Chapter 18: Fighting at the Drop of a Hat

A nimble man shot forward with lightning speed, kicking apart the burning bonfire with his bare foot. The flames instantly singed off his leg hair, but without a sound, he lifted Nan Qinghuan down.

"It's Ying."

In the firelight, Ying yanked hard at the vines binding Nan Qinghuan. Even as the flames licked his body, he didn't utter a single sound. Seeing him risking his life to save that female, A Yue shouted at him, "Ying, come back quickly! The fire will burn you to death!"

But Ying acted as if he hadn't heard. Finally, he tore the vines apart with force, then swiftly gathered Nan Qinghuan into his arms and dashed down past the fire. He set her on the ground, his rough hands gently stroking her cheek. "Qinghuan... Huaner..."

Huaner—that was his deepest term of endearment for her.

Suddenly, a scorching wind swept by. Bai Qinghuan gasped sharply. When she opened her eyes and saw the man before her, she swore it was the first time she had ever found him so handsome, so rugged.

"Ying, you're finally back."

"Don't be afraid. I'm back. No one dares to burn you to death."

Ying held Nan Qinghuan tightly in his arms. The person in his embrace was terrified. For the first time, he felt her scalding tears—they dripped onto his face, as burning as a sea of fire, searing his restless, pounding heart.

"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid."

Seeing Ying so meekly placating a female, the crowd dared not make a sound. In their minds, Ying had always been ferocious and vicious; they had never seen him show such a gentle side, and toward a weak female at that. They couldn't understand what magic this female possessed to conquer Ying's heart. "Ying..."

Perhaps it was the joy of surviving a disaster, or gratitude toward Ying for saving her from the sea of fire. For the first time, Nan Qinghuan actively embraced Ying. This hug sent him into a frenzy of delight. He held her even tighter, murmuring by her small ear, "Don't be afraid."

"I'm not afraid. I'm not afraid."

She had only been startled by what just happened. She wasn't afraid of anything.

Seeing that Nan Qinghuan had calmed down, Ying quickly turned his head and glared at Axi. "Take care of her."

"Yes, Ying."

The Old Clan Leader was still somewhat afraid of Ying's murderous expression. He stepped forward hesitantly. "Ying, this female can't stay. She has strange eyes. Ever since this strange-eyed person arrived, she brought the Plague God. Your mother and several other females can't give birth to cubs. She's a curse. You can't keep her."

"Ying, don't be muddleheaded. This female can't stay. We're trying to help you. As the Tribe Leader, are you going to keep a Plague God by your side?"

A Yue, not knowing her place, still dared to lecture Ying. Ying stood up and threw a punch, sending A Yue crashing to the ground. "Ah!"

She screamed, covering her bleeding nose, as if she couldn't believe Ying had struck her. She widened her eyes and shouted, "Ying, you..."

He had never laid a hand on her before. Ying stood up and cracked his knuckles. "Anyone who dares to touch Qinghuan, fight me. If you beat me, I'll hand Qinghuan over to you. If not, anyone who dares to harm her, I will not forgive."

At these words, it was clear no one dared to fight Ying. The crowd all stepped back several paces, not daring to look at him. Seeing that A Yue had been struck by Ying, the Old Clan Leader wanted to step forward and mediate. "Ying, how could you lay hands on A Yue? A Yue was only thinking of the Tribe."

Ying didn't believe A Yue was thinking of the Tribe. Anyone who dared to harm his female was his enemy!

"For the Tribe? Who is the Clan Leader here? Who calls the shots?"