Leisurely Life in the Beast World - Chapter 101

After completing her examination, Ji Nuan sighed a long sigh of relief. She stroked the soft, smooth fur of the silver wolf cub in her arms and turned to the worried tribespeople surrounding her. “Everyone, don’t worry. Xiu Yan isn’t seriously hurt. He’s just overexerted himself. It seems his wings can’t be used too often.”

Ge Xing exhaled deeply, nodding gravely. “Indeed. When this pup wakes up, Ji Nuan, you must remind him. If he keeps using those wings recklessly, what’ll he do in a real fight against a powerful enemy? It’s too dangerous.”

Ji Nuan gently pats the fluffy cub’s round head, nodding earnestly.

Meanwhile, Xiu Yan was secretly delighted, enjoying the rare comfort of being coddled. The soothing strokes, belly rubs, and playful paw squeezes had him feeling thoroughly pampered. His fat little paws twitched with satisfaction. Yet, the memory of Ji Nuan’s earlier “fierce” glare restrained him, and he obediently played the part of a motionless, fragile cub.

“By the way, Ji Nuan, what happened to your wound?” Ge Xing’s voice shifted, his gaze landing on the slow trickle of blood still seeping from her ankle.

Ji Nuan frowned, puzzled. “I’m not sure either. I shifted my body because I was uncomfortable sitting for so long, and then I felt a sharp pain in my ankle. I didn’t see exactly what happened. I even checked the ceramic jars we brought—they’re intact, so it can’t be a shard that cut me.”

“Let me take a look.” Ge Xing crouched down, gesturing for Ji Nuan to extend her leg.

Ji Nuan nodded, peeling back the torn hide wrapping her foot. Her minor, fair ankle was marred by a gaping wound, its edges raw and jagged.

Ge Xing’s expression darkened the moment he saw it. A flash of something sharp and unreadable flickered in his eyes. The beastmen around them exchanged strange looks, their faces tightening with unease.

Ji Nuan didn’t know it, but the sight of her injury unsettled the beastmen for a specific reason. They recognized it immediately. The ragged edges of the wound were identical to those caused by the claws of a beastman.

“Is something wrong with my wound?” Ji Nuan asked anxiously, the heavy silence and tension around her making her uneasy. Could it be poison? Did some strange fish attack me?

Ge Xing’s tone softened as he straightened up, a mask of relief covering his earlier severity. “Ji Nuan, your wound seems to have been caused by the claws of some strange fish. Fortunately, it’s not poisonous. Just apply some herbs, and you’ll recover in a few days.”

The beastmen visibly relaxed at his explanation, their tension melting away.

“Oh, that makes sense. These strange clawed fish must be fierce,” one of them murmured.

Ji Nuan nodded, accepting the explanation. “I thought the same thing. It’s a good thing I packed extra herbs. Later, I’ll distribute some to the injured tribespeople.”

Ge Xing nodded approvingly.

Standing up, he waved his hands dismissively at the curious onlookers. “What are you all standing around for? Don’t you have anything better to do? Go rest! We’ll head out again soon.”

Ji Nuan waved over Fu Yi, who had been sunbathing lazily atop a bundle of supplies. As soon as she called, the little lightning mink, a blur of white fur, jumped to his feet and scurried to her side.

Momentarily charmed by his fluffy appearance, Ji Nuan handed Fu Yi a reddish-purple herb. But as she did, she subtly glanced at the little creature.

Fu Yi’s round eyes flashed with understanding. He squeaked twice and dashed into the forest, his tiny figure vanishing instantly.

Ji Nuan chewed the herbs into a paste, carefully applying them to her wound. A sharp, stinging pain shot through her ankle, making her gasp and pale. The wound was more profound than she’d expected.

“Chirp! Chirp!” Fu Yi’s high-pitched calls rang out from the edge of the forest. Ji Nuan’s eyes flickered with surprise and determination as she glanced in his direction.

“Ji Nuan, isn’t that Fu Yi? Did he find the herbs you sent him for?” Ge Xing asked his gaze following hers.

Ji Nuan nodded. “I think so. But it seems he’s a bit confused. I’ll go check on him.”

Ge Xing rose and moved to her side. “I’ll help you. You’re still injured—don’t strain yourself.”

As Ji Nuan allowed Ge Xing to support her, the two walked toward the forest together.

Watching them retreat, Xiu Yan’s narrowed wolf eyes shimmered with jealousy and frustration.

Why did I pretend to be weak? Of all the things I could fake, why this?

Even more infuriating, his attempt at garnering attention had utterly backfired. Ji Nuan had left him behind to wander off with Ge Xing.

Xiu Yan lay there sulking, his little wolf heart feeling colder than the river water he’d just escaped from.