Lu Mother was taking Lu Li to see the healer. Since his last beating, Lu Li had developed issues, often losing control of his bowels at home and refusing to leave the house, huddling in a corner surrounded by his own mess. Unable to bear it any longer, Lu Father and Mother decided to seek medical help for him.

As they were walking, they spotted Hu Jiao Jiao approaching from a distance. Lu Father and Mother’s legs instantly went weak, and they began trembling. Lu Li froze, and a yellow stream of liquid started trickling down his leg.

Hu Jiao Jiao also noticed the three of them. Lu Father and Mother’s faces were bruised and swollen, looking like two pigs’ head, as though they’d taken quite a beating. They walked with a peculiar, limping gait, which puzzled her.

She thought, I don’t remember doing anything to Father Lu. Why does Lu Mu’s face look even more swollen than last time? And Lu Li? He looked dazed and confused, his mouth twisted, trembling in fear as he wet himself.

Hu Jiao Jiao mumbled under her breath, “I wonder who they angered to end up like that… Whoever did it didn’t hold back.” But there was no sympathy in her tone.

Assuming they might be up to something, she started to walk around them. But before she knew it, Lu Father and Mother had grabbed Lu Li and bolted in the opposite direction.

Hu Jiao Jiao watched in confusion.

“What’s going on?” she wondered, watching them flee as if they’d seen a ghost.

As they hurried off, Mother Lu whispered urgently, “Faster, faster! Or we’ll get hit again!”

I never want to see that family of monsters ever again, she thought.

In a few seconds, the three were out of sight. Hu Jiao Jiao thought their behavior was strange but had more pressing matters to attend to, so she headed home.

When she arrived, she found Long Mo had just returned, his presence cold and stoic. Their eyes met, and she gestured silently towards the house, mouthing, “Let’s talk inside.” Long Mo nodded and followed her indoors.

It was his third time entering Hu Jiao Jiao’s little wooden hut. He took two steps inside and then stopped, reluctant to go any further. He didn’t want to track dirt into the clean, fragrant room.

Hu Jiao Jiao began rummaging through a corner without noticing his hesitation. Soon, she produced a black leather pouch.

“Here, take this. It’ll help you if you encounter trouble on the way,” she said, handing him the pouch and explaining how to use its contents.

Long Mo accepted it with care. A rare softness flickered in his golden eyes as he replied in a low voice, “I’ll bring them back safely. Don’t worry.”

On their way to the chief’s house, Long Mo had already decided he’d go personally to rescue them; letting the chief send someone else was just a way to expose the traitor. Apart from Ying Yuan, no beast could outrun Long Mo. Hu Jiao Jiao wasn’t entirely comfortable with Bao Feng going alone, so she had prepared some extra supplies in case Long Mo encountered ambushes.

Even though everything with Huang Yue appeared normal, she wanted to take extra precautions.

“Thank you, Long Mo,” she said with a nod, “and… please be careful. Don’t get hurt.”

“There’s medicine inside. If you do get injured, use it right away, okay?”

She explained each item’s use in detail, not realizing that her care for him was starting to feel as natural as caring for family.

“Alright,” he replied, his deep gaze resting on her face. Her delicate features, as soft as fresh snow, held a gentle fox-like charm, her almond-shaped eyes full of a crystal brightness and concern. He felt an instinctive urge to smooth her worried brow.

“Oh, and another thing!” Hu Jiao Jiao suddenly looked up, serious. Long Mo quickly pulled his hand back, hiding it behind his back and rubbing his fingers anxiously.

“Don’t go bringing back random females from the wilderness. You already have a mate and cubs, remember?”

Long Mo immediately frowned, his tone defensive, “I didn’t bring her. She followed us to the camp, and the others insisted on bringing her back.”

He sensed it was crucial to clear this up quickly. “There won’t be a next time,” he promised in a low voice. If any other female followed him back, he’d make sure they never got the chance.

Hu Jiao Jiao was taken aback by how swiftly he promised this, feeling briefly at a loss for words. “Well, at least he admits his mistakes,” she thought, sensing that she might not find someone easier to argue with in the future.

As they left the house, the five cubs happened to be coming up to them.

“Mom, where’s Dad going?” Long Linger’s big round eyes sparkled with curiosity, quickly sensing he wasn’t just going hunting.

The other four cubs brightened at hearing Long Mo was going somewhere and turned their eyes toward Hu Jiao Jiao, suddenly very interested in their father’s plans.

“Your dad has something important to do and will be away for a few days,” Hu Jiao Jiao said gently, patting Long Linger’s head. These little ones even care about their dad now, she thought with pride.

“A few days…” Long Zhong muttered under his breath, “If I’d known he’d make us suffer this much, maybe he should’ve just stayed in the forest.”

Long Mo, holding his pouch, cast a calm look at Long Zhong. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

All four cubs froze in unison.

“Soon?” They thought. Please, take your time.

Hu Jiao Jiao felt a breeze brush past her cheek as a giant black dragon took off into the sky, its claws gripping the small, carefully wrapped pouch, oddly delicate against his powerful frame.

The dragon looked back at her deeply, flicked his tail, and soared west. The small pouch swayed from his claws as if waving a tiny farewell.