The Strongest Beast-Tamer (Transmigration)(GL) - Chapter 27

The fight did not break out.

Yi Xian was a little disappointed, though that paled in comparison to the fury brewing in her chest. Just moments ago, she had sensed the chilling intent to kill from that serpent beauty. It was because of the thing they were searching for, a secret that the madwoman either knew or possessed.
Whatever it was, they had formed the intent to kill.

Why didn’t they strike immediately?

Perhaps they thought she still had some use. Or maybe it was because of that brute beside her. She had deliberately stalled while changing clothes so the cub could run and notify Lan Tong. Fortunately, that brute still had some sense of loyalty.

In any case, she had just scraped by with her life. Even now, cold dread lingered at the crown of her head. Originally, she had planned to bide her time, save enough secret funds, and escape this accursed place with the cub when the opportunity arose.

Now, that plan was useless.

If they could use charm magic on her this time, what if next time they found someone skilled in mind-reading? Any lies she told would be easily exposed. She would not even have the chance to escape.

Lan Tong noticed her unease and stopped walking. “Do not worry. I am here.”

Yi Xian met Lan Tong’s sincere gaze. In those deep blue eyes, she saw her own reflection. Her feelings were complicated. She had always believed this brute was savage, ill-mannered, and dangerously violent, always doing as she pleased in bed without considering Yi Xian’s wishes.
Truly, she thought Lan Tong was good for nothing.

Yet, every time danger struck, Lan Tong always appeared just in time. Last time. This time.

Still, no amount of gratitude could erase the gap between their statuses, nor the innate hostility between their races.

In this place, there would always be someone who wanted her dead.

Even the fiercest tiger had to nap sometimes. Was she really going to rely on Lan Tong’s constant protection? Ridiculous.

Yi Xian responded absentmindedly. Suddenly, something cold landed in her hand. It was a finely crafted dagger. Unlike the rough weapons she had seen in the local workshops, this one was heavy and intricate, with sharp edges and flowing engravings. It looked ancient.

Lan Tong gave her a look of disdain. “Yours is useless.”

Yi Xian was speechless. Whatever gratitude she had just felt was immediately shattered. Useless?

She had spent fifty copper coins on that dagger.

She had hidden it well. How had this brute discovered it?

…

After this incident, it was impossible to go back to a peaceful life. Yi Xian even sensed that, no matter where she went, unseen eyes followed her every move.

That night, the three parties met.

Beneath the dim moonlight, Yi Xian tapped her fingers against the table. “Since you’ve dragged me into this mess, the least you can do is tell me what I do not know.”

Lord Yin Bao, as usual, was chewing on a purple fruit with the cub. After they finished the fruit, they turned to the late-night snacks Yi Xian had prepared. The two little gluttons munched away happily. In between bites, Lord Yin Bao replied lazily, “I hate those stinky serpent beasts.”

“I suppose soft and furry is more likable,” Yi Xian mused.

“They are after the Phantom Beast Manual.”

“What is that?”

The Phantom Beast Manual was a Heaven-tier cultivation method. The “phantom beast” in its name did not refer to magical beasts. The original creator had designed it to allow the user to shift into different animals. Later, a prodigious talent refined the method so that, whether human or beast, the user could transform into any form they desired.

From something as small as Lord Yin Bao to something as massive as a dragon.

Imagine it. The constant warfare between the human and beast races, if beastmen acquired this manual and could disguise themselves as humans to infiltrate and sow chaos, it would be disastrous.

Lord Yin Bao, who was eating heartily just moments ago, scowled. “You vile woman, do not try to deceive me. There’s no treasure in this world that Lord Yin Bao does not know of!”

The madwoman scoffed. “You are just a turtle bug from the underground city. You see the sky through a well. Our human race is blessed. There are treasures everywhere.”

The two were about to start another argument.

Yi Xian did not want to waste time listening to them bicker. After all, a blade was still hanging over her head, ready to fall at any moment. “If you possess such a powerful technique, why didn’t you escape?”

If this madwoman was truly that strong, how could a mere prison cell hold her?

The madwoman growled through gritted teeth. “You think I didn’t want to?”

Yi Xian suddenly remembered the major difference between Kus City and Guata City, which was the energy shield.
A thin energy shield had always loomed over that small city. She remembered seeing the grey dome when she first awoke. Someone had told her it was to stop the Winged Tribe from stealing cubs.

Now that she thought about it, there were too many holes in that explanation. She had not understood much about the beast race back then. The Winged Tribe was a branch of the beast race. Why would they steal cubs? Besides, Kus City was too remote and poor. Only a handful of cubs were born there each year. Would they really use such an expensive energy shield for that?

So the shield was meant to suppress the madwoman.

The madwoman admitted frankly, “I was crippled. My spiritual power was destroyed. With that energy shield, all I could do was wait for death. Until you appeared.”

The energy shield blocked external power, making Kus City a vacuum. With her power ruined, the madwoman could not even borrow strength.

Yi Xian found herself impressed by whoever had orchestrated this. First, they crippled her. Then, they isolated the entire city. There would be no help. Kus City was so rustic that no one might be sent to that prison for ten years.

Except her, the unlucky one.

No wonder the madwoman had acted so quickly the moment Yi Xian tried to leave. For her, this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

“You planned to steal my body, then escape, didn’t you? Is that why you opposed me returning from Komo Forest?”

“Yes. When I first saw you, I did think that.”

At least she admitted it openly this time.

Little did she know, it was precisely because of her constant temptations that Yi Xian had decided to go back. She had a rebellious nature. The more someone told her to do something, the more she wanted to do the opposite.

She could not be bothered to dwell on the madwoman’s earlier malice. After all, she was an outsider and not in a position to judge. Yet the spoils always belonged to the victor.
“You’ve seen how things stand. We need to leave this place soon.”

The madwoman fell silent. “Do you really have to take the cub with you?”

Yi Xian glanced at the little one, whose mouth was covered in fruit juice. She was rubbing her warm, furry head against Yi Xian’s hand. Yi Xian stroked her gently. The cub rolled over contentedly like all feline creatures, exposing her soft belly for more scratches. When Yi Xian paused, the cub gave a little kick to her hand in protest.

Yi Xian gave her a full body massage. The satisfied little one purred softly.

After a while, a sigh drifted through the room. “Do not take her.”

…

Qin Rong and that White Lotus kept showing up around Yi Xian, desperate to remind her of their existence. Yi Xian disliked the White Lotus so much that she had never even bothered to learn her name. She never considered her a threat.

That day, Qin Rong visited and made several sarcastic remarks about the shack where Yi Xian and Lan Tong lived. “Yi Xian, seeing you worse off than me really puts my heart at ease.”

Yi Xian crossed her arms and stared. “Qin Rong, let’s be honest. You exposed me once. I exposed you once. We both escaped Komo Forest. Can we not just go our separate ways?”

She recalled that the original body had fled into Komo Forest to die because Qin Rong had exposed her petty crimes in public. They used to be close. Qin Rong had clearly fanned the flames. The rest… was just stupidity.

Qin Rong sneered. “No. Yi Xian, you must die.”

Yi Xian’s expression darkened. She did not enjoy killing, but that did not mean she was incapable of it. People who clung to her like leeches, should she allow them to live?

Qin Rong suddenly asked, “Yi Xian, did that cub of yours with Lan Tong come back? She really is beast-blooded and dumb. A bit of roast meat and she came running.”

Yi Xian kicked her in the chest. Qin Rong’s mocking grin vanished as she was sent flying. A dagger landed beside her throat, its blade a mere centimeter from slicing open her neck.

Qin Rong wet herself on the spot.

Fighting the stench, Yi Xian grabbed her by the hair. “What did you do to her?”

Stunned by the attack, Qin Rong finally came to her senses after several slaps. Sobbing and snotty, she dared not move. “Nothing, I swear! We just followed the City Lord’s orders. Took the cub somewhere else and lured you into the forest.”

Yi Xian withdrew the dagger, its tip tracing along Qin Rong’s cheek. “Where is she now?”

Qin Rong had lost all arrogance. She answered every question as if spilling the beans. In no time, she confessed everything.

Just as Yi Xian suspected, that blade hanging above her had finally started to fall. The City Lord had never intended to let her go. She only wanted to use her, then kill her.

How fitting for a serpent.

“You’re sure the City Lord won’t harm the cub?”

Qin Rong trembled like a sieve. Her words came out in a panicked mess. “Lord Lu is taking good care of her. Good food, soft bedding.”

Yi Xian was still uneasy. She called out to Lord Yin Bao a few times, then turned her attention back to Qin Rong. This pitiful and hateful woman was in a terrible state, covered in snot, tears, and urine.
Yi Xian’s killing intent wavered. Was a person like this really worth killing?

She asked, “Qin Rong, why do you keep trying to hurt me? Is it because of Lan Tong?”

Qin Rong shook her head like a rattle drum. “No. It is not.”

“…Huh?”

Yi Xian had always assumed Qin Rong had fallen for Lan Tong. After all, the brute had good looks, even if she was rough and acted more like a man than a delicate woman.

Then Qin Rong said something horrifying. Yi Xian thought, “No wonder the original body died so unjustly.”

Yi Xian dragged her up, dagger pressed to her lower back. “Since all of you want me to go to the forest, then take me.”