Chapter 171: An Inconsistent Attitude

Chapter 171: Chapter 171: An Inconsistent Attitude

"Foreign beastmen, you’ve come to the Golden Lion Tribe. Are you looking to join us?"

Clan Leader Jin Cang’s gaze swept across the room, finally landing on Bai Wanwan and Shi Hua.

His gaze was not gentle, carrying with it the scrutiny and appraisal of a superior.

Xin Feng took a step forward, his tone gentle but not subservient. "Clan Leader Jin, we don’t intend to stay here permanently. For now, we just wish to spend the coming snow season in the Golden Lion Tribe. We will provide regular offerings of prey in exchange for our temporary lodging."

Jin Cang listened to the male speak but did not respond immediately.

Of the two females, one looked ordinary, with a timid, shrinking demeanor. The other, however, was striking. Her skin was fairer than that of the most beautiful young female in his tribe, her features delicate and lovely. She was also quite bold, looking at him without a hint of fear—only curiosity and a frank openness.

"The Golden Lion Tribe does not lack for prey." Jin Cang smiled faintly, his tone laced with hidden meaning. "If you wish to stay, I’m afraid that’s not a high enough price."

Just then, the animal hide covering a basket was suddenly pushed up, and several small snakes poked their heads through the gap, flicking their tongues with a series of HISSES.

However, before they could crawl out, their Father Beast mercilessly pushed them back under the hide.

Jin Cang’s gaze sharpened for a moment, a strange light flashing in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

He calmly averted his gaze, as if nothing had happened.

Xin Feng continued, "If prey isn’t enough, we also have fine linen, spices, fragrant balms..."

This was what they had agreed on beforehand: if prey wasn’t enough to sway the Clan Leader, they would offer more valuable goods in exchange.

Bai Wanwan was reluctant to spend Points to redeem items from her System Space right now, so most of the supplies Xin Feng listed had been acquired from Roger previously.

Jin Cang listened quietly, a faint smile never leaving his face.

When Xin Feng had finished, he nodded, his tone even. "Alright. Five beasts of prey per month. And if you include the goods you just mentioned, I can give you our largest and most secure stone house."

Bai Wanwan’s Beast Husbands exchanged a look, a flicker of suspicion rising in their hearts.

’Just a moment ago, the Clan Leader seemed so reluctant. Why did he agree so readily all of a sudden?’

Seeing the beastmen fall silent, a smile touched Jin Cang’s eyes. "What’s the matter? Are you unwilling?"

Yan Lie, who was standing beside Bai Wanwan, asked bluntly, "Clan Leader Jin, a moment ago you seemed reluctant to take us in. Why the sudden change of heart?"

Jin Cang’s fingers toyed with the Bone Ornament on his wrist. His tone was casual. "Didn’t you offer other supplies? Those are far more practical than prey. If you have enough goods, you can stay for as long as you like."

His words sounded reasonable, but Zhu Xiu and the other males felt that Jin Cang’s attitude had changed too quickly, as if he were hiding something.

"Then it’s settled." Jin Cang waved a hand and said to a young male beside him, "Jin Yue, take them to the largest stone house on the east side."

Jin Yue was visibly stunned for a moment, a flash of astonishment in his eyes, but he quickly composed himself and nodded respectfully. "Yes, Clan Leader."

His attitude immediately became respectful, but Bai Wanwan and her group caught these subtle changes. Jin Cang, however, did not.

After Jin Yue had led Bai Wanwan and the others away, the elderly beastman standing beside Jin Cang couldn’t help but ask in a low voice, "Clan Leader, isn’t that stone house reserved for the Young Clan Leader and his future mate? Why are you letting these foreign beastmen live there?"

It wasn’t just Jin Yue who was confused; even this elderly beastman was bewildered.

Jin Cang’s gaze remained fixed in the direction Bai Wanwan’s group had gone, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Did you see the snakelets in that basket earlier?"

The elderly beastman—Jin Wu—nodded. "I saw them."

"There are two mutated snakelets in there." Jin Cang’s tone held a hint of unconcealed excitement.

"Mutated snakelets?" Jin Wu’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Jin Cang nodded with a smile. "That’s right. Mutated Snake Beasts are rare enough, let alone two surviving in the same litter."

Jin Wu was still confused. "Clan Leader, you mean...?"

Jin Cang’s gaze grew profound as he said slowly, "Not long ago, our males brought back news. A Holy Female has appeared in one of the small-to-medium-sized tribes not far from the Golden Lion Tribe."

"A Holy Female?!"

Jin Wu’s cloudy eyes instantly lit up, but then he shook his head, his tone full of doubt. "Clan Leader, could there be a mistake? Why would a Holy Female appear in a small or medium-sized tribe?"

It has been thirty years since the last Holy Female passed away, and none have appeared in the Golden Lion Tribe since.

Holy Females had become the stuff of legend; they were a rare sight even in the Super Tribes.

Jin Cang didn’t answer him right away, his brow furrowed in thought.

"You mean, if she is the Holy Female, you want to keep her here to mate with the Young Clan Leader?" Jin Wu asked tentatively.

"Yes." Jin Cang nodded, a hint of helplessness in his voice. "Other males Jin Yi’s age have long since taken mates. But he remains unmated. If word of that gets out, countless people will mock the Golden Lion Tribe. If he doesn’t find a mate soon, I fear it will be difficult to pass the position of Clan Leader to him."

After mating with his partner, they only had two children: the brother and sister, Jin Yi and Jin Zhi.

The position of Clan Leader must be passed to Jin Yi sooner or later, but if he remains unmated for too long, the tribe’s future will be affected.

Jin Wu frowned, still worried. "But what if we’re mistaken? What if she’s just an ordinary female?"

"An ordinary female?" Jin Cang scoffed, his tone certain. "Did you see those males with her? If I’m not mistaken, her companions have Talents of at least the Yellow Rank. I may not be certain she’s a Holy Female, but she is most definitely not an ordinary female."

High Rank Males carry a different aura. Having judged countless beastmen in his time, Jin Cang trusted his eyes.

Even if she isn’t a Holy Female, a female who can give birth to two Mutated Snake Beasts is more than a worthy match for Jin Yi.

"Jin Wu, have some of the males keep a close watch on them. Observe them carefully."

Jin Wu nodded at once. "Rest assured, Clan Leader. I will arrange it immediately."

After Jin Wu had slowly exited the stone house, leaning on his wooden staff, Jin Cang walked over to a stone stool draped with a tiger skin.

’If this female is truly a Holy Female, then no matter what it takes, he must keep her here and make her Jin Yi’s mate!’

Bai Wanwan was not entirely oblivious. After leaving the stone house, she glanced back twice, then couldn’t help but say to Zhu Xiu beside her, "Zhu Xiu, don’t you get the feeling that Clan Leader is plotting something?"