Epoch 37: Daydreaming.
Ever since he saw Xue, Kira has not taken his eyes away from him. Even in front of the tribe leader and clan witch of the winged tiger tribe, he still steals glances at the beast.
Among the five large tribes, the winged python tribe was the strongest. It once declined when the previous tribe leader died, but it returned much stronger under the young patriarch, Zmei.
Unfortunately, Zmei seems to have no desire to marry. He always just wants to indulge himself in sex, but there are still many sub-beasts and females that are always trying to seduce him, taking risks that they may be the ones who will tame the capable young leader.
And Kira is one of them. Even though he was the chosen successor of their clan witch, Elder Rung, he still climbed into Zmei's bed.
Zmei is not only the most attractive beast in their tribe, but he is also the strongest. Having a husband like him will not only ensure his safety but also elevate his status within the tribe.
But ever since that day, Zmei has always ignored him, giving him a cold shoulder. Even Elder Rung, who always treated him like his own son, started to distance himself from him.
Since he was a child, Kira has always been pampered. He had never felt this kind of grievance before and planned to move on to another tribe. With his beauty and knowledge of medicine, he knows that many tribes will want him, but he doesn't want just any tribe.
He wants the tribe that can rival the winged python tribe, and that is the winged tiger tribe, which has a long history and is said to be the descendants of the Beast God.
That's why, when he heard that Zmei and Elder Rung would visit the said tribe, he swallowed his pride and begged the elderly to bring him along. After seeing Xue, he never regretted doing so.
"May we know the reason for your sudden visit, tribe leader Zmei?" Bei asked after they were all seated in the center of the tent.
Zmei chuckled. "Shouldn't you know the reason for it, tribe leader Bei?"
Kira sat silently beside Elder Rung, listening attentively to their conversations. He knows the reason why they visited the winged tiger tribe. It is to personally meet the sub-beast that the chameleon tribe thought to be the person in the oracle.
He still can't believe that the person described by the three lowly beasts really exists. A beauty that no one can compare? A deity described in folklore?
'Tch. Impossible.'
Saying that that person is much more beautiful than him is already unbelievable. He wanted to see it himself to believe it.
He also wants to see the disappointed look on Zmei and Elder Rung once the person they were looking for is not here.
"What do you mean?" Lia asked, feigning ignorance but unable to look directly into Zmei's eyes.
Zmei laughed loudly. "You're still selfish as ever," he said, full of contempt.
Provoking the three beasts. Hou, who was sitting beside Xue, abruptly stood up and angrily roared. "How dare you disrespect our mother?"
"Mother?" Zmei sneered. "My mother already died a long time ago."
"You—" Hou wanted to rush to Zmei but was immediately stopped by Xue.
Elder Rung sighed. He slightly tapped his cane on the ground, then chimes sounded from the embedded stones on it, which immediately calmed down the agitated beasts.
"Tribe leader Bei, Lia, I know that both of you already have an idea why we are here. Especially you, Lia, don't forget that you were not the only one receiving an oracle," Elder Rung said meaningfully.
Lia looked down, slightly trembling and looking somewhat guilty. He wants to say something, but he knows that he cannot hide anything from his teacher.
Bei worriedly looked at his wife as he held his hand, gripping it lightly.
"Even though we have a bad past, we still cherish our first patriarch's friendship and think of the winged tiger tribe as allies. We meant no harm," Elder Rung added.
After a long moment of silence, Bei asked. "What do you want?"
"We want to meet that person." Elder Rung immediately answered.
Bei called someone outside, then a beast came in and bowed. "Call Tang Tang," he ordered.
"Father!"
"Tang Tang will still have the final decision." Bei cut off Hou's next words.
Xue remained expressionless, but he is already worried about what Tang Tang might think because they know that the sub-beast doesn't want to reveal his origin.
The beast left, hesitatingly. He even unafraidly glared at the other three people inside the tent before leaving. He thought that the winged python tribe wanted to take Tang Tang.
Zmei scoffed.
"Only the four of us know about Tang Tang," Bei simply explained, implying that the beast earlier didn't have any idea about Tang Tang's identity.
"Are you sure that he is the person mentioned in the oracle?" Kira, who has been keeping quiet since earlier, suddenly asked.
Lia nodded, then explained. "Yes, when he first arrived here, he was wearing clothes that we had never seen before. He also knew a lot of things we didn't know, but he didn't know a lot of things about Gaia."
"He might only come from a small tribe that didn't have any interaction with large and medium-sized tribes," Kira said, making assumptions about Tang Tang's previous tribe.
"It is impossible that, with all Tang Tang's knowledge, he only came from a small tribe. I think that his previous place is much more advanced and civilized than us," Xue explained.
Kira was delighted that Xue talked to him voluntarily. He started thinking about topics that would pique the interest of the cold man.
"Tang Tang also said that when he wakes up, he is already inside the hallowed grounds, and the guardians didn't harm him. He even came here, avoiding every monster in the way," Lia added.
"We can't believe everything he says. He might be pretending," Kira voiced out, unaffected by the ugly expression of Elder Rung.
"Are you enjoying yourself, Kira?" Zmei sarcastically asked, without even looking at him. "Who let you voice out your thoughts?"
Kira immediately cowered and shut up. He was embarrassed by Zmei but can't do anything since he is afraid to anger the beast.
"If you don't want to believe, then don't," Hou said before standing up and walking out to wait for Tang Tang.
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Tang Tang was lying in the grass bed, thinking about how to improve their lives, when he heard someone calling him.
The beast said that the tribe leader was calling for him. He doesn't know the reason, but he immediately took the three packs of food he had set aside earlier and followed the beast towards the tribe leader's tent.
He will give it to Cai, Yul, and Toa since their tent is on the way.
Tang Tang thought that the situation was not urgent since the beast in front of him was walking slowly.
"Can we go to Hou's tent? I will just give this to Toa and Yul," Tang Tang asked.
The beast stopped and answered him in a stutter, "T-they are in the central tent, standing guard."
"I see." Tang Tang waited for the beast to continue walking, but it didn't and just kept on fidgeting. "What's wrong?" he asked.
"Ahmm. I-is it true that we can eat the food you cook if we help you?"
Tang Tang was taken aback by the beast question. It is possible that it is either Toa or Cai spreading that he is cooking for them in exchange for their help in making bricks.
He doesn't mind cooking a lot, as long as there are ingredients. It is also better if more beasts will help them make bricks since they will start building their house; Hou and Xue can't do both at the same time.
Tang Tang nodded. "Yes, as long as you have free time, you can come to the hill and help. If you help in the morning, I'll give lunch. If you help in the afternoon, I'll give dinner," he explained.
The beast immediately beamed in happiness, and with a flushed face, he walked towards the center tent with big strides.
When they arrived at the center of the tribe, Tang Tang saw two groups lined up. The group on the left had familiar faces, while the group on the right had unfriendly looks.
At the entrance of the tent, he saw Hou standing with a serious expression. Tang Tang was immediately mesmerized by the handsome demeanor of the beast because it is rare for him to see him like this.
Tang Tang walked towards the man, and the whole place suddenly fell silent, as if an angel had descended.
"Tang Tang..."
"What's wrong? Is someone bullying my Hou?" he gently said while caressing the man's cheeks.
"Hmm.." Hou nestle more into the soft and warm hand while acting coquettish. "I'm still angry."
All the beasts present were surprised at how fast Hou changed his expression. They also can't believe that the hot-blooded beast they know can act cute in front of a sub-beast. But they cannot blame him; anyone would be willing to do so.
Even the escorts of the winged python tribe were stupefied to see the stunningly beautiful sub-beast in front of them. Their frightening aura softened a lot.
Hou noticed the way they looked at Tang Tang. He hugged the sub-beast and escorted him to the tent. "Let's go inside. They were waiting."
"Wait."
Tang Tang ran to Yul and Toa, and he handed them the three packs of food. "This is for you guys, and this is for Cai. Kindly give it to him in my stead."
Toa accepted the pack with a wide grin. Yul took the pack for Cai and promised to give it to the beast that is currently on patrol.
Tang Tang thanked them and returned to Hou's side. He also smiled politely at the escort beasts from the winged python tribe.
When the two are out of sight, Toa immediately flaunted the pack of food he received from the sub-beast.