Chapter 81
Yuan Heng gave the beastmen a calm glance and said quietly, "You all heard what was said just now. Decide for yourselves whether to follow the leader or come with me and Xiao Ruo."
"!" The man was splitting the Danmu tribe into two?
The healer and several elder beastmen were stunned, instantly panicked. Wang Jin was also taken aback.
The man had made up his mind to remove the leader!
One of the elder beastmen trembled, pointing an accusing finger at Yuan Heng, his brows furrowed in anger. "This is absurd!"
"The Danmu tribe has been a single tribe for thousands of years. There’s no logic in splitting it now!"
"Exactly, Heng boy, stop causing trouble, will you? The beast horde isn’t even over yet. We should be working together to figure out how to survive it!"
Yuan Heng’s lips curled slightly, his pale amber eyes fixed coldly on the leader, his gaze inscrutable. He released his grip on the scepter and said meaningfully, "If this isn’t resolved, the beast horde won’t pass."
The leader stiffened, his fingers trembling. He opened his mouth to retort, but his lips quivered without producing a sound.
The crowd fell silent, understanding Yuan Heng’s implication.
With a leader who disregarded the tribe’s safety, the beast horde could not be safely overcome.
Or perhaps Yuan Heng was warning them—if they sided with the leader, he would no longer protect the tribe as he had in previous years. Without the aid of the ancient beastmen, the Danmu tribe would struggle to survive the beast horde as easily as before.
A heavy silence settled over them. Wang Jin’s gaze shifted to Xi ger.
Mu ger would undoubtedly stand with Yuan Heng—that wasn’t a concern.
But Xi ger… He was the tribe’s healer, dedicated to treating the injuries and illnesses of the Danmu tribe. If the tribe split, which side would he choose?
A healer held immense authority in a tribe. A tribe with a healer could ensure its members received treatment when injured or sick, making it more resilient and attractive to other beastmen.
Xi ger and the old healer’s decision would directly determine the survival capabilities of the two factions and influence the choices of the other beastmen…
Wang Jin looked at Xi ger with hopeful eyes. Xi ger knew Wang Jin was watching him, and he knew that gaze was pleading for him to stay.
He gave a bitter smile, staring at the frail old healer standing ahead. "I… I’ll follow my master."
He murmured it softly, as if speaking to himself, but Wang Jin knew it was meant for him.
Wang Jin’s gaze returned to the courtyard, where the old healer stood.
Many of the tribe’s beastmen also turned their eyes to him. His decision would affect every person present.
The old healer seemed aware of the gravity of the situation. He lifted his head, looking at Yuan Heng with cloudy eyes filled with silent pleading.
"The Danmu tribe has always been one tribe, Heng boy."
"……" Yuan Heng did not respond, his stance firm.
The healer stared at him for a long time, but Yuan Heng showed no sign of relenting. With a weary sigh, the old healer took shaky steps and stood behind the leader.
"!" The crowd erupted in murmurs. Xi ger stood frozen, his expression pained as he looked at his master.
His master had chosen the leader’s side, so he had to follow…
Mu ger quickly spoke up. "Xi ger, you don’t have to—"
Xi ger raised a hand to stop him, shaking his head. "Everything I know was taught by my master. His will is mine."
With that, he limped forward and resolutely took his place beside the healer.
"……" The crowd buzzed with discussion. Soon, every beastman in the room had made their choice.
Most stood with the leader, while only those who often hunted with Yuan Heng remained by his side—including A-Hua, Lai Yuan, and Xiao Ruo’s families.
The leader, initially nervous, regained his confidence when he saw the majority siding with him. He lifted his chin, his triumphant gaze undisguised as he looked at Yuan Heng.
Before long, everyone had chosen. The old healer glanced back at the crowd, then at Yuan Heng’s small group, his face lined with worry. He sighed heavily, as if exhausted.
Xi ger quickly supported him, calling out in concern, "Master."
The old healer waved him off and was about to speak when a voice suddenly cut in.
"Count me in!"
Everyone turned to see a middle-aged ger—the leader’s a-die, Qi ger.
Qi ger glared at the leader with red-rimmed eyes and strode to stand behind Yuan Heng.
The crowd was stunned, staring at Qi ger in confusion. This was the leader’s own a-die, yet he was standing against his son!
Qi ger’s gaze never left the leader. As everyone watched, he spoke to him slowly, each word deliberate.
"He is not my son. I have no son who abandons his duty as leader, ignores his family’s blood debt, and cares only for his selfish desires!"
"A-die…" the leader called softly.
Qi ger snapped, "Don’t call me that!"
"……" The leader fell silent.
The crowd was speechless. Everyone knew of the leader’s past actions and understood Qi ger’s anger.
The leader’s behavior had indeed been chilling…
But… he was the leader of the Danmu tribe. The strongest warrior of the Tiger tribe. Yuan Heng, no matter how powerful, was not of their blood. And with the healer on the leader’s side… If they followed Yuan Heng, they’d have no one to treat injuries or illnesses. During the beast horde, they’d have to hunt without proper preparation. Without a healer, even minor injuries could mean death…
The beastmen lowered their heads helplessly. The healer tried to persuade Qi ger, but he refused to listen.
Finally, the old healer gave up. His voice was hoarse with exhaustion as he rubbed his temples.
"Then… let it be so. Heng boy, your group has contributed greatly to the tribe. During the beast horde, you may stay in the tribe. Once it passes, you may leave. A-Hua’s injuries aren’t yet healed, he saved Xi ger. If needed, come to us for treatment. We will still tend to your wounds."
The leader, seeing this, raised his voice to the beastmen behind Yuan Heng.
"Of course, if any of you regret your choice during the beast tide, you may return. We will welcome you."
Then, looking at Qi ger, he added, "A-die… you too. Come back soon. I am still your son."
"……" Qi ger’s eyes reddened, but he said nothing.
"!" Wang Jin listened in disbelief, his eyes widening.
Were these two actually expelling them from the tribe?
"Then it’s settled. Everyone, disperse." The old healer spoke, and the crowd began to leave, as if nothing were wrong with their decision.
This settlement was the one Yuan Heng had led them back to! And now they were shamelessly driving him out?
Wang Jin was furious. Unable to hold back, he strode forward and declared, "Who said we’re leaving?"
The crowd paused, turning to see the ger wrapped in an outer robe, his thin clothes fluttering as he walked with determined steps. Though he had merely stepped out of the house, to them, it was as if he had descended from the heavens.
His hair was loose, his cheeks flushed from sleep, and the corners of his eyes—whether from anger or something else—were tinged with a bright hue, making him appear vividly alive.
Several beastmen blushed at the sight.
"……" Yuan Heng’s eyes darkened as he swept a cold gaze over those flushed faces. He stepped forward, blocking Wang Jin, and quickly tightened his robe, disapproval in his eyes.
"Why aren’t you resting?"
Wang Jin ducked around him, glaring at the crowd. "I couldn’t stand them bullying you!"
He rolled up his sleeves, revealing slender arms as delicate as fresh sprouts, utterly defenseless—yet he still raised them as if shielding something precious.
Yuan Heng watched, warmth flickering in his eyes.
But Yuan Heng wasn’t the only one looking at the little ger. Hidden in the crowd, another pair of eyes watched intently.
Cheng Bai observed the little spoiled brat stomping in anger, puffing up like a small beast baring its teeth.
Though he posed no real threat, he still bravely stepped forward to protect the one he cherished.
Since when had this pampered child grown so courageous? He… had changed.
Cheng Bai stared, unaware of the tenderness overflowing in his own eyes.
The little brat’s anger was like a bristling cat, making one want to smooth down his fur.
But it seemed he wasn’t the only one with that thought. Yuan Heng pulled the furious ger into his arms, doing something that instantly melted the other’s defiance into a soft, boneless puddle.
Leaning against the man, the spoiled brat’s voice dropped to a sweet, cooing murmur, like a kitten’s purr.
"……" Cheng Bai’s fingers twitched, a flash of hostility in his silver eyes.
This Yuan Heng had no respect for him as the little ger’s betrothed! Hadn’t he already made it clear that this child was promised to another?
Cheng Bai clenched his fists.
Wang Jin, red-faced and pliant in Yuan Heng’s arms, felt his waist gripped firmly—the man clearly didn’t want him speaking. The fingers at his waist teased a sensitive spot, sending familiar tremors through him.
His entire body stiffened, then slowly relaxed as if thoroughly soothed. His voice came out soft and breathy, devoid of any fierceness.
He had wanted to stand up for Yuan Heng, but speaking like this was worse than silence.
Wang Jin pressed his lips shut. Yuan Heng smiled faintly, then picked up where Wang Jin left off, addressing the crowd.
"The little ger is right. If anyone’s leaving, it should be you."
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