Chapter 96
Such trust and protectiveness made Cheng Bai itch with envy, but because the little delicate one’s words weren’t about him, it left a sour taste in his mouth.
He spoke with a vinegar-laced tone, needling: "What’s the use of you defending Yuan Heng so fiercely in front of Uncle Qi? The beastmen outside are all saying Yuan Heng is cold-blooded and ruthless, that he doesn’t care about the tribe’s safety."
"Nonsense!" Wang Jin snapped.
Cheng Bai shrugged. "Not my words."
Wang Jin brushed past him and strode outside. "I’ll go see for myself."
He hadn’t expected Wang Jin to go out and verify the rumors for that beastman’s sake… This stubbornness made Cheng Bai pause, his chest suddenly tight as if crushed by a boulder.
He hurried after, frowning and prodding irritably: "What’s the use of you, a delicate little thing, going to look? Those beastmen are all hulking brutes—one finger could knock you over—"
As he spoke, his steps faltered, as if remembering something. He stared at Wang Jin’s back, a glint flashing in his silver eyes, then caught up to walk beside him, coaxing: "Of course, if you’d call me ‘Brother Bai,’ maybe I could play bodyguard for you."
"……" Cheng Bai’s voice was dripping with obvious temptation. Wang Jin’s eye twitched as he turned to look at him.
The man’s silver eyes shimmered softly, his handsome face made even more striking by those unusual eyes. When Wang Jin met his gaze, Cheng Bai curved his lips into a smile—so dazzling it made Wang Jin squint uncomfortably.
Wang Jin had the strange illusion that the man before him wasn’t the ethereal, white-robed Cheng Bai, but a peacock, flaunting its feathers at him…
The more he looked, the more accurate it seemed. Wang Jin subtly sidestepped away.
Cheng Bai’s smile stiffened. Unconsciously, his bright silver eyes dimmed in that instant, like a crystal ball clouded with dust.
Was this delicate one avoiding him?
A pang struck his heart as he suddenly remembered how, back in Ning’an City, this person had always trailed after him like a pet, chirping "Brother Bai" over and over. Even when Cheng Bai had lied, saying it was improper for him to call him that, the little fool had stubbornly refused to change…
Compared to those days, the coldness now was worlds apart. And yet, back then, Cheng Bai had found the term too cloying, always wanting him to stop—but now, getting him to say "Brother Bai" even once was near impossible. His heart ached as if clawed by something sharp.
Regret and sorrow surged in his chest. His voice low and rough, his silver eyes brimming with melancholy, he murmured: "Little delicate one, I—"
"If you all listen to me, we will find the others and save them." A bright, youthful voice cut Cheng Bai off.
He stiffened, staring at Wang Jin for a long moment before shutting his mouth and following his gaze outside.
Only then did he realize they had already stepped out of the courtyard. Xiao Ruo was directing the other beastmen.
Though young and smaller in stature than the rest, his words carried weight, his presence commanding. From a distance, he almost resembled Yuan Heng.
Wang Jin watched as the others, though doubtful, instinctively obeyed. Lai Yuan and A-Hua even muttered under their breaths—No wonder he was trained by Brother Heng.
The words seemed to reach the others, easing their hesitation as they moved with sharper efficiency.
Wang Jin glanced sidelong at Cheng Bai.
The little delicate one said nothing, but his eyes seemed to accuse: Were you just slandering him? Cheng Bai’s throat tightened, his expression darkening.
How was he supposed to know these Danmu tribesmen had so little backbone? The moment someone stepped up to solve their problems, all their complaints vanished—after all their earlier cries about Yuan Heng’s cruelty!
"Alright, everyone, proceed as instructed." Xiao Ruo’s final order scattered the crowd.
Some headed out of the tribe, some returned home, others approached Cheng Bai for treatment.
He meant to refuse—until he noticed the little delicate one watching him intently. Somehow, his refusal turned into agreement.
Seeing Cheng Bai help, Xi ger, supported by A-Hua, made his way to Wang Jin, who quickly steadied the exhausted boy.
"Jin ger, Xi ger is worn out. Take him to rest. I’ll go assist Cheng Bai," A-Hua said.
Wang Jin nodded and guided Xi ger inside.
The ger was truly drained—the moment his head touched the pillow, he was asleep.
Fearing Xi ger might be unwell, Wang Jin stayed by his side, but soon drowsiness overtook him too.
When he woke again, it was already afternoon. Xi ger still slept soundly.
Wang Jin stretched, then noticed the eerie silence—as if the entire house were empty. The courtyard had been noisy earlier…
Puzzled, he tiptoed out to check.
Sure enough, not a soul in sight.
Bewildered, he went to find Mu ger and Uncle Qi. Usually by this time, Mu ger and Uncle Qi would have joined him for a meal, but today, neither had come.
He checked their rooms—both empty.
Frowning, Wang Jin stepped outside and spotted a crowd gathered in a clearing ahead.
He rushed over. The beastmen formed a tight circle, blocking his view, but pained groans came from within.
As Wang Jin tried to push through, Mu ger spotted him and quickly pulled him back.
"A-Jin, don’t go yet."
"A-Mu…" Wang Jin kept his eyes fixed ahead. "What’s happening?"
Mu ger’s expression softened slightly. "The hunting party the leader sent out has been rescued. Cheng Bai is treating them now."
"Rescued?!" Wang Jin grabbed Mu ger’s arm, eyes bright with relief.
"Only some. The beast horde scattered them. The ones brought back are few, but they told Xiao Ruo the leader’s whereabouts. He’s already found a lead and gone to search."
Xiao Ruo had left to search?
Wang Jin scanned the area—no sign of him.
Mu ger nodded. "This time, they should be able to bring everyone back."
Everyone? Then Yuan Heng wouldn’t need to intervene.
Good.
A smile touched Wang Jin’s lips. Though Yuan Heng had stayed with him these days, never speaking of tribal matters, Wang Jin knew his heart was still with the tribe. The missing hunters weighed on him.
But Wang Jin also knew Yuan Heng had his principles. This was the leader’s duty, not his to usurp.
Now, seeing Xiao Ruo take charge—Yuan Heng would be proud when he returned.
And it would ease Uncle Qi’s mind too.
Wang Jin glanced at Qi ger. The man’s pallor had finally improved, a hint of color returning to his cheeks. Beside him stood the elderly healer, both staring into the distance as if awaiting someone’s return.
Noticing Wang Jin’s gaze, Mu ger whispered: "The leader hasn’t been found yet, but there’s hope. Uncle Qi’s spirits have lifted. He claims to have cut ties, to not care about the leader’s fate—but in the end, he’s his only family."
Wang Jin sighed. "Yeah."
Mu ger smiled. "Brother Heng wasn’t wrong about Xiao Ruo. He’s handled this well—ordered most to rest while the swiftest searched separately, avoiding direct clashes with the beasts. When they find someone, they signal the tribe, and Xiao Ruo leads a team to divert the creatures and bring the survivors back. There are injuries, but no critical ones."
He paused, glancing at the gathered ger behind them. "Xiao Ruo also had Xi ger’s group move here, so we can care for them together. Now, aside from the search parties, all of Danmu Tribe is here."
"Only when they arrived did we learn they’ve been starving. Since the split, the leader’s hunting parties never brought back enough…" Mu ger murmured.
Wang Jin studied the ger—exhausted, disheveled, like refugees. Their vigor from days ago was gone.
How had mere days done this?
"A-Jin, look at them…" Mu ger nudged him toward a group. Though dirt-streaked, Wang Jin recognized them—the ones who’d mocked him and Mu ger at Yue ger’s place.
Mu ger’s voice dropped. "Their beastmen were sent out on the first day after the split. Still missing… Likely dead."
"……" Wang Jin stayed silent.
Mu ger continued: "After the leader took all the beastmen, these ger hid in the tribe, too afraid to sleep without protection. They starved, not daring to forage—until Xi ger came to beg Brother Heng…"
He lowered his voice further. "I heard the healer told Xi ger not to mention their plight, so he only asked Brother Heng to save the beastmen, never saying they’d gone a day and night without food. By the time we rescued them, it had been two days. When they arrived, they devoured our reserves."
"…Then Xi ger hadn’t eaten either?" Wang Jin asked, startled.
Mu ger nodded.
No wonder he’d been so weak.
"I should prepare food for him." Wang Jin turned to leave.
Mu ger chuckled, tugging him back. "He’s eaten. He woke while you slept—I brought him something."
Wang Jin flushed. He’d been supposed to care for Xi ger, yet… Scratching his head sheepishly, he mumbled an apology.
Mu ger smiled. "A-Jin, you’ve never been used to tending to others. Don’t worry."
Then, excited, he whispered: "Look at the healer—"
Wang Jin followed his gaze. The old man’s cloudy eyes were fixed on the horizon alongside Qi ger’s, as if praying, brimming with hope.
Mu ger grinned. "The healer fully acknowledges Xiao Ruo now—treats him as the new leader, fretting over his safety, standing there waiting with Qi ger."
As he spoke, the healer’s eyes lit up with sudden joy, the murkiness clearing into startling clarity. Qi ger’s face also brightened.
"They’re back! They’re back!" The healer tapped his cane against the ground. Qi ger sprinted forward.
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