"Qiao Xixi, we finally get to see each other again!"
Gu Man wrapped Qiao Xixi in a tight embrace, squeezing so hard Xixi wondered if she was trying to strangle her.
"Gu Man, a little gentler."
Feiyan had been staring from the sidelines. Seeing Gu Man give Qiao Xixi a full embrace, his brow furrowed enough to crush a fly.
Gu Man shot Feiyan a glare. "You’re the one with the big mouth." She loosened her grip, then held Qiao Xixi at arm’s length to look her up and down.
"You’ve gotten thinner. Have those beastman husbands of yours been mistreating you? I told you they were no good, but you wouldn’t listen. Don’t worry, I’ll introduce you to so strong, capable males later."
Seeing that Feiyan looked ready to pounce, Qiao Xixi quickly sent him away and pulled Gu Man aside.
"Was the journey exhausting?"
Qiao Xixi noticed that Gu Man had also gotten thinner. Thinking of the long journey from the Silver Tribe to the Black Panther Tribe, she figured they must have endured many hardships along the way.
"Of course, it wasn’t as comfortable as lazing around back in the tribe, but we’re very lucky just to have made it to the Black Panther Tribe safely."
Thinking of the dangers of the journey, Qiao Xixi couldn’t agree more.
"Tell , what happened after we left?"
At these words, Gu Man’s expression slowly darkened. Qiao Xixi could even see a flicker of fear in her pupils.
"Do you still rember Bai Lei and his group?"
Qiao Xixi nodded. ’Rember them? The mory is still fresh.’
"They did a lot of stupid things, but they weren’t lying about one thing. The reason they ca to the Silver Tribe was because the place where they used to live suddenly beca flooded with a poisonous miasma. The water sources were especially bad—they were full of toxic gas and completely undrinkable."
Gu Man paused before continuing, "After you left, other small tribes trickled into the Silver Tribe. But because of what happened with Bai Lei’s group, the Clan Leader didn’t take any of them in. However, he was still cautious and questioned them about their situation. That’s how he learned that the poisonous miasma was already spreading our way."
"You an the poisonous miasma has already reached the Silver Tribe?"
Gu Man frowned. "Mhm. After the Clan Leader got the details, he imdiately dispatched people in the direction the other beastn had indicated to investigate. They discovered that wherever the miasma passed, even the trees withered and died. If it kept spreading at that rate, it would soon reach the Silver Tribe."
"So that’s why the Clan Leader sent a party to the Black Panther Tribe to inquire about things. He was already planning to move the tribe even then."
Gu Man nodded. "Right. We just didn’t expect the miasma to arrive so quickly. Before the party we sent to find you could even report back, the miasma was nearly upon the Silver Tribe. The Clan Leader was worried sothing would happen to our people, so he imdiately gave the order to move the entire tribe in this direction. Who would have thought we’d run into the ssenger on his way back?"
Gu Man’s words weighed heavily on Qiao Xixi’s heart. ’If this poisonous miasma can’t be stopped, won’t it eventually reach us here?’
’No wonder so many Mutant Beasts suddenly appeared back at the Silver Tribe. So they were also forced out by the poisonous miasma.’
"But Xixi, don’t worry too much. We kept an eye on the miasma on our way here and discovered it travels with the wind. The direction to the Black Panther Tribe is upwind, so maybe the miasma has already been blown sowhere else."
These words did little to ease Qiao Xixi’s worries, but for now, she had to focus on getting the tribe settled.
"Mommy, Mommy."
The tender voices of her children brought Qiao Xixi back to her senses. She looked up to see Qiao Ang and Qiao Qiao waving at her.
The two little ones were perched on Feili’s shoulders, one on each side, beaming with happiness.
"Grandpa is so strong, HAHAHAHA."
"Grandpa, faster! Go to Mommy!"
Qiao Xixi and Gu Man walked over.
"Father Feili."
Feili, carrying the two little ones, was smiling so broadly that the corners of his eyes crinkled. He lifted them off his shoulders and looked at Qiao Xixi.
"Xixi, we’ve really troubled you this ti. That brat Feiyan already told what happened after you left. It truly hasn’t been easy for you."
Qiao Xixi looked at Feili. He still carried the dignity befitting a Clan Leader, and it was easy to see the handso figure he must have cut in his youth. However, he was noticeably thinner now; she imagined he must have been weighed down with worry over the tribe’s affairs during the migration.
"How could it be a bother? Father Feili, I couldn’t be happier that you’ve all co. You know the Black Panther Tribe’s current situation. Your arrival is actually a huge help to ."
Feili felt quite fortunate as well. He had been very worried during the journey. After all, the Silver Tribe had so many mbers; taking them all in would be a huge burden for any large tribe.
He had been worried about putting Qiao Xixi and her mates in a difficult position, but he couldn’t abandon his people. Who would have guessed that the Black Panther Tribe would happen to be empty at this critical mont, allowing them to fill the void perfectly?
"Xixi, rest assured. If you are willing, from this day forward, the mbers of the Silver Tribe are your mbers. And as for ... after so many years, I can finally set down this heavy burden."
As Feili spoke, he couldn’t help but laugh.
"Father Feili, you..."
Feili waved his hand, his expression becoming completely serious. "Xixi, this is the Black Panther Tribe, and a tribe can only have one leader. Once everything is settled, I will make this clear to our people. If any of them are unwilling to accept you, I will lead them away myself."
Qiao Xixi considered this for a mont, then nodded without refusing. "Okay."
Seeing Qiao Xixi agree, Feili let out a hearty laugh. It was clear he was genuinely happy. With one motion, he scooped up the two children again.
"After you left, I was most worried about my two little grandchildren. I was afraid that brat Feiyan would lead them astray. But it’s a good thing the children are smart; they haven’t been turned into fools by their father, HAHAHAHA."
"Father, a little louder! I can hear you all the way back here! And for the record, I’m way smarter than you!"
Feili just snorted, not bothering to engage, and walked off with the children in his arms.
Qiao Xixi wasn’t worried about the children being with Feili, so she turned and led Gu Man toward the fields they had previously cleared.
When they reached the fields, Qiao Xixi’s heart sank as she looked at the dug-up, chaotic ss. The prey they had penned up before were also gone.
However, she didn’t wallow in lancholy for long. She quickly pulled herself together.
"Imp~~ Can we talk about sothing?"
Imp: ...
"Host, every ti you talk to in this tone, you’re up to no good!"
"Listen to you. We’re close, aren’t we? I just want to get a teensy-weensy bit of seeds on credit. It’s not like it’s a big deal."
"A teensy-weensy bit?? How much is that?"
"Look, just enough to plant all these fields. That’s not a lot, is it?"
The Imp nearly shrieked, "That’s not a lot?! That’s half a mountainside!"
"Hah. No credit? Are you sure about that?"
"Ugh... It’s not that I can’t give you credit, but there’s one condition."
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