Chapter 94
Can’t this man see clearly? He has repeatedly helped the leader of this tribe, only to end up covered in filth himself. The people here won’t be grateful to him.
Wouldn’t it be better to just take his place? Now, seeing him hesitate like this—he’s actually still hesitating…
When I first saw him divide the two factions of the tribe, I thought he had some skill. But it turns out he’s just a brute with nothing but brute strength.
As if finally discovering the man’s flaws, Cheng Bai’s face twisted into a gloating smirk.
Yuan Heng lowered his head, looking at Xi ger’s hand, then swept his gaze over the crowd. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on him, as if he were the one who ruled Danmu Tribe…
But… it shouldn’t be like this.
Yuan Heng pushed Xi ger’s hand away and walked past the crowd toward Wang Jin.
Xiao Ruo was stunned for a moment before quickly following, leaning close to Yuan Heng and whispering, “Brother Heng… are we helping?”
“What do you think?” Yuan Heng asked quietly.
Xiao Ruo lowered his head in thought before replying, “The leader may have gone too far, but the others are innocent. Besides, they’re all from Danmu Tribe. We used to laugh and talk together—how can we just abandon them? That’s too heartless…”
“So, you think we should save them?” Yuan Heng asked.
Xiao Ruo paused, then nodded firmly. “Yes. Regardless of the leader, the others are beastmen of Danmu Tribe. There’s no reason to leave them to die.”
Glancing around at the expressions of the others, Xiao Ruo added, “I think everyone feels the same.”
Yuan Heng followed Xiao Ruo’s gaze, taking in the hopeful yet anxious faces of the crowd. The corner of his lips lifted slightly, and he turned back to Xiao Ruo with encouragement in his eyes. “If you think we should save them, then go ahead.”
Xiao Ruo’s face lit up at first, but upon closer inspection of Yuan Heng’s expression, his smile froze. He pointed at himself in disbelief. “M-me? I should go?”
Yuan Heng took a deep breath, his tone matter-of-fact. “You’re the leader now. Of course, it’s you.”
“Then… what about you, Brother Heng?” Xiao Ruo asked timidly.
Yuan Heng glanced at the eavesdropping crowd and deliberately raised his voice. “I have a grudge against the leader. I won’t save him. As for the others—back then, I gave them a choice. If they sided with the leader, they drew a line against me. Naturally, I won’t risk myself for them either.”
“This…” The crowd erupted into murmurs, faces full of shock. Even Xiao Ruo stood frozen, unsure how to react.
“Brother Heng, we can’t save them without you!” someone in the crowd shouted—it was Qin Xi, Yao ger’s third brother.
As soon as he spoke, others chimed in.
“Brother Heng, you’ve always been our pillar. Only under your leadership do we have hope…”
“Xiao Ruo is the tribe’s leader now,” Yuan Heng cut in coldly.
The man glanced at Xiao Ruo, his face paling as he muttered, “But… Xiao Ruo is still underage…”
“Exactly,” Qin Ya, Yao ger’s second brother, spoke up. “Xiao Ruo is still young and inexperienced. Right now, we all only trust you, Brother Heng…”
Xiao Ruo stood to the side, head bowed in shame as his face flushed under the weight of their distrust.
Yuan Heng frowned as he watched.
When Xiao Ruo noticed Yuan Heng looking at him, he whispered pleadingly, “Brother Heng… please help everyone one more time…”
Yuan Heng’s brows furrowed deeper, his eyes filled with disapproval. Xiao Ruo felt as if the man was angry at his lack of resolve and hung his head even lower.
Lately, Yuan Heng had been teaching him how to hunt and always brought him along during discussions with the tribe.
Xiao Ruo had picked up some of Yuan Heng’s hunting methods and problem-solving approaches…
He knew that by saying this, Yuan Heng wanted him to take charge this time. After learning under him for so long, Xiao Ruo also wanted to handle things on his own… but… the tribe didn’t trust him… and he didn’t know what to do…
Seeing Xiao Ruo’s lack of confidence, Yuan Heng shook his head slightly, curling his fingers into a fist. He tightened his grip on the object in his hand and turned away coldly. “I won’t get involved. Handle it yourself.”
With that, he truly ignored the crowd and walked straight to Wang Jin.
Cheng Bai watched, the gloating fading from his face as his eyes darkened with an unreadable emotion.
The crowd stared after Yuan Heng until he and Wang Jin disappeared from sight. Then, they huddled together to discuss other plans.
Their solution was to pick a few of the strongest, most experienced beastmen to lead the rescue… completely disregarding the fact that Xiao Ruo was now their leader.
“……” Xiao Ruo watched dejectedly before silently closing his mouth.
His position as leader had only been declared by Brother Heng—no one was willing to obey him.
Defeated, Xiao Ruo quietly followed the other beastmen’s lead.
____
Yuan Heng took Wang Jin to the kitchen. The wood-like fruit he had brought back was chestnut.
Wang Jin caught the familiar scent, his eyes instantly brightening as he stared at the strange object.
Yuan Heng peeled the chestnuts, revealing golden, hard spheres inside.
He laid them out in front of Wang Jin, who stared at the golden balls as if already seeing the soft, sweet pastries they would become. He swallowed hard and, without waiting for Yuan Heng to ask, eagerly directed him, “Quick… Brother Heng… steam these!”
Yuan Heng looked at the little fox whose eyes were glued to the chestnuts, helplessly ruffling his hair before working swiftly.
The little fox had always been sharper than him when it came to food. Almost as soon as the chestnuts were cooked, the next instruction reached his ears…
After a few steps, golden chestnut cakes were ready. The little fox held one, taking a small bite, savoring the sweetness.
After a few nibbles, Wang Jin offered the cake to Yuan Heng.
Yuan Heng didn’t usually like sweets, but when the little fox held out the cake with shining eyes, he couldn’t help but bend down and take a bite.
The overly sweet pastry became delicious simply because it came from him.
“It’s good.” Yuan Heng’s gaze stayed fixed on Wang Jin, something turbulent swirling in his light amber eyes. His voice was low and rough, and it was unclear whether he was praising the cake or the one holding it.
Wang Jin’s fingers trembled at his words, and he quickly pulled his hand back, nibbling on the cake while feeling his entire body heat up.
____
In stark contrast to their warm atmosphere, the first group sent by Xi ger to rescue the leader had returned—empty-handed and injured.
They hadn’t even lasted fifteen minutes before retreating, all wounded…
Cheng Bai, who had been enjoying the tribe’s misfortune, was about to leave and find Wang Jin when Xi ger dragged him into treating the injured.
The wounded rested in the tribe while another group went out—only to return soon after, also injured…
Batch after batch went out, and batch after batch returned hurt.
The mood grew darker.
After a day and night of effort, not a single person was saved—but every remaining tribesman was injured…
Cheng Bai and Xi ger had been treating injuries nonstop, with no time to rest.
As for Yuan Heng? He spent the whole day playing with Wang Jin…
____
The next day, Qin Xi finally couldn’t take it anymore. He slammed his fist on the table where Xi ger was treating patients, furious. “Yuan Heng clearly has the ability to save them! Why is he being so heartless?!”
The crowd’s expressions were grim. Qin Ya agreed, “Exactly! For him, rescuing them wouldn’t even be difficult. If he led us, we could definitely save them… but he…”
A-Hua, too injured to hunt, had been assisting Cheng Bai. Hearing this, he spoke up in Yuan Heng’s defense. “After what the leader did, it’s understandable that he won’t save him.”
“But what about the others?” Qin Ya argued. “He doesn’t have to save the leader, but the rest? Some of them were once close to Brother Heng… How could he just…”
Lai Yuan sighed. “It might seem cold, but Brother Heng isn’t wrong. He doesn’t owe anyone anything. Besides, they were the ones who abandoned him first—even tried to force him out of the tribe.”
“……” Qin Ya sighed.
Xi ger, his face haggard, asked, “How’s Uncle Qi? Is he alright?”
The crowd paused. Uncle Qi was the leader’s a-die. Now, with the leader lost to the beast horde…
“Uncle Qi is fine. Mu ger has been looking after him,” Lai Yuan said.
After a pause, he added, “Last night, Yao ger even brought him some pastries. They talked for a while, and Uncle Qi seemed in good spirits. Don’t worry, Xi ger.”
Xi ger nodded, rubbing his temples exhaustedly.
A-Hua, noticing, quickly said, “Xi ger, you should rest. Cheng Bai can handle things here. You look terrible—go lie down for a bit.”
“……” Cheng Bai’s eyebrow twitched. These people ordered him around without a second thought.
He hadn’t slept all night either, and he’d only been helping to impress his little fox. Now that the little fox wasn’t even here, he was tempted to just walk away…
These people…
A loud bang snapped Cheng Bai out of his thoughts. He looked up to see Qin Xi, teeth clenched in rage. “What ‘Brother Heng’?! What ‘caring for us’?! That man is watching his own tribesmen die—he’s nothing but a demon!”
“Don’t talk nonsense, A-Xi,” Qin Ya chided.
Qin Xi retorted, “Am I wrong?! He has the power to save them but refuses, watching his own people get torn apart by beasts while he eats and sleeps without a care!”
“…Heh.” Cheng Bai couldn’t hold back a cold laugh. He propped his chin on his hand, staring at the beastman. “As much as I dislike Yuan Heng, let’s be real—if I were him, I wouldn’t lift a finger either.”
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