Chapter 22

The original host’s “black marks” just kept coming—pot after pot of blame. If only she’d inherited iron pots, clay pots, or hotpots. But no—just endless black pots of guilt she couldn’t finish carrying.

Zi Wu stared at the dazed Cheng Youyou. How could someone be this dumb? He couldn’t bear to look. And yet, for some reason, he couldn’t look away from this Cheng Youyou, who was so hard to look at. She was vivid. Bright.

Cheng Youyou really did seem different. His father’s face flashed through his mind, and a flicker of hesitation passed through his gray-blue eyes.

Cheng Youyou was lazy and greedy. If she were expelled from the tribe, she wouldn’t survive more than a few days. He didn’t want this version of Cheng Youyou to vanish into the vast forest.

But harming a pregnant female was an unforgivable crime—even if Cheng Youyou was a rare female. What could he do to honor his father’s trust?

Zi Wu looked away from Cheng Youyou and stared at the herbs in Ji Xuan’s hand, then up at Ji Xuan’s unreadable face. He didn’t understand Ji Xuan either. He’d always ignored Cheng Youyou, never sparing her a glance, no matter what she did. So why was he stepping up to help her now? Had something happened between them that he didn’t know about?

His suspicious gaze flicked between them, openly displayed on his youthful, handsome face. It was impossible not to notice.

Cheng Youyou ignored Zi Wu’s burning stare. She stepped forward, closer to the crowd of beastfolk whose eyes were filled with doubt, disgust, and hatred. Her expression was calm and composed. She stepped from the shadows into the brilliant sunlight.

Proving the herbs’ effects wasn’t hard—if Lu Xi appeared, everything would be resolved.

Bathed in warm golden light, Cheng Youyou seemed to glow. In that moment, she was dazzling—impossible to look away from.

Ji Xuan watched her radiant figure, his dark eyes flickering. Then he stepped back slightly. If she was so confident, he would give her the chance to prove herself. If she truly inherited the shaman’s mantle, it would be a great boon for the tribe.

The previous shaman had vanished without passing on his legacy, leaving the tribe without a healer—a dangerous instability for a thriving community.

Ji Xuan lowered his gaze to the dried herbs in his hand, his eyes deep. He knew they weren’t poisonous. He also knew Cheng Youyou had helped Lu Xi deliver her cubs safely. But this was a rare opportunity—to rid himself of the parasitic burdens clinging to him without suffering any loss.

He hesitated. Cheng Youyou’s value was becoming undeniable; perhaps she could stay.

Cheng Youyou looked out at the crowd. “I know in this situation, no matter what I say, you’ll still have doubts. So…”

She paused, suppressing the backlash from her powers, and continued, “So, I’ve decided to bring Lu Xi here…”

A flash of inspiration had struck her—she remembered the transplanted flowers in Lu Xi’s cave. Her wood-type ability had reached level 6, allowing her to remotely manipulate the flowers to wake Lu Xi. But remote control was still clumsy, and the backlash was intense.

“Lu Xi…”

Just as the crowd’s doubts peaked, Lu Xi stepped into the square. All eyes turned to her. She walked lightly at the front, her beast-father Wukai following with a joyful expression, carrying two cubs wrapped in beast-hide. Behind them was an older, unfamiliar male.

Lu Xi’s beast-husbands rushed forward, fussing over her with concern, but Lu Xi waved them off and walked straight to Cheng Youyou. Then, along with Wukai, she knelt before her with a crisp, ringing sound that startled Cheng Youyou.

The entire square fell into stunned silence.

Ignoring the shocked stares, Lu Xi looked up at Cheng Youyou. “Cheng Youyou, you saved me and my cubs. From now on, you’re their mother.”

Still reeling from the kneeling, Cheng Youyou blinked. “What did you say?”

Lu Xi repeated herself, her delicate face serious. “I said you’re their mother now.”

Hearing the full meaning, Cheng Youyou’s mouth twitched violently. She’d become a mom—painlessly. Just like that, she had two big sons.

The square erupted in whispers.

“What the heck is going on?”

“Cheng Youyou saved Lu Xi—wait, Wukai’s holding two cubs?”

“You mean Lu Xi gave birth to twins safely with Cheng Youyou’s help?”

“Then she really did inherit the shaman’s mantle. That’s amazing!”

The beastfolk were thrilled. In this dangerous world, injuries from hunting were common. Without timely treatment, death was likely. Many had worried since the shaman’s disappearance. But now Cheng Youyou had inherited his legacy. The tribe had a new healer—what could be better?

Cheng Youyou quickly helped Lu Xi to her feet, but before she could speak, the unfamiliar male pushed forward. He looked at her with excitement. “You’re Cheng Ming’s daughter? You helped a female deliver twins safely?”

Cheng Ming?

Cheng Youyou searched her memory—yes, that was the original host’s father’s name.

She nodded.

This body belonged to the original host. No matter how anyone investigated, that fact wouldn’t change. And she had helped Lu Xi deliver—there was nothing to deny.

Seeing her nod, the male’s eyes lit up, staring at her with unknown thoughts. It made Cheng Youyou shiver.

Watching the situation shift, Zuo Wa nearly ground her silver teeth to dust. But she couldn’t give up now.

“Even if Cheng Youyou helped Sister Lu Xi, it was after Lu Xi ate her herbs that she had complications…”

Her sudden interjection cut off the crowd’s chatter. All eyes returned to the herbs in Ji Xuan’s hand.