Chapter 1182 - 855: Bringing the Cubs

Chapter 1182: Chapter 855: Bringing the Cubs

The rainy season in summer brings continuous downpours. Not long ago, another heavy rain washed the world anew, making the forest lush and vibrant, the earth was soft and damp, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of soil.

In the past, this time of year was incredibly painful for Beastmen because of severe pollution. Even in cities not yet fully affected, the rainwater was acidic and corrosive, potentially ruining crops and causing skin ulceration in Beastmen with weaker constitutions.

But now things are different; people everywhere eagerly await rainy days. The rain is cool and clean, sweeping away the summer heat, replenishing the dry rivers with abundant water, and sparing fields from the task of irrigation, making it the perfect season for farming.

As soon as the weather clears up, Beastmen in each city and tribe come out in pairs and trios with farming tools in hand.

Compared to the time right after the war, cities nowadays are more prosperous, accepting many displaced Beastmen, with even many from other regions migrating over.

More importantly, both cities and tribes have noticeably more Beastmen cubs running around.

Since pollution receded, the birth rate has increased, and many new cubs have been born in recent years. Many families are welcoming new hopes, making life busier and more fulfilling.

After the rain clears and the weather brightens, the beasts outside the city increase, and the hunting squads are ready to set off.

With the disappearance of the Polluted Land, mutant beasts have basically vanished, occasionally one or two might pop up, but encounters are rare.

The density of beast herds in the hills and forests around the city has gradually returned to normal. Those beasts that were about to become extinct are now common. The reproductive rate of beast herds is fast, and they often gather in large numbers after the rainy season, sometimes even attacking Beastmen venturing outside.

Therefore, at regular intervals, hunting teams are organized in the city to hunt.

There are factories in the city specializing in breeding and processing meat, but wild beasts contain more energy, especially powerful superpower beasts of higher ranks, which can produce crystal cores that enhance Beastman abilities.

The males and cubs prefer this chewier and more nutritious beast meat. Many wild beast meats aren’t available in city breeding farms; some are tender and favored by many females too. Thus, many young Beastmen, to appeal to the females they admire, specifically hunt these rare tender meats.

The majestic Black Panther leads at the forefront of the hunting squad, guiding them out of the city gates.

Sunlight cascades on the Black Panther, faintly revealing the dark golden patterns hidden under the black fur. His golden eyes are fierce and proud, and his form is even larger than the mightiest Tiger Beast in the team, as fitting for Xiao Jin.

He did not stay on Eris Star; instead, he followed Shen Tang back to the Beast World Continent.

Xiao Jin is naturally free-spirited and unrestrained, disliking the constraints of the Hunting Leopard Clan. He is quite self-aware too, knowing he lacks management skills and disdain for mingling with those hypocritical clan politicians.

He simply cherishes a free and easy life, staying by Shen Tang’s side, doing whatever he pleases, which makes him very happy.

"Awoo~"

"Awoo~ Awoo~" 𝙛𝓇ⅇ

Some little cubs accompanied the Beast Husband out of the city, romping around happily behind the squad.

Since there are no more polluted species outside the city, cubs can venture out safely, and with adult Beastmen watching them, it’s quite safe even if they encounter fierce wild beasts.

Watching these little cubs put Xiao Jin in a good mood, he thought about Tangtang someday giving him a little leopard cub or kitten; it would certainly be even more adorable.

There were a few slightly older cubs with sharper teeth and claws, who unintentionally hurt the other cubs while playing.

Some cubs yelped and began to fight.

Male beasts, protective of their offspring, started to argue.

"Your kid is too heavy-handed! Look at my son’s forehead, there’s such a big bleeding cut!"

"You call that a cut? It’ll heal before we even reach a doctor! My cub broke a nail!"

"You’re complaining about a broken nail? Look at my kid; there’s a whole patch of missing fur on his neck, chewed off by your tiger cub, right? You owe my kid an explanation!"

A few Beast Fathers started arguing and even wanted to roll up their sleeves to defend their cubs.

With an irritated growl, Xiao Jin roared, "Roar!"

Beastmen instantly fell silent; cubs sprawled on the ground, heads down, softly whining, all obedient and well-behaved.

"What’s all the noise about? Quiet down! These cubs are quite resilient and can’t even handle small injuries. Raised like fragile flowers, how will they find a female? Are they waiting for a female to protect them later?" Xiao Jin couldn’t bear to watch. His men had followed him for so many years, seasoned warriors on the battlefield, yet they pampered their kids as if they were priceless gems.

Is it that all Beast Fathers do this? Unbelievable!

When he has a kid, they’ll be weaned and sent out to hunt with him!

The Beastmen all agreed repeatedly, cherishing their rare children like treasures.

Beast cubs naturally admire the strong, looking at Xiao Jin with eyes full of stars!

Awoo awoo~

So powerful, so awesome, so imposing!

Then...

Along the way, Xiao Jin gained more than a dozen little followers.

These beast cubs ranged from seven or eight years old to as young as two or three. Though they sounded young, beast cubs grow quickly and mature early. Most have already developed the ability to hunt simple prey, either independently or in teams, catching small game.

Competition among males is fierce. From a young age, they cultivate awareness and hunting skills, observe their beast fathers’ fighting techniques; otherwise, they’ll end up alone and unloved by females when grown.

Arriving at the hunting grounds on the outskirts of the city, the beastmen spread out in small groups.

Some beast cubs followed their Beast Husbands, while many wanted to follow Xiao Jin.

For hunting of this level, Xiao Jin hardly needed to intervene. His main role was to protect the team’s safety, taking action only when special circumstances arose.

With the beast cubs under Xiao Jin’s watch, the Beast Husbands felt at ease, focusing more on the hunt.

Xiao Jin resembled a preschool teacher, leading the cubs around, catching small fish, shrimp, sparrows, rabbits, and more.

Most of the prey ended up in the mouths of these beast cubs.

Eating prey they personally hunted, the beast cubs were thrilled, howling with confidence and enthusiasm.

Several cubs even showed talent, collaborating to hunt down a subadult wild boar.

Xiao Jin was rarely this patient with the cubs, but he had his own intentions.

Three days later.

The hunting team returned with a full load.

On the way back to the city, the sound of circling birds came from the sky.

"Chirp chirp~"

Your Majesty and the Lu Family Head have returned.

The aerial patrol team spiraled toward them, flying over the Golden Feathered Giant Eagle to the city gate.

Beastmen on the ground excitedly said, "Your Majesty has returned!"

"It’s great! Your Majesty has been gone so long, finally back! Surely Xiao Jin misses Your Majesty... Hey, where’s the Major General?"

The lead black panther had long disappeared.

As Shen Tang landed, she was embraced by a fiery hug, her waist tightly gripped as a deep kiss was bestowed.

Shen Tang felt the deep longing. After being apart for so long, her own yearning surged like waves... She reached up to hook Xiao Jin’s neck, responding to his kiss.

With so many people watching at the city gate, Xiao Jin didn’t linger with Shen Tang for long. Once his emotions settled, he let her go, but not without planting another firm kiss on her lips!

Like a large canine, he rubbed against her head, pitifully saying, "I’ve missed you so much! If you didn’t come back soon, I would’ve gone to find you."

Shen Tang felt softened inside, with a touch of guilt.

Though the matter of Eris Star ended years ago, she still hadn’t spent much time with her Beast Husbands, often apart more than together.

"I’ll stay for a while this time, won’t leave until the rainy season ends."

Lu Xiao approached, concerned, "Tangtang must be tired, let’s take her back to rest first."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jin felt heartache, bending down to scoop her into his arms, carrying her back to the palace, "During this hunting trip, I caught quite some good stuff! Even an Eight Stars Red Spot Bull Beast, the meat’s very tender! When we get back, I’ll personally cook a great feast for you, to nourish your body!"

Seeing him eager to showcase his culinary skills.

Shen Tang’s heart tightened, though this leopard’s cooking was no longer kitchen-destroying, its taste was still less than pleasant!

Shen Tang implored Lu Xiao with her eyes.

Lu Xiao smirked lightly, "You just returned with the hunting team, rest for the night first. Let me handle it."

Not giving him a chance to refuse, Lu Xiao shifted the topic, "Have any significant events happened in the city while we were gone?"

Xiao Jin nodded, "During your absence, indeed, something big happened!"