Chapter 265: Chapter 265: A Rumor Started by the Cub

"AWOO!~!"

Whether she saw the dragon horn or was simply anxious that Mo Yan was in danger, the tiger cub lifted a tiny paw and slapped Jin Ling on the chest with a little "awoo."

A jolt went through Jin Ling’s chest. His hand faltered, and the tiger cub seized the opportunity to wriggle free of his grasp and crawl toward the pool.

"An’an!"

Ignoring the sharp pain in his chest, Jin Ling quickly shifted into his beast form, rushed forward, and snatched up the mischievous cub in his jaws.

By then, the Wild Bull Beast Group had already charged into the pool. Mo Yan turned to see the stampeding beasts, his pupils constricting as he swam frantically for the shore.

Just as one of the Wild Bull Beasts was about to trample Mo Yan, a long tail lashed out from the shore, striking the frantically charging animal.

Before Mo Yan could even react, Feiyan had plucked him from the water with his jaws.

"Head toward the mountain forest! Avoid the Wild Bull Beast Group."

Jin Ling returned to Qiao Xixi’s side with the cub in his mouth. "Xixi, get on."

Qiao Xixi quickly took the tiger cub from him and leaped onto his back. Sangze, with Xiya already on his back, forged ahead to clear a path for the cubs.

A cold, black-and-red light swirled around Sunxiao as he opened his gaping maw and devoured the Wild Bull Beasts one by one.

Feiyan tossed Mo Yan onto his back and glanced in Sunxiao’s direction.

"Looks like the big snake is finally getting a proper meal."

This wave of Wild Bull Beasts hadn’t actually come to attack them; they were just rushing to the pool for a drink. After Sunxiao had eaten his fill, he turned and caught up with the others, making sure to bring back the two largest Wild Bull Beasts.

In their mad dash, they had all ignored the sun in the sky, only stopping when they reached the foot of the mountain.

After the intense sprint, the cubs collapsed to the ground, panting for breath.

Sunxiao dropped the two Wild Bull Beasts on the ground and shifted back into his human form.

"Is everyone all right?"

Qiao Xixi climbed down from Jin Ling’s back, holding the tiger cub.

"We’re fine. A watering hole during a heatwave is as dangerous as I thought."

Mo Yan had recovered his composure. He hadn’t expected them to save him.

He climbed down from Feiyan’s back, shifted into his human form, and looked at him with gratitude. "Thank you, sir. Thank you for saving me."

Feiyan let out a breath and plopped onto the ground, eyeing him lazily. "You’re one lucky cub. You should thank me, sure, but the one you really ought to thank is An’an."

If the tiger cub hadn’t noticed him, we never would have realized he was still in the water.

Mo Yan had seen it from the water—the tiger cub had been desperately trying to get to him.

Mo Yan walked over to the tiger cub and offered her the dragon horn.

"Thank you, An’an."

The tiger cub made a happy little sound and snatched the dragon horn, her delicate face alight with the joy of receiving a new favorite toy.

Not only that, but she then held her arms out to Mo Yan, her intention perfectly clear.

"An’an."

Her father’s slightly stern voice rang out from behind. An instant later, the cub was scooped up by his large hand.

"You naughty girl! You ignored the danger and ran right toward the beasts. What did your father tell you?"

Mo Yan’s heart ached seeing the cub get scolded. He started to step forward, but then he saw Qiao Xixi shake her head at him.

When Jin Ling was disciplining their child, Qiao Xixi wouldn’t interfere, no matter how much her heart ached. She knew it was better for An’an to be disciplined by her father now than to be taught a harsh lesson by the world later.

The tiger cub was a little afraid of her angry father, but fear didn’t stop her from trying to talk her way out of it.

"Meow-awoo, poof poof, ga, gaga @*#@~~!"

"So you think you did nothing wrong, is that it?"

"AWOO!"

Qiao Xixi glanced at the furious Jin Ling and shook her head helplessly. ’Sigh, raising a cub is not easy!’

Sunxiao and the others picked a new place to make camp. With all the earlier commotion, the sky had already grown dark, so they had no choice but to rest for the night and resume their journey in the morning.

Feiyan and Sangze went into the woods to find a water source, taking the prey with them to be cleaned.

Sunxiao stood guard nearby.

The older cubs pretended to help by gathering firewood, but their ears were pricked high, eavesdropping on the father and daughter. They were afraid Jin Ling would lose his temper and spank their little sister.

Mo Yan wanted to help too, but Qiao Lie and the others deliberately kept their distance.

Sangqi glanced at Mo Yan, thought for a moment, and finally spoke up. "Actually, he seems kind of pitiful."

The way Mo Yan was now reminded him of his own past, and he felt a degree of empathy for him.

Qiao Lie’s serpentine eyes swept calmly toward Mo Yan. "Brother, don’t try to make decisions for our mother and fathers. Our little sister is young and doesn’t know any better, but we’re old enough to."

He felt that since their parents hadn’t fully accepted Mo Yan, they must still be suspicious of him. For now, the cubs should also keep their distance to prevent any mishaps.

Sangqi blinked in confusion, tugged on Qiao Ang’s arm, and whispered, "Qiao Ang, what’s Qiao Lie talking about?"

Qiao Ang tilted his head, furrowed his brow, and said gravely, "Brother, you don’t get it? This is a very serious matter."

"Huh? I don’t. Quick, tell me."

Qiao Ang glanced around, and seeing that no one was listening, he whispered conspiratorially in Sangqi’s ear, "You didn’t know? That black dragon cub is our mother’s cub!"

Sangqi’s eyes widened in shock. "But didn’t our mother say he wasn’t?"

"Our mother is definitely lying to the fathers. Haven’t you seen? Your father even fights with my father!"

"Huh? But... my father fights your father, too..."

Qiao Ang rolled his eyes in disdain, his expression screaming that he and his "brother" were clearly not on the same wavelength.

"Whatever, brother. Let’s just hurry up and get the firewood. We’re having fresh-roasted Wild Bull Beast meat tonight!"

"Hey, little brother Qiao Ang, I want mine with fruit jam, so whatever you do, don’t let your father cook!"

Qiao Xixi had no idea her own son was spreading rumors about her. Inside the shelter, she was busy spreading out beast-hide mats. Once they were laid, she took out the last few remaining fruits from her dimensional space.

Fruit had been scarce on the island, so her stored supply was nearly depleted. Thankfully, it wouldn’t be long before they were back at the tribe.

After her lecture from her father, the tiger cub was carried into the shelter.

When Qiao Xixi went inside, she saw the cub sitting like a fluffy little ball on the beast-hide mat, her head hung low, looking utterly dejected.

She hadn’t been paying attention to what the two of them had said. ’Did Jin Ling actually spank her?’

Her heart aching, Qiao Xixi went to pick up the tiger cub and comfort her, but the little one’s soft body simply slumped to the side. She was already fast asleep! Zzzzzz.

Qiao Xixi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She saw that the cub’s tiny paw was still clutching the dragon horn; she must really love it.

’Does the male lead have some kind of natural charisma? My cub is so young, and she’s already drawn to him.’

’How surreal.’

The appearance of the Wild Bull Beasts left Sunxiao and the others uneasy. The four males decided to stand watch through the night, each covering a different direction.

By resting outdoors, they could more quickly sense any changes in their surroundings.

Jin Ling was leaning against the outside of the shelter with his eyes closed when a soft rustling sound reached his ears. In the darkness, his tiger-like eyes flashed with a cold, spectral light, but an instant later, he retracted his claws.