Chapter 237: Holding Tight

Chapter 237: Chapter 237: Holding Tight

Zhu Xiu stared back at him, his gaze icy. "Then by all means, try me. I’ll devour every one you send, until I’ve swallowed your entire clan whole."

"Fine, Snake Beast. I’ll remember this. Just pray you can protect that little female of yours."

The Golden Lions were already closing in. Grey Feather knew the situation was hopeless, so he flapped his wings in fury and turned to fly away.

Before long, the Eagle Clan Beastmen had vanished into the clouds.

The males all knew that the Eagle Clan Beastmen had come for Wanwan. Even if Zhu Xiu hadn’t devoured one of them, they would have certainly returned.

A heavy weight settled in their hearts as they each tried to guess why the Eagle Beasts were targeting Wanwan.

After all, the Eagle Beasts were a relentless race. Whether you became their enemy or they set their sights on you, it always ended in a fight to the death.

The Golden Lions that had charged out from the tribe instantly scattered the wild Eagle Beasts.

They formed a perimeter. Jin Yue stepped forward and said to Jin Yi, "Young Clan Leader, your injuries are serious. You need to come back to the city with us, quickly."

"Mm." Jin Yi knew he was in bad shape.

Zhu Xiu slithered over and thanked him. "Thank you for what you did."

Zhu Xiu knew that Jin Yi wouldn’t have been so badly injured if he hadn’t been shielding Wanwan, unable to move.

"Don’t mention it."

For some reason, Jin Yi didn’t want to accept Zhu Xiu’s thanks.

Zhu Xiu glanced at him but said nothing more, simply coiling his Snake Tail around his little female.

"Wanwan, we’re going home."

"Okay," Bai Wanwan answered, hugging his Snake Tail tightly.

At the same time, she looked over her Beast Husbands, noticing that while they had some injuries, none were serious. The one most grievously wounded was Jin Yi; he had injuries of varying severity on his back and head.

Soon, the Golden Lions escorted them into the city.

Jin Cang Clan Leader, who had rushed over after hearing the news, saw Jin Yi’s serious injuries, and his expression turned grave. He had, in fact, been prepared for the worst.

So, he was actually relieved that Jin Yi was only injured.

"Jin Yi, I’ll have Jin Yue take you to the Clan Witch to have your wounds treated."

Hearing this, Bai Wanwan immediately stepped forward and offered him a container of Extreme Effect Golden Sore Medicine. "This medicine will help you recover faster."

Jin Yi looked at the salve in her fair palm. She had used it on him before, so he knew how miraculous it was.

He reached out and took it from her palm, his gaze lingering on her face. "Alright. Thank you."

"I’m the one who should be thanking you. I will never forget what you did for me."

"It’s every male’s duty to protect females. Think nothing of it."

Seeing this, Jin Cang was extremely pleased.

Jin Yi may have been injured this time, but he had found Bai Wanwan and brought her back safely.

They had overcome adversity together, and a little female as charming and lovely as Bai Wanwan... he refused to believe Jin Yi’s heart hadn’t been stirred in the slightest.

As long as there was even a tiny spark, the outcome he desired wouldn’t be difficult to achieve.

Jin Yi didn’t say much more to Bai Wanwan before being helped away by Jin Yue.

But as he was leaving, he saw an unfamiliar male Beastman behind the crowd.

When the male noticed his gaze, he looked away evasively. He didn’t linger, but squeezed through the crowd and slipped away.

Jin Yi recalled what Bai Wanwan had said—that they had been trapped in the beast tide because someone from the Golden Lion Tribe wanted to harm them and prevent their return.

"Go. Follow that male and find out who he is."

After giving the order, Jin Yi allowed Jin Yue to lead him to the Witch Cave for treatment.

The Clan Witch of the Golden Lion Tribe was a middle-aged woman, still relatively young.

She saw the numerous wounds covering Jin Yi’s body, some so deep that bone was visible, and her brow furrowed. "Young Clan Leader, these injuries are too severe. You must not move around for the next few days. Jin Yue, help the Young Clan Leader lie down."

Jin Yi caressed the container of salve in his palm before finally tucking it safely away inside his beast-hide clothing without using it.

After Jin Yi and his group had left, Bai Wanwan asked the Clan Leader, "Clan Leader, are my cubs alright?"

Bai Wanwan was eager to get past the Clan Leader and go see her cubs, but he was standing in her way, clearly not intending to let her leave just yet.

Jin Cang smiled. "Your cubs are all doing very well. I had some of the males in the tribe help look after them. They’re very healthy and sturdy."

Hearing that her cubs were all fine, Bai Wanwan sighed in relief.

Jin Cang had much more he wanted to say, but Zhu Xiu suddenly stepped forward and swept Bai Wanwan into his arms. "She’s tired. Whatever you have to say, Clan Leader, can wait. I’m taking her home to rest."

The Clan Leader saw how exhausted she looked and ultimately swallowed the words he was about to say.

"Alright. Go on and get some rest. We can discuss other matters once you’ve recovered."

"Okay, Clan Leader. We’ll see you later."

Now that she could finally relax, Bai Wanwan felt utterly exhausted, body and soul. All she wanted was to get home quickly, hold her cubs, and sleep for what felt like an eternity.

Zhu Xiu tightened his arms around her, gave the Clan Leader a nod, and strode toward their home, carrying Wanwan.

Bai Wanwan leaned against his solid chest, listening to the powerful, steady beat of his heart. As she relaxed, her head began to nod, and she drifted off to sleep.

But her sleep was light, and she woke again when Zhu Xiu laid her down on the bed.

The sounds around her grew clearer.

"WHIMPER..."

"HISS... HISS..."

’It’s the cubs!’

Bai Wanwan’s eyes snapped open, all traces of sleep vanishing instantly.

She quickly sat up, her gaze sweeping past the Beast Husbands beside the bed to land on her cubs, who were bouncing at their feet, trying to squeeze through.

"My babies, come here! Mommy’s here for a hug."

The males had been deliberately blocking the cubs, afraid they would disturb Wanwan’s rest.

Now that Wanwan was awake, they quickly moved aside.

The cubs happily bounded onto Bai Wanwan, wagging their tails with delight.

The snake cubs coiled around her arms and even her neck, flicking their tongues affectionately against her cheeks.

In the past, a scene like this would have scared Bai Wanwan half to death.

But now, she didn’t feel a shred of fear, her face filled with a tender, motherly smile.

"I’m so sorry, my darlings. Mommy took so long to come back."

She gently stroked their heads, not missing a single one.

With each stroke, the cubs would squint their eyes in blissful comfort.

Feeling that this wasn’t enough, Bai Wanwan hugged her cubs and kissed them one by one.

The males stared from the side without blinking. Though Zhu Xiu and Xin Feng remained silent, their eyes were glued to the scene.

They suddenly found their own cubs to be a bit of an eyesore.

Yan Lie, on the other hand, sat right down next to Bai Wanwan. "Wanwan, I want some too..."

Bai Wanwan shot him a glare. "Are you really going to compete with the cubs?"

Yan Lie grinned. "I’m not competing. So, when are you going to give me a litter?"

His gaze burned as he stared at Bai Wanwan. ’Now that the Ghost Orchid Grass has been consumed, can I finally mate with Wanwan, too?’

’Cubs... it doesn’t matter whether we have them or not. But I really, truly want to become proper mates with Wanwan.’

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

Then, Shi Hua walked in. Upon seeing Bai Wanwan, she wiped at her red-rimmed eyes. "Sister, you’re finally back."

She hurried over, and though Yan Lie was reluctant, he still made way for her.

Bai Wanwan smiled at her. "I heard you gave birth to two healthy cubs. Congratulations!"

Just then, another voice came from the doorway.

When Bai Wanwan heard this voice, her expression changed abruptly.