Chapter 413: Home?

That shout of "King" cracked like thunder beside Bao Ya and Bao Zhua's ears.

The two turned ashen as paper in an instant, and the last sliver of luck was completely shattered!

"You… you are that human!"

Bao Zhua pointed a trembling finger at Cheng Shuili, and Bao Ya, realizing the great figure he had provoked, fled backward in terror, his voice quivering as he defended, "Misunderstanding! All a misunderstanding, ha ha! We're good brothers, it's all a misunderstanding!"

Bao Zhua quickly added, "Exactly! It's all a misunderstanding, we know each other, right Bao Chi? We do know each other! Bao Chi, say something! Is this what we said?"

The guards didn't care how the two beastfolk explained; they were here for a single purpose: to carry out the King's orders!

They must maintain order and prevent any possible unrest.

Their gazes were silent and loyal, fixed on Cheng Shuili, the King, awaiting the next command.

The surrounding Leopard Clan beastfolk fell silent as cold cicadas, daring not to speak.

No one expected that this seemingly ordinary human woman was actually the new Bear Clan king, the one who dealt with their king!

Even their own king could be treated that way… these beastfolk could never imagine the cruel torment they'd face if they provoked such a terrifying being.

Bao Chi stood behind Cheng Shuili, watching the scene, his eyes filled with shock and bewilderment.

He still couldn't have imagined Cheng Shuili appearing here and becoming the Bear King spoken of by these beastfolk.

And… she had already helped him once, and now he actually wanted her to stand up for him again!

Bao Chi lowered his head, and his drooping hand slowly clenched.

Under the gaze of all, Cheng Shuili gently waved her hand, her face helpless as she looked at the Bear Guard Captain, waved again, and said, "You aren't needed here; go on duty elsewhere."

The unexpected order startled all the beastfolk.

A whispering murmur rose immediately: "What? We aren't needed, the guards?"

"She's just a human! Bao Zhua and Bao Ya, no matter what, are the best young fighters of our Leopard Clan; if we really have to act…"

"What does this human mean? Does she look down on our Leopard Clan?"

Bao Ya and Bao Zhua flinched at the words, then a barely perceptible fierce glint flashed in their eyes.

If the Bear Clan guards withdrew, leaving only this human woman… perhaps they'd still have a chance!

The Bear Guard Captain furrowed his brows, clearly dissenting: "King, your safety…"

"My safety, I handle myself," Cheng Shuili interrupted, her tone calm yet undeniably authoritative, "Or do you think I lack the strength to deal with this trivial matter?"

The Bear guards' gazes swept back and forth between Cheng Shuili and the two robust Leopard Clan beastfolk, finally bowing their heads at Cheng Shuili's calm yet unquestionable stare.

The Guard Captain replied in a deep voice, "Yes, King."

He then waved, and the Bear guards withdrew in formation, forming a perimeter in the distance, leaving space for Cheng Shuili, yet their eyes remained fixed here.

Bao Ya and Bao Zhua exchanged a glance, each seeing doubt and a hint of restless intent in the other's eyes.

The Bear guards' withdrawal seemed to lift the heaviest stone from their hearts.

Before them remained only this slender human woman…

Bao Ya licked his slightly cracked lips, forced calm, and spoke, his tone much firmer than before: "Human… oh, Lord Bear King, it truly was a misunderstanding. We were joking with Bao Chi."

He spoke while subtly stepping half a pace forward, his muscles tensing slightly.

Bao Zhua also let out two dry chuckles, but his gaze scraped Cheng Shuili like a knife: "Yeah, yeah, our brothers are just playing, why bother you personally?"

Cheng Shuili seemed oblivious to their subtle moves and tone shift; she even gave a faint smile, the firelight making it enigmatic: "Playing? Playing with threats and fists?"

She stepped forward lightly, yet Bao Ya and Bao Zhua instinctively retreated half a step.

"I'll give you a chance."

Cheng Shuili's voice rang clearly in the night sky, gentle to the extreme, instantly drawing every beastfolk's attention: "Both of you, come at me together. If you touch my hem, I'll pretend I didn't see this today. As for Bao Chi's money, tell me how much you want to borrow, and I'll give it for him."

The words caused a roar throughout the crowd!

"She's gone mad?!"

"A human daring to duel two Leopard warriors?"

"Even if she's the Bear King, that's way too bold!"

Bao Chi snapped his head up, anxiously trying to stop: "Human! No! They…"

Cheng Shuili raised her hand, halting Bao Chi, her gaze still on the two reddened Leopard Clan beastfolk opposite: "How about it? Dare you?"

"Arrogant!" Bao Ya growled low, being so despised by a human ignited his innate ferocity.

In principle, the Shou Ren Xiao Zhen shouldn't be attacked.

But now order has collapsed; even the police station has shut its doors!

The Bear guards have taken over this area, and they were just driven away by this human herself!

It's a perfect convergence of heaven, earth, and people; if we don't punish this human now, when will there be another chance?

Bao Ya sneered, "This is on you for asking!"

Bao Zhua also snarled, "Lord Bear King, our fists have no sight; if we hurt you, don't blame us!"

The two Leopard beastfolk no longer hesitated, exchanged a glance, and leapt up together!

They seemed long‑time partners; the moment they sprang, they were like two black arrows released, one left, one right, rushing toward Cheng Shuili with a sharp rush of wind!

The Leopard Clan's speed was displayed to the fullest at that moment!

To most surrounding beastfolk, only two blurry afterimages could be seen.

But to Cheng Shuili, a player at the pinnacle of human attributes, their movements seemed slowed.

She didn't even make a big dodge; just before the sharp claws could touch her, with a master's composure she shifted her body by a hair's breadth, and Bao Ya's intended claw brushed her sleeve and missed.

At the same time, her left hand, seemingly casual, rose and struck precisely on Bao Zhua's attacking wrist.

"Ugh!" Bao Zhua felt a sharp, numb pain in his wrist, the strength in his arm instantly gone, and the attack halted abruptly.

Cheng Shuili's movements flowed like clouds and water, as if she had foreseen everything; as Bao Ya lunged forward by inertia, his old strength spent and new force not yet born, her right foot silently slipped out and gently hooked his ankle.

"Bang!"

Leopard Fang felt his lower body give way, his whole body lurching forward uncontrollably, and he fell flat on his face in the dirt, kicking up a cloud of dust.

At almost the same moment, Cheng Shuili sidestepped to avoid Leopard Claw's follow‑up attack, which was delayed by the pain in his wrist, and struck with her right hand—fingers together like lightning—lightly tapping a spot beneath his ribs.

Leopard Claw instantly felt numbness on one side of his body, his breath caught, and his movements froze.

Cheng Shuili then pushed him in the back with the back of her hand.

"Plop!"

Leopard Claw also followed his companion's fall, collapsing in a sorry heap on the ground.

The whole thing happened in a flash—so fast that many of the beastfolk hadn't even seen what occurred before the two Leopard Tribe warriors, who moments ago had been fierce, were both lying on the ground.

Cheng Shuili lowered her hand, satisfied. This was a move Su Rui had specially taught her; as Su Rui put it: "It's not of much use in real combat, but against a few greenhorns it's perfect for showing off."

Now it's clear the effect is indeed outstanding.

The camp fell into dead silence. Only the crackle of the campfire and the ragged, painful gasps of Leopard Fang and Leopard Claw could be heard.

All the Leopard Tribe beastfolk stared, mouths agape, at the human woman who remained calmly standing in place, her clothes barely disturbed, as if they had witnessed something impossible.

She… she really is just a human?

To knock down two Leopard Tribe warriors with such casual ease—even the Bear Tribe's elite couldn't do better!

As for the Bear Tribe guards, though they had been ordered to retreat to a distance, their eyes never left Cheng Shuili.

When they saw the two Leopard Tribe beastfolk suddenly attack, every guard's muscles tensed instantly, almost instinctively lunging forward!

Although they had just been strictly forbidden by the king to intervene.

Loyalty and the absolute duty to protect the king are ingrained in every beastfolk's bones!

But what happened next made every Bear Tribe guard skid to a halt, eyes wide.

There was no scene requiring their emergency rescue, no dramatic struggle.

Only that slender figure swayed slightly, strolling like a leisurely walk through the two swift attacks, followed by two clean, crisp thuds.

Fast—too fast!

Throughout the process, Cheng Shuili's face showed not a flicker of emotion, as if she had not just felled two fierce Leopard Tribe warriors but merely brushed a leaf from her shoulder.

In the silence, some young Bear Tribe guard couldn't hold back, sucking in a breath of cold air that rang especially clear in the quiet night.

That sound seemed to break a certain stillness.

In the captain's eyes, which were usually as steady as mountains, now lay unprecedented shock… and fervor!

He had previously obeyed Cheng Shuili's orders more out of loyalty and duty to the "king" than anything else.

Even though Cheng Shuili had shown extraordinary wisdom, deep down he, like the other Bear Tribe members, might still harbor a faint worry that the king was a human rather than a mighty beastfolk—for in this world, absolute individual power equals authority, and it can bring safety to an entire people.

But now that vague worry was utterly shattered by the sight before them—a seemingly casual yet astonishing display of martial power.

Their king not only possessed outstanding wisdom but also unfathomable strength!

She needs no protection from them; she herself is the ultimate safeguard!

A wave of indescribable excitement and pride instantly swept through all the Bear Tribe guards.

They unconsciously straightened their already stalwart frames, chests rising and falling slightly; their gaze toward Cheng Shuili was no longer mere respect but a mix of deep awe and wholehearted adoration!

Cheng Shuili clapped her hands, as if merely brushing off some dust.

While the Bear Tribe guards watched her, she too was watching them.

Seeing the shift in those beastfolk's expressions in that instant, Cheng Shuili knew she had truly pulled off the act!

She needed the Bear Tribe's loyalty, and that loyalty must be founded on absolute strength.

Today's gain was merely this squad of guards, but guards are the core strength of any people!

Cheng Shuili's mood had improved considerably; she looked down from above at the two Leopard Tribe beastfolk struggling to rise, her voice rising pleasantly: "Now, can we talk properly about Bao Chi?"

Leopard Fang and Leopard Claw struggled to their feet, the ferocity gone from their faces, leaving only fear and pain.

Those few seemingly light moves of Cheng Shuili's left them sore and weak all over, barely able to muster strength.

"S-say… what?" Leopard Fang's voice trembled; he dared not meet Cheng Shuili's eyes.

"Does Bao Chi owe you money?" Cheng Shuili asked, her tone flat yet laden with intense pressure.

"No, it's not that…" Leopard Claw hastily waved his hands, shrinking under Cheng Shuili's gaze, and stammered, "It's… we lent him…"

"Lent?" Cheng Shuili raised an eyebrow, looking at the silent Bao Chi standing behind her. "Bao Chi, is that how it is?"

Bao Chi lifted his head, his lips moving; under Cheng Shuili's calm gaze he drew a deep breath, and the humiliation and anger he had long suppressed finally found an outlet.

"I didn't borrow anything! I don't owe them anything! They've all bullied me—every Leopard Tribe beastfolk has bullied me!"

His voice, hoarse from excitement, was unusually clear—no stutter at all:

"If I don't satisfy them, they spread rumors in the tribe that I steal, that I betray my people, that I'm up to shady deeds outside… leaving me no foothold among the Leopard Tribe!"

Cheng Shuili had thought Bao Chi's lament would end there, but he didn't stop; his hands clenched into fists, nails almost digging into his palms, his voice choking yet he spoke each word firmly:

"My parents died early; in the tribe I was already… insignificant and unheard‑of. I… I couldn't help it—I kept yielding, again and again, while they kept pushing further."

"It started with a few beastfolk coming to my shop for food, then the king demanded I supply food for the whole tribe, and now there isn't enough—they want to openly seize… the Game Coins I've earned through hard work. If I refuse, they resort to beating me."

Bao Chi's voice trembled with suppressed grief; these grievances he had bottled up for too long—today, if he didn't vent, he'd burst, and the more he spoke, the more fluently it came out:

"Isn't the tribe supposed to be a home? Isn't a home meant to provide warmth? Why does it make me feel…"

"…cold‑hearted."

Bao Chi's last two words, spoken barely above a whisper, struck each beastfolk's heart like a heavy hammer.

The campfire crackled, casting light on his slightly trembling shoulders and red‑rimmed eyes.