Hu Li tried hard to explain, “No, I’ve already said I’m not a wise man, and I’m not interested in becoming one either.”
Upon hearing this, the old goat wise man was taken aback. In the Beastfolk’s understanding, wise men were powerful figures—something many Beastfolk aspired to become but couldn’t. Yet, she didn’t want to be one.
“You must compete with me today. Considering you’re a Female and pregnant with a Cub, you can go first with the question.”
Since the goat was so insistent, Hu Li had no choice but to accept the challenge. “No, you’re the elder. You should go first.”
The goat stroked his beard contentedly, thinking about what question to pose.
“If a Beastfolk can pick six fruits in one trip, with a round trip counting as one, how many fruits can be picked in three round trips?”
Huh? This is a question? Seriously, is it that simple? Hu Li didn’t even need to think.
The other Beastfolk, however, were counting on their fingers one by one, and by the end, they were still dizzy and confused.
Seeing Hu Li’s stunned expression, the goat wise man thought she was already stumped. So she was all talk and no substance—just praised by those foolish Males.
“If you really don’t know, just admit defeat! It’s not shameful for a Female to lose. There will still be plenty of Males who like you in the future.”
Hu Li scoffed. “This doesn’t even require thinking, OK? Six fruits per trip, three trips make eighteen. Is this even considered a question?”
It wasn’t that Hu Li looked down on him, but in modern times, she had dealt with advanced mathematics. This wasn’t even a proper question—not even a brain teaser.
This… this… this little upstart! This Female does have some intelligence. But since she showed no respect, he would teach her a lesson next, letting all the Beastfolk in the city see that Females could never match Males in wisdom. And he, the goat wise man, would forever hold his title.
“Since you answered so quickly, I’ll increase the difficulty.”
“Go ahead.” With questions even elementary school students could solve, Hu Li couldn’t fathom their understanding of “difficult problems.” But then again, this was the Beast World, and there were no teachers to educate them.
“Same as before: if a Beastfolk can pick six fruits in one trip, with a round trip counting as one, how many fruits can be picked in ten round trips?” The goat wise man was brimming with confidence in his wisdom, certain that the Female before him wouldn’t be able to answer.
“Sixty.”
The girl answered without the slightest hesitation. The goat wise man couldn’t help but frown, now taking the Female seriously. She did have some skill.
“One final question. If you win, I’ll acknowledge you as the new wise man of Wanshou City, and I’ll step down.”
“Fine, go ahead!”
“If two Beastfolk can each pick six fruits in one trip, with a round trip counting as one, how many fruits can be picked in three round trips?”
“Thirty-six.”
Pfft—the goat wise man was so angry he nearly spat blood. This was something he had always been puzzled about and hadn’t yet figured out. He decided to conduct an experiment on the spot, sending two Beastfolk to pick fruits—six fruits per trip, three round trips. Seeing the thirty-six fruits laid out on the ground, the goat wise man staggered and nearly fell, saved only by a Male Beastfolk behind him.
“You… you… you really are a wise man?”
Hu Li shook her head. “I don’t know. But these questions are all very simple. I can answer addition and subtraction problems up to a hundred without even thinking.”
Shocked!!
The goat sage sighed, “From now on, you are the sage of Wanshou City.” Then his eyes lit up, “Beautiful female, do you take disciples? I want to learn, but don’t think I’m too old—I can do anything. The city lord sends meat to my home every day, along with a beast hide. If you’re willing to teach me, all of this can be yours.”
Hu Li marveled at the goat sage’s swift change of expression. She had thought he might be discouraged, but instead, he seemed to grow more determined.
“No need. I’m only staying here temporarily and have no intention of joining Wanshou City. You are still the sage here. I don’t take disciples, but if you have any questions, you can come ask me. There’s no need for meat or hides—my Beast Husband will provide for me.”
Hmm, not bad, not bad. Wanshou City is more prosperous and vast than any nearby tribe. The sage’s status is second only to the city lord and the Priest, even higher than that of the Tribe Shaman. Yet this little female isn’t tempted by fame or fortune, staying true to herself. The goat sage nodded in admiration. If only all proud females were like her.
Though the Beastfolk weren’t particularly wise, after witnessing the earlier experiment and hearing the goat sage’s affirmation, they held Hu Li in even greater esteem.
If Hu Li had become famous for her roasted meat, it was limited to Wanshou City. But today, her wisdom would spread throughout the entire tribe. Unbeknownst to her, when the Red Fox Tribe heard of her deeds, they were filled with regret. If only they had done everything possible to keep Hu Li’s family, even if it meant following her out to search for the cub.
The Red Fox Chieftain had been very busy lately, as many Beastfolk urged her to send someone to bring Hu Li’s family back. They believed the tiger cub must have been found and insisted they couldn’t let them stay in Wanshou City forever. Knowing the truth, the Chieftain felt too ashamed to send anyone to retrieve them—not even to invite them back. She could only hope one Beastfolk would persuade another to return.
Early the next morning, Hu Zhuo prepared breakfast and waited for Hu Li to wake up and eat. According to the city lord’s instructions, Hu Li needed to visit the city lord’s home today.
Hu Zhuo had planned to prepare the same amount of meat as the day before, but when Hu Li said their supplies were sufficient and there was no need to trade with other Beastfolk, he gave up the idea.
The city lord’s home was several times larger than that of ordinary Beastfolk. Since Wanshou City took in Beastfolk from all over, receiving guests was inevitable.
Once again, the black wolf subordinate from the previous day led her inside. In the hall—more accurately, a room twice the size of her current home—the black wolf city lord sat on his throne, while his daughter, Lang Xi, sat below, smiling at her.
Hu Li returned the smile.
“May I ask why the city lord summoned me?”
The city lord immediately ordered someone to bring a stone stool—a privilege reserved for pregnant females. Males would never receive such treatment.
“I already know about the old goat challenging you yesterday. Wanshou City is in need of Beastfolk like you. Would you be willing to join us?”
“No.”
The city lord was puzzled. “Other Beastfolk join voluntarily, yet you refuse even when I personally invite you. Is it because we don’t have what you want? Tell me what you need. As long as it doesn’t endanger the Beastfolk, I will send someone to find it for you.”
Hu Li shook her head. “I’m only staying here temporarily. My cub is missing, and I still need to find him.”
“The cub is missing?” The city lord’s brow furrowed with anger. “Beastfolk would never do something so despicable. It must have been those cold-blooded, brutal Snake Beastmen.”
Hu Li shook her head, then thought that since the Black Wolf City Lord had the ability to build Wanshou City into a strong and prosperous place, he must have some capability. Perhaps he might know the identity of that person.
“My cub was taken by a powerful Beastfolk. That Beastfolk wore clothes different from ours—very beautiful, not made of animal hide.” Hu Li didn’t know how to describe it and wasn’t sure if Beastfolk knew the word for fabric.
The city lord pondered thoughtfully. “Not wearing animal hide? Could it be those Beastfolk?”
“Huh? What Beastfolk?”