This guy is completely unreasonable!

Hu Jiao Jiao’s face turned pale with anger, just as she was about to lose her temper, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind.

“Lu Li, you better confess quickly. My Xiong Qiu already came clean, don’t let anything happen to Long Ling’er.”

Hu Jiao Jiao turned around and, to her surprise, saw Xiong Hua coming over with Xiong Qiu, which left her visibly astonished.

Was she really here to help?

Sensing Hu Jiao Jiao’s gaze, Xiong Hua shrank back and quickly explained, “Hu Jiao Jiao, I really had nothing to do with this. Whatever happened to Long Ling’er has nothing to do with me. Please don’t burn my house down again.”

She was clearly scared.

As she spoke, she pushed Xiong Qiu forward and patted his head. “Why are you still standing there? I taught you what to say on the way.”

Xiong Qiu, holding his head in frustration, stepped forward with a look of grievance.

“L-Lu Li made me tell him where Long Ling’er was. He said he wanted to get back at her. He’s lying—he’s the one who hid Long Ling’er.”

His voice was shaky, almost crying, clearly having been scolded fiercely by Xiong Hua.

A crowd of curious onlookers had already gathered around. At first, they were amused by the drama, but after hearing what Xiong Qiu said, they all started looking at Lu Li and his family with disapproving stares.

“Lu Li, this is not right. Long Ling’er is a female. How could you kidnap her?”

“Tell us where she is already!”

“If you delay any longer, it’ll get dark soon. If a wild animal drags her off, it’ll be too late…”

The crowd’s criticisms made Lu Li’s face turn sour.

Pale and flustered, he shouted loudly, “I-I didn’t do anything to her! I just threw her in the cave above the Snake Pit.”

The cave above the Snake Pit!

Hu Jiao Jiao’s heart sank, her face turning cold. That place was eerie and dangerous, with venomous snakes lurking about. And he actually left Ling’er there?

Ling’er must be terrified, alone in that dreadful place.

Upon hearing Lu Li’s words, Lu Mian’er’s expression changed, and she looked at him in disbelief. “Lu Li, did you really do this? How could you leave Ling’er in such a place!”

Furious, she raised her hand and slapped him across the face.

“Lu Mian’er, what are you doing? That’s your brother! How could you hit him? How could you bear to?” their mother immediately intervened, pushing Lu Mian’er away to protect Lu Li.

“I raised you for nothing! Hu Jiao Jiao comes to our door, and instead of driving her away, you side with her.”

“But, Mom, it’s Lu Li who’s at fault,” Lu Mian’er said, her eyes welling with tears.

“At fault? How could Lu Li be wrong? If anything, it’s Long Ling’er’s fault for provoking him! You ungrateful girl, always taking others’ sides! I’ll teach you a lesson!” Lu Li’s mother, her face twisted with bitterness, raised her hand to hit Lu Mian’er.

Before her hand could come down, Ying Yuan swiftly intercepted it with a stern look, causing her to pull back in fear.

Hu Jiao Jiao had no time for their quarrel and coldly left a warning, “If anything happens to Ling’er, I will make Lu Li pay a hundredfold.”

With that, she hurried off with Long Yu and Long Zhong to the Snake Pit.

The Snake Pit was located outside the tribe, at the base of a cliff, home to countless venomous snakes. It was a place where the tribe punished disloyal males. Although the snakes couldn’t climb up the pit, the surrounding area was full of dangerous insects, and the damp, dark caves were a haven for poisonous creatures.

The more Hu Jiao Jiao thought about it, the more anxious she became. The sun was already dipping behind the mountains, and she wanted her two boys to head home, but they stubbornly insisted on following her.

Left with no choice, she pulled out some snake-repellent powder from her space and handed it to them.

“Hold onto this and don’t lose it.”

Long Yu and Long Zhong thought it was something important their mother needed them to carry, so they clutched it tightly in their hands the entire way.

After a long, exhausting run, the three finally arrived at the cave entrance, panting and leaning against the walls.

Hu Jiao Jiao didn’t waste a moment. She caught her breath and immediately stepped into the cave. Her two boys, their faces flushed from running, clung tightly to her like two little tails.

The cave was pitch black, with barely any visibility. As soon as they stepped inside, they heard a faint rustling beneath their feet, like something was moving quickly.

It was probably the poisonous creatures and snakes in the cave. The snake-repellent powder Hu Jiao Jiao had brought with her should keep them away.

After about two minutes, the sounds gradually faded.

But Hu Jiao Jiao’s nerves remained tense. Although she couldn’t see as clearly as during the day, being a beastmen allowed her to navigate the cave’s darkness somewhat.

“Ah…”

After walking for an unknown length of time, a terrified scream echoed from deep within the cave.

Hu Jiao Jiao’s heart clenched. It was Ling’er’s voice.

She hurried her way toward the sound and soon saw a young female tied up with vines, lying on the ground.

To her horror, a brightly colored venomous snake was coiled around the girl’s arm.

“Ling’er!” Hu Jiao Jiao gasped, swiftly tearing open the snake-repellent powder and sprinkling it over the snake.

Frightened by the powder, the snake slithered into the shadows.

Hu Jiao Jiao rushed forward and, upon seeing the two bleeding puncture marks on Long Ling’er’s arm, felt her heart sink.

“Mom… it’s so dark, I’m scared…” Long Ling’er opened her eyes and, upon seeing Hu Jiao Jiao, burst into tears, her dirty face streaked with tears.

Hu Jiao Jiao’s heart ached with every sob.

“It’s okay, Ling’er. Mom’s here. I’ll protect you,” she said, her voice trembling with worry.

“Mom, the snake bit me. I’m going to die. You should leave before it comes back for you,” Long Ling’er’s mind was clouded, but she still clung to Hu Jiao Jiao’s clothes, trying to push her away.

Seeing her mother come to rescue her before she died filled her with relief.

“It’s alright, Ling’er. That snake wasn’t venomous. You’re not going to die.”

Gently, Hu Jiao Jiao wiped her tears and retrieved an antidote from her space, injecting it into Long Ling’er.

The cave was so dark, Long Ling’er was terrified. Hearing Hu Jiao Jiao’s words, she began to doubt whether she had seen it wrong.

“Really? That snake wasn’t venomous?”

“Really. Mom would never lie to you. Do you trust me?” Hu Jiao Jiao reassured her, gently stroking her cheek.

Long Ling’er, red-eyed and weak, nodded and sniffled. “I trust you, Mom, but my head feels so heavy…”

With that, her eyelids drooped, and she fell unconscious.

Hu Jiao Jiao frowned. The snake’s venom was potent, and even with the antidote, it might not be enough. She needed to drain the venomous blood quickly.

Behind her, Long Yu and Long Zhong’s faces were grave.

They had clearly seen the brightly colored snake—it was one of the most venomous. Why had their mother lied to Ling’er?

Before they could question it, a sharp glint of metal flashed in front of them.

Hu Jiao Jiao held a knife and slashed across Long Ling’er’s arm. Blood gushed out instantly…

Long Yu and Long Zhong’s eyes widened, and they shouted, “Stop! What are you doing to Ling’er?”