66: Chapter 66 Fishing in Troubled Waters

She decided to keep playing dumb for now; she couldn't just confess without being prompted.

"What on earth are you talking about? I don't quite understand."

Qiu Rong's hand had already slid to her fragile neck, stroking it gently, yet it carried a lethal danger.

"The Female from that night was you, wasn't it?"

I've really been found out...

She swallowed hard, forcing herself to stay calm. "Can you be a bit clearer?"

Qiu Rong saw that she was still trying to hide it even now. He let out a frustrated huff of laughter and pointed at the Cubs in the corner. "You gave birth to four of my Cubs? Is that clear enough?"

Bai Wanwan's eyes widened instantly. "Four? How do you know? Do you know where the other Tiger Cub is?"

At the mention of this, Qiu Rong pursed his lips. If he hadn't returned at that time, he wouldn't have even known he had Cubs; it would have been buried under the snow forever.

"You know where it is, don't you?"

Bai Wanwan didn't bother hiding anymore and grabbed Qiu Rong's arm, wanting to get a clear answer.

"I found it in the Snowy Ground," Qiu Rong's voice was cold.

Bai Wanwan continued to ask excitedly, "Then how is it now? Is it safe?"

"Not very safe." He lowered his head, scrutinizing her face.

"Then why did you come to the Wandering Beast City? Where did you put it?"

When it came to the Cubs, Bai Wanwan's heartfelt worry and anxiety were fully displayed on her face.

Only after confirming that her worry wasn't an act did he forcibly suppress his prairie-fire-like rage.

"If you want to know where it is, leave with me and you'll find out."

Bai Wanwan realized something and asked him directly, "Did you come to the Wandering Beast City because of me?"

Unless they were exiled from their Tribe, Males were actually quite unwilling to associate with Wandering Beastmen.

In a normal Tribe, being associated with Wandering Beasts was a disgrace.

And this place was even more of a dragon's den and tiger's lair for ordinary Males.

"The Cubs are still small; they can't be without a Mother."

This was the reason Qiu Rong used to convince himself to come to the Wandering Beast City.

A hint of guilt rose in Bai Wanwan's heart; it seemed she had imagined him to be a bit too terrifying before.

Qiu Rong didn't say anything more. After confirming it was Bai Wanwan, the memories of that lost night gradually became clear.

Before that night, Bai Wanwan had been a very annoying Female in his eyes, someone he avoided at all costs.

But the Bai Wanwan after that night seemed to have turned into a different Female, making him feel like she was a stranger.

And now, the Bai Wanwan before him overlapped with the one from that night, making his feelings very complicated.

Bai Wanwan didn't know what he was thinking, but she was very grateful that he had broken in here alone to save her.

"Thank you! So, do you have a way to leave?"

"Yes."

Bai Wanwan's eyes lit up. "Then shall we go now?"

Qiu Rong shook his head. "We can't go now; Yin Da will find out. There's only one chance. Wait until I've made arrangements, then I'll take you and the Cubs away."

"What do you plan to do? Is there anything I need to do to cooperate?" she immediately responded eagerly.

"No need. Just wait for me with the Cubs. When the time is right, I will come for you."

"Then you must be careful. The Males in the Wandering Beast City are controlled by Yin Da and become deformed and ugly. We... should leave as soon as possible."

She didn't want to stay in this hellhole for a single day longer.

"I won't. I didn't drink the water he gave me."

"What water?"

Qiu Rong didn't hide it from her. "There is a spring hidden in the Wandering Beast City. After a Male drinks from it, his strength will increase significantly, but he will mutate and fall under Yin Da's control."

"Then if you don't drink it and there's no change, Yin Da will find out soon too," Bai Wanwan pointed out the key issue.

"Yes. After drinking the water, one will become like the other Wandering Beastmen within three days, so I will find a chance to take you away within three days."

Qiu Rong stood up. "Yin Da doesn't trust us yet and has been sending Wandering Beastmen to watch us. I can't stay for too long. Take good care of the Cubs and wait for me."

After speaking, Qiu Rong turned and walked toward the wall at the head of the bed.

The few Cubs were sleeping soundly.

Qiu Rong reached in and touched them one by one.

The feeling of shared blood made Qiu Rong feel quite wonderful.

He had never thought about a Pairing Ceremony, let alone what his own Cubs would look like.

The higher the rank of a Male, the harder it was to sire Cubs; some might not even produce a single litter ten years after a Pairing Ceremony.

But he... from just that one time, Bai Wanwan had actually given birth to four Cubs for him.

His gaze softened, and he said in a low voice to the Cubs, "Wait for your Father Beast to come and get you."

Without staying too long, he withdrew his hand and quickly stood up from the ground.

Bai Wanwan was still leaning by the bed watching him. "Go quickly, don't let the Wandering Beastmen find you."

"Mhm, wait for me."

After saying that, Qiu Rong vanished silently from before Bai Wanwan.

Once the figure disappeared, Bai Wanwan lifted the covers and lay back down.

This time, her mood was much more relaxed.

Since coming to the Wandering Beast City, her golden finger was still charging and couldn't be of much use, so she could only play along every day.

Dealing with Yin Da every day for her and her Cubs' safety was actually very tiring.

Qiu Rong's appearance allowed her to completely set aside her worries. She closed her eyes and soon fell into a dream.

Bai Wanwan counted the days. She had originally thought she would have to wait two or three days, but on the afternoon of the second day, a major commotion broke out.

"What happened?"

Bai Wanwan asked a Wandering Beastman who was rushing past the door.

The Wandering Beastman was in a hurry and didn't pay her any mind.

After waiting a while, she saw over a dozen Wandering Beasts marching in a certain direction.

Beast roars echoed from all over the city, causing widespread panic.

Because Qiu Rong had talked to her, she felt this might be his doing.

She immediately turned back into the room, wrapped the Cubs in beast skins, and put them in a basket. She also stuffed several strips of meat inside, in case there was no time to feed them while escaping.

Time passed bit by bit. Bai Wanwan waited for Qiu Rong but he didn't come. Her heart felt uneasy, and she began to pace in circles inside the Stone House.

******

Zhu Xiu was recovering his Innate Ability in his room when he suddenly heard the chaotic sounds outside.

He snapped his eyes open and pushed the door open to leave.

Flames were soaring everywhere in the Wandering Beast City, and the sounds of fighting echoed throughout the skies of the entire city.

"Second Leader, the City Lord wants you to go to the west of the city immediately to exterminate those few Outsider Beastmen."

The red light in Zhu Xiu's eyes flickered. He nodded imperceptibly. "You go first, I'll be there shortly."

After the Wandering Beastman left, Zhu Xiu quickly shifted into his beast form. His massive body became very slender in the blink of an eye, then he leaped up and vanished into the air.

By the pool inside the Stone House, Zhu Xiu reappeared.

He stared at the pitch-black stone at the bottom of the water, his eyes shining with a light of determination to obtain it.

The King Cobra dove into the pool, and his Innate Ability began to drain rapidly.

He had a clear goal and dove straight toward the deepest part.

The black crystal released a faint glimmer, attracting the King Cobra to approach.

Finally, he swam to the bottom.

After circling the black crystal twice, Zhu Xiu opened his beast mouth and bit onto the black stone in one gulp...