CHAPTER 172: CHAPTER 163 THE SIEGE CAME_1

Wang’s cold eyes rested on Si Yan for a moment before shifting to the Silver Wolf Beastman, Yin Hong.

"Yan Yan agreed to let them in, so let them in."

Si Yan added with a smile, "However, don’t let them near our saltwater lake, and don’t let them see our distilled water."

Yin Hong nodded in understanding. "Lord, Mistress, I understand."

A grand procession of the Fox Clan, two to three thousand strong, marched forward. Hu Bu and Hu Ling were at the front, Hu Ling looking left and right.

The Snake Beastmen of the Delusional Domain seem to still be in summer hibernation. Aside from a few Silver Wolf Beastmen they encountered upon arrival—who seemed to appear from nowhere—there’s nothing special about this place. How can such a barren, waterless land sustain so many Beastmen? Back at Dark Sun Lake, we could at least drink water. But the other tribes were unwelcoming, ostracizing us. Those tribes that benefited from the Delusional Domain criticized us for betraying it. The Fox Clan Beastmen immediately argued that we hadn’t. But it was futile; those tribes despised us and then barred us from the water. The Fox Clan members are caught in a bind, and we care deeply about our reputation.

So, when Jie Ling informed them that the Snake Beastmen had water, urging them to follow the plan—first take the Snake Beastmen’s water, then await her command to annihilate them—Hu Bu agreed without hesitation.

But the swamp before them seemed utterly desolate. There don’t appear to be any active Beastmen... This isn’t what Jie Ling described.

Hu Ling cautiously asked, "Great Elder..."

Hu Bu waved his hand. "Hu Ling, I believe Jie Ling. There must be water; that deceitful and shrewd Snake Tribe is just hiding it from us."

In the shadows, the Hawk Clan Beastmen of White Eagle City and the Wolf Clan Beastmen of the Silver Wolf Tribe concealed themselves, secretly observing the Fox Clan group.

Meanwhile, the Snake Beastmen had been forced to rouse a portion of their numbers from summer hibernation; they had hidden their saltwater lake and the vats of distilled water. The Merfolk also hid within some vats, staying out of trouble.

Si Yan watched the Fox Clan from afar and asked Gecko, "Is Jie Ling around?"

Gecko replied lazily, "I noticed last time. That false deity has sealed her destiny, making her harder to find than before."

Si Yan understood. Just as I’m hiding from the false deity, the false deity will, in turn, help Jie Ling hide from me.

A faint smile touched Si Yan’s lips.

Sen Ran, the Snake Beastman, followed behind her. He slowly lowered himself, carefully lifting her. "Let’s go home."

She Ying was responsible for settling the Fox Clan. His face was stern as always as he led the Fox Clan to a corner of Swamp Valley. Then, he lazily departed and went back to drape himself over a branch in his tree.

The Day of Blazing Flames is so hot; having to get up and move about is truly life-threatening for a snake. Only my master, a snake who loves to sleep—and during hibernation season no less—would force himself to stay energetic to care for the Mistress. Those in the know understand his Mistress is pregnant. Those who aren’t might think she’s dying.

Wang was in front of the cave, studying recipes. This world has no great chefs. Most males eat raw meat. Females are a bit more particular, but not overly so. So, I have no one else to consult. Only when I encounter bottlenecks or difficulties do I ask Si Yan. Under these harsh conditions, Wang was researching recipes suitable for a pregnant woman.

Si Yan sipped her lean meat and flower petal porridge. The fragrance was subtle, the saltiness mild, with a faint taste of meat. A thread of satisfaction welled up in her heart.

She finished all the food he had made, then asked, "How is the Fox Clan doing?"

Sen Ran, the Snake Beastman, furrowed his brows slightly, as if displeased by her concern for others. "There’s some minor activity, but you needn’t worry. Though you haven’t started to gain weight yet, eat well, and then exercise with me." It wouldn’t matter if the sky fell, as long as she delivers the baby safely.

Si Yan looked at the cold-blooded Snake Beastman before her. Although he’s reluctant to talk about it, I previously asked Tai Seng. The Snake Beastmen didn’t give the Fox Clan water, causing some restlessness and minor riots among them. In the end, She Ying had someone give them a small amount of water to pacify them. The Hawk Clan and Silver Wolf Beastmen are hidden very well, and the Fox Clan hasn’t discovered them yet. However, the Fox Clan has already started making small moves, secretly scouting the entire Swamp Valley. They just haven’t found anything yet.

At night, She Ying found Wang’s cave. Si Yan, listening in, gathered that the Fox Clan Beastmen had become unruly.

Wang listened, his expression frigid. "Do you think I’m idle? Are all the Snake Beastmen dead?"

The leader’s cold, displeased voice carried out, and She Ying, terrified, quickly fled.

There were quite a few Red Crystal Snake Beastmen. The problem was, everyone wanted to sleep. It was too hot; no one had the energy to fight.

The commotion outside grew louder, and more Snake Beastmen were startled from their summer hibernation.

Si Yan touched the temples of the Snake Beastman staring at her, a slight smile on her face. "It seems they’ve arrived."

Sen Ran, the Snake Beastman, was always dissatisfied with Si Yan’s attention to external matters. "Don’t worry about anything later. I’ll take you away."

Si Yan was speechless. She touched the male’s sharply defined face. "Only you and Bai Feng are Purple Crystal Beastmen in the Delusional Domain now. Won’t you stay and fight?"

The Snake Beastman’s expression was cool and detached. Other people’s affairs had nothing to do with him. He had only one thought: he wanted to take his little Mistress and run away.

Suddenly, a series of eagle cries resounded from outside.

Si Yan stepped out of the cave and looked up at the sky. In the distant sky, flock after flock of red hawks were flying over. Below the red hawks, a large group of Ape Beastmen were desperately stampeding!

Ying Zhao of the Red Hawks and Yuan Dingshan of the Ape Beastmen, leading their kin, were colluding with the Fox Clan from within and without, intending to slaughter the Snake Beastmen of the Delusional Domain!

According to the destiny ordained by the heavens, the Snake Beastmen of the Delusional Domain had to die. However, Si Yan had repeatedly disrupted the original plan. The tribes on the periphery of the Delusional Domain, having received favors from the Snake Beastmen—who had also voluntarily relinquished Dark Sun Lake, the source of life—had completely lost interest in annihilating them.

So now, to ’correct’ fate, Jie Ling, the world’s protagonist, had no choice but to activate the Beast Husbands bound to her by secret contracts. Using their forces and leading their tribesmen, they came to encircle and annihilate the Snake Beastmen!

A vast throng of Beastmen surrounded Swamp Valley completely.

Si Yan looked at the sky, then at the surging Ape Beastmen rushing from afar. Her lips curved slightly.

"They’ve come."