TFBAT – Chapter 26

When Chi Yuyang and Hu Jin arrived near the chief’s cave, class was just ending.

Maybe it was because she had gotten to know Hu Jin better, but her state of mind had changed too.

At this moment, looking at the tigresses in the distance who came to pick up their cubs, she felt a wave of emotion.

The tiger tribe’s territory was vast, and each tiger beastman’s domain was equally expansive.

Therefore, in order to save the time of returning home, some tigress beastmen would remain in their beast form, carrying their cubs in their mouths as they brought them back.

If a litter had many cubs, even the father would come along to help pick them up.

“Hu Jin.” Chi Yuyang called his name softly.

She caught sight of his gaze, which unconsciously drifted toward the cubs with both parents.

Before her words had even fallen, a furry head leaned against her.

“Wife, I’m here.”

Seeing the expression of envy still lingering on Hu Jin’s face, Chi Yuyang thought for a moment before saying, “When we have children in the future, we can also come together to pick them up.”

As soon as she finished, she felt the arm holding her tremble slightly.

“Wife…” Hu Jin’s eyes lit up, “Tonight, I’ll keep working hard!”

Hearing this, Chi Yuyang instead felt like she had dug a trap for herself.

Judging by Hu Jin’s tone, she suspected that tomorrow…

No, she might not wake up until the day after.

Inside Hu Zhuo’s cave.

“Yuan Wu said he knows where your father is? And he told you to find him in the ape tribe within three days?” Hu Zhuo’s brows furrowed. “That sounds like a trap.”

“But what is Yuan Wu’s goal?” Chi Yuyang still couldn’t figure it out.

Would Yuan Wu really help Hu Jin find his father?

Not long ago, he had wanted Hu Jin dead.

“The ape beastmen’s thoughts are hard to guess.” Hu Zhuo paused. “If Hu Jin’s mother were willing to reveal something about his father…”

Halfway through, as if recalling an unpleasant memory, Hu Zhuo stopped speaking.

“How is my mother doing?” Hu Jin suddenly asked.

“Ah, still the same, she only remembers those three useless brothers of yours.” Hu Zhuo shook his head. “Speaking of which, I don’t even know where those three went. The tribe says it’s been a long time since anyone has seen them.”

Chi Yuyang tilted her head and caught the flicker of sadness in Hu Jin’s eyes.

What kind of tigress was his mother, really?

Hu Jin was silent for a moment, but finally asked, “Can I go see her? I’ll just watch from afar.”

“No.” Unexpectedly, Hu Zhuo sternly rejected him. “The last time I took you, she sensed it right away. Your scent is too aggressive, exactly like your father’s. No— even stronger than your father’s.”

Remembering the past, Hu Zhuo sighed.

Seeing Chi Yuyang’s puzzled look, and with Hu Jin’s consent, Hu Zhuo slowly began telling a story of his single encounter with Hu Jin’s father.

Not long after reaching adulthood, Hu Zhuo had already attained late stage third rank.

He thought he was the most talented beastman in the whole tribe—until one day, he saw a white tiger attempting to break through to fifth rank.

That white tiger had only just reached adulthood.

It was then Hu Zhuo finally understood the saying: there’s always someone stronger out there.

So he left the tribe to train his strength.

On his journey, not only did his power improve dramatically, but he also gradually realized the importance of wisdom.

When he returned to the tribe, it was just in time for the chief election.

And then, he became the chief.

By coincidence, the new chief adopted a white tiger cub.

As the cub grew, Hu Zhuo realized this cub was very likely the descendant of that white tiger.

That white tiger, right at adulthood, had already broken into the fourth rank.

Finally, Hu Zhuo confirmed that the white tiger must have been this child’s father.

Chi Yuyang listened quietly.

Unlike in class, when Hu Zhuo told this story, there was emotion in his voice.

She could hear the admiration he felt for Hu Jin’s father.

It was also that white tiger who inspired him to leave the tribe and explore the outside world.

In a way, that encounter shaped the Hu Zhuo standing here today.

“But he wasn’t a good mate,” Hu Jin muttered.

This wasn’t the first time Hu Jin had heard the story. Since he had never met his father, his impression of him was only that of abandoning his mate.

Hu Zhuo didn’t refute him.

“Hu Jin’s mother…”

At this moment, Chi Yuyang held Hu Jin’s hand.

She felt that compared to the father he had never met, Hu Jin cared more about the mother who had abandoned him.

“Hu Jin’s mother used to be the most popular tigress in the tribe. Shortly after reaching adulthood, she also achieved third rank, one of the few females who could stand toe-to-toe with males.”

In the tiger tribe, strength was everything.

Even with the gender imbalance, the strong females were always more attractive.

Ironically, because of that imbalance, some males actually feared or resented powerful females.

The presence of strong competition stripped them of their dominance in front of females.

If Hu Jin could outshine all his peers, then so could his father.

“I don’t know the details of their life together. At that time, I was still outside the tribe…”

“But when I returned, his mother had already abandoned him.”

“I heard from others that when Hu Jin was brought to her, she no longer remembered ever forming a bond with a white tiger.”

“Afterward, she became mates with another beastman…”

“But in her cave, there still remains a milk tooth. On the tooth is a knot woven with white tiger fur.”

By the end, Chi Yuyang could feel Hu Jin trembling faintly as he held her.

Hu Jin said, “But I still remember… when I was a cub, my mother licking my fur.”

“Later, when I went to see her, she refused me at the cave entrance. Once I became an adult, if I got even a little close, she would roar at me…”

“Hu Jin…” Chi Yuyang saw his eyes, dimmed with shadow, and whispered, “This isn’t your fault.”

Then she turned to Hu Zhuo.

“Chief, the snake tribe is in hibernation now, right? No exceptions?”

She had promised Hu Jin she would help him find his father.

Now that they had a lead, Hu Jin definitely wouldn’t let it go.

And he wouldn’t fall under Yuan Wu’s mental control.

She thought his hesitation was probably because of her.

As soon as she said this, Hu Zhuo understood.

Hu Jin also quickly reacted.

“Wife…”

“It’s early winter now. Maybe there are still snake beastmen awake,” Hu Zhuo said after hesitating. “But it’s unlikely.”

Chi Yuyang nodded.

“Hu Jin, how long would it take you to reach the snake tribe at your speed?”

Hu Jin froze for a moment, then replied, “Half a day.”

“Then we—” Chi Yuyang started to rise, but Hu Zhuo stopped her.

“Ah, you young ones… I can’t stop you, can I? I still have some ties with the snake chief. You two stay here in the tribe. I’ll make the trip for you.”

He added, “I’m not as fast as Hu Jin, but before tomorrow’s sunset, I’ll surely return. So until then, enjoy your night together.”

There was deeper meaning in his words that startled Chi Yuyang.

From the earlier conversation, she had learned that Hu Jin carried a unique aura.

Could it be…

Sure enough, Hu Zhuo’s next words were, “Finding your father is important, but producing offspring is the top priority.”

“…” Chi Yuyang’s sorrowful mood was instantly swept away.

Because she saw Hu Jin nod solemnly, with the same determined look she had seen in his eyes last night before she fell asleep.

“Wife, the chief is right. So let’s hurry back and make ba—”

Chi Yuyang couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Maybe this was just how beastmen were.

Though they carried both beastly and human traits, neither side completely ruled them.

That night, once again exhausted into sleep, Chi Yuyang thought to herself—Hu Jin, this beast… she really needed to teach him what humanity meant.

The next afternoon.

“Wife, wife, the chief’s back!” Hearing the distant roar, Hu Jin woke Chi Yuyang.

The latter unwillingly struggled out of his arms.

“It’s already this late?” Chi Yuyang glanced at the setting sun outside the cave. “Hu Jin, you…”

“Wife, I just took you to the hot spring to wash.” He blinked his big eyes with an apologetic look.

Chi Yuyang froze at his lowered lashes.

How deeply had she been sleeping?

No—it was all Hu Jin’s fault!

Thankfully, this tiger’s mating season was finally over.

Chi Yuyang let out a sigh of relief.

“Let’s go see the chief.”