The plump female, Xiong Rou, sat on the backs of four male Beastn. She sullenly tore at a piece of at in her hands, tossing it into her mouth bit by bit.
Beside her was Lang Xin, an equally corpulent female from the Wolf Clan.
Lang Xin stared at Si Yan, who was protected by Tai Seng, for a long while, her eyes full of resentnt and dissatisfaction. She humd softly. Upon seeing Xiong Rou, she said with a smile, "Xiong Rou, I heard that Si Yan gave you a good thrashing. How did that feel?"
Xiong Rou chewed on her piece of at. Lacking salt, she had to eat more at to supplent her intake.
She snorted lightly. "Who bullied whom? She bullied ? That’s ridiculous. I truly despise you Wolf Clan females the most. You all speak so passive-aggressively; it’s unbearable to listen to."
As Lang Xin spoke, her gaze swept over the group of females. She said cheerfully, "Xiong Rou, you can’t say that. Our tribe was jointly founded by the Wolf Clan and the Bear Clan. Besides Bear Clan females, there are only Wolf Clan females here, you know."
When Xiong Rou saw the unfriendly glances from the Wolf Clan females, she could only look sheepish. She said through gritted teeth, "Si Yan is definitely not a good female. That bitch who can’t get a male is undoubtedly no good."
As she spoke, she viciously bit into her at and chewed. I will definitely find evidence to prove it. Definitely! The salt I lost, and the baffling change in my slave contract... It was definitely Si Yan’s doing!
Lang Xin chuckled lightly, then said, "Xiong Rou, don’t get it wrong. Si Yan isn’t undesirable. Look, our tribe’s bravest warrior, Tai Seng, is standing right behind her."
Lang Xin continued smiling as she added, "I rember you, Xiong Rou, once offered Tai Seng a mating invitation. Actually, it wasn’t just you. Almost all the females in the tribe have invited him, yet Tai Seng has accepted none."
Who doesn’t like a strong and handso male?
During that ti, the females’ invitations and adoration for Tai Seng were quite a spectacle in the tribe. Each felt she could be the one he would choose, yet all were rejected.
Everyone presud Tai Seng might be solely focused on power, uninterested in becoming anyone’s male. But then one day, to their shock, Tai Seng was found standing protectively behind a female. Who could cope with such a letdown?
The expressions of a dozen or so females changed unpredictably.
Beyond the females, more males also began to take notice of Si Yan. However, Si Yan remained oblivious.
She remained silent, scanning the surroundings. Unable to find Dongchi, she then shot Xiong Rou a warning glare.
If that damned fat bear dares to bully my cub, I’ll make her pay.
The village chief was discussing the Holy Fire at the village entrance. The Beastn of the village had heard so news on their way, but hearing more precise details from the chief made them even more pessimistic.
After listening to the gist of it, Si Yan turned to leave.
Just then, Bei Ji ran over, a panicked look on his face. He stopped Si Yan. "Mom..."
"Bei Ji, what happened?"
Little Bei Ji hesitated. Si Yan crouched down. Bei Ji then leaned in and nervously whispered in her ear, "Mom, we found Big Brother! He wants revenge! He’s going to burn down Xiong Rou’s cave!"
Burn down Xiong Rou’s cave?
Dongchi has fire!
Having fire wasn’t strange in itself. Her cave always had a small fla burning, convenient for cooking.
Dongchi must have taken the fire from our ho.
Si Yan imdiately looked into Bei Ji’s clear eyes.
Bei Ji glanced at the people around them and shook his head in panic.
Si Yan understood. The Holy Fire was extinguished, but Dongchi had fire. If Dongchi were to use this fire now, explaining how the Holy Fire went out would beco impossible!
Si Yan’s eyes narrowed. She took Bei Ji’s hand and ran quickly towards Xiong Rou’s cave.
Most of the Beastn from Yanxiang Tribe were still in the plaza, so there was no one around Xiong Rou’s cave at the mont.
Not far from Xiong Rou’s cave, Xi Qing, though afraid of the torch Dongchi held, still blocked him, pleading, "Big Brother! Don’t! Don’t be rash!"
Dongchi, limping, looked at Xi Qing indifferently and demanded, "Xi Qing, let go!"
"Big Brother!!!"
Dongchi said, "Xiong Rou bullied us and insulted us. Now my hand is broken, my leg is broken. Even if I don’t die, I’m a cripple. Burning her cave is revenge for our brothers. Once I’ve avenged us, I’ll give her my life as compensation!"
"Anyway... I’m just a cold-blooded snake Beastman—disliked, unloved by my mother... sold by my own mother."
Dongchi gave a self-deprecating laugh. "My life isn’t worth much. Consider it revenge for my hand and leg. I won’t be at a loss."
"Big Brother!!" Xi Qing tugged at him.
"Xi Qing, I’m not like you," he said softly. "I’m a cripple now. My existence in this world is aningless. All I want is to do this one thing—for myself, and for Nan Mo!"
"Don’t stop ."
Dongchi’s voice was calm and resolute. Xi Qing bit his lip, tears welling in his eyes.
He understood; he understood Dongchi all too well. A Beastman who lost his limbs had no ability to work or hunt. They would be abandoned by the tribe and devoured by wild beasts. If he still had one last chance, it would be to take revenge for himself. Xi Qing couldn’t bring himself to rebuke him.
Tears stread from the corners of Xi Qing’s eyes. He didn’t understand why life had to be so hard for him and his brothers.
Finally, he let go of Dongchi. He didn’t know if his choice was right. His body trembled slightly.
Limping, Dongchi made his way to the entrance of Xiong Rou’s cave, the firelight flickering on his pale young face.
He was weak and his face was ashen, but his expression was resolute.
He stretched out his hand, the torch just inches from Xiong Rou’s cave. But then, a cold laugh echoed from behind him.
"My little cub, you’re really quite sothing," Si Yan’s voice was cold, yet tinged with a hint of pride. "So young, yet daring to play with fire. Truly befitting a future archvillain."
Dongchi’s eyelids twitched.
When he had taken the torch from the fire in their cave, he had felt torn and conflicted.
He knew he was useless now, and he knew what he wanted to do. But deep down, he also longed for attention. He hoped his actions would be noticed, hoped *that person* would care.
It was an extrely contradictory feeling. He wanted to go through with it, yet he also hoped soone would notice him and, in the end, tell him whether he was right or wrong.
He hoped that person would be the one most important to him—he hoped it would be his mother.
But he also knew that the female who had sold him would never co. Absolutely not.
But she had co. She was standing right behind him.
Dongchi’s heart seed to jolt back to life, yet his voice was icy as he said, "My setting this fire has nothing to do with you."
Si Yan looked at the boy before her—limping, one hand useless, yet standing there so stubbornly. She felt a mixture of admiration, anger, and heartache.
She slowly approached Dongchi. He grew anxious and took another shuffling step forward, closer to the cave.
"Dongchi, it’s not Xiong Rou’s cave you want to burn. You want to burn . If you have the guts, wait until I’m closer, then burn **—the one who sold you to Xiong Rou!"
Si Yan’s words grew more oppressive with each sentence, crushing Dongchi. His heart suddenly ached, and he scread at her, "I *do* want to burn you! I really do! Why? Why ? Why did you sell ?!"
"I’m not afraid of having no food! I’m not afraid of hunger and cold! I... I’m not afraid of being beaten either! But... but why did you have to sell ?!"
The boy roared in anger, his wounded expression searing itself into Si Yan’s eyes, his words hamring into her heart.
"I won’t sell you," Si Yan said.
Selling Dongchi was the original owner’s doing. The current Si Yan would never sell her own cub.
"I don’t believe you! You already sold ! You wicked female!!!"
With that, Dongchi turned and lunged towards Xiong Rou’s cave. Si Yan leaped forward swiftly and threw her arms around him.
However, at that mont, the torch slipped from Dongchi’s unsteady hand and fell onto the dry grass.
In an instant, flas erupted and spread rapidly.
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