TFBAT -Chapter 69

Chi Yuyang drew in a sharp breath.

The little fox had actually arrived at the Tiger Clan territory before them—and had even taken the initiative to seek out the shaman?

A sudden sense of foreboding rose in her chest.

Hu Yu’s voice continued, “…It’s in my den right now.”

“…” Chi Yuyang nearly choked on her own breath.

What exactly was the little fox planning?

Hu Zhuo scrutinized his younger brother for a moment before slowly asking, “You’re keeping it for another purpose, aren’t you?”

Hu Yu nodded, then gave an awkward smile. “Brother, you know I have no interest in pairing up.”

He had initially thought the little fox was just an ordinary cub, and so he treated it with the friendliness and care one shows a young, underage beastman.

Later, considering that the little fox might actually be a fourth-stage beastman who had failed their tribulation, he realized it could be an ideal subject for observation.

Combining these thoughts, he began paying the little fox an unusual amount of attention—enough to make Hu Zhuo misunderstand his intentions quite seriously.

Yesterday, the little fox suddenly appeared near his den again and treated him with excessive friendliness, which made his heart stir.

A healer’s mind.

Ever since Hu Jin mentioned that the tribulation required a certain price, he had been eager to explore its mysteries.

When he had first seen the little fox, it was clearly just a cub, but this time, its state seemed strange.

Its appearance was still that of a cub, but he could sense it possessed power close to fourth-stage strength.

This rekindled Hu Yu’s interest.

The only problem was that as the clan chief, his brother might not approve of “capturing” another clan’s beastman for medical observation.

He pondered it all night, and in the end, decided to inform his brother.

At the break of day, Hu Yu came to Hu Zhuo to explain the situation—but unexpectedly, he ran into Hu Jin and Chi Yuyang, who had arrived earlier.

Seeing the complex expression on Chi Yuyang’s face, Hu Zhuo said, “Hu Jin mentioned that the tribulation requires a certain price. Hu Yu believes this may be related to the individual beastman’s circumstances.”

“For thousands of years, the Tiger Clan has never produced a beastman who reached fifth-stage…”

As he spoke, Hu Zhuo’s gaze casually swept over the white tiger.

Hu Jin, who had been focused on the woman by his side, glanced at the chief and flicked his tail slightly to show he was paying attention.

The clan chief’s lips twitched.

Hu Jin’s casual demeanor reminded him of his behavior in class.

Chi Yuyang noticed the chief’s gaze and softly called, “Hu Jin.”

The white tiger’s ears perked up instantly.

Seeing the starkly different treatment, Hu Zhuo shook his head.

This tiger cub forgets the clan chief once he has a wife.

He paused briefly, then continued, “My younger brother, as a shaman and healer, has spent much effort in this area, trying to help fourth-stage clan members break through.”

Hearing this, Chi Yuyang understood that the shaman, being absorbed in medicine, could not possibly have any extra interest in the little fox.

It seemed the little fox had made a major mistake.

Neither the clan chief nor the shaman knew that Hu Jin had secretly failed his tribulation attempt before—and another failed case likely still lay immobilized in the Ape Clan’s territory. Yet here came the little fox, bringing itself right to them…

Chi Yuyang couldn’t help but laugh.

“Shaman, can you take me and Hu Jin to see the little fox?”

Hu Yu agreed without hesitation. “No problem.”

He glanced at Hu Jin. “He can’t participate in the Tiger Fight in his current state…”

Hu Zhuo’s lips twitched.

Chi Yuyang noticed the shaman immediately fell silent—but it seemed he still had more to say.

Apparently, both the clan chief and the shaman were eager for Hu Jin to enter the Tiger Fight.

If Hu Jin joined, the winner would be obvious…

Could there be some extra prize beyond the title of strongest?

“Argh!” The white tiger twitched its alert ears with excitement, its tail never still from the moment the shaman mentioned the little fox was in his den.

Among tiger beastmen, tail and ear movements reflect mental states.

The shaman immediately noticed that Hu Jin’s desire had nowhere to vent.

Watching Hu Jin’s overly energetic behavior, Hu Zhuo couldn’t help but sigh.

He wondered what Hu Jin’s descendants would be like.

It seemed the answer would be revealed this winter.

—

To avoid alerting the little fox, the clan chief and shaman entered the den first. Chi Yuyang and Hu Jin waited outside.

Hu Jin concealed himself behind an inconspicuous tree, while Chi Yuyang crouched in the nearby grass.

The wait was short.

Within minutes, the shaman and clan chief emerged.

“That fox beastman isn’t in the den!”

The shaman held a warm piece of beast hide, showing that the little fox had only just left.

Hu Jin’s eyes flickered with understanding.

He quickly ran to Chi Yuyang, curling his tail around her and heading off in another direction.

“Brother?” Hu Yu looked at Hu Zhuo, who was still pondering.

“Don’t alert the clan yet. You search nearby; I’ll follow Hu Jin,” said Hu Zhuo, transforming into his beast form and following.

Considering that the little fox might be connected to the Lion Clan, Hu Zhuo decided to keep the matter secret for now.

…

Hu Jin first took Chi Yuyang to Hu Shu’s den, asking her to temporarily watch over his wife, then proceeded toward his destination.

Tiger beastmen always walk lightly, leaving almost no trace while hunting.

He moved even more silently.

Inside the den, a small figure carefully searched for something, completely unaware of the approaching danger.

Where could it be!?

Why can’t I find it!?

Not a single one!

Panic grew, and digging became faster and faster.

Several shallow holes appeared in the ground.

Of course, it was looking for my fur…

Hu Jin sneered in his mind.

At the same time, he silently praised his wife’s intelligence.

Before leaving the den that morning, Chi Yuyang had collected all the tiger fur from the ground and carried it with her—mainly to trade with the snake clan for “Xiaoxiao fruit.”

Carrying it on her person was also to prevent the little fox from taking it.

Although her bag had been stolen by the fox before, she wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.

Hence now, the little fox couldn’t find a single hair.

No—it should be said, this fox beastman.

Hu Jin stared at the humanoid fox in front of him, his gaze gradually growing colder.

He never strikes females.

But the fox beastman’s face was androgynous.

He had no way of knowing it was female.

As Fox Ji stood, not yet realizing the shadow on the den wall, the white tiger silently moved behind her.

The soft, delicate tail in Chi Yuyang’s hand became a powerful weapon, striking the fox on the neck.

A bright red bloodstain appeared instantly.

Pain—so much pain!

Fox Ji transformed immediately into her beast form and tried to flee.

A fox beastman’s speed in beast form is faster than in human form—but not faster than Hu Jin.

Last time he had let her escape. This time, he would not make that mistake.

When Hu Jin appeared silently again, panic flashed in Fox Ji’s eyes.

Her expression froze on her face by the white tiger’s actions.

Hu Jin pressed one front paw on her thick tail, grabbed a large handful with the other, and pulled it out root and all.

“Argh—” The fox cried in pain.

A tiger’s claws are sharp and strong.

He could have severed her tail outright—but he didn’t.

Hu Jin chose to destroy it slowly, bit by bit.

And the tail wasn’t his only target.

His claws became like a blade, striking again and again, refusing her relief.

In fact, Hu Jin had no desire to toy with prey; he usually kills swiftly when hunting.

But the fox had made the fatal mistake of targeting his wife.

Now Hu Jin was truly angry.

Unfortunately, he had to spare the fox’s life—not only because the shaman wanted to observe her, but also because his own beast limitations hadn’t yet been lifted.

Halfway through, the clan chief arrived, panting.

Hu Jin’s speed had unconsciously increased even more…

Hu Zhuo didn’t have time to sigh. Seeing the scene inside the den, he immediately called out for Hu Jin to stop.

“Hu Jin, stop for now!”

The chief’s voice caused Hu Jin to hesitate, but not stop.

“If I tell you to—” Hu Zhuo’s words were interrupted as Hu Jin turned his head.

His command “Xiao Chi, come” lingered unspoken.

“Argh…”

Hu Zhuo looked toward the fox and saw her struggling desperately; Hu Jin had just pinned her limbs.

He wasn’t unwilling to obey the chief.

Hu Zhuo exhaled in relief—the tiger cub knew his limits.

“Arghhhh…” Hu Jin growled.

“It has a human form?” Hu Zhuo was stunned.

In his earlier conversation with Hu Yu, there was no mention of the fox beastman being able to transform.

But a fourth-stage beastman is usually an adult.

They had been deceived by her delicate appearance and had ignored her true nature.

Hu Zhuo composed himself and walked a few steps toward Hu Jin.

Light from outside the den revealed the fox’s disheveled state.

A nearly invisible dividing line ran along the fox’s body: from tail to mid-body, most of the fur had been pulled out, leaving only a few strands; the upper half, including the head, still retained much fur.

For a beauty-conscious fox, losing half her fur was a mortal blow.

White fox fur was scattered across the ground, with a few yellow strands mixed in. Some drifted to Hu Jin’s feet, which he immediately kicked away disdainfully.

Although the fox had tried to get his fur by any means, he had no interest in it.

“Fox, release Hu Jin immediately,” Hu Zhuo’s commanding voice echoed through the den. “Or I’ll pull out the rest of your fur myself.”

The fox had initially appeared as weak, hoping to exploit their sympathy and kindness. She had even prevented Hu Jin from returning to human form.

That morning, Hu Jin had told him that the fox had harmed Xiao Chi.

Not only that—he could smell the familiar scent in the air.

The fox had his brother’s fur in her possession.

How she was using it was unclear, but it was obvious she was using other beastmen’s fur to exert control.

A fourth-stage beastman, capable of such power, resorted to underhanded tricks rather than straightforward methods.

Targeting three Tiger Clan members at once, Hu Zhuo, as chief, would never let this fox go.