CHAPTER 37: CHAPTER 37: EVIL FEROCIOUS BEASTS...

Han Jue finally calmed down.

The female’s foolish grin and the way she laughed with that ridiculous plant still clinging to her cheek, it was irritating, but his heart was no longer aching with the loss of the spiritual plant.

Fine, he would forget it for now.

She was still just a foolish female, no matter what strange tricks she used.

His eyes cooled, replaced with the same coldness he used on everyone else in the tribe. Yes. That was the best. Treat her like anyone else. Nothing more. Nothing less.

But that didn’t mean he’d let her run around like an idiot.

Han Jue straightened his back and folded his arms across his chest. His voice came out rough and unpleasant, like he was chewing gravel.

"What are you doing so far away from the tribe grounds? Don’t you know how unsafe it is to roam without protection? What if I wasn’t here? You would’ve ended up in that ferocious beast’s stomach!"

Su Qinglan froze, blinking at him blankly.

"...Huh?"

Wait a minute. Since when did he care?

Her brain scrambled. Just a few moments ago, he had been glaring at her like she was an eyesore. And now he was suddenly scolding her for running too far out?

What the hell?

She tilted her head, confused. She hadn’t even realized she had walked that far. Yes, she had wandered by the river; yes, she had kept walking and walking, but surely that was still within the tribe’s area?

How small could their tribe be if she had already walked out of it?

Han Jue’s icy eyes narrowed as he read her expression. His lips pressed into a thin line.

"This isn’t the tribe’s protected ground," he snapped, as if he could see straight through her thoughts.

Su Qinglan’s mouth dropped open. "Eh?"

Han Jue didn’t bother explaining softly. His tone was sharp and clipped.

"The tribe only protects the places we live. The river is already at the edge. Beyond that...it’s unprotected."

Su Qinglan blinked dumbly, still trying to wrap her head around it.

So... Basically, the beastmen didn’t mark or patrol their territory? They only cared about the caves and spots where they slept?

Her jaw twitched. That was... lazy. What kind of half-baked defense system was this?

She opened her mouth, about to tell him she was fine, that she had her own way of surviving. But before the words could come out, Han Jue cut her off with an angry voice.

"And what if that plant wasn’t here?" he demanded, his jaw tightening. "Then what? You would’ve already become someone’s food!"

His tone carried an edge that made Su Qinglan’s scalp prickle.

For a moment, she forgot her retort. She could only glare at him stiffly, cheeks puffed like an angry squirrel.

Beside her, the plant on her shoulder also seemed to glare at him, its vines twitching in a way that clearly said, "We don’t like you."

Han Jue also noticed it. His jaw twitched again. He ignored both of them, turning his back with a cold flick of his hair.

"Follow me. I’ll escort you back to the tribe."

Su Qinglan’s lips parted. "..."

Escort?

She wanted to argue, but he was already walking ahead, tall and imposing, not even sparing her another glance.

Her shoulders slumped. In the end, she could only sulkily gather the wet hide clothes she had been washing by the river. She stuffed everything into a bundle and trudged after him.

Each step felt heavier, not because of the weight, but because of the question burning in her head.

Why was he bothering with her?

Shouldn’t he just leave her here and let her fend for herself?

Given the animosity between them, shouldn’t he throw her straight into a beast’s mouth and laugh while she screamed?

Her brows furrowed deeply.

First that cheeky fox Rong Ye acting strange, and now this beastman. Why were these beastmen so confusing? Shouldn’t they hate her? Weren’t they supposed to?

She scratched her cheek in frustration.

"Only the tiger is good..." she muttered under her breath.

The plant, dangling lazily from her shoulder with its vine tips dragging against the ground, wiggled as if agreeing. One vine hung downward like a tail, swaying smugly as it enjoyed being carried like royalty.

Su Qinglan nearly rolled her eyes. Even her plant was acting cheeky now.

The two of them walked in silence for a while. The sound of water faded as they left the river behind, the trees thickening around them.

Then, out of nowhere, Han Jue’s cold voice sounded through the quiet.

"If you see a beast like that again, you run. Immediately."

Su Qinglan blinked, startled.

He didn’t glance at her, his eyes fixed ahead. His tone was low and stern.

"They are the most evil kind. They like eating females."

Su Qinglan pressed her lips together, listening.

Han Jue continued after a pause, his words rough but steady.

"You probably don’t know. You hardly ever leave the tribe. There are two kinds of ferocious beasts. Evil ferocious beasts and normal ferocious beasts."

His hand clenched briefly at his side as he explained.

"Evil ferocious beasts are the most dangerous. Corrupted by something foul. If you eat them, you’ll also become like them."

Su Qinglan’s brows shot up. Become like them?

Han Jue’s voice grew sharper.

"You can tell them apart if you pay attention. Their movements are unnatural and twisted. They carry a rotten stench. They’re not like normal beasts. Normal ferocious beasts are just beasts that haven’t turned evil. You can kill them, eat them, and use their hides. They look like any other animal."

He turned his head slightly, just enough to glare at her.

"So. Be careful when you go out."

Su Qinglan stayed quiet, her steps slow and thoughtful.

Han Jue’s jaw tightened.

No response.

He glanced back once. Her round face was tilted down, lips pressed tight. The plant dangled from her shoulder like a lazy scarf.

He clenched his teeth.

Was she even listening?!

His chest heated with sudden irritation.

This foolish female! He had just wasted his breath explaining everything, and she looked like she hadn’t heard a single word!

For a second, he actually wanted to smash his own head into a stone just to vent his frustration.

He scowled, turned away sharply, and quickened his pace. His long legs carried him easily ahead, leaving her behind without a glance.

Behind him, Su Qinglan blinked, still lost in her own thoughts.

Evil ferocious beasts...

Her heart skipped.

With his description, it really did sound familiar. Their strange movements, their horrible stench, their crazed eyes always burning with hunger.

Her eyes widened slightly.

They were just like zombies.

Exactly like the zombies from her old world.

A chill ran down her spine.