Chapter 21

In this world, females were rare and precious. Their purpose was to be cherished and cared for by males and to give birth to cubs that would strengthen the tribe. That was considered the greatest mission of a female’s life.

Now, Cheng Youyou had told everyone that her father, a tribal shaman, had taught her about herbs little by little—almost as if he had passed his mantle onto her. However, there had never been a female shaman in the tribe’s history.

Shamans held a high status not just because they could heal and treat illness, but because their work was dangerous. They spent their lives dealing with unknown plants, some of which were more lethal than wild beasts—just touching or smelling them could be fatal.

So how could people not be shocked? Her father had cherished her like the apple of his eye—how could he bear to let her inherit such a perilous role?

Zi Wu stared at Cheng Youyou in disbelief, unable to recover for a long moment.

She had inherited her father’s mantle? But how was that possible? Her father had never allowed her near the cave where he studied plants.

Yet Cheng Youyou was so certain the herbs in her hand were harmless, he couldn’t help but believe her.

Seeing the stunned expressions around her, Cheng Youyou secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Bringing up the original host’s shaman father wasn’t just about clearing her name in Lu Xi’s case—it was about surviving in the tribe without relying on beast-husbands. She had to prove her own worth. And the role of tribal shaman was practically tailor-made for her.

The crowd’s gaze shifted again—some angry, some doubtful, some confused.

Ji Xuan looked at Cheng Youyou’s back. Though he couldn’t see her face, he could sense her composure and calm. So different from the flustered girl who had once stumbled away at the river.

How interesting.

His dark eyes flickered. Especially after what he’d witnessed that strange night. He changed his mind.

Ji Xuan stepped forward and took the herbs from Cheng Youyou’s hand. She looked up in surprise at the handsome man. The sun slanted across his thick black lashes, casting a soft golden glow. But beneath those lashes, his eyes were cold and bottomless—like a deep abyss. He turned to the crowd and spoke in a low, magnetic voice that reached every ear: “As Cheng Youyou’s beast-husband and the tribe’s leader, it is my duty to test these herbs myself.”

Cheng Youyou’s mind exploded with a thousand stampeding horses. Had Ji Xuan lost his mind? He hadn’t even looked at the original host before.

Now he was suddenly stepping up to fulfill his beast-husband duties? To test her herbs?

Something felt off. Ji Xuan didn’t seem like someone who’d suddenly grow a conscience.

Her thoughts raced, but her face remained calm. If Ji Xuan tested the herbs himself, it would be the strongest endorsement of her claim to the shaman’s legacy. Whatever his motives, it worked in her favor.

The other beastfolk, seeing their leader step forward, began to believe her more. “If the leader’s willing to test them, they must be safe.”

Among the crowd, an older female who had witnessed Cheng Youyou helping Lu Xi yesterday recalled the scene—how Cheng Youyou had collapsed from exhaustion and had to be carried out by several women. Now, with the fair and just leader standing up, it was a tacit vote of confidence in Cheng Youyou.

Her past image—cruel and abusive toward her beast-husbands—clashed with the calm and capable woman they’d seen yesterday.

Finally, the older woman hesitated and said, “Maybe… we misunderstood…”

But before she could finish, a soft, coquettish voice interrupted. The speaker sounded timid, her voice trembling slightly.

The male beastfolk shivered inexplicably and turned toward the source.

“But… even if the leader can handle the herbs, that doesn’t mean Sister Lu Xi could…”

The speaker trembled even more under their gaze.

“Because… because Sister Lu Xi is a pregnant female, and the leader… the leader is a strong male…”

The moment the males heard that delicate voice, they turned to look. They saw a petite, delicate female—and a surge of protectiveness rose in their hearts. They quickly echoed Zuo Wa’s words.

“Yeah…”

“She’s right…”

Zuo Wa caught the heat in their eyes and smiled smugly. She basked in their attention.

As for Cheng Youyou—she had to be driven out. She couldn’t be allowed to stand between her and Mu Feng or Mu Yu.

Cheng Youyou shivered as goosebumps crawled over her skin. She turned toward the voice—and was stunned. Was that mosquito-like voice really coming from her?

She cleared her throat and tried to mimic Zuo Wa’s tone. But she wasn’t built for it. Her forced falsetto triggered a coughing fit.

She looked at Zuo Wa with admiration. That kind of voice wasn’t something just anyone could pull off.

Ji Xuan noticed her little performance, and a flicker of amusement passed through his dark eyes—like a meteor streaking across an abyss, dazzling but fleeting.

Originally, Ji Xuan’s gesture had begun to shift public opinion in Cheng Youyou’s favor. But Zuo Wa’s words stirred up a swarm of chatter, buzzing like bees.

Cheng Youyou narrowed her eyes, locking onto Zuo Wa’s malicious gaze.

She paused. Digging through the original host’s memories, she realized they hadn’t interacted much. The only notable incident was when the original host had followed Zuo Wa’s younger brother, You Wa, and Zuo Wa had scolded her harshly.

Cheng Youyou’s mouth twitched. The original host had no other redeeming qualities, but her taste in beast-husbands was impeccable—each one more handsome than the last.

You Wa’s looks, aside from the original host’s current husbands, were among the best in the tribe. After enduring countless cold stares from her husbands, she’d set her sights on the newly adult You Wa. She’d followed him around constantly, terrifying his young heart. But aside from that, there had been no direct conflict between the original host and Zuo Wa.

Still, ever since Cheng Youyou had helped deliver Lu Xi’s cubs, she’d sensed Zuo Wa’s hostility. She sighed inwardly. Was Zuo Wa just a hardcore sister complex case? Was she here to avenge her brother?