Chapter 553 - 550: Setting Off

Chapter 553: Chapter 550: Setting Off

"Wanwan, easy," Chou Rong said, his large, steady hand gently pressing on her shoulder to stop her hurried movements. "You need to calm down. You’re still pregnant; you can’t overexert yourself. Let Yin Ze go first. He’s the fastest among us, so it’s best for him to go and check on Hua Han’s situation. If he finds him and confirms he’s safe, then at first light, I’ll have Zhu Xiu and Xin Feng escort you."

He was trying to soothe her anxious mood, his voice low and reassuring.

"You know my body isn’t like other females’. This pregnancy doesn’t slow me down. I’ll be fine," Bai Wanwan insisted, her brows tightly knitted.

Chou Rong looked at her anxious face and sighed. "Wanwan, we know you’re special. But as your Beast Husbands, we can’t let you travel in the dead of night. Please, just rest for one night and gather your strength. If you set out tomorrow morning, I swear I won’t stop you."

Bai Wanwan pressed her lips together, feeling as if she were on pins and needles, and refused to nod.

’Hua Han is out there alone and possibly injured. Every moment I delay puts him in more danger.’

Chou Rong could see her inner turmoil and continued to persuade her gently. "Yin Ze traveling alone will be much faster than a large group. He’s an experienced Red Rank Powerhouse, more than capable of handling any sudden developments. Having him find Hua Han first is more efficient than all of us rushing over together. You wait here. I’ll go get Yin Ze right now."

After speaking, Chou Rong gently patted her back, then stood and strode out of the room.

Before long, the door was pushed open again. Not only had Yin Ze arrived, but Zhu Xiu, Xin Feng, and Yan Lie, who had heard the commotion, also followed him in.

Obviously, Chou Rong had already given them a brief explanation of the situation when he stepped out.

"Wanwan, is there news about Hua Han?" Yan Lie, being the most impatient, couldn’t help but ask.

"Mhm," Bai Wanwan nodded. "I’m so worried about him. I think he must have run into trouble. We have to find him quickly, otherwise I’m afraid he’ll disappear again, just like last time."

Zhu Xiu stepped forward, his dark snake pupils fixed on her, his voice low but carrying a soothing power. "Wanwan, Chou Rong just told us. We’ve discussed it, and we all agree with his idea. Let Yin Ze go on ahead to confirm things at top speed. You get a good rest tonight. Tomorrow morning, we’ll personally escort you there."

Xin Feng also added gently, "That’s right, Wanwan. Yin Ze is fastest when traveling alone; he can get there first. We’ll get everything ready tonight, and if we set out first thing in the morning, we can rendezvous with them quickly."

Seeing the shared concern and insistence in her Beast Husbands’ eyes, and considering that Yin Ze really would be faster traveling alone, the scales in Bai Wanwan’s mind finally tipped.

She hesitated for a moment before finally giving in, adding a few words of caution. "Then... alright. Yin Ze, you have to be careful. Once you find him, make sure he’s safe first, then leave us a signal. If... if he’s seriously injured, just do your best to stabilize his condition and wait for me."

"I will, Wanwan. Don’t worry," Yin Ze replied with a solemn nod.

"Take this. If the situation is urgent, use it on Hua Han." She handed him the Extreme Effect Golden Sore Medicine.

Once she finished giving her instructions, Bai Wanwan took the Tracking Bird out of her System Space.

It circled Bai Wanwan once, then, like an arrow loosed from a bow, shot out the window with a SWOOSH, vanishing instantly into the night.

"I’m heading out then. I’ll leave trail markers for you along the way." Without further delay, Yin Ze was gone before his words even faded. He streaked out the window like a wisp of smoke, pursuing the Tracking Bird so quickly that he left only a faint afterimage in his wake.

Bai Wanwan rushed to the window, but could only see the receding shadow of the Phoenix.

"Wanwan, don’t worry. Yin Ze will find Hua Han."

Her Beast Husbands took turns comforting her.

"Mhm. You guys go get some rest. We’ll set out in the morning."

It was indeed late, and not wanting to keep her from her rest, the others left one by one, leaving only Chou Rong behind.

The bedroom grew quiet once more. Chou Rong pulled her back into his arms, tucking the soft fur blanket snugly around her.

The exhaustion that should have followed all the turmoil was completely swept away by her worry for Hua Han. Bai Wanwan’s eyes remained wide open; she wasn’t the least bit sleepy.

Chou Rong keenly sensed the tension in her body and the anxiety in her heart. His broad, warm palm began to stroke her back in a slow, steady rhythm. His voice was low and magnetic. "Maybe by the time we arrive tomorrow, Yin Ze will already have Hua Han taken care of. You need to rest now—for yourself, and for the little one in your belly."

Leaning against his solid chest and listening to the steady beat of his heart, Bai Wanwan’s own frantic heart began to calm.

’He’s right,’ she thought. ’As long as they find Hua Han, even if he’s gravely injured, I can use the System to save him as long as he’s still breathing.’

With that thought, the tension finally began to ease from her body.

She now only hoped that time would pass faster, and faster still, so that tomorrow would come sooner, and she could go with her Beast Husbands to bring Hua Han home.

In Chou Rong’s reassuring embrace and gentle caresses, she slowly relaxed. Her heavy eyelids finally closed, and she fell back asleep.

The next time she awoke, the sky outside was bright with daylight, and soft morning sunlight streamed through the window, filling the bedroom.

She instinctively glanced beside her and was surprised to find that Chou Rong was, for once, still home. He hadn’t left early to manage the tribe’s affairs as he usually did.

"You’re awake?" Chou Rong was lying on his side, propped up on his hand, looking at her.

"Mhm," Bai Wanwan nodded, sitting up immediately. "The sun is up. We have to get going."

"Alright. Xin Feng and the others are ready. You just need to get up, wash your face, and eat something. Then you can set out."

Chou Rong rose as well. "We’ve already divided up the duties. I’m staying here in the tribe to look after the children. Zhu Xiu, Xin Feng, and Yan Lie will escort you the entire way to find Hua Han. They’re all prepared and waiting for you outside."

Hearing this, Bai Wanwan wasted no time getting up, washing her face, and dressing.

Driven by a sense of urgency, she moved much faster than usual.

Before leaving, she first changed the water for the little mermaid babies with a new batch of simulated seawater.

Then she went to check on her other children one by one.

Finally, she made a special trip to Aunt Shuang’s home.

Shuang Hua was in the courtyard hanging pelts to dry and looked up in surprise when she saw Bai Wanwan and the others, all geared up and ready to depart.

"Aunt Shuang," Bai Wanwan said, taking her hand. "I have to go away for a while, and I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone. Chou Rong might get too busy to manage everything on his own, so could I trouble you to help look after the children when you have a moment?"

Shuang Hua nodded at once, patting her hand affectionately. "Of course. Don’t you worry, Aunt Shuang is here! You leave the little ones to me. Go on, but please, be careful and come back safely."

"Thank you, Aunt Shuang." Bai Wanwan’s heart warmed, and she hugged Shuang Hua tightly. "We’ll be back as soon as we can."