The Strongest Beast-Tamer (Transmigration)(GL) - Chapter 6

Yi Xian slept until the sun was high in the sky. When she rubbed her aching waist, she felt as though she might explode on the spot. The culprit was nowhere to be found, which always left her with a burning rage and no outlet for release. Punching the air felt no different than sinking a fist into cotton.

“Damn it. A beast is a beast. Let’s just say I got bitten by a dog. No, more like pecked by a bird.”

Giggling.

The tiny one was rubbing her face against the Rainbow Yuanxiao, smiling as she played. The soft, round ball rewarded her with various emojis in return. The girl and the orb were delightfully entertained.

Listening to the girl’s silver-bell laughter, Yi Xian’s fury vanished in an instant, like a balloon deflating with a pop. She could not help thinking that perhaps the best thing that beast ever did was give her half a bloodline, just enough to bring such an adorable daughter into the world.

“Lan, come to Mama.”

The little one instinctively shrank back. When she saw Yi Xian smiling warmly and beckoning to her, she hesitated for a moment before shuffling forward with tiny steps.

Yi Xian had noticed that the child still could not speak. When anxious, she would only make ah-ah noises. For beastmen, a three-year-old cub remaining in human form was unusual in Kus City.

Only yesterday, while delivering fish, Yi Xian had overheard some humans mention that cubs like Lan were ridiculed by other beastmen. If a cub remained in human form into adulthood, they would not just be mocked; they might even be cast out from the beastman tribe, left to survive on their own.

Yi Xian narrowed her eyes. The union of humans and beastmen still felt too unnatural. Even if the child was technically a beastman cub, perhaps her human bl00d was stronger, which was why she could not transform. Yi Xian would actually prefer that the girl stayed in human form. Someday, if they ever got the chance to escape this cursed place, it might make things easier.

“Lan, did you like the fish slices?”

Those big, beautiful eyes stared up at her, not blinking once. They were like two clear mountain lakes.

Yesterday, Yi Xian had made a large pot of sour fish soup. The fish slices had been tender and white, cut evenly, with a sweet and tangy broth. Unfortunately, there had been no chili, which somewhat dulled the flavor.

Lan Tong and the girl had not only finished the soup but had nearly buried their faces in the bowls.

“Do you want more?”

Lan instinctively licked her lips and smacked them, expressing her desire through action.

Ever since Yi Xian began cooking for herself, she had lost all tolerance for eating raw, bloody meat. If she could enjoy the flavors of her past life again, she would have no regrets.

She stood up and casually ruffled the tuft of hair atop Lan’s head. The little one had thick, dark curls just like hers. Regarding the curls, Yi Xian remembered that Lan Tong’s beast form had shimmering golden fur that was not curly at all.

Putting that puzzle aside, she decided to feed them both first. The easiest choice was grilled fish.

Unfortunately, there were still no proper seasonings.

With a sigh, Yi Xian made do with the ingredients at hand to create a sweet and sour sauce. Once the fish was grilled, she drizzled the sauce over it and handed it to the little one, who sat obediently nearby, waiting to be fed.

The child devoured it hungrily. Her eating habits were just like Lan Tong’s. Yesterday, Yi Xian had tried to remove the fish bones first, but the girl ended up chomping down on the entire thing, skin, meat, and bones all in one bite.

Yi Xian had consoled herself afterward that this might be a beastman trait. Their digestion must be impressively fast.

When Lan Tong returned, the two of them had already finished five plump fish. She tossed her hunting spoils outside, grabbed a few fish, and shoved them into Yi Xian’s hands.

“Cook.”

As a slave, resisting her master was impossible. Yet Yi Xian did not behave like a slave at all.

She licked her lips and smiled, bargaining with Lan Tong.

“Take me with you next time you go out. I can make even tastier food.”

Lan Tong did not even hesitate.

“Fine.”

With her goal achieved, Yi Xian smiled faintly. Within moments, she had skewered ten fish and arranged them over the fire, roasting them slowly while her mind drifted toward menus and fruits. If she could just find chili, ginger, and garlic, she would be able to make spicy sliced pork, pickled fish, or cumin barbecue.

This time, she came prepared. She had woven a large backpack basket from soft tree branches. She even placed Lan and the Rainbow Yuanxiao inside as a test, and the little one had laughed with joy. The basket proved exceptionally sturdy. Though Lan Tong, watching from the side, frowned deeply.

“Lan cannot go.”

“I know.”

Cubs were only allowed outside Kus City after they turned ten, and only under beastman supervision. They could not leave until they could hunt independently.

Within the city, training camps were available for cubs to build courage and develop hunting skills. For someone like Lan, who remained in human form, participation in such places was not allowed.

At best, she could only watch from the sidelines.

This time, Yi Xian paid closer attention to how the other cubs treated her Lan. Noses were turned up at her. Some even pawed at the Rainbow Yuanxiao in Lan’s arms. The poor child had quickly been pushed into a corner, looking pitiful.

No wonder she had returned that day all dirty. Clearly, she had been bullied.

“Maybe we should leave Lan with Lu Nan.”

“Hm?”

It took Lan Tong a moment to recall who Lu Nan was.

“Why?”

Yi Xian’s reasoning was sound. Lu Nan had no cubs of her own. Judging from her past reaction to Lan, it was clear she deeply valued children. She did not share the beastmen’s prejudice against human-formed cubs. Most importantly, Lu Nan would never harm the child.

Lan Tong did not care either way. So they detoured to Lu Nan’s residence. As they approached, they heard muffled sounds coming from within the tent. Moans, high and breathy.

This kind of sound was far too familiar to Yi Xian, who had spent many nights pinned beneath an insatiable beast.

She glanced up at the sky. Broad daylight. Public displays of affection, indeed. Beastman life was so terribly dull it bordered on outrageous.

She coughed lightly. The sounds inside continued.

“Ahem. Ahem. AHEM.”

The noises finally stopped. It was the kind of abrupt end that came right before the peak.

Yi Xian smacked the claw that had somehow found its way to her waist. She glared at Lan Tong with a murderous look. If looks could kill, Lan Tong would be sliced up into raw bird sashimi.

“Who is it?”

“I’m here to see Lu Nan.”

Lu Nan, breathless and flushed, stumbled out of bed at the sound of Yi Xian’s voice. She quickly put on her clothes and stepped outside, followed by her partner, a female beastman.

Yi Xian noticed her flushed face, the corners of her eyes still tinged with desire. She immediately regretted bringing Lan along. What if these two shameless beasts resumed their activities the moment she left?

Still, she handed the little one to Lu Nan, carefully reminding her to keep Lan within sight at all times.

Beastmen usually hunted in the morning. Afternoons were theirs to do as they pleased. This was Yi Xian’s second time accompanying Lan Tong to Komo Forest, so she did not know the routine. When she realized there was no need to gather with others, she felt a bit relieved.

Lan Tong asked, “What are you looking for?”

Yi Xian continued searching in silence, unwilling to speak with the beast. It then occurred to her that if this one had managed to catch the Rainbow Yuanxiao, she must have known Komo Forest well.

So she gave a simple description of chili, ginger, and garlic. Along the way, she was pleasantly surprised to discover a few mushrooms.

Lan Tong confirmed they were not poisonous, so Yi Xian gathered them as well.

She dug up several wild greens as they walked. When she tried to head deeper into the forest, toward the direction of Crescent Lake, Lan Tong stopped her.

“It is dangerous past here.”

Yi Xian feigned ignorance, turning back while silently marking the boundary in her mind.

Her memories from before being kidnapped were patchy. She still had no idea what kind of place Jiuxi Continent really was. She knew one thing with absolute clarity. She was human, and humans belonged in human lands.

“That’s enough.”

“Then let’s go back.”

On the way home, Yi Xian made plans. Once back, she would cure and dry a few salted fish. When she had time, she could serve those two beasts some salty fish for a change of flavor.

She never expected trouble to strike the moment they reached Kus City’s gate. A crowd of beastmen blocked their way, mixed with a few humans whose eyes were red from anger. As soon as they saw her, they rushed forward.

“It’s her.”

“Yi Xian, come out! We trusted you! How could you harm us like this?”

“I thought she really changed. Turns out she’s all smiles in front and schemes behind our backs. So cunning.”

Everyone was shouting at once. The city gate turned into a noisy marketplace. Yi Xian recognized many of the faces. The original host had wronged them before. She had hoped to earn some goodwill by having Lu Nan accompany her to deliver fish.

From the sound of it, trouble had indeed come knocking.

Lan Tong said, “Silence.”

The crowd instantly fell quiet. Those who had wanted to speak swallowed their words.

Her cold eyes swept over them.

“What happened? Speak, one at a time.”

One beastman glared at Yi Xian and angrily recounted everything. His female slave had recently become pregnant and was craving fish. After eating it, however, she suffered from severe stomach pain.

Others also complained of gut-wrenching pain, saying they were close to death.

Since humans had fallen ill, they called for a human physician. Everyone ran to Qin Rong. After questioning them, she discovered a common factor, which was that they had all eaten fish.

And that fish had been delivered personally by Yi Xian.

The crowd’s emotions flared again. They demanded justice.

Yi Xian thought the timing was too convenient. She had barely left, and someone got sick. They had been eating this fish for days, so why was this happening now?

Lan Tong said, “I ate it too.”

Her simple statement silenced the entire group. The beastmen exchanged uncertain glances.

As the deadlock dragged on, Qin Rong arrived with the Kus City patrol. She pointed at Yi Xian.

“It was her. That herb she brought back last time was a poisonous plant. The poisoning was her doing.”

Yi Xian’s expression froze.

Oh, how capable you are, human physician.