Chapter 397: Worried About Me?

Chapter 397: Chapter 397: Worried About Me?

Wanwan gripped her hand firmly, and it was as if Yin Mei’s hesitant heart had finally found a place to rest.

"Okay, I’ll go discuss it with Kong Lai."

After she spoke, Yin Mei turned and walked toward Kong Lai, who was standing nearby.

Their arrival caused such a commotion that it quickly drew the attention of the Peacock Clan.

The Clan Leader led the males out to greet them.

He was relieved yet guilty to see Yin Mei safe and sound. "Yin Mei, it’s not that we didn’t want to save you. That Snake Beastman was simply too powerful, and we of the Peacock Clan have never been skilled in combat."

"Clan Leader, I understand. I don’t blame you."

After speaking, Yin Mei took Kong Lai by the hand and started walking toward her home.

The Clan Leader watched Yin Mei’s retreating back with some embarrassment, then turned to Yin Ze. "Yin Ze, you see for yourself. Other Beastmen are always prowling around here. Your sister isn’t safe. When are you going to come back?"

The Clan Leader’s gaze swept over Bai Wanwan and the High Rank Males beside her...

’If Yin Ze stayed,’ he thought, ’and if that female was willing to settle down in the Peacock Clan for his sake, the dangers facing their clan would be significantly reduced.’

"Mm, it certainly isn’t safe. Once my sister has packed her things, we’ll be taking them with us and leaving."

"Leave?" The Clan Leader’s voice rose. "You’re leaving? Where are you going?"

Although Yin Ze wasn’t a Beastman of the Peacock Clan, his presence over the years had ensured they had enough prey every winter. No one had to go hungry.

If he left, and Kong Lai left too, it would be a considerable loss for the entire tribe.

Yin Ze didn’t answer, and an awkward silence fell.

The Clan Leader gave a dry laugh and tried to recover. "What I meant to say was, the Peacock Clan’s lands are beautiful, the terrain is open... If you’re planning to settle down, you couldn’t do better than staying with our tribe."

"That won’t be necessary," Yin Ze cut him off. "Clan Leader, my contributions to the tribe over the years are more than enough to repay you for your ’hospitality’."

Yin Ze’s blunt words made the Clan Leader’s expression darken.

Just then, Jin Yi and Xin Feng appeared with the cubs, along with Yin Mei and Kong Lai.

Jin Yi and Xin Feng took the cubs and walked straight to Bai Wanwan.

Having not seen their Mother for two days, the cubs whimpered and whined aggrievedly at her.

Bai Wanwan ignored the Clan Leader, crouching down to focus on playing with her cubs.

Kong Lai approached Yin Ze, carrying two Beast Skin Bags and holding Yin Mei’s hand.

Unable to sway Yin Ze, the Clan Leader turned on Kong Lai. "Kong Lai, you are a Warrior of the Peacock Clan! Are you really just going to leave like this?"

"Clan Leader, while I may be a Beastman of the Peacock Clan, I am mated now. Wherever my Wife goes, I go."

"Fine! Just fine!" the Clan Leader sputtered, fuming. "Once you’re gone, don’t even think about coming back!"

"Fine."

The Clan Leader was left choking on his rage. "You’ll regret this."

Kong Lai said nothing more. When Bai Wanwan suggested they all leave, he simply took Yin Mei’s hand and followed.

Bai Wanwan glanced back at the Clan Leader’s vexed face and flashed him a smile guaranteed to drive him mad.

Then, ignoring whatever expression the Clan Leader’s face had contorted into, she turned to Yin Mei with a smile. "Sister Yin Mei, don’t worry. I promise life will get better from here on out. You’re so beautiful, you should smile more often."

Yin Mei found her smile infectious, and the corners of her own mouth twitched in response. But she couldn’t shake her worries. ’If I go with them like this, I’ll just be a burden to Yin Ze.’

’I’ve never been able to help him; I’ve only ever held him back.’

’I’m such an unworthy sister. I can’t even have children, and I don’t have a powerful Beast Husband to support Yin Ze...’

With the males forming a protective circle around the female and cubs, the large group set off in a grand procession toward the Tiger Clan.

Bai Wanwan didn’t relax until they were standing outside the main gate of their own tribe.

The attack from the Eagle Beast had truly left its mark; she was afraid of being targeted by those things every time she went out.

After Zhu Xiu set her down, all the males shifted into their human forms and began walking slowly through the gate.

"Did you hear? Today’s the day the Young Clan Leader succeeds the Clan Leader. All the clan’s Warriors will be challenging him later."

Bai Wanwan had been about to head home when she overheard passersby mention Chou Rong. She immediately handed the little lion cub to Jin Yi. "Hold the cub. I’m going to ask about this."

With that, she turned and stopped a passerby. "Excuse me, I overheard you say today is the day the Young Clan Leader takes over. Do you know where he is now?"

The person pointed ahead and to the left. "It’s still early. If you want to watch, head over to the Altar later."

"Oh, thank you."

She turned her head, and Xin Feng was standing right beside her.

"Want to go?"

"Mhm. I heard all the High Rank Males can challenge him. I’m a little worried."

"Don’t worry. Chou Rong’s Talent Power is no weaker than Zhu Xiu’s. He knows that becoming Clan Leader means he’ll be challenged by other males. I’m sure he has a plan to deal with it."

Bai Wanwan recalled how Chou Rong had dealt with the former Clan Leader—even roping her into his schemes—and ground her teeth. She knew he wouldn’t fight a battle he wasn’t sure he could win.

But after a moment’s thought, she still decided to take the cubs and go check on the situation.

"Zhu Xiu, Jin Yi, what do you say we go over there and take a look?"

"Alright. If you want to go, we’ll go with you."

Her Beast Husbands were in unanimous agreement. Bai Wanwan smiled and nodded. "Alright then, let’s go have a look."

By now, she had explored the entire Tiger Clan Tribe several times over, so she had memorized all the landmark buildings.

The Altar was where they prayed to the Beast God, and also where every Clan Leader’s succession ceremony was held.

Bai Wanwan, her Beast Husbands, and the cubs took a roundabout path and finally arrived before the Altar.

At the top of a long flight of stairs was an elevated platform, but it was currently empty. There was no sign of Chou Rong.

"He’s not here yet. Let’s find a place to sit and wait."

Apparently, many others had gotten the news as well; a large number of Beastmen had already gathered around the Altar.

They lingered about, some sitting and some standing.

Yan Lie quickly found a relatively spacious spot on the edge of the crowd. "Wanwan, over here."

Bai Wanwan turned, saw him, and led her Beast Husbands and cubs over to the spot.

Time slowly passed, and more and more Beastmen gathered near the Altar.

Looking at the dense, dark sea of Beastmen, Bai Wanwan started to feel nervous herself.

She looked up at the towering Altar. ’If someone fell from up there, they’d be half-dead, at least.’

’What exactly has Chou Rong arranged?’

’Is he really that confident?’

Just as she was thinking, Chou Rong’s voice came from behind and to the side. "You’re back. Why didn’t you go home first?"

Bai Wanwan turned at the sound of his voice to see Chou Rong, dressed in black furs, walking toward her.

"We had just gotten back when we heard you were becoming Clan Leader today—and that other males would be challenging you—so I came straight here."

There wasn’t the slightest trace of nervousness on Chou Rong’s devastatingly handsome face. A corner of his mouth quirked up. "Worried about me?"