Luo Fei shyly scratched his head; in truth, he had gathered them early that morning while the morning dew was still fresh.
Shen Tang, holding the bouquet, turned and walked toward the house, "Alright, I happen to need your help with something. Come with me."
Luo Fei quickly followed.
Shen Tang took him to Shen Liâs room.