Chapter 72
At first, when Bai Nuosi was kidnapped, Huo Ranchuan was genuinely worried. But once the golden eagle appeared, he calmed down considerably. After all, the eagle wouldn’t hurt Bai Nuosi. Still, he needed to get Bai Nuosi away from the now irrational golden eagle as quickly as possible.
The eagle was already anxious because it hadn’t seen Bai Nuosi for a long time. Given its heightened senses, it must have noticed Bai Nuosi’s presence moving further away from the Rose Garden, beyond its protective range. This must have triggered its agitation, prompting it to break free from its enclosure.
Huo Ranchuan, crouching in the grass with Teng Snake, was silent for a long time. Then, he asked Teng Snake, “What should we do?”
Teng Snake tilted its head, then made a move to rush forward, but Huo Ranchuan quickly held it back. “Don’t be rash.”
If Teng Snake confronted the golden eagle, they would undoubtedly end up fighting. The eagle had finally calmed down; provoking it now would only reignite its rage.
The most pressing issue was that the golden eagle was clearly in its nesting period and intended to hide Bai Nuosi to nest with him. If he wanted to take Bai Nuosi away, he would have to do it while the eagle was away. But even if he managed to take Bai Nuosi secretly, when the eagle returned and found its “mate” gone, it would surely go on a rampage again.
No matter how he looked at it, there was no way around the inevitable tantrum from the eagle.
Huo Ranchuan rubbed his temples in frustration.
Meanwhile, the golden eagle stared blankly at Bai Nuosi for a while. Seeing that the little one’s eyes remained closed, it worried that he might be sick. The eagle leaned close, stopping just two centimeters away from Bai Nuosi’s face, feeling his breath.
Good, he was still alive.
The eagle finally relaxed and stood upright. It flew into the cave, inspecting the interior. It was dry and well-ventilated, and perhaps due to its location on the cliff, no wild animals had taken up residence. However, it did find a snake skin left behind by a large serpent.
The eagle’s eyes narrowed, and upon seeing the snake skin, it immediately flared up in anger!
Damn it, nothing was more detestable to it than snakes!
The presence of snake skin meant that a large snake had been here before. The eagle grabbed the snake skin in its beak, dragging it out of the cave and tearing it apart with its sharp talons. Its expression was fierce, and its movements were ruthless, as if it were shredding its archenemy.
Finally, it tossed the shredded snake skin off the cliff, its expression as cold and fierce as ever.
Huo Ranchuan, observing the whole scene, thought, “…”
Teng Snake coiled its tail tightly, giving Huo Ranchuan a pitiful look.
Damn it, was the golden eagle issuing a warning?
The most terrifying thing about an out-of-control spiritual beast was its freedom to rage, while a rational beast like Teng Snake couldn’t act out, always getting the short end of the stick!
After clearing the cave, the golden eagle began gathering dry grass and branches from the area, building a cozy nest inside. Then, it carried Bai Nuosi back into the cave, placing him gently on the pile of grass. It curled up next to him, using the soft feathers of its belly to warm the little one.
The little one was asleep, but when he woke up, they could lay eggs and hatch little birds together.
Right, the thought of laying eggs suddenly reminded the eagle of the little ones—those five potted plants on the windowsill.
Since it was moving house, it had to bring its babies too.
But the eagle was reluctant to leave Bai Nuosi. It hesitated, glancing at the sleeping Bai Nuosi and feeling conflicted. It nestled close, taking comfort in the warmth and scent of the little one. Yet, its longing for its “babies” eventually pushed it to make a decision.
It couldn’t leave the little ones behind. If it didn’t bring them, Bai Nuosi might be angry.
After much deliberation, the eagle finally rose and went to the cave entrance. With a sharp cry, it summoned a flock of large black birds. The black birds stationed themselves at the cave entrance, like loyal guards. Only after arranging this security detail did the eagle reluctantly leave the cave.
By then, two hours had passed since Bai Nuosi had been brought to the cave.
Huo Ranchuan monitored Bai Nuosi’s status through his smart device. Bai Nuosi’s wrist device had an emergency AI monitor that would alert authorities and track its owner’s condition in the event of an accident.
Huo Ranchuan had been watching the device closely for some time.
He looked at Teng Snake. “Teacher Bai has multiple bruises and abrasions. Although there are no broken bones, he hasn’t eaten or drunk anything in three hours, and his wounds haven’t been treated. This can’t go on.”
Once he was certain the golden eagle had flown off, Huo Ranchuan stood up, recalling Teng Snake back into his spiritual domain. He restrained his spiritual power and approached the cave alone.
The black birds were extremely vigilant. As soon as he got close, they swooped down, launching an attack. These birds were surprisingly formidable, and Huo Ranchuan found it difficult to make any headway.
He had no choice but to equip a lightweight mecha suit, putting on a helmet and visor before climbing the steep cliff below the cave entrance, avoiding the black birds’ line of sight.
By the time the black birds noticed him, Huo Ranchuan had already used the mecha’s jump capability to leap over their heads and dash into the cave.
The birds screeched and flapped their wings furiously as they tried to follow, but Huo Ranchuan swiftly deployed a spider-shaped metal shield at the entrance. With a clang, the shield’s legs latched securely, sealing off the cave.
Ordinary birds couldn’t break through such a barrier. While they furiously pecked and screeched outside, Huo Ranchuan shed his mecha suit and helmet, moving swiftly towards Bai Nuosi.
Thanks to his night vision, he had no trouble navigating the dark cave, but for Bai Nuosi’s sake, he pulled out a small lighting tool and placed it on the ground. He then approached the unconscious Bai Nuosi, cradling him in his arms and pulling out a compact military diagnostic device to check for internal injuries.
It was now around two or three in the morning. The night was already cold, and the mountain environment only made it chillier. When Huo Ranchuan held Bai Nuosi, he immediately felt how cold his body was. He touched Bai Nuosi’s hands—ice-cold.
The golden eagle had indeed tried to keep Bai Nuosi warm with its belly feathers, but it had flown with him for nearly an hour, exposed to the frigid wind. It didn’t realize that Bai Nuosi, as a human, wasn’t adapted to such conditions. Without feathers, prolonged exposure to the night air would lead to hypothermia.
Fortunately, Bai Nuosi was still wearing Huo Ranchuan’s coat, though his slippers were missing, and his thin pajama pants left his feet freezing.
After scanning him, Huo Ranchuan confirmed there were no internal injuries, but Bai Nuosi’s body was covered in bruises, with severe swelling on his legs and even a scratch on his forehead.
It was hard to tell if he’d been injured by the kidnappers or if it was the golden eagle’s rough treatment.
Huo Ranchuan gently brushed the hair away from Bai Nuosi’s forehead and patted his cheek softly, calling, “Teacher Bai? Wake up.”
He called out a few more times, and Bai Nuosi’s brows furrowed.
He continued, knowing he couldn’t take Bai Nuosi away while he was unconscious. His plan was to wake him up and have him communicate with the golden eagle, hoping to resolve the situation peacefully.
Bai Nuosi slowly regained consciousness, his eyes fluttering open as he pressed a hand to his temple, his face contorted in discomfort.
He felt like his head was spinning, the vertigo so intense he felt nauseous.
When the golden eagle had shaken the aircraft, he’d been thrown around inside, unable to stay on his feet. Later, when it had carried him through the air, the intense feeling of weightlessness and dizziness had caused him to pass out. For a moment, he thought he might be thrown from the sky.
It took him a while to focus, but as Huo Ranchuan’s voice continued to call softly, his vision gradually cleared.
He looked up at Huo Ranchuan, confused. “Principal Huo?”
Huo Ranchuan cradled him, letting him rest in the crook of his arm. “Are you feeling dizzy?”
Bai Nuosi nodded, his vision spinning as he looked at Huo Ranchuan.
Huo Ranchuan took out a nutrient solution. “Here, drink this. It’ll help.”
Bai Nuosi closed his eyes and drank from the bottle Huo Ranchuan held up.
Today felt like a surreal nightmare.
Why would anyone kidnap him? And why had the golden eagle suddenly appeared?
Bai Nuosi felt dazed, almost as if he were dreaming. Wasn’t the golden eagle supposed to be locked up in its cage?
Still feeling light-headed and slightly nauseous, Bai Nuosi lay back down. It took a while before the dizziness subsided.
Once he seemed a bit steadier, Huo Ranchuan gently set him down and began treating and bandaging the injuries on his forehead and legs.
Despite the embarrassment, the situation made Bai Nuosi too preoccupied to feel shy. He lay quietly on the straw, watching as Huo Ranchuan skillfully applied the bandages. Then, Huo Ranchuan looked up and asked, “Does anything else hurt? Your arm?”
Earlier, when Bai Nuosi was still unconscious, Huo Ranchuan didn’t want to undress him without permission, so he waited until now to ask.
Bai Nuosi thought for a moment. His waist and back hurt quite a bit; he must have hit something hard. His arm, on the other hand, felt fine.
He hesitated, aware that the waist and back were sensitive areas, and quietly said, “It doesn’t hurt. I’m fine.”
Huo Ranchuan observed Bai Nuosi’s evasive expression, immediately sensing the lie.
But as Bai Nuosi was an Omega, Huo Ranchuan felt it inappropriate to treat him the same as any other male friend.
After a brief silence, he said, “I’ll turn around. Check yourself and see if it’s serious. If it is, we need to treat it, okay?”
He had already confirmed there were no internal injuries, but the external ones needed attention.
He turned his back to Bai Nuosi, giving him space.
Feeling embarrassed, Bai Nuosi pulled the coat zipper down, lifted his pajama top slightly, and saw a sizable bruise on his right side. It was swollen and purple, painful to the touch. This must have happened during the struggle in the aircraft.
He let out a hiss of pain, and Huo Ranchuan immediately asked, “Is it serious?”
Though he didn’t turn around, Bai Nuosi hastily covered himself and, blushing, said, “It’s just bruised and swollen.”
Huo Ranchuan turned back, his expression serious. “Where is it? Can I take a look?”
If it was that severe, it needed immediate treatment.
Bai Nuosi hesitated, his ears turning red. “It’s fine. Really.”
He could visit the doctor once they returned. Facing a doctor wasn’t embarrassing, but with Huo Ranchuan, he felt uneasy and flustered, unable to speak properly.
Seeing Bai Nuosi’s reddening face, Huo Ranchuan paused for a moment before saying softly, “When the golden eagle returns, try telling it you’re not feeling well and need to go home to see a doctor.”
Golden eagles in nesting mode were very protective of their mates and eggs. If its mate was unwell, it would surely be concerned.
After all, it listened to Bai Nuosi.
Hearing this, Bai Nuosi recalled what happened earlier. “Principal Huo, what exactly happened tonight? Who were those people? And… are the babies okay? Is the little lion back?”
Even after all he’d gone through, Bai Nuosi’s main concern was still the cubs.
Huo Ranchuan reassured him, “Don’t worry, the little lion and the little snake are both fine. They’ve been safely taken back. You don’t need to worry.”
As Huo Ranchuan watched Bai Nuosi, he thought that if Bai Nuosi cared so much for these cubs, he would probably make a wonderful parent in the future if he ever had children.
Bai Nuosi was about to ask more about why the little lion had run out into the street and why someone had tried to kidnap him, but before he could speak, a sharp bird cry echoed outside the cave. The high-pitched sound made his head spin, but Huo Ranchuan quickly covered his ears.
In the next moment, with a loud crash, the metal shield sealing the cave entrance was torn open by the golden eagle!
The shield clattered to the ground, shrinking back into a small sphere. The eagle stood at the entrance, its eyes glowing red as it glared fiercely at Huo Ranchuan.
It had only been gone a short while, and already someone had intruded!
This man had not only filled its nest with his scent but was also holding its precious little one!
The eagle shrieked at Huo Ranchuan, its spiritual energy filling the air with a terrifying intensity. The surrounding mountains and animals fell silent.
Unless necessary, Huo Ranchuan didn’t want to fight the golden eagle.
The last time, both he and Teng Snake had ended up wounded, and it had taken days for Teng Snake to recover. He couldn’t risk the snake being injured again, as it would leave them vulnerable.
And with Bai Nuosi present, he couldn’t release Teng Snake.
After a brief pause, as he prepared to speak, Bai Nuosi anxiously called out, “Mr. Golden Eagle, what’s wrong?”
The golden eagle seemed furious, its eyes and cries filled with menace.
Bai Nuosi clutched Huo Ranchuan’s sleeve, whispering, “Principal, is it having another episode?”
But all this time, the eagle’s behavior had been stable. Bai Nuosi had even come to see it as almost normal.
Huo Ranchuan nodded solemnly. “Yes, it’s having an episode. It doesn’t recognize people right now.”
“What should we do?” Bai Nuosi whispered, worry etched on his face.
He tried to recall what had happened before he passed out. “It seems like the eagle saved me. It must still recognize me, right?”
If it didn’t, he would have been thrown out of the aircraft by now.
Huo Ranchuan nodded. “Yes, it still recognizes you. See? It even has a basket in its claws.”
Bai Nuosi looked over, and under the dim light in the cave, he noticed that the golden eagle was holding Little Nabi’s basket.
Inside, Little Nabi trembled, crouched low, and squeezed in with five potted plants.
Due to the cramped space, two pots were piled on top of Little Nabi, who could only shiver and peek out with teary eyes at Bai Nuosi.
If Little Nabi could speak, it would surely be complaining about all the injustices it had suffered.
Bai Nuosi stared in shock. “Mr. Golden Eagle, why did you bring Little Nabi and the plants here?”
Flying all the way from the Rose Garden to this mountain cave, poor Little Nabi must have been terrified.
The golden eagle’s rage subsided at the sound of Bai Nuosi’s gentle voice. It focused on the little one, and its anger dissipated.
When it heard Bai Nuosi’s question, it seemed almost embarrassed, its head drooping slightly as it shyly edged closer. Slowly, it moved the basket to Bai Nuosi’s side, its eyes shining with anticipation.
Bai Nuosi was speechless.
He glanced at the trembling Little Nabi and the five plants, looking utterly confused.
He whispered to Huo Ranchuan, “Principal, what does the golden eagle want?”
The eagle’s gaze shifted again, and its eyes turned fierce as it glared at Huo Ranchuan, the hostility returning.
Huo Ranchuan remained silent, thinking to himself how overbearing the eagle was. But he couldn’t afford to provoke it now, so he reluctantly let go of Bai Nuosi and moved aside, whispering, “It seems it doesn’t like me but listens to you.”
Bai Nuosi already understood that much.
Looking at the trembling Little Nabi, he couldn’t help but feel sorry for it. Watching the eagle’s reaction, he carefully lifted Little Nabi from the basket. “Mr. Golden Eagle, may I hold Little Nabi?”
The eagle’s expectant eyes softened, and it nodded.
Bai Nuosi was puzzled but relieved to see it agree. He cradled Little Nabi, gently stroking its fur. The little rabbit snuggled into his arms, its tiny body shivering, as if finally finding a safe haven.
But simply holding Little Nabi didn’t seem to satisfy the eagle.
Bai Nuosi glanced at the eagle’s eyes, which remained bright with expectation. Feeling lost, he exchanged a look with Huo Ranchuan and asked, “Is there something else you’d like me to do, Mr. Golden Eagle?”
The eagle extended its wing, nudging the basket of plants closer to Bai Nuosi, its gaze full of encouragement: Go on, hold the babies!
Bai Nuosi’s face went blank.
With a complex expression, he looked down at the potted plants. Reluctantly, he handed Little Nabi to Huo Ranchuan. Since Little Nabi wasn’t considered a “baby,” the golden eagle paid it no attention.
But when Bai Nuosi cradled the basket of plants, the eagle’s mood visibly improved.
It immediately moved closer, using its large body to push Huo Ranchuan aside before nestling tightly next to Bai Nuosi. Its massive wings stretched out, wrapping protectively around him. Lowering its head, it gazed at Bai Nuosi, its eyes filled with warmth.
Bai Nuosi’s expression was a mix of bewilderment and resignation.
He finally understood. The golden eagle believed he was its mate.
And not just a mate—they even had five “babies” together, the potted plants.
Bai Nuosi sighed inwardly.
Huo Ranchuan, pushed to the side and left holding the trembling Little Nabi, felt conflicted.
Why did this situation make him feel like the third wheel?
The golden eagle was truly crossing the line.
It was already past midnight. The golden eagle’s mood had stabilized, and it kept its wing securely around Bai Nuosi. However, its gaze remained wary whenever it glanced at Huo Ranchuan.
Huo Ranchuan sent the coordinates and a brief situation update to his adjutant. What would happen next was uncertain, but for now, the golden eagle showed no signs of hostility.
Looking into the eagle’s gentle eyes, Bai Nuosi still found it hard to believe the creature was out of control. It was equally difficult to accept that it had feelings for him and that, in its mind, they already had five children together.
He tentatively said, “Mr. Golden Eagle, I’m not feeling well. Could you take me home?”
The golden eagle paused, tilting its head as it stared at Bai Nuosi. After a moment, it pretended not to understand, tightening its wing’s embrace.
Bai Nuosi sighed.
