57: Chapter 57 Your Breath

"You..." What an ugly male, his face covered in scars, yet he was actually stronger than himself.

Just as Muller breathed a sigh of relief.

Sang Qing poked her head out from behind Sa Yu, pointed behind Muller, and gave a playful giggle. "Are you looking for Xuan Xiao? Why don't you turn around?"

What a coincidence.

"What?" Confused, Muller turned around, only to see a massive stone smashing toward his forehead.

Bang! Muller's body swayed, the spear in his hand falling to the ground. Blood rolled down from the top of his head like a breached dam, completely unstoppable.

Thud. Muller fell to one knee, his vision hazy and gray, but he could still clearly see the face of the one who attacked him.

This was the Xuan Xiao he had been searching for all along.

He wanted to pick up the spear on the ground, but his hands were weak. He could only watch helplessly as Xuan Xiao swaggered before him.

"Ugh... Xuan... Xuan Xiao..." Muller's head was groggy as he reached out, trying to grab Xuan Xiao.

If he caught him and killed him, he would be the new leader of the Jinshi Tribe.

Xuan Xiao looked down at him from above, the hideous scars on his face appearing terrifying. "Muller, you betrayed my trust."

Therefore, there was no need for him to live any longer.

Bang! Xuan Xiao raised the stone again and delivered a fatal blow without even blinking, smashing it so hard that half of Muller's head nearly collapsed.

Blood gushed out. Muller's eyes widened as his body fell straight back, never expecting that he would ultimately die at Xuan Xiao's hands.

Dropping the stone, Xuan Xiao's face turned exceptionally pale as he clutched his reopened wounds. He leaned against a large tree, his breathing slightly hurried.

Sang Qing glanced at Sa Yu and walked toward Xuan Xiao. "Leader Xuan Xiao, are you alright?"

How did he become so weak? It shouldn't be like this.

Sa Yu followed Sang Qing, his lips pursed in silence, but a hint of joy was vaguely visible in his eyes.

Xuan Xiao took a breath, leaning against the tree. He looked down to see his hands covered in blood.

Should he say he was fine or not?

"It... it hurts a bit!" Perhaps he could make Qing Qing worry about him a little.

But when he looked up and saw the tall figure behind her, his pupils couldn't help but contract.

He pulled Sang Qing over and stared at Sa Yu warily. "Why are you here?"

Weren't they supposed to live on the island?

Sa Yu hadn't expected any beast here to know his identity, and his expression momentarily became awkward.

What did that mean? Sang Qing's gaze flickered between the two beasts.

The atmosphere suddenly became a bit strained.

She shook off Xuan Xiao's hand, gave Sa Yu a reassuring look, and turned to speak to Xuan Xiao with dissatisfaction. "Enough. Sa Yu is my friend, and he hasn't hurt you. Why are you so worked up?"

"What are you doing here instead of staying in the cave?"

Xuan Xiao's eyes looked hurt, stung by her disdain, but he still explained with a humble attitude, "Muller chased me here. I originally wanted to wait for you, but I was afraid of involving you."

Sorry, he didn't do it on purpose.

So that was it.

Sang Qing understood. Looking at Muller's corpse nearby, she found that she had already accepted this state where death could happen at any time. "Alright, don't say anymore. Let me treat your wounds."

The imposing aura around Xuan Xiao instantly weakened a bit more. He nodded to Sang Qing with a pale face. "Okay."

Sa Yu frowned. Did those minor superficial wounds really need treatment? Since when were Golden Snake Beast-persons so weak?

Sitting under a tree, Sang Qing quickly bandaged Xuan Xiao's wounds, tying a perfect bow. She gave a gentle smile. "There, all done."

Xuan Xiao nodded, then glanced at the male standing not far away. He lowered his voice and asked Sang Qing, "Are you very close to him? He..."

How should he put it?

"What about him?" Sang Qing gathered the scattered items on the ground and stuffed them all into her small leather bag.

"He... he is very dangerous. You'd better stay away from him." Xuan Xiao wasn't one to speak ill of other beasts, but from what he knew, at least his entire Tribe was not easy to get along with.

Most beastmen of their Tribe loved using cloud spirit fruit to trick innocent females into bearing their offspring. Then, after the female gave birth to the Cubs, they would snatch the Cubs and take them back to the island. They were not good beasts.

"It's fine. He and I are just friends; we don't interact much," Sang Qing chuckled, explaining nonchalantly.

She had only met Sa Yu a few times in total, and she didn't know how he had run into her again today.

"By the way, are you going back to the Tribe now, or...?" To her, Xuan Xiao's wounds didn't seem to be a major problem anymore, though the injuries on his face were still quite severe.

Now that Mu Jin and Muller were both dead, should he return to the Tribe to deal with the last enemy beast, and then... Xuan Xiao nodded. Looking at Sang Qing's beautiful face, he felt a bit reluctant to leave. Fortunately, they shared the same forest; once he settled things, he could go to the Tribe to find her.

Looking at her sparkling little eyes, Xuan Xiao didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He quickly promised, "...Don't worry. I won't forget the shell crystals I owe you."

In her heart, were shell crystals the only important thing?

Sang Qing nodded vigorously. "You'd better not forget!"

This was the most important point.

Xuan Xiao lowered his eyes to hide his disappointment, promising her once again, "Fine! I definitely won't forget."

Sa Yu, who was eavesdropping nearby, toyed with a pebble under his foot. A hint of confusion appeared in his eyes. shell crystals? What shell crystals?

Did Sang Qing like shell crystals?

"Why haven't you left yet?" Seeing him nod but remain seated without moving, Sang Qing stared at him strangely.

"With him here, I'm not comfortable leaving you with him." Xuan Xiao pursed his lips and signaled toward Sa Yu, who was keeping watch nearby, shaking his head slightly.

He had to leave, but he couldn't leave her alone with this male.

"How about you come with me to the Jinshi Tribe?"

That was a good idea.

Sang Qing refused directly, waving her fist in front of him. "I'm not going. I need to go home. Don't worry, he won't do anything to me, and besides, I'm very strong."

Xuan Xiao was silent for a moment, staring at her fair and tender little face. He felt uneasy. "Are you sure? I'm still not quite at ease."

Although he felt it was highly likely that Qing Qing wouldn't be interested in such an ugly male, her safety was still important.

Wait, ugly?

Xuan Xiao reached out to touch his own face and felt a surge of regret. How could he have forgotten about himself? The wounds on his face were also severe and would definitely leave scars. He probably wouldn't look much better than this male.

Great! Did that mean he had confessed to Qing Qing a few days ago with such a hideous face?

Heavens, he might as well die from his own stupidity.

Patting his shoulder, Sang Qing really didn't know how to explain it to him. "Don't worry about me. Hurry back to the Tribe and settle your business."

She was busy too.

Xuan Xiao gave a helpless sigh. In the end, having no other choice, he limped away and disappeared into the depths of the woods. Sang Qing withdrew her gaze, frowning slightly as she heard the sound of wild beasts chewing in the distance.

How terrifying.

She looked up at Sa Yu, really wondering why he grew so tall.

"Sa Yu, why are you here?" What a coincidence, running into him two days in a row.

But could it be a bit too coincidental?

Xuan Xiao's words had planted a layer of doubt in her heart.

"I smelled your scent." Scratching his head, Sa Yu looked down and spoke in a cheerful voice.

And didn't she say he should come say hello if he found her?

"?" Did she hear that right? Smelled her?

She quickly sniffed herself and asked strangely, "You're not lying to me, are you? What do I smell like?"

It couldn't be the smell of Stinky Grass, could it? Otherwise, how could he smell her in such a vast forest?

"A very fragrant scent!" It was also very unique; he could distinguish it instantly.

Sa Yu's eyes were filled with a faint smile. He looked down at his toes, the corners of his mouth curving slightly.

Sang Qing's face turned red, feeling both embarrassed and amused.

"Alright then."

"So, don't you need to hunt today?" She hadn't found many herbal medicines yet, so she probably couldn't chat with him for long.

"No need, I haven't finished yesterday's prey yet." Sa Yu smiled slightly, his eyes curving upward, his face visibly becoming more joyful.

"What about you? What are you doing in the forest today?"

Was she out looking for fruit again? He could help.

After using the medicine she gave him yesterday, his wounds had already healed when he woke up this morning.

But he almost wished the wounds hadn't healed, so that every time he saw them, he would think of her.

Sang Qing squatted by a small puddle to wash her hands and said to him with a smile, "I'm here to find herbal medicine. Go on with your business, no need to follow me."

"Looking for herbal medicine? I can help you." Sa Yu's eyes lit up. She even knew about herbal medicine? How impressive.

"No, no, no, I can find them myself." Sang Qing waved her hand in refusal. They didn't seem to be close enough for that yet.

Besides, she would be listing them for sale as she picked them. The sight of things vanishing into thin air might be a bit shocking to a beast.

Sa Yu nodded blankly. He understood; he would just leave.

She must also find him repulsive. Not only was he ugly now, but his strength was also very low.

"Then I'm leaving. Be careful of wild beasts!"

Sa Yu spoke in a low, unhappy voice to Sang Qing, his eyes melancholy.

Sang Qing wondered why he sounded so sorrowful. She hadn't done anything to him.

"Alright, you go ahead."

But she wasn't an indecisive person. If he said he was leaving, then let him leave.

Sa Yu turned away in silence, then suddenly remembered he had something to give her and quickly turned back.

"Oh, right, this is for you!"

"What is it?" Sang Qing was puzzled.

Sa Yu took off a string of beast fang necklaces from his neck and handed it to her, speaking a bit shyly, "I made this necklace using the teeth from that Saber-Toothed Beast last time. It's for you."

He had previously thought he wouldn't meet her again, so he had kept the necklace at home. After meeting her yesterday, he had worn the necklace around his neck, hoping to give it to her the next time they met.

Sang Qing looked at the delicate beast fang necklace in his hand. The white fangs showed signs of being polished, and the shape was very beautiful. The necklace also had several sparkling little pink stones.

"For me? You should keep it for yourself." Her brother had told her not to just accept gifts from other males.

She smiled and waved her hand in refusal, a hint of caution in her eyes.

After all, she wasn't very familiar with Sa Yu; it was better to maintain some distance.

"No, this is for you." Sa Yu would not accept her refusal. He stepped forward and placed the necklace directly around her neck. "Didn't you say we were friends? This is a gift between friends."

He had embedded several pink crystals into the necklace. As long as she appeared near him, he would be able to sense her presence, ensuring they could meet again.

Sang Qing looked down at the necklace around her neck and tried to take it off, but she found she couldn't find the clasp for a moment.

She scratched her head sheepishly and could only accept it. "Well, alright then, thank you."

"I haven't prepared a gift for you, sorry."

But she didn't have anything in her bag right now that she could give him. Maybe she would think of something when she got back and give it to him next time they met.

"No need, I don't need a gift." Sa Yu gave a rare, hearty laugh, his deep eyes full of warmth.

Weren't they friends? Friends didn't need so many thanks.

Besides, this necklace suited her very well; she looked beautiful wearing it.

Sang Qing looked down and touched the necklace, finding that his hands were quite skillful. It was much prettier than the beast fang necklaces her Father made.

Of course, the meaning was different; they couldn't be compared.

"Then I... am leaving." Seeing her accept the gift, Sa Yu smiled and turned to leave with a bit of reluctance.

He hoped they would meet again next time.

"Hey, wait..." Sang Qing called out to him, thinking for a few seconds. "How about you accompany me to find herbal medicine, and I'll roast some meat for you in a bit?"

Seeing him look so pitiful, like an abandoned little puppy—no, he was so tall, he was no puppy.

Regardless, she felt a bit bad for him and decided to bring him along. At least she'd have a beast to talk to.

At worst, she would just pick the herbs and wait until she got home to sell them.

"Okay!" Sa Yu agreed immediately. If he had a tail, Sang Qing would surely have seen it wagging frantically... "Is this herbal medicine?"

"What about this? And this? This grass is very pretty, Sang Qing, look quick."

"This one is so stinky. Sang Qing, stay back, I'll dig it up."

"How do you know so many herbal medicines? Are you a Witch? But a Witch wouldn't come out alone to find herbal medicine."

"What's the use of digging up these herbs? There, look over there! There's a plant exactly like the one in my hand."

"..."

Listening to his chatter, the corners of Sang Qing's mouth curved up slightly, though she secretly thought he was a bit of a chatterbox.

The sun rose higher, and Sang Qing and the others reached the riverbank.

A few scattered Crabs lying on the shore immediately jumped into the river upon hearing footsteps.

It seemed they already knew they had many more natural enemies; their previous laxness had long since vanished without a trace.

True, if they didn't become more vigilant, they would go extinct.

The natural enemy, Qing, calmly set down the animal skin containing the herbal medicine and went to the river to wash her hands.

"Sang Qing, wait here. I'll go catch a wild beast and bring it back." Sa Yu's stamina was exceptionally good. After helping her for half the day, he didn't feel tired at all and was still eagerly preparing to hunt.

"Okay, but don't catch anything too big. I don't know how to process it." Sang Qing remembered the Heng Heng Beast she had stabbed over a dozen times without being able to skin it that day, and she still felt guilty about it.

It was lucky the Heng Heng Beast was dead; if it had been alive, it probably would have jumped up and kicked her several times.

"Okay!" Sa Yu agreed readily.

But how could he possibly let a female process a wild beast? He would take care of it.