158: Chapter 158 Sleep-inducing Service, Arriving in the Middle of the Night

Sang Qing tilted her head, somewhat surprised. "Xing Jiu, are you serious?"

She thought he was just joking with her.

All her other mates had gone to great lengths to get her to agree to Pair Bonding.

So why, when it came to him, was he unwilling?

Xing Jiu paused, raised his eyes, and said firmly, "Yes!"

Sang Qing wasn't angry, just a bit frustrated and puzzled.

What... was he afraid of?

She always felt he was a bit strange?

Sang Qing pursed her lips, fell silent for a moment, then said softly, "Well, as you wish. But if you change your mind, you can come find me anytime."

Her current mindset was quite easygoing.

She would never force anything.

No, he had already made up his mind.

Xing Jiu laughed at himself inwardly, but his expression remained unchanged as he gave her a slight nod.

Returning to the city, Xing Jiu escorted Sang Qing home, then turned and left.

Sang Qing stared at his retreating back, baffled for a couple of seconds.

Back home, Herman eagerly ran towards her.

As soon as he embraced Sang Qing, his nose twitched slightly. He sniffed her left and right, a strange expression appearing on his face.

This was... the scent of another male, but it seemed somewhat familiar.

A faint glint flashed in Herman's dark red eyes. "Qing Qing?"

Hadn't she said he was her last mate?

Why did she have the scent of another male on her today?

Who was it?

He knew all the unbonded males around Qing Qing.

In his anger, Herman couldn't quite recall for a moment.

Sang Qing took his hand and led him inside, steadying her composure. "What's wrong?"

Herman stared at her with resentment and gave a light humph.

Fine, don't say anything. She knew perfectly well in her own heart.

Herman hugged her and kissed her twice, trying to mask the scent of other males on her.

Sang Qing sat on the sofa, and Herman clung to her persistently.

He wouldn't even let her go hold the Little Cubs, insisting she hold him instead.

Sang Qing was torn between laughter and tears. She pinched one of his cheeks. "What are you doing? The Little Cubs are about to cry."

Sang Che was sprawled on her knee, little hands flailing vigorously, just wanting her to hold him.

Herman lay in her arms, holding her waist, and glanced sideways at the Little Cub. "No, he won't cry. I'm the one who'll cry."

For a mate to come back after half a day out smelling of other males was no small matter.

He should have gone with her.

Ah, right.

Where was Xing Jiu?

Weren't they out together?

He could go ask him.

Sang Qing had no choice. She ended up holding him with one arm and a Little Cub with the other, whispering in his ear, "Didn't you cry enough last night?"

Herman's face flushed red.

"How can you..." How could she be bolder than him now?

He nuzzled against her chest. Fu Ning, standing nearby, could hardly bear to watch, holding a Little Cub and scratching his head restlessly.

Herman was really acting shameless now. He couldn't take it.

In the evening, Aqi returned with Aniel.

Aniel clutched a bunch of small purple flowers and rushed excitedly to Sang Qing. "Sister, for you."

Today he'd brought a different kind of flower. Sister should like these, right?

Sang Qing was taken aback, giving him a surprised look.

She chuckled lightly, accepting the flowers. "Slow down."

Your head is all sweaty.

What's the hurry?

Aniel beamed a bright smile, revealing a mouthful of white teeth. His slightly curly golden hair was a bit messy, but the whole beast looked full of vitality, not tired at all.

After giving the flowers to Sang Qing, Aniel followed Aqi back to their room to bathe.

Sang Qing watched his retreating figure, wondering when he would return to normal.

Casually placing the flowers in a vase, Sang Qing turned to attend to her own tasks.

"Sister Sang Qing, where's my brother?" Aqi ran downstairs with damp hair, his eyes looking somewhat anxious.

Why hadn't he seen his brother since he got back?

"Don't worry, Aqi. Your brother went home. He said he'd come pick you up in a few days." Sang Qing quickly explained.

Aqi immediately looked crestfallen.

"Okay."

Brother actually left without telling him.

Bad guy.

In the evening, Sang Qing was bathing several Little Cubs.

Listening to their giggling laughter, Sang Qing glanced at her own water-splashed clothes and shook her head helplessly.

The three little ones were having a blast playing in the pool. Xuan Xiao squatted beside them, watching with a smiling face.

Sa Yu walked in with a towel. "Alright, enough playing. Time to come out."

They'd been playing for half an hour. Don't get them all riled up, or they won't sleep well later.

Chi Yu leaned against the doorframe, the corner of his mouth slightly upturned.

Each male scooped up a child, lifting them from the pool, drying them off, and then depositing them on the bed.

Sang Qing sat on the edge of the bed, dressing them.

But they were crawling all over the bed, utterly restless. Sang Qing had to first catch one Little Cub, drag her into her arms, and forcefully put her clothes on.

"Little Yu, if you don't behave, Father will spank your bottom."

Sang Qing ruffled her cub's smooth hair, speaking in a threatening tone.

"No, no, don't spank Little Yu." Sang Yu immediately covered her bottom, eyeing her three tall and imposing Fathers warily.

Sang Qing chuckled softly, tossed her onto the bed, and went to grab another Little Cub.

Xuan Xiao patted his hands towards Sang Yu and said gently, "Come here, Father will hold you to sleep."

It was already very late. They'd played too happily with Aniel and Aqi today and accidentally lost track of time.

They probably wouldn't be able to get out of bed tomorrow morning.

Sang Yu toddled on her short legs into Xuan Xiao's arms and giggled. "Play, Father, play~"

Didn't want to sleep.

"Alright, let's play 'up high'." Xuan Xiao picked her up and, smiling, lifted her over his head.

After getting the three little ones settled, Sang Qing went to the bathroom, gathered their dirty clothes, and took them out.

Next door, Fu Ning had already soothed the three tiny Cubs to sleep.

He was leaning over the crib railing, soft, dim light falling on him. Sang Qing tiptoed in.

Fu Ning turned his head, revealing sleepy eyes that looked rather adorable.

"Mmm, Qing Qing!"

Glancing at the Little Cubs sleeping soundly in the cradle, Sang Qing helped him stand up. "Go sleep in bed."

Fu Ning stretched, leaned against Sang Qing, rested his head on her shoulder, and mumbled, "I want to sleep with you."

Damn Herman, always finding excuses to cling to Qing Qing. It was supposed to be his turn to rest with Qing Qing tonight.

Sang Qing hugged him and kissed his face twice. "Tomorrow night."

Fu Ning pouted, suppressing the dissatisfaction in his eyes.

If it weren't for the fact that Herman had been severely injured protecting the Little Cubs, he wouldn't have given in.

He'd let him have this one.

But... Fu Ning wrapped his arms around Sang Qing's waist.

"Mmm, Qing Qing, let me kiss you for a while..."

A while?

... After soothing Herman and her other mates, Sang Qing was about to enter her room when she noticed the light was still on in the adjacent room. Aniel was crouching by the door, hugging a pillow, staring at her pitifully, his face even streaked with what seemed like tears.

"Aniel, why aren't you asleep yet?" She walked over.

"Sister, don't you like Aniel anymore?" Aniel sat dejectedly by the door, curling into a ball, lifting his head to gaze at her with pleading eyes.

Here we go again.

The corner of Sang Qing's mouth twitched. She pulled him up and led him back into the room.

"No, of course not."

By now, she had become quite adept at coaxing Aniel to sleep.

It's just, it had been nearly half a month. Why hadn't Aniel recovered yet?

She'd have the system scan him again tomorrow.

Aniel sat on the edge of the bed, stubbornly refusing to get in and sleep.

Wearing a pair of patterned shorts, he hung his head dejectedly, scraping the floor with his toes. His voice was utterly miserable. "I know, Sister just doesn't like me anymore. Did Aniel do something wrong?"

"Sister never used to treat me like this."

Now Sister could coax the Little Cubs to sleep, and she could coax his brother to sleep. Why couldn't she coax him to sleep?

Plop, plop. Tears dripped onto his hands.

Sang Qing's expression was odd, but she reminded herself it was because of his head injury.

"No, how could Sister not like you? You didn't do anything wrong."

She reached out and patted his head.

Aniel's hair was much softer than she expected, pleasant to the touch. Sang Qing stroked it a few times.

Aniel then grabbed her hand, his tear-streaked face looking up at her, and shook it. "Sister, don't you want me anymore?"

He really had been obedient.

"You only like Brother now, you don't like me."

So, she was going to send him away, right?

Aniel was very frightened inside.

Sang Qing raised an eyebrow. "Brother is different from you."

"Brother is Sister's mate."

Aniel's brain couldn't quite process this. The pity in his eyes turned to confusion. "Brother is just brother. How could he be Sister's mate?"

Sister must have gotten it wrong.

Sang Qing was stumped.

She'd forgotten Aniel's mind wasn't like a normal beast's. He definitely couldn't understand the meaning of her words.

"No. Don't worry about that. You just need to believe that Sister likes you, okay?"

She was almost getting tangled up herself.

"That's not true. Sister doesn't like me. You didn't serve me food tonight, and you won't coax me to sleep. I'm so sad." Aniel hugged his knees, curling into a lonely little beast, silently enduring the torment in his heart and mind.

Sang Qing smiled, ruffling the tuft of hair on his head a couple of times, speaking kindly. "But Aniel, you're all grown up now. You can eat and sleep by yourself."

"Only Little Cubs need to be coaxed."

She thought since he could sleep by himself last night, it would be fine. But here he was again tonight.

"But I'm only seven, Sister. I'm a cub too."

"Wahhh, you just don't like me anymore."

As he spoke, Aniel began crying sadly again.

The unbroken string of tears poured down, and his eyes started to redden.

His innocent, doll-like face stained with tear tracks, Aniel sobbed, shrinking by the bedside, looking as pitiful as could be.

Sang Qing gave a slight, wry smile, feeling helpless.

She pulled a tissue from the bedside, walked over, lifted Aniel's chin, and roughly wiped away his tears.

Alright, alright, alright, stop crying. I promise, from now on I'll pick food for you every day and tuck you in to sleep, okay?

I can't handle him. If he keeps crying, no one will be able to sleep tonight.

Aniel sobbed, his eyes red-rimmed.

He stared at Sang Qing, blinking his eyelashes that were adorned with glistening teardrops. His thick eyebrows were knitted together, and his nose was red. 'Really?'

At this moment, Aniel looked exactly like a small beast that had been excessively bullied. His eyes were full of distrust towards her, yet he still wanted to try and get closer. That cautious appearance made Sang Qing inexplicably soften her heart.

'Really.' These two requests weren't difficult. Besides, he would soon regain his memory. At most, it would just be taking care of him for a few days.

Sang Qing nodded seriously and smiled at him.

Using the tissue in Sang Qing's hand, Aniel wiped his tears again. His drooping mouth finally curved into a slight smile.

'Then, can Sister give me a hug? It's been so long since you hugged Aniel.'

She hugs her brother, she hugs the Little Cub, but she just won't hug him.

He was about to die of grievance.

Sang Qing was slightly taken aback. He still wanted a hug?

But before she could act, Aniel threw himself into her arms, happily embracing her.

Sang Qing's hands hung awkwardly in the air; she didn't really want to hug him back.

After all, their relationship was really awkward.

What if Aniel remembered everything later and used this as an excuse to cling to her?

She was still somewhat worried.

Aniel wrapped his arms around Sang Qing's waist and nuzzled against her chest. 'Sister, sister...'

The coquettish voice reached her ears, and Sang Qing snapped back to reality.

'Alright, Aniel, it's time to sleep.'

Aniel nodded obediently, slowly released her, and burrowed himself under the covers.

Sang Qing sat by the bedside, gently patting the quilt to soothe him to sleep... Returning to her own room, Sang Qing looked at the quiet space and glanced towards the bed.

Herman seemed to already be asleep in bed.

She went to the bathroom and came out, turned off the light, and got into bed.

In the darkness, she could still clearly see the peaceful sleeping face of her mate.

Compared to his usual arrogant and unruly demeanor, he now looked gentle and was sleeping soundly.

Sang Qing pulled the covers over him and carefully lay down beside him.

'Qing Qing...' Herman murmured, slowly opening his drowsy eyes.

Sang Qing placed her hand on him, leaned over, and gave him two kisses. 'Mhm, be good, go to sleep.'

Herman took a deep breath, shifted his body, and burrowed into her embrace.

After adjusting his sleeping position, Herman happily closed his eyes while holding her.

However... in the middle of the night, a series of short, sharp cries sounded above Beast King City.

Sang Qing jolted awake and looked towards the window, startling Herman beside her.

'What's wrong?'

Herman held his mate, looking utterly bewildered.

Sang Qing listened carefully. Another warning sound came.

She hadn't misheard.

Footsteps from Xuan Xiao and Sa Yu also sounded outside the house.

Sang Qing held Herman down and turned on the light. 'Beasts are invading. I need to go check.'

She quickly rolled out of bed, threw on an outer garment, and rushed outside.

Herman had never participated in the defense of Beast King City, so he didn't know what was happening.

Xuan Xiao had already charged out of the house first.

Sa Yu remained at home waiting for her.

Chi Yu and Fu Ning emerged from their rooms one after another.

Sang Qing tied up her hair while heading downstairs, instructing, 'Chi Yu, Fu Ning, you two stay at home. Don't open the door unless we return.'

As long as they didn't open the door, the house was a safe fortress.

'Okay, Qing Qing, be careful.' Chi Yu stood on the second floor, watching them leave with a tense expression.

Fu Ning glanced at the pitch-black night outside the window and frowned deeply. 'Is it the Dragon Clan?'

What are they doing here in the middle of the night?

They must be insane.

Chi Yu shook his head, his expression puzzled. 'I don't know either.'

Sang Qing climbed onto Sa Yu's back and flew towards the source of the warning signals.

The sky was a dark, oppressive mass.

Ers held the Little Cub in her arms, hiding inside the house. Listening to the shouts outside, she closed her eyes in fear.

The Little Cub was scared and started crying. She hurriedly tried to soothe it.

He had come.

Ka Di had already called for help from the Guard Beastmen in time. Now, he stood at the doorway, weapon in hand, holding them off.

Peering through a crack in the door at the tall, middle-aged beastman striding closer outside, his expression was grave.

The wind howled in the sky. Countless Cloud-Carving Beastmen circled in the air, their wings beating.

The arriving Sea Eagle Beastman guards saw this and immediately began driving them away.

On the ground, the leader of the Cloud Eagle Tribe, Kuris, had already broken through Ers's door and kicked Ka Di flying.

'Ers, long time no see.'

In the darkness, his familiar face made Ers shudder with fear.

'Ka Di! Ka Di!' Ers, holding the Little Cub, rushed towards Ka Di, looking at him with deep concern.

Ka Di had a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth. He shielded Ers and stared warily at Kuris. 'Leader, you... how are you here?'

Kuris swung the stone hammer in his hand, his gaze falling on Ers. 'You took my mate. I had to come find her.'

He hadn't expected Ers to actually have given birth to a cub.

The beast god still favored him. After he took Ers back, he would have a whole litter of Cubs with her.

Heh heh heh!

Ers was furious.

'I won't go back with you, Kuris, you bastard. Get out of here with your Tribesmen, now!'

Kuris slowly approached, his gaze deep and terrifying. 'Do you want to die?'

They were mates.

If she didn't go back with him, was she planning to stay here forever?

Ka Di was a useless weakling; he couldn't stop him.

Ka Di shielded Ers, retreating step by step, his eyes filled with panic. 'Ers, run! Leave through the back door. I'll hold him off. Go find the City Lord.'

At this moment, only the City Lord could help them.

He would never let Kuris take his mate and cub.

Ers shook her head, her eyes brimming with genuine emotion and worry. 'No, don't, Ka Di. He'll kill you.'

She couldn't watch Ka Di go to his death.

Seeing this, Kuris's eyes grew even more sinister. 'Ers, you're right. I will definitely kill him.'

Not only would he kill him, but he would also kill her other mates.

They all deserved to die.

Ers, tears streaming down her face, mustered her courage and stood in front of Ka Di.

She had seen how Sang Qing protected her own mates. So, she couldn't let Kuris harm Ka Di.

'Don't you dare! This is Beast King City, protected by the beast god. You can't take me away.'

Ers roared at him angrily, her jaw clenched tight, her eyes filled with terror.

She could already hear the voices of the Guard Beastmen outside.

Kuris had absolutely no chance of taking her.

'Is that so? But can Beast King City withstand an attack from two Tribes?'

Kuris sneered, his ears twitching as he heard the sound of wind from another direction.

That was the Dragon Clan he had made an agreement with. They had arrived too.

Today, he wasn't just here to take Ers away; he was also here to help the Dragon Clan attack Beast King City.

What?

Ers stiffened slightly, looking at him in shock.

'How dare you!'

Kuris laughed and strode towards her. 'Alright, Ers, your little escape game is over.'

After all these years, he had finally found her whereabouts.

It was time to go home with him.

Wind and Frost Forest was her home.

Ka Di gritted his teeth, raised his weapon, and struck at Kuris. 'You won't take Ers away.'

She loved Beast King City; she was incredibly happy here.

Even if he had to give his life for it, he wouldn't let Kuris take her.

Kuris was an Eighth-Rank Warrior. Ka Di was only sixth rank; he was no match at all.

Watching Ka Di get beaten until he spat blood, Ers let out a cry, grabbed various things nearby, and threw them at Kuris.

'Don't touch him, Kuris, you evil beast! Just die!'

Kuris was enraged.

After years apart, his mate had become even more beautiful, more outstanding than the other females in the Tribe. Yet, she didn't want to see him.

Instead, she wanted him to die.

This wasn't right.

Kuris grabbed Ka Di by the neck, lifting him off the ground, and said viciously, 'Ers, then let me show you who dies first.'

In this world, it's still the strong who have the final say.

Ka Di was weak. Ers was just a female. They were no match for him at all.

She wanted him dead? Well, he would defy her wish.

Ers's eyes widened in horror.

Just as Kuris was about to snap Ka Di's neck, a vine shot towards his arm, tightly coiling around his wrist.

With a sickening crack, Kuris's mind went blank for two seconds. Looking at his broken arm, he let out a pained roar.

'Ah—'

His hand.

Sang Qing swung two more vines, dragging his massive body out of the house and slamming him hard onto the ground.

Ers was stunned.

When she finally reacted, she hurried to Ka Di's side to check his injuries.

In the sky, a large number of Dragon Clan warriors flew past.

At least three to five hundred beasts.

Sang Qing's gaze turned sharp.

Adding the Cloud Eagle Tribe, she knew deep down that tonight would be a sleepless one.

The Dragon Clan had come after all.

'Let me go...' Kuris was tied up like a dumpling, unable to move.

Even as an eighth rank, he couldn't break free from these thick, sturdy vines.

Sang Qing put away the steel needles laced with anesthetic in her hand, walked over, and gave him two kicks. 'Ers, you don't mind if I deal with him, right?'

Ers looked at her blood-covered mate, tears welling in her eyes, and shouted outside, 'Sang Qing, help me... kill him.'

She never wanted to see him again.

Kuris froze, disbelief flashing in his eyes. 'Ers...'