“You… Hu Zhuo, what are you saying? We’re doing this for the development of the tribe.”
“For the tribe? What about those in the tribe with poor hunting skills? I’ve never heard of you delivering meat to them for the sake of the tribe. They need to eat their fill to have the strength to work—isn’t that also for the tribe?”
“You… hmph!”
The Female was left speechless by Hu Zhuo’s retort and could only stand angrily to the side.
Hu Li couldn’t help but admire him. Who would have thought this kid had such a sharp tongue? When he spoke to her, he usually stumbled over his words.
“Chieftain, please say something! We can’t just let go of such a good method!”
“Silence! This method was thought up by Hu Li. What gives you the right to arrogantly demand it? Our Red Fox Tribe would never stoop to oppressing our own kind.” The Chieftain spoke indignantly. Even if they had no shame, she still had hers.
She then apologized to Hu Li, “Hu Li, don’t take it to heart. They’ve just been spoiled. Whether or not to share this method is up to you—we have no right to interfere.”
From beginning to end, Hu Li had observed the matter as a bystander. She had seen clearly now: these ungrateful foxes had no conscience except for the Chieftain.
“Chieftain, why not ask Little Fox? Hu Zhuo already told him the method.”
At this point, Little Fox stepped forward to make his stance clear. “This was taught to me by Big Brother and his Wife-Master. Without their permission, I won’t tell anyone else.”
“Hu Li, you see, Little Fox is a good child. If you don’t say anything, he won’t tell others, and we won’t force a child either. Today’s incident was our fault. On behalf of the tribe, I apologize to you.” The Chieftain performed a tribal salute to Hu Li, then urged everyone to leave quickly and not disturb their family’s rest.
Hu Li: “…” What a clever move—advancing by retreating. With the Chieftain lowering herself like this, it made it seem as if Hu Li was in the wrong. If she didn’t speak up now, who knew how the tribe would talk about her later.
“Wait.”
The Chieftain forced herself to remain calm, suppressing the joy in her heart, and slowly turned around. “Hu Li, is there something the tribe can help you with?”
“Not exactly. It’s just that I think what those Females said is also right. This is a time to contribute to the tribe, and we absolutely must not hold it back. I’m willing to teach everyone the method of preserving meat.”
As soon as Hu Li finished speaking, all the Beastfolk’s faces lit up with joy, and some even changed their tune on the spot.
“I always said Hu Li is the best Female in our tribe. She contributes much more than we do, who only know how to bear Cubs.”
“Hu Li, don’t mind my earlier chatter. If you want to blame anyone, blame Hu Rong. On the way here, she told everyone you were a bad Female. We were deceived by her and couldn’t believe your words.”
“That’s right, Hu Rong did say that. Hey, where is Hu Rong?”
While they were talking, Hu Rong had already made her way a short distance down the path home. Sensing the shift in momentum, she had prepared in advance and slipped away quietly before anyone noticed.
“Hu Rong, don’t go!”
A Female tried to pull her back but was stopped.
“Hu Rong is pregnant with a Cub. Let’s spare her this time!”
“Hu Li is so magnanimous.”
“Yes! Hu Rong spends all day scheming against other Females. I think she’s the real bad Female in the tribe.”
“I agree.”
Several Females unanimously declared Hu Rong a bad Female, and their Beast Husbands followed suit in agreement. In an instant, Hu Li became the praised good Female, while Hu Rong became the despised bad Female. Their reputations had undergone a dramatic reversal.
Hu Li rode on Hu Zhuo’s back, holding the cub, leading the members of the Red Fox Tribe to the waterfall they often visited to search for sturdy trees.
It was the tiger cub’s first time riding on a fox’s back, and it found the experience thrilling, its little paws flapping happily.
Hu Li taught them how to select trees to make the most durable wooden barrels, what kind of water could store meat longer and slow down spoilage, and even how to make pots, bowls, and ladles. She even had Hu Zhuo personally demonstrate the process.
The Beastfolk of the Red Fox Tribe were encountering these new things for the first time and watched attentively. Once they understood how to do it, everything became clear. Even the Chieftain was impressed by Hu Li.
Having served as Chieftain for most of her life, she had never thought of such methods. Hu Li was a Female of great wisdom, and the Chieftain’s gaze toward her changed.
“The water in the wooden barrels should be kept in a cool place, not exposed to sunlight, or it will also speed up the spoilage of the meat.”
“This method can only last two or three days. After that, come here to replace it with fresh, cool water, and the meat’s spoilage will slow down again. Understood?”
“Understood.” The Beastfolk were overjoyed. As the weather grew hotter, meat spoiled quickly, forcing them to hunt every two days. Their families had cubs to care for, and each Female, for the sake of bearing cubs and convenience, would Bond with many Males.
Just then, a newly adult Male among the Beastfolk clutched his stomach and crouched on the ground, his face pale.
“What’s wrong?”
“Chieftain, his stomach hurts.”
The Chieftain sighed and didn’t ask further.
Hu Li, however, was curious. “Chieftain, why is no one reacting to his stomach pain?”
The Chieftain sighed again. “Beastfolk in the tribe often die from stomach pain. Even the Priest can do nothing about it, and we are even more helpless. Adult Beastfolk can endure it more often, but cubs cannot.”
“Stomach pain?” Hu Li actually knew how to treat it. She approached the Male and asked softly, “How long has your stomach been hurting?”
“T-two days.”
“Do you have diarrhea?”
“Yes.”
“Alright, I understand. When you return, use the pot you made to boil water, and drink it only when it’s warm. Also, when eating meat, make sure it’s thoroughly cooked.”
Listening to Hu Li’s instructions, the Male nodded.
The Chieftain behind them also nodded in agreement.
Chieftain: Only Hu Li is worthy of inheriting the position of Chieftain of our tribe.
Upon returning to the tribe, Hu Li dismounted from Hu Zhuo’s back.
“From now on, everyone should try to drink warm water and eat cooked meat.”
“What does that mean?” a little fox asked, puzzled.
Hu Li rubbed his fox ears. “It means water should be boiled with the Sacred Fire, and meat should be cooked too—either roasted or boiled in hot water.”
“But roasted meat doesn’t taste good, and it’s tough.”
Hu Li understood what he meant. The Beastfolk didn’t like roasted meat because if they were told to roast it, they would only burn it to a crisp, as they didn’t know how to tell when it was properly cooked.
“Come with me to my home, a few of you. I’ll teach you how to make fine salt. Roasted meat sprinkled with fine salt will taste delicious!”
Hu Zhuo raised both hands in agreement—the flavor was incredibly tasty and memorable.
With Hu Zhuo’s endorsement, the Beastfolk cheered, praising Hu Li as if she were a deity. Because of this, no one would call Hu Li and Hu Zhuo weak Females or weak Males anymore; their status had risen significantly.
After adopting Hu Li’s method, the male who had been suffering from stomach pain gradually recovered. The beastfolk learned how to preserve meat and made their food exceptionally delicious, quickly gaining widespread fame. Even the neighboring tribe heard about it.
At this time, Hu Qingyu, who was still on a mission in the neighboring tribe, grew even more curious and attentive toward Hu Li.
In another half month, his mission would be completely accomplished. Only an intelligent female would be worthy of him, the top warrior of the Red Fox Tribe.