Xi Yao’s expression darkened.
‘My Antidote Potion was definitely fine.
The witch doctor must have taken the opportunity to make a move.’
‘Does this witch doctor really hate me that much?
Is she so determined to drive my family out of the tribe?’
‘The witch doctor will definitely blame my Zaizai for this and use their status as monsters spurned by the Beast God to stir up trouble again.’
‘The more she does this, the more I want to defy her.’
The moment she stepped into Ni Duo’s cave, a pungent medicinal smell mixed with all sorts of strange odors assaulted her senses.
The cave was in an uproar.
When the beastmen inside saw Xi Yao enter, they all gave her strange looks.
Ni Duo’s face was drained of all color, and traces of blood stained the corners of her mouth as she lay weakly on a bed.
Her Beast Husband was also unconscious, his breathing faint and shallow.
Xi Yao rushed forward to check on them, her brow furrowing tighter and tighter.
‘The witch doctor really spared no expense to drive us out.’
Just as she was about to use her Healing Technique on Duoduo, the witch doctor stopped her.
“Give up!
They’ve been spurned by the Beast God because of you.
They can’t be saved.”
As soon as she said this, the surrounding female beastmen burst into murmurs, their faces filled with fear.
One female beastman whispered, “Maybe they really have been spurned by the Beast God.
We shouldn’t get involved and bring trouble upon ourselves.”
“That’s right.
We should stay far away from them.
If the Beast God decides to punish us, our entire tribe will suffer.”
Xi Yao ignored their grating words and glared at the witch doctor, retorting:
“You’re always spouting lies in the Beast God’s name.
Aren’t you afraid that one day, the Beast God will get angry and strike you dead with a bolt of lightning?
Ni Duo and her Beast Husband were clearly the victims of your poisonous plot!
You’re the one who should be spurned for being so cruel as to frame the innocent for your own selfish gain.”
The witch doctor was so furious she was speechless for a long moment.
She had to take several deep breaths before she regained her composure.
“Xi Yao, I am this tribe’s healer.
How dare you question my words?
Everyone in the tribe knows those cubs of yours were born different.
If that’s not a sign of being spurned by the Beast God, then what is?
What has happened to Ni Duo’s family now is the Beast God’s punishment!”
“They angered the Beast God because they were close to you.”
Listening to the witch doctor twist the truth, Xi Yao found it all so absurd that she could no longer contain her rage.
“Stop spouting nonsense!
If the Beast God truly exists, why would he bring down punishment on innocent people?
It’s obvious you’re just being petty, worried that I’ll establish myself in the tribe and that my Zaizai will win the people’s acceptance, threatening your reputation.
That’s why you resorted to these dirty tricks to frame us.”
“I have served this tribe as a healer for many years and saved countless members.
Am I someone you can just slander as you please?”
“Xi Yao, how can you say that about the witch doctor?
She’s saved many of our lives!” a burly beastman snapped, scowling.
“Exactly!
Ever since you gave birth to those little monsters, our tribe has had one problem after another.
Who’s to say it isn’t a curse brought on by those little monsters you birthed!” a female added in a shrill voice.
“This wicked female who birthed monsters dares to frame our witch doctor!
What will we do if the witch doctor gets angry and refuses to treat us?”
An old beastman stepped forward and sighed.
“Xi Yao, we’ve all seen the witch doctor’s good deeds over the years.
You should just apologize and ask for her forgiveness, and we can let this matter go.
Otherwise, I’m afraid there won’t be a place for you in this tribe anymore.”
Females were precious, but the witch doctor was more important to the tribe.
“So, in your eyes, a few words from the witch doctor are enough to condemn me and my children?
Enough to ignore whether Ni Duo’s family lives or dies?”
“The witch doctor said they can’t be saved because they were spurned by the Beast God on account of you.”
“And you’re so certain the witch doctor is right?”
The burly beastman was stunned by the question.
He opened and closed his mouth, but didn’t know what to say.
Another young female stepped forward, hands on her hips, and yelled as she pointed at Xi Yao:
“Stop spouting nonsense!
The witch doctor is the most capable person in the tribe.
Why would we believe you over her?
You’re just jealous that everyone respects the witch doctor, so you’re deliberately trying to smear her name!”
“Jealous?
What is there to be jealous of?
Her shoddy medical skills?
Or her wicked heart?”
“Xi Yao, you’ve gone too far!
How could you say that about the witch doctor?”
“I never thought that after dedicating my life to this tribe, this is how I would be repaid.
Fine, then.
I’m done with this tribe’s affairs.
From now on, if you get sick or injured, you can find someone else to help you!”
With that, the witch doctor turned to leave.
The others grew frantic.
An older female rushed forward and grabbed the witch doctor’s arm, her face a mask of anxiety and fear.
“Witch Doctor, you can’t go!
If you wash your hands of the tribe, what will become of us?”
She turned to shoot Xi Yao a venomous glare.
“This is all your fault, you tactless woman, for angering the witch doctor like this!”
Xi Yao watched the witch doctor’s retreating back and let out a cold laugh.
“What’s wrong?
Did I strike a nerve?”
Hearing this, the witch doctor spun around.
“You’ve got some nerve, Xi Yao.
Still not willing to let it go.
Since you insist, I’ll make my position clear today.
From now on, anyone in the tribe who associates with you and your cubs is an enemy of mine.
If they get sick or injured, they can forget about me lifting a finger to help them!”
At these words, the crowd fell silent.
They looked at each other, their eyes filled with indecision and fear.
After a moment, a young beastman spoke up hesitantly.
“Witch Doctor, please don’t be angry.
We’ll definitely listen to you.
This Xi Yao is just too tactless.
We’ll teach her a lesson.”
“Hurry up and apologize to the witch doctor, then take your little monsters and get out of the tribe!
Our tribe has no place for a venomous female like you!”
Another, thinner beastman stepped forward to agree.
“Exactly!
It’s all your fault the witch doctor is angry.
If you really have our best interests at heart, you’ll leave at once and stop dragging us down with you!”
“Don’t you dare bully my Mother!”
Having heard the commotion, the three little ones dropped their firewood and came running.
Xi Nan was the first to charge into the crowd, shielding Xi Yao with his small body.
He was clearly terrified, his limbs trembling, but he stood his ground in front of his mother.
Xi Bei followed behind Xi Nan, his ears drooping slightly.
He was trembling with fear, but still managed to cry out, “We’re not monsters.
Why are you bullying our Mother?”
Xi Mo came up as well, also taking his place in front of Xi Yao.
“We might look different from everyone else, but we’ve never hurt anyone!
That old witch doctor is the bad one!
She’s lying!”
When the witch doctor heard this, her face turned thunderous.
She took a step forward and pointed at the three little ones.
“You are the monsters spurned by the Beast God!
Your very existence is a plague on this tribe!
If you don’t leave today, the disasters that befall this tribe will only grow more frequent!”
Hearing this, Xi Nan trembled with rage.
“You’re lying!”
The burly beastman frowned and said impatiently, “What do little brats know?
Scram, and don’t bring your bad luck to the rest of us.”
“That’s right!
The witch doctor is right—you’re monsters spurned by the Beast God.
Get out of the tribe!”
“They’re a curse on this tribe!
Xi Yao, take them and leave!
Do you want to drag the entire tribe down with you?”