Chapter 211: It Is His Responsibility

Chapter 211: Chapter 211: It Is His Responsibility

Before the massive stone gates of the Golden Lion Tribe, a squad of powerfully built Beastman guards stood at the ready, safeguarding the tribe.

Xin Feng was the first to step forward and address them. "We have urgent business and need to leave the tribe. Can you open the gate and let us pass?"

"No," the lead guard refused flatly. "It’s fraught with danger outside. No one is allowed to leave before dawn."

"We’re aware of that, but a female we know is still out there. We have to go find her."

"A female? Still outside at this hour?"

The guard’s brow furrowed, but he still shook his head. "No. I can’t let you out."

Mu Feng turned to Xin Feng and Bai Wanwan. "I’ll go by myself. Both of you, go back."

Then, he turned to the male guard. "Just let me out. This is my choice, and I’ll bear the consequences myself!"

Another guard explained with uncharacteristic patience, "Ordinarily, we might let you leave, but things are different now. The beast tide is surging! Leaving the tribe at night is basically suicide!"

Mu Feng had never left the Black Dog Tribe, but he had heard of the horrors of the beast tide.

At the thought of Shi Hua possibly being surrounded by wild beasts, his heart felt like it would leap out of his chest.

When they still refused to open the gate, Mu Feng rushed forward and grabbed the guard by the shoulders, his voice hoarse. "My female is still out there! Please, open the gate! I have to find her!"

"No!" The Beastman at the gate had no idea if he was telling the truth. ’How could a female be outside the tribe, alone, at this hour?’

’And even if they were telling the truth... at this point, could the female still be alive?’

With negotiations having failed, Mu Feng’s eyes grew bloodshot as he prepared to force his way through the gate.

Just then, Jin Yi arrived at a brisk pace with a squad of elite Beastmen.

"Open the gate!" he commanded, his voice low and firm.

The guard hesitated. "But the Clan Leader’s orders are strict... during the night..."

"A female is missing, just outside the tribe." Jin Yi’s voice was level. "If the Clan Leader demands an explanation, I will be the one to answer for it!"

Now that the Young Clan Leader had spoken, the guards exchanged a look and no longer dared to stand in the way.

The heavy stone gate slowly rumbled open.

Mu Feng instantly shifted into his beast form and shot out like an arrow loosed from a bow.

"Hurry! We have to keep up."

Bai Wanwan urged Xin Feng and Yan Lie.

But neither of the two males moved. Their expressions were grave.

"Wanwan," Xin Feng said in a low voice, "it’s too dangerous outside. Yan Lie will take you back. I’ll go with Mu Feng to find Shi Hua. I will do everything in my power to bring them both back safely."

But Bai Wanwan shook her head, her gaze resolute. "Jin Yuan said the cave is right at the foot of the mountain. I won’t wander off, but I have to confirm with my own eyes that Shi Hua is safe."

’Shi Hua is in trouble because of me.’

’If I hadn’t used that itching powder on Jin Yuan, maybe Jin Yuan wouldn’t have taken her revenge out on Shi Hua.’

’I can’t just back down because I’m scared. Shi Hua is pregnant and all alone in the wilderness. We don’t even know if she’s dead or alive!’

"Xin Feng, let’s go. The sooner we confirm Shi Hua is safe, the sooner we can come back."

Xin Feng considered for a moment. ’The cave is just at the edge of the plains,’ he thought. ’A quick trip there and back shouldn’t take too long.’

"Alright, let’s go then."

Bai Wanwan’s expression relaxed. She patted Yan Lie’s back. "Shift to your true form and carry me. We have to speed up!"

’We can’t delay any longer...’

"Alright."

With a low growl, Yan Lie’s body suddenly expanded, transforming into a magnificent, giant beast.

Moonlight, like water, spilled over the vast grasslands.

A group of Beastmen, now in their true forms, sprinted through the night as the wind howled and grass flew in their wake.

The side gate of the Golden Lion Tribe wasn’t far from the foot of the mountain. After just a few minutes, they arrived at the cave Jin Yuan had mentioned.

Mu Feng was the first to charge in, with Xin Feng close behind.

Bai Wanwan clung to Yan Lie’s back, her heart pounding like a drum. Mu Feng’s heart-wrenching cries echoed in her ears: "Huahua! Huahua!"

The cave was narrow, its entrance hidden by thick vines, making it almost impossible to find without a careful search.

Some twenty-odd Beastmen crowded inside, where the light they ignited revealed only empty stone walls.

"Shi Hua... isn’t here..."

A chill ran down Bai Wanwan’s spine as an ominous feeling crept over her...

The males turned the cave upside down, but they couldn’t find even a trace of Shi Hua.

Mu Feng burst out of the cave and began to search the area frantically. "Huahua!" he shouted, his voice trembling. "Where are you? Answer me!"

He began running farther and farther, about to charge deep into the mountain forest, when Jin Yi shouted sharply, "Stop! Once you enter the forest, you could be hit by the beast tide at any moment!"

But Mu Feng paid him no heed, and his figure quickly vanished at the edge of the dark forest.

Bai Wanwan was frantic, desperately wishing she could chase after him herself.

Sensing her distress, Xin Feng said gravely, "Wanwan, let Yan Lie take you back. I’ll go and bring Mu Feng back."

She was worried for Mu Feng and scared for Xin Feng, but right now, there was no other choice.

"He’s not thinking straight. You... you have to be careful," she said, her voice trembling slightly.

Xin Feng gave a solemn nod and plunged into the forest.

Bai Wanwan clenched her fists. She turned to Jin Yi and the Beastmen behind him, took a deep breath, and said, "Young Clan Leader, can I ask for the help of the Golden Lion Tribe’s males to search for Shi Hua? I am willing to offer a Fertility Pill to each one as a reward, in addition to rare items that females cherish."

Jin Yi’s brow furrowed.

’The beast tide is dangerous. Rushing into the mountains is a death sentence. But if we do nothing, the female, Shi Hua, will certainly die anyway.’

As he hesitated, a Golden Lion Beastman stepped forward, his voice firm. "Young Clan Leader, I’m willing to go!"

Bai Wanwan looked at him and saw the anxiety in his eyes, which were fixed in the direction of the forest...

After a moment of silence, Jin Yi finally spoke. "This is a dangerous task, and participation is voluntary. Anyone who helps bring Shi Hua back will receive the Fertility Pill promised by the female, Bai Wanwan."

Afraid they might not understand what a Fertility Pill was, Bai Wanwan quickly added, "I can guarantee you, it will help your female conceive an extra litter of cubs for you."

For male Beastmen, nothing was more important than procreation.

Because there were so few females, usually six or seven males had to share a single Wife.

And since fertility varied greatly among females, many males had not yet had the chance to father their own first litter of cubs.

"I’ll go!" a male immediately spoke up.

"I-I’ll go too!"

Soon, over a dozen males had stepped forward.

Seeing this, Jin Yi also made his decision.

’The missing female, the safety of these males... it’s all my responsibility.’

He turned to Bai Wanwan and Yan Lie, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You are a female; you can’t stay out here. Have your Beast Husband take you back. We will find the female Shi Hua and bring her back safely."

Bai Wanwan knew she couldn’t go with them. In a forest so fraught with danger, she would only slow everyone down.

"Alright. I’ll be waiting for you. All of you... please be careful."

There was no time to waste. Jin Yi said no more, and with a wave of his arm, he led the dozen or so males into the forest.