Twenty-Six

The Feral University Games had been notorious throughout history for their brutality. More than once there had been talk of shutting the event down, but in the end it only ever amounted to adding a few rules to make this Sports Meet look a little more in step with the new era.

Even so, no one expected to see the Fighting Tournament become what it did today.

Boundless and savage were once its trademarks — now also the reason Zhou Mu cannot be stopped.

Gui Youqi had once complained that Zhou Mu bullied his way through the Canteen with You Qi as his enforcer. Today they realized — that wasn't bullying. THIS is.

Zhou Mu rode You Qi at his leisure, browsing the field like a market, digging out the contestants who'd hidden themselves for a taste. This team had good chew; that one was sweet and tender, rich but not greasy...

He picked and evaluated, selecting two teams that weren't necessarily the strongest but were definitely the tastiest, handed them the flags, and said, 'You two. Three days till the finals — go get ready!'

The other two teams: '…………'

Ready for what — to fatten ourselves up for your next meal?

One Shen Peng, whose team had advanced a point for 'crisp texture,' couldn't stomach the disgrace. He raised his head, grievance in every line: 'Zhou Mu, we concede — but give the flag to someone else. I don't deserve the ranking.'

As Feral Race, they could accept the strong eating the weak. But ranking them for taste when their strength didn't warrant it — this Shen Peng, who had some backbone, didn't like it. Surely there were stronger ferals here today besides Zhou Mu.

Zhou Mu's cute smile gradually faded. He rode up to the Shen Peng, leaning down from You Qi's back under the gaze of several cameras: 'You think someone more deserving should take the medal? But I can't tell — when you all fight, you look the same to me.'

Equally weak.

The differences were too subtle to bother distinguishing — but the textures were all distinct.

The Shen Peng met his gaze. Locked by the Fierce Beast's pure, direct stare from close range, the feral who'd mustered courage to object went blank, heart hammering, hair standing on end. He murmured, '...You're right.'

The audience — especially the Hualing students — stared at their screens without blinking.

Zhou Mu usually presented himself as Human Race — a boy's innocent image. But now, brimming with aggression, the dangerous creature both frightened the strength-worshipping ferals... and dazzled them into wanting to kneel.

His identity had been exposed for only a short while, yet before the powerful Fierce Beast, many ferals' psychology had shifted without their noticing.

This was how an apex predator thought. The principle of the match was survival of the fittest. The fighters had their chance to fight — even united — and lost. Being judged by Zhou Mu's criteria wasn't shameful at all.

It's not just anyone calling you tasty — it's Zhou Mu...

In an instant, the bitter mood subtly eased.

The Shen Peng facing Zhou Mu up close — his first sentence had been an objection, addressing him as 'you'; his second, 'you're right.' Now, after a moment of thought, he bowed and spoke his third: 'I don't know if, after graduation, I'd have the chance to work for you.'

Zhou Mu looked entirely unsurprised. He answered lazily, 'Report to my Ranch later.'

……

The match was declared over. Zhou Mu led the team off the field.

'Little shidi, your family has its own Ranch?' Yan Xingke asked, voice trembling.

It made sense — a Taotie's appetite couldn't hunt fresh at every meal. Times had changed; having a farm or Ranch of one's own was far more convenient.

'Mine, not my family's.' Zhou Mu clarified first — for Fierce Beasts like them, even family members kept clear boundaries. 'I just left home. The Ranch isn't set up yet, but it will be. I even took management courses.'

They had already left the field; the massive audience was visible. Zhou Mu's gaze swept across the stands, and he laughed twice.

Yan Xingke's hair stood on end. Hualing was famously remote, far from the Human Race, full of all manner of beasts — his little shidi hadn't come here to scout Ranch locations and pick what to raise!

'Right, I could open a Fish Farm too.' Zhou Mu daydreamed, pointing at the stands. 'Shixiong, you study aquatic resources — come work for me as manager. But not the boss. I've already picked Tianqi — he's serious, responsible, and organized.'

Yan Xingke had been hesitant and a little scared at first, but hearing that a top student like himself couldn't even be boss — that he'd work under Tianqi — he muttered defiantly: 'We're still shixiong and shidi, and you won't look out for me?'

Freak. Both Xu Tianyi and Gui Youqi side-eyed Yan Xingke.

Xu Tianyi even felt grateful he'd died early. A Taotie could eat ghosts, but Zhou Mu's enthusiasm for him was clearly less intense.

'No wonder you care so much about Tianqi.' You Qi said thoughtfully. He'd always thought that after himself, Zhou Mu treated Tianqi best — he'd assumed Tianqi was simply especially kind to Zhou Mu. Turns out there was this reason too.

Zhou Mu thought: obviously. Shixiong loved digging holes — where did that leave him compared to Tianqi? And Tianqi was responsible; he'd treat the Ranch like his own child.

Tianqi, volunteering nearby, had no idea — only in first grade, and already headhunted by an employer...

Athletes leaving the field usually got a warm welcome from the audience. But now, Zhou Mu pointing at them as he walked out sent a chill through the crowd. They froze in their seats; the atmosphere was painfully awkward.

Cui Jue saw what was happening and stood up: 'Host — say something!'

The host wiped his sweat, finally played stirring BGM, and read with a strange expression: 'Ahem — let's applaud the top three teams leaving the arena. They fought bloodily, showed excellent combat skill. We look forward to the finals in three days — may they show their style, show their level. Which team will take the Champion title? Students can vote for their favorite athletes on the official site...'

Everyone: '...'

Interviews with the top three should have been arranged here, but no one dared approach. Only Cui Jue and Xie Rulin stepped forward, a new Mouth Cage already in hand, carrying Hand Teacher, Cinnabar, and other items. 'Zhou Mu, You Qi — sorry, we still need to restore the Banishment. Please understand.'

This had been agreed upon since You Qi's enrollment — witnessed by heaven and earth, not to be broken lightly.

You Qi's mood soured at the sight of it. Though he'd worn the thing for years, he still couldn't forget the child he'd been — how deeply he'd hated it, yet had no choice but to put it on.

He coldly looked away.

The audience saw Cui Jue's move and initially thought it was for Zhou Mu, but quickly realized there was only one.

And Zhou Mu took the Mouth Cage from Cui Jue's hands: 'Then I'll apply this Banishment myself.'

'Ah—' Cui Jue hesitated. By rights, Hand Teacher should do this personally — what sense did it make for a student to apply it on another student? Though the last one had broken in Zhou Mu's hands, and You Qi seemed far less dangerous now.

Zhou Mu stroked You Qi's neck beneath him, brooking no argument: 'Teacher. You Qi is mine to handle now.'

'Then go ahead.' Cui Jue folded instantly.

Hand Teacher tapped the tray once with his index finger, expressing displeasure. But in truth, Zhou Mu's ability to control You Qi was far more powerful than any Mouth Cage.

Zhou Mu leapt off You Qi's back, holding the Mouth Cage. You Qi stepped forward unhurriedly, willingly inserting his muzzle into it — his powerful body letting Zhou Mu fasten this symbol of restraint.

His form shifted to human, and the Mouth Cage shrank to fit.

Zhou Mu pulled the leather strap, drawing the tall You Qi down.

You Qi obediently lowered his head.

Zhou Mu's downward angle now mirrored You Qi looming over him at enrollment — but master and servant had completely reversed...

Zhou Mu dipped his fingers in the Cinnabar Cui Jue had brought, and painted Runic Script on the new Mouth Cage in bold, sweeping strokes. Those nearby saw it differed from Hand Teacher's work, but the aura at the moment the Runic Script took shape was no less powerful.

Some Cinnabar still clung to his fingers. He thought for a moment, then signed his name in the empty space.

You Qi sensed what he'd written, turned his face to nuzzle Zhou Mu's fingers as they withdrew.

Zhou Mu pulled out his phone, switched to selfie mode, and showed You Qi: 'See? My Runic Script is much better.'

You Qi saw on screen his own lowered head pressed against Zhou Mu's cheek, and couldn't help smiling.

'Hey, take a photo.' Zhou Mu was about to press the shutter, then decided a full-body shot would be better. He shoved the phone into Hand Teacher's palm — held up by Cui Jue, who was facing him — 'Teacher, help!'

Hand Teacher: '…………'

Really not polite at all??

After the photo with You Qi, Zhou Mu called the rest of the team over for group shots, then called Gongzi Cong and Tianqi too.

Everyone was stiff at first, but seeing that Zhou Mu had been relatively restrained in the match and hadn't gone berserk, they gradually dared to move. After all — if anyone was getting eaten first, it'd be You Qi and Chun Shijiu. We just coveted Zhou Mu; those two had him locked in the dorm!

So the group gradually loosened up. Later, Hand Teacher was even forced to fly up for overhead shots, and the entire audience boldly stood up, scrambling to wave themselves into frame: a chance to photo with a Taotie, with Hand Teacher as the selfie stick — shoot first, ask questions later!

The scene was finally lively, finally had the atmosphere of past Sports Meets.

.

The day's events over, Zhou Mu returned to 1232 — his and Chun Shijiu's dorm — and changed out of the clothes he'd dirtied rolling around and eating classmates outside.

Chun Shijiu beamed, unable to contain himself: 'Then I'll move your luggage across the hall.' He didn't mind the trouble at all — anything to get rid of Zhou Mu quickly. Others couldn't read the truth, but he could, even though his predictions often failed.

'You really don't want to room with me that badly?' Zhou Mu sat on his desk and asked.

Prediction failed again! Chun Shijiu realized he'd gotten cocky, his smile fading as he quickly pledged loyalty: 'No, I just thought you'd be happier across the hall. Of course I want to room with you myself.'

'Right — you've always said you want to room with me.' Zhou Mu wouldn't let prey guess his moves so easily. He sat with legs crossed: 'I think it's nice here. Staying the whole semester works too.'

Chun Shijiu was struck as if by lightning, forcing a smile: 'Of course — wonderful, wonderful.'

You Qi came in just then: 'I'll help you move back.'

They'd been apart for days, and You Qi hadn't adjusted to the empty room. After today, he was even more eager to stay with Zhou Mu at all times — ready to move Zhou Mu's things back immediately.

Zhou Mu: 'No need. Chun Shijiu said he wants to room with me. I'll keep him company a bit longer.'

You Qi looked at Chun Shijiu: 'Oh?'

Chun Shijiu: '…………'

Chun Shijiu held back tears and went to wash Zhou Mu's clothes.

You Qi took Zhou Mu's hand — fingers without a single callus, slender and pale, luminous as jade, healthy pink showing through the tips. No one would guess these hands held the force of a thousand jin, like the soft pink paw pads of his beast form, each step impossibly light.

You Qi couldn't resist placing a finger at the edge of the Mouth Cage. Unexpectedly, the finger slipped easily through the metal bars and touched his lips — You Qi froze.

...Right. This Banishment was Zhou Mu's own work — he'd tampered with it when drawing the Runic Script.

You Qi looked up. Zhou Mu wore a sly smile. No romantic experience, but he knew instinctively how to tame other beasts.

Fire ignited in You Qi's chest, his breathing heaving. He stepped forward, trapping Zhou Mu between himself and the desk, sniffing from the pink fingertips up to palm, wrist.

Zhou Mu felt ticklish and pulled away.

Don't go! You Qi gripped his waist, pulled him back against the desk. A strip of lower back was exposed — despite tasting so much today, the abdomen remained slim and flat. You Qi bent down, trailing from the dimple of his back along the spine, up to grip his nape. The same 'wolf-devouring' effect, but utterly unlike appetite.

The nape is special for most mammals — childhood memories of mothers carrying them by it make them relax. But Zhou Mu wouldn't. Any bite only sharpened his vigilance. Now, beyond alertness, he also felt...

Outside, the blood-red afterglow of the setting sun spilled in — matching the Fierce Beast perfectly.

Unlike before, when sparks of killing intent flew, these touches were wet — the massive beast brimming with discontent and longing, covering him heedlessly: 'When are you moving back? Tomorrow?'

Zhou Mu's ears burned. Soft-voiced but firm, he refused the big dog's plea: 'Later. Need to deal with Chun Shijiu first.'

You Qi's eyes darkened. He exerted force — but couldn't pierce the supple skin, only sending a tingling sensation...

Zhou Mu turned and wrapped his arms around You Qi's neck, letting himself be lifted and held. His back pressed hard against the bed frame from You Qi's force — the metal frame groaned under the pressure, making the surging emotions feel almost tangible.

'...Fine. If you sneak over after lights out, you can sleep at the foot of the bed.'

……

In the washroom, Chun Shijiu crouched with a bucket of wet clothes, head in his hands: when can I get out?