Chapter 515: Fight for What You Want
Thanks to Qiao Qiao’s Healing Skill, the injured beastmen recovered well.
"Clan Leader, I’ll take my men and search for the monster outside the tribe right away."
Just as Ma Qing was about to leave, Qiao Xixi called out to him.
"That won’t be necessary. Ma Qing, have everyone searching for the monster outside the tribe return."
Ma Qing was confused. "Clan Leader, are we giving up the search?"
Qiao Xixi nodded. "That’s right, we’re stopping the search. Continuing like this will only lead to more casualties. I’ll think of another way."
Since Qiao Xixi had given the order, Ma Qing didn’t argue. "Yes, I’ll go have them return now."
"Good. Also, have someone inform the beastmen not to leave the tribe unless absolutely necessary."
"Okay."
Just as Ma Qing left, Feiyan’s voice came from behind. "Xixi, why did you suddenly call off the hunt for that monster?"
Qiao Xixi turned to look at him. "Most of the beastmen in our tribe are no match for that monster. I’m afraid if we continue, more will die or be injured. We’ll have to find another way to lure it out."
"What’s your plan, Xixi?"
Qiao Xixi glanced to the side and saw Kunlin approaching.
She looked up at him. "I haven’t thought of anything yet. Have you found anything unusual?"
Kunlin shook his head. "Nothing at all."
"I refuse to believe it can stay hidden forever."
"Alright. If you need any help, just let me know."
"Okay."
Feili’s injuries were mostly healed, but Feiyan still insisted he return to the inner city to rest. He would handle the tribe’s affairs.
"Xixi, you should head back to the inner city with Father Beast and the cubs. I’m going to check in with Ma Qing."
"Alright. Be careful."
Feiyan nodded and departed.
Kunlin glanced in the direction Feiyan had gone, then said to Qiao Xixi, "Let me walk you back."
Qiao Xixi gave him a look but didn’t refuse.
Qiao Qiao and Qiao Ang emerged from the stone house, each supporting one of Feili’s arms.
"I told you I’m fine, but these cubs are insisting I go back and rest. Oh, dear." Feili grumbled, but he couldn’t hide the proud smile on his face.
"Feili Father Beast, let’s head back now."
"Alright, alright."
"Grandfather, be careful. Watch out for the rocks," Qiao Qiao reminded him considerately. Feili beamed, his face lighting up with a huge smile.
Qiao Xixi held the tiger cub close and looked down at Xiya, Sangqi, and the others.
"Let’s head back, too."
Sangqi shot a quick glance at Kunlin, his brow furrowing instinctively.
Noticing Sangqi hadn’t moved, Qiao Xixi called out to him.
"Sangqi, what’s wrong? Let’s go."
Sangqi pulled his gaze away, turned, and walked to Qiao Xixi’s side, taking her hand.
"Mother, I’m coming."
"What is it? Are you not feeling well?"
Sangqi pursed his lips. He couldn’t quite describe the feeling. It was definitely uncomfortable, like a heavy stone was pressing down on his chest, making it hard to breathe.
But seeing the concern in Qiao Xixi’s eyes, he sensibly shook his head.
"No, Mother. I’m fine."
"Okay. Tonight, I’ll make you all some roasted meat."
While Qiao Xixi was speaking, Sangqi glanced back at Kunlin again.
Their eyes met. Sangqi saw a fleeting glint of red in Kunlin’s eyes. His heart skipped a beat, and it felt as if something was about to burst out from inside him.
Sangqi closed his eyes and shook his head. When he opened them again to look at Kunlin, the man had already averted his gaze.
Sangqi’s frown deepened. ’Did I see that wrong?’
Sangqi’s eyes met Kunlin’s a few more times after that, but he didn’t notice anything else unusual. He had no choice but to look away.
As they passed by the river, Kunlin’s voice came from behind them.
"It’s still early. How about we go catch some fish-beasts by the river? I remember you like eating them."
Qiao Xixi stopped. "That’s a good idea. Qiao Lie, do you all want to go catch fish-beasts by the river?"
Hearing this, the cubs all stopped. The little tiger cub, in particular, understood Qiao Xixi’s words and excitedly turned toward the river, squirming to be let down.
Feili saw the cubs’ eagerness and, thinking it was safe enough within the tribe, said, "If you want to go, then go have some fun. Grandfather will go get you some bamboo baskets."
"Yay! We wanna go, we wanna go! We wanna catch fish-beasts!"
Kids will be kids. When it came to playing, they could put all their worries behind them.
"Alright, let’s go catch some fish-beasts then."
Qiao Xixi and the others changed direction and headed to the riverbank.
There were quite a few people by the river at this time of day. Some were males washing beast-hide clothes, while others were with their cubs, playing in the water.
The beastmen by the river who recognized Qiao Xixi all greeted her, and she returned their greetings warmly.
"It’s too crowded here. Let’s go a little further," Qiao Xixi said, pointing upstream. "The fish-beasts are bigger up there, too."
"Okay."
They walked a short distance further, and as expected, there were far fewer beastmen. However, there were still a few scattered cubs playing in the water with males watching over them from the bank.
The moment the little tiger cub saw the water, she got excited and wanted to jump in. Recalling how well she swam last time, Qiao Xixi didn’t hold her back, letting her leap into the water and splash about happily.
Qiao Lie and the others were all eager to join in.
Qiao Xixi called them over, crouching down to whisper some instructions to them.
By the time Kunlin returned with some large leaves, Qiao Xixi had already stood up and was patting the cubs on their shoulders.
"Go on, but don’t go where the current is strong, understand?"
"We know, Mother!"
Once the cubs were in the water, Qiao Xixi looked over at Kunlin. "Thank you. I was thinking we could put the fish-beasts on these leaves after they catch them."
After she spoke, she turned her gaze back to the cubs in the water, worried they might get into trouble. Fortunately, despite their playful nature, the cubs were well-behaved and didn’t wander off.
Kunlin gazed at Qiao Xixi’s delicate profile, and a dark red light began to swirl in his pitch-black pupils.
A deeply seductive voice echoed in Kunlin’s mind.
’You desire her, don’t you? A female like her should be yours. Kunlin, you’re no worse than any of her beastman mates. Go on. Embrace her, take her away, and she will be yours.’
Kunlin frowned and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, he had suppressed the dark red glow within them.
Yet he found himself unable to tear his gaze away from Qiao Xixi.
’You have to fight for the things you want. Are you really going to stand by and let this opportunity pass you by?’
What Qiao Xixi didn’t notice was that Kunlin had moved to stand behind her. Before she could even react, he suddenly reached out and pulled her into an embrace.
Qiao Xixi gasped, looking back at Kunlin in shock.
"Kunlin, what are you doing? Let me go!"
The moment he embraced her, the dark red light in his eyes was completely unleashed.
"Xixi, I... You, come with me!"