After resting for a night, Hu Zhuo’s injuries had mostly healed, and he planned to return to the tribe as soon as possible. They had all been separated by the Magic Beast, and he had no idea how the others were doing or whether they were even alive.
Hu Li agreed, mainly because she wanted to return to the tribe and expose Hu Qingyu’s schemes to the Chieftain. Such a Beastfolk was utterly unworthy of being the tribe’s warrior.
In the Red Fox Tribe, the Chieftain wore a grave expression. Upon learning that Hu Zhuo and Hu Li had returned, he immediately ordered them to be brought before him.
When Hu Li and Hu Zhuo followed the Male from the Chieftain’s side to his home, they locked eyes with Hu Qingyu, and a sense of foreboding crept into their hearts.
“Hu Zhuo, where were you last night? Why didn’t you return to the tribe? And Hu Li, as a pregnant Female, you should have stayed home to rest and nurture the Cub. Why were you also missing? Yet this morning, the two of you returned together.”
Faced with the Chieftain’s pointed questions, Hu Li instantly understood—Hu Qingyu must have twisted the truth in front of the Chieftain.
She replied calmly and confidently, “Chieftain, I was abducted by a wicked Male. He tried to force himself to become my Beast Husband but failed because he was injured.”
“Oh? Is that so? Tell me in detail.”
“Yes, Chieftain.” Hu Li recounted everything that had happened the previous day in detail but never revealed the name of the wicked Male.
After hearing her account, the Chieftain couldn’t help but frown and glanced at Hu Qingyu.
Having served under the Chieftain for many years, Hu Qingyu could guess what the Chieftain was thinking with just a look—doubt had been cast on both sides.
“Chieftain, since Hu Li can explain why she left the tribe yesterday, Hu Zhuo cannot explain why he didn’t return last night.”
“Hey, Hu Qingyu, what do you mean by that? Are you suspecting me?” On the way back, A Li had already told him everything. Hu Zhuo still couldn’t believe that the tribe’s top warrior could do such a thing.
Hu Qingyu sneered, “Who knows? We haven’t had Magic Beasts appear here for years. How is it that they showed up right after your conflict with Hu Rong and after you taught everyone how to store food? I even suspect that you, holding a grudge against everyone, lured the Magic Beasts here.”
Then, with a gentle look, he turned to Hu Li. “Hu Li, you can do everything the tribe can, and what the tribe cannot do, you accomplish effortlessly. I admit you are captivating, and I admire you greatly. I like those stronger than me. For the rest of my life, I am yours.”
“I hope you won’t shield Hu Zhuo. You also don’t need to worry about lacking Male protection in the future. From now on, I will take full responsibility for everything concerning you.”
“Heh, you’re quite good at pretending to be the good guy, Hu Qingyu. You abducted me, tried to make me miscarry, and then attempted to force me into Bonding with you. Now, out of love turned to hatred, you’re starting to smear us with dirt.”
“What?” Hu Zhuo had only heard about Hu Qingyu’s schemes from A Li but hadn’t been told about this. He glared at Hu Qingyu with fury in his eyes.
“Hu Qingyu, you bastard, do you want to die? How dare you harm my Female and Cub? I won’t let this go!” With that, he transformed into his beast form and lunged at him.
“Fine! Today, the Red Fox Tribe’s top warrior will teach you, this ungrateful fox, a lesson!”
The two foxes tore into each other, their terrifying Aura Pressure clashing as they fought.
Hu Qingyu, as a Yellow Crystal Beastfolk, was brimming with confidence, already certain of the outcome in his mind. Yet when the fight truly began, he couldn’t help but feel shocked. He hadn’t expected Hu Zhuo to already be an Orange Crystal Beastfolk—but so what? He was still one level lower.
Hu Zhuo burned with rage, the corners of his eyes tinged red. How dare he harm A Li? He absolutely could not let him off.
Time and again he fell, time and again he rose. By now, Hu Zhuo’s body was covered in wounds.
“Hu Zhuo, give up! You can’t defeat me.”
“Pah! Today, I’ll strip you of your title as the tribe’s number one warrior.” Hu Zhuo threw his head back and let out a long roar. The spot on his forehead where the Beast Crystal rested faintly glowed with orange light.
“Heh, at most you’re just an Orange Crystal. No matter what, you can’t beat me. Wait, this light…” It turned yellow. Hu Qingyu found it unbelievable, muttering “impossible” under his breath.
In that moment of distraction, Hu Zhuo mustered all his strength and attacked Hu Qingyu.
A heavy thud struck the ground, stirring up clouds of dust. Hu Li waved the dust away from her face and called out worriedly for Hu Zhuo, but there was no response. Just as she was about to rush in to search, a dark figure emerged from within, walking toward her.
“A Li, I told you I would protect you. I won’t let anyone who has hurt you go unpunished.”
The figure gradually became clear—it was Hu Zhuo. He was unharmed.
“Hu Zhuo, Hu Qingyu has been defeated. According to tribal rules, whoever defeats the tribe’s warrior becomes the new warrior of the tribe.”
Hu Zhuo held A Li in his arms, not even sparing a glance for the Chieftain. “No need, Chieftain. I’ve said it before—the Magic Beasts attacked the tribe because Hu Qingyu controlled them. Hu Qingyu is the undeniable culprit. Since the tribe doesn’t believe us, we’ll leave now.” With that, he took Hu Li and headed toward their home.
“Hu…” The Chieftain sighed, ultimately unable to call out Hu Zhuo’s name. Her hesitation had wounded both their hearts in the end. The Red Fox Tribe could have prospered, but this incident had ruined it.
Inside the cave, Hu Zhuo was packing their belongings while Hu Li stood waiting nearby.
After hesitating for a moment, she finally asked, “Hu Zhuo, this is where you grew up. Are you really going to leave?”
Hu Zhuo didn’t stop what he was doing. “They don’t believe us. Especially if something like yesterday happens again—what if I’m not by your side and Hu Qingyu sets his sights on you? I can take care of you and the Cub just as well outside.”
“Thank you, Hu Zhuo.”
This time, Hu Zhuo paused and smiled at her. “A Li, you don’t need to thank me.”
Before leaving, Hu Zhuo glanced toward the direction of his home, where his mother and Father Beast were buried. In the end, he wouldn’t be able to stay by their side.
Hu Li understood what he was thinking, so she took his hand and led him toward his parents’ home.
“A Li, what are you doing?”
“Don’t speak. Just follow me.”
Hu Li knew Hu Zhuo’s parents were no longer here, so she pointed to the nearby area. “Where are your mother and Father Beast buried?”
Hu Zhuo didn’t know what she intended, but he knew A Li would never harm him. He pointed to a small patch of overgrown ground. “Beside that tree.”
“Come here.”
Hu Li pulled him over, then knelt down.
Hu Zhuo was stunned. Beastfolk did not kneel easily, and proud Females even less so. His first instinct was to pull her up.
“Don’t move me. You kneel too.”
Following her words, Hu Zhuo knelt down, puzzled.
“Mother, Father Beast, rest assured! I will not let Hu Zhuo down and will treat him well.” After speaking, he kowtowed three times on the ground.
“A Li, you…”
“If you have anything to say to your mother and Father Beast, say it and kowtow three times.” Hu Li stood up and walked aside, leaving them alone.
Tears welled up in his eyes as Hu Zhuo silently spoke all he wished to say in his heart.
He kowtowed three times heavily. “Mother, Father Beast, Zhuo’er will surely be happy.”