Chapter 242

This is still Lin Manzhi encountering such an urgent situation.

In the modern world one can choose natural birth or cesarean section, but here females must give birth on their own; if Xi Tao has a difficult labor, we don't know what to do!

She felt an ominous premonition, the more she thought the more she worried, lifted her skirt and chased after Cihe's figure, running toward Xi Tao's courtyard.

When the three of them reached the open courtyard gate of Xi Tao, Cihe had just set down the figure on his back.

Lin Manzhi looked and saw that it was the tribe's only Shamaness Oti.

Cihe turned back to glance behind Lin Manzhi, his face ashen, and with a swift step rushed out, trembling as he blocked the gate, "Y‑you, don't come over…"

Lin Manzhi was startled by Cihe's reaction as if facing a great enemy, and hurriedly explained, "I'm Lin Manzhi, who lives next door; I used to play with Xi Tao often, I won't hurt her."

Behind her, the silhouette of a black‑haired male beast, bathed in dusk light, cast a shadow over Lin Manzhi; his cold blue eyes showed no emotion as he glanced thoughtfully at the terrified Cihe still blocking the gate.

Hua Zheng was displeased; seeing Lin Manzhi anxiously held at the gate, he stared at the person there and said, "Hey, don't be ungrateful…"

Mo Lie withdrew his gaze and calmly interjected, "He means no harm."

At least, at this moment, the other party exuded a commendable, desperate stance of protecting someone.

Seeing Cihe so frightened he was about to undergo Beast Transformation, Lin Manzhi, fearing he might get hurt, softened her tone as much as possible: "Alright, we won't go into your house; you all go check on how Xi Tao is doing. If there's any place that needs help, feel free to come find me."

She had often visited Xi Tao's place before without ever being stopped; now she didn't know why she was being blocked, but given the circumstances, it was clearly unsuitable to keep asking why she was suddenly denied entry.

Moreover, she suddenly realized she had no experience with childbirth, and rushing recklessly into someone else's courtyard was rather inappropriate.

From what she knew from books, Beastfolk are highly sensitive to scents, especially females in labor; male beasts usually have strong territorial awareness, which is probably the reason.

Everything should focus on Xi Tao's safe delivery. She wants what's best for Xi Tao, not to provoke anyone.

After speaking, Lin Manzhi stepped back a few paces, turned to leave for her own home, when a hoarse old voice from behind called out to her.

"Lin Manzhi, you may come in; you have a good relationship with Xi Tao. With you by her side now, she might feel better."

After steadying herself at the courtyard gate, Oti adjusted her clothing, walked to the trembling, speechless Cihe, and spoke on his behalf.

Then she waved at the two tall figures behind Lin Manzhi and said, "You stay here, don't go in. The scent of unfamiliar male beasts will increase the anxiety of a female in labor; apart from her Beast Husband, no other male beasts may approach."

Lin Manzhi halted.

Oti's words matched her own speculation; hearing the tribe's Shamaness say that staying with Xi Tao was good for Xi Tao made her consider staying.

She turned her head and looked at Mo Lie behind her.

His figure was tall and imposing, his brows and eyes deep; in the dim light, his almost glacial blue eyes stared continuously at her.

Lin Manzhi knew he was concerned and nervous about her.

She stepped forward, tilted her head slightly upward, and whispered, "I want to go in and stay with Xi Tao."

Mo Lie let out a low hum.

Sensing no danger here, he bent down and placed a light kiss on Lin Manzhi's warm, soft lips, saying, "I'll stay outside."

After speaking, he straightened, turned, and walked toward his own courtyard, with Hua Zheng following.

At the courtyard gate, Lin Manzhi was left alone.

The oppressive pressure of the unfamiliar, powerful aura vanished, allowing Cihe and the others to let out heavy sighs of relief. Realizing this, he stared at Lin Manzhi, wanting to urge her to come in quickly but unable to speak.

Lin Manzhi hurried into the courtyard, and together with the frantic Cihe who was supporting Oti, she rushed toward Xi Tao's bedroom.

After entering, Lin Manzhi first smelled a whiff of blood, then looked toward the innermost part of the room; the floor was covered with a clean, smooth leather mat, atop which lay a clean blanket, and Cichuan was half‑cradling Xi Tao, sitting there.

Xi Tao's complexion was pallid, tiny beads of sweat dotted her face, she muttered softly, and beneath her thin long skirt her lower abdomen was slightly swollen, about the same size as when she was seen a month ago.

When Xi Tao saw Lin Manzhi's figure at the doorway, her feeble eyes brightened for a moment, and for some reason her previously frantic mood calmed a bit.

Lin Manzhi was the most formidable female she had ever seen; seeing her now, her intuition told her nothing bad would happen.

Tears welling, Xi Tao looked at Lin Manzhi, gasping, "Manzhi… you came to see me."

Lin Manzhi took a few steps forward, chose a spot above the headboard that wouldn't obstruct Shamaness Oti's examination, reached out to gently touch the weak Xi Tao's crown, and said, "It's okay, Xi Tao, you'll soon meet your offspring."

Xi Tao forced a smile through the pain.

At that moment, Oti sat beside Xi Tao, lifted a hand and pressed her lower abdomen; Xi Tao instantly cried out in pain, startling both Cihe and Cichuan, who trembled and stared anxiously at Oti.

Lin Manzhi also stared at the Shamaness with some nervousness.

She thought Xi Tao's belly was small, so the offspring would also be tiny at birth, and couldn't understand how a difficult labor could occur.

Oti, with a solemn expression, turned to Xi Tao's leg, lifted her skirt directly, blocking Lin Manzhi's view, and it was unclear how she was examining.

Amid Xi Tao's faint cries of pain, Cihe knelt beside her, pleading terrifiedly, "Shamaness, please… please save Xi Tao. We are willing to give you all our possessions."

Oti lowered the skirt, her hands stained with blood, and sighed heavily, "She has been bleeding down there for so long, the little offspring hasn't come out, and I have no solution."

Lin Manzhi's expression froze, "…"

How… how can there be no way?

She opened her mouth, thinking of a possible cesarean—realizing there were no medical facilities and no experienced cesarean doctors here, she knew that just her suggestion alone was impossible for anyone to accomplish.

What to do, what to do?

"I just felt movement from two embryos," Oti said. "Now it can only rely on her own effort to push, and get the two offspring out as early as possible to have a chance."

Lin Manzhi's mind went blank: "Then, could we use a potion?"

Oti replied, "There is, but that kind of potion that boosts a female's vigor and strength is only found in the Mountain Classic Beast Temple."

Upon hearing this, Cihe and Cichuan, the two male beasts, began to cry helplessly beside her.

Suddenly, the continuously wailing Xi Tao let out a painful scream, her eyes shut tight, and her body went limp in Cichuan's embrace.

This made Cihe's terrified cries grow louder; seeing this, Oti sighed heavily, shaking with regret as she looked at the unconscious female.

The female died; what a pity…