The Fox Hunter's Unexpected Love Story.

Boss Zhao this coat suits me well. Boss Zhao I want that cloak as well. Boss Zhao can you give me a discount? Boss Zhao is that perfume you sold me last time still available? Boss Zhao this ,Boss Zhao that. That was the usual flow of events at Zhao's Emporium,Zhao Shenbao's shop. The emporium was always flooded with customers all day long.

"I'm going out,"Zhao Shenbao suddenly declared walking away from the counter.

"How can you leave with so many customers waiting to be served?"Zhao Ruoxuan complained.

" Why are you speaking as if there are no subordinates in this shop?"

"There are complicated customers that only you can handle them."

"Tell those customers to come the following day. I will tend to them."

Zhao Shenbao picked up his fur cloak and draped it over his shoulders and walked out.

Within the six years he had stayed there,Zhao Shenbao had transitioned from a beggar who could barely feed himself to one of the richest businessmen in Gloomhaven. Zhao's Emporium was the place he had put so much effort into cultivating and now he had received the fruits of his labour. The emporium was nestled in a secluded part of the bustling market and specialized in luxurious products made from foxes, particularly the fox spirits.

The emporium's exterior was adorned with intricate carvings of foxes and mystical symbols.Red lanterns hanging from the eaves, casted a warm, inviting glow that contrasted with the sinister nature of the shop. The entrance was framed by ornate wooden doors, each panel depicting scenes of foxes in various forms—both animal and human.

Upon entering, customers were greeted by the rich scent of exotic spices and incense. The interior was dimly lit, with soft, ambient lighting highlighting the various displays. The walls were lined with shelves made of dark, polished wood, each shelf meticulously organized with the shop's unique offerings.

Products on display included;

- Luxurious Fox fur cloaks made from the finest fox fur, displayed on elegant mannequins. Each cloak was said to possess a touch of the mythical fox spirit's magic, offering warmth and protection.

-Fox Spirit Masks; intricately crafted masks that resembled the faces of foxes, believed to grant the wearer enhanced agility and cunning. These masks were displayed on wooden stands, each accompanied by a scroll detailing its mystical properties.

-Fox Tail Charms; small charms made from fox tails, said to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. These charms were displayed in glass cases, with soft velvet lining to enhance their allure.

-Fox Bone Jewelry ; delicate jewelry made from the bones of foxes, including necklaces, bracelets, and rings. Each piece was intricately carved and set with precious stones, displayed on black velvet cushions.

-Fox Essence Perfumes; exotic perfumes made from the essence of foxes, believed to enchant and captivate those who smelled them. These perfumes were stored in ornate glass bottles, each with a unique design.

-Fox Pelt Rugs ;Luxurious rugs made from fox pelts, adding a touch of elegance to any room. These rugs were displayed on the floor, inviting customers to feel their softness.

-Fox Claw Daggers;sharp daggers with handles made from fox claws, said to possess the ferocity of the mythical fox. These daggers were displayed in locked glass cases, with a warning about their dangerous nature.

-Fox Spirit Scrolls ;ancient scrolls containing spells and rituals related to fox spirits. These scrolls were displayed in a special section of the emporium, with a sign warning of their powerful magic.

-Fox Fur Fans ; elegant fans made from fox fur, providing both beauty and a touch of the mystical. These fans were displayed on stands, each with a description of its unique properties.

-Fox Eye Amulets ; amulets made from the eyes of foxes, believed to grant the wearer enhanced vision and insight. These amulets were displayed in small, ornate boxes, each with a protective charm.

Overally ,the emporium had an eerie yet captivating atmosphere. Zhao Shenbao,Zhao Ruoxuan and other mysterious subordinates wore masks concealing their real identities from the public.

The emporium had several hidden rooms accessible only to the staff. These rooms were where captured foxes were locked in before their body parts were refined into desirable products. The walls of the rooms were lined with barriers for extra security and to prevent the foxes from escaping. Apart from the products sold to the public,Zhao Shenbao would extract the golden cores of the fox spirits and consume them to nourish his prowess.

*****

Hu Jian and Li Na had not yet regained their human forms because of the heavy injuries they suffered. Hu Wei led a team to search for Hu Lan but he was no where to be found. They used his scent to track him but still they couldn't detect find him.

"Chief,since we cannot detect his scent , I'm afraid..."

Hu Wei's heart almost shattered by the assumption. He didn't want to believe it but it seemed like it was the reality. When a fox spirit lost its life,it was hard to detect its scent.Hu Wei felt guilty for being so ignorant before which led to his brother losing his life.

When Hu Lan tried to teleport,he suddenly couldn't control his power and ended up in a forest that was the border of Hucheng and Gloomhaven. Since then ,he became unconscious.

This was the same forest where Zhao Shenbao captured many foxes. Usually he went there with Zhao Ruoxuan but that particular day he chose to go there alone. It was twilight and the sky was painted with an faint orange hue.. Due to the thick canopies created by the trees,the forest was slightly dark.

*****

Zhao Shenbao lit up his spotlight when he sensed something strange. From a distance he spotted an adult fox with reddish brown fur lying unconsciously on the thick vegetation cover. At first glance,Zhao Shenbao could determine the texture of the fox's fur. He walked stealthily towards the fox ,careful not to raise any alert, squatted beside it and stroked the fox's back. Its fur was super fluffy with a very thick tail. The fox's features were one of a kind,features he had never seen before.

'He must have been very handsome in his human form,' Zhao Shenbao thought.

Without wasting time,Zhao Shenbao took out his spirit pouch and held it open. With a gentle hand,he guided the fox's essence -its life force and spirit into the pouch. Once the essence was fully contained,he closed the pouch and sealed it with a special knot to ensure the spirit remained within.