After Giving Birth, All My Beast Ex-Husbands Suddenly Want Me Back-Chapter 145: I won’t come back

"Who are you?" Viann stepped forward, blocking Taru and the other beastmen outside the courtyard.

"We’re here to find Finch," Taru replied.

Hearing his father’s voice, Finch hurried over. "Father? Why are you here?"

He turned to Viann and the others. "They’re here for me. You can go back to your work."

Hearing that, Viann and the others dispersed and returned to their tasks.

Taru snorted. "What do you think? I told you to find something, and you’ve been gone this long without any news." His tone was filled with dissatisfaction. "Well? Did you find it?"

"Didn’t I send word already?" Finch led his father to a quieter spot and lowered his voice. "The Spirit Pearl was... accidentally destroyed."

It seemed his father had arrived earlier than expected and hadn’t received the message Finch had sent back to Jade Fox City.

"What? Destroyed?" Taru’s voice shot up in disbelief. "Impossible! The Spirit Pearl is a divine artifact—how could it be destroyed so easily?"

"Believe it or not, it’s gone," Finch said calmly. "Father, there’s no point continuing the search. You should return."

"That’s impossible," Taru insisted, his brows knitting together. "How could the Spirit Pearl be destroyed? Why are you lying to me?"

The fox clan males nearby also looked unconvinced.

"That’s right, Young Lord," one of them said. "The Spirit Pearl is a sacred treasure—indestructible. How could it possibly break?"

Finch sighed softly.

"I don’t know what happened either. That day, just as I was about to take back the Spirit Pearl, a group of black-winged beastmen suddenly appeared. They were trying to seize it too."

He paused before continuing. "Their power was... strange. I suspect they’re followers of a dark sorcerer. During the fight, they struck the Spirit Pearl—and it shattered."

Finch used the mysterious black-winged beastmen as an excuse, weaving the lie smoothly.

"Black-winged beastmen? Dark sorcery?" Taru frowned deeply. "Could it be the Black Crow clan?"

"That’s possible," Isain said thoughtfully. "Rumor says their tribe has a powerful dark sorcerer. They’re known for doing nothing but trouble."

"But why would they want our Spirit Pearl?" Taru murmured, his eyes dark with contemplation.

"No idea," Lorin replied. "There could be some hidden scheme behind it. We’d better stay cautious."

"That’s right," Isain agreed. "But City Lord, now that the Spirit Pearl is gone... what should we do?"

Taru shot Finch a reproachful look.

"Finch, honestly—how could you fail to protect something so important?" he said with restrained annoyance. "But if the Spirit Pearl is truly gone, there’s nothing we can do. We’ll return for now."

Then he fixed Finch with a stern gaze.

"You’re coming back with us. The affairs of the city are piling up, yet you wander outside all day. How are you supposed to inherit Jade Fox City like this?"

Seeing that they had believed his story, Finch quietly let out a breath of relief.

"I’m not going back," he said. "I still have things I need to take care of."

He hesitated for a moment before adding quietly, "As for Jade Fox City... Father, you should find another beastman to inherit it. I... don’t want the position anymore."

He had no desire to return. All he wanted now... was to stay by Nina’s side.

"What do you mean by that?" Taru’s voice carried a trace of anger. "I didn’t blame you for the Spirit Pearl being destroyed, yet now you’re telling me you don’t want to inherit the position of City Lord? You’d better give me a reasonable explanation."

What on earth had gotten into this foolish boy? Who would willingly give up the throne of a great city?

"I... I just don’t want to be City Lord anymore. There’s no special reason," Finch replied quietly.

In truth, he didn’t want Taru to learn about Nina. He feared his father might cause trouble for her.

"You brat, I think you’re asking for a beating," Taru growled, his fists tightening. "Do you think the position of City Lord is something you can take when you want and throw away when you don’t?"

This boy truly needed discipline.

"I simply don’t want it anymore. Besides... I’m not qualified now anyway," Finch said.

"What do you mean you’re not qualified?" his father demanded, a sense of foreboding rising in his chest.

The fox clan males nearby looked just as confused. Their young lord was powerful despite his youth—his talent even surpassed that of the City Lord himself. How could he claim he wasn’t qualified?

Finch gripped the edge of his robe. After a long moment of hesitation, he drew in a deep breath—and revealed his beast form.

Taru and the fox clan males froze in shock. Their young lord... was missing three tails.

Among the fox clan, status was measured by the number of tails. The more tails one possessed, the stronger their bloodline and innate talent. The nine-tailed lineage, in particular, held its tails as symbols of supreme pride.

Now Finch had lost three of his.

To the fox clan, such a loss was nothing less than a humiliation.

"What happened?" Taru asked, shocked, anxiety and worry flashing in his eyes. "How did you lose so many tails?"

How could his son have severed his tails?

Foxes cherished their tails above all else. Unless there was absolutely no other choice, they would never allow them to be lost.

Losing tails meant losing strength. It could cripple future cultivation—and once severed, they could never grow back.

What would this boy do now?

"I encountered an extremely powerful mutated beast and was injured," Finch said, concealing the true reason. "So, Father... you should choose another beastman to inherit the position of City Lord. I’m no longer suitable."

Taru staggered back a step as if struck by something invisible.

"How... how could this happen?" His voice trembled. "How much has your strength declined?" he asked painfully. "What will you do from now on? Your power may never improve again—and the fox clan will mock you for this."

His son had once possessed an extraordinary talent. If he had continued cultivating with focus, his future achievements would have been limitless.

Taru had hoped Finch would lead the fox clan to even greater glory.

But now...

He sighed heavily. How had everything changed so suddenly?

The fox clan males lowered their heads as well, unable to hide their regret.

The young lord’s bright future... had come to an abrupt end.

Although Finch was already very powerful, males in the Beast World all pursued strength relentlessly. No one wanted to remain stagnant forever.

"My strength hasn’t declined by much," Finch said. "Father... I won’t be returning to the fox clan. If my power truly can’t advance any further, then that must simply be my fate."

A trace of guilt flickered in his eyes. He knew he had disappointed both his father and the expectations of the clan.

As for his strength, fortunately, it hadn’t fallen too far. He only hoped Nina wouldn’t think less of him—after all, the males pursuing her were all incredibly strong.

Taru let out a long sigh.

"Given your current condition, you truly aren’t suitable to inherit the position of City Lord anymore." He paused before asking quietly, "What are your plans now?"

"I’ll stay here and live in this place," Finch replied. "You should take the clan members back."

Taru frowned deeply. "This wasteland is barren and dangerous. Why would you stay here?" His voice softened with concern. "Why don’t you return with me? I’ll see if there’s any way to restore your tails."

Such an exceptional son... he truly didn’t want to give up on him so easily.

Perhaps if they returned to Jade Fox City, the priests or the clan elders—those old, knowledgeable foxes—might have some method to help.

Sensing Finch’s hesitation, Taru added gently, "Don’t worry. I’ll protect you from any criticism within the clan."

"I prefer it here," Finch said, offering an excuse. "There are many mutated beasts in this region. Maybe there’s still a chance for me to grow stronger again."

He knew his father would protect him, and he also knew the clan priests and elders possessed vast knowledge. Perhaps there really was a way to restore him.

But if recovering meant leaving Nina... He would never agree. Even if his strength never improved again, he would rather remain by her side. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Finch, don’t be foolish," Taru said firmly. "There may be mutated beasts here, but how could this place compare to the resources of our clan? Trust me—your father will find a way for you."

"I still think there are more opportunities here," Finch insisted.

But even he knew the excuse sounded weak.

Taru narrowed his eyes suspiciously. Something about his son’s behavior felt strange.

"Tell me the real reason," he demanded. "Explain it clearly."

The fox clan males nearby were also puzzled. Since the City Lord was willing to give their young lord another chance and even help him recover, why did Finch seem reluctant?

"I already told you. Why won’t you believe me?" Finch replied.

Taru said nothing more. Instead, he suddenly strode toward the stone houses. His instincts told him the real answer was probably there. After all, he knew his son well.

Finch had never been the type to enjoy living among unfamiliar beastmen.

Then, suddenly, Taru’s gaze caught a flash of short red fur.

His eyes widened instantly.

That was... a little nine-tailed fox.