Chapter 376
Setan’s determination was unwavering.
No beastman, no responsibility, and no force in the world could change his mind.
Rin looked at him helplessly and sighed.
“Even if we wronged that female, and even if I know she’s suffered greatly, there are other ways to make amends. Why must you sacrifice your entire future for her p>
His tone softened as he tried to reason with his grandson.
“That female is exceptional, I’ll admit that. But she isn’t the right match for you. You should find someone more suitable p>
Setan met his grandfather’s gaze without hesitation.
“Grandfather, this is the last time I’ll say it p>
His voice was calm but resolute.
“The only female I will ever marry is Nina. You don’t need to concern yourself with my mating arrangements anymore p>
He paused before continuing.
“And I am leaving with her. Please choose another City Lord p>
A deep frown appeared on Yian’s face.
“Father, I honestly think Nina is wonderful. Why are you so unwilling to accept her p>
He spread his hands in frustration.
“Weren’t you the one who originally wanted Setan to marry the Spirit Stone Princess? Well, Nina is that Princess. Isn’t that exactly what you wanted p>
The contradiction baffled him.
“One moment you’re insisting he should marry her, and the next you’re insisting he shouldn’t. Aren’t you contradicting yourself p>
In Yian’s eyes, Nina was nearly perfect.
She was beautiful, kind-hearted, powerful, and fiercely protective of Setan.
If she were willing to accept his son, he would celebrate for days.
Unfortunately, Nina didn’t seem particularly interested in Setan anymore.
And after everything that had happened today, the odds looked even worse.
Rin rubbed his forehead.
“Things were different before.” He looked genuinely troubled. “Yes, she was a Princess, but I didn’t know she already had so many mates. And now she’s severed all ties with Spirit Stone City p>
He shook his head.
“Even if Setan married her now, could that still be considered a political marriage alliance p>
Yian nearly rolled his eyes.
“Why wouldn’t it count p>
He immediately argued back.
“The engagement was originally between Nina and Setan. Whether she has ties to Spirit Stone City or not doesn’t change the fact that she was his fiancée p>
Growing more animated, he continued,
“Besides, let’s look at it another way. Nina is now closely connected to Barbarian City and White Sand City. An alliance with either of those cities is still an alliance p>
A grin appeared on his face.
“If anything, we’d be getting the better end of the deal p>
Then he added what he felt was the most obvious point.
“And Nina is extraordinary. Of course she has multiple mates. Why are you so obsessed with that p>
No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t understand his father’s stubborn opposition.
Rin finally revealed what had truly been bothering him all along.
“Because she already has so many mates p>
He folded his arms and frowned.
“Setan is one of the strongest beastmen of our generation. Our bloodline already has difficulty reproducing p>
His voice grew increasingly gloomy.
“If he marries Nina, then tell me this p>
He pointed at Setan.
“With his personality, am I ever going to see a great-grandcub before I die p>
The room fell silent. At last, the truth was out. Deep down, what Rin cared about most wasn’t politics. It was descendants.
In the Beast World, the stronger and more talented a beastman became, the harder it was for them to have offspring.
The same was true for females.
Setan was incredibly powerful. Nina was even stronger. The chances of them conceiving cubs were already slim.
On top of that p>
Rin glanced at his grandson and nearly sighed himself to death.
Setan wasn’t the type to fight for affection.
He wasn’t charming. He wasn’t manipulative. He wasn’t good at competing for attention.
How could he possibly outperform those smooth-talking males constantly surrounding Nina?
The more Rin thought about it, the more hopeless the situation seemed.
Would he ever get to hold a great-grandcub?
He and Yian had each spent years trying before finally having children, despite being their mates’ only husbands.
Yian had simply been lucky enough to have two sons.
As for that dead fish p>
Rin secretly suspected the reason he had obtained a great-grandcub was because his female had once been relatively weak, and the grandson in question wasn’t particularly powerful either.
He still mistakenly believed Mimi was Dian’s daughter.
Clearing his throat, he continued,
“And look at Setan now p>
His expression became even more exasperated.
“If he marries Nina, do you really think he’ll still care about Blazing Flame City p>
This was the second reason for his opposition.
Setan used to care about nothing except cultivation and governing the city.
Now?
His entire world revolved around Nina.
Rin was fairly certain that if Nina asked for Blazing Flame City itself, Setan would happily present it to her with both hands and thank her for accepting it.
Yian stared at his father for several seconds before finally bursting into laughter.
“So that’s it p>
His shoulders shook.
“All this time, your real concern wasn’t city management at all p>
He pointed accusingly.
“You’re worried you won’t get any great-grandcubs p>
Rin coughed awkwardly.
Well p>
That was largely true.
“What if I am p>
He straightened his back defensively.
“The continuation of our bloodline is important p>
The old lion finally admitted it openly.
He had always hoped Setan would choose a highly fertile female who would only take him as a mate.
That way, the chances of producing descendants would be much higher.
To Rin’s surprise, Yian suddenly laughed even harder.
“Then you can stop worrying p>
A mischievous grin spread across his face.
“I guarantee you’ll get your great-grandcub p>
Rin narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
“And how exactly are you guaranteeing that p>
Yian’s grin widened.
“Because you already have one p>
The old lion froze.
Yian lifted an eyebrow.
“You already have a great-grandcub p>
Rin stared at him as though he’d gone insane.
“Setan isn’t even mated. What great-grandcub p>
Then a thought occurred to him.
His eyes widened.
“Wait. Is your mate pregnant again p>
His voice trembled with excitement.
“You’re getting a third cub p>
Yian immediately rolled his eyes.
“If that happened, I’d laugh myself awake every night p>
Then he pointed toward Setan.
“It’s not mine. It’s Setan’s p>
The council hall fell deathly silent.
Rin blinked, shocked. Then a look of utter confusion appeared on his face.
“When did Setan get a cub p>
Yian looked at him as though he were hopeless.
“Didn’t you see that little Flame Lion cub in the courtyard earlier p>
A broad grin spread across his face.
“That’s Setan and Nina’s cub p>
He paused dramatically.
“Your great-grandcub p>
The old lion’s pupils contracted violently.
His entire body froze.
His voice shook.
“Y-You’re telling me the truth p>
His mind instantly filled with the image of the adorable little lion cub.
That cub… Was his great-grandcub?