Chapter 68

Ye Wulan quickly followed, still carrying Da Bao in his arms.

Ye Chuan had just exchanged for some needles, thread, and scrap fabric, and was preparing to return to regroup with his uncle and Big Brother Ye Shuo. But when he was about to turn a corner, a sudden instinct hit him.

Ye Chuan was highly vigilant—his hand instinctively reached for his blade, but Ye Wulan’s oppressive aura swept over him in an instant, suppressing him with such force that he couldn’t even draw his weapon.

Ye Chuan felt the pressure of immense power.

“So strong!” He had encountered a true powerhouse.

Though he had already advanced to the sixth tier and was rarely matched at the market, he’d suddenly run into someone vastly superior.

I was careless, he thought. Thankfully, they hadn’t brought anything conspicuous this time, so there shouldn’t be any reason to be targeted.

Ye Baizhi hadn’t expected her brother to go for his blade either. Seeing him restrained, she immediately realized Ye Wulan had acted. She stepped forward, gently holding Ye Chuan’s arm, and whispered, “Big Brother, it’s me!”

“Can we speak somewhere private?”

Ye Chuan jolted—That voice… It’s his sister, without a doubt.

Though her appearance was altered and rather plain, those eyes—he recognized them instantly.

Ye Chuan also realized he couldn’t speak carelessly—he might cause trouble for his sister. He gave an almost imperceptible nod.

And just like that, Ye Baizhi and Ye Wulan set aside their market visit and led Ye Chuan back to their place.

Once they arrived, Ye Wulan put up a barrier around the house so no one outside could hear their conversation; even a powerful beastman eavesdropping right against the wall would hear nothing.

Ye Chuan looked at Ye Baizhi, eyes full of emotion. “Sister, it’s such a relief that you’re safe.”

“I came to the market this time hoping—just hoping—I might catch some news about you.”

“It’s our fault. I was unconscious the day you gave birth. I couldn’t protect you.”

“Mother’s been so worried, but we all believe—you’d come through somehow.”

His gaze held deep guilt.

After waking up and learning that his sister had nearly met disaster—and that suspicious beastmen were watching them outside the tribe—they hadn’t dared to act recklessly.

Ye Baizhi said, “I’m sorry, big brother. Wulan and I just returned today. After seeing what was happening at the Rabbit Tribe, I didn’t dare go back. I was afraid I’d put all of you in danger.”

Ye Chuan shook his head. “Don’t say that. Mother and I—we just want you safe. We don’t want you to return.”

“We still don’t know who they are or what kind of power they hold, but they’re clearly after you.”

Ye Baizhi said, “Let them think I’m dead. You and Mother can set up a symbolic grave for me—hold a memorial service to make them believe it.”

“If they believe I’m gone, they’ll withdraw and stop watching the Rabbit Tribe.”

“Besides, it snowed just yesterday. This winter will be especially harsh, with even more snow to come. They’re not likely to linger outside in that.”

Ye Chuan knew his sister was someone with clear plans and sound judgment. It was best to trust her.

“All right,” he agreed.

Ye Baizhi then introduced Da Bao and Ye Wulan to her brother.

Of course, Ye Chuan already knew of Ye Wulan—but now, Ye Baizhi was introducing him as her mate.

Ye Chuan was stunned. He never would’ve imagined that the revered doctor they all looked up to had become his brother-in-law.

Ye Wulan greeted him with ease, “Big brother!”

“Ah—” Ye Chuan responded with a nod, unsure what to do with his hands or feet. When he looked at Da Bao, his heart warmed instantly. He couldn’t help but adore the child at first glance. He wanted to hold him—but hesitated, afraid his hands were too rough or that he’d fumble it somehow.

Da Bao, ever perceptive, sensed his uncle’s awkwardness and reached out with his little arms, saying, “Uncle, carry me!”

Ye Chuan was both flattered and flustered, quickly and clumsily scooping Dabao into his arms. He held him so gingerly that he hardly dared move.

Ye Baizhi couldn’t help but laugh. “Big Brother, Da Bao isn’t that fragile—you can hold him more freely.”

“O-okay!” Despite her reassurance, Ye Chuan still didn’t dare use too much strength.

Looking at Da Bao, his eyes filled with emotion. “It’s so good… I’m an uncle now.” He wanted to offer a gift to mark the occasion but hadn’t brought anything this time, leaving him feeling awkward.

Sensing this, Ye Baizhi quickly changed the subject. “Big Brother, when did you all arrive at the market?”

Ye Chuan explained, “We set out before dawn this morning and got here midmorning—mainly to trade for some salt.”

“But we also picked up thread and fabric. Mother’s planning to make fur blankets and quilts for the winter, just like you suggested—sewn with thread and scraps, they should be warmer.”

“Things in the tribe are much better now. Everyone knows how to make tofu, and we’ve all stocked up on the other foods you taught us to prepare…”

“After you left, we started firing clay pots too—not as well as you did, but we managed. Now, a lot of households in the tribe have ceramic pots and bowls, though most people trade food or goods for them…”

“Everyone’s been using those to store food.”

“This year, the tribe will finally have a stable winter.”

“Now that we’ve exchanged everything we needed, once the heavy snows seal the mountains, we won’t go out again…”

Ye Chuan talked at length, sharing all the recent updates from the tribe with Ye Baizhi.

Hearing that all was well, Ye Baizhi finally relaxed. She pulled out a pouch of hong (*) and handed it to Ye Chuan. “Take this back for Mother and Aunt—let them brew it into tea to stay warm.”

T/N: I’m not sure what this is; it’s probably some medicinal ingredient.

“And don’t tell anyone about me.”

Ye Chuan patted his chest in promise. “Don’t worry, little sister. I won’t breathe a word.”

Her safety was of the utmost importance to him.

Ye Baizhi then gave him a few jars of canned goods. She also took his bamboo container, poured out the water, and refilled it with spiritual spring water.

“For the road.”

“Thank you.”

She offered him some blue spirit stones, but Ye Chuan firmly refused.

“Oh—did you run into any trouble on the way here?”

Ye Chuan shook his head. “Not at all. Uncle, Big Brother Ye Shuo, and a few others from the tribe came with me. Once we’re done shopping, we’ll gather near the northern end of the market after noon and head back.”

Ye Baizhi’s expression turned serious. “The patrol unit shared some intel—recently, some beastmen have been ambushing travelers outside the village. They’re robbing them and, in some cases, even killing them for their goods.”

As she spoke, she picked up a wooden stick and began sketching a map on the ground.

“Take this detour to return to the tribe—don’t go through the eastern path. It’s dangerous.”

Even though her big brother was a sixth-tier warrior now, it wasn’t worth the risk.

Ye Wulan, sensing Ye Baizhi’s concern for her brother, took Ye Chuan’s bone blade and infused it with a strand of power. If Ye Chuan ever faced a life-threatening situation, that power could save him—and Ye Wulan would sense it as well. That way, Ye Baizhi could rest easy.

She had originally wanted Ye Chuan to stay for lunch before heading back, but he didn’t want to trouble his sister and was eager to regroup with their uncle and Ye Shuo.

As for Baizhi’s situation, he wouldn’t mention a word of it to their uncle or Ye Shuo either. The fewer who knew, the safer everyone would be. It was enough that their mother and he were in the loop.

That morning, Ye Baizhi had made apple cakes. They hadn’t finished breakfast, so she stuffed the leftovers into Ye Chuan’s pack.

“Big Brother, if anything ever comes up, you can come find me here.”

Ye Chuan nodded in agreement, though in his heart, he knew—unless something serious happened, he wouldn’t come to bother her. As long as she was living well, he and their mother would be at peace.

“No need to worry, Little Sister. We won’t leave the tribe during the winter.”

Ye Baizhi furrowed her brows in thought. “Big Brother, I think you should consider forming a small defense force within the tribe—to strengthen its combat capabilities.”