116: Xuanmo tests Caesar

For several days now, the entire Leopard Clan Tribe has been immersed in the busy and fulfilling atmosphere of winter storage.

Bai Yao and Xuan Mo were constantly busy; besides the jams and dried fruits they had already made, they were trying different methods to pickle vegetables and smoke more meat.

They strived to fill the cellar completely before the harsh winter arrived.

It was nearing noon that day, and the sun was just right. Bai Yao and Xuan Mo were turning over a new batch of meat strips prepared for smoking in the open space outside their cave.

Just then, Bai Yao noticed an unusual commotion coming from the Tribe entrance—a group of Males whose attire was distinctly different from the Tribe's beastmen.

Accompanied by the Tribe Chief, they were walking toward their home.

She stopped what she was doing, furrowed her brow slightly, and a sense of confusion arose in her heart.

Xuan Mo also noticed keenly, his vertical pupils narrowing as he looked toward the unwelcome guests.

When the visitors drew closer and she saw the face of the leader, genuine surprise appeared on Bai Yao’s face.

It was Caesar?

The Young City Lord of Hundred Beasts City—why would he personally come to the remote Leopard Clan Tribe?

Bai Yao put down the meat strips she was holding and instinctively glanced at Xuan Mo beside her.

Xuan Mo shook his head, his eyes equally questioning and wary. He also did not know why this distinguished Young City Lord had suddenly paid a visit.

The Tribe Chief rushed forward, his face plastered with a nearly fawning smile. “Female Bai Yao, Sir Xuan Mo, look who’s here. It’s Caesar, the Young City Lord of Hundred Beasts City! The Young City Lord has specifically come to discuss something with you!”

Xuan Mo cast a cold glance at the Tribe Chief’s expression of shared glory, understanding immediately.

For a small Tribe leader like the Tribe Chief, the personal arrival of the Young City Lord of Hundred Beasts City was undoubtedly a tremendous honor and a rare opportunity.

Bai Yao suppressed her doubts, nodded toward the Tribe Chief, and politely invited Caesar and his entourage into the cave.

Caesar maintained his appropriate smile, and a hint of curiosity flashed in his eyes as he glanced over Bai Yao and the simple yet unique cave behind her.

“Female Bai Yao, we meet again.”

Xuan Mo cut straight to the chase, his tone carrying his usual coldness: “Young City Lord, what brings you here?”

Seeing this, the Tribe Chief knew this was not a conversation he should participate in, and he quickly and tactfully excused himself:

“Young City Lord, please take your time talking. If you need anything, just ask!”

After speaking, he bowed and retreated, leaving only Caesar, his two personal guards, Bai Yao, and Xuan Mo inside the cave.

Caesar looked at Bai Yao. “I am indeed here for the cooperation we discussed last time at the Fox Clan Market.”

“I happened to be inspecting the winter storage preparations of a few affiliated Tribes nearby, so I stopped by to see what Female Bai Yao has decided.”

Bai Yao’s heart stirred slightly. She had actually already made a decision and planned to send someone to Hundred Beasts City in the next few days, but she hadn't expected Caesar to come in person.

This surprised her. Was mere cooperation worth him lowering himself like this?

As if sensing Bai Yao’s concerns, Caesar added:

“Female Bai Yao, please don’t feel pressured. My trip is indeed for official business, and I merely stopped by to confirm. Regardless of your decision, it will not affect the friendly relationship between Hundred Beasts City and the Leopard Clan Tribe.”

He phrased that beautifully, explaining his purpose while alleviating any potential awkwardness for Bai Yao.

Xuan Mo stood to the side, silently observing Caesar.

This Male of the Lion Clan was composed and extraordinary in demeanor, and his attitude toward Bai Yao consistently maintained an appropriate level of respect and admiration.

A thought surfaced in Xuan Mo’s mind again: perhaps he could use this opportunity to test this Young City Lord.

Just then, seeing that it was nearly noon, Bai Yao proactively spoke:

“Young City Lord, you’ve traveled a long way, so you probably haven’t had lunch yet? If you don’t mind, how about having a simple meal here with us while we talk?”

Caesar was about to politely decline, but remembering the Tribe Chief’s earlier praise of Bai Yao’s cooking, and the faint aroma of food wafting through the air, curiosity ultimately won out.

He readily nodded. “Then I shall impose.”

Xuan Mo let out an almost inaudible snort from the side. This lion certainly knew how to seize an opportunity.

Just as Xuan Mo was about to say something, Bai Yao called from the small inner kitchen: “Xuan Mo, come in and help me.”

Xuan Mo could only hold his tongue, gave Caesar a warning glance, and turned to enter the kitchen.

Only Caesar and his two guards remained in the living area.

Caesar waved his hand, signaling the guards to wait by the cave entrance.

Only after the guards left was he able to examine the cave carefully.

The more he looked, the deeper the surprise in his eyes grew. The internal structure of the cave, the simple but practical tables and chairs, the woven baskets hanging on the walls... many details were completely different from the Tribe dwellings he knew, showing more ingenuity and cleverness than even the furnishings of some nobles in Hundred Beasts City.

Could it be... that all these things were made by this Female?

This realization involuntarily raised Caesar's evaluation of Bai Yao by several notches.

She seemed capable of more than just crafting powerful crossbows and delicious food.

Just as Caesar was pondering silently, Xuan Mo walked out carrying a bowl and chopsticks, placing the bowl on the table in front of Caesar with a displeased expression.

“Here, Yaoyao made this for you.”

Caesar looked down. The bowl contained a dark red, viscous substance that looked unremarkable.

Accustomed to refined delicacies, he furrowed his brow almost imperceptibly.

Could this thing... really be eaten?

Xuan Mo caught his fleeting hesitation, snorted inwardly, and deliberately said:

“This is the raspberry jam Yaoyao made herself. If you don’t want to eat it, you can just leave it for me.”

Hearing Xuan Mo say this, Caesar found it difficult to refuse and offered his thanks.

He used the small wooden spoon provided nearby to scoop up a bit, placing it into his mouth with a feeling of resigned sacrifice.

The strange taste he anticipated did not appear. Instead, an extremely rich, interwoven fragrance of sweet and sour fruit exploded on his tongue.

The sweetness was mellow and rich, not cloying, blending perfectly to stimulate his taste buds—a unique flavor he had never experienced.

His eyes widened slightly, and he couldn't help but scoop up another spoonful, savoring it carefully.

Xuan Mo watched the shift in Caesar’s expression, from suspicion to surprise to enjoyment, and an inexplicable sense of proud achievement rose in his heart.

His Yaoyao could always create astonishing miracles using seemingly ordinary things.

Xuan Mo sat down opposite Caesar, deciding to begin his test. He composed himself, looked at Caesar, and casually asked:

“Young City Lord Caesar, given your status and age, you must have no shortage of excellent pursuers in Hundred Beasts City. Why have you not yet taken a mate?”

“Cough…”

Caesar was startled by the sudden question and nearly choked on the jam.

He looked at Xuan Mo, whose expression was unusually serious, not like casual small talk.

What exactly does this snake want?

Although confused, Caesar maintained his composure and answered carefully: “Choosing a mate is a lifelong commitment, so one must naturally be cautious. Perhaps... I have not yet met the Female who would make me willing to set aside all considerations and treat her with genuine affection.”

This statement was half-truth, half-lie. For an heir like him, the choice of a mate was never just a matter of personal feelings.

Xuan Mo nodded, seemingly accepting his explanation, but immediately followed up with a sharper question:

“Then, if one day the Female you choose, her wishes or existence creates an irreconcilable conflict with the interests of your family, or even the rules of Hundred Beasts City...”

“At that time, how would you decide? Would you uphold your family and responsibilities, or... stand by your Female?”