Chapter 284: Extra: Feng Qiwu, Master Tattletale

The cubs born to Chu Liangyu, Jiang Li, and Ye Han were different from other cubs. They were born in human form. As for when their beast forms would manifest, that would have to wait until they turned eighteen.

There was another way, however. They could be fed Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, which would provide them with enough energy to transform ahead of schedule.

Back when Xiong Jiaojiao and the other tribe members were kidnapped, Jiang Li had already given the two of them a Desperate Fruit to increase their strength.

The Desperate Fruit was a marvelous item. A single one had allowed them to successfully manifest their beast forms.

Now, they had the ability to protect themselves and had no need to seek anyone’s protection.

Chi Yizhong, however, had his reservations. He worried the cubs’ intentions weren’t so simple. He suspected they wanted to avenge their Beast Father, and that was why they were trying to gradually integrate into the tribe.

When he didn’t answer for a long moment, Chu Yue naturally had her own suspicions. “We understand what happened between our Beast Father, Jiang Li, and our Beast Mother. We’re their cubs, so it’s not our place to meddle in their affairs, no matter what.”

“Besides, we know the inside story. You can rest assured that my brother and I won’t do anything to harm our Beast Mother or the tribe.”

Even though the man before them bore no resemblance to their Beast Father, they couldn’t help but feel a sense of closeness to him.

Chi Yizhong studied the little girl’s face again. Ever since they first met, she had worn an expressionless look, appearing quite cold and aloof. But she was surprisingly intelligent and well-mannered.

It was clear their father had taught them well. And he, among Chu Liangyu’s thirteen Beast Husbands, was the only one without a cub.

He had never experienced what it was like to be a Beast Father. ‘Taking them in… might not be such a bad idea.’

“Alright. I agree.”

Suddenly, a smile broke out on Chu Yue’s rarely expressive face. It was like the first snow melting, carrying a trace of warmth. It had less of her usual maturity and more of the childishness appropriate for her age.

“Beast Father.”

“Mm.”

Chu Yue calling him “Beast Father” felt a little novel to him, but it certainly wasn’t unpleasant.

Chu Li, who had been restrained by the crowd, was released. He was still a bit angry, but he walked up to Chi Yizhong and called out awkwardly, “Beast Father.”

Since he had agreed to her condition, Chu Yue no longer concealed the truth. “Beast Father,” she said honestly, “the statue wasn’t hidden somewhere else. It’s in the storage shed in your courtyard.”

Chi Yizhong was stunned for a moment. He hadn’t expected the item to still be in his own courtyard. Meeting the two cubs’ gazes, he suddenly felt a sense of resignation. “Alright, I understand.”

Although the statue had been recovered, it was still only half-finished. There were still a few details that needed to be perfected.

Since it wasn’t dawn yet, he still had time to work on it.

“The matter is resolved. Thank you all for your trouble. You should go back and rest.”

Although they had witnessed the entire affair, they still found it strange. After all, who had ever heard of cubs rushing to claim a Beast Father?

In the end, this was a family matter, so it wasn’t their place to ask too many questions.

After the crowd departed, Chu Yue and Chu Li followed Chi Yizhong back to his courtyard.

Other than the two cubs, no one had seen what Chi Yizhong was carving. Even as a half-finished piece, it was already stunning. One could only imagine what the final product would look like.

Chi Yizhong became immersed in carving the stone statue, while the two cubs made themselves right at home, busying themselves with their own things in the courtyard.

It wasn’t that Chi Yizhong didn’t want to tell Chu Liangyu about this immediately; he just didn’t think it was a big deal. Plus, he didn’t have the time right now.

Therefore, according to his plan, everything would have to wait until after the wager.

The night passed quickly. Chi Yizhong had dark circles under his eyes, a clear sign that he had pulled an all-nighter, but he seemed to be in high spirits nonetheless.

“Yo, been waiting long?”

Seeing Chi Yizhong surrounded by a crowd in the distance, he recalled getting beaten up the day before, and his expression twisted.

Even now, the injuries on his face hadn’t healed, and the bluish-purple bruises were still obvious.

Chi Yizhong ignored his remark and simply said, “Since you’re here, let’s begin.”

“Hmph.”

A wager between two people naturally needed a referee. Xiong Jiaojiao found the situation amusing, so she took on the role.

Seeing that both men had arrived, Xiong Jiaojiao yanked the cloth off the statue. Her voice boomed, “Here’s the statue! Those who think it passes should stand behind Chi Yizhong! If you think it’s lacking and needs improvement, stand behind Feng Qiwu!”

“You have three minutes to choose! The countdown starts now!”

The clamor of the crowd went silent for an instant as the statue was revealed. But the quiet lasted only a moment before an even louder uproar erupted, like a flash flood.

For that one instant, everyone thought Chu Liangyu herself was standing before them. No matter how lifelike a sculpture was, it could never evoke such a feeling.

It had nothing to do with the statue’s appearance; it was an indescribable feeling.

“That’s it! This is exactly the effect we were looking for!”

“H-how did he do it? We’ve been puzzling over this for so long but could never give a statue the presence of a real person.”

While the laymen could only enjoy the spectacle, the few artisans in charge of carving understood the difficulty involved. That was why they unhesitatingly chose to stand behind Chi Yizhong.

The three minutes passed quickly. The final result was completely without suspense: Chi Yizhong had won the wager.

Notably, not a single person stood behind Feng Qiwu, which showed just how much everyone approved of the statue.

“Hmph.”

Although Feng Qiwu had long been prepared for the worst, he hadn’t expected such a complete rout. Thus, his expression turned rather ugly.

“Fine! A bet’s a bet, I admit defeat.”

‘It’s just crowing like a rooster for a month. It’s not like I’m a sore loser…’

Feng Qiwu left the scene without a backward glance. Just looking at his back, one wouldn’t think anything was amiss.

But if someone were to stand in front of him, they would have seen his reddened eyes and the teardrops clinging to his eyelashes.

He walked quickly, but not toward his own courtyard. He was heading for Chu Liangyu’s.

Chu Liangyu was habitually lounging on her wicker chair, her slightly narrowed eyes indicating she was in an excellent mood.

However, her moment of peace didn’t last long before a shadow fell over her.

DRIP. DRIP. Something seemed to fall on her face, feeling sticky and deeply uncomfortable.

“Feng Qiwu, you… what’s wrong?”