Chapter 178: Extra
Outside the quiet Danmu Tribe, a beast-drawn carriage stood parked. The fierce beast pulling it was a proud, sharp-toothed wolf beast, currently sitting upright in a majestic manner.
A small white tiger cub sat perched on the beast's back, patting playfully at the wolf's head. Its round, bright eyes darted curiously in every direction, full of lively charm and undeniable cuteness.
On the cub’s back, a small wing—still like a soft, unopened bud—dangled limply, trembling faintly with each of the little one’s movements.
"Yuan Mingchao!" A low call came from inside the carriage. The little beastman shuddered, nearly tumbling off the wolf beast.
He shook his head, moved his powerful hind legs, and using the wolf beast's back as a springboard, leaped to the outside of the carriage compartment, calling inside with a clear, crisp voice, "Father."
Though he tried hard to suppress it, a faint tremor of fear could still be heard. A light chuckle came from inside, followed by a very soft voice, "Brother Heng, don't be angry with the child. Ming'er, the wolf beast is dangerous, you must not climb on it again. Come inside now."
Hearing this voice, the little white tiger's eyes immediately brightened. The moment the person said to come in, he swiftly darted inside, accurately landing in that person's lap.
That person wore simple white clothes but had an exceptionally stunning appearance. Even more unforgettable was his elegant demeanor; every movement carried boundless grace.
The little white tiger nestled affectionately against that person, rubbing his head, his tone carrying a hint of a whine, "A-die is still the best."
Yuan Heng's expression cooled slightly. Seeing this, the little white tiger pressed even closer into Wang Jin's embrace. Wang Jin laughed, "Brother Heng, you see? With your face cold all day, even the child is afraid of you."
"……" Yuan Heng didn't respond. Instead, he turned and pressed a kiss to the ger's lips, drawing a soft gasp of surprise. The little white tiger in Wang Jin's lap immediately covered its face with both paws, letting out a muffled squeak. Wang Jin's cheeks warmed. He gently pressed the cub's paws more firmly over its eyes and whispered, "Brother Heng, what are you doing? The child is right here."
That's precisely the point, Yuan Heng thought to himself. They were all competing with him for this person's affection...
Yuan Heng leaned his head on Wang Jin's shoulder, mimicking the little white tiger by nuzzling against him.
Wang Jin reached out and gently ruffled Yuan Heng's long hair, a soft sigh escaping him. Truly, this man seemed to grow more childlike by the day.
"Shall we... not go in?" Wang Jin asked, looking out through the carriage curtain.
Yuan Heng straightened up and shook his head, "No. They are living well. There's no need for us to disturb them."
"Mm." Wang Jin agreed and urged the fierce beast outside to head towards Beast Mountain.
The little white tiger poked his head out from Wang Jin's embrace, transforming into a child about two years old. The child raised his chubby, pink-cheeked face to look at Wang Jin and asked, "A-die, where are we going?"
Wang Jin looked down and pinched his plump little cheek, "To meet your grandfather, your Grandpa your great-grandfather, and your great-great-grandfather."
"Grandfather? Grandpa? Father's father, and father's A-die?"
Wang Jin nodded.
The little white tiger said, "Then why aren't they in Yongheng City? Why do we have to come so far to see them?"
Wang Jin smiled and said, "You'll know in a little while."
Upon reaching the top of Beast Mountain, they saw that everything here remained unchanged. Yuan Heng, carrying the little white tiger, walked in first, then turned back to take Wang Jin's hand.
The atmosphere inside was as somber as ever, but their moods were no longer as gloomy as they once were. Now, a faint smile graced their faces. Since having children, both had grown increasingly gentle.
Yuan Heng approached the skeletal remains and knelt before them. Wang Jin knelt as well, bringing the little white tiger down with him.
"Father, A-die, I've come to see you."
The little white tiger watched the surroundings curiously with his clear, bright eyes. Wang Jin held him and followed Yuan Heng in performing a bow.
Yuan Heng said, "It's been several years since my last visit. Father, A-die, I want to tell you that I am living very well now. My ger has given me three children: two little beastmen and one ger. They are all healthy."
Yuan Heng turned to look at Wang Jin, his gaze softer than ever before. The little white tiger clicked his tongue. Though he was young and didn't understand many things, he knew that his father only looked this gentle when he saw his a-die. That warmth was never directed at them. He pouted softly and nestled a little closer to Wang Jin.
A-die is different. A-die is always the kindest to us, gentle in every way.
Yuan Heng continued, "Please understand, Father, A-die. All three children are still very young, especially the ger, Wang Ju. He is frail and cannot endure a long journey. So today, we have only brought Yuan Mingchao to see you. In a few years, when they have all grown a bit, we will bring them all to visit."
Wang Jin said, "Actually... Brother Heng, have you ever thought about moving everyone to the city area? It would make paying our respects simpler."
Yuan Heng, upon hearing this, shook his head, "This is the location chosen by our ancestors. It cannot be moved arbitrarily. The people of the Danmu tribe will take good care of this place. We will also come back frequently to visit."
"So... Grandfather and Grandpa have passed away?" The little white tiger lifted half his face from Wang Jin's embrace and asked in a small voice.
Wang Jin nodded, "But they will watch over your growth from the heavens. So you must always remember them, remember that you are all descendants of the Ancient Winged White Tiger clan."
The little white tiger nodded, half-understanding, "Mm. When I go back, I'll tell Xi Jue and Ju'er. We are all descendants of the Ancient Winged White Tiger clan. Grandpa and Grandfather will watch over and protect us from the sky."
Wang Jin was amused by his childish words. He smiled and pinched his round cheek, "Yes, Ming'er is the most obedient."
Afterward, the two of them went to the previous stone cave. The number of stones inside had only increased.
Wang Jin picked out several, "Let's take these back for Jue'er, Ju'er, and A-Mu's An'er to play with. They all like these shiny things."
"What about me, me, A-die?" Yuan Mingchao, not hearing his own name, tugged at Wang Jin's sleeve and asked.
Wang Jin held his hand, "Aren't you right here yourself? If you want some, of course you can pick them yourself."
"……" Yuan Mingchao pouted, "But I want the ones A-die gives me."
"……" Yuan Heng pressed his lips together and stuffed a few stones into the child's hands. Yuan Mingchao looked at Yuan Heng in surprise. Yuan Heng had already turned his back, appearing particularly aloof. But only Wang Jin noticed the man's ear tips gradually turning red again. Wang Jin chuckled softly, choosing not to expose the man, letting the little white tiger receive the stones with flattered astonishment.
"Brother Heng, we've been out for several months. Let's head back soon. I haven't seen Jue'er and Ju'er for so long, I miss them terribly." Coming out of Beast Mountain, Wang Jin hugged Yuan Heng's arm.
Their stated purpose was to pay respects to their ancestors, but in reality, they had deliberately slowed their pace through the forest, treating it like a leisurely stroll.
Hearing this, Yuan Heng nodded.
It was indeed time to return. The other little white tiger was terribly mischievous without him there to keep him in check, and the frail little ger... he wondered if he had fallen ill.
Once these children were a bit older and had learned their skills, when they could venture out on their own, then he would take his ger out to truly enjoy themselves to the fullest.
In one arm, Yuan Heng scooped up the little white tiger. The fingers of his other hand twitched slightly before he reached out, taking the ger’s hand in his own. Side by side, they walked toward the waiting carriage.
Sunlight filtered through the giant trees, falling upon the three of them, casting their shadows onto the ground.
On the ground, those shadows connected, as if an indivisible whole...
-End-
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