Chapter 117
Xi Ning looked up at him. The man before him seemed as if, with just a nod from Xi Ning, he would go out again to find a few more Rui grass for the person inside... That eager, restless demeanor made Xi Ning's heart stir slightly.
He waved his hand and said, "Rui grass is good, but its effects diminish with overuse. You need not worry about Yao'er's health. I will naturally have the physicians use the best prescriptions to nurse him back to health."
He paused, a meaningful glint flashing in his eyes as he looked at Yuan Heng. "Once his health has recovered, I will instruct the physicians to prioritize the treatment of his memory loss."
"..." Yuan Heng's fingertips trembled slightly. After a long pause, he replied hoarsely, "Yes."
The man appeared calm and composed, but his body stood ramrod straight, his trembling fingers slightly retracting and clenching into fists. Although his agreement was straightforward, Xi Ning's sharp eyes detected his struggle and worry...
He certainly cares deeply for Yao'er.
Observing this, Xi Ning spoke, "Yao'er likes you very much, to the point of being fixated on you. As Yao'er's elder brother, I won't beat around the bush and will speak plainly."
Yuan Heng, upon hearing this, pressed his lips together and said, "Please speak, City Lord."
Xi Ning said, "I know you are from Danmu tribe and hold a rather high status there. Yao'er is my only blood-related brother. I cannot allow him to live in a distant tribe. I ask you, if the two of you are together, would you be willing to stay in my Ning'an City for Yao'er's sake?"
Yuan Heng heard this and replied, "I am of the Ancient Winged White Tiger Tribe. Although Danmu tribe is where I reside, it is not actually my ancestral tribe. If he prefers this place and wishes to settle here, I will naturally accompany him."
Hearing this, Xi Ning narrowed his eyes in satisfaction. He thought for a moment and said, "You should know by now that life here in Ning'an City is worlds apart from life in the tribes. Whether in a tribe or wandering outside, I have no doubts about your ability, as an ancient beastman, to protect Yao'er. But within this Ning'an City, I ask you, can you guarantee Yao'er a life of ease and freedom?"
"Naturally," Yuan Heng answered without hesitation.
Xi Ning shook his head. "You are too confident in yourself."
"Life in Ning'an City requires far more than just strong hunting skills. You have just arrived in Ning'an City and do not yet fully understand this place. Do not rush to answer me this question. I will pretend I never heard what you just said. Go back and think it over carefully. Come speak to me again once you have concrete ideas."
Yuan Heng fell silent.
Xi Ning also remained silent for a moment before speaking again. "Other worries I might have, I believe you can avoid quite well. But there is one more matter I must ask about clearly."
"?" Yuan Heng's eyes held a questioning look.
Xi Ning placed his hands behind his back. His usually lazy, slightly narrowed eyes opened, revealing a sharp light within.
"Rumors say the Ancient Winged Tribe has low fertility... If my Yao'er is with you, can you guarantee he will have offspring?"
"!" Yuan Heng's body stiffened. His knuckles trembled, and his fists involuntarily loosened.
Xi Ning saw this and narrowed his eyes. "So... you cannot?"
"... It's not that I cannot." Yuan Heng swallowed hard, replying with difficulty and a hint of defiance, before falling silent as if unwilling to discuss the topic further.
His long eyelashes fluttered slightly before finally lowering obediently. He silently endured Xi Ning's scrutiny after his answer.
The man before him said it was not impossible, but his tone was not very firm. As a member of the Ancient Winged Tribe, with all other ancient races extinct, the fact that his Winged White Tiger Tribe had survived to this day was already rare...
The ancient races possessed the advantage of greater strength compared to other beast tribes, but they also had irreparable disadvantages...
Xi Ning sighed. "The bloodline of my Xi family carries the ability to tame beasts. By my generation, the family line was already sparse, leaving only Yao'er and myself... If it were my decision, this single point of uncertainty would render all your other merits meaningless..."
A flash of pain passed through Yuan Heng's eyes. His light-colored glass-like pupils, usually so easily lit bright by the sunlight, were now dull and lifeless, as if their owner was experiencing something utterly despairing.
His lips were pressed tightly together, the teeth inside seemingly clenched so hard they created a hollow in his cheek.
Xi Ning took a deep breath and finally said slowly, "Unfortunately... Yao'er's matters must be decided by himself."
A glimmer of light appeared in Yuan Heng's eyes. Xi Ning said, "Yao'er likes you. Naturally, I cannot stop you."
Hearing this, a trace of joy flashed in Yuan Heng's light-colored pupils, and his expression relaxed, as if a giant rock pressing down on him had been moved aside. Seeing this, Xi Ning spoke, "Don't be happy yet. While I won't stop you, I also won't offer my support."
Xi Ning said, "Yao'er has forgotten much now. Any decision he makes is naturally biased. I will not prevent you from being together, but the matter of marriage must wait until after Yao'er remembers everything and still chooses you."
Understanding flashed in Yuan Heng's eyes. He cupped his hands towards Xi Ning and said, "This is natural. Thank you, City Lord, for your consent."
Hearing this, Xi Ning looked at Yuan Heng with amusement. "Are you so certain that Yao'er will choose you after he remembers everything? Previously, his heart was completely occupied by Cheng Bai."
"..." Yuan Heng was slightly stunned. After a long pause, he slowly said, "Even if he remembers everything and still has Cheng Bai in his heart, I will drive Cheng Bai's shadow out of his heart, bit by bit."
The man spoke fiercely, his manner as if he were truly driving out a beastman who had occupied his territory... his features filled with determination... His light-colored glass-like pupils became deep and dark, their seemingly calm surface hiding countless undercurrents of turbulence.
For a moment, Xi Ning was taken aback by his demeanor. In that brief moment, the man had already walked to the room's door. With a gentle push, he could see the person inside.
Xi Ning turned around, still wanting to say something, but the man had already pushed the door open and walked in, very naturally closing the door behind him.
"..." That impatient manner seemed as if he hadn't seen his ger for ages, yet Yao'er had only been unconscious for a short while...
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