Before Hu Jiao Jiao could react, she found herself lifted up and gently steadied, like a small sapling being righted.

“Are you alright?”

A deep, rich voice came from above.

“Yes… yes, I’m fine!” Hu Jiao Jiao quickly shook her head, nervously stepping back. Having been single for over twenty years, she wasn’t used to being so close to a man. The last time she had been this close to one was when she had accidentally knocked Long Mo over a few days ago… well, it was more of a crash.

Seeing the bloodstains on himself, Long Mo assumed she was avoiding him because she found him dirty or unpleasant. His cold gaze dropped to the ground as he said icily, “Let’s head back.”

“Oh! Alright.”

Hu Jiao Jiao nodded and turned to leave. But after just a few steps, she stopped abruptly.

“Wait a second…”

Long Mo frowned, watching her as she fumbled around in her clothes and finally pulled out what looked like a piece of soft white fur.

Hu Jiao Jiao took out a towel from her space and, standing on her tiptoes, began wiping the blood off Long Mo’s face. His golden eyes, lashes still dotted with blood, and his handsome, chiseled features looked like they’d been bathed in battle—he seemed more like a grim reaper stepping out of the underworld.

With a face like his, she couldn’t bear to see him covered in dirt.

Long Mo froze, stiff as a statue.

Snapping out of it, he lifted a hand to gently grip her wrist.

“I-I just thought you looked a bit messy, and I wanted to help. But if you’d rather clean up yourself, I understand. Blood sticking to your face must feel pretty uncomfortable,” she said with an awkward smile, mistaking his hesitation for discomfort. As soon as Long Mo released her wrist, she quickly shoved the towel into his hand and hurried back to Hu Qinglu’s side.

Holding the towel in his hand, Long Mo watched her as she ran off, a faint touch still lingering on his cheek. Did… did she actually care if he was uncomfortable?

The beastmen had all witnessed how the wolf pack had assisted them, so they silently accepted Hu Jiao Jiao’s decision to let them go.

After Ying Yuan and Long Wu searched the cave and confirmed that no more wandering beastmen remained, they led the surviving beastmen back to the tribe.

The beastmen had no tradition of retrieving bodies. They fed on wild beasts, and when they died, their bodies, too, would become food for the forest animals. Soon, drawn by the scent of blood, predators would come and clean the area, and in time, the tribe’s hunters would return to renew the endless cycle. This was the way of life in the beast world.

When Long Mo came back to himself and rejoined the group, he saw that Hu Jiao Jiao had already settled herself on the back of a large white fox. He hesitated, glancing wistfully at the fox.

“Wow! Third Brother, your beast form is beautiful!”

It was the first time Hu Jiao Jiao had seen Hu Qinglu in his beast form. Enchanted, she ran her fingers through the long, soft fur, petting him like she would a cat. It was pure comfort.

Hu Qinglu thought nothing of it, assuming his little sister was just happy to see him after so long. Feeling proud, he lifted his pointed snout high and said, “Of course! My beast form is the best, second only to Second Brother’s!”

“Third Brother, you’re the best—not only do you have a great voice, but you’re also beautiful in beast form.” Hu Jiao Jiao chuckled, burying her face in his plush fur, which felt as soft as clouds.

Hu Qinglu proudly carried his little sister in the middle of the group.

At the rear, a beastman noticed Long Mo standing motionless. “Long Mo? Are you coming? Why are you still standing there?”

With a blank expression, Long Mo shifted into his dragon form, leaping into the air to fly behind the group. As he flew, he glanced down at his scales. Dark, bare, and devoid of soft fur, his body was nothing like the white fox’s. His gaze darkened. The way that female acted, she must really prefer beasts with long, soft fur.

The wandering beastmen’ lair was far from the tribe, and after the fierce battle, it was already sunset when they returned. The Chief and Lu Mian’er had been anxiously waiting outside the tribe, and as soon as they spotted the returning group in the distance, they cheered in relief.

“They’re back! Ying Yuan and the others are back!”

“Jiao Jiao! My dear Jiao Jiao, thank god, you’re safe…”

Hu Min and the rest of her family had also come out to wait, along with nearly all the beastmen, who had heard that Hu Jiao Jiao had led a rescue for Ying Yuan.

The returning group came to a stop outside the tribe.

“Jiao Jiao!” As soon as Hu Jiao Jiao hopped down from the white fox’s back, Hu Min rushed forward, embracing her tightly. “You scared me half to death! You’re a female—you shouldn’t be going to such dangerous places. Promise me you won’t ever do this again!”

Hu Jiao Jiao, amused, patted her mother’s back. “Mother, I’m fine! Oh, by the way, I brought Third Brother back safely!”

Wanting to avoid a long lecture, Hu Jiao Jiao didn’t hesitate to throw Hu Qinglu under the bus.

“Hu Qinglu!”

Hu Min glanced around, her eyes widening as she spotted her son hiding behind Hu Jiao Jiao. She grabbed him by the ear and scolded, “You reckless boy, sneaking out like that! Is that a place you should’ve gone to?”

“Mother! Not so hard—ouch! I’m sorry…” Hu Qinglu whined, tilting his head in surrender, all the while casting a betrayed look at Hu Jiao Jiao, as if to say, You promised not to tell!

Behind him, Hu Qiang and the other brothers hadn’t managed to get close yet, blocked by the chief and other beastmen, leaving them to team up in silently scolding Hu Qinglu.

Lu Mian’er, meanwhile, had thrown herself into Ying Yuan’s arms. “I was so worried, Ying Yuan. Thank goodness you’re safe…”

Ying Yuan held her close, visibly relieved; he had nearly not made it back. His thoughts drifted to Hu Jiao Jiao, the very “Vicious” female who had, in fact, saved him. Looking over at her, a complicated expression flickered in his eyes.

The chief approached, his eyes misting as he took in the sight of the returning party.

“I’m sorry, Chief,” Ying Yuan said, bowing his head. “I couldn’t bring everyone back… I’m ready to accept any punishment you give.”

The chief shook his head with a smile. “You’re back, that’s all that matters. I’m grateful just to have you all here.”

Then he turned to Hu Jiao Jiao.

“Chief.” Hu Jiao Jiao gave a soft smile, a note of respect in her voice.

“Hu Jiao Jiao, we owe it all to you. I… I can’t apologize enough…” the chief stammered, seeming to struggle with his words. Finally, he dropped to his knees before her with a heavy thud.