Chapter 102
Cheng Bai pressed his lips together and did not answer, silently admitting the truth.
Zhao Qi shook his head. "Aren’t you overthinking it? This young master is the pride of Ning’an City, the younger brother doted on by the city lord. Everyone fawns over him—who would dare harm him?"
Cheng Bai paused. "That’s still unclear, but the little pampered one was so timid in Ning’an City. I never thought much of it before, but now that I consider it, how could someone with his temperament dare to run away from a marriage…"
Zhao Qi replied, "You’re underestimating the young master. He may usually be reserved, but when it comes to liking you, he’s never held back. It’s entirely possible he ran away because he didn’t want to marry your elder brother."
Zhao Qi chuckled before continuing, "It’s just that the young master was too afraid of the city lord. Otherwise, given how much the city lord dotes on him, he wouldn’t have needed to flee—just a word, and the marriage arrangement would’ve been called off… But if he had dared to speak up, this misunderstanding wouldn’t have happened, and Young Master Cheng, you wouldn’t have had the chance to deceive him."
"……" This man always knew how to twist the knife. Cheng Bai pressed his lips together, a flash of pain crossing his silver eyes.
He remembered how warm and earnest the little pampered one had once been with him… His heart clenched, fingers curling uncontrollably. Back then, he had only felt annoyance toward that person, never truly acknowledging his sincerity.
Now, regret felt like vines crawling out from the depths of hell, tightly coiling around his still-beating heart. Every pulse came shackled, and whenever someone mentioned it or he saw the little pampered one’s cold indifference toward him, those vines tightened further, twisting his heart into grotesque shapes, leaving deep, brutal marks that ached unbearably.
Seeing the beastman beside him pale with remorse, Zhao Qi rubbed his nose, realizing he’d struck a nerve again. He quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, Young Master Cheng, don’t overthink it. No one would dare harm the young master—that would be defying the city lord."
Cheng Bai collected his thoughts and shook his head. "I still think something’s off. Let’s not go into detail about this situation with the city lord for now. We’ll discuss it after we return."
"……" Zhao Qi froze, not responding.
Cheng Bai found his silence odd and turned to look at him, only to see his evasive gaze. Startled, he asked, "Did you send a message back?"
"Ahem." Zhao Qi coughed lightly. "This morning… I briefly mentioned the young master’s condition and… the things you’ve been hiding…"
"……" Cheng Bai seriously reconsidered whether Zhao Qi was worth keeping as a friend.
Zhao Qi hurriedly added, "But I didn’t disclose the exact location! At the time, I didn’t know when the young master would return, so I didn’t mention a timeframe either…"
Cheng Bai finally relaxed slightly, though his gaze remained resentful. Zhao Qi looked at him pleadingly. After glaring for a moment, Cheng Bai waved his hand. "Forget it. But remember—no more messages. If something really goes wrong on the way back…"
"I promise, I promise!" Zhao Qi quickly cut him off. Only then did Cheng Bai look away.
____
At the heart of Ning’an City, a white bird alighted on the roof of a pavilion. Its call was as melodious as a nightingale’s. Soon, someone emerged from inside and whistled, beckoning the bird down. It obediently landed beside him, allowing the man to retrieve the letter tied to its leg.
After glancing at the letter, the man’s face brightened, and he hurried inside.
The interior was elegantly furnished. A man in black robes sat at a table, reviewing a stack of documents. When he noticed the newcomer, he set down his work and looked up.
Understanding the cue, the messenger bowed and presented the letter with both hands. "Young Master Zhao Qi has sent word. He and Young Master Cheng have reunited and found the young master."
Delight flashed in the man’s eyes. He immediately stood and strode forward.
____
In another pavilion, a gorgeously dressed and meticulously made-up ger sat quietly selecting hair ornaments. Suddenly, another ger rushed in and whispered something in his ear.
The ger’s face twisted in shock. "Xi Yao is coming back?!"
The messenger paled. "Yes, my lord. What do we do? Not long ago, Young Master Bai sent word that Xi Yao was caught in a beast horde and unconscious when rescued—yet now he’s not only awake but planning to return!"
His voice grew increasingly frantic, as if facing something terrifying.
The seated ger’s expression darkened, but he remained calmer than his panicked subordinate. He sat in silence, deep in thought.
After a long pause without a response, the messenger nearly wept. "My lord, how is Xi Yao’s luck so stubborn? Back in Ning’an City, even a pinch would leave him bruised—yet after sending so many beastmen to kill him, he’s still alive! If he returns and exposes us… we’re…"
"Stop scaring yourself. All the beastmen we sent are dead. No one can trace them back to us. Xi Yao never knew who sent them in the first place. Even if he returns, he can’t accuse us."
Hearing this, the messenger finally calmed slightly. "Right, right… We’ll just act like we know nothing. Besides, Young Master Qi’s letter said Xi Yao lost his memory. He doesn’t remember anything. He might not even know why he left Ning’an City in the first place."
"He doesn’t remember?" The ger frowned, then relaxed. "So Brother Bai still doesn’t know why Xi Yao left?"
The messenger nodded. "Most likely not. Young Master Qi’s letter didn’t mention anything, and the city lord hasn’t started investigating yet. It seems he plans to wait until Xi Yao returns."
"I see…" The ger stood and paced a few times before suddenly clenching his fingers. "Then we must ensure Xi Yao never makes it back to Ning’an City."
"My lord…?" The messenger’s eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
"When is Xi Yao returning? Where is he now?"
The messenger shook his head. "Young Master Qi’s letter didn’t specify… Perhaps he’ll send another message when they depart…"
"……" The ger’s eyes narrowed. "We can’t wait. Send more beastmen—kill Xi Yao at Danmu Tribe. He must not return to Ning’an City. And… make sure they don’t reveal their identities."
"…Understood." The messenger bowed and hurried out.
The delicate ger’s face was shrouded in gloom.
____
When it was time to leave Danmu Tribe, the entire settlement came to see them off. Mu ger was especially reluctant to part with Wang Jin.
Wang Jin reached out and gently touched his slightly rounded belly. "A-Mu, take good care of my godson. I’ll bring him sweets when I return."
"Mn…" Mu ger’s eyes reddened. "A-Jin, you must take care of yourself on the journey."
"Don’t worry, Brother Heng is with me. I’ll be fine."
Mu ger patted Wang Jin’s hand lightly.
Watching the two gers cling to each other, the man’s lips thinned into a tight line. His pale amber eyes flickered with displeasure. He stepped forward and pulled Wang Jin away. "Time to go."
His voice was low and rough, the irritation unmistakable. Wang Jin blinked up at him, amused, and pinched the back of his hand. "Why are you so jealous of A-Mu?"
"……" The man gripped Wang Jin’s hand in return but said nothing, only quickening his pace.
Wang Jin glanced back. The entire tribe was watching them leave, many with red-rimmed eyes, waving…
A sudden pang of emotion struck him. Among these people were some who had quarreled with him, mocked him—but in the end, they were all part of the same tribe, and now they had all come to bid farewell.
Behind them stood the newly built vine barrier, beneath which lay hidden traps… enough to fend off some of the beast horde’s attacks.
With the man’s departure, the tribe would no longer have the protection of the ancient beastman’s aura. Wild beasts would no longer avoid this place, attacking on sight.
But at least there were the traps and barriers…
Wang Jin’s gaze lingered before turning back to the man ahead. Though he walked swiftly, his posture was straighter than usual…
Wang Jin knew the man worried for the tribe.
After a moment, he spoke softly, "Brother Heng, don’t worry. Those traps will be enough to hold off the beasts."
The man’s steps faltered slightly, his expression softening. "I know. Your ideas were good. You’ve really learned to think for the tribe."
Wang Jin’s brows lifted slightly…
Though it was for the tribe, his initial intention had been to ease the man’s burdens.
But now, everything he did seemed to be interpreted as for the tribe’s sake. Wang Jin opened his mouth to explain but couldn’t bring himself to say it was all for the man… In the end, he silently closed his lips, his lashes drooping dejectedly.
"Thank you." The man’s voice came from above. Wang Jin looked up to see those light amber eyes warm with understanding and affection—
As if he had seen straight through all of Wang Jin’s hidden thoughts and cherished them. Wang Jin’s heart skipped, and he instinctively pressed closer.
"…Stop clinging like that!" A tall figure suddenly wedged between them. Cheng Bai glared at Yuan Heng, eyes warning.
Yuan Heng’s warmth vanished, his gaze turning icy as he looked away. Wang Jin frowned at Cheng Bai.
Cheng Bai transformed into a white fox and said to Wang Jin, "Little pampered one, walking won’t do for travel. Get on."
Before he finished speaking, Yuan Heng shifted into a white tiger and padded to Wang Jin’s side, lowering himself in invitation.
The moment the white tiger appeared, Wang Jin’s eyes locked onto him. Seeing him crouch, Wang Jin immediately bounded over and nimbly climbed onto his back. The tiger stood, stretched his wings, and took off, kicking up a cloud of dust that showered the white fox.
"……" Cheng Bai glared at the figures in the sky, grinding his teeth. Behind him, several brown foxes appeared. The leader stepped forward. "Young Master Cheng, stop staring. Let’s go."
With that, the brown fox dashed ahead. Cheng Bai exhaled sharply and followed.
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