Chapter 140: Giving Rongdi a Grand Gift

Behind her, Duo Luo heard the news and rushed over; she hadn't expected Ying to be so ruthless—he had clearly promised her not to disturb the Tribe, yet he still did it.

Detestable.

Rongdi heard Ying's name and gritted his teeth, ordered people to tidy up here, and then two Tribe members ran over in panic from not far away.

"Bad news, leader, the Treehouse is also on fire!"

"What?"

Rongdi, though overwhelmed, still leapt toward the Treehouse where Nan Qinghuan lived. When he saw the Treehouse blazing, he wanted to rush in to save her, but each time the Flame Tongue drove him out.

He caught fire himself; after he stamped it out he tried to go in again, but he simply couldn't get in.

The fire was too great to approach.

The scorching fire seared his flesh, making him sweat profusely, yet he still tried to charge in to save her.

"Leader, we can't go, it's already burned out, no rescue possible."

Ji Nü, not wanting him to die, hurriedly dragged him down with force; it took several people to calm Rongdi, then they helped extinguish the fire on his wings.

Rongdi's feathers were singed, exposing bright red flesh, and the air was filled with the smell of burnt feathers.

The wind whistled, seemingly mocking the man mercilessly.

For an instant, no one dared speak.

Everyone knew Nan Qinghuan was imprisoned in that Treehouse; it seemed the female had been burned to death.

Suddenly, the last Treehouse was reduced to ash; with a Clack— it snapped and fell to the ground.

It shattered into powder.

Rongdi stared intently at the raging flames; in that moment he felt his heart shatter along with the splintered branch, while the sparks traced the most beautiful arcs in the night.

Pain filled his deep eyes.

Nan Qinghuan.

Nan Qinghuan!

Rongdi cried bloodily in his heart, calling that name—the female he both hated and loved.

"Leader, stop looking; Nan Qinghuan has turned to ash and scattered."

Ji Nü whispered in his ear that Nan Qinghuan was dead, then Rongdi suddenly punched her.

"Bang……"

"Shut up"

Ji Nü's nose bled instantly from the blow; she dared not speak, only covering her nose and staring coldly at Rongdi, since Nan Qinghuan was burned dead, she no longer wished to hear anything about that female.

The wind blew, and silence enveloped everything. Rongdi, who was what kind of person, quickly regained his senses; he realized something was off—both the warehouse and the Treehouse were on fire, such coincidence impossible. "It must be Ying Qian's doing. Go, bring Youchao Xuan to me; I will kill him."

He believed Nan Qinghuan hadn't died; Ying must have taken her away, definitely!

He would rather she escaped than die.

Indeed, Youchao Xi'an was his only bargaining chip; he would test whether she would return.

"Report"

From not far away, Tribe members rushed over, "Leader, we were attacked by enemies; someone rescued Youchao Xi'an."

Hearing this, Rongdi was startled, then burst into a wild laugh, laughing so crazily that tears streamed down.

Yet beneath that laughter lay an unmistakable bleakness.

Nan Qinghuan, you aren't dead!

After the joy came the humiliation of being deceived; he felt a blaze surge in his chest, making him want to seize her, drink her blood, eat her flesh.

Perhaps he should swallow her whole; then she would never run again.

A mad scheme flashed through Rongdi's mind; abruptly, he shouted to the Tribe, "Men, issue orders to seal every exit; block each road. This time I'll see which way they run."

Duo Luo stepped forward, seeing his wings bleeding, "Leader, you should tend to your wounds, please?"

Rongdi only then felt the searing pain on his back; he reached out and felt only fresh blood.

The scorching crimson blood seemed to mock his passion and folly.

"Hehe……"

He sneered, preparing to lead men to capture Ying and Nan Qinghuan, when the awakened Rong Guang also arrived.

"Rongdi, where is that female called Nan Qinghuan?"

Rong Guang looked furious; the moment he opened his mouth his teeth were gone, a comical sight. Everyone stared in confusion at Rong Guang, wondering where the old leader's teeth had gone. Ji Nü's eyes darted, instantly understanding.

She added fuel to the fire, running to Rong Guang and feigning ignorance, "Old leader, where did your teeth go?"

It was fine not to mention it, but once brought up, Rong Guang wanted to seize that female and bite her alive, "That female pulled out my teeth, Rongdi, where is she?"

Rongdi heard his father say his teeth were pulled out by Nan Qinghuan, and realized she had deceived him.

How bold—she even dared to pull all of his father's teeth! Yet he still tried to comfort his father, "Father, don't be angry; stay within the Tribe to guard while I go capture her and bring her back."

Rong Guang stamped his foot in anger; as the Tribe's leader, how could he face others toothless, how could he eat meat? "We must catch her, absolutely."

Inside the Forest, Rong Guang's hysterical roars filled the air; the Tribe members were too frightened to speak. The sharp tooth Rong Guang was most proud of had been completely pulled out by Nan Qinghuan.

This was the Tribe's greatest disgrace, an unforgivable act; how could a Beastman survive gnawing bones without teeth? Hearing his father intend to kill Nan Qinghuan, Rongdi lowered his gaze, said nothing, and was about to lead men to capture them when Rong Guang suddenly said, "Wait, let the Great Beast give you a hand."

Rongdi inhaled sharply, "Great Beast?"

The words triggered a wild, ferocious roar from outside the Forest; the booming sound made the beasts inside the Forest too afraid to act.

Twilight hung low, the stars and moon curved like hooks.

In a secluded Cave, a Bonfire was lit; this was the Ancient People's custom—wherever one was, a Bonfire must be lit, for as long as the Bonfire burns, hope remains.

Nan Qinghuan was waiting for news with Ying; Ying sat by the Bonfire roasting two corns. Nan Qinghuan still had little appetite, glancing anxiously toward the Cave entrance.

"Why haven't they returned yet?"

What she didn't expect was that Ying came to rescue her with many Tribe members: Dashan and Ji Lei, plus some secretly trained strongmen. Moreover, he found Ayǔ and his group, whom he had previously sent to the Misty Forest to protect her; because too many people would expose them, Ying let Ayǔ's group return to the Tribe first, while they waited below for Dashan and Ji Lei.

This time he came to rescue her, not only burning the place where the Rongdi stored food, but, he says, also blocking the water the Rongdi drink, so within three days the Rongdi Tribe will face a water shortage; as far as Ying is concerned, the Rongdi dared to abduct her, and this is the price he must pay.

Through this crisis, Nan Qinghuan gained a deeper understanding of Ying's character; the man is very clever, does not follow the usual patterns, and of course cannot be provoked— even someone like Rongdi who fights him would lose.

She discovered that the biggest difference between Rongdi and Ying is that Rongdi is deep‑thinking yet follows the rules, whereas Ying does not; with him there seem to be no rules, only whatever he wants to do. For example, he forced her the first time they met, but Rongdi would not; Rongdi wants to conquer her with strength. Both men are ruthless, but their styles differ: Ying refuses to let her see blood‑soaked cruelty, while Rongdi insists she witness those disgusting things.

That is their biggest difference.

Ying was grilling corn, occasionally lifting his gaze to look at Nan Qinghuan; he only felt at ease when he saw her swaying before him. "Qinghuan, come over, taste how this is?"

This was his first time grilling corn for Qinghuan to taste; he wanted to earn her approval.

Nan Qinghuan currently had no appetite; she was too worried about Youchao Xuan and the others. She hurried to Ying's side, about to say "you eat," when he suddenly pulled her into his arms and kissed her, cooing with a pampering smile, "What are you worried about? Once you finish the corn, they'll come back."

He handed the corn to her lips, his eyes sparkling with bright light, "Taste it, this is my first time grilling corn for you."

It must be said, this man's temperament is getting better and better. Nan Qinghuan didn't want to disappoint him. She looked at the charred corn he had grilled, frowned, opened her mouth and took a bite. After only a few chews she realized something was wrong and immediately spat it out.

Her little face almost wrinkled into a dumpling, "Raw."

"Raw?"