Chapter 201: Caught Red-Handed

Chapter 201: Chapter 201: Caught Red-Handed

Bai Wanwan was led into the stone house by Jin Wu. The interior was dimly lit, and a faint scent of herbs permeated the air.

Clan Leader Jin Cang was sitting by a stone table, a Beast Skin Scroll in hand, his expression focused.

Hearing the footsteps, he looked up. A hint of surprise touched his gentle gaze when he saw Bai Wanwan enter from outside.

"Young female, it’s you? Have you recovered?"

He had seen with his own eyes last night how the Clan Witch had tried every method to wake her, all to no avail.

"Thank you for your concern, Clan Leader. I’m all right."

Jin Cang didn’t believe her, but since the young female was unwilling to say more, he didn’t press the matter.

He set down the Beast Skin Scroll and looked past her. "I thought I heard Jin Yi’s voice. Where did he go?"

Before Bai Wanwan could answer, Jin Wu spoke up. "The Young Clan Leader left after escorting Bai Wanwan here. He probably has other matters to attend to."

Jin Cang detected the hint of disappointment in Jin Wu’s voice, but he felt this wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Other than Zhuo Ling, Jin Yi had hardly ever associated with other females.

As long as Jin Yi didn’t reject her, given Bai Wanwan’s looks and disposition, it was only a matter of time before he developed feelings for her.

He didn’t let his emotions show, his gaze falling back on Bai Wanwan.

"Young female, did you come to see me about something?"

Bai Wanwan had discreetly asked Xin Feng, but he didn’t know anything about Ghost Orchid Grass.

Suspecting the herb was hard to come by, she abandoned the idea of sending her Beast Husbands out on a risky search. Instead, she decided to consult with Clan Leader Jin Cang to see if she could trade for it.

So, she didn’t hesitate for a moment and said directly, "Clan Leader, there is indeed one more thing I need your help with. Of course, I won’t ask for your help for nothing. I can still trade you the Fertility Pill we discussed last time."

Jin Cang smiled and raised a hand. "No rush. First, tell me what you need my help with."

’The Holy Female before me is asking for a favor. This is exactly what I was hoping for.’

"I need Ghost Orchid Grass," Bai Wanwan said, looking at the middle-aged beastman on the stone chair. "I was wondering if you might have some, Jin Cang Clan Leader?"

Jin Cang hadn’t expected her to ask for Ghost Orchid Grass.

Ghost Orchid Grass was an extremely precious plant capable of neutralizing powerful poisons.

But the plant was incredibly difficult to keep alive and grew only in the waters near the Crocodylus porosus Clan.

And the Crocodylus porosus Clan were the most savage beastmen among the Super Tribes, rarely interacting with other groups.

"Is the Ghost Orchid Grass very important to you?" Jin Cang stared at her, inwardly weighing whether it was worth it to trade for the plant on her behalf.

"Yes, it’s extremely important to me. If you have any, Clan Leader, I implore you to part with it. I will offer resources of equal value in exchange."

Jin Cang sighed. "If I had any, I would trade it to you right now. But Ghost Orchid Grass is far too precious..."

A flicker of disappointment appeared in Bai Wanwan’s eyes. Of all the beastmen she knew, Jin Cang was the one most likely to have Ghost Orchid Grass.

’If even he doesn’t have it, where else can I possibly find it?’

’If I can’t get pregnant, I’ll start losing Points. The longer it takes, the more Points I’ll lose.’

’With less than 100,000 Points, how long can I last?’

Jin Cang deliberately trailed off. He noticed the complex, conflicted expression on Bai Wanwan’s face and knew he had his answer.

"Young female, I can make an exception for you and try to trade for it with a Super Tribe."

Bai Wanwan’s head snapped up. Before the joy in her heart could even spread, she warily masked her expression.

’Jin Cang is the leader of a large tribe. He wouldn’t perform an act of charity for a female he barely knows.’

"What are your conditions, Clan Leader?"

He saw the young female’s joy blossom for an instant before she reined it in.

A flash of admiration glinted in Jin Cang’s eyes. ’This young female is the smartest, most composed one I’ve ever met.’

’It would be a real shame if Jin Yi missed out on her.’

"Ghost Orchid Grass is exceedingly precious. Even if I’m the one to ask, it will require a trade of many valuable resources..."

"I understand," Bai Wanwan said, nodding perceptively. "I will never forget your help, Clan Leader. I will trade anything I am able to offer. And... if there is ever a need for my help in the future, I will do my best."

’I want to live. I want to stay with my Beast Husbands forever.’

Jin Cang smiled, his gaze deep and gentle. "I don’t need resources. I only need you to agree to one thing."

Bai Wanwan had a feeling about this and asked cautiously, "What is it? Please, tell me, Clan Leader."

Jin Cang didn’t answer right away. He looked at Bai Wanwan, his expression growing even more amiable.

It was the look of a family elder gazing upon a junior.

Being watched like this made Bai Wanwan feel uneasy, as if thorns were pricking her back.

’I don’t even have to think about it. Whatever Clan Leader Jin Cang wants me to agree to, it’s definitely not going to be simple.’

"It’s actually a very simple matter for you. You already have three Beast Husbands. What’s one more?"

"Hmm?"

Bai Wanwan’s mind raced, but she never would have imagined this would be his condition.

"What do you mean?"

"Let Jin Yi become your Beast Husband." Jin Cang stopped beating around the bush and stated his purpose directly.

’This is the perfect opportunity.’

’A stalk of Ghost Orchid Grass is precious, but it’s nothing compared to the chance for one to become the Beast Husband of a Holy Female.’

’But it would still require him to pay a great price.’

Bai Wanwan blinked and gave a light cough. "Clan Leader, this... even if I agree, I’m afraid the Young Clan Leader won’t be willing. I heard he likes the female, Zhuo Ling."

’I can’t just agree to this. I’m not even acquainted with Jin Yi. How could we be mated for life?’

"I’ll go talk to Jin Yi," Jin Cang said, hesitating for a moment before continuing. "As long as you agree, I will find a way to get the Ghost Orchid Grass for you. If, in the end, you and Jin Yi cannot be mated, then you can consider the Ghost Orchid Grass a gift from me."

Jin Cang wasn’t forcing her; he was even giving her plenty of leeway.

It was just...

’She already had three males at home, and Jin Yi didn’t even like her.’

"Clan Leader... I need to think about this."

’Actually, if I just used a few tricks to make Jin Yi despise me, I could get my hands on the Ghost Orchid Grass for free.’

’But the Clan Leader has been so generous. To do something like that would be truly heartless.’

Bai Wanwan would show no mercy to beastmen with malicious intentions.

Although Clan Leader Jin Cang had his own agenda, he had never forced her and had even provided her and her mates with many conveniences.

Jin Cang nodded, his tone still gentle. "Of course, you can take your time to consider it. I will make arrangements for the Ghost Orchid Grass as soon as possible, so you don’t need to worry."

Jin Cang wasn’t worried about failing to achieve his goal. He could see this young female was a person who valued relationships.

He would do his best to set up Jin Yi with the young female, but if it didn’t work out, building a good relationship with a Holy Female would only benefit his tribe’s development.

Bai Wanwan’s heart eased, and she thanked him sincerely. "Thank you, Jin Cang Clan Leader."

Jin Cang could tell she was a good female who knew how to be grateful.

He smiled and nodded. "I’ll send some beastmen to make inquiries right away. You should go back and rest. I’ll come find you once I’ve traded for the Ghost Orchid Grass."

"Okay."

"Jin Yue, see Bai Wanwan back safely."

Jin Yue accepted the order and walked to Bai Wanwan’s side. "Bai Wanwan, please."

Under Clan Leader Jin Cang’s watchful gaze, Bai Wanwan slowly turned and left.

As she left the stone house, Bai Wanwan kept her gaze lowered, lost in thought.

After walking for a while, she glanced ahead and saw Xin Feng waiting outside for her.

A pang of guilt immediately struck her.