Chapter 98
"Getting Young Master Cheng to save someone won’t be that simple."
A deep male voice rang out, and everyone turned to look. A handsome young man with sharp brows and bright eyes walked over, leading a group of over a dozen people.
The group was dressed in luxurious attire, their hair neatly tied in topknots, their refined appearance starkly contrasting with the disheveled and simple looks of the tribespeople.
It was as if a group of noble young masters had accidentally gotten lost and wandered into this remote village.
Cheng Bai’s silver eyes flickered with surprise when he saw the newcomer. "Zhao Qi?"
"Young Master Cheng, it’s been a while."
Cheng Bai smiled at the sight of his old friend, and Zhao Qi’s eyes also warmed with recognition. He gave Cheng Bai a thorough once-over, confirming he was unharmed, before his gaze shifted to Qi ger kneeling on the ground and the severely injured tiger beastman before him.
His expression stiffened slightly, and he turned to his men. "Xiao Yang, give our healing medicine to this uncle."
Yuan Heng glanced at the healer, who immediately stepped forward to intercept the offered medicine. "Thank you, friend. I’ll take it—I’m the tribe’s healer, so I’ll handle the treatment."
With that, the healer opened the medicine, sniffed it to confirm its safety, then subtly shook his head at Yuan Heng before crouching down to tend to the beastman under Qi ger’s watchful gaze.
Seeing this, Cheng Bai curled his lips in disdain. This was the finest healing medicine from Ning’an City, yet this man still doubted it…
Annoyed, Cheng Bai brushed past the healer and Qi ger, walking toward Zhao Qi. "You know I don’t want to save him, yet you still interfere?"
Zhao Qi chuckled, leaning in to whisper, "If you won’t save him, the tribe still has a healer. This man will be saved regardless—why not let me repay a favor?"
"A favor?" Cheng Bai frowned. "What favor do you owe?"
Zhao Qi explained, "A favor for guidance. After you sent word back to Ning’an City, the city lord learned you’d found his younger brother and immediately sent me—since I was nearby—to rendezvous with you."
He then grumbled, "You’re really something—you only mentioned the tribe’s name in your letter, no map, nothing. I had a hard time finding this place. Luckily, I ran into a beastman from the Danmu tribe in the forest and followed him here."
As he spoke, Zhao Qi nodded toward Yuan Heng.
Cheng Bai followed his gaze and saw Yuan Heng approaching.
Zhao Qi straightened up and respectfully cupped his hands in greeting. "Thank you for leading the way."
Cheng Bai’s eyebrow twitched at Zhao Qi’s deferential demeanor.
Unaware of Cheng Bai’s reaction, Zhao Qi’s eyes soon landed on Wang Jin standing beside Yuan Heng.
Delighted, he stepped forward and dropped to one knee before Wang Jin. "Young Master."
The dozen men behind him followed suit, kneeling as well.
"..."
Since arriving in this world, no one had ever knelt before Wang Jin. The sudden display left him momentarily unsettled.
"Stand up first," Wang Jin said, steadying his voice.
The crowd watched in astonishment.
Though rumors had spread that Wang Jin was the younger brother of Ning’an City’s lord, someone of high status, his daily interactions with the tribe had made him seem no different from before—back when he was just the little madman.
This was the first time they truly felt the distance between him and them.
These beastmen, each dressed in finery and exuding nobility, were figures who would normally look down on them. Yet here they were, kneeling willingly before Wang Jin…
Even more surprising was how calmly Wang Jin accepted it. Any other ger might have panicked, but he stood there composed, his voice steady as if this were entirely normal.
"..." Zhao Qi was taken aback.
This person…
He rose to his feet, studying Wang Jin closely.
The ger was petite, as if a strong wind could blow him away, his delicate features making him seem fragile, like a small animal.
Back in Ning’an City, Zhao Qi had seen him a few times. Every time he bowed, the young man would flee, as if unable to bear the gesture…
His timid demeanor had never seemed fitting for a noble, let alone the leader’s brother. Instead, he had seemed like some small-town ger unaccustomed to grandeur.
Zhao Qi had always found him too timid… But since he was the leader’s beloved younger brother, Zhao Qi had continued to bow respectfully, even if the young man always dodged.
This was the first time Zhao Qi had seen him accept a bow properly.
Had… something changed?
The beastman’s gaze lingered on the ger, and Yuan Heng’s expression darkened as he stepped forward, blocking Wang Jin from view.
His light-colored eyes were filled with hostility.
"..." Zhao Qi blinked, startled by the ancient beastman’s reaction.
Before he could process it, something even more shocking happened—he saw slender, pale fingers gently tracing circles over the beastman’s clenched fist.
The fingers moved lazily, soothingly, as if coaxing the man… or perhaps casting some seductive spell…
Zhao Qi’s fingertips tingled. Though those fingers weren’t touching him, he could almost feel their soft caress—
A light, maddening brush that sent shivers down his spine, a teasing touch that made him itch to seize those mischievous fingers and trap them in his grasp.
The ancient beastman seemed to share the thought, for he soon captured the hand, enfolding it in his palm and kneading it gently…
The fingers, now slightly pink, trembled faintly in the air, as if murmuring in pleasure…
"..."
The young master and this beastman…
If he remembered correctly, wasn’t the young master betrothed to Cheng Bai? Back in Ning’an City, the young master had been infamous for clinging to Cheng Bai… Yet now, right in front of Cheng Bai, he was openly flirting with another beastman…
Even if Cheng Bai didn’t love him, this was…
Zhao Qi’s lips parted in shock. He turned stiffly to Cheng Bai—
The man’s silver eyes were dull, as if covered in dust, his lips pressed into a tight line, his entire body trembling slightly…
He looked… furious.
This wasn’t good. Cheng Bai was shaking with rage…
This mission was clearly more complicated than he’d thought…
Zhao Qi swallowed and turned back to Yuan Heng. "As I mentioned in the forest, we’ve come from Ning’an City to escort the young master back…"
He hesitated, then added carefully, "The young master is betrothed. He is Cheng—"
"I know." The mention of the engagement soured Yuan Heng’s mood. He cut Zhao Qi off. "After the beast horde is dealt with, I’ll take the young master back with you. The engagement will be resolved then."
The beastman said "take"—as if the young master already belonged to him.
And "resolved"? What did that mean?
Cheng Bai’s letter hadn’t mentioned any of this…
Zhao Qi didn’t dare respond carelessly, so he simply smiled.
Yuan Heng said, "I’ll take you to your lodgings. Until the beast horde passes, you’ll stay in the tribe."
"Of course." Zhao Qi glanced at Cheng Bai. "No need to trouble you, Brother Yuan. We’ll follow Young Master Cheng—wherever he’s staying, we’ll stay there."
Yuan Heng recalled that Cheng Bai’s place were spacious enough and nodded. "Suit yourselves."
With that, he took Wang Jin’s hand and led him away.
Zhao Qi watched as the two walked off, their shoulders gradually inching closer until they were nearly pressed together—from a distance, it almost looked like they were embracing as they walked…
Elbowing Cheng Bai, Zhao Qi whispered, "Hey, wasn’t the young master obsessed with you? What’s going on now?"
"He lost his memory. During that time, he married that ancient beastman. Now, he only clings to him…" Cheng Bai muttered bitterly.
"!" Zhao Qi’s eyes widened. No wonder the young master was openly "betraying" Cheng Bai—he didn’t even remember. In his mind, that ancient beastman was his husband now.
Realization dawned, followed by alarm. "You didn’t tell the city lord about this?!"
"...How could I? Would you dare?" Cheng Bai retorted.
Zhao Qi pictured the city lord of Ning’an City—outwardly amiable but ruthlessly decisive—and stiffened.
Xi Ning, the lord of Ning’an City, was shrewd, decisive, and unwavering in his rule, a figure both respected and feared by all.
He was fair and rational in all matters… except when it came to his younger brother.
Xi Yao was Xi Ning’s only sibling. Having lost their parents young, Xi Ning cherished him above all else.
Anyone who dared harm his brother would face his wrath.
If he learned that his precious brother had lost his memory and been "stolen" by some unknown beastman during that time…
Zhao Qi shuddered, not daring to imagine the consequences.
"L-let’s not talk about that," he said, forcing a smile. "Look on the bright side—the young master has someone new now. Sure, it’s a bit bold of him to act like this in front of you, his fiancé, but at least you can finally break off the engagement easily!"
"Who said anything about breaking it off?!" Cheng Bai snapped, as if pricked by a needle, his silver eyes flashing dangerously.
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