Chapter 326: Chapter 325: Yin Jiang Is Back

Si Shuo’s lips curved into a soft smile. She held him close and said earnestly, “Yin Jiang, I’m not some benevolent saint. Just like you, I’ve seen my share of the world’s darkness. I can’t be unconditionally kind without a second thought.

You saved me. You kept me from being controlled by that dreamscape and doing something foolish that I would have regretted for the rest of my life.

Where I come from, there’s a saying: if someone saves your life, you’re supposed to devote yourself to them. Besides, after all the intimate things you did to me in that dream, do you really think you can just pretend nothing happened and go off to complete some self-congratulatory sky burial?

No such luck! You saved me, so now you’re stuck with me for life.

From now on, you are not allowed to look down on yourself. My Yin Jiang is the most handsome, brave, and kind Hunting Falcon on the grasslands.”

Yin Jiang smiled and buried his face in the crook of her neck, humming softly in agreement. “I won’t,” he murmured. “As Shuo’er’s Beast Husband, I have to keep getting better. I can’t let the other guys surpass me.”

’Doubting himself was the same as doubting her judgment. To live up to her faith in him, he had to keep striding forward without hesitation.’

Just as he said that, he felt a faint ripple of Spiritual Power nearby. ’The whole family’s Teleported here!’

’But since this is near the Eagle Clan’s territory, they’re all using Invisibility.’

Yin Jiang let go of Si Shuo and pointed to a nearby cliff. “That’s Eagle Cliff. The Eagle Falcon Beastmen are extremely protective of their territory. This entire cliff face, winding for over a thousand kilometers, belongs to the Donghua Grassland Eagle Clan.

Clan members are assigned caves of varying sizes and locations based on their personal contributions, Combat Power Level, and other factors.

The Eagle Clan’s hierarchy is also very strict. They organize hunting parties every day, and the spoils are distributed according to that same ranking…”

The strong grow stronger, and the weak grow weaker. It was a cruel and unfair rule, but it had allowed the Eagle Clan to remain powerful and prosperous to this day.

Si Shuo nodded. Every clan had its own rules, and each one was established for a reason.

When speaking of the Eagle Clan, Yin Jiang became more talkative than usual, an undeniable look of ease and joy on his face. No matter what he had endured over the past year, he still deeply loved this sky and these grasslands.

“Then what are we waiting for? Yin Jiang, take me to see your home,” Si Shuo said with a light laugh, holding a pouch of salted duck eggs in one hand and a variety of sweet, dried fruits in the other. “It’s the perfect chance to bring your Grandma a little something to eat.”

Yin Jiang grunted his assent and transformed into a Hunting Falcon. With Si Shuo on his back, he soared into the air…

Hearing a familiar, piercing cry in the air, many Eagle Falcon Beastmen appeared at the entrances of their caves. When they saw Yin Jiang circling in the sky with a female on his back, they shouted in excitement, “It’s Yin Jiang! Yin Jiang is back!”

The younger Beastmen even shifted into their Beast Forms and launched into the sky, flying in circles around Yin Jiang and Si Shuo, adding their own joyous cries.

More and more Eagle Falcon Beastmen took to the sky. The sight was so dense that Si Shuo had the surreal feeling that she and Yin Jiang were lovers from a myth, and these Beastmen were building them a bridge of eagles!

Yin Jiang was caught up in the excitement, leading his clan members in formations—straight lines, V-shapes, spiraling turns, barrel rolls, and serpentine patterns.

Many of the other Hunting Falcon Beastmen even brought their own females along, joining in the playful celebration…

“Wei Cang, I… I’m not mishearing, am I? Is that Yin Jiang? Is he back?” From the centermost cave of Eagle Cliff, a slightly hoarse, elderly voice rang out, trembling with excitement and disbelief. “He really came back alive!”

Wei Cang stood at the cave entrance, watching the white Hunting Falcon surrounded by a good portion of the clan’s young males. A grim, cold glint flashed in the depths of his eyes, but his face was wreathed in a joyful expression.

“Mother, it is Yin Jiang. He’s returned with his little female!

Everyone’s flown up to welcome him.”

The old female, You Jing, let out a few soft cries. She felt her way along the wall, stumbling slightly as she headed outside, her eyes filled with tears. “Oh, I knew it. I knew my Yin Jiang would be all right.

If something had happened to him because of this old woman, I’d never be able to face his grandfather and Father when I meet the Beast God.

Everyone said he’d overcome the trial of rebirth and grown new wings. I didn’t believe it. I thought you were all just trying to placate me.

But hearing his cry now, I believe it! He’s truly recovered.”

Wei Cang smiled. “Mother, Yin Jiang was chosen by the Beast God to be the next Clan Leader. Of course he would be fine. The hardships he suffered were merely trials from the Beast God.

I never lost faith that he would return. He’s always been the most devoted to you.”

A smile graced You Jing’s face. “That’s right. Jiang’er lost his Father so young, and we were the ones who raised him. That boy is the most sentimental and loyal person I know. If it wasn’t for him, these old bones of mine would have been buried somewhere long ago!

He’s made us proud, too. He inherited his Father’s fine aptitude and reached such a high Combat Power Level at a young age. The boy is well-liked. If he hadn’t stood firmly behind you, who knows who would be Clan Leader today…

Wei Cang, go and see what’s taking so long. Why hasn’t Jiang’er come back yet? What’s all that ruckus about?”

Wei Cang’s lips twitched into a tight smile. “Everyone is just welcoming him. Yin Jiang has always been special, even as a child. That kind of charisma… he has the makings of a leader!”

By now, You Jing had felt her way to the mouth of the cave. Her cloudy, sightless eyes turned toward the commotion as she called out with a smile, “Yin Jiang! Jiang’er! Is that you? Have you come back to see your Grandma?”

Yin Jiang faintly heard his Grandma’s voice. His movements faltered for a moment before he dove, landing steadily in front of You Jing. He waited for Si Shuo to get her footing before changing back to his human form.

“Grandma, Third Uncle, I’m back,” Yin Jiang said softly.

You Jing fumbled forward, grabbing Yin Jiang’s arm. With tears in her eyes, she reached up to feel his face, her voice choked with a sob as she smiled.

“Ah, as long as you’re back. It’s good you’re back. You’ve grown taller… and you’ve put some meat on your bones.

Your little female must be treating you well, yes?”

Yin Jiang grasped her hand, his lips trembling slightly. “Grandma, your eyes…”

“Ever since you were taken by the Winged Dragon Clan, your Grandma has been blaming herself nonstop,” Wei Cang said with a slight sigh. “She spent her days in tears, convinced that if she hadn’t been a burden, you never would have suffered so much.

She wanted to throw herself from the cliff several times, but she’d remember you hadn’t come home yet, and she felt she wouldn’t be able to face your grandfather and Father. So she just waited for news of you day after day. After so long, she cried herself blind.”

“What nonsense are you spouting? I’m just old, and my eyes have gone bad. What does that have to do with Jiang’er?” You Jing cut in, clearly displeased with Wei Cang. She then smiled and said, “Jiang’er, where is your little female? What does she look like?”

As she spoke, she reached out her hand again, fumbling for the person beside Yin Jiang.

Yin Jiang’s gaze fell on You Jing’s withered, wrinkled hand. Her fingernails were thick and yellowish-gray, with dirt caked beneath them. He gently caught her hand with a smile. “My female is a bit shy, Grandma. Let’s not startle her.”

’I don’t mind how my Grandma is, I would never be repulsed by her. But Si Shuo’s skin is so delicate; it could easily get scratched. Besides, I know my female is a bit of a clean-freak. I’m afraid this would upset her.’

You Jing’s expression froze for a second before she smiled again. “Jiang’er, you’re not leaving again now that you’re back, are you? Now that you have a female, you have even more reason to come back to the clan. We can all live together and have a lively time.

Wei Cang, is Yin Jiang’s cave still reserved for him? He’s just found a female, so he certainly won’t have all the supplies he needs for the winter. You’re his third uncle, and the Clan Leader of our Eagle Clan. For reasons both personal and official, you ought to help the young couple out a bit…”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep