Chapter 106: Chapter 106: The Tiger Clan Is Splitting Up

Yu An’s hand trembled, and some tea spilled from the cup she was holding.

She set the cup down, took the handkerchief Mo Yan offered her, and asked while wiping her hands, "Tell me everything."

Her question was directed at Zhou Dayong and his group. Seeing her interest, Zhou Dayong nudged Xiao Quan.

Xiao Quan summoned his courage and stammered slightly, "Yes, Brother Dayong is right. My Female Mother did indeed serve the First Prince."

"When I was very young, my Female Mother suddenly came home. Without even packing her bags, she grabbed me and ran. But we were caught before we could even leave the Imperial City."

"I only found out later that the First Prince had disappeared that day. The Beast Emperor took the throne and began purging the previous regime’s remnants. My Female Mother was among them."

Recalling those memories, Xiao Quan shivered. "They tortured my Female Mother relentlessly, trying to get something from her. She kept saying she didn’t know, and eventually, they believed her and let us go."

"My Female Mother treasures that thing so much. I don’t know what it is, but... but it must be very precious."

Yu An’s expression remained neutral. "You’re just telling me this now? I’m the Beast Emperor’s daughter. Aren’t you afraid I’ll hand you over to her?"

Xiao Quan’s face flushed, and he said in a low voice, "I... I feel that even though you’re a Princess, since you were exiled by the Beast Emperor... you probably... you probably wouldn’t do that."

He was a bit slow, but not stupid. He knew that even the closest of kin could become estranged, or even turn against each other, after something like this.

Besides, he felt that Yu An didn’t seem like a bad person.

Yu An watched him for a long moment, then suddenly chuckled. "Your feeling is correct. You’re Zhou Dayong, right?"

Startled at being addressed so suddenly, Zhou Dayong quickly replied, "Yes."

"Good. I have a task for you. You and Xiao Quan will go and bring his Female Mother here. As for all of you... I’ll take you in."

Before Yu An could even say anything more, Zhou Dayong spoke up. "Princess, what about my poison..."

The corner of Yu An’s mouth twitched. "You certainly are eager."

Zhou Dayong gave an embarrassed smile, took the black pill, and swallowed it in one gulp.

’Huh, it’s sweet?’

At the same time, another little tiger lost his candy for the day.

Zhou Dayong gave a few instructions to the other Beastmen, then left with Xiao Quan. They traveled through the night, eager to return to this paradise-like place as soon as possible.

The dozen or so Beastmen were put under Han Li’s management, responsible for doing odd jobs within the space. They would have other uses once they reached the Imperial City.

On the way to the Tiger Clan, they encountered several more groups of Beastmen. The moment they saw Yu An, they would shout and charge, wanting to kill her. Although these encounters could be resolved with a flick of her wrist, there were simply too many of them, and Yu An grew tired of it.

So, she decided to go fully disguised, wrapping herself up so tightly that not an inch of skin was showing, and even doused herself in perfume.

Beastmen tracked people by their appearance and scent. This method did indeed reduce a lot of unnecessary trouble.

The Tiger Clan’s territory wasn’t a city but a wide, open area dotted with many tribes.

The Tiger Clan’s tribe was located in the very center, and all the other tribes were under its jurisdiction.

As they neared their destination, Yu An put away the vehicle and let out her Beast Husbands and Zaizai.

One female with multiple males was the norm in the Beast World. Some females even had over a dozen Beast Husbands accompanying them, so Yu An’s group didn’t stand out too much.

What did draw attention were the Zaizai they held in their arms. Yu An wore looser clothing; otherwise, she would have been even more conspicuous.

Seeing three Zaizai of similar age, some people wanted to come over and ask if they were from the same litter. However, the faint aura of Advanced Spiritual Power emanating from Mo Yan and the other three men made them hesitate.

The various tribes coexisted peacefully under the Tiger Clan’s rule. There was a market gathering every five days, which Yu An’s group happened to arrive in time for.

Seeing someone on the roadside selling a type of bright yellow fruit, Da Hu wanted to try it, so Yu An took them over to buy some.

Seeing he had customers, the stall owner enthusiastically handed them a few to sample.

The fruit was small. Da Hu took a bite, and his eyes immediately lit up. "Female Mother, it’s sweet and sour! It’s delicious!"

Yu An tried one as well. It tasted a bit like pineapple.

"You folks must be from out of town," the stall owner said cheerfully. "This is the sour yellow fruit, which only grows here in the Northern Land. It’s wonderfully sweet and sour. All the outsiders who come here buy some to take back with them."

Yu An found the taste quite good and bought out his entire stock.

The delighted stall owner hurriedly packed them up for her, and Yu An took the opportunity to ask about the Tiger Clan.

"Something is indeed happening with the Tiger Clan," the stall owner said casually while bagging the fruit. "They’re about to split the clan. The ceremony is tomorrow. If you’re interested, you can go over there to watch."

The stall owner pointed to an open space in the distance. Yu An made a mental note of it and prepared to find a place to stay first.

She paid to rent a small courtyard. By the time they were settled in, it was already evening. Yu An told the others to stay put while she went to find Feng Xuan and ask about the situation. ’Why are they splitting the clan, all of a sudden?’

’Could something have happened to Feng Xuan?’

Ao Wu volunteered eagerly, "An’an, let me go with you. I can help you avoid the guards."

Yu An thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

Han Li and Lan Ying were a step too slow and had to stay home to watch the children.

Mo Yan wasn’t as childish as them and simply reminded Yu An to be back soon.

Perhaps because of the clan-splitting ceremony tomorrow, the Tiger Clan’s territory was heavily guarded, with a post every five steps.

Ao Wu kept an arm around Yu An as they carefully navigated around the guards. Following Lu Lu’s directions, they headed toward Feng Xuan’s residence. They nearly ran into patrols several times along the way, forcing Yu An to pull him into her space to hide.

They weren’t familiar with the Tiger Clan’s layout. On their way, the two passed a large, brightly lit courtyard from which faint laughter could be heard.

Two males with Advanced Spiritual Power stood guard at the entrance, a clear sign that the courtyard’s owner was of high status.

Ao Wu blinked his eyes: ’Should we go take a look?’

Yu An made an "OK" gesture and had Ao Wu help her over the wall into the courtyard.

The two crept closer, and the cheerful laughter from inside grew more distinct.

As they got even nearer, Yu An could make out what the people inside were saying.

"Clan Leader, as soon as the clan-splitting ceremony is over tomorrow, it will be your succession ceremony. You’ll be the Clan Leader of the Tiger Clan then."

"Those people following Feng Xuan don’t know what’s good for them. Should we..."

"Hey," a young voice interjected. "We’re all one family. They’ve just been bewitched by that fellow Feng Xuan. If they see the error of their ways, I, as the Clan Leader, will certainly accept them."

"After all, the Princess will soon be the heir. All Beastmen will be her subjects. As the Princess’s Beast Husband, how could I harm her subjects?"

"Yes, yes, the Clan Leader is right. I misspoke."

"But you do have a point. They truly don’t know what’s good for them. I am Princess Yu Yun’s Beast Husband, while Feng Xuan’s Female Master is an exiled criminal. Yet they insist on following Feng Xuan."

"Feng Xuan is also a fool. He actually rejected the Princess in the Imperial City that day. But it’s a good thing he didn’t agree to be the Princess’s Beast Husband, or I wouldn’t have had this chance."

The thought that he was his Female Master’s second choice made Feng Hui’s expression darken. Still, the outcome was good. As long as he followed his Female Master’s orders and secured control of the Tiger Clan, the position of main husband would surely be his in the future!

Thinking of this, Feng Hui lowered his voice. "After the clan splits tomorrow, proceed with the plan. Make sure Feng Xuan and those other fools don’t make it back alive."

"Remember, you must cover our tracks completely. Don’t let anyone find a single clue!"