Shaman are incredibly valuable in the world of beastmen.

If a tribe has a Shaman, their status can sometimes surpass even that of the chief, as even the strongest beastman will inevitably face injury or illness at some point.

Hu Jiao Jiao pondered for a moment.

This world of beastmen was truly fantastical. Her hemostatic powder was indeed effective, but she couldn’t guarantee the effectiveness of her other medicines, nor did she want to expose her space by pretending to be a Shaman.

She shook her head and explained:

“No, I’m definitely not a Shaman. I just happened to stumble upon this medicine. It works well when ground into a powder, so I carry it with me just in case.”

Her charming, delicate face was filled with sincerity.

Hou Xiaotiao nodded repeatedly. “I get it, I get it! I swear I won’t tell anyone. I won’t tell any beastmen, I swear by the Beast God!”

Hu Jiao Jiao: “…”

Brother, what exactly do you think you understand?

Hu Jiao Jiao frowned slightly, but since Hou Xiaotiao promised not to spill her secret, she didn’t dwell on it.

As long as her space wasn’t exposed, it was fine.

“You got injured saving Yao’er. If your wound gets worse, come find me for more medicine. I still have some left…” Hu Jiao Jiao added after glancing at his wound.

In the nightmare, Monkey Xiaotiao died saving Long Yao. While he was still alive now, she couldn’t guarantee she would be able to change the original outcome completely, so she wanted to stay cautious.

If Hou Xiaotiao could survive, that would mean she had a chance of changing her own fate as well.

“Thank you, Shaman— I mean, thank you, Hu Jiao Jiao…” Hou Xiaotiao scratched his head, a silly grin spreading across his honest, simple face.

Hehe…

Now that the tribe had a Shaman, the tribe could become stronger. He had heard that other tribes with Shaman lived without worries, with plenty of food and protection from outside attacks. Their tribe would soon become just as powerful!

“No need to thank me. I should be the one thanking you.” Hu Jiao Jiao smiled politely.

Something about Hou Xiaotiao seemed odd, but she can’t tell what’s wrong.

Oh well, no point thinking about it.

Hu Jiao Jiao then turned to the nearby Long Yao, whose head drooped in a pitiful manner. “Yao’er, how did you get here? Who brought you?”

Long Yao cautiously glanced at Hu Jiao Jiao, his dragon tail swishing slightly behind him as if trying to please her.

His large, watery red eyes were filled with innocence and confusion.

Hu Jiao Jiao: “…”

She had forgotten that Long Yao hadn’t taken human form yet and couldn’t speak.

Asking him was useless. There was no way to find out why he had come here.

Maybe it was just a coincidence, and Long Yao was just unlucky…

Hearing Hu Jiao Jiao’s question, Hou Xiaotiao quickly added, “I saw him when I came back from hunting. When I arrived, he was the only one around. I didn’t bring him here! If you don’t believe me, I can even show you my prey as proof!”

Afraid that Hu Jiao Jiao would misunderstand him, he hurriedly explained.

As soon as he finished, he slapped his thigh in realization, his face full of regret. “Oh no! My prey! It’s still on the other side of the river… Damn wolves must have gotten to it by now…”

The meat was likely gone by now, devoured by the wolves, leaving nothing but bones. There was no chance of retrieving it.

It was already afternoon, and after a long day of hunting, all his efforts had been in vain. His mate and cubs would go hungry tonight.

“I still have some meat at home. Come with me and get some later!” Hu Jiao Jiao quickly suggested.

Since Hou Xiaotiao lost his prey while saving Long Yao, it was only right for her to compensate him. A bit of meat wasn’t much to her.

“No, no, I can’t take your food! Absolutely not!” Hou Xiaotiao refused immediately, waving his hands.

“I’ll head back now. You two should go back as well, and make sure the cub doesn’t cross the river again. It’s too dangerous.”

Afraid Hu Jiao Jiao would insist on giving him the meat, Hou Xiaotiao quickly made his exit.

Hu Jiao Jiao had just come out of the river, her clothes dripping wet, and the animal hide she wore was still dripping with water.

Although beastmen were strong, but she couldn’t handle the cold in such a condition.

“Achoo!”

Long Yao immediately flew over to her head, rubbing his forehead against hers. His round, red eyes were filled with worry.

Was his mother going to get sick because she saved him?

He had seen females in the tribe make the same sound before they fell ill, their foreheads hot, and they passed away a few days later.

Thinking about it, Long Yao’s eyes misted with tears.

Whimper~ He didn’t want his mother to die…

Tickled by his rubbing, Hu Jiao Jiao chuckled and pulled him into her arms. “Don’t worry, Yao’er. Mother is fine.”

Whether Long Yao believed her or not was unclear, but he clung to her, refusing to leave her embrace.

It was a stark contrast to the dragon cub who had previously refused to come near her and needed to be bribed with delicious meat.

Hu Jiao Jiao was thrilled that the little cub was getting close to her. But with her wet clothes, she was worried he might catch a chill, so she reluctantly pulled him away, holding him in her hands.

“Yao’er, mother is all wet. Let’s wait until we get home and I’ve changed into dry clothes, then I’ll hold you again, okay?”

“Rawr~”

Long Yao opened his mouth, his soft pink tongue sticking out as he let out an adorable, baby-like roar.

Hu Jiao Jiao’s eyes suddenly narrowed, and she wiped his mouth with her hand.

Grease and bits of meat!

It had been half a day since breakfast, and she distinctly remembered wiping Long Yao’s mouth after they ate. So why was there grease and meat on his mouth again?

“Yao’er, did you eat meat? Who gave it to you?”

Hu Jiao Jiao immediately asked, her tone serious.

Seeing her stern face, Long Yao shrank back, looking at her fearfully.

Realizing she might have been too harsh, Hu Jiao Jiao softened her expression and voice. “Don’t be afraid, Yao’er. Mother isn’t angry. Just tell me where you ate the meat, alright?”

Long Yao was playful but never wandered too far, let alone outside the tribe.

Could it be that someone had deliberately lured him with meat?

Long Yao blinked his innocent, wide beast eyes, shook his little head and nodded. He then flew into the air, extending a dragon claw and pointing toward the other side of the river.

As expected!

Who would leave cooked, greasy meat out in the wild? Whoever did this clearly knew that Long Yao would smell it and come over. And since Long Yao could fly, crossing the river wouldn’t be an issue.

That person had deliberately tried to kill Long Yao!

The scent of the meat not only attracted Long Yao but also lured the wolf pack. It was a devious plan.

But there were too many beastmen in the tribe who had a grudge against Hu Jiao Jiao. Trying to figure out the mastermind behind this would be nearly impossible.

With a sigh, Hu Jiao Jiao blamed herself.

She hadn’t thought this through. She should have taught her cub to be more cautious so that no one could take advantage of him.

Gently cupping Long Yao’s little head in her hands, she stroked his forehead with her thumbs, her voice soft yet serious.

“Yao’er, from now on, you can’t eat food from outside, no matter how good it smells or how hungry you are. Do you understand? Mother will always make you something delicious, but you must never eat anything outside.”