Chapter 537 - 534: Explain?

Chapter 537: Chapter 534: Explain?

"Well? Any luck?" Zhu Xiu asked immediately.

Yin Ze shook his head, a hint of confusion and gravity in his eyes. "That Beastman was incredibly fast and knew the terrain like the back of his hand. I chased him all the way to a raging river, and he... he just jumped in without a second thought! I circled overhead for a long time, but the water was too fast and murky. I never saw him come up again..."

’He just couldn’t understand such a suicidal act.’

His gaze then fell on the Beastman still kneeling motionless nearby. "What about him? Did you get anything out of him?"

"Nothing," Xin Feng said, shaking his head. "It’s like he’s an empty shell. We can’t get a thing out of him. There’s something very wrong with these Beastmen."

After a brief, low-voiced discussion, the males quickly made a decision. Zhu Xiu and Xin Feng would be primarily responsible for guarding the female and cubs as they rested. Yin Ze would take the first watch of the night, while Yan Lie was tasked with keeping a close eye on the strange Beastman captive, watching for any unusual behavior.

A short while later, Yan Lie returned. He had found a well-hidden cave that was dry and spacious inside.

The group quickly moved into the cave.

Zhu Xiu and Xin Feng carefully inspected and cleared the cave, ensuring no dangerous creatures were hiding inside.

Deep inside the cave, Shuang Hua found the flattest, driest spot and spread out the soft animal hides they had brought. She gently laid down the cubs, who were already swaying with exhaustion, and hummed a soft tune to lull them to sleep.

The little cubs snuggled in Shuang Hua’s warm embrace. Breathing in her familiar, comforting scent, they soon drifted off to sleep, their small bellies rising and falling with each breath, completely oblivious to the dangers of the world.

Bai Wanwan sat down beside Shuang Hua and the cubs, but she wasn’t the least bit sleepy.

By the faint moonlight filtering in from the cave entrance, she watched the cubs’ peaceful, sleeping faces. Her heart was filled with worry for Hua Han, but she was also pondering those strange Beastmen.

’So far, I’ve only seen a few of these controlled Beastmen, but what if their numbers grow?’

’I used to think that the Tiger Clan under Chou Rong’s rule was a Super Tribe where my Beast Husbands, our cubs, and I could live in peace.’

’But what happens if more and more of these Beastmen appear and threaten our safety?’

She gently stroked a small tiger cub whose head was resting on her lap, but her gaze involuntarily drifted toward the tall, reliable figures at the mouth of the cave.

At the mouth of the cave, Zhu Xiu, Yin Ze, Yan Lie, and Xin Feng sat together, the light from a small, flickering fire illuminating their grave expressions.

The captive Beastman was huddled in a corner, with Yan Lie’s eyes fixed on him.

"These are no ordinary Wandering Beastmen," Zhu Xiu said, his voice low and laced with an icy chill. "Their condition... it’s just like those Beastmen from the Golden Lion Clan."

"First the suicidal attacks from the Crocodylus porosus Clan, then the Beastmen refugees, and now these mindless ones..." A shadow fell over Xin Feng’s gentle features. "I fear something is happening behind the scenes that we know nothing about."

Yin Ze nodded. "It feels... like an invisible net is slowly closing in. And we might already be caught in it."

An oppressive atmosphere spread through the mouth of the cave. The powerful males all had the unsettling feeling that a massive storm was quietly brewing.

For the next three days, Zhu Xiu, Xin Feng, Yan Lie, and Yin Ze practically tore apart the mountains, forests, and river valleys in a radius of nearly a thousand li.

They started from the valley where they had captured the strange Beastman and fanned out in all directions, searching every crevice, cave, and dense thicket.

Yin Ze circled high in the sky, scouting from above. Zhu Xiu used his keen senses to probe the underground and waterways. Meanwhile, Xin Feng and Yan Lie conducted a meticulous dragnet search on the ground.

However, it was as if Hua Han had vanished into thin air, leaving no clues or traces behind.

Other than that initial pool of blood, there was no other sign of him.

On the evening of the third day, the Beast Husbands returned to their temporary cave, exhausted and grim-faced.

Xin Feng looked at Bai Wanwan’s heavily pregnant form and the deep worry etched between her brows. After a moment of contemplation, he finally made a suggestion.

"Wanwan, searching aimlessly like this isn’t working. Your due date is getting closer, and it’s too dangerous to stay out here. Why don’t we take you and the cubs back to the Tiger Clan first? Chou Rong is there, and with all their guards, it’s the safest place. Once you’re settled, Zhu Xiu can stay to protect you, while I, Yan Lie, and Yin Ze come back out to continue the search for Hua Han. What do you think?"

Bai Wanwan caressed her swollen belly. She knew deep down that Xin Feng’s suggestion was the most sensible option.

’Searching blindly is too inefficient. I’m about to give birth, and I have Aunt Shuang and the cubs to think about.’

’It’s just not safe to stay out in the wilderness like this.’

’Besides, as soon as I give birth, I’ll get a large number of Points back. Then I can exchange them for another Tracking Bird. That’s the most efficient way to find Hua Han.’

She took a deep breath and nodded. "Alright, you’re right. Let’s head back to the Tiger Clan first."

With the decision made, they acted swiftly.

Yin Ze once again transformed into a majestic Phoenix. Carrying the entire group, he soared through the clouds, flying at top speed toward the Tiger Clan Tribe.

The Phoenix soared high in the heavens, its speed far surpassing any travel on land.

In just over two days, the familiar, vast territory and the towering, magnificent city walls below came into view.

Chou Rong, who was in the middle of handling tribal affairs, suddenly heard the clear cry of a Phoenix. A flicker of surprise, almost imperceptible, crossed his stern and serious face.

Without a moment’s hesitation, he spoke to the other Beastmen. "We’ll discuss this later. I have something to attend to."

With that, he strode swiftly toward the tribe’s main gate.

As the brilliant Fire Phoenix folded its wings and landed gently on the wide plaza before the city gate, Chou Rong darted forward.

His gaze immediately locked onto Bai Wanwan as Zhu Xiu helped her down from the Phoenix’s back, and the worry in his eyes finally vanished.

He strode up to Bai Wanwan, his towering figure exuding an invisible pressure. His golden-brown, phoenix-like eyes were fixed on her. "You’re back?"

Bai Wanwan looked up, a radiant smile gracing her delicate face. "Yes, I’m back."

She took a few steps forward and, as Chou Rong opened his arms, wrapped her own around his waist.

Just then, seeing their Mother move, a few of the more mischievous cubs jumped down from Shuang Hua’s arms. Their chubby little bodies waddled quickly over to Bai Wanwan and Chou Rong’s feet.

Two of them hugged Bai Wanwan’s legs, whining softly.

Another, bolder cub hugged Chou Rong’s leg and sniffed him gently. Seeming to recognize a familiar scent, it let out an excited "WHIMPER."

Chou Rong looked down, then bent over and scooped the cubs into his arms. His gaze slowly swept over to Bai Wanwan. "Care to explain?"