Chapter 43: Successful Beast Taming

In the corridor where the scent of blood still lingered, Mu Chen stared at the mutated beast that had just finished a slaughter—Big Mouth.

Bits of flesh still clung to the creature's claws, and it was reaching out with its long tongue to lick them away, one by one.

The one-sided massacre just moments ago gave Mu Chen a much clearer understanding of its combat capability, which far exceeded his initial estimations.

"Since the system has given a hint that it can be mentally controlled, wouldn't it be a waste not to try?"

With a thought, his mental power stretched out like an invisible tentacle toward Big Mouth's consciousness.

The moment they touched, a wave of ferocious and violent resistance surged toward him like a flood!

"Roar—!"

Big Mouth abruptly whipped its head around, its bloodshot eyes locking fiercely onto Mu Chen, and a deep growl rolled from the depths of its throat, brimming with warning.

Angered by this sudden mental intrusion, the fur all over Big Mouth's body stood on end, its vicious nature fully exposed.

Mu Chen clenched his teeth, refusing to retreat. Instead, he pressed forward with even greater force, determined to forcefully crush the creature's resistance!

Just as he was about to break through that seemingly fragile barrier of consciousness—

"Hum!"

A massive rebound force fiercely slammed back!

A dull ringing echoed in Mu Chen's head, followed by a wave of sharp pain that plunged his vision into sudden darkness.

His body stumbled backward uncontrollably, and he almost tumbled unceremoniously to the floor.

"Damn it! This beast's mental resistance is truly stubborn as hell!"

Mu Chen's temples throbbed violently, his brain aching as if pierced by needles.

This was his first attempt, and he had taken such a massive tumble.

Seeing that he made no further moves, the threatening low growls in Big Mouth's throat gradually subsided, and it lowered its body back to the ground.

However, its crimson, vicious pupils remained nailed to Mu Chen, not slackening in the slightest.

A direct confrontation clearly wouldn't work; this beast had too fiery a temper.

Mu Chen's thoughts raced. With a flip of his hand, an object radiating a translucent, precious glow appeared in his palm—the Fruit of Mentality.

A soft, pale blue halo diffused from the fruit, emitting an indescribably alluring and sweet fragrance in the dim, dilapidated corridor.

Big Mouth's nose twitched violently as it deeply inhaled the fragrance in the air.

A suppressed whimper escaped the depths of its throat, and its longing was displayed without a shred of concealment.

It remembered the taste of this thing all too clearly!

The sensation of being filled with boundless strength throughout its entire body after swallowing it last time had been simply unimaginably wonderful.

"Want to eat?" Mu Chen's voice carried a hint of amusement.

He shook the fruit in his hand.

"Then behave."

He reached out with his mental power once more. This time, however, he slowed his offensive pace, abandoning the overbearing suppression in favor of wrapping around the consciousness as gently as water, carrying a soothing intent.

The aroma of the Fruit of Mentality wafting through the air, combined with the goodwill Mu Chen deliberately projected, caused Big Mouth's guard to drop considerably.

Seizing the opportunity, Mu Chen's mental power smoothly flowed inward. No longer forcing the door open, it felt more like gentle guidance, bit by bit branding his own mark upon the creature's core consciousness.

Inside his mind, the cold system prompt chimed right on cue:

[Mutated creature driving detected by host, mental connection establishing...]

[Connection successful! Congratulations to the host for acquiring a combat partner: Mutated Bulldog (Big Mouth).]

It worked!

A wondrous sense of connection established itself between Mu Chen and Big Mouth. He could clearly perceive Big Mouth's emotions—a feeling of pure submission and reliance.

The sensation felt like growing an extra limb; no, rather, like wielding a perfectly handy lethal weapon.

"Not bad."

In high spirits, Mu Chen tossed the Fruit of Mentality forward.

"This is for you."

Big Mouth opened its gaping maw, swallowed the fruit whole, and let out a satisfied grunt. Then, it rubbed its massive head affectionately against Mu Chen's trouser leg, acting precisely like an oversized dog begging for praise.

"This twenty-seventh floor is under your jurisdiction from now on."

Mu Chen patted Big Mouth's furry head.

"If any blind fools wander up here, tear them apart directly. No need for courtesy."

He turned and headed downstairs.

Behind him, Big Mouth let out a low "woof," laden with absolute obedience.

As the door to Room 3001 was pushed open, the aroma of food rushed over them, forming a stark contrast to the scent of blood upstairs.

Chen Si was tidying up the living room and hurried over upon hearing the door open.

"Mu Chen, you're finally back! The commotion upstairs just now was so loud, are you alright?"

An evident trace of unease lingered on Chen Si's face.

"I'm fine. Just cleared out a few disobedient rats."

Mu Chen waved his hand, unwilling to elaborate, as his attention drifted toward the dining table.

"Is dinner ready?"

"Jiahe made it."

Chen Si gestured with her chin.

"She said she wanted to thank you for taking her out today, so she specially wanted to show off her culinary skills for you."

Just as the words fell, Chen Jiahe emerged from the kitchen carrying a steaming, fragrant dish.

She had changed into refreshing homewear, her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue and a smile dancing across her eyes, making her look like a completely different person compared to her usual timid self.

"Brother Mu Chen, sit down, sit down! Taste my cooking!"

Placing the dish on the table, Chen Jiahe unceremoniously pushed Mu Chen down into a chair.

"Let me tell you, I used every single one of my secret backup seasonings today. I guarantee it'll blow your mind!"

The young girl offered the meal like a treasured artifact, her tone brimming with anticipation.

At the dining table, Chen Jiahe chattered animatedly about what she had seen during their outing today, occasionally placing food into Mu Chen's bowl with an enthusiasm that left him slightly overwhelmed.

Even Chen Si relaxed quite a bit as a result, filling the room with a rare sense of ease and warmth.

As the meal neared its end, Chen Si wiped her mouth, put down her bowl and chopsticks, and finally brought up the business at hand.

"Mu Chen, do you have a specific plan for tomorrow's trade fair?"

"Two o'clock in the afternoon, in the lobby."

Mu Chen finished the last sip of soup in his bowl, his voice steady.

"There will definitely be a lot of people then. The two of you should come with me as well; it'll be safer, and we can look out for each other."

"Why?" Chen Si asked, puzzled.

"Where there are many people, things get mixed up, and trouble is bound to happen." Mu Chen's voice deepened a fraction. "Besides, I have a feeling that Pan Guang won't settle down so easily."

Chen Jiahe's grip on her chopsticks tightened abruptly. "He still dares to come?"

"Who can say for sure?" Mu Chen shrugged with noncommittal indifference. "It never hurts to be extra cautious."

After dinner, Chen Si efficiently cleared away the dishes and plates, while Chen Jiahe curled up on the sofa, her fingertips swiping across her phone screen.

Mu Chen took a shower, intending to turn in early.

Not long after he lay down in bed, the bedroom door was gently pushed open a crack.

"Mu Chen, are you asleep?" Chen Jiahe's voice drifted through the gap.

Mu Chen propped himself up, and the next second, he froze completely.

Chen Jiahe was wearing a nearly transparent black lace nightgown, her delicate curves faintly shifting beneath the fabric.

Barefoot on the hardwood floor, she took one step, then another, slowly pacing toward the bed.

Every movement exuded an indescribable allure.

"Jiahe, you..." Mu Chen's Adam's apple bobbed, his throat suddenly dry.

Chen Jiahe sat down on the edge of the bed, gently placing her hand upon Mu Chen's chest. "This afternoon, for the very first time, I felt what it was like to truly be needed by someone."

"What do you mean?"