Chapter 339 The Old Patriarch’s Partiality
As soon as she finished speaking, her companions gathered around her and the atmosphere instantly became tense.
Qian Jingyao took a deep breath, took a step forward, and said in a low but firm voice:
"Lina, I was sorry for what happened to my tribe in the past, but I never thought of shirking my responsibility. What happened today was a conflict between the cubs. There's no need to escalate it into a conflict between the tribes."
Lina sneered, her eyes full of sarcasm:
"Stop pretending to be a good person here! Do you think you can make up for the mistakes you made by coming back? Dream on!"
Humph, after Qian Jingyao left, she proposed to the clan leader that they should find a new young clan leader, such as her partner Hu Sheng. However, the clan leader refused to agree and made various excuses. She thought that the old clan leader deliberately wanted to keep the position for Qian Jingyao!
At this moment, Qi An walked silently to Xia Yueke, handed her a small bottle, and said softly:
"This is an ointment to stop bleeding. Apply it to the kids."
Xia Yueke glanced at Qi'an gratefully, took the ointment, squatted down and carefully applied it to An'an and Dundun. She blew gently on their wounds and asked softly, "Does it still hurt?"
An An and Dun Dun shook their heads and said with a smile, "It doesn't hurt anymore! The female beast is the best!"
Luo Cihe squatted down, rubbed An An's head, and said softly: "If anyone bullies you in the future, tell your father, and he will help you teach them a lesson!"
Lang Ce also came over and said viciously, "That's right! If anyone dares to bully you again, I will scratch them with my claws!"
Qian Jingyao shook his head helplessly, "You guys, don't teach the bad brat."
Seeing that they completely ignored her, Lina was so angry that her face turned pale and she screamed:
"You outsiders are truly lawless! If I don't teach you a lesson today, do you really think I'm easy to bully?"
As soon as she finished speaking, the companions around her also showed their claws. However, they also knew Qian Jingyao's strength, and their faces were solemn. The atmosphere instantly became tense. Just as the two sides were about to clash, an old but majestic voice came from outside the crowd: "Stop it!"
Everyone looked back and saw the old patriarch walking slowly towards them, leaning on a cane. His eyes swept over everyone, finally landing on Lina, and he said sternly:
"Lina, what are you doing? It's disgraceful to cause trouble in the tribe!"
When Lina saw the old patriarch, her momentum suddenly weakened a bit, but she still said unwillingly:
"Chief, they were the ones who bullied my cub first!"
The old patriarch snorted coldly, "I've heard about the conflict between the cubs. It was clearly your cub who started the argument, and you're still making trouble here. You're really embarrassing Hu Sheng!"
Lina's face turned pale and blue after being scolded by the old patriarch. In the end, she could only lower her head and dared not say another word.
The great warrior Hu Sheng in the crowd also looked unhappy. "Lina, I told you long ago that I am loyal to the clan leader and the young clan leader. Who allowed you to make the decision without authorization?"
Lina quickly argued: "Hu Sheng, I'm doing this for your own good. Why should Qian Jingyao be the clan leader as soon as he comes? He's been gone for so long, and the clan leader won't give you a chance!"
The old patriarch's face darkened, and he said sternly, "My decision was made after consultation with all the elders and the patriarch. I don't need you to dictate my decision!"
The old patriarch looked at Xia Yuke and Qian Jingyao again, and his tone softened a little: "Let the children solve their own problems. You adults, don't get involved."
Xia Yueke nodded and said respectfully, "The clan leader is right. We were impulsive."
Qian Jingyao stood aside, looking at his tribesmen illuminated by the bonfire, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
The old patriarch walked over to Qian Jingyao and patted him on the shoulder gently, his eyes full of love and relief: "Jingyao, don't take it to heart."
Qian Jingyao lowered his head, his voice choking: "Father, I...I feel sorry for my people."
The old patriarch shook his head and said firmly, "No, you haven't wronged anyone. I was the one who asked you to leave."
As soon as these words were spoken, the surrounding fox beastmen were stunned. Even Lina widened her eyes and looked at the old chief in disbelief.
The old patriarch looked around at everyone and said in a loud and majestic voice:
"Back then, I sent Jingyao away from the tribe to find a herb that could cure our people's illnesses. This herb can only be found in the outside world, and the journey is difficult and dangerous. I didn't want to worry my people, so I didn't tell anyone."
Qian Jingyao raised his head, a hint of surprise and gratitude flashed in his eyes: "Father..."
The old patriarch continued:
"Jingyao has been traveling for years, going through untold hardships, and finally found that herb. This time he returned, not only with the herb, but also with new hope. And yet you're blaming him here, which really disappoints me."
Lina's face turned pale in an instant, and she stammered:
"Chief, I... I don't know..."
The old patriarch gave her a cold look and said, "Just because you don't know anything about it, you can slander others at will? Lina, as a female beast, you should set an example instead of fanning the flames here."
Lina lowered her head and dared not say another word.
As someone who came out together at the time, Xia Yueke certainly knew that the patriarch was lying, but she didn't expect that the old patriarch would lie to such an upright person!
However, Xia Yueke was still very touched. There were not many such father beasts. They didn't bring any herbs with them. If it really didn't work, they could use Aqi's herbs to make do.
While Xia Yuke was daydreaming, the old patriarch spoke again, but not to her.
The old patriarch looked at An An and Dun Dun again, his eyes full of love:
"These two cubs are the future of our fox clan. Although they are young, they are kind-hearted, brave and upright. You adults should teach them well instead of involving them in your disputes."
Xia Yueke also felt like expressing her feelings. She looked at the old patriarch with gratitude and said softly, "Patriarch, thank you."
The old patriarch waved his hand and said gently, "Alright, everyone, disperse. Today is a day of celebration. Don't let these little things dampen our spirits."
Everyone dispersed after hearing the old patriarch's words. Although Lina was unwilling, she had no choice but to drag her child away.
Under the moonlight, beside the campfire, laughter rang out again. An An and Dun Dun played with the other cubs, as if the conflict had never happened.
Xia Yueke and Mia sat aside, continuing to share each other's stories and enjoying this rare quiet time.
Qian Jingyao stood aside, looking at his tribesmen illuminated by the bonfire, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
He knew that he still had a lot of things to face, but at least at this moment, he felt the long-lost warmth and sense of belonging.
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