Chapter 587 - 584: The Longed-For Figure

Chapter 587: Chapter 584: The Longed-For Figure

Dusk was falling. After several days of dusty, travel-worn trekking, the Tiger Clan Tribe was finally in sight.

The journey had been anything but peaceful. They had weathered several scattered attacks and rescued numerous Beastmen who had been left homeless after their tribes were destroyed.

Their party was now considerably larger than when they had first set out. The Beastmen behind Bai Wanwan, their faces etched with exhaustion, gazed at the massive tribal settlement ahead. As survivors, their hearts began to fill with hope for a new life.

Chou Rong had already received word of their arrival. His tall figure stood before the tribe’s main gate, as steady and immovable as a mountain.

His gaze cut through the crowd, locking precisely onto the one figure that had consumed his thoughts.

Bai Wanwan spotted him at once. The weariness from her long journey seemed to melt away in an instant. Her steps lightened, and she all but ran to him.

Chou Rong reached out, his hand steadying her arm. His fingertips gently traced her skin as if to confirm she was real. "What took you so long?" he asked, his deep voice thick with a longing he tried to conceal.

Bai Wanwan looked up at him, her smile radiant and lovely in the light of the setting sun. "I had to handle a few difficult matters. And... I brought the Beastmen from the Leopard and Fox Clans back with me."

She paused, then leaned in a little closer with a smile. "Are you going to be upset that I acted on my own?"

Chou Rong didn’t answer right away. Instead, he swept an arm around her and pulled her tightly into his embrace.

Feeling her warmth in his arms, the anxiety that had gnawed at him for days finally began to subside.

The main party had now arrived. Still holding her, Chou Rong turned to the dependable Zhu Xiu and Xin Feng. "I had accommodations prepared after our scouts reported in," he instructed. "Take everyone to get settled. I’ll take Wanwan back myself."

As males themselves, Xin Feng, Yan Lie, and the others understood what Chou Rong was feeling.

The desire to be alone with one’s beloved female after a long separation was instinctual.

They had no objections. Besides, they genuinely had a mountain of work to do settling in the newcomers.

They turned to Bai Wanwan. "Wanwan, we’ll head back and wait for you."

"Come back soon."

"Okay. Chou Rong and I will be back in a little while."

With the instructions given, Chou Rong naturally took Bai Wanwan’s hand and led her deeper into the tribal settlement.

Once they were out of sight, Bai Wanwan couldn’t resist poking him gently in his firm side. She tilted her head, a playful glint in her eyes. "You still haven’t answered my question."

Chou Rong caught her mischievous hand, enveloping it completely within his own. There was no anger in his gaze; instead, it held a different, deeper emotion.

"I’m not angry. This is your home, and you are my Wife. You have the final say in everything here."

"Really?" she asked, but her bright eyes had already curved into joyous crescents.

Even so, she wanted to make her reasoning clear. "I brought them back, firstly, because they’re Yan Lie and Hua Han’s kinsmen. It’s dangerous out there. If we left them to fend for themselves, Yan Lie and Hua Han would be worried sick. But more importantly,"

Her tone turned serious. "we still don’t know how powerful our enemy is. We need to unite every force we can and build our own strength. It’s the only way we can prepare for even greater dangers in the future."

Chou Rong listened quietly, his eyes filled with admiration and approval.

’His little female wasn’t just beautiful; she was clever, too. She always thought so much further ahead.’

"You’re absolutely right," he said, picking up on her train of thought. "I was also planning on establishing ten new patrol teams in addition to our fixed guard posts. Five would patrol the perimeter as an early warning system, while the other five would be responsible for order and safety within the tribe. Before, most of our males were tied up protecting the cubs and females, so we were short on numbers. But now that you’ve brought back so many..."

Bai Wanwan nodded in complete agreement. "That will definitely increase the tribe’s security! And... I was thinking of setting up a ’Cub Garden’ to gather all the young cubs. They could play and learn together under the care of designated guardians. That would not only protect them better, but it would also free up many of the males from cub-watching duties, giving them more time and energy to stockpile food, train, and defend the tribe. What do you think?"

The two walked on, conversing in low tones. Their shadows stretched long in the setting sun, a picture of perfect harmony and intimacy.

Not far away, Hua Yu approached her son, Hua Han. Her gaze followed the couple’s retreating figures as she asked quietly, "The Clan Leader of this powerful tribe... he’s one of Wanwan’s Beast Husbands, too?"

Hua Han watched as Bai Wanwan walked away with Chou Rong, never once looking back. A hollow feeling spread through his chest. He wasn’t yet used to seeing her attention completely focused on another male.

While he was under the control of the Dark Energy, Wanwan had given him special care, lavishing him with all her tenderness and consideration.

He had grown used to her constant attention and care. Now, he felt like a fish out of water.

He knew perfectly well that back in the Tiger Clan Tribe, she had many other outstanding Beast Husbands who also needed her company. His share of her time and affection would inevitably shrink.

He understood all of this in theory, but seeing it happen right before his eyes, he couldn’t ignore the sharp pang of disappointment and pain in his heart.

"Yes," Hua Han said, pulling his gaze away. His voice was low. "He’s one of Wanwan’s Beast Husbands, too."

Hua Yu could see her son’s spirits were low. She sighed softly, patting his sturdy shoulder. "It’s only natural for a female as beautiful, powerful, and kind as Wanwan to be admired and pursued by many strong males," she said earnestly. "Since you’ve chosen her, you have to learn to accept and adapt to this. Don’t ever let your emotions get the better of you and do something that would put her in a difficult position or make her angry, do you understand?"

Hua Han took a slow, deep breath, struggling to suppress the turmoil of his emotions.

’He’d had Wanwan’s undivided attention and companionship for such a long time. He was already luckier than most of the other males. He should be grateful.’

"Yes," he nodded, his expression gradually calming. "I understand, Mother."

Just then, Yan Lie walked over. "Hua Han, Chou Rong has set aside an area for you all over there. Why don’t you lead your people to it? I need to take the Leopard Clan Beastmen to the other side."

"Alright, you go on ahead. I’ll get them settled and head back on my own."

’Clearly, Yan Lie already considered him part of the family.’

’He had already won Wanwan’s heart and earned the acceptance of several of the other males.’

’The only thing left to do was to work even harder and earn a bigger place in her heart.’

’He could do it.’

A relaxed smile returned to his face as he turned to call out to his people, "Everyone, this way!"

They proceeded in a great procession down the Tiger Clan’s main thoroughfare, drawing out many of the local Beastmen who came to see the commotion.

The Fox Clan Beastmen were renowned for their beauty—there was hardly an unattractive one among them—and their passage caused quite a stir...