Chapter 21: Like a Man-Eating Monster
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Upon hearing Su Lie’s question, Ye Ling’s expression darkened further, yet she remained silent. Su Xiyue stepped forward beside her and took the initiative to explain, “Father, these stones were all found by Ye Ling at my request. This stone pot can be used to cook food, and the other stones each have their own purposes.”
Those present exchanged bewildered glances.
A stone pot? For cooking food?
Why did it sound so unfamiliar?
In this beastly world, though they had learned to use fire and eat cooked food, it was limited to roasting.
The tribe’s shaman often used clay pots to brew medicines—could this be something similar?
With that thought, Su Lie was less dismissive of these stones.
If what Xiyue said was true, and the stone pot could indeed cook food, it would improve the tribe’s meals.
Although this daughter was lazy, gluttonous, infatuated, and particularly unattractive, recently she seemed different—she had even awakened a special ability.
Though Mo Lin, Bai Qi, Qing Zhu, Xuan Ming, Su Mu, and the others were puzzled, none voiced doubt.
They had all noticed Xiyue’s changes and thought she might really be able to concoct something useful.
Ye Ling did not linger but prepared to retrieve the prey previously hidden in the cave.
She left swiftly.
Su Xiyue went to where seven or eight woven baskets had been placed. Though the surrounding defenses were damaged, the wild grass covering them was intact.
She lifted the grass covering a basket and saw the contents were fine, letting out a sigh of relief.
The basket held mushrooms, and as she uncovered the grass, the orcs present saw the mushrooms and their expressions instantly changed.
Orcs generally believed mushrooms were poisonous and never touched or picked them. Seeing her gather so many poisonous mushrooms, they looked as if they had seen a ghost.
Qing Zhu frowned at the mushrooms, unable to hold back his anger: “Su Xiyue, why did you bring back so many mushrooms? Do you want to kill yourself or kill us all?”
His voice was cold, laden with deep disdain.
Xiyue turned slightly and met his indifferent emerald eyes, like green jade in the forest—stunningly beautiful.
The man’s face was strikingly handsome, his skin fair and smooth rather than the usual bronze tone of the beast world. His eyebrows were like ink strokes, his lips like painted lacquer, and his jawline nearly flawless.
He was tall and slender, wearing animal skins around his waist, exuding a chilling ethereal aura mixed with wildness—almost unreal in beauty.
If Ye Ling was domineering, Mo Lin cold and stern, Bai Qi exquisitely androgynous, Xuan Ming wild and unrestrained, then Qing Zhu was the cool and aloof type.
If he wore a white robe or blue garment, he would be a celestial figure straight out of a wuxia drama.
Xiyue was amazed, then realized this was the original host’s fourth beast husband—Qing Zhu.
Qing Zhu was cold and aloof by nature—either silent or so irritating he made people angry. His relationship with the tribe was also poor.
Yet, because of his strength and looks, many females in the tribe liked him.
However, he intensely disliked the original host, not even bothering to look in her direction, let alone speak to her.
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It was as if a single glance would pollute his eyes.
By extension, Su Xiyue had never spoken to him during her time here.
Seeing Qing Zhu’s cold disdain plainly displayed in his eyes, she curled her lips in contempt.
A handsome man with such a terrible temper.
“These mushrooms are not poisonous. They can be eaten,” she explained briefly, then stopped looking at him.
Qing Zhu’s emerald eyes showed scorn and doubt. His thin lips parted, voice icy: “You say they’re not poisonous, so they’re not? If they kill the beasts, are you responsible? Or are you deliberately trying to get back at everyone because they dislike you?”
Xiyue furrowed her brows slightly. This man’s words were harsh; his mouth was exceptionally venomous—worse than Ye Ling’s.
Just as she was about to retort, an authoritative voice interrupted.
“Enough arguing. Since Xiyue says these mushrooms are safe, we’ll keep them for now and have the shaman inspect them later.”
Su Lie approached, casting a displeased glance at Qing Zhu.
He knew his daughter was unattractive and unpopular, but such blatant doubt of Xiyue displeased him.
Noticing the leader’s displeasure, Qing Zhu restrained himself and fell silent.
Su Lie’s gaze swept over the baskets, filled with wild fruits, vegetables, and other miscellaneous items.
There were even many thorns—things with little meat and a painful touch, hardly any orc would bother with them.
However, sometimes the tribe’s females would collect them.
He pointed to the baskets and asked, “Xiyue, what are these containers called? They look like woven vines. Where did they come from?”
No such things existed in the tribe, nor in others.
Not even in Beast King City had he seen them.
“Father, these are woven baskets. I made them from vines to conveniently carry things,” Su Xiyue smiled and explained softly.
Woven baskets? For carrying things?
The orcs looked at the seven or eight full baskets on the ground and realized they were very practical and convenient.
Especially for hunting and gathering, they could carry a lot and free up the hands.
But how could such an ugly creature weave such delicate baskets?
Bai Qi looked at Su Xiyue, his androgynous face showing surprise.
He was a nine-tailed white fox, naturally interested in beautiful and refined things. Having come from Beast King City, he was well-traveled but had never seen woven baskets before.
“Did you really weave these?”
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He couldn’t help but ask.
His voice was gentle and refreshing, no longer cold or aloof.
Su Xiyue looked at him and nodded slightly. “Yes, I wove them.”
Bai Qi didn’t doubt her; a lie would be easily exposed if she couldn’t.
A hint of admiration appeared in his eyes as he sincerely praised, “You’re impressive.”
“Ding, Bai Qi’s favorability has increased. Would the host like to check?”
At that moment, a system voice rang in Su Xiyue’s mind.
She raised her eyebrows and glanced at Bai Qi, aware his favorability had risen, though unsure by how much. She chose not to check immediately, preferring to wait until returning to the tribe and having time.
“Thank you. If you like, I can teach you to weave later.”
Her eyes curved into a happy smile.
Though her smile was not beautiful, she couldn’t help but smile.
“Good.”
Bai Qi nodded slightly, not refusing. His voice was gentle.
He truly needed such baskets to carry things.
Qing Zhu watched Su Xiyue and Bai Qi chatting happily, a sneer flickering in his emerald eyes, a mocking smile curling his cold lips.
Among them, only Bai Qi treated this ugly creature well, delivering meat on time every day.
As if fearing she would starve, causing her to grow even fatter—like a walking, human-shaped sow with a flat, broad nose, small eyes, and big buck teeth, making her even uglier.
Her smile was particularly eerie, resembling a man-eating monster.
He truly admired Bai Qi for being so amiable toward such an ugly creature.
He intended to open his mouth for a sarcastic remark but saw Su Lie nearby and held back.
At that moment, Ye Ling returned, dragging the prey he had hunted earlier, hidden in a nearby cave.
Su Lie, seeing everyone assembled, announced, “It’s getting late. Let’s all head back.”
“Yes, leader.”
The orcs answered in unison, then transformed into their beast forms and each carried their prey away.