Yuan Heng fought fiercely with the Flesh-Devourer, his eyes glinting when they swept over the iron arrow that had pierced the beast’s eye. He moved closer to the creature, instantly shifting into human form. Nimbly stepping onto its eye, he yanked out the iron arrow and stabbed it into the flesh devourer’s remaining good eye.
Just as the fleshy waves surged to attack him, he transformed back into a white tiger, leaping midair and perfectly dodging the assault.
Blinded, the Flesh-Devourer's attacks became chaotic, its defenses crumbling. Instantly, the beasts below seized the opportunity—one successful bite led to countless others swarming in. Overwhelmed by self-preservation, the flesh devourer could no longer focus on blocking the white fox’s path or dealing with Yuan Heng.
Seizing the chance, Yuan Heng leaped down, catching up to the white fox’s pace. With deft movements, he snatched the person on its back and transferred them onto his own.
“!” Little brother-in-law…
Cheng Bai’s steps faltered. He turned to snatch the person back, only to see the ger on the white tiger’s back happily wrapping their arms around its neck.
“Brother Heng!”
“…”
The ger grinned, his pink lips curling into a heart shape. His pale, injured face flushed with joy, their happiness impossible to hide…
His soft, delighted voice rang clear as a mountain spring, striking deep into the hearts of the two beastmen present.
So this is the Brother Heng the delicate ger kept talking about?
An ancient winged beastman, no less…
No wonder the ger always said Brother Heng could take him back. An ancient beastman could traverse a beast tide effortlessly—of course, this Brother Heng could take him away.
To think this delicate ger had met such a figure during his disappearance.
But… what exactly was their relationship?
Could it really be… lovers?
A flicker of complexity passed through Cheng Bai’s silver eyes as he quickened his pace to match the white tiger’s speed.
____
Inside the tribe.
Lai Yuan and Xiao Ruo anxiously watched the direction of the flames, turning to the leader behind them. “Leader, send someone to find Brother Heng! Something’s wrong over there!”
The leader, holding Yue ger in his arms, remained silent.
Lai Yuan and Xiao Ruo gritted their teeth in frustration. Exchanging a glance, they shifted into their beast forms, ready to charge toward the flames—until the leader’s calm voice drifted over.
“If you step out of this tribe, never return. Your gers and families will be exiled for this act.”
“!” Lai Yuan and Xiao Ruo stared in shock, their eyes wide with disbelief.
“You…” Xiao Ruo shifted back, looking at the leader as if seeing him for the first time. “You won’t even save Brother Heng?”
“If an ancient beastman can’t handle it, no one in our tribe can. No need to throw lives away.”
“…” Even if that were true, his cold-heartedness sent chills down their spines.
Yue ger stared at the distant flames, a trace of pain flashing through his dull eyes. He turned to the leader, pleading weakly, “Go save Brother Heng…”
“…” The leader’s expression darkened, his brows furrowing tightly. “Even in this state, you’re still thinking of him? He’s an ancient beastman, what could happen to him? But you… you…”
He paused, unable to continue, turning his face away with a hint of anguish. His voice trembled slightly. “Do you… have anything else to say?” Nothing for him?
Yue ger froze. He understood the leader’s meaning. He was already at death’s door, clinging to life only by sheer willpower—the desperate hope of seeing Yuan Heng again.
His body was numb with pain. The moment he fell into the beast horde, he knew he wouldn’t escape. But dragging Wang Jin down with him left him with no regrets.
A strange smile twisted Yue ger’s lips. “I have nothing left to say. Wang Jin’s death is my greatest comfort… Even if Brother Heng never loved me, he’ll remember that I killed Wang Jin. Every time he thinks of Wang Jin, he’ll think of me—”
“Then I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed!” A soft, sweet voice suddenly rang out from afar.
Everyone turned to see a figure riding a white tiger, speeding toward them.
The white tiger had majestic wings, its fur gleaming magnificently. Behind it, a white fox followed—graceful and agile, its movements elegant.
The person seated on the white tiger wore tattered clothes, his face smeared with dust and grime, a picture of utter disarray. Yet he seemed in high spirits, wearing a sweet smile. Though pale, his energy was vibrant.
“Wang… Wang… Jin!” Yue ger gnashed his teeth, glaring at Wang Jin as if his eyes might burst from sheer hatred. “You… you… you’re not dead… How are you not dead?! How dare you live?! Die—go die!”
Wang Jin looked at him disdainfully. Yue ger thrashed, lunging forward with a face twisted in rage, his grayish complexion burning with malice. His clawed hands stretched toward Wang Jin as if to drag him back to the underworld.
Wang Jin watched coldly. Yue ger managed only a weak twitch before his breathing grew ragged—then, abruptly, he went still…
“!” The leader’s fingers twitched, his eyes closing heavily.
“…” Wang Jin glanced at Yue ger, then looked away.
Even in death, the man’s eyes bulged, fixed on him—his resentment so deep, not even boundless hatred could conceal it.
No comments:
Post a Comment