"So they’re escorting you back to the tribe?"

Wu Yue nodded. "Yep. After all, the disobedient ones get to meet the Beast God."

The Angry Beast looked at the little female’s "I’m so benevolent" expression and felt his idealized image of females crumbling bit by bit.

’Females are terrifying!’

The Snow Tiger Tribe Leader glanced at the Scorpion Beastmen and sneered. "A moment ago, we heard a truly evil laugh and guessed these beastmen had captured you. To think it really was them."

But then he grew puzzled. ’A group of beastmen controlled by a little female’s poison powder can still laugh?’

Sitting on the Snow Tiger Beastman’s back, Wu Yue’s mouth twitched in embarrassment. "Er, that evil laugh just now... that was me!"

’What evil?!’

’How was that evil? It was sinister, okay!’

The Snow Tiger Tribe Leader gave a couple of dry chuckles and quickly changed the subject. "Whatever the process, having Wu Yue back is the best news for the Snow Tiger Tribe. Let’s head back to the tribe!"

The crowd of Beastmen howled with joy, running toward the large cave behind the tribe’s mountain.

The Beastmen at the front howled, the Beastmen at the back cackled, and only the group of beastmen surrounded in the middle marched toward a miserable future.

Ever since Wu Yue had been captured, Qingcao would periodically stand at the mouth of the cave, gazing into the distant forest as if expecting to see her friend, rescued by her tribesmen, at any moment.

But as the seconds and minutes ticked by without any sign of Wu Yue, her heart grew heavier.

That afternoon, Qingcao returned to the cave entrance to watch the distant forest, assuming it would be another fruitless wait.

But a moment later, a series of joyous tiger roars suddenly echoed from the far side of the forest.

Qingcao’s heart leaped. ’Roars like that... does it mean they found Yue?!’

The tribe members inside the cave also heard the Beastmen’s roars and surged out. Even some of the slaves rushed outside, standing in the rain to await Wu Yue’s return.

When the figures of the Beastmen came into view, Qingcao saw the small figure wrapped in a grass coat on a Snow Tiger Beastman’s back and let out a wail, bursting into tears.

The slaves also began wiping away their tears, one after another. ’As long as Lady Wu Yue is safe.’

The diligent Grandmas had already lit a large bonfire in the cave. The roaring flames radiated warmth, warming Wu Yue to her very core.

Looking at Qingcao, who was still clutching her hand, she said with a wry smile, "I’m back, aren’t I? You saw them just now—the hair color of those two Beastmen was identical to the Beastmen in our tribe. We’ll just have to be more careful from now on."

Qingcao nodded, choking back a sob. "Yue, have you thought about what to do with those Beastmen?"

Seeing her fierce little expression, Wu Yue chuckled. "Weren’t we planning to offer some food to have the Half beastman Warriors help us dig the cave? Now we can just have them dig it. We have plenty of other jobs we can make them do, too."

Qingcao’s eyes lit up instantly. "That’s a fantastic idea."

As the two chattered away, discussing the fate of the Scorpion Beastmen, Chang Ye walked over carrying a small stone pot. "Lady Wu Yue."

Wu Yue looked up at him, a warm smile blooming on her face. "Chang Ye, have you all been alright in the cave?"

Seeing her concern for them so soon after her return, Chang Ye’s gaze warmed instantly. "Don’t you worry. Thanks to your arrangements, we’ve been doing very well."

He placed the stone pot in his hands before her. "We made some food. It’s best eaten while it’s hot."

With that, he lifted the wooden lid off the stone pot, revealing a batch of very coarse noodles.

Wu Yue looked at Chang Ye in surprise. "Are these... noodles?"

Chang Ye scratched his head, looking a bit sheepish. "We saw you make them once before, and you seemed to really like them, so the females gave it a try.

But noodles are hard to get right, so some are thick and some are thin.

But don’t worry, we boiled them for a long time, so they’re definitely cooked through!"

Wu Yue took a deep breath. The aroma was faint, meaning they probably only added salt. But having just come in from the cold, a bowl of hot noodles and some of the thick, starchy broth would be the most comforting thing in the world.

The delight on her face was plain to see. "Haha, I was just craving a bowl of hot noodles! Thank you, and thank the other females for me. I’ll eat these and get some rest, then I’ll come see you all tomorrow."

Seeing how much she liked it, the wrinkles on Chang Ye’s face crinkled into a smile. He looked as if he had just completed some monumental task as he chuckled and headed back to the other slaves.

"Yue, so those are noodles? Are they good?"