Chapter 69
Among the beastmen Tribal Chief Tali brought with him were mostly members of the tribe—but there was also one strange figure: a thin male wrapped in a dark cloak, his face completely hidden beneath the hood.
Tali stepped up to Nina.
“Nina, a female in the tribe lost her cub last night. We’re conducting a search. I hope you’ll cooperate p>
His gaze shifted to the snow-white tiger cub in her arms, and a sly, calculating smile tugged at his lips.
“This little tiger cub looks quite promising p>
Yinny let out a fierce little “wah-oo!” at him, baring tiny teeth.
Mother, that old man looks like a bad guy.
Nina gently stroked Yinny to soothe him before replying calmly, “Of course. But I have some valuable items inside. I’ll need a moment to put them away p>
Tali nodded. After all, storage spaces couldn’t hold living creatures. There was no way she could hide multiple cubs inside one. As long as they were outside, he would find them.
Besides, he had brought a powerful helper.
Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at the cloaked male, confidence filling him.
Nina entered the house briefly and soon came back out.
“You may search now p>
Tali led the group inside. The furnishings were simple and fully visible. They checked every covered corner, lifting hides and opening containers one by one—nothing.
Tali’s brows furrowed. He scanned the room carefully. Where could they be hidden?
They searched Mino’s and Yanai’s rooms as well, even the bathing chamber—still nothing.
Tali looked toward the cloaked male.
The cloaked figure gave a subtle shake of his head.
Tali’s expression darkened. How could there be nothing?
Was Sano lying to him?
Suppressing his frustration, he stepped outside again.
“We’re done. Thank you for your cooperation p>
Nina responded faintly, “Mm p>
Tali left with the others. As the cloaked male passed Nina, he paused for a brief second—almost imperceptibly—before continuing on.
Only after Tali’s group had completely disappeared into the distance did Nina release the cubs hidden beneath an invisibility cloak draped over her arm.
She frowned slightly and turned to Mino.
“We can’t wait for the peak of the rainy season to pass. We’re leaving now. That search was suspicious. Tali likely knows about the cubs p>
Mino’s expression hardened. “We don’t need to fear him. If he comes, I’ll kill him p>
“Yes,” Yanai added. “We’re strong enough p>
Sal’s eyes gleamed coldly. “One comes, we kill one. Two come, we kill a pair p>
Nina shook her head.
“You’re strong—but this is Tali’s territory. If we wait for him to act, we’ll be at a disadvantage. He’ll prepare thoroughly. But if we attack him now, we have no justification. Killing him without cause will only bring trouble p>
If Tali mobilized the entire tribe, even Mino and the others would be overwhelmed by sheer numbers. She herself was still not strong enough, and she had cubs to protect. One miscalculation could be disastrous.
And Tali was cunning—who knew what other cards he held?
She thought for a moment.
“We leave first. He’ll likely pursue us. That’s when we act p>
Leaving now would disrupt his plans. He wouldn’t have time to prepare or bring many warriors. If he came after them, the battlefield would be theirs to choose.
If he didn’t, then they’d simply be departing earlier than planned.
“Alright,” Mino said. “We’ll pack immediately p>
He and Yanai began gathering supplies.
“Sal, boil some water and put it in these,” Nina instructed, handing him two insulated bottles. “Twist the red part on top to open them p>
Sal took them without question. By now, the strange objects Nina occasionally produced no longer surprised any of them.
Nina carried Yinny inside to pack her own belongings.
Back at his stone dwelling, Tali sat with a deep frown.
“Fahn, did you truly sense nothing p>
The cloaked male stepped forward.
“There was nothing visible in the house. But when I passed near that female, I sensed several faint auras—very weak, but present. I couldn’t pinpoint them clearly p>
“On her?” Tali frowned. “But aside from the white tiger cub, there was nothing p>
Surely she couldn’t stuff them back into her womb?
If Fahn sensed something, then there must have been something.
“It may be a rare ability,” Fahn said quietly. “I’ve heard of an invisibility power that conceals living beings completely p>
Tali nodded slowly. “Very possible p>
So Sano hadn’t lied.
If Nina could truly give birth to multiple divine beasts at once… It was time to act.
He summoned Been.
“Have you located the beastmen I asked for p>
“Yes. We can contact them at any time p>
“Good. Once we capture Nina, we’ll imprison her. You must ensure she bears many cubs p>
“Yes,” Been replied, though his voice sounded subdued.
“We’ll finalize the plan. Later tonight, you’ll go contact them p>
As they began discussing details, someone stood frozen outside the door.
Leah.
Her eyes were wide, her hand clamped over her mouth.
They’re going to capture Nina… lock her up… force her to bear cubs p>
Carefully, she backed away and then ran toward Nina’s stone house.
She found Nina outside.
“Nina! Run!” Leah cried breathlessly. “I went to see my father and overheard everything—they’re planning to capture you and lock you up to force you to have cubs p>
Nina’s gaze turned cold.
So that was Tali’s plan.
“Thank you for telling me,” she said gently. “We were already preparing to leave p>
She had been wondering how to say goodbye—and how to deliver the gifts she had prepared. Now Leah had come to her on her own.
“I’m sorry,” Leah whispered, tears filling her eyes. “My father… I never thought he’d do something like this p>
Nina shook her head.
“Leah, if your father truly comes for me… I may have no choice p>
Leah understood immediately.
“If he tries to harm you, I won’t blame you p>
She was a female too. She knew no woman would willingly accept such a fate. If it were her, she would fight back as well.
Still, she wished things could have been different.
Nina reached into her space and brought out three crystal bracelets.
“These are for you, Bibi, and Minnie. The crystals are beneficial for female health. Wear them often p>
Leah took them, her eyes instantly brimming with tears.
Nina then handed her a yellow crystal pendant.
“Please give this to Aji. Tell him it can aid his training progress. And… tell him I’m glad I met him p>
She had chosen these farewell gifts long ago, just in case.
Leah’s tears fell freely now.
“I will p>
Nina gently wiped her tears.
“I’m glad I met you all too p>
Leah stepped forward and hugged her tightly.
“Nina… I don’t want you to go p>