Upon learning that Xiao Man was an outsider and intended to stay, the two women immediately stepped forward, one on each side, to support her.夹在两人中间的萧曼显得娇小玲珑：“It’s been a long time since we’ve had anyone visit. Come, come, I’ll show you to your room.”
Huo Lei wanted to follow, but several White Wolf Village warriors quickly stopped him. “What are you following for? They’ll take care of everything.”
“She’s new here, I’m worried…”
“Worried my wife will bully her?” One of them nudged Huo Lei with his elbow. “You’ve got good taste, kid. This girl is really pretty, just a bit thin. Don’t worry, after a while, she’ll be plump and fair.”
“What are you talking about?”
“What do you think we’re talking about? Look at my son, he’s already running around.”
Huo Lei scratched his head and looked at the shaman, who gestured for him to follow.
“Great Shaman, is there really no way out?”
The shaman shook his head. “Tell me, where did you find her?”
“Ruoshui River.”
“By the Ruoshui River?”
“She fell from the sky into the Ruoshui River. I saved her. Great Shaman, is there a problem?”
“Did she say where she came from?”
“Duan’e Mountain.”
The shaman immediately frowned. Duan’e Mountain was a very dangerous place. Ordinary people couldn’t survive in such a harsh environment. Duan’e Mountain was full of treasures, but also many ancient beasts. A moment of carelessness could make one their prey.
“How could she come from Duan’e Mountain?”
“She said she offended someone and was thrown into Duan’e Mountain. She ended up here by accident while escaping.”
Hearing this, the shaman’s frown deepened. There were only two possibilities for someone to be thrown into Duan’e Mountain: either the other party wanted her dead, or she had committed heinous crimes. If it was the former, then it was fine, but if it was the latter, they would be inviting trouble.
“Go and find out who she offended.”
“Yes, Great Shaman.”
As Huo Lei exited the Great Shaman’s hut, someone immediately came to greet him and urged him back. “You, boy, hurry home.”
“Where was Xiao Man arranged to stay?”
“Her? You’ll know soon enough.” The group pushed Huo Lei into his own hut. As soon as he entered, he was hit with a ladle. Huo Lei’s face turned so red it could almost bleed.
“She was bathing, why did you push me in?”
“You had the girl carry you back, shouldn’t you show off your manly charm?” His childhood friends teased. “Don’t let the girl look down on you.”
“Nonsense, go, go, don’t crowd around here.” Huo Lei chased them away and sat by the door. When the sound of water from inside stopped, he asked, “Xiao Man, are you done bathing?”
“I’m done, you can come in now.”
Huo Lei wiped his nose and entered the room. Xiao Man had changed into a deerskin skirt and deerskin boots, making her look wild and playful. She stunned Huo Lei, and he felt a tickle in his nose. He touched it and found he was bleeding. He quickly turned away to wipe the blood.
“Is there something?” Xiao Man asked casually, pretending not to see Huo Lei’s nosebleed.
“The Great Shaman asked me if you know who your enemy is.”
“The Gods.”
“The Gods?” Huo Lei was shocked. “The current Gods, or the ancient Gods?”
“Is there a difference?”
“Of course, there’s a difference. The current Gods are false gods, while the ancient Gods are the true Gods.”
“False gods.”
“What did you do to make the false gods pursue you?”
Xiao Man lowered her gaze, contemplating whether to tell the truth. They had been chasing her because of Xuan Xin, but she couldn’t say that.
“I broke the seal and released the Demon Lord,” Xiao Man said, looking up at Huo Lei. “Will this cause you trouble? If so, I’ll leave immediately.”
“The Demon Lord has been released?” Huo Lei looked surprised. “Speaking of which, the demons and our Fallen Gods have quite a connection.”
“Connection?” Xiao Man asked, confused. “How so?”
“This goes back to the ancestors of our Fallen Gods. The ancestors of our Fallen Gods and the demons were friends.” Huo Lei patted his chest. “Don’t worry, we are also enemies with the false gods. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. You can stay here with peace of mind, and I will help you.”
“Thank you, benefactor.”
“You rest first. We’ll have a banquet tonight to welcome you. I’ll come and get you then.” Huo Lei’s gaze flickered, glancing at Xiao Man’s long, slender legs, and he quickly turned and left, his nose bleeding again. His brothers, who were secretly watching from a distance, burst into laughter.
After Huo Lei reported Xiao Man’s situation to the Great Shaman, he went out and hunted a Qingfeng Ox to be the main dish for the evening banquet.
“Huo Lei, you seem very happy today.”
Huo Lei smiled. “Sister-in-law, you can’t bully her at the banquet. She’s shy.”
“Oh, you’re already protecting her,” the woman teased with a smile. “But it’s only right. You’re the first person in our village to be carried back by a girl.”
“I didn’t expect Xiao Man, with her small arms and legs, to have such strength to carry you back. I can’t even carry my own man,” another woman chimed in. “But I think she’s fertile. You need to work harder. Look at your childhood friends, you’re the only one not married yet.”
Huo Lei smiled and replied, then went off to busy himself. The entire village was lively and warm. When the banquet was ready, a woman pulled Xiao Man out and led her to dance around the bonfire.
Huo Lei’s gaze fell on Xiao Man as she danced with the villagers, his eyes shining with an unusual light.
When Xiao Man was tired from dancing, she sat down. Huo Lei immediately handed her a bowl of wine. “This is our homemade fruit wine. It’s not intoxicating, try it.”
Xiao Man took it and thanked him. Just as she took a sip, Huo Lei handed her a plate of meat. “This is Qingfeng Ox meat. It tastes excellent. I hunted it specifically for you.”
Xiao Man put down the bowl and took the plate. Just as she was about to ask for chopsticks, she saw everyone eating with their hands. She then used her hands to grab a piece of meat and put it in her mouth. Under Huo Lei’s expectant gaze, she nodded. “It’s very delicious.”
Huo Lei’s face lit up with joy. He then gave Xiao Man some fruit. “These fruits were picked by the sisters-in-law. They are sweet and delicious.”
“Don’t just pay attention to me, you eat too.”
Huo Lei picked up a fruit and took a bite. He never thought these fruits were particularly delicious before, but today, he found them very sweet, as if they melted into his heart.