As the two were about to escape the battle circle, a gust of foul wind swept towards them, followed by icy objects that struck them, knocking them both down.
Qiao Ci's arrogant voice boomed, "From now on, She Qian Shang is no longer the leader of the snake tribe. The snake tribe will be under the unified command of the tiger tribe's leader. The three of you, no matter how much you love each other, just don't disturb innocent people. Lai Hu, escort these three away, send them far off."
Then, three majestic tigers, like they were herding chickens, drove the pair and the snake out of the snake tribe's territory. For convenience, the near-death snake was hung around Lu Yan's neck, making her feel utterly disgusted.
She had always been afraid of snakes, and She Qian Shang had never revealed his true form in front of her. Seeing him swollen and bloody, her heart churned with disgust and fear, yet she dared not remove him.
Because, whether it was her imagination or not, the three large tigers seemed to be rubbing their paws together with ill intent, as if any resistance from her would surely result in a severe beating.
One of the tigers had even shown her favor before, but now...
These barbaric beasts had all been corrupted by that slut Qiao Ci!
After selecting a suitable副官 (fùguān - adjutant) from the snake tribe, Qiao Ci gave them a pep talk, then led Ming Xi and the rest of the tigers back home.
All the way, Ming Xi's eyes sparkled as he looked at Qiao Ci. His Ah Ci was so fierce, he loved it!
"Is there something on my face?" Qiao Ci asked, touching her face, wondering if she had gotten blood on it.
"No, Ah Ci has always been beautiful," Ming Xi said, his eyes moist and his voice soft. "It's just that seeing Ah Ci's valiant figure makes me feel proud. My Ah Ci is invincible~"
Who didn't like hearing sweet talk?
Qiao Ci unconsciously puffed out her chest, her voice dismissive, "It's just so-so."
Seeing her proud demeanor, Ming Xi wanted to pull her into his arms, but he didn't dare… cough, cough.
He felt that if he offended her majesty, he might also be pinned down and given a brutal beating.
Though he didn't want to admit it, the fact was that she loved him, but she also had an absolute self, and wouldn't force herself to change for anyone.
Because he was a god, he could see into people's hearts with perfect accuracy.
And this kind of Qiao Ci only made him respect and love her even more.
Upon returning to the tribe, the female tigers were all dressed in beautiful clothes, joyfully coming out to welcome them. They now looked at Qiao Ci with adoration and pride.
Qiao Ci had truly brought them, the female beasts, great honor, proving that females weren't just for reproduction but could also lead and make the tribe stronger and more prosperous.
Even the deputy from the neighboring lion tribe was invited to celebrate Qiao Ci's triumphant return. After all, they were direct subordinates, and it gave them a sense of involvement.
Initially, the deputy felt a bit awkward, but upon hearing about the snake tribe's plight, he immediately felt more balanced.
In the joy of celebration, he drank a little too much and started arm-in-arm with the surrounding tigers, playing rock-paper-scissors and calling each other brothers.
Because of this, the relationship between the tiger and lion tribes began to merge step by step, truly becoming one.
In the future, whenever they went to subdue other forces, the lion tribe would always volunteer to be the vanguard. The two tribes loved each other, began intermarriage, and their bloodlines grew closer, even giving rise to a new species, the Liger.
Of course, these were all later developments.
Qiao Ci sat with Ming Xi. Ming Xi had also had a bit to drink with the other beasts, his cheeks flushed. Regardless of their relationship, he always appeared harmless in front of Qiao Ci.
He gazed at Qiao Ci adoringly, his eyes filled with intoxicating focus. "My Ah Ci, you are so beautiful."
Qiao Ci remained silent, simply gazing deeply at the doting boy before her. For someone with such breathtaking beauty to praise someone as beautiful, she must indeed be exquisite.
She accepted all his affection with grace.
Amidst the cheers and boisterous calls of the beasts, she carried the drunk Ming Xi to the room. Qiao Ci looked at him, tightly clinging to her and refusing to let go, with a hint of helplessness. "Be good, let go for a moment, I'll get you a hangover soup."
"I'm not drunk~" Ming Xi said, his eyes glistening, playfully hugging Qiao Ci's waist and refusing to release her.
"Ah Ci, I like you so much."
"Why do I like you so much?"
"I fell head over heels the moment I saw you, and I love you more the more I see you."
"Ah Ci, how can you be so good... good in every way, making me love you so much."
"Ah Ci, do you know how much I like you?"
"Heh heh, hehe~ You definitely don't know..."
"It's not just liking."
"I love you... I love you very, very much..."
Qiao Ci looked at the little drunkard before her with a mixture of amusement and exasperation, patiently replying, "I know now."
"Wuwuwu, no, you don't know," the pure boy with fluffy ears retorted for the first time. "You don't know."
"I also hope you never know... it's so ugly, and so selfish, wanting to cling to you for all eternity... you'll surely find it repulsive..."
Qiao Ci looked at the boy, who had suddenly become as humble as dust, and directly lowered her head, silencing his incessant chatter.
The anxiety and fear, she understood them too. So, she knew it all.
The sun was high in the sky.
Ming Xi lay in bed with a red face, the marks on his body all reminders of the wildness of last night.
The intimate whispers that made one's ears burn and heart pound still echoed in his ears.
"Don't resist."
"Don't dodge."
"Just like this."
"Good boy."
Each command, though in a commanding tone, made him willingly submit.
When one is happy, they feel invigorated, and Qiao Ci was in a good mood all day.
The little tiger cub's fur on its head had already grown out, but it had taken a liking to wearing hats, and that green hat was temporarily inseparable.
It frolicked to Qiao Ci's side, wagging its tail and begging for another small rib.
Qiao Ci watched it with amusement. It truly considered herself a little dog or a little tiger cub; it was indeed childish.
However, if it weren't for this pure innocence, she would have destroyed it when it first bonded with her.
She placed a small rib into its bowl, and the little tiger cub, holding the bowl in its mouth, shook its head and trotted away.
For the past few days, it had been like this. It no longer squatted to eat but would take its food to a place out of her sight before eating. After a while, it would come back asking for more food.
Normally, Qiao Ci wouldn't bother with it, but today, in her exceptionally good mood, a tiny bit of curiosity stirred within her.
So, she called Ming Xi to follow the little tiger cub secretly with her, wanting to uncover its 'secret.'
After snatching the last bite of food, the little tiger cub went to a corner where six small ribs and some other meat were neatly laid out.
Then, it scooped all that food into its small bowl. When it couldn't fit, it even used its plump little paws to press them down forcefully.
Picking up the bowl again, it looked around, then trotted happily along a secluded path towards the outside of the tiger tribe...