Chapter 575 - 572: What Are You Nervous About?

Chapter 575: Chapter 572: What Are You Nervous About?

Once tribal affairs had settled down a bit, Zhu Xiu, Xin Feng, Yan Lie, and the others began to discuss their next move.

Zhu Xiu sat in the center of the room, his serpentine eyes scanning the group. His voice was low. "The Leopard Clan’s crisis has been resolved. Wanwan can’t exert herself any further. It’s time to prepare to send her back to the Tiger Clan to rest during her pregnancy."

Xin Feng nodded in agreement, his gentle gaze filled with worry. ’The world outside is fraught with peril; it’s definitely not as safe as the Tiger Clan.’

Although Yan Lie was reluctant, he knew this was the best choice.

His handsome face was completely serious. "I will select a group of the most reliable Leopard Clan Warriors to escort you. I’ll stay behind to make sure everything is absolutely secure before I head back."

"What are you all talking about?" Bai Wanwan smiled at them. "I’m definitely having this baby here. I don’t want to be running back and forth. With all of you here, there’s no problem with me resting and having the baby here."

’The main thing is, I have to break the mind control over these Leopard Clan Beastmen before I can leave with any peace of mind.’

Hua Han, who had just woken up and come looking for Bai Wanwan, overheard their conversation.

He remained silent until their discussion was over.

It was getting late, and seeing Bai Wanwan’s insistence on staying, the males had no choice but to compromise.

"All the mind-controlled Beastmen have been captured. The Leopard Clan is safe now," Xin Feng said. "Besides, we’re here with Wanwan. If she wants to stay, let her stay."

Yin Ze had no objections; he deferred to Bai Wanwan’s wishes on all matters.

Seeing her determination, Zhu Xiu could only nod in agreement as well.

Bai Wanwan yawned, and the males sprang into action.

Xin Feng went out to fetch water while Yan Lie went to make the bed.

Only after Bai Wanwan had finished washing up did she realize Hua Han had been silently following behind her.

Sensing the familiar gaze behind her, she flicked the water from her hands and broke into a smile. Sunlight danced on her damp eyelashes. "What’s wrong, Hua Han?"

Hua Han strode forward and took her hand. His fingertips were a little cool.

"Wanwan, there’s something I want to discuss with you," he said, pausing. His eyes revealed an inner struggle, but he had clearly made his decision. "I want to go back and check on my tribe in the Fox Clan. The situation has become dire, and I can’t stop worrying. I don’t know how my family and my people are doing."

Bai Wanwan nodded without a moment’s hesitation. "Of course you should go back and check on them. We’ll go together."

Hua Han immediately shook his head, his brow furrowed. "You’re pregnant. You can’t make a long journey like that with me; it’s too strenuous. Besides, the situation in my tribe is unknown. It could be dangerous."

"And you think I can rest easy letting you go back alone? If you were your normal self, I might agree. But right now, you can’t even control your own mind. If you run into danger, you’ll be defenseless."

Hua Han had considered that.

But he felt his moments of lucidity had been growing longer lately, perhaps because of his high rank.

The force controlling him was growing weaker.

’If he could just hold on, he could stay lucid long enough after returning to see how things are, then leave immediately.’

’And if he lost consciousness along the way, his instincts would take over. He probably wouldn’t face any major danger.’

"Wanwan, I’ll hide when I’m not lucid and only move when I am."

But Bai Wanwan still shook her head. She gently placed her other hand on her slightly rounded stomach, offering him a reassuring smile.

"We’re going back with you, and that’s final. And don’t you worry. I’m not like other females; this pregnancy hasn’t been much of a burden. If I let you go alone and something happened to you, what would I do then?"

Hua Han had never imagined he would one day hear such words from Wanwan.

It felt as if his heart had stopped beating.

"Wanwan..."

He couldn’t resist wrapping his long arms around her, pulling her into his embrace.

’This whole ordeal had been a blessing in disguise. Even though he was unconscious most of the time, he could clearly feel that Wanwan’s feelings for him were deepening.’

"Alright." Hua Han finally nodded, squeezing her hand tighter. "Then we’ll leave together. Wanwan, I love you."

Bai Wanwan smiled, tilting her head back to look at him. "Mm, I love you too."

Wasting no time, they were ready to depart by early the next morning. As the sky began to lighten, Bai Wanwan’s group was already packed and prepared to set out.

Yun Lan held Bai Wanwan’s hand, her eyes filled with worry and reluctance to see her go. "Wanwan, it’s a long way to the Fox Clan, and you’re pregnant... Why don’t you just stay here? Let Yan Lie and the others go scout ahead first..."

Bai Wanwan squeezed Yun Lan’s warm hand, a bright, reassuring smile on her face. "Mother, don’t worry about me. I know my own body; I’m as strong as an ox! I’m just going with Hua Han to check on things. We’ll be back before you know it!"

"Sigh!" Yun Lan sighed. Knowing she couldn’t change Bai Wanwan’s mind, she turned to repeatedly lecture Yan Lie. "Yan Lie, you have to take good care of Wanwan. Don’t let her get tired, you hear me? If Wanwan comes back even a little bit thinner, Mother will have your hide!"

Yan Lie grinned and nodded solemnly. He wrapped an arm around Bai Wanwan’s shoulders and assured the matriarch, "Mother, you can rest easy! With all of us here, none of us will let her get tired or suffer. We promise to take the best care of her!"

Hua Han’s moments of lucidity were limited and unpredictable. During a brief, clear-headed period the previous night, he had relied on his memory to draw a map for Bai Wanwan. On a simple piece of beast hide she provided, he sketched out the general direction and route to the Fox Clan’s tribe.

For the first two days of the journey, Hua Han remained lost to his senses.

Bai Wanwan, Yan Lie, Zhu Xiu, and Xin Feng could only rely on the crude map, cautiously making their way forward as they tried to get their bearings.

It wasn’t until the afternoon of the third day. Bai Wanwan, riding on Yan Lie’s back, felt the small fox in her arms stir. She looked down to see a pair of eyes slowly blinking open, still hazy with sleep.

"You’re awake?" Bai Wanwan whispered, overjoyed.

Hua Han shook his groggy head. As he took in his surroundings and saw his mate watching him with concern, his memories slowly returned.

He quickly jumped off Yan Lie’s back, stretched his stiff limbs, and shifted into his human form.

The group came to a halt.

Bai Wanwan pulled out the beast-hide map and moved closer to Hua Han. She pointed to a marking on it. "Hua Han, take a look. Are we heading in the right direction?"

Hua Han studied the map, then looked up to identify the silhouette of the distant mountain range before nodding. "Mm, the direction is right. When we reach that fork in the road, we should take the path on the left..."

His voice was still raspy from sleep, but then he seemed to realize something, and his expression suddenly tensed.

Noticing the subtle change in his expression, Bai Wanwan raised an eyebrow. She couldn’t help but lean in closer, batting her eyelashes teasingly. "Hua Han, I get the feeling... you’re a little nervous. You’re just going back to your own tribe. What’s there to be nervous about? Don’t tell me you have some cute little female you’re sweet on there?"