Chapter 242: Chapter 242: How Many More Cubs Have You Hidden That We Don’t Know About?

In Tiger Beast City.

Jin Wei stared at Hei Li, his expression grim.

"You’re saying the Salt Field was taken back by the mermen, and that after Jin Che went to capture the males from the Divine Leopard Tribe, there’s been no word from him?"

"Yes, City Lord. The mermen were prepared this time. I’m afraid taking the Salt Field back won’t be so easy now."

The mermen already hold a huge advantage on the coast. We only managed to seize that Salt Field in the first place by cooperating with Wing Beast City, and even then, the battle cost us a great number of our beast-men.

Fengxuan, who was standing to the side, suddenly spoke up. "The mermen have likely already colluded with Qiao Xixi and her group. It’s highly probable that Jin Che was careless and fell into their trap."

Jin Wei looked toward Fengxuan, but his gaze shifted away the moment it landed on his haggard, emaciated face.

Fengxuan naturally sensed Jin Wei’s displeasure. He was filled with hatred himself. ’If I hadn’t spent all these years studying various medicines and managed to concoct something to temporarily save my own life upon my return, I’d be seeing the Beast God by now.’

But he couldn’t completely neutralize the poison. Every night, he was tormented by excruciating pain until dawn. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been able to sleep through the night.

That was why he hated Qiao Xixi and her companions to the bone. ’I just want to tear them to pieces, right now!’

"So, what does our Priest suggest we do?"

Fengxuan suppressed the hatred in his heart and said coldly, "Don’t be hasty, City Lord. So what if they’ve obtained the Seven-color Salt Field? Without the refining method, Seven-color Salt Crystal is no different from any ordinary Salt Crystal."

"Besides, Land Beasts can’t stay by the sea forever. They’re bound to return to the Divine Leopard Tribe. We just need to make our offer generous enough, give them enough benefits, and the powerful beast-men of the Divine Leopard Tribe will certainly be willing to come settle in our Beast City."

Jin Wei immediately understood Fengxuan’s plan. "You want the beast-men of the Divine Leopard Tribe to migrate to Tiger Beast City?"

Fengxuan nodded. "Exactly. Once all the beast-men in the Divine Leopard Tribe who have awakened their beast souls migrate to Tiger Beast City, dealing with the rest of them will be child’s play."

Jin Wei thought Fengxuan had a point.

If the Divine Leopard Tribe had no beast-men, then the Holy Priest would have no reason to stop him from razing it to the ground.

"Good. Do as the Priest says. Clear out all the vacant spaces in the city. I want to bring in more beast-men."

"Yes."

Jin Wei turned his gaze to Hei Li. "As for the Salt Field, go to the outpost and find Songyan. Have him dispatch the Golden Eagle Beasts to keep an eye on their movements."

"Yes."

...

Meanwhile, at the Salt Field, Qiao Xixi and the others were completely unaware of Jin Wei’s plans.

Sunxiao and Xijing were both shocked that Qiao Xixi actually knew the method for refining Seven-color Salt Crystal.

"Xixi, do you really know how?"

Qiao Xixi nodded, then shook her head. On the way here, she had looked through the Collection Book, and it actually contained a detailed description of the refining method. It didn’t look difficult, but she’d have to try it first to know for sure.

"I’m not completely confident, but I want to try it first."

Xijing squeezed Qiao Xixi’s hand a little tighter. "Just tell me what you need. I’ll have my people prepare it at once."

"Okay."

The refining method was actually similar to the way she had produced Salt Crystal from Grass Fruit, but with one extra step and the need for some sea coral.

After she told Xijing the main ingredients, he immediately sent people to prepare them.

Qiao Xixi noticed that as he strode out of the stone house, his steps were remarkably confident—not at all like someone who might bump into the doorframe.

As she was puzzling over this, Qiao Xixi felt a sudden coolness on her hand.

"Have you had your fill of looking?"

"Huh?"

Sunxiao pulled her over to a water basin, placed her hands inside, and began to gently wash them.

"Sunxiao, my hands aren’t dirty."

Without looking up, Sunxiao replied, "Mm, they’re not."

’Then why are you washing them?!’

Only after confirming that Xijing’s scent no longer lingered on Qiao Xixi’s hands did Sunxiao use a beast-hide cloth to wipe them dry.

It finally dawned on Qiao Xixi, leaving her unsure whether to laugh or cry.

’So that’s what it was,’ she thought. ’The great king of jealousy is angry.’

She snatched the cloth from his hand, wrapped her arms around his neck, and looked up at him with a wide grin.

Sunxiao was completely powerless against her direct, adoring gaze. He pulled her into his arms and gently kissed her eyes.

"Qiao Xixi."

"Hm?"

"How many other little strays have you picked up out there that we don’t know about?"

Qiao Xixi was speechless.

Qiao Xixi buried her face in his chest, her voice muffled. "I’m sure there aren’t any more!"

Sunxiao said nothing, but his cool fingertips suddenly slid into her hair, as if searching for something.

By now, Qiao Xixi’s hair was already streaked with their colors. Red, gold, and pure white were the three most prominent shades, mingling with the strands that framed her forehead.

Sunxiao lifted the long hair at the nape of her neck and, after a meticulous search, discovered strands of black and blue.

’No wonder we never noticed these two colors before. They were hidden in the least conspicuous place!’

Qiao Xixi let him do as he pleased. ’A jealous giant snake is a scary thing,’ she thought. ’If I don’t placate him properly, he can get very... creative... at certain times!’

Sunxiao went so far as to inspect every single strand of her hair. Only after confirming there were no other colors did he smooth her long hair and tie it back with a leather strap.

"Well? No more, right?"

In truth, Qiao Xixi asked this with a notable lack of confidence. She was afraid of the answer, too!

Sunxiao raised a cold eyebrow. "Were you hoping for more?"

"Nope, nope, absolutely not! Come on, let’s go check on the cubs. They must be going wild."

The cubs were indeed going wild. When they arrived, Jin Ling was standing off to the side, holding their little tiger cub.

The little tiger cub saw her older brothers and sisters having fun and was desperate to join, but she was only just steady on her feet and couldn’t possibly keep up. All she could do was stare longingly from her father’s arms.

"An’an."

Hearing her mother’s voice, the little tiger cub whimpered, wanting to be held.

Qiao Xixi smiled, took her in her arms, and kissed her little cheek.

"Xixi, are you all better?"

Jin Ling had wanted to stay by Qiao Xixi’s side last night, but there were too many things to handle at the Salt Field. He had to take their little cub with him to see to his duties and had only just finished.

"Yes, I’m fine now. We just went to the Seven-color Salt Field. Xijing offered to give us half of it, and I’m going to try refining the Seven-color Salt Crystal."

"Good."

"Where are Feiyan and Sangze? I haven’t seen them."

"They were worried there might still be uncaptured beast-men from Tiger Beast City, so they’ve been patrolling the area all night."

Qiao Xixi had really been wanting to see Sangze.

Just as they were speaking, Feiyan walked over.

"Xixi."

Feiyan rushed over to Qiao Xixi, taking her hands and looking her over from head to toe. He asked anxiously, "Xixi, are you recovered? Why are you out here? The sea breeze is so strong. Hurry back inside."

"I’m all better now."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"I don’t believe you. Unless you give me a kiss."

Qiao Xixi was speechless but still leaned her face toward Feiyan.

Just as Feiyan was waiting in eager anticipation for a kiss from his little mistress, his ear was suddenly yanked.

"Kiss, my foot! Weren’t you on patrol with Sangze? How come I don’t see him back with you?"

Feiyan hissed in pain, grabbing Qiao Xixi’s hand and whining, "He said this morning he was worried about you and wanted to check on you. I saw our work wasn’t finished, so I let him go on ahead. You haven’t seen him?"