Chapter 90: Awaiting Observation

Hua Zheng easily leapt over the Rock Wall of the Rosanya tribe, his foot landing atop the wall as he looked down.

The Rosanya tribe is an irregular circle; because they live communally, the resident male beasts must restrain their scent and cannot leave it everywhere to mark their territory.

Within the tribe, male beasts may only leave their scent in their own dwelling courtyard, indicating that the plot belongs to its owner.

In a territory claimed by a male beast, no other male beast may enter without the owner's permission, except females; trespassing is deemed provocation and may be killed without accountability.

Hua Zheng could not smell Mo Lie's scent from above, but before parting Mo Lie had told him where he lived.

He looked down from the sky, confirming the direction where the master should be, and with astonishing leaping ability he bounded from the shadows toward the tribe's central circle.

Starting from the dried lakebed at the center, after a short while in a courtyard of the third circle he detected a chilling, terrifying scent.

He took a few slow steps forward, stopped before the stone gate of the small courtyard, and lightly tapped it with a finger.

As Hua Zheng approached, it was as if he disturbed an invisible spiderweb in the air; raindrops fell on the calm lake surface, stirring the courtyard's tranquil aura.

Mo Lie opened his eyes in the darkness, slowly sat up, turned his head sideways and glanced to the side.

Lin Manzhi kept her eyes tightly shut, her long lashes fluttering slightly with her steady breathing; a blanket draped to her chest revealed two slender, snow‑white hands folded on her belly, her complexion fair and beautiful, her sleeping posture demure.

His clear azure eyes lowered slightly, a hint of tenderness shining in them; unable to resist, he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on the Little Female's forehead, then rose slowly and stepped out of the room.

When he lowered the wind‑blocking tapestry at the doorway, the gentle expression on Mo Lie's face vanished instantly.

Expressionless, he walked upward; the hard‑skin soles of his shoes struck the stone steps, producing a soft clack in the night.

The faint footfall caused a flash of green in Hua Zheng's eyes at the courtyard entrance, and, excited, he paced back and forth at the gate several times.

"Squeak—"

The sound of the stone gate being pulled inward was music to Hua Zheng's ears; before the door fully opened, he stepped forward, lowered his voice and called, "Master..."

"Shh."

Mo Lie stood at the doorway, half‑raising his eyelid to look at Hua Zheng; his gaze was like a blade forged of ice, and he lifted a hand to his thin lips in a brief gesture.

He did not wish to wake the sleeping Lin Manzhi, nor let other male beasts enter his and Lin Manzhi's courtyard at night.

Understanding the male beast's innate territorial possessiveness, Hua Zheng swallowed the words he wanted to say, falling silent at once.

Mo Lie did not let Hua Zheng enter the house, stepped out and walked forward; Hua Zheng asked nothing and immediately followed, and the two silhouettes, under the night stars, entered a nearby courtyard.

The desolate courtyard was originally the house of the tribe's hunt captain Lang Cang; after he was ambushed in the desert and killed by Mo Lie, it was tacitly claimed as Mo Lie's territory.

All usable items in the courtyard had been cleared; the empty house seemed cleaner than before, and the former owner's lingering scent had completely dissipated.

Mo Lie stood inside, recalling that Lin Manzhi had once said the empty courtyard was a waste, and that once they earned enough money they'd hire people to merge the two vacant courtyards with their current home.

Since no renovations have been done yet, it's fine for Hua Zheng to stay here; he restrains his scent, avoiding detection as long as no one enters the building.

"How are things going?" Mo Lie turned his head toward the shadowy figure of Hua Zheng in the darkness.

Hua Zheng raised the topic, his eyes flashing, as if regaining the confidence he once had as the Young Master's chief warrior in Ansen City.

He bowed his head to Mo Lie and reported softly, "Master, after parting from you I led the Iron Claw Gang back to Kuangsha City, and when the rainy season arrived I subjugated all one hundred members of the Iron Claw Gang; they now obey me, their new leader, completely."

The subjugation was straightforward; the disobedient were simply beaten until they complied, the Beastfolk being quite strong.

Mo Lie: "Not bad."

Now the Iron Claw Gang counts as a small force in his hands; to establish a foothold in Kuangsha City, a single Iron Claw Gang alone would not suffice.

Hua Zheng looked at his expression; those devouring, deep blue eyes were all too familiar—those of a naturally dominant, powerful Supernatural Male Beast.

He had previously served under Mo Lie, commanding the million‑strong army of Ansen City, and knew well that his master would never be satisfied with just one Iron Claw Gang.

Hua Zheng grinned silently, as if seeking credit, and said, "Master, during Kuangsha City's rainy season the major factions clashed for territory, and I seized the opportunity with the Iron Claw Gang to take over the forces in several nearby districts."

No further explanation is needed for that process.

While the one hundred male beasts of the Iron Claw Gang were eating, Hua Zheng suggested they prey on each other to expand his influence in Kuangsha City, and they raised both hands to endorse the new leader's decision.

Thus the Iron Claw Gang, originally one hundred members, absorbed several other small forces and now numbers over six hundred, becoming a mid‑size power occupying three districts of Kuangsha City.

Had it not been for Hua Zheng just becoming the new leader—fearing that too many recruits would be unmanageable—he could still continue leading everyone to seize more territory.

At this moment Hua Zheng felt especially proud, having anticipated his master's thoughts.

Such tacit understanding exists only between a personal guard and his charge!!

Mo Lie raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

Hua Zheng, who previously only followed orders, now acts beyond them.

Under Mo Lie's gaze, Hua Zheng asked cautiously, "Is there anything you are dissatisfied with?"

"I am very satisfied with your performance during the rainy season," Mo Lie said slowly, nodding slightly, looking at the subordinate cowering in the corner with anxious eyes: "You are out alone now; aren't you afraid the people of Kuangsha City will seize power in the meantime?"

His tone showed little emotional fluctuation, the words carrying a probing nuance, indicating he was not displeased.

Only after following Mo Lie for a long time could Hua Zheng grasp the meaning he was trying to convey now.

It's a test of his own worth! He wants to see how he performs on his own!!

"I'm not afraid," Hua Zheng lifted his head, his shoulders and back tensing to reveal a robust musculature, appearing quite martial.

He said confidently, "If the territory changes hands this time, I can seize it again and present it to you."

Mo Lie's expression remained calm; the counterpart had demonstrated both his formidable combat power and his loyalty, making him still useful.

"Alright."

Whether Hua Zheng harbors any ulterior motives remains to be observed.