Chapter 230: Chapter 230: Provocation

Although Mao was reluctant to admit it, Hunt had truly been sentenced to death by everyone in their tribe.

In fact, any Male Beastman cursed by the Dark God and left without a witch doctor’s care was considered condemned to death.

No one could save them. They were all destined to perish in the end.

But now, Lu Xiao’s arrival had given them a chance.

How could Mao not be shocked?

“It seems to be having some effect for now, but his bestial state hasn’t disappeared, so it can’t be considered a complete success.”

Even Lu Xiao herself wasn’t sure when his condition would improve.

Even though she said that, Mao didn’t change his mind. Hunt had already regained his sanity. ’What does that mean? It means he has a chance to live. Isn’t that an improvement?’

’Lady Lu Xiao’s standards for herself are just too high!’

After checking on Hunt, Lu Xiao prepared to head back. ’I’ve been out for so long. Ares is probably getting anxious waiting at home.’

On their way back, they ran into a few females from the Canghe Tribe. Seeing Lu Xiao with Mao, the one in the lead frowned, stopped, and said, “Mao, did you reject Qing because of her? She’s an outsider. How much do you even know about her?”

Lu Xiao was taken aback by the sudden remark. She glanced at Mao, whose expression had stiffened, but said nothing.

Mao gave Lu Xiao an apologetic look. “My apologies, Lady Lu Xiao. I’ve dragged you into this.”

After apologizing to Lu Xiao, Mao turned to the female who had spoken. “Luan, it’s not what you think. I was just guiding Lady Lu Xiao. I didn’t reject Qing—how could I dare to? I just hope she’ll reconsider. I’m not a suitable choice to be her side husband, and I don’t want her to waste the position on me.”

“Hah! A likely story. You’re just saying that because you think she’s more powerful than Qing. Aren’t you just trying to keep your options open? You males are all so calculating. And you,” she said, turning to Lu Xiao, “an outsider. You might be able to fool these males, but you think you can cure Hunt when even Qing couldn’t? Don’t make me laugh.”

Faced with this unprovoked verbal assault, Lu Xiao was baffled but chose not to tolerate it. “I don’t believe I’ve done anything to offend you. We don’t know each other, do we? Whether or not I’m posing as a witch doctor, and whether or not I can cure Hunt, has nothing to do with you. If you’re simply trying to stand up for this Qing you mentioned, you’re being incredibly rude. Besides, how Mao chooses his future partner is a matter between him and Qing. What does it have to do with you?”

Mao hadn’t expected Lu Xiao to speak up for him, and a warmth spread through his chest.

Luan, however, was already on the verge of exploding with rage. She considered her status among the tribe’s many females to be among the very highest. Even if she wasn’t on par with Qing, who knew medicine, she was still a formidable figure. At the very least, no one had ever dared to contradict or defy her before.

For this newcomer, who had only been in the tribe a short while, to dare contradict her… it made her feel she had lost face in front of Mao.

When blood rushed to her head, she acted on impulse, raising her hand to strike Lu Xiao across the face.

Mao was startled by the sight.

’In his eyes, the slender Lady Lu Xiao was no match for the robust females of their tribe.’

But before he could intervene, Lu Xiao moved faster. The instant Luan’s hand descended, Lu Xiao caught it, then swung her other hand up and slapped Luan across the face.

The sharp CRACK of the slap startled the females accompanying Luan as well.

They screamed and ran back the way they had come.

Luan, her arm still in Lu Xiao’s grip, stood stunned for a moment after being slapped. Then, like a madwoman, she lunged forward, trying to grapple with Lu Xiao. But Lu Xiao wasn’t about to give her the chance to cause a scene. She instantly drained the spiritual power from Luan’s Spirit Sea, forcing a complete shutdown, and let her drop to the ground.

Mao stood to the side, his mouth half-open in utter shock.

Lu Xiao glanced at him. “You saw everything that happened. If anyone asks later, you’ll have to back me up.”

Mao nodded mechanically. He never would have imagined that Lu Xiao, who looked so slender and small, could be so formidable.

After all, Luan was a frequent brawler in the tribe, and no other female was her match.

And yet, she had been taken down so easily.

“Is… is she okay?” he asked, a trace of fear in his voice. ’She didn’t kill her, did she?’

“She just passed out. She’ll wake up in a bit.” As she finished speaking, Shield rushed over with a group of people, including the two females who had just run away. They had clearly gone to get backup.

As soon as they arrived, one of the females rushed forward, cradling the unconscious Luan in her arms. She looked her over and then snapped at Lu Xiao, “How could you be so vicious? Even if Luan was in the wrong, you can’t just attack people!”

Facing the female who was accusing her without knowing any of the facts, Lu Xiao asked, “And who are you?”

Before the other woman could reply, Mao cut in, “Qing, you’ve misunderstood! Lady Lu Xiao didn’t strike first, it was—”

“You, shut up!” Qing snapped. “I always thought you were a smart Male Beastman, but it seems you’re nothing special after all. Have you forgotten that you’re a member of the Canghe Tribe? Luan is lying right in front of you, and you’re still defending an outsider? You’re a bitter disappointment!”

“Hah!” Lu Xiao let out a laugh of pure exasperation. This female was so self-righteous, yet she was just twisting the facts. “So, you’re Qing. I think I understand now why Luan is so impulsive. You’re quite the instigator, aren’t you? You have no idea what happened, yet you can spout such words. Are you so sure that everyone thinks the same way you do?”

“Luan is in this state! Doesn’t that say it all?” Qing retorted, holding Luan with a look of firm conviction.

Shield spoke up. “What exactly happened here, Lady Lu Xiao?”

Hearing Shield’s question, Qing looked surprised and then stared at him with a hurt expression. “Are you taking her side, too?”

Shield inclined his head slightly. “Please forgive me, Your Excellency, but we can’t judge a situation by appearances alone. We need to understand the full story.”

Mao immediately recounted what had happened. “…so it really wasn’t Lady Lu Xiao who started it. Luan tried to hit her, and Lady Lu Xiao was just defending herself.”

“Hah! You call this self-defense, leaving her in this state?”

“What state is she in? You study medicine too, don’t you? Can you really not tell that she’s just unconscious?” Lu Xiao asked coolly. “Or are you saying you’re simply unable to tell?”

Qing’s face paled at the question. She stuck her neck out defiantly and said, “Stop twisting my words. Who knows what kind of dirty tricks you used.”

“Oh, so you really can’t tell. No wonder. Even with you studying medicine, it still takes an outsider like me to help when the tribe’s Male Beastmen run into trouble.” Lu Xiao clearly knew exactly where to strike to make it hurt. ’Does she really think I’m a pushover?’

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep