Before Alice Carter could react,

the young jiao was bitten by the snow wolf, a chunk of flesh torn from its thigh.

"Uuuh wuuu wuuu—" The red-clad young jiao lifted its thin neck, letting out a dying wail.

The snow wolf slowly swallowed the delicious meat in its mouth, its chewing thick and sickening, blood dripping, drip by drip, onto the ground. The blood curved into a thin river, winding its way to the steps.

The young jiao was covered in blood, its eyes bloodshot, teetering on the edge of life and death. The instinct long worn into its bones surged up at this moment. With two tiny arms, it clung to the cage, dragging its broken body upward, inch by inch.

A single piece of meat was not enough to fill the snow wolf's belly. After gulping it down, it lunged again at its prey.

But the prey had already climbed to the top of the cage.

It could only roar furiously below.

"This jiao beast dares to resist?!"

Not seeing the bloody scene of live devouring, the old eunuch gnashed his teeth in anger.

The guards nearby, seeing this, immediately moved to throw in another jiao.

At this moment, William Clark let out a laugh, ambiguous, and said softly, "How interesting."

Every jiao's coming of age began with being placed by their parents into the snow wolf's den, fighting from a young jiao into a beast—only those who survived were qualified to return to the sea.

But now, the hunter had become the prey.

Even their domesticated instincts had been forgotten.

At his words, no one in the hall dared to act rashly. The old eunuch trembled as he turned back, whispering, "Your Majesty, what do you think…"

William Clark stretched out his hand, lazily saying, "Bring me the bow and arrows."

Old eunuch: "Yes, sir."

Alice Carter: "…" Damn.

Alice Carter had been desperately worried for that jiao, but now only suppressed rage remained: "William Clark, haven't you done enough evil? If you keep this up, you'll really go to the eighteenth level of hell!"

William Clark paid no mind to the others in the hall, replying unhurriedly, "Is that so?"

Alice Carter was cursing in his heart, but could only do what he could—he ran to the cage, but his hands couldn't touch living things, so he tried to pull the chain to hold back the snow wolf.

Unexpectedly, on the other side, William Clark had already taken the bow from the eunuch and stepped down from the high couch.

Barefoot, he walked through the flowing blood, his robe snow-white.

A massive black cage, a frenzied snow wolf, and the young jiao trembling atop the cage.

In the center of the hall stood the new emperor, tall and upright, elegant as a bamboo, but his posture with the bow was like a rakshasa from a sea of blood.

The first arrow.

William Clark's lips curled in a smile, the bow originally aimed at the maimed young jiao.

But at the last moment, the arrow shifted sharply, striking the iron chain.

Everyone in the hall was stunned, not daring to move. The old eunuch was even more nervous and confused—who in Chu didn't know His Majesty's archery was superb, never missing a shot, able to pierce a willow at a hundred paces, so… what was this?

No one else could see, but his arrow had passed through Alice Carter's hand.

Alice Carter's suppressed fury instantly burned away his reason. He jerked his head up, the fire in his light brown eyes so bright it seemed it could scorch the soul.

William Clark seemed not to notice, taking three more arrows, nocking them, and narrowing his eyes.

This time, the cold arrowhead was aimed at the terrified, tearful little jiao.

"Uuh… uuh…" Blood still flowed from the place where the young jiao's leg had been bitten off. The little jiao shook its head, pale, as if begging for mercy, but could only utter hoarse, broken, indistinct sounds. Tears fell, his fingers spasming as he clutched the iron cage. He was too small, not knowing what to do.

But looking into the eyes of the man in snow-white robes, he found that besides fear, there was also a kind of awe that seeped into his blood and soul, and… an almost devout dependence.

Outside, the clouds pressed heavier and heavier, lightning occasionally splitting the sky, illuminating the darkness like a silver snake.

Yet the restless thunder of the Jingzhe night still did not sound.

The old eunuch, beside himself with excitement, his face twisted, commanded the others, "Hold them tight, don't let these beasts disturb His Majesty's pleasure."

Then, smugly, "To die by His Majesty's hand, your ancestors should all burn incense in thanks."

Some young jiao were so frightened they wet themselves. The guards flew into a rage, rushing over and slapping them hard several times: "Wretch! Who allowed you to act up here!"

Alice Carter was a soul; he could touch objects, but others couldn't harm him with physical things—the arrow just passed by his feet.

He didn't even know why, as a mere ghost, he had to face such a situation.

So, William Clark, what are you doing tonight?

…"I thought you were interested in jiao, so I wanted you to see for yourself tomorrow."

…" Alice Carter, can you guess how to perform the ritual to attract an evil spirit?"

William Clark's slender fingers slowly drew the bow.

Alice Carter froze, a thought suddenly flashing through his mind… He could save that little jiao.

Alice Carter knelt dazedly in the pool of blood, staring at the black-haired youth in snow-white robes at the center of the hall.

Yes, he could save this young jiao, even save everyone in this hall.

As long as he… as long as he…

The bow was drawn fuller and fuller.

The snow wolf, crazed with hunger, began to slam its massive body against the iron cage, making the young jiao sway and nearly fall.

The young jiao could only grip the bars tighter, but in doing so became an immobile target.

William Clark's expression was cold, as indifferent as a god high above the nine heavens, his snow-white robes untouched by dust, his face emotionless.