Chapter 523: Chapter 522: I’m Here to Say Goodbye

But what could they do? They were fish on a chopping block, completely at the mercy of "Jing Jiang."

It was all too incredible. They could rack their brains and still not make sense of what had just happened. The more unknown something was, the more it inspired fear and dread.

"What are you still gaping at? Hurry up and bring the items over!" "Jing Jiang" said coldly, not holding back at all.

The Beastmen on the ground had just recovered from the intense pain. Hearing "his" words, they had no choice but to struggle to their feet. They each went to their caves to retrieve half their provisions and eighty percent of their Crystal Stones.

Si Shuo had already activated her Mind Reading Technique.

Half the flesh on one of the first Beastman’s arms had been torn off. He used his other, uninjured hand to carry over two Beast Skin Bags. "This is... various dried goods... and these are the Crystal Stones..."

But what Si Shuo heard was, ’Heh, so many males were involved in biting Jing Jiang to death. He’s just trying to scare us. How could he possibly be this strict about the details?’

’These two bags of dried meat I’m offering are already quite generous. Of course, the bottom is just padded with moldy dried fruit...’

’And I did bring eighty percent of my Crystal Stones—eighty percent of the *quantity*, that is. They’re all below Level 10...’

"Jing Jiang" let out a low chuckle. "You don’t still think I’m the same person I was before, do you? That you can just fool me so carelessly? These two bags of yours seem to be full of dried meat, but in reality, there’s only a thin layer on top. The rest is just filler—moldy dried fruit, isn’t it?"

"And as for your Crystal Stones, you focused on quantity but not quality. Do you take me for a fool?"

He hadn’t expected "Jing Jiang" to guess everything correctly. Sweat poured down the Beastman’s forehead even faster. "I must have grabbed the wrong bags. I’ll... I’ll go get the right ones."

"Jing Jiang" didn’t press him, simply letting him take his two large Beast Skin Bags and head home, his face beet red with shame.

The Beastmen behind him hesitated. ’Surely "Jing Jiang" can’t be watching everyone all the time?’ they thought.

The second Beastman was a little nervous, but he put on a fawning smile and offered his provisions and Crystal Stones.

"Jing Jiang" didn’t take them, listening impassively to the Beastman’s thoughts. ’Heh, that last guy was too obvious. Of course he got caught. But me, I’m different!’

"Lord Jing Jiang, where should I put these? If you need, I can personally deliver them to the two little cubs at the Winged Lion Tribe."

"If you doubt my loyalty, you’re welcome to inspect my cave..."

’I’ve already moved most of my provisions. Even if Jing Jiang goes to look, he won’t find a thing!’

"Jing Jiang" scoffed. "I’ve seen my fair share of duplicity. You all seem to think my words were just a joke."

"It seems you really aren’t afraid of me taking *all* your provisions and Crystal Stones, are you?"

Just then, Shi Si located the moved provisions and the hidden Crystal Stones.

"Jing Jiang" snapped his fingers. He stretched out a hand, and from a vortex of Spiritual Energy that formed in the air, he pulled out bag after bag of provisions, along with a heavy pouch of Crystal Stones.

"Don’t these provisions look familiar?" "Jing Jiang" chuckled, opening one of the bags and pulling out a handful of fish and shrimp that reeked of brine.

The second Winged Tiger Beastman’s face went deathly pale. "I... I like to hide my provisions. Sometimes I forget where. Ha, some kind soul must have helped me..."

The corner of "Jing Jiang’s" mouth curled up. "You have one chance. Are you going to tell the truth, or are you going to keep trying to fool everyone with your lies?"

The Winged Tiger Beastman lowered his head and confessed. "I’m sorry, Lord Jing Jiang. I was confused, possessed by greed for a moment. Please, leave me some provisions. As for these Crystal Stones..." He gritted his teeth in anguish. "You can take them all!"

He had no choice. If he didn’t back down now, he would lose his provisions *and* his Crystal Stones.

By taking the initiative to admit his mistake and hand everything over, he could at least put the matter to rest.

Seeing that "Jing Jiang" could actually summon objects from thin air, the other Winged Tiger Beastmen were terrified. They obediently handed over their provisions and Crystal Stones, their hearts aching with every item they gave up.

One by one, those who had arrived full of bluster left in disgrace.

Soon, Ding Yin’s small courtyard was piled high with provisions, more than enough for her and her two cubs to eat.

"Brother Jiang," Ding Yin finally managed to say, her lips trembling, her voice hoarse and choked with tears.

"Jing Jiang" sighed softly. He stepped forward and loosely wrapped his arms around her. "Little Yin’er, we’ll have to wait until the next life to be together forever. In this life, you have to be strong even without me, alright?"

"The Beast World Continent is vast; you’re bound to meet another male who makes your heart race. Even without me, you’ll have other males to protect you."

"You’re so young and beautiful. It would be such a waste for you to take your own life just to follow me..."

Ding Yin just threw her arms around "Jing Jiang" and buried her face in his chest. She began to wail like a small cub, her voice hoarse as all the pain of the past years poured out of her.

"There are no other males, Brother Jiang. After you... I don’t think I have the ability to love anyone else... I miss you so, so much..."

"There will be another male who treats you well. He’ll be worth waiting for," "Jing Jiang" said with a smile. "But you’re not allowed to find him in the Winged Tiger Tribe. You should go out and see more of the world."

"We didn’t waste a single moment of the time we had together. You loved me, and I loved you. That’s enough."

"But the living must look forward. Little Yin’er, with your two cubs here, you can’t bear to leave them, can you?"

Ding Yin sniffled and said in a muffled voice, "Mm, I can’t bear to... but it’s too late, Brother Jiang. My body is already riddled with poison. I can only wait for death."

"Don’t leave me behind, okay...? I want to go find you..."

"Sigh... Little Yin’er, I came to say goodbye. I made a promise to the Beast God. I would see you one last time, and then I would go reincarnate as a cub."

"Our destiny together ends here. I’m so grateful that while I was alive, I was able to experience a love so profound it was carved into my very bones. I also hope that after I’m gone, you can find the strength to live on..."

"Little Yin’er, you have a guardian angel by your side. They will help you..."

"Don’t go, Brother Jiang! Take me with you!" Ding Yin desperately clutched "Jing Jiang’s" clothes, her face a mask of longing and anguish.

"Little Yin’er, take good care of yourself. Who knows, maybe we’ll meet again somewhere else? As long as you’re alive, anything is possible!" With that, "Jing Jiang" vanished on the spot.

In the moment it took for Ding Yin to react, Si Shuo yanked her clothes free and scampered away.

But she ran right into the arms of the equally invisible Xiao Cheng.

Xiao Cheng held Si Shuo tightly, burying his face in her neck. "Sister," he whispered, "your acting was so real, you almost made me cry."

Si Shuo had been hugging him back, snuggling into the embrace. She had truly gotten into character just now and felt a lingering sadness, needing a comforting hug.

But what was that he just said? ’Made to cry *by him*?!’ She pinched him in annoyance, but beside her, she could still hear Ding Yin, who had collapsed to the ground, sobbing with her face in her hands. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

It was a heart-wrenching sound...