The cave was so silent you could hear a pin drop. Countless pairs of eyes simultaneously focused on the three people around Wen Shu, both inside and outside the cave. The Beastmen held their breath, fearing they'd miss this highly anticipated moment.
Amid these expectant gazes, one stood out with its chilling coldness.
Wen Shu keenly sensed it and looked up.
Outside the cave, it was pitch black; she could only make out the green glowing eyes of the Beastmen. That gaze vanished without a trace the instant she looked over.
Before she could think further, she felt a touch on her finger.
Mious held her hand, looking down at her, his face melting into a rare smile. "It's me who wants to mate with Ashu," he said.
Suddenly, the cave became even more silent.
Chief Weng was the first to react. Usually just and stern, the chief appeared slightly anxious as he tried to smooth things over to shield his daughter: "So that's how it is, just a misunderstanding. Ashu, quickly explain to everyone!"
Wen Shu nodded, preparing to put an end to this farce.
But Xue Fu interrupted her again, "Impossible! Mious was about to agree to be my Beast Husband, how could he suddenly take a liking to someone with such a bad reputation as you?"
Once she finished speaking, the quiet atmosphere in the cave reignited, with the Beastmen echoing their disbelief.
The Beastmen from the Fox Beast Tribe discussed in low voices. A male was perplexed, "Yeah, Xue Fu is clean and beautiful, no reason for anyone to like someone like Wen Shu..."
The males respected the females too much to voice any offensive comments.
Females, however, spoke freely, "What's there to be afraid to say? Wen Shu is filthy and greasy, and she even abuses males. Who would be blind enough to fancy her?"
"Exactly! Having Wen Shu in our tribe is just a disgrace, a disgrace to the females of our tribe!"
The males of the Snake Beast Tribe also whispered to each other, "Xue Fu has pursued Mious for two years, and he just started to relent. How could he suddenly change his mind?"
"Yeah, just before the Blessing Day, I saw Mious give a rabbit to Xue Fu as food."
"I saw it too. Everyone was betting that when we went back, Xue Fu would make Mious her third Beast Husband!"
Someone shouted directly, "Mious, did she threaten you?"
"..."
Being scolded and loathed by the Beastmen, Wen Shu felt little inside. After all, none of this was her doing.
But she didn't expect that aside from Chief Weng, no one else stood up for the original owner.
Truly, she's what everyone despises.
She thought there was still some time left before the novel's plot unfolded, a chance to salvage her image.
Now it seemed better to wait until she adapted to the new world, then live somewhere no one knew her.
She looked around at the still-debating Beastmen and squeezed Mious's hand back, "Mious, it's better if you explain."
Her tone was calm, yet her voice was strong.
The Beastmen from the Fox Beast Tribe had never heard her speak like this before and were momentarily stunned.
With their silence, the discussions from the Snake Beast Tribe gradually subsided too.
"Mm," Mious responded softly.
He took a step forward with Wen Shu in view of everyone, lifted their clasped hands, smiled confidently, and said, "There was no threat, and no coercion. I fell in love with Ashu at first sight."
"And we are already mates!"
His voice steady, he calmly wielded his spiritual power.
Under the Beastmen's gaze, a golden fox-shaped tattoo gradually appeared.
Extending from his broad shoulder to his waist and abdomen, it shimmered with tiny dark lights, adding a touch of mysterious allure.
Wen Shu was completely stunned.
What is this! When did they become mates!?
Seeing the revealed golden Totem, the Beastmen were amazed.
"Besides in Beast City, I've never seen a golden mark before. What rank is Mious now?"
A male responded, "A span of three ranks; Mious is at least Seventh Rank."
The males from the Snake Beast Tribe were deflated, "It's Eighth Rank... How did we forget Mious's rank!"
"Though a female's spiritual power can suppress a male, that only works when their ranks aren't too far apart. But Wen Shu is supposedly only at Third Level spiritual power..."
How could a powerful Eighth-rank Beastman be coerced by a female at Third Level spiritual power?
The boiling debate was like a bucket of cold water poured over, leaving everyone staring at each other, finally rendered speechless.
The elder from the Snake Clan also let out a breath of relief, his gaze drifting to the female beside Mious, unable to help but sigh.
They really don't match...
But he had watched Mious grow up, knowing the child was always calm and opinionated, stubbornly sticking to decisions once made, and no one could stop him.
Thus, with the expression of a cabbage being eaten by a pig, he unwillingly apologized to Chief Weng, "Today was an overreaction on our part. I hope Chief Weng won't take it to heart."
"Of course not, now that Mious and Ashu are mates, our two tribes are one family. Why hold a grudge against one's own family?" Chief Weng maintained a smile, dispersing the onlookers, "Alright, just a misunderstanding, let's all disperse!"
The crowd reluctantly left, and the elder from the Snake Clan also stopped embarrassing himself, signaling Xue Fu's Beast Husbands to take the still reluctant Xue Fu away.
The cave fell quiet once more.
Wen Shu was yet to recover from the shock of "being mates."
Until a shadow loomed over her; she came back to her senses, quickly steadied Mious.
The male's eyes were shut tightly, already exhausted and unconscious.
Carefully, Wen Shu laid him back on the bed, wanting to take another look at his tattoo.
From behind, Chief Weng's, cold voice suddenly rang out, "Ashu, come with me."
Wen Shu shuddered, uncomfortably reminded of being called to the office by the homeroom teacher in elementary school, her limbs tense.
Leaving the cave, the warm spring breeze fragrant with flowers and plants hit her face, and Wen Shu took a deep breath, unable to suppress a sigh.
No wonder it feels like ancient times, the air is so fresh!
After all, reading about it in books was different from experiencing it in reality. Along the way, Wen Shu kept a façade of calm, but her eyes darted around, observing the tribe.
They were currently on the highest hill, overlooking the expansive region of the Fox Beast Tribe.
Above the dark dense forest, the tribe occupied three whole hills. The hills had been carved out into countless caves of varying sizes. At night, each household had ignited flames, looking beautiful like a gigantic hollowed lantern.
Wen Shu's eyes were overwhelmed, only regaining focus after entering another spacious cave with Chief Weng.
As the grass curtain fell, her injured hand was grasped again. She looked up at Chief Weng, who was frowning, eyes filled with heartache.
"Bitten by that Snake Beast?"
Chief Weng pulled her to sit on a stone bench and while channeling energy to heal her, he harshly reprimanded, "Serves you right! It's just a male, there are plenty in this world. Why must you insist on Mious?"
Seeing Chief Weng's seemingly scolding yet actually indulgent attitude, Wen Shu could somewhat understand how the original character's personality came to be.
But she couldn't continue like the original owner. This incident had to be used wisely.
Wen Shu quickly conjured up tears, tearfully admitting, "Mother, it was my fault this time. I won't ever do such a thing again."
Chief Weng paused, her gaze lifting to see her daughter's tear-filled eyes, feeling even more distressed, "Ah, today wasn't anything serious. With Mother here..."
Wen Shu immediately shook her head, interrupting her, "No, Mother, I was too willful before. I don't want to be seen as a joke like today. I will change, please believe in me, okay?"
Seeing her so obedient, Chief Weng sighed, thinking she truly was frightened this time.
"Alright, I believe you, Mother believes you," she said, squeezing Wen Shu's hand gently. "You're not young anymore, it's time you learned to grow up. But since you want to change, don't bully Nan anymore in the future, understand?"
Wen Shu was momentarily stunned, Nan?
Not receiving a response, Chief Weng sighed again, "It's not entirely your fault. Mother should have talked to you about Nan earlier, this child is also a pitiful..."
Before she could finish, a gentle and clear male voice came from the cave entrance.
"Chief, I'm here to pick up the female."
"Wait a moment," Chief Weng responded, smilingly pulling Wen Shu to stand, muttering as she explained, "I had Nan come. I know you don't like him, but you can't just let him fend for himself."
Wen Shu listened, bewildered. Who was Nan?
The original owner's memory seemed not to have this person.