Chapter 97: The Question of Who to Take Back

Acai?

Under the night sky, Acai held two sweet potatoes in her hands, smiling brightly as she looked at them. Her skin was dark and she was tall, her crystal‑clear eyes fixed on Ying. Ying didn't like Acai, gave her a cold glance, and said, "I won't eat this; I want the one Huaner brought."

Acai: "......"

Nan Qinghuan saw Acai's dejected expression and seemed to realize something: could this woman have fallen for Ying? She knew that women of this tribe were very daring in pursuing men, but hoped this woman wouldn't, like A Yue, oppose her and try to steal her man—that was impossible.

Acai, eat by yourself; I'll go get some for Ying.

Seeing that Ying despised her, Acai had to step back, trembling as she stared at Nan Qinghuan.

Soon, Nan Qinghuan fetched the sweet potatoes and handed them to Ying, who ate them happily and even lifted Nan Qinghuan onto a big tree. The two sat up there eating sweet potatoes and watching the stars, leaving only Acai standing with a sweet potato, pouting.

Your name is Acai?

A man's voice came from behind. Acai turned and saw a silver‑haired male; she shyly nodded, "My name is Acai. Are you Youchao Xuan?"

She recognized the man; he seemed to have been constantly by Nan Qinghuan's side.

Youchao Xuan gave her a thorough once‑over, a hint of contempt flashing in his eyes. His gaze shifted to the laughing couple on the tree, and he said, "I advise you not to scheme against Ying; the male of the Goddess is not what you think?"

Acai, whose secret had been exposed, grew very nervous, "I didn't; I just wanted to give Ying something to eat. He saved me, I…"

"Don't think I don't know what happened in the Forest; it was the Goddess who saved you, not Ying. The one you should thank is the Goddess, understand?"

Acai dared not utter a word after Youchao Xuan's reprimand. Youchao Xuan, having seen many females in the Otherworld, could instantly read Acai's thoughts: she was of the Wolf Clan, whose females are ruthless, and Ying could never have any intentions toward her.

Do you want to come back with us to the Tribe?

Acai, fearing abandonment, immediately burst into tears and knelt, "Please, let me go with you. I have nowhere else to go; the Wolf Clan has cast me out."

Acai's sobbing evoked pity, but Youchao Xuan felt no compassion. In his heart, only the Goddess could earn his awe and mercy; no other female could.

"The Goddess has already agreed to take you back, but I hope you'll behave. If I find out you dare to harm the Goddess, Jingang and I will be the first not to let you go, understand?"

After saying that, Youchao Xuan hurried away. When he left, Acai thrust her hand into the sweet potato, crushing it and getting it all over her hand.

She gazed at the laughing couple on the tree, a lustful glint in her eyes, "Ying, you will become the male Acai wants, definitely!"

After the bonfire gathering ended, Nan Qinghuan calmed Jingang before preparing to rest. Tonight they stayed in the Treehouse, a place only the leader of the tribe could occupy. Most tribe members slept on the ground; when it rained they slept in caves. This barren area was much like the Ying Tribe.

She was about to climb the tree when Acai's voice came from behind, "Goddess, please wait a moment."

Nan Qinghuan was startled, turned and saw Acai, "Acai, it's so late—why aren't you sleeping yet?"

Acai, a bit shy, pointed to her torn dress and said, "I can mend it for you."

"You know how to sew?"

She was pleasantly surprised—Acai could make clothes? Acai produced a thick Fishbone Needle, with a green vine attached. That kind of vine, teng mang, is ancient and very sturdy; the tribe uses it to stitch Beast Skin.

"I know a bit; female wolves all know how to make needles."

Acai timidly nodded, "May I help you?"

Nan Qinghuan looked at her dress, now unwearable. She had only brought a few sets of clothing here; now that they're ruined, what can she wear?

"Then you fix it for me."

"Alright."

Nan Qinghuan was about to bring Acai back to the Treehouse when, as soon as she entered, a strong pair of arms lifted her instantly, "Huaner, why have you been gone so long?"

After saying that, Ying lunged to pin Nan Qinghuan down and cherish her, but Nan Qinghuan, remembering Acai was still there, said, "Wait, Acai is coming?"

Acai stood at the doorway and saw Ying throwing Nan Qinghuan onto the ground. She was dumbfounded, cheeks flushed, her hands not knowing where to go, just staring blankly at the two.

Ying suddenly noticed her; the tenderness in his eyes instantly turned cold. He rose quickly, casually flicking the Beast Skin, and asked, "What are you doing here?"

Acai, trembling, held the Fishbone Needle and said, "I came to stitch the Beast Skin for the Goddess."

"Beast Skin?"

Ying only then noticed Nan Qinghuan's dress was torn. Feeling a pang of sympathy, he crouched, then gently brushed the ripped dress, "Huaner, when we return, I'll have A Mu make you a new Beast dress; no need to mend it."

His Huaner doesn't need a patched Beast dress. Rongdi was right; he can't let Huaner suffer with him. The clothing must be new, no patching.

Nan Qinghuan saw him crouch and was about to reassure him that it was fine, but Ying suddenly stood, turned his head, and scolded Acai, "Go back; you don't need to mend it."

Acai, silenced by his rebuke, said nothing more, "Yes."

She fled wildly, and a voice behind her, both envy‑inducing and heartbreaking, followed. Soon, swallowed by the night, Acai's tears fell instantly; she turned to look at the towering Treehouse behind her, her fists gradually clenching.

At dawn, this was the day Nan Qinghuan and Ying left the Cannibal Tribe. In the Liang He Liuyu, tribe members personally came out to see them off. Now the Ying Tribe and the Cannibal Tribe had merged into a single tribe, so there were no longer any secrets.

The Cannibal Tribe used to be mysterious, disappearing without a trace in the Liang He Liuyu. Now, Abu personally set fire to the obstructing reeds, saying, "From now on, the Ying Tribe can come to our tribe anytime; we have sweet potatoes to offer and endless fragrant spring water."

The tribe members were all delighted; Dashan and Ji Lei never expected it. They had come thinking it would be a massacre, but it turned into a grand reunion. The Ying Tribe expanded, and they even found the treasured sweet potatoes. From now on, the tribe's days would become ever better.

Om, you are truly impressive; our tribe will keep thriving.

Ji Lei couldn't help praising Nan Qinghuan. Seeing everyone looking at her with admiration, Nan Qinghuan turned to Ying's side and said, "All of this still owes thanks to your Clan Leader; if Ying hadn't agreed, we wouldn't be in this situation now."

Ying, hearing her speak so highly of him, was even more devoted to Nan Qinghuan. He reached out and took her small hand, "It's getting late; let's return to the Tribe. Abu, if you have any difficulties, send someone to the tribe to find me and Huaner; we'll help you."

Abu was deeply moved; his leg hadn't healed yet, and Nan Qinghuan had made him a simple crutch overnight. He leaned on it as usual. He had to admit, he revered Nan Qinghuan completely.

"Leader, Clan Leader, we really can't bear to part with you; may we stay a few more days?"