Chapter 103
Normally, the journey from the Danmu tribe to Ning'an City would take over a month.
However, with the ancient beastman Yuan Heng present, Cheng Bai and Zhao Qi chose to take a shortcut. The shortcut was shorter but infested with fierce beasts, making it dangerous for ordinary beastmen—but with Yuan Heng around, it posed no problem at all.
The original month-long journey was shortened to about ten days thanks to the shortcut. But along the way, Wang Jin kept spotting things he wanted to bring along, which delayed them. By the time they reached Ning'an City, half a month had already passed...
Ning'an City was situated in front of a vast plain, backed by rocky mountains. The entire city was majestic and grand, surrounded by towering stone walls that completely obscured the view of the inside from the outside.
On the day they entered the city, Wang Jin rode on Yuan Heng's back, wearing a wide-brimmed hat with a veil to shield himself from the sun and dust. Yuan Heng walked side by side with Cheng Bai and Zhao Qi, while behind them, beastmen in their fox forms pulled carts loaded with items Wang Jin had insisted on bringing from the forest.
A dozen large foxes, each pulling a cart, formed a long caravan as they entered the city, drawing countless curious gazes.
What’s more, among the three beastmen leading the group, aside from a rare white fox and a nimble gray fox, there was also a winged white tiger...
On the back of that winged white tiger sat a ger—petite in stature, wearing a peculiar hat with a veil that concealed his features, leaving only glimpses of fair, delicate skin. One could tell he was a beautiful ger...
The white tiger beneath him was exceptionally powerful. At a glance, anyone could see this was no ordinary beast. While white tiger beastmen weren’t uncommon in their world, one with wings... that could only be an ancient beastman.
“Is that... an ancient winged tiger clansman?” someone in the crowd recognized it and gasped.
Like a massive stone thrown into a calm lake, the words sent ripples of unrest through the crowd. The murmurs grew louder and louder... until even people indoors came out, filling the streets to watch.
The city was vast, with countless branching paths leading in all directions from the gate.
Cheng Bai and Zhao Qi led the way, choosing the straightest route. Yuan Heng walked beside them as they advanced. At first, the road was dirt, and the houses were simple stone structures. But the further in they went, the more refined and comfortable the buildings became. The dirt paths gradually turned into paved stone roads, lined with stalls, and further in, the stalls gave way to proper shops... each with eye-catching signs.
The deeper they went, the more onlookers gathered, until the crowd became so dense it blocked their path, forcing them to slow down.
Seated atop Yuan Heng’s white tiger form, Wang Jin observed the surroundings through his veil like a tourist. When the shops were completely obscured by the crowd, he turned his attention to the people instead. Their clothing, though not as luxurious as Cheng Bai’s, was still far better than what the Danmu tribe wore.
They all looked lively, smiling cheerfully—completely unlike people who had just survived a beast horde.
Right now, their eyes were filled with curiosity, as if witnessing something extraordinary... especially the gazes fixed on Yuan Heng’s beast form, which only grew more intense.
Wang Jin tightened his legs slightly in displeasure, then leaned forward to wrap his arms around the white tiger’s neck, whispering into its perked ears, “Brother Heng, I don’t like them looking at your beast form.”
The white tiger’s steps faltered for a moment before its form suddenly shifted—into a human, who swiftly caught the nearly-falling ger in his arms.
The man had long, straight black hair reaching his waist and features so flawless they seemed carved by the gods themselves. Dressed in a simple white robe that accentuated his tall, lean frame, his most striking trait was his aura—sharp and commanding, like a battle-hardened general who inspired instinctive respect.
What a formidable beastman...
Even with such striking looks, his cold, unapproachable demeanor would have made any ger hesitate.
Yet the moment his gaze landed on the ger in his arms, his icy eyes softened instantly, like winter snow melting into spring warmth, his entire presence turning gentle... making every watching ger’s heart flutter.
Envy for the ger in his arms spread through the crowd.
“!” Wang Jin glared up at him and grumbled, “This... is even worse than your beast form!”
With that, he yanked off his own veil hat and plopped it onto the man’s head.
Now that the ger had removed his veil, his previously hidden face was revealed—
His delicate features looked as if painted, his lively eyes like clear spring water, shimmering with a brightness that could melt hearts at a glance.
Such a beautiful ger should have been adored at first sight, yet the moment the crowd saw Wang Jin, their expressions twisted. Some immediately lowered their heads or looked away, while others even showed outright disgust.
“It’s him...”
“Ugh, how did he get an ancient beastman to carry him?”
“Damn, just seeing him makes me sick!”
“...” The comments weren’t whispered—every word reached Wang Jin’s ears. He frowned in confusion. The original owner of this body... wasn’t very well-liked in Ning’an City, it seemed?
Yuan Heng’s brow furrowed in displeasure, and he stepped forward, about to speak, when Wang Jin tugged him back.
“What’s all this racket?! Don’t you have work to do?! Why are you blocking the road?!” A figure suddenly appeared in front of Wang Jin, angrily scolding the crowd.
The crowd froze, then quickly dispersed, pushing and shoving in their haste to leave.
“Cheng Bai!” A deep, anger-laced voice called from further away.
The figure in front of Wang Jin stiffened, then turned and bowed respectfully in the direction of the voice.
Wang Jin looked over and saw a burly man with a thick beard walking toward them, his face fierce and intimidating.
The moment Cheng Bai saw him, he trembled like a mouse before a cat.
“E-elder brother...”
Elder brother? So this was the original owner’s fiancé?
Wang Jin’s entire mood soured at the sight.
He had always preferred good-looking people... and this man was a direct affront to his tastes. This engagement needed to be called off as soon as possible—it was too disgusting!
The man strode forward, but Wang Jin silently hid behind Yuan Heng, terrified he’d step up and call him “little fulang.”
But the man showed no intention of approaching him. Instead, he walked straight to Cheng Bai and—to everyone’s shock—slapped him hard across the face.
“...” The blow stunned everyone, including Cheng Bai.
“Elder brother?” Cheng Bai looked up, confusion in his eyes, making the onlookers’ hearts ache.
“Kneel,” the man ordered coldly.
“...” Cheng Bai pressed his lips together, swallowed, then slowly knelt before him.
The man said, “Not to me.”
Cheng Bai froze. The man glanced at Wang Jin, and Cheng Bai’s fingers twitched as understanding dawned in his eyes.
“Still not doing it?” the man pressed.
Cheng Bai’s face paled. He shook his head desperately, still on his knees, and pleaded, “Elder brother, he doesn’t know yet... Please, let me explain it to him slowly. Don’t just—”
“You disgrace!” The man cut him off with a roar, then kicked him, forcing him to turn and face Wang Jin and Yuan Heng.
“...” Wang Jin was baffled.
The man then took slow, deliberate steps forward until he stood before Wang Jin.
“...” What was he planning?
Wang Jin’s grip on Yuan Heng’s arm tightened. Yuan Heng patted his hand reassuringly.
The man glanced at the gesture but said nothing, lowering his gaze before suddenly kneeling solemnly before Wang Jin.
“...” Wang Jin’s eyebrow twitched uncontrollably.
“Elder brother!” Cheng Bai cried out.
The man snapped, “Silence.”
Then, cupping his hands respectfully toward Wang Jin, he softened his voice and said, “Young master, my younger brother acted recklessly and deceived you, causing you suffering. My brother and I are at your mercy.”
Deceived? What had Cheng Bai lied to him about?
Wang Jin frowned, about to speak, when a laughing voice interrupted from afar.
“Cheng Li, you’re scaring Yao’er.”
Everyone turned to see a man in dark robes approaching with a few attendants.
His demeanor was uniquely poised—outwardly gentle, yet carrying an air of detachment. His long hair flowed freely, his features handsome, and his long lashes gave his eyes a perpetually drowsy look, as if he were lazily half-asleep.
As Wang Jin studied him, the man’s gaze landed on him, eyes brightening with joy.
“Yao’er,” he called warmly as he approached.
Wang Jin’s fingers trembled, and he stepped out from behind Yuan Heng.
The man noticed Wang Jin’s unfamiliarity, and the joy in his eyes dimmed slightly. “Ah, I almost forgot... Yao’er has lost his memories.”
He took a deep breath, then smiled gently at Wang Jin. “Yao’er, I’m your elder brother.”
“...” The warmth in the man’s eyes was sincere, like sunlight piercing through clouds, warming Wang Jin’s heart.
In his past life, Wang Jin had lost his parents early and had no siblings.
Now, this stranger was calling himself his brother... Whether it was his own longing for family or the body’s instinctive reaction, Wang Jin suddenly wanted nothing more than to believe this man truly was his kin.
He pressed his lips together, then tentatively spoke. “E-elder brother...”
The man’s eyes lit up, his smile growing more genuine. “Yes, Yao’er. Good boy.”
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