The place the tribe had cleared was a bit away from the edge of the forest.
Ji Nuan was seated on a rock, with Chief Ge Xing’s support, and beside her was a fluffy little white ball.
"Uncle Chief, the injury on my ankle, it was done by an orc, wasn’t it!" Ji Nuan’s tone was absolutely certain.
The little fur ball, Fu Yi, quivered its two small paws in surprise and looked towards the place wrapped in beast skin.
Ge Xing’s face was grim, his voice low: "Hmm, I noticed it too, but we don’t know who it is yet. To avoid alarming the beast, let’s not make a fuss about it."
Ji Nuan’s doubts were immediately put to rest: "I guessed it by seeing your expression just now. I can’t believe it is so, but why?"
Ge Xing coldly chuckled, "We’ll know why once we catch this beast! For now, let’s pretend we don’t know about it, no matter what the beast’s intention is.
It’s bound to act again."
His gaze shifted to Fu Yi, "Fu Yi, cub, from now on, you will primarily be responsible for Ji Nuan’s safety. Never wander too far from her, understand?!"
The fur ball Fu Yi nodded earnestly: "Squeak~"
Suddenly, footstep sounds could be heard from the side of the forest.
Ge Xing and Fu Yi quickly formed a protective stance around Ji Nuan. Their readiness made Ji Nuan nervous, and she instinctively reached for the beast skin around her waist.
A bout of thunderous laughter echoed from the forest.
"Ge Xing! Hahaha! I didn’t expect to run into the Watson Tribe at this gathering!" The orc’s voice was loud, clear, and cheerful.
Chief Ge Xing took two quick steps forward, his face full of joy as he looked at the orcs slowly emerging from the forest.
Without hesitation, he rushed up and embraced a blonde orc with whom he appeared to be of the same age. The laughter of the two beasts startled numerous birds in the forest into flight.
"Hahaha! Sarkar, you old chap, your laugh is still as unbearable as ever, it scared away all the birds and beasts in the forest." With a beaming grin, Ge Xing slapped Sarkar’s shoulder, showing teeth but barely visible eyes.
"Cut it out, you’re still the same as when we were kids. The birds and beasts were clearly scared off by your dreadful laughter! Hahaha!" The two beasts took turns punching and slapping each other, their brotherly affection instantly filling the forest edge.
Shoulder to shoulder, sitting on the grass, Ge Xing glanced at the orcs behind his old friend and sincerely complimented, "These cubs are very strong, good orcs!"
Sarkar’s eyes were brimming with pride, "Haha! How can a weak orc take part in such a dangerous tribal gathering!"
Looking towards Ge Xing’s rear, his eyes brightened up, with his green gaze locked onto Fu Yi, "This one’s of the Lightning Mink Clan, huh? Tsk, tsk, tsk~ you old fellow, I didn’t know your tribe had such a strong beast."
Fu Yi bristled in fear and carefully moved its paw, hiding behind Ji Nuan’s legs.
A pair of white delicate legs obstructed his view, and Sarkar somewhat discontentedly looked at the legs’ owner.
Tail?
Ears?
A half beast?
And a female cub?
He turned to look at Ge Xing, his face showing clear disapproval, "Ge Xing, how could you bring a female cub to such a dangerous tribal gathering!"
Isn’t this creating a burden!
Ge Xing, wearing a self-satisfied smirk, seemed to trust the orc in front of him completely, "This is the next shaman of our Watson Tribe. She’ll take on the role after this winter."
After that, he winked somewhat lewdly, "Don’t underestimate Ji Nuan, thanks to her good idea, not a single member of our Watson tribe died while crossing the Eneru River this time!"
Sarkar looked at the half-beast female cub sitting quietly on the stone, his eyes filled with astonishment.
He rigidly turned his gaze towards Ge Xing, who was grinning in a somewhat lewd manner, "Ge Xing, is what you said true?"