45: City of Beasts and City of Evil

Xuan Mo had been gone for two days without a word.

As the day to return to the Tribe approached, a hint of unease gradually surfaced in Bai Yao's heart.

Given that snake's strong possessiveness shown before, he shouldn't have just left like that, without even a message.

"Did he run into danger?"

"Knock, knock..."

As she was lost in thought, a knock suddenly sounded from outside.

Caesar pushed the door open and entered. The Young City Lord of the Lion Clan had an obvious look of apology on his face.

"I apologize on behalf of Hundred Beasts City for the incident at the welcome banquet."

He got straight to the point, yet still maintained the posture of a superior. "In the past few days, some bugs from the City of Ten Thousand Evils have infiltrated the city."

"City of Ten Thousand Evils?"

Bai Yao repeated softly. That name didn't sound like a good place at all.

But in her impression of the script, there was no such place as the City of Ten Thousand Evils, was there?

At this, a hint of disgust flashed across Caesar's face. "That's a city that rose in the Barren Land a few years ago, gathering the most insane and bloodthirsty exiles on the continent. Their City Lord..."

He paused, then continued, "...is an out-and-out madman and tyrant. His methods are cruel, he revels in plunder and destruction, and his whereabouts are mysterious, with very few people ever seeing his true face. His Infiltrators are ubiquitous, and this incident is their doing."

"Their goal this time was probably to anger and restrain Xuan Mo by harming you. Xuan Mo's power and reputation are already well-known in this area."

"In recent years, Hundred Beasts City and the City of Ten Thousand Evils have appeared peaceful on the surface, but in reality, undercurrents are surging. If Xuan Mo could be thrown into disarray and go on a killing spree because of you, creating a rift with Hundred Beasts City, the City of Ten Thousand Evils could take advantage of the weakness."

Caesar paused, his golden eyes sharp. "The people have been apprehended. While they may not be the core figures, it's enough to show our attitude. These people are yours to deal with."

Bai Yao understood that the people presented might not be the true masterminds. Caesar's action was more about giving Xuan Mo an explanation.

She had no intention of getting involved in the power struggles of Hundred Beasts City, nor did she want to be tied to Hundred Beasts City. She just wanted to stay away from these conflicts.

"This is an internal matter of Hundred Beasts City; you can handle it according to your rules."

Bai Yao's reply was neither humble nor fawning.

Caesar scrutinized the seemingly delicate Female before him. In her eyes, he saw no fear of the City of Ten Thousand Evils' notorious reputation, nor any flattery towards Hundred Beasts City's power.

This unyielding demeanor made a slight appreciation flash in his eyes.

He said no more, nodded, and left.

The day of departure had arrived. Bai Yao and Lin were waiting at the city gate early, but Xuan Mo was still nowhere to be seen.

"Never mind, let's go back."

Bai Yao said to Lin, suppressing the inexplicable disappointment in her heart. Perhaps she had never truly understood that unfathomable snake.

Under the escort of Hundred Beasts City guards, they successfully returned to the Leopard Clan Tribe.

The familiar simple thatched hut, the familiar bed. Bai Yao threw herself onto her bed as soon as she entered the door, taking a deep breath.

"A golden nest, a silver nest, but one's own nest is the most comfortable."

Lin watched her undisguised reliance, a gentle warmth rising in his eyes. As long as she was willing to come back, this would still be her home.

Before long, hurried footsteps came from outside.

"Yao Yao, you really came back?"

Tana rushed in impetuously, hugging her tightly, her voice choked with tears. "beast god bless! You scared me to death, it's all my fault, if I hadn't taken you out..."

"It's alright, Tana, don't I look perfectly fine?"

Bai Yao comforted her softly, briefly glossing over the dangers in the forest, only saying that Xuan Mo eventually let her return.

Just as she was about to tell Tana that Xuan Mo had become her beast husband, there was another movement outside the house.

It was the Old Shaman and the Clan Leader who came to visit one after another. Seeing Bai Yao safe and sound, they both breathed a sigh of relief.

The Old Shaman keenly noticed that her vital energy was somewhat depleted, but she was out of danger. After a few pleasantries, he remembered the Hemostatic Pills from before. Bai Yao could only agree to make them in a few days.

The Clan Leader, on the other hand, was secretly startled. To be able to retreat unscathed from such a powerful Wandering Beast, this Female was certainly not simple.

His attitude became even more polite, and he urged her to rest well.

After seeing off all the visitors, the sky had already darkened.

Bai Yao and Lin ate a simple meal, and fatigue washed over them.

Too much had happened in the past few days; she needed time to process it.

Especially how to handle her relationships with her two beast husbands, and Xuan Mo's unannounced departure, all made her feel restless.

"Forget it, let nature take its course."

She mumbled, then fell into a deep sleep.

Lin watched over her, gazing at her peaceful sleeping face, feeling content in his heart.

As long as she returned safely and stayed by his side, even if he had to share her with others, he would accept it.

In the dead of night, Bai Yao vaguely felt a familiar cool breath beside her.

She opened her eyes. Xuan Mo had appeared on the bed at some point, holding her in his arms.

She looked to the other side; Lin had his back to them, his breathing steady, as if he had already noticed.

that snake always acted as he pleased. But she didn't push him away, and closed her eyes again.

The next morning, when Bai Yao woke up, she was alone in bed.

Stepping out of the thatched hut, she saw Xuan Mo sitting quietly alone in front of the door, the morning light casting a soft halo over his stern profile.

"Where's Lin?" Bai Yao asked.

"Gone hunting," Xuan Mo replied without turning his head.

"Why don't you go?"

"If I go, the wild beasts nearby won't dare to approach."

Bai Yao was speechless for a moment; his words weren't wrong. She walked up to him and scrutinized him. "Where did you go the past two days? How are your injuries?"

As she spoke, she reached out to touch his chest.

Xuan Mo's body stiffened, and he raised his hand to block her movement, his snake eyes flickering with an unnatural awkwardness. "Such a minor injury, it healed long ago."

Bai Yao looked at his stubborn, suffering demeanor, feeling both annoyed and pained. She said seriously:

"Xuan Mo, you are my beast husband now. I hope that next time you leave, no matter what you're doing, you'll tell me. I don't want to be like an idiot, left to guess."

Her words clearly acknowledged their mate relationship and also drew her bottom line.

Xuan Mo gazed deeply at her, and something quietly melted in those snake eyes that were always filled with hostility and loneliness.

He was silent for a moment, then finally responded in a low voice, "Okay."

He had indeed left two days ago because his old wounds had reopened, and he didn't want her to see him in a disheveled and weak state.

Now that his injuries were stable, he had returned.

And her words once again shook his deeply ingrained perception—a mate meant being bound to each other, regardless of strength or weakness, sharing burdens together.

Bai Yao saw that he had listened, and her tone softened. "Remember what you said. We are mates; I should know about your injuries and your whereabouts."

Xuan Mo looked at her, and after a long moment, he solemnly responded again, "Okay."