Wu Yue’s heart clenched as she looked up at the darkening sky. "It’s early?"

Qingcao grabbed her hand and ran toward the house behind them. "Quick, go pack your things! The Clan Leader is about to gather the tribe to go to the caves on the rear mountain. We have to hurry."

Wu Yue nodded. "Alright."

She didn’t have many things. And since space in the caves was limited, she couldn’t bring the new bed she had made. All she could do was pack up the mat and Beast Skins that were on it.

Just as the two of them were busy packing, the sound of footsteps suddenly approached from outside.

Then, two Beastman Warriors walked in. "The witch sent us to help you move your things."

Wu Yue had often visited the witch before, but she’d never seen these two Beastmen. "I don’t think I’ve seen you two before."

The two Beastman Warriors looked a bit sheepish. "We just transformed recently. Because the great rainy season came early, we haven’t had our ceremony yet. We’ll have to wait until we’re in the caves, so... heh heh..."

Qingcao waved her hand impatiently. "What are you standing around talking for? Hurry up and help pack! If the rain starts, it’ll be too late."

The two Beastmen nodded quickly and began packing the items Wu Yue had placed on the floor into their back-baskets.

With their help, things certainly went much faster.

"Alright, let’s get to the caves," Qingcao said, wiping the fine beads of sweat from her forehead with her chubby little hand.

Wu Yue, however, handed her a small Beast Skin bundle. "You take this to the caves for me first. I’m going to go check on the slaves."

"With the great rainy season arriving so suddenly, I’m afraid they haven’t prepared at all."

Qingcao frowned. "You want them to go to the caves, too?"

Wu Yue nodded. "Yes. We can manage if everyone squeezes in a bit. Later, once the tribe has dug out more caves, there will be plenty of room."

"It’ll be enough for the slaves to live in there, too."

Qingcao pushed the small bundle back toward her. "You go to the caves with the Beastman Warriors first. I’ll go notify them, and I’ll help Amu move her things while I’m at it."

With that, she turned and bolted out the door before Wu Yue could say another word.

Watching her retreating figure, Wu Yue shook her head with a helpless sigh.

She could only turn to the two Beastman Warriors waiting beside her. "Well, let’s be on our way."

She followed the two toward the rear mountain, but gradually, Wu Yue began to notice that something was wrong.

Having been to the large cave on the rear mountain once before with Grandma Hua Shu, she was certain that their current direction was gradually deviating from the path.

At that thought, her heart leaped into her throat, and she carefully studied the two tall, sturdy Beastman Warriors in front of her.

There was nothing different about their faces or skin color. Even their hair, the most reliable way to distinguish a Beastman’s race, was the same white as the Snow Tiger Tribe Beastman Warriors.

But for some reason, looking at them, she felt a strong sense of dissonance.

Just then, she felt a dampness on her face. It had started to rain.

The two Beastman Warriors ahead also stopped their steps and turned to Wu Yue. "It’s raining now. We need to get there faster. Why don’t we carry you?"

Wu Yue frowned and glanced ahead. "Is it still far?"

The Beastman Warrior nodded. "Because this path is flatter, it’s a bit of a detour."

Wu Yue pursed her lips into a small smile. "Let’s just walk faster. You two have only just transformed. If the females of the tribe see you carrying me, you’ll have trouble finding a mate."

The two were taken aback for a moment, then one of the Beastmen chuckled. "We’ll carry you in our Beastman form. Don’t worry."

With that, he handed his back-basket to the other Beastman Warrior and came to stand before Wu Yue. "Let’s hurry. The rain is only going to get heavier."

Wu Yue nodded, looking embarrassed. "Then I’ll have to trouble you."

With that, she reached into her own back-basket, pulled out two balls of food wrapped in large leaves, and handed them to the two men. "These are meat dumplings I made myself. They’re delicious. Please take them as a thank-you for helping me."

The two Beastmen were a little surprised, not expecting to receive food from a female. Seeing her insistent expression, however, they accepted them.

However, they didn’t eat the dumplings, instead turning to stuff them into a back-basket. "It’s raining now; it would be a shame if they got wet. We’ll eat them after we get back to the caves."

With that, he squatted down directly in front of her.

Wu Yue nodded and climbed onto the Beastman’s back. The three of them then ran off in the direction of the caves the two had mentioned.