This feeling of looking down upon her domain like an emperor was simply exhilarating.
More than half the city lay before her. She could see every building and shop, every river and road, with perfect clarity. She could even make out a Miaomiao Beast in the pasture, slowly chewing on a mouthful of grass.
It inspired a profound sense of control.
’After all, she had witnessed it from the very beginning: how this obscure little tribe, through the combined efforts of her and the Beastn, had grown bit by bit into a city that drew people from all corners. Vast wastelands had been reclaid as territory, and more and more buildings and fertile fields had sprung up from the ground...’
An Jin couldn’t help but smile. Song Yi ca up behind her and followed her gaze, instantly understanding the sentint behind her expression.
"Perhaps you need a properly grand and tall City Lord’s Stone Castle."
He suggested with a light laugh.
An Jin looked back at him. "A City Lord’s Stone Castle?"
"Yes. Every City Lord has their own Stone Castle. It’s the ultimate symbol of ruling authority, and it also allows you to survey your territory and people, just as you are now. It makes it easier to notice any signs of trouble."
As he spoke, he couldn’t help but sigh, a smile touching his eyes as he looked at her. "You’re the only City Lord I’ve ever seen who lives in a wooden cabin among ordinary Beastn. If I hadn’t witnessed their love and respect for you with my own eyes, I might have mistaken you for just a beautiful, ordinary female."
"Now that the city is growing so large, you’ll inevitably have to et with rulers or envoys from other cities. You wouldn’t want them to marvel at the city’s prosperity, only to be invited into a small, ordinary wooden cabin to discuss important matters, would you?"
"I understand."
Amused by his diplomatic phrasing, An Jin couldn’t help but nod. "I’ll put building the Stone Castle on the agenda."
"The strong and diligent Eagle Beast Warriors can bring you all the stone and timber you need from high above. If you require their help, feel free to command them as you wish." With that, Song Yi essentially placed the entire troop of Eagle Beasts at her disposal.
The rain had stopped, so Song Yi escorted An Jin back to the cabin. Hearing them approach, Xi rushed to open the door.
"Ah Jin! You’re finally back! I can’t believe it started raining on your way back. I was worried that eagle wouldn’t be able to protect you!" Xi said happily, leading her into the cabin.
After several years of training, the Little rfolk had perfected his hunting skills on land. He had already prepared a al and was just waiting for his little female to co ho and eat.
With his tall, handso figure, Song Yi stood firm at the doorway like a pine tree, his eyes following her until she disappeared from view.
Just as Xi was about to close the door, An Jin reached out to stop him. She looked back outside. "Song Yi, why don’t you co in? It’s getting late. Co have a bite to eat with us, especially since you helped so much today."
"?" Song Yi was taken aback for a mont. His gentle gaze fell upon her as he spoke with so hesitation.
An Jin nodded matter-of-factly. "Of course. You’ve been showing around the city all day, and then it rained this afternoon, so you didn’t have a chance to go hunting. Besides, you don’t have much food stored in that nest of yours."
’I’ve been bothering him all day. I can’t just let him go ho hungry, can I?’
’That would be so inconsiderate.’
"Alright." Song Yi smiled, not wanting to refuse the female’s kind offer. A faint warmth spread through his chest.
"Ah Jin!"
Xi was not happy at all. He gave An Jin’s hand a conflicted tug, then shot a hesitant glance at the eyesore of an Eagle Beast at the door. "Why should he get to co inside and eat? He’s not your ma—"
Just as he was about to say the last word, Xi’s voice ca to an abrupt halt.
’It seed... apparently... co to think of it... he wasn’t Ah Jin’s mate, either. Yet here he was, shalessly sticking around for years, mooching food and drink.’
’What right did he have to stop this eagle from coming inside?’
’Even so, as fellow males, they could both see through each other’s hidden feelings.’
Not wanting to have his precious alone ti with the female ruined, Xi tried a different tactic. "It rained today, so I didn’t catch much prey," he said evasively. "It might not be enough for all of us."
An Jin saw right through Xi’s little tantrum. As a rfolk who thrived in water, the heavier the rain, the stronger his hunting abilities beca.
But she had troubled Song Yi all day; sending him ho hungry would be truly inconsiderate.
So she said, "I don’t need to eat much. I’m not very hungry; a few bites will be enough for ."
Seeing how determined she was, Xi could only let them in with a huff. Seething with resentnt, he secretly plotted to give the Eagle Beast a smaller portion of food later.
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