Chapter 156: The Bow Battles, the Stern Cooperates

Nan Qinghuan glared at her; the superstitious old woman wouldn't believe any ghost's curse.

She used Shiva's words to block her mouth: "You said Axi was cursed by the Heavenly God, and now the Heavenly God knows she was wronged and has lifted the curse for her. Shiva, you keep giving me trouble; you deserve to die."

Ha ha

Facing Nan Qinghuan's hatred, Shiva looked up, let out a hearty laugh, smiling smugly, "Die—ask Ying whether he dares to kill me?"

"How come he doesn't dare to kill you? You old hag keep trying to harm me; I won't spare you today."

"Can't spare me?"

Nan Qinghuan wanted Ying to drag Shiva out and kill her; if this old witch didn't die, they'd still have to use Binding Rope on her later.

But she didn't expect it; this time she was wrong. Ying's gaze brushed her lightly, then he called out "Dashan", "Take Shiva down, lock her up, and forbid any food for three days."

"What, just starve for three days?"

Nan Qinghuan, angry, scolded Ying, "Lives hang in the balance and you handle her like this? She almost killed someone; Ying, be fair."

Ying, aware of her anger, said, "Qinghuan, Shiva is a Witch God; she cannot be killed for now."

"Ha ha, Nan Qinghuan, you heard that; the old woman is a Witch God and cannot be killed."

"Can't kill?"

She was a bit angry but didn't flare up; she wanted an explanation—why was it not easy for him to kill before? Just because this old thing is a Witch God? "Yes, not for now."

He said it was only temporary; Nan Qinghuan fell silent for a moment, saying nothing. If it were the past, she would have fought him, but this time she wanted to hear if he had any other explanation. This old witch had caused great harm in the Tribe and could not be kept.

"You are the Clan Leader; you decide."

After saying that, she hurried to Axi's side, helped her up, gently stroked her tangled hair; Axi's complexion was pallid, these days had been very hard.

"Axi, you're free. Dashan, take Axi back. I have some medicine here for you to bring back and apply; I'll come see you tomorrow."

"Qinghuan, thank you for saving me. Qinghuan, don't argue with Ying."

Axi still knew her temper; she had seen them argue often before, but tonight she didn't want Qinghuan to quarrel with Ying again over him, because that would make her sad.

"Silly girl, it's late and you're still worrying about me. Go back and heal properly. Rest assured, when I return, I will protect you."

Axi believed her; as long as Qinghuan was there, no one could hurt her.

After seeing them off, Nan Qinghuan also prepared to leave, but she walked away quickly, not wanting to wait for Ying at all.

Ying knew she was angry, but kept tightly following behind.

Under the lone moon and starlight, the Primeval Forest smelled pleasant, and cicada chirps filled the air endlessly.

Nan Qinghuan reached the Cave, sat down, then turned her back, not wanting to see the man chasing her.

Ying rarely saw Nan Qinghuan throw a tantrum like this; she used to have big fights with herself, so today was odd.

Was it him who changed, or Qinghuan? He hurried forward, placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, softly called her name, "Qinghuan.

"Don't call me."

Sure enough, she was angry.

Ying didn't know how to coax a lady; seeing her angry, he simply reached out, scooped her into his arms, holding her tightly, "Qinghuan, stop being angry."

Trapped in his embrace, Nan Qinghuan was even more furious, struggling continuously to push him away, "Let go of me. That Shiva caused great harm; why won't you kill her?"

She truly didn't understand why he kept Shiva; what use was that old witch? Ying's patience was wearing thin; he disliked her struggling to escape. He scooped her up, then walked toward the Stone Bed, gently pressed her beneath him, his hands gripping her flailing little hands.

"Calm down; I will kill her, just not now."

Nan Qinghuan refused to listen, broke free from his hands, and kept pounding his chest, "Let go of me, let go."

"Qinghuan"

Ying shouted, and Nan Qinghuan suddenly froze; her eyes widened, staring at him, looking very aggrieved.

"Move aside."

She really didn't want to be with him, especially since the events of tonight were still unresolved; she needed a reason—a reason not to kill Shiva. Now the Tribe no longer performed Rituals, and the people were gradually less dependent on the gods; she didn't understand why she couldn't kill; that old witch had harmed Axi, harmed Youchao Xuan and Jingang, they had suffered so much, and she wanted revenge for them.

Ying didn't want to leave her; he just stayed lying beside her, not getting up. No matter how hard Nan Qinghuan pushed, she couldn't move him; why was this man so helpless? "Get down, I'm about to kick you."

Nan Qinghuan, angry and out of options, realized the man didn't know how expensive her clothes were; if she pulled any more, she'd have nothing to wear.

In fights between men and women, it must end with the man prevailing.

He seemed to have inexhaustible energy, giving his all each time.

They hadn't had a proper heart‑to‑heart in a long time; out in the world they were tossed about, only when they returned could they get along well.

He couldn't bear to lose his temper with her; he just wanted to pamper her.

Love her.

It started raining heavily outside.

When everything settled, Nan Qinghuan nestled against him.

Like a kitten.

In the candlelight, everything in the Cave was fully visible; Nan Qinghuan leaned against Ying, quietly watching him. In the candlelight, the man's features appeared even more profound, yet very charming.

She brushed away his newly grown beard; aside from his hair, he now looked more like a mountain man.

Thinking of everything that just happened, she gently stroked her flat belly, hoping that if there were a child, she would give birth properly and do everything to provide a good upbringing.

After a long while, she steadied her breathing, then turned her head to look at him, "What you just said—was it true?"

Just now, Ying told her a secret she had never known.

Ying gently furrowed his brows, tightened his hold on her waist, and leaned beside her, never seeming to have enough of her.

Her eyebrows, her eyes, her long hair, her little temper, everything about her—he liked it all.

No woman had ever moved his heart so much.

"When have I ever deceived you?"

Nan Qinghuan believed those words; Ying seemed never to have lied to her.

She furrowed her brows, waiting for his next words; Ying's hand gently tangled in her long hair, his eyes deep, "Shiva's maternal clan is responsible for forest guardianship and water supply; we need to prepare to build houses and still require her people's help."

Right, she had calmed down, and Ying told him why they shouldn't kill Shiva immediately.

It turned out there was a secret she didn't know.

Ying just told her something, and that made her reassess the Tribe; although Ying is a tribe member, many of his subordinates are from a single clan, and those people aren't part of the main tribe, so tugging one hair moves the whole body.

This Shiva not only possesses a divine consciousness, her maternal clan is also very powerful, handling the Tribe's water and firewood supplies; if she were killed now, her clan would resent Ying and would surely further obstruct the house‑building, so Ying told her he knows Shiva is hateful, but now is not a good time to kill her.

He had someone imprison Shiva inside the Cave, giving her food once every three days, which counts as a punishment.

Shiva gets hungry easily and eats a lot; feeding her only once every three days is enough to torment her body and mind.

It turned out Ying had already thought it through.

Hearing Ying's words, she felt helpless, "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

Ying simply reached out and gently patted her head, "I was ready to tell you, but you need to sleep first."

"You…"

I have to say, he is truly straightforward, and the earlier misunderstanding has cleared up; she is increasingly admiring Ying. She once thought him overbearing, doing everything his way, but now her view of him is changing. Yet for the first time she truly realized that beneath Ying's seemingly glorious exterior, he is also restrained by these tribe members.

He has many tribe members under his command to handle affairs, but Shiva's maternal clan is also not to be underestimated; although they obey Ying, if Shiva were killed by Ying, that group would probably go rogue.

Even if they don't rebel, they still have to use Binding Rope, which is not a good thing for them.

Thus, how to appease the members of Shiva's maternal clan is also a major matter.

She gently rested her head on his solid chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, and lightly traced circles on his chest; it turned out he had already planned to build a house, which made her overjoyed.

"Ying, so you have kept all my words in mind?"