Chapter 12: Stunningly Beautiful
At the cave entrance, Nan Zishi was preparing to leave with She Yang.
Fox Qi nervously tried to explain on his father’s behalf, "Pretty sister, my father’s just like that. He’s especially cold to all females, it’s not directed at you. Please don’t misunderstand. He even just told me that I need to repay your kindness."
Judging by her own sixth sense, Nan Zishi felt that Fox Qi’s father *was* targeting her a little.
But it made sense. Although males in the Beast World often transformed, frequently exposing their bodies, they were otherwise actually quite devoted to their partners.
Her intention was only to treat his illness, but the Beastman didn’t know that.
It was only natural for a male with a female master to be misunderstood as a pervert or something similar after having his chest examined by another female.
’I need to be more careful from now on,’ Nan Zishi thought. ’Otherwise, my image might be upgraded from a "well-dressed scumbag female" to a "well-dressed perverted female"...’
Good grief.
Nan Zishi smiled and ruffled Fox Qi’s hair. "A she-wolf just gave birth, and I just performed surgery on her. Her recovery will take several days, so I have to go check on her for the next few days."
Fox Qi looked up at her reluctantly. "Will you come back, then?"
"Yes, I’ll be back. Your father needs an IV drip for five consecutive days, so I won’t be leaving during that time."
Only then did Fox Qi sigh in relief, his smile bright. "Okay, pretty sister! Come back soon, and Aqi will prepare some delicious food for you!"
"Alright." Nan Zishi’s lips curved into a smile, and then she left Stone Village with Little Snake Yang.
Not long after leaving Stone Village, Nan Zishi ran into the Wolf King and his followers who were waiting for her.
...
Hu Bai had overheard every single word of the conversation between Fox Qi and Nan Zishi outside the cave.
"Father!" Fox Qi trotted over to Hu Bai. "You’re still sick, why did you come out?"
Hu Bai looked at Fox Qi. "Are you going to the village to get meat?"
As an adult male of the village, Hu Bai wasn’t provided for by the community, but Fox Qi was a cub of the village. Every so often, he would receive a ration of meat distributed by the village to ensure the young fox could survive.
Ever since Hu Bai had nearly become a Beast Slave, Stone Village had treated the father and son harshly. However, Fox Qi’s portion of food was never reduced.
Fox Qi nodded, an excited smile on his face. "Dad, once I bring the meat back, we’ll have meat to eat."
"She likes cooked food," Hu Bai said, looking in the direction Nan Zishi had left.
Fox Qi suddenly slapped his forehead. "Right, how could I forget! Pretty sister likes food that’s been cooked over a fire. But I don’t know how to use fire. I’m really scared of it, what do I do?"
Hu Bai turned, draped his tattered little Beast Skin cloak over his shoulders, and silently went into the nearby forest to gather wood.
On his way to get the meat, Fox Qi suddenly wondered, ’Does Father know pretty sister? How does he know she likes cooked food?’
’Maybe she mentioned it when they were talking in the cave just now?’
’Whatever, I won’t think about it anymore.’
When Fox Qi arrived at the food distribution spot for the village cubs, several male members of the Fox Clan shot him a contemptuous glance before tossing him beast bones, a head, and entrails—scraps the rest of the clan didn’t want.
After receiving these items, Fox Qi’s good mood instantly plummeted. He still asked cautiously, "Uncle, was this a mistake? I usually get good meat."
The Fox Clan male couldn’t be bothered to look at him. "Fox Zi humbled herself to coax your father, and not only did he not appreciate it, he used the Beast God to pressure her. I’m being kind just by giving you anything at all. And you’re being picky? What is there to be picky about?"
"There are so many single males in our village desperately trying to win Fox Zi’s favor, and she won’t even have them. But your father? His own female master didn’t want him and sold him off to be a Beast Slave. What right does he have to act all high and mighty?"
"He’s a real disgrace to the males of our Fox Clan."
"Fox Qi, is your father dead yet? If he’s dead, you’ll be able to get good meat."
Fox Qi’s face flushed with anger. "Your father is the one who’s dead! It’s my father’s business if he doesn’t want to sever his partnership, what’s it to you!"
"What nonsense is this little fox cub spouting? Are you looking for a beating?!" The Fox Beastman’s face turned red, and two Beast Patterns appeared on his forehead.
He was a Two-Striped Beast Warrior!
He swung his fist at Fox Qi.
If that punch landed, Fox Qi would be seriously injured!
Fox Qi’s eyes widened, and he took half a step back.
But just then, his fist was caught by a large hand.
The Fox Beastman turned his head to see a frail White Fox male, draped in a shabby snow fox fur cloak from under which wisps of messy white hair escaped.
He was stunningly beautiful.
And in his other hand, in a very down-to-earth contrast, he held a few pieces of dry firewood he had just gathered.
His face was pale from weakness, and even his lips were colorless.
Yet, despite his frailty, he had solidly caught the other’s fist.
"Cough, ahem..." Hu Bai coughed softly a few times.
"Hu Bai?" The Fox Beastman tried to move his fist but found it was completely stuck.
The Fox Beastman was inwardly shocked by Hu Bai’s strength, but to save face, he opened his fist. "Ah, you’re here. Perfect timing. This is the food I gave your cub, but he actually refused it. You should have a word with him."
’They bully my cub, and then tell me to scold him.’
’To think they would bully a father and son like this.’
Hu Bai gave him a languid look.
His hand was still gripped in Hu Bai’s, unable to break free no matter how he tried.
Hu Bai glanced at the food, then his cold eyes fell upon the Fox Beastmen. His voice was very soft. "Apologize to Fox Qi. Or I’ll break your arm."
A weak tone, but vicious words.
Just like the One-Striped Beast Warrior beside him, who laughed out loud. "Hu Bai, what nonsense are you spouting? There are five One-Striped Beast Warriors and one Two-Striped Beast Warrior here. You think you can break Fox Five’s arm in front of us? By the way, you’re still alive. That’s really something. We all thought you were going to die."
As he spoke, a few of the clueless Beast Warriors moved to pat Hu Bai on the shoulder.
"COUGH, COUGH, COUGH..." Hu Bai tried to suppress his coughs, and even though he was coughing constantly and his complexion was poor, his somber expression subjected Fox Five to a pressure akin to death by a thousand cuts.
"Don’t touch him!" Fox Five suddenly shouted. Fear was already slicing him to pieces. He immediately said to Fox Qi, "I’m sorry!"
"Fox Five, what nonsense are you talking about?" The other Fox Clan Beast Warriors sensed that something was wrong.
But Fox Five didn’t answer them.
"Your voice is too quiet. I couldn’t hear you, cough, cough," Hu Bai said softly.
Hu Bai’s own voice was the one that was truly quiet. Besides, Fox Beastmen had excellent hearing; every Beastman present had heard Fox Five’s apology clearly.
But he still wanted him to repeat it, louder.
"I’M SORRY!" Fox Five’s voice was full and resonant.
Hu Bai released his hand. Fox Five immediately dropped to his knees and kowtowed. "I’m sorry, I’m sorry!"
"Fox Five, what’s wrong with you? You don’t need to be so afraid of Hu Bai. He’s so weak, even his female master abandoned him."
"All of you, shut up!" Seeing Hu Bai bend down to pick up the bones, head, and entrails, the Two-Striped Beast Warrior Fox Five immediately grabbed a large, fine cut of meat from the side and offered it to him. "Lord Hu Bai, Lord Fox Qi!! Please, take this good meat!"
Hu Bai said weakly, "No need. This is enough. She likes to eat these."