Leisurely Life in the Beast World - Chapter 107

Ji Nuan glanced at Ge Xing, the chief of the Watson Tribe, noting his grim expression, and sighed helplessly. “If Sa Ka’er is truly getting close to the Tumang Tribe, we’ll have to be on guard.”

She added softly, “The heart of a beast can be perilous, but we cannot lack vigilance.”

Though Ge Xing felt sad, he still nodded in agreement.

Their cautious attitudes reassured Pei De, chief of the Liangshan Tribe, who had been apprehensive moments earlier. Observing Ge Xing and Sa Ka’er’s apparent camaraderie, he hesitated to share his concerns. Now, however, his decision seemed justified.

The three leaders concluded their discussion and resumed their journey.

At last, Ji Nuan noticed the strange behavior of the silver wolf beastman beneath her. “Brother Xiu Yan, what’s wrong?” she asked.

Usually, his ears stood alert and upright, but now they drooped limply. His tail hung lifelessly behind him while his soulful eyes darted toward Ji Nuan in waves of silent reproach.

Seeing her clueless expression, Xiu Yan let out a long, inward sigh. Beast life is genuinely exhausting.

The forest air was thick and humid, and the heat enveloped them like steam in a bamboo basket. Ji Nuan found it incredibly uncomfortable.

“Let’s pick up the pace. We’re almost at the gathering site,” Ge Xing urged, despite his weariness after the betrayal of a friend.

Spurred on by his words, the beastmen broke into a run.

Having labored in the sky all day, the sun was staggering home, its light fading. Meanwhile, the moon peered shyly from behind the clouds, preparing for its shift. The pounding footsteps of the beastmen sent birds scattering into the air, and even the ordinarily ferocious wild beasts retreated quietly into their dens, sneaking occasional glances to see if the intruders had passed. Dinner would have to wait.

By the time they reached the gathering site, it was the middle of the night. The arrival of the Watson and Liangshan Tribes stirred up a commotion.

The gathering site was located in a vast basin. Several tribes had already claimed the left side, where they had set up bedding made of dry grass and laid out items for trade.

The Watson and Liangshan Tribes chose a spot on the right side. After some discussion, they decided to camp next to each other.

The beastmen began gathering dry grass for bedding.

Looking at the exposed bedding she had just seen, Ji Nuan grimaced. If it rains, won’t this become a giant soup pot?

She quickly supported herself on a large rock and stood up. “Don’t rush to lay down grass nests yet. Let’s build tents on higher ground first. If it rains, we’ll have shelter, and they’ll give us shade from the sun during the day.”

She had just finished speaking when She Wu returned, carrying a bundle of dry grass. His blue-black hair was messy, with random bits of grass sticking out, giving him a chaotic charm. Hearing Ji Nuan’s suggestion, he paused and looked at her with wide, curious eyes.

“Ji Nuan, what’s a tent?” he asked.

Other beastmen, equally curious, set down their bundles of grass and gathered around her.

Ji Nuan smiled. “It’s hard to explain. How about I show you by making one?”

She then cast a pleading glance at Xiu Yan, who was standing nearby.

The silver wolf beastman, though inwardly thrilled by her attention, maintained his aloof demeanor. He rose gracefully and looked at her with his usual calm eyes. “What do you need?”

Ji Nuan beamed. “I just need a few knot trees. Could you please bring some back for me?”

To Ji Nuan, knot trees were essentially bamboo by another name.

Xiu Yan nodded and disappeared into the forest. The knot tree grove was not far from the basin. In no time, he returned, carrying a pile of them.

The tent frame took shape under Ji Nuan’s direction. Two bamboo poles were placed on each side, with their tops tied together using sturdy vines. Another pole was laid horizontally across the top to stabilize the frame.

Xiu Yan drove the poles into the ground with his fist, leaving Ji Nuan marveling inwardly. I couldn’t pull these out even if I tried with all my strength.

They then fixed thinner bamboo poles to the sides of the frame, layering it with dry grass and covering the whole thing with the large leaves commonly found in the beastman world to make it waterproof.

The simple tent was complete. Ji Nuan looked at the finished structure and silently gave herself a thumbs-up. This is amazing.

She Wu’s eyes sparkled as he stared at the makeshift shelter, which he likened to a “mountain cave” made of wood, grass, and leaves. Overjoyed, he hopped over to Ji Nuan like an excited little rabbit.

“Ji Nuan, can we also make a mountain cave like this?”

Ji Nuan laughed and nodded. “Of course! This is a tent. You can make it larger by adding more bamboo poles so several people can sleep together.”

The beastmen cheered quietly, inspired by Ji Nuan’s little creation. After inspecting her cozy shelter, they grouped with their close companions, eager to cut bamboo and build their tents.